16-Bit Nostalgia with the Sega Genesis Mini

If you grew up in the 90s, chances were good you had either a Sega or a Nintendo gaming console. Even though technology has moved on, many old-school gamers have fond memories of 16-bit, side-scrolling adventures of their youths. Hot on the heels of Nintendo’s own miniaturized retro consoles, the Sega Genesis (known as the Mega Drive to non-US markets) will be hitting shelves sometime in 2018.

Call It a Comeback

In essence, the mini versions of the classic consoles are emulators packaged inside novelty-sized replicas of the originals. After the success of the Nintendo minis, it’s no surprise that Sega is jumping on the bandwagon. But with videogames moving into 3D and VR, not to mention the vast array of mobile gaming apps, these consoles aren’t good for much more than pixilated nostalgia.

Announced at Sega Fes 2018, the palm-sized device will be able to run familiar titles from the company’s catalog of games through your TV. No word yet on exactly which games will be available, but Sonic the Hedgehog will almost certainly make an appearance.

Better Than the Flashback?

This isn’t the first time Sega has tried to cash in on nostalgia. The company partnered with AtGames in 2017 to release the Sega Genesis Flashback, and it turned out to be a disappointment with underwhelming reviews across the board. Despite the lukewarm response to their first attempt, Sega hopes that the new Genesis Mini will prove competitive against their longtime rival Nintendo.

The Genesis Mini’s release date isn’t yet confirmed, but the company is aiming to coincide with the 30^thanniversary of the original console’s debut in October. Expect the price to be comparable to the $80 Super NES re-release.