Picked up EXTREMELY low serial AES from Mandarake in Japan. Advice needed

[u/Blarghinston]

Hey guys. I picked up an absolute steal NEOGEO AES during my Japan visit for an absolute bargain. Problem is, it’s loose. I’m absolutely stoked to see a serial this low.

Is this a super collectible thing to have a low serial? This looks to be just over the 1000th neo geo made for Japan?

I bought it loose so I plan to pick up a NeoCD controller, hd Retrovision Genesis adapter, and a power supply.

It looks like 5V DC, 3 amp center negative brick is what I’m after.

What gotchas do I need to look out for with this bad boy?

Thanks in advance :)

[u/Drunkensailor1985]

Installing a unibios completely ruins the quality and value of a low serial number aes 

[u/Neo-Alec → u/Drunkensailor1985]

I don't really buy the idea that a low serial number model is more valuable. It's a loose system, so modding it for a socketed bios instead of stock is completely valid.

[u/Internal-Computer388 → u/Neo-Alec]

Perhaps if its low serial number in single or lower double digits, with box it could be. Like you said though, I doubt this loose system would be worth much.

[u/Drunkensailor1985 → u/Neo-Alec]

I have a serial number between 20,000 and 28,000. Only neo geo's ever released in europe with best rgb output. Someone offered me 1500 euros some years ago. 

[u/Blarghinston → u/Drunkensailor1985]

If you could kindly explain why, it would be helpful

[u/BrodyBruceLee → u/Blarghinston]

If you plan to play it, flip it for money and buy a 3-6.

[u/Blarghinston → u/BrodyBruceLee]

That’s tempting. There’s a lot of ways I could go with this.

[u/iVirtualZero → u/Drunkensailor1985]

Not if you install a socket for the Unibios. You can always take the Unibios out and put the original back in.

[u/maki9000]

it says its a 5V model, could be the first revision NEO-AES

generally, later revisions (NEO-AES3_5 or NEO-AES3_6) running on 9V are preferred for flash cards, and the pic is often really good or can be fixed easily

also, the very first revisions has its RGB messed up, contrary to popular (and outdated) opinions

turns out that using 68 Ohm resistors in the RGB path wes by design because the voltage levels were too low:

https://www.retrosix.wiki/rgb-voltage-levels-neo-geo-aes

[u/LowPrint6989]

If I remember the lower serials are considered the systems with the best parts and less problems like jail bars and crisper video

Though I could be remembering completely wrong

[u/BrodyBruceLee → u/LowPrint6989]

It’s one of the worst honestly. First gens need updated caps to 470uf for video outputs, the 68ohm resistors can stay in if they read close to 68ohm. The refresh rate is 59.18hz which a lot of TVs don’t like. Most LCDs and upscalers will need a DFO to get that perfect 59.94hz.

But the biggest issue is the low bite force of the slot connectors. Ng sells replacement connectors that you can swap in once you start having issues. Don’t forget to swap in a new power jack as well.

[u/Blarghinston → u/BrodyBruceLee]

I’m planning on running this with a Retrotink 4K. I’m hopeful it can lock on the 59.18hz. It should be able to with little difficulty.

[u/BrodyBruceLee → u/Blarghinston]

The scaler won’t have a problem, it’s the TV that might.

[u/Turquoise_HexagonSun → u/BrodyBruceLee]

As a low serial JP owner this is all correct. I wasn’t aware of the low bite force though.

Can you tell me more about symptoms? I sometimes get glitchy sprites, but I use a NeoSD flash cart so it might be that too.

Where can I get these different cart slots you speak of?

[u/Neo-Alec → u/BrodyBruceLee]

Thank you for posting some truth. The outdated info floating around is still largely treated as gospel. At least the RGB on this system is probably decent without a bypass mod.

[u/Blarghinston → u/LowPrint6989]

I’m just surprised that I happened upon this. I’m gonna pick up a Unibios and see about getting a recap + install service done. This thing should probably have new caps in it given its age.

[u/burningbun → u/Blarghinston]

fix it when it breaks. defeats the purpose of early production.

[u/Dragonheart79 → u/burningbun]

I would absolutely not wait until it breaks or shows symptoms of capacitor leakage. I’ve recapped a few of these and the PCB quality is terrible. The board easily delaminates and the electrolytic goo damages the VIAs. All consoles that are 30+ years by now must be recapped, the sooner the better to avoid further problems down the road. Also this low serial tale is not valid anymore and was only a big thing of westerners during the early 2000s… no one in Japan cares or ever cared. Every NG can now output the same video quality with a small mod and IMO the very last revision (3-6) gives you the best video by simply removing/cutting 3 traces…

[u/Blarghinston → u/burningbun]

hmm, okay. I still want the unibios though. Looks like I’d have to solder but I live real close to Stone Age gamer so maybe I’ll hit them up

[u/burningbun → u/Blarghinston]

would a stock aes of low number be more valuable stock?

[u/sicker_combos]

If i had any comment, it's to please preserve this unit as much as possible! Ultimately however, it is your console. 

[u/Handolta]

I also purchased a low S/N - 3260, and playing it unmodded through a Retrotink 5x. Even though there are guaranteed to be people here able to get a better picture, I think it’s absolutely fine, and something most people will be happy with. Take good care of it!

https://imgur.com/a/TskYwCm

[u/Retrogames_JP]

correct me if I am wrong but low serial numbers played a role in image quality back in the day.

but in 2025 with hundreds of mods and solutions it should not differ anymore.

unless ofc you want to sell it and find someone who lusts over such details.

[u/Buckgrim]

If you are going to modify it, trading this for a late serial is the best idea.

[u/Engin-nerd]

Which mandarake and how much? Nice score

[u/Blarghinston → u/Engin-nerd]

Mandarake Building 2 in Akihabara. :) I paid I believe 25,000 yen!

[u/Engin-nerd → u/Blarghinston]

That’s a great deal. Surprised you scored that well in Akihabara. I usually have to go way out of the Tokyo city center to find a deal that good.

Was it labeled untested?

[u/Blarghinston → u/Engin-nerd]

Nope. He said they tested it. Just loose no accessories. I was like what’s the catch??