Anyone who has purchased a pre-owned retro game console may have been surprised by how dirty it was when it arrived.
I had the same disappointing experience when I finally purchased an AES that I had admired for many years, only to find heavy dust and grime still covering it. It is even more disappointing when it is something you have been looking forward to receiving.
The Neo Geo AES was released many years ago, so scratches, discoloration, and signs of use are not unusual.
However, we believe that being old and being dirty are not the same thing.
Signs of Age Are Different from Dirt
Every AES that has been used over many years has its own scratches, discoloration, and signs of wear.
A used console cannot be returned to brand-new condition, and the cosmetic condition of each unit will naturally vary. Of course, those differences also affect its value. However, scratches and signs of use are different from dirt that can be cleaned away.
We believe that this kind of dirt should be removed rather than passed on to the next owner.
Some Areas Cannot Be Reached by Wiping the Surface
The exterior of an AES has several areas where dirt can easily collect, including the cartridge slot, ventilation openings, and the areas around the buttons.
Dirt is especially likely to build up around the edge of the reset button and in the areas hidden beneath it. These areas cannot be cleaned properly without disassembling the console and removing the button.
Dust tends to collect around the hidden rim beneath the reset button and inside the ventilation openings. These areas cannot be cleaned properly without disassembling the console and removing the button.
For this reason, we disassemble every console before sale, remove the exterior casing, and wash it with detergent and water. We clean not only the visible surfaces but also the narrow grooves and the inside of the casing, while doing our best to reduce any odors that remain in the exterior.
Depending on the type of odor and the condition of the casing, it may not always be possible to remove it completely. Even so, we carefully clean each console as thoroughly as possible so that its new owner can begin using it more comfortably.
After cleaning, the casing is allowed to dry completely before the console is inspected and reassembled.
Enjoying the AES We Once Dreamed Of
When the Neo Geo AES was originally released, it was not a game console that everyone could easily afford.
Some people may have admired it as children and finally acquired one only after many years. It can be disappointing when a long-awaited console arrives covered in dust or with a strong odor still remaining.
Although scratches and signs of use cannot be erased, removing years of accumulated dirt can help restore some of the console’s original appeal.
We carefully clean every Neo Geo AES so that those who once dreamed of owning one can enjoy it comfortably from the moment they take it out of the box.