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Classic

Genesis Mini Console Launching September 19

by Donald Theriault - March 30, 2019, 6:30 am EDT
Total comments: 16 Source: Sega

The first ten games are about what you'd expect.

After an aborted launch last year, Sega is jumping into the mini-console game with the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Mini.

Launching worldwide on September 19, the mini-console's emulation is being done by M2, Sega's famous in-house emulation house. 40 games will be included in the package, along with various controller options. For North America and Europe two classic 3-button pads will be included, while Japan will have options for a single controller or two.

Pricing has been set at US$79.99/€79.99/£69.99, and the following 10 games have been announced for inclusion:

  • 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
  • ToeJam and Earl

Talkback

Dumb things I want on the Genesis Mini, given that they got Castlevania Bloodlines:
- Decap Attack (with Chuck D. Head)
- Ready, Aim, Tomatoes
- Awesome Possum Kicks Dr. Machino's Butt

broodwarsMarch 30, 2019

Meh. I'd be more interested if the Genesis and its software lineup wasn't 99.9% garbage, with only the alternate licensed games and the odd 3rd party exclusive not being complete trash.

But hey, Castlevania Bloodlines being included lends credence to the theory that it'll be in the Castlevania Collection, at least.

Bman87301March 30, 2019

I remember when NWR used to only report on Nintendo-related news...

ejamerMarch 30, 2019

I think you're being harsh when assessing the game lineup.

About half of those games are ones I'd actually play, and with another 30 set to get included I can only assume the lineup will be at least decent. It already looks more enticing to me than the PSOne Classic - although suffers the same issue where most of the games I'm interested in can already be played elsewhere due to Virtual Console or collections of classic Sega games on different consoles.

The real question for me will be quality of emulation. Haven't most previous attempts to provide Genesis emulation ended up with garbage sound quality and other issues? If the emulation is good, I'd keep an eye on availability and/or sales.

---

Some games I'd love to see (although I'm not really hopefully):
* Mega Turrican
* Shadowrun
* Monster World IV
* Contra Hard Corps
* Alien Soldier
* Herzog Zwei
* TMNT: Hyperstone Heist
* M.U.S.H.A.
* Flashback
* Shining in the Darkness
* Beyond Oasis
* Steel Empire

It would be a surprise to see more than 2 from that list included... My expectation is that we'll see a similar set as have been released on the different console collections instead, which probably makes sense since they are more mainstream.

ShyGuyMarch 30, 2019

Sega news on a Nintendo web site! Well I never! Somebody call Mashiro!

Actually, I bet the Venn diagram of people who would be interested in this and Nintendo World Report visitors would look like one circle.

LemonadeMarch 30, 2019

This is very confusing when the AtGames mini consoles already exist.

ThePermMarch 30, 2019

Quote from: Bman87301

I remember when NWR used to only report on Nintendo-related news...

That is the first thing I thought lol.

Quote from: ShyGuy

Sega news on a Nintendo web site! Well I never! Somebody call Mashiro!

Actually, I bet the Venn diagram of people who would be interested in this and Nintendo World Report visitors would look like one circle.

QFT

https://i.imgur.com/WyUsnLi.png

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterMarch 30, 2019

Quote from: Lemonade

This is very confusing when the AtGames mini consoles already exist.

The atgames consoles are shit. This will appeal to that same market while also appealing to the Nintendo classic edition market.

Ian SaneMarch 31, 2019

M2 has worked on other projects before like the 3D Classics on the 3DS.  They know what they're doing.  This shouldn't be junk like the AtGames consoles are.

The lineup so far isn't too bad.  Bloodlines and Gunstar Heroes are fantastic games and are exactly the sort of games that would make a top 20 where licensing and third party complications aren't an issue.  Most of those other titles are the sort I would expect to see but some of them are not the version of the game I would expect.  Sonic 1 is a good game but the sequels are better.  You don't put it on a Genesis comp unless all four Sonic titles are included (though I do expect that in the final lineup).  Same with Shining Force.  That's a great game but if you have to pick one, Shining Force II is the one to go with.  The SNES classic didn't have all the Final Fantasy games but it clearly had the ideal one to pick if you're limited to one.  That attention to detail can make the difference between a great compilation of games and a weak one.

Still it isn't a good sign that stuff like Altered Beast and Space Harrier II are on here.  Those are somewhat historical games but they're generally considered trash these days.  The NES Classic had a bit of that with some early titles like Ice Climber.  The SNES Classic is the gold standard and its lineup is more like a greatest hits than an attempt to provide a history lesson.  Sega should put the BEST Genesis games on here.  If Sonic 1 needs to go to clear up space for it's superior sequels then do it.  Space Harrier II shouldn't be on it.  It was considered a weak title when it was released.

The fact that only a portion of the lineup has been revealed is concerning since the other example of that was the PS Classic and boy did THAT lineup shit the bed.  I don't recall Nintendo doing that.  They just gave you the full lineup, which was generally fantastic for both Classics, and that was that.  Is Sega hiding weak titles or are they trying to build anticipation?

The three button controller is the famous one so I can see why they went with that but there are games that benefit form the six button one.  I don't think there are any that are incompatible but this is kind of like the PS Classic not going with the dual-shock and everyone wondering why.  If they put a Street Fighter game on this thing the three button controllers are going to look stupid.

Luigi DudeMarch 31, 2019

Quote from: Ian

Sonic 1 is a good game but the sequels are better.  You don't put it on a Genesis comp unless all four Sonic titles are included (though I do expect that in the final lineup).

Sonic 1 is by far the best selling Genesis game.  It's the equivalent to Super Mario Bros 1, where it was the killer app that made everyone notice the system in the first place and most people who bought to system either owned or played it.  Even if most fans prefer the sequels, Sonic 1 is still the most iconic game in the series to the overall general public. 

Of course speaking of the Sonic games, I wonder if Sega will be able to work out deal to get Sonic 3&Knuckles in this as well.  The last time S3&K was released was an early 2011 Steam port of the Xbox Live Arcade version from 2009 and hasn't been rereleased since.  Many have speculated that because of Micheal Jackson's involvement with Sonic 3 there's some messed up issues going on with the copyrights which is why Sega hasn't released it since.  I mean Sega released it a ton of times in the 2000's but that was before Michael Jackson died.  Michael was well known for liking Sega games so I imagine while he was alive he had no problem with Sega still releasing the game but after he dead, his estate probably jacked up the price to an insane degree that Sega doesn't want to deal with.

I mean the recent Sega Genesis Classic Collection for Switch, PS4 and Xbox One has Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Spinball and 3D Blast but no Sonic 3 & Knuckles.  That collection was less then a year ago and a huge omission which is why many speculate there's still a legal mess with that game.  So I don't know if I would hold my breath for Sonic 3 & Knuckles appearing.

AdrockMarch 31, 2019

I liked Altered Beast. Granted, I haven’t played it since like 1992 so maybe I shouldn’t.

I didn’t have a Genesis growing up so I don’t have the same attachment to this. I couldn’t tell you what games I expect to be included but are missing so far besides Contra Hard Corps. Nintendo’s selection for Super Nintendo Classic Edition was all around pretty solid. The only notable omission was Chrono Trigger. Super Mario All-Stars would have been nice too though I understand why it wasn’t included. I’ll lurk ResetEra to see if Sega hits on the selection anywhere close to Nintendo before decided to buy a Genesis Mini. It’ll look lovely on my shelf.

Having Genesis as my main console growing up, if the emulation is up to M2's standards, then this is THE mini for me.  While not all gems, the list released so far IS a good representation of more noteworthy titles. 

It's obvious to me there'll at least be Sonic 2 as well.  But a wishlist for me would include:

Streets of Rage 1 or 2
Gain Ground
Mutant League Football
NBA Jam (Might be unlikely, but my family put a lot of hours into this one)
Mortal Kombat 1 or 2
Ristar
Vectorman 1 or 2

But really, i'd be just as interested to get a mixture of titles I haven't yet tried if they're well regarded.

I agree with IanSane that with only having the 3 button controllers, may as well leave Street Fighter off.  Genesis had the much better controller layout for fighters with that 6-button format compared to the SNES and having to use the L/R shoulder buttons.

Ian SaneApril 01, 2019

Quote from: Luigi

Quote from: Ian

Sonic 1 is a good game but the sequels are better.  You don't put it on a Genesis comp unless all four Sonic titles are included (though I do expect that in the final lineup).

Sonic 1 is by far the best selling Genesis game.  It's the equivalent to Super Mario Bros 1, where it was the killer app that made everyone notice the system in the first place and most people who bought to system either owned or played it.  Even if most fans prefer the sequels, Sonic 1 is still the most iconic game in the series to the overall general public. 

Of course speaking of the Sonic games, I wonder if Sega will be able to work out deal to get Sonic 3&Knuckles in this as well.  The last time S3&K was released was an early 2011 Steam port of the Xbox Live Arcade version from 2009 and hasn't been rereleased since.  Many have speculated that because of Micheal Jackson's involvement with Sonic 3 there's some messed up issues going on with the copyrights which is why Sega hasn't released it since.  I mean Sega released it a ton of times in the 2000's but that was before Michael Jackson died.  Michael was well known for liking Sega games so I imagine while he was alive he had no problem with Sega still releasing the game but after he dead, his estate probably jacked up the price to an insane degree that Sega doesn't want to deal with.

I mean the recent Sega Genesis Classic Collection for Switch, PS4 and Xbox One has Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Spinball and 3D Blast but no Sonic 3 & Knuckles.  That collection was less then a year ago and a huge omission which is why many speculate there's still a legal mess with that game.  So I don't know if I would hold my breath for Sonic 3 & Knuckles appearing.

I had no idea that there were issues with Sonic 3 & Knuckles.  That sucks because that is a mandatory inclusion and it being left off would be a big hole, particularly since it's a first party title and you normally would assume there would be no issues.

Sonic 1 is a huge game and I would say it should be included but the sequels should also be there.  Sonic 2 at least for sure if Sonic 3 can't make it.  Sonic 1 does compare to SMB1 but if the NES Classic had that but not SMB3 that would have been lame.

Is there any reason that Sega CD games can't also be included?  If they could get Sonic CD on there then that could make up quite a bit for Sonic 3 being absent.  And with Konami already on board imagine if they included Snatcher?  I would buy this JUST for that.

We know Konami's involved so maybe Contra Hard Corps and Rocket Knight will make it.  TMNT certainly isn't.  Everything else revealed thus far is first party.  It would be nice if they could get Capcom on board for Strider and Ghouls 'n' Ghosts.  I think EA would be an obvious third party to get involved for the Genesis though I don't see stuff like Madden or NHL 94 being able to be included for obvious licensing reasons.  But the Mutant League games, Road Rash, the Strike games, General Chaos - those should all be owned outright by EA.  Another third party they should seek out is Thundersoft for Herzog Zwei and the Thunder Force games though I don't really know what company owns those rights.

For first party stuff I would expect to see the Streets of Rage, Shinobi, Golden Axe and Phantasy Star series.  Maybe all of the Genesis games in the series.  Hell the Genesis hardware is actually backwards compatible with the Sega Master System (the Power Base Converter is just a cartridge slot converter) so why couldn't they include a few SMS games like the original Shinobi or Phantasy Star?  It isn't like they need to save those for a SMS mini.

If they could get the Mortal Kombat games on here that would be great but there are two issues.  First of all that obviously moves this into an 'M' rating which they may not want and is largely unnecessary for a 16 bit system.  Second of all, those games will control like crap on a three button controller.

If the emulation is good this can easily be a great system.  Unlike Sony, Sega has a really strong first party lineup so it will take effort to flub the lineup even if they can't get much from third parties.

Mop it upApril 01, 2019

I wonder if this will sell better than the various AtGames versions or if people will still think it's junk.

LemonadeApril 02, 2019

Quote from: pokepal148

The atgames consoles are ****. This will appeal to that same market while also appealing to the Nintendo classic edition market.

Yes, they are awful, I have used one. Im very tempted to preorder this new one.

Spak-SpangApril 02, 2019

Sonic 2 is still my favorite Sonic Game.

Sega has a great collection of First Party games that they don't have to deep too much into 3rd parties, but I am sure there will be some.  Mortal Kombat will be a good inclusion because how important that game was for the console wars much like Street Fighter 2 helped the Super Nintendo. 

I think it would be nice to have some of the old sports games.  A classic football game, and baseball game would be great. 
Variety is the most important thing.  That is what the Super NES classic and NES classic had over the PS classic. 

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