Yesterday, SEGA FES revealed the SEGA Mega Drive Mini. Today, SEGA of America and SEGA Europe revealed their versions of the plug and play console. Like the Japanese version, the console will include 40 games. While Japan has two versions, one with one controller and another with two controllers, the western versions will include two controllers with price points of $79.99/£69.99/€79.99 and a worldwide release date of September 19, 2019.
We have learned since the SEGA FES presentation that emulation is handled my M2, of SEGA AGES and 3D Classics fame, and the menu music will be created by Yuzo Koshiro!
Unfortunately, unlike the Japanese version the western releases will not feature the superior six-button pad. Instead the original three button pads will be included. If I had to guess, SEGA is hoping fans will buy the recently released officially licensed Retro-Bit controllers (should they work with the plug and play console).
As for the games, there are some similarities and differences from Japan’s initially revealed lineup. So far SEGA has revealed:
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Space Harrier II
- Shining Force
- Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
- ToeJam & Earl
- Comix Zone
- Sonic The Hedgehog
- Altered Beast
- Gunstar Heroes
With more to come! Personally, my fingers are crossed for complete collections of Streets of Rage, Golden Axe and Phantasy Star. It’s crazy that I am saying this about one of the console’s greatest games, but it would be amazing if Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles were also included. On the other end, it would be interesting to see a lineup that doesn’t attempt to be complete in terms of franchises, and instead offers a sampling of every genre. Though with 40 possible games, I can’t see why they couldn’t do both.
Pre-order links are coming soon, and we will share them as we have them!
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Considering the amount of disc-based and PC compilations SEGA has put out over the years (including just last fall!), this mini might be a tough sell.
I think it’s going to boil down to the third-party offerings. ‘Castlevania: Bloodlines’ has definitely peaked my interest in this, but it still has ‘Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection’ to contend with, which has the best selection of games and is dirt cheap.
Sure, the use of Genesis controllers might be nice, but still.
Sonic ultimate genesis collection is mediocre emulation compare to M2 fantastic work…
On the Mini you’ll have Konami, Namco (probably more tiers), and possibly Disney, Technosoft games since M2 delivered Thunder Force 3, 4 on Nintendo systems or Castle of Illusion genesis port on PS3…
I think we’ll have more surprises from this mini. (And dat Koshiro theme…)
That price
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha
THis has absolutely no chance of selling to anybody but collectors and hardcore fans UNLESS the controllers are USB and work on PC and/or they add in more unique games like Castlevania Bloodlines, but my bet is that all they’re going to add other than Castlevania is Contra Hard Corps and the rest will be the same as whatever’s available on Steam or Sonic’s ultimate collection
Unlike Nintendo, many old Sega games can be played legally on literally anything so this barely has any value as a gaming device
The price isn’t surprising since it has twice as many games as Nintendo’s mini consoles.
reading comprehension, buddy
You’d be surprised how much interest I’ve seen for this already.
Why are the games and controllers worse than the Japanese one?
This is exactly what Sony did was PS1 Classic to ruin it outside of Japan. Now people have to import a Japanese one if they want a quality product.
Sony did it deliberately, this is merely regional differences and licensing/translation problems manifesting themselves yet again as a sad reminder of how the 90s used to be.
man I reeally wanted that Rent A Hero game from the Jp Mini. 😣 We were told Rent A Hero 2 would release on OG Xbox, there were reviews and a solid release date, but it never came out…😒
We’ll, the lack of a 6 button pad is disappointing, especially since comix zone really is played best with all 6 buttons. I know they haven’t revealed every game yet but so far there’s not a single shmup there?! Considering the fact that the mega drive was THE machine for shmups like Thunderforce, Musha, Fantasy Zone and many others the complete lack of a whole genre is baffling…
Never had a problem playing Comix Zone with three buttons although I can see how it would annoy some.
It makes sense why they didn’t include the six button controller, as they’re working directly with Retro-Bit to produce replicas of the those. They wouldn’t want to infringe on the potential sales of their partner, and who knows–we might be able to use them for the mini.
Sure, but why does it make sense in the west but not in Japan?!
Heck yeah this thing is coming out on my birthday!
Anyway don’t forget the $80 price tag is about what you would pay for a complete copy of Castlevania Bloodlines. I also like the original batwing controllers better, just because they are what came with my Genesis in 1989. I never really got used to the small six button.
I’m pretty excited to try this out in September.
Looks interesting so far. Good selection of games. Shame it’s limited to 40. I know some favourites will end up being left off. I wonder if anything can be done with Sonic 3?