Ever since becoming a third-party game developer, Sega has never been shy to remind players of its first-party glory days by offering various ways to play 16-bit Genesis classics. Some of those ways even included making little emulator boxes, albeit ones of dubious quality.
But now the full-on retro console wars are on with mini versions of the NES and SNES from Nintendo as well as Sony’s PlayStation One Classic. So Sega is putting forth its own definitive entry the Sega Genesis Mini, and it’s coming next week.
A while ago Sega detailed the Genesis Mini at its Tokyo fan event Sega Fes. We later learned more details about the device, including the fact that M2 is behind the emulation. Considering the team’s work on the Sega Ages series we hoped the quality here ended up higher than past attempts at the concept. Otherwise why get this box when there are plenty of ways to play Sega games elsewhere?
Fortunately, after now playing the Sega Genesis Min for ourselves, we can confirm it’s more than a worthy monument to the most famous rival of the bloodiest console war. It’s hilarious this came out after Super Nintendo games hit the Nintendo Switch. Heck, it might be the superior 16-bit retro machine, a glorious rewriting of history.
Nifty features augmenting the nostalgia include save states, accurate full-sized USB recreations of the three-button controllers, and maintaining the regional differences of certain games. For the full six-buttons though you’ll need to get a third-party controller. But really the game lineup is what makes or breaks these retro consoles. And the Genesis boasted the best game library Sega ever snagged. The Genesis Mini includes 40 faithfully emulated versions of those games, with lineups being different depending on the region.
Here’s the entire 42-game list.
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Castlevania: The New Generation
- Space Harrier 2
- Shining Force
- Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
- ToeJam & Earl
- Comix Zone
- Altered Beast
- Gunstar Heroes
- Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
- World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck
- Thunder Force III
- Super Fantasy Zone
- Shinobi III
- Streets of Rage 2
- Earthworm Jim
- Sonic The Hedgehog 2
- Probotector
- Landstalker
- Mega Man®: The Wily Wars
- Street Fighter II®: Special Champion Edition
- Ghouls ‘n Ghosts®
- Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
- Story of Thor
- Golden Axe
- Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
- Sonic The Hedgehog Spinball
- Vectorman
- Wonder Boy in Monster World
- Tetris®
- Darius
- Road Rash II
- Strider
- Virtua Fighter 2
- Alisia Dragoon
- Kid Chameleon
- Monster World IV
- Eternal Champions
- Columns
- Dynamite Headdy
- Light Crusader
This lineup, double that of its SNES counterpart, is robust and exciting and at times unexpected. It captures the breadth and history of the console even I, someone who didn’t grow up with a Genesis, can appreciate. There’s no Ristar, but no matter what kind of Sega fan you are you can find something to enjoy in a variety of genres. At least, a modern version of Vectorman that plays like a dream.
The Sega Genesis Mini launches September 19 for $80. Read the extensive review on our sister site PCMag.com For more on Sega watch the latest trailer for Shenmue III and check out these new Genesis-inspired 8bitdo controllers.
