Sega announced earlier this year that they were putting out their own mini version of their most successful console. Following the trend placed by Nintendo and Sony, the Genesis Mini will come packed with more than 40 classic titles in a small package. It will also feature original controllers and HDMI support to play them on a nice modern TV. A couple bonus games are included such as previously unreleased versions of Tetris and Darius. Sega put out a trailer that showcases the variety of titles on display and to encourage pre-orders.
The console is in a unique spot compared the the Nintendo and Sony classics. With very rare exceptions, if you want to play classic titles, you either have to find an old copy or get an emulated version (legally or not). Which made it a big deal when those classic consoles got a miniaturized version. Unlike those companies, Sega has openly resold their games in a variety of formats. You could pick up a compilation disc of Genesis games or even get one of those knockoff bundles that get sold at Wal-Marts for 30 bucks. What Sega is hoping to make clear that this mini console will really recreate the Genesis experience with those official controllers. Sony has already shown what not to do after their ill-fated Playstation mini. That had compromised versions of popular games and did not reflect the depth of that consoles library. Sega can leverage that poor experience by offering something more beloved like the NES or SNES mini.
Here is the list of titles:
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Castlevania Bloodlines
- Space Harrier II
- Shining Force
- Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
- Toe Jam & Earl
- Comix Zone
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Altered Beast
- Gunstar Heroes
- Castle of Illusion Staring Mickey Mouse
- World of Illusion Staring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck
- Thunder Force III
- Super Fantasy Zone
- Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
- Streets of Rage 2
- Earthworm Jim
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Contra Hard Corps
- Landstalker
- Beyond Oasis
- Ghouls n Ghosts
- Alex Kidd
- Golden Axe
- Phantasy Star IV
- Street Fighter 2
- Mega Man: The Wily Wars
- Sonic Spinball
- Vectorman
- Wonderboy in Monster World
- Virtua Fighter 2
- Alisia Dragoon
- Columns
- Dynamite Headdy
- Strider
- Kid Chameleon
- Light Crusader
- Monster World IV
- Eternal Champions
- Road Rash II
- Plus Darius and Tetris
That is a mostly pretty good line up with some weird omissions. The biggest one is the lack of Sonic 3 and Knuckles which, while not even close to the best Sonic game, is still odd. I would have gladly traded Sonic Spinball for Sonic 3. I also wished it had the Phantasy Star 2 and 3 just cause I never got to play those in their day. Getting the Mickey Mouse games is really cool though I wished that would have also included Aladdin. I also wish it did not include Comix Zone, which is ridiculously hard to beat. Obviously the biggest title it is missing is Boogerman.
The Mini will be released on September 19 so as to honor the last Sega console release (The Dreamcast came out in the US on 9/9/1999). Right now the system can be preordered through all major retailers, including Wal-Mart, Amazon, GameStop and Best Buy.
