Our Story
① Childhood Dream
As a child, the Neo Geo AES felt out of reach.
It was far too expensive for me to own,
so I played on a Neo Geo CD instead.
But the AES was always the console I dreamed about.
Back then,
I had never even seen one in person.
② Finally Owning One
When Neo Geo X was released, I seriously considered buying one. But at the time, as a student, it still felt a little too expensive for me.
Years later, when Neo Geo Mini was released, I bought one immediately. I even bought an arcade stick for it.
But somehow, it still didn't feel like the Neo Geo I had dreamed of.
That only made me want a real AES even more. And eventually, I finally owned one.
③ The Disappointment
In my 30s, I finally got my hands on a real AES. It had been more than 20 years since I first dreamed about owning one. But when it arrived, it was dirty, smelled of mold, and barely worked. Even touching the power cable would reset the console. The console I had admired for so many years had clearly not been cared for. That feeling became the starting point for everything I do today.
④ The Turning Point
At first,
I simply wanted to make the AES look beautiful again.
I cleaned the shell,
washed the parts,
and carefully cleaned the cartridge contacts.
Even those small steps
slowly brought the console back to life.
I still remember the feeling
of seeing the AES finally begin to look
the way I had imagined it for so many years.
Old doesn't have to mean dirty.
I started to believe that,
with proper care,
these consoles could continue to be enjoyed for many more years.
⑤ What We Do Today
That experience eventually led me to begin selling carefully restored Neo Geo systems on eBay under the name WAKU WAKU R Work Shop.
“Waku waku” is a Japanese expression for a feeling of excitement and anticipation. The name WAKU WAKU R Work Shop reflects my hope that carefully restored Neo Geo systems can bring that feeling to their new owners and keep the excitement of these classic games alive.
Today, WAKU WAKU R Work Shop continues to serve customers through both our eBay store and our independent online store at wakuwaku-r-shop.com.
Because of those experiences, every AES console I sell is carefully cleaned, inspected, and tested.
Many systems today are treated as if "old means dirty" is simply normal.
But I believe the AES is something special that deserves to be preserved properly.
I know many people buying an AES today once dreamed about owning one, just like I did.
That's why I work carefully on every console — so that dream never feels broken when it finally arrives.
⑥ Closing
The AES was something I dreamed about for many years.
That's why I want people who have long admired the AES — just like I once did — to experience it the way it was truly meant to be, not with disappointment.
I don't believe "it's old, so it can't be helped."
With proper care and attention, I believe these consoles can continue to be enjoyed for many years to come.
