A man with a flying gun or a gun with a flying man?
Sega has announced that the Genesis Mini and Mega Drive Mini will be released September 19, 2019, containing 40 classic games including Sonic the Hedgehog, Ecco the Dolphin and Castlevania: Bloodlines. It will be priced at $79.99 USD/£69.99/€79.99/ $139.95 AUD.
The unit is approximately 55% of the size of the original Model 1 Genesis or Mega Drive, and comes with two replica three-button USB controllers, a USB to Micro-B power cable and an HDMI cable.
Sega also revealed that AtGames, the company behind 2017’s poorly received Sega Genesis Flashback, is no longer involved in its production. Instead, longtime collaborator M2 is handling the ports, having previously delivered high-quality conversions for the SEGA AGES series and SEGA 3D Classics Collection.
The following 10 games were unveiled for the North American and European editions, with more to be announced over the coming months.
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Space Harrier 2
- Shining Force
- Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
- ToeJam & Earl
- Comix Zone
- Altered Beast
- Gunstar Heroes
The Japanese version was on display today at the annual Sega Fes event in Tokyo. It will feature a different lineup of games and include replicas of the smaller six-button controller.
The Mega Drive first launched in Japan in October 1988, followed by a North American release as the Genesis in August 1989. The console reached Europe and other territories in November 1990 under its original name. Each region had slight color and decal variations, which are faithfully replicated in the different versions of the North American, European and Japanese miniature consoles.
The miniaturized console was first revealed in April 2018 at Sega Fes in Tokyo. It was delayed into 2019 in order to improve the quality after parting ways with AtGames.
For more information, check out the newly opened website at megadrivemini.sega.com.
Daniel Robson is Chief Editor of IGN Japan. His Mega Drive was his closest childhood friend. Find him on Twitter at @NoMoreDaniels.
