Sega announced at it’s recently concluded event, Sega Fes 2019 that it will finally roll out a retro version of its Sega Genesis console and it will happen before the end of the year. The retro version will be known as the Sega Genesis Mini (in the US) and the Mega Drive Mini (in Japan). The Sega Genesis Mini/Mega Drive Mini will come with 40 built-in games. Hopefully, it will hit stores on September 19th, 2019.
According to Kotaku, when the device is released, it’s game lineups will be slightly different. The lineup of the Sega Genesis Mini will include Castlevania Bloodlines, Comix Zone, Gunstar Heroes, Madou Monogatari Ichi, Powerball, Puyo Puyo 2, Rent-a-Hero, Shining Force, Sonic 2, and Space Harrier II, while the Mega Drive Mini (Japan) will include Castlevania Bloodlines, Comix Zone, Gunstar Heroes, Madou Monogatari Ichi, Powerball, Puyo Puyo 2, Rent-a-Hero, Shining Force, Sonic 2, and Space Harrier II.
#セガフェス2019 では #メガドラミニ の試遊台を10台ご用意！
今からご案内がはじまりました！１F配信ブースでは『メガドライブ ミニ（仮称）こぼれ話』をお届けしております。
⇒ https://t.co/oVCoc1xis7 pic.twitter.com/hUoFBmpNdA
— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) March 30, 2019
The US version and the Japanese version have some other minor differences. The US version, for instance, will come with a pair of three-button USB controllers and will retail for $79.99, while the Japanese version will come with a six-button controller, and will sell for ¥6,980 ($60) or with an additional controller for ¥8,980 yen ($80). According to Sega, the link for pre-orders will be released soon.
Recent years have seen a rise in the market of nostalgic consoles. In 2016, the NES Classic was released and then the year after we saw the SNES Classic, although both devices have since left production. Sony followed with its own version, the PlayStation Classic which was released last year. The miniature consoles plug into a modern television and gamers can go on to play right off the bat. The Sega Genesis Mini, however, will have cartridge doors which can be opened. The controllers can be connected via standard USB ports.
The isn’t the first time Sega is trying to break into the retro gaming market. Sega previously licensed it’s name out to emulator console and then companies like AtGames. The result was a mixed track record with quality. The Mega Mini Drive was initially announced last year and the company wanted to release it to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the original device. However, later that year, Sega announced that the release was being delayed, seemingly over the quality issues that plagued the earlier consoles. It was also announced that developer M2 will replace AtGames as producer of the games for the device.
