It appears Sega is set to become the next major vendor to launch a retro console in the form of the Sega Genesis Mini. First announced a year ago at Sega Fes 2018, the company now says the console will hit shelves later this year on September 19th.
Sources with inside knowledge say Sega will launch two versions of the retro box, one dubbed Sega Genesis Mini (U.S.) and another called Mega Drive Mini (Japan).
The Verge says we can expect the device to ship with 40 pre-loaded games. Reporting suggests “[the] Japanese version 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 US version will include Altered Beast, Castlevania: Bloodlines, Comix Zone, Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, Ecco the Dolphin, Gunstar Heroes, Shining Force, Sonic The Hedgehog, Space Harrier II, and ToeJam & Earl.
What’s more, the U.S. version will ship with a pair of three button controllers, while the Japanese version has a six-button controller.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first retro Genesis to hit the market. Back in 2016, a California company called AtGames licensed the rights to recreate the console, however, many at the time found the emulator technology to be of substandard quality.
The Genesis Mini is expected to retail for $80.