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[Chittagong]

Actual image of the device

 

[Chittagong]

I got a print of the original production drawing framed

 

[Kazza]

News of the PAL version has just come through:

Summary:
Autumn 2019
£70/80 euros

Games (10 of 40):

• Altered Beast
• Castlevania Bloodlines/The new Generation
• Ecco the Dolphin
• Space Harrier 2
• Shining Force
• Mean Bean Machine
• Toejam&Earl
• Comix Zone
• Sonic 1
• Gunstar Heroes

It looks like it'll be two 3-button controllers rather than a single 6-button controller (although the Megadrive in the picture looks to be an actual original fully-sized one rather than the mini, as you can see from the controller ports not being USB ports)

I wonder if they will run at 50Hz or 60Hz? (Edit: I forgot, it seems that all regions' versions (PAL,JAP,NTSC) will be included for each game)

Sega Europe tweet:

 

[Kazza]

These are the two games lists compared (minus the common games):

JAP

• Madō Monogatari
• Puyo Puyo Tsu
• Rent a Hero
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• Wrestleball

PAL

• Altered Beast
• Ecco the Dolphin
• Mean Bean Machine
• Toejam&Earl
• Sonic 1

I would imagine that both Sonic 1 & 2 will be coming to both. I doubt we'll see Madō Monogatari, Puyo Puyo Tsu, Rent a Hero and Wrestleball in PAL regions. Wrestleball looks a lot like an Amiga game called Speedball. I played the Amiga version, but I'm pretty sure that the (much better) sequel was ported to the Megadrive, so I wouldn't mind that being included instead. Swapping Puyo Puyo Tsu for Mean Bean Machine is probably a wise move.

I'd say the PAL version is winning out for me so far (unless the games run at 50Hz). Then again, I actually owned the Japanese version back in the day, so that carries more nostalgia for me.

 

[Kazza]

Is anyone bothered by the 3 button controller being swapped out for the 6 button one? I always thought the 6-button one just looked like a deformed 3 button controller, but I supposed it comes down to what you used back then. I never serious got into Street Fighter 2, so never had a reason to buy one

Not many other games seemed to utilise the 6 buttons anyway, and many that did (SoR3 for example) had alternative input options:

Comix Zone
Eternal Champions
Ranger-X
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Streets of Rage 3
The Story of Thor: A Successor of the Light
ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron
Virtua Fighter 2
Virtua Racing

Since the controller ports are USB, I'm sure you'll be able to use the new Retrobit controllers if the 6 buttons are important. I suppose the reduced cost of the 3 button ones allowing them to bundle a second controller mattered more to Sega Europe.

 

[Maguro]

Is anyone bothered by the 3 button controller being swapped out for the 6 button one

Yes, it's the best controller ever made for 2D games in my opinion. The d pad and buttons are of superior quality. It sits in your hand so comfortable.
Even better than the Saturn V2 controller. And a loooot better than the crappy three button MD controller.

Not talking about the shitty China repros on eBay.

 

[Lucumo]

Only ever had 3-button controllers and didn't even know 6-button ones existed until later. I really like having a 3-button one, although one of each would have been preferable, I guess? So far, the Japanese version wins because Sonic 2 > 1. Ideal for me would be Sonic 1, 2, Madō Monogatari, Ecco the Dolphin and either Puyo Puyo Tsu or Altered Beast for the non-shared ones.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

M2 handling the emulation? That's encouraging to hear.

 

[Kazza]

Yes, it's the best controller ever made for 2 games in my opinion. The d pad and buttons are of superior quality. It sits in your hand so comfortable.
Even better than the Saturn V2 controller. And a loooot better than the crappy three button MD controller.

Well, that's a shame then. I'll probably just use my Satrun pad then (I have a USB adaptor for it.

Of course, if Sega really wanted to go hardcore, then they should have bundled in a couple of these babies:

 

[digitaltrance]

What is the difference between the mega drive and the original?

 

[Maguro]

Well, that's a shame then. I'll probably just use my Satrun pad then (I have a USB adaptor for it.

Of course, if Sega really wanted to go hardcore, then they should have bundled in a couple of these babies:

Also if you ever wanna use the arcade stick, don't use the US or EU one. Only the japanese Mega Arcade stick has micro switches in it. Arcade sticks without micro switches are pure trash sadly.

 

[Boaty McBoatface]

Is anyone bothered by the 3 button controller being swapped out for the 6 button one? I always thought the 6-button one just looked like a deformed 3 button controller, but I supposed it comes down to what you used back then. I never serious got into Street Fighter 2, so never had a reason to buy one

Not many other games seemed to utilise the 6 buttons anyway, and many that did (SoR3 for example) had alternative input options:



Since the controller ports are USB, I'm sure you'll be able to use the new Retrobit controllers if the 6 buttons are important. I suppose the reduced cost of the 3 button ones allowing them to bundle a second controller mattered more to Sega Europe.

I think it was more about being 'authentic', in that the og console only shipped with the 3 button, Mega Drive 2 came with the 6 button.

 

[Kazza]

I think it was more about being 'authentic', in that the og console only shipped with the 3 button, Mega Drive 2 came with the 6 button.

That's definitely a possible reason.

Even if it means we don't get Street Fighter 2, I hope we still get other Capcom games (Strider, Ghouls and Ghosts etc)

 

[Boaty McBoatface]

Still want a 6 button though >.< The d-pad is so much better.

 

[Kagero]

Will buy just for the case. Can't wait.

 

[Oemenia]

Any news on the hardware itself? Is there any SDTV output?

 

[Kazza]

Here's the Genesis Mini:

$79.99
Sep 19th
Two 3-button controllers

Games selection looks to be the same as the PAL version (so far):

- 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

 

[Lone Wolf]

Not having the 6 button controllers is disappointing as it will limit the games. SEGA should be putting 100 games on here both old and new. How many times are we going to recycle Genesis/Mega Drive collections?

 

[Chittagong]

Definitely hope they are willing to sell a 6 button to us separately. That failing, I’ll just get the Japanese mini and use the controller from it.

 

[JimiNutz]

I mean, you were stating it as a fact, even though we don't know the full list. Just wait and see instead of already complaining beforehand.

Fair.
I'll reserve my complaining for later lol

 

[wvnative]

This doesn't play cartridges right like the other official mini consoles?

 

[JORMBO]

Even though I haven’t really played any of my other mini consoles I will still buy this day one

 

[JunkerWoland]

Already, Sega appears to be busuiness-ing my interest out of this toy. The total list may not be extensive, but games like Contra: Hard Corps, Beyond Oasis, and Comix Zone benefit from having the six-button controller, while any fighting game immediately becomes an exercise in frustration without the added inputs.

Sure, maybe Sega will sell a six-button controller separately, but now the total expenditure will be over $100 and include two hunks of plastic I have no desire to own. Alternatively, one could import the JP model and deal with whatever differences exist in title lineup, although that would likely still cost close to, or over, $100.

Since I don't expect Sega will create any special package for Westerners who want the mini-console and a six-button controller, the remaining 30 games will need to be something special to keep me interested.

 

[mcjmetroid]

What is the difference between the mega drive and the original?

Do you mean Genesis?

The megadrive is it's real name and used in Europe and other pal regions and Japan. The US changed it to Genesis during to some naming conflict with the name Megadrive.

 

[Dice]

I have pretty much every Genesis game I ever knew about on Steam. I'll wait for a Saturn mini but only if they include all the rare Sega games that are like $300 now and also Burning Rangers.

 

[JunkerWoland]

The US changed it to Genesis during to some naming conflict with the name Megadrive.

More recently, and specifically in the "Sega Mega Drive/Genesis: Collected Works" book, Dave Rosen, then-Chairman of Sega of America, has claimed there were no legal issues with the name; he merely didn't like "Mega Drive" and personally came up with "Genesis." Whether this is true, only those involved truly know, but either way, now there are competing stories.

 

[Andyliini]

Releasing Castlevania on this is a cultural deed, as it has not been rereleased ever since it originally released in 1994. For this game alone, I'm planning on getting this. Castlevania could still see a rerelease before this if Konami puts it in Castlevania Anniversary Collection. Great news nonetheless, if Nintendo has no plans for new Mini consoles, hopefully Sega could make even more of these. I doubt it though, they probably would not even consider anything else than Mega Drive for Mini treatment.

 

[Dr.Morris79]

Dreamcast mini, when??

 

[Gandara]

Very disappointed in the 6 button controller is not being included in the American/PAL releases. The Genesis and Saturn 6 button controllers were some of the best controllers I've ever used. As someone stated before, they are probably "emulating" what came in the hardware packages when released.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

Dreamcast mini, when??

Yes please!

 

[SlashBringingHasher]

already better than ps classic with just those 10 games.

 

[Chittagong]

Very disappointed in the 6 button controller is not being included in the American/PAL releases. The Genesis and Saturn 6 button controllers were some of the best controllers I've ever used. As someone stated before, they are probably "emulating" what came in the hardware packages when released.

But how come Japan gets six buttons then?

 

[ultrazilla]

Castlevania on this is amazing! Hopefully they can get Contra on there! Seriously though, so hard to pick from all the greats. Gunstar Heroes. Dynamite Heady. Gaires. ThunderForce IV.

 

[JunkerWoland]

But how come Japan gets six buttons then?

Yeah, I don't see the regional difference as having anything to do with nostalgia, but rather penny-pinching to maintain certain retail prices, since they're only offering the West a single model with two controllers.

 

[Voost Kain]

Won't sell much at all. Sega and Atari have spammed collections and mini-consoles out the ass, there's a reason why Nintendo could get away with their VC prices and why the NES/SNES minis were big successes, because they don't spam their games everywhere with mostly the same games so their value stays.

 

[cryptoadam]

Seems better than the PS1 Classic, and if it comes with the 6 button controller showing more brains than Sony already.

Real question will be as always how much can this thing be hacked.

EDIT: only 3 button controller am sad :-(.

SNES controller always blew the Genisis controller out of the water.

 

[alabtrosMyster]

And they put the 6 button controller in it (unlike Sony with the PSClassic that had the first revision of their 32-bit console)... good call Sega!

 

[JordanN]

If they're going to resell the same system again, why not include the CD and 32X?

Even though a lot of people played Genesis, they also skipped the add-ons because there was a lot of trash, but it also had some good gems too.

 

[Lucumo]

Can someone with a Twitter account tell Sega Europe to fuck off for not including an AC adapter? Even NA gets one. Well, there goes my interest in buying one. "Ready to plug and play" my ass. Pretty sure that's deceptive marketing.

 

[jshackles]

This already looks loads better than the PS1 classic.

 

[scalman]

those good old days with Zhiliton

 

[cryptoadam]

So whats the chance with sports games? Probably won't make it due to licensing? Genesis was always known for its sports games. Maybe they could get some mutant league titles at least?

 

[Kazza]

So whats the chance with sports games? Probably won't make it due to licensing? Genesis was always known for its sports games. Maybe they could get some mutant league titles at least?

I'm hoping for some sports titles too. Despite being generally ignored by most retro channels, sports games were a big part of the Megadrive experience. Some, like Tommy Lasorda Baseball (known simply as Super League Baseball in Europe), had unlicensed versions elsewhere. I hope they can get EA on board too with some of their sports games (actually, Road Rash 2 and Desert/Jungle Strike would also be cool additions)

 

[Kazza]

Very unlikely out-of-left field prediction: they will include the Mega CD version of Snatcher. They already have Konami on board after all...

 

[Gandara]

But how come Japan gets six buttons then?

I thought it was because it was based on the mega drive 2. Either way, time to riot.

 

[Komatsu]

With M2 doing the emulation I expect this to be the gold standard when it comes to curated retro mini-consoles. It'd be great if they included Sonic 3 & Knuckles.

 

[HeresJohnny]

I’d held off on all the ATGames Sega stuff hoping a decent one would come along and here we are. Bought.

 

[andrespi]

More excited for this (just as I was for nes and snes classic), than any future ps5, VR, streaming, or modern games or any other modern platform. As soon as preorders open in europe, I'm gonna order one.
Now give me a saturn mini (and also a gameboy classic by nintendo) and I'm set for life.

 

[Maguro]

SNES controller always blew the Genisis controller out of the water.

You have to be a troll?

 

[TLZ]

This and hacking should be good.