SEGA’s Mega Drive mini console has been delayed to 2019 in an attempt to improve the system and aim for a worldwide launch.
The system was previously being developed by AtGames who have a notorious reputation for developing clone systems that don’t perform well or emulate sound accurately. SEGA is now working with a domestic Japanese software developer but the developer has not been named at this time. The statement from SEGA Japan says the developer has “a proven track record”. Could it be M2, the developers of the SEGA Ages ports?
SEGA’s Mega Drive and Genesis mini consoles will launch together worldwide in 2019.
A new model company called Retro Electro has revealed that they are producing a miniature model Mega Drive for release in December 2018. The model will be 1:2.3 scale (approximately 122mm x 92mm x 30mm) and comes with an additional miniature Sonic the Hedgehog cartridge, controller and replica box based on the Sonic bundle. The prototype images show a European PAL model Mega Drive and there’s currently no word if models based on the Japanese and US systems are planned. Retro Electro have stated that their models are priced between £30-£40. Pre-orders will be opening soon and if you want to bookmark Retro Electro’s website so you don’t miss them then you can click this link.
Retro-Bit’s new line of fully licensed SEGA controllers for consoles and PCs have been given a formal release date of November 2018. The controllers will be featured at Gamescom 2018, specifically at Game Outlet Booth #A041 in Hall 04.2 of the Koelnmesse Convention Center from the 21st to the 25th of August 2018. Below is the full list of controllers that Retro-Bit are planning to showcase for launch in November:
Genesis Wired 6-Button Original Port Controller (Black, Clear Blue)
Genesis Wired 8-Button USB® Port Controller (Black, Clear Blue)
Genesis Bluetooth® Controller (Black)
Genesis Bluetooth® Receiver
Megadrive Wired 6-Button Original Port Controller (Black, Clear Blue)
Megadrive Wired 8-Button USB® Port Controller (Black, Clear Blue)
Megadrive Bluetooth® Controller (Black)
Megadrive Bluetooth® Receiver
Saturn Wired Original Port Controller (Black, Slate Grey)
Saturn Wired USB® Port Controller (Black, Slate Grey)
Saturn Bluetooth® Controller (Black)
Saturn Bluetooth® Receiver
As you can see, the previously announced Dreamcast controllers are no longer listed, even after previously being showcased at CES 2018. Could the Dreamcast controllers be coming later? Retro-Bit’s press release does mention that the controllers listed above are a part of the “first line” of controllers, so it could be the case that the Dreamcast controllers come in the second line.
An unreleased prototype version of Castlevania: The New Generation has been leaked online. Also known as Castlevania Bloodlines, this prototype features some noticeable differences from the final Mega Drive game:
– Black title screen with longer intro
– Title screen says “1P PRESS START” suggesting the possibility of a 2P mode
– Different mermen
– Different wolf boss
– Music restarts every time you enter a room
– Layout changes
– The inside part of the second half of stage 1 has no background
– The outside part has a light blue background and the falling bone bridge portion is more difficult
– The knight boss’ sprite is different
– The stage 2 water is different
The ROM can be downloaded from the Castlevania Dungeon forums and originates with a user called @TheCount#5993 in the CVDungeon discord.
AtGames have now confirmed their involvement, in a tweet.
UPDATE 16:32
It appears that the SEGA Mega Drive Mini maybe different in design to the AtGames Genesis Flashback. The unit itself is much smaller that the Genesis Flashback making backwards compatibility with actual Mega Drive cartridges impossible. Could this in fact be a newly developed system by SEGA Japan? We will update this article when we learn more.
ORIGINAL POST
SEGA Japan have announced the SEGA Mega Drive Mini for Japanese release.
Details on the exact specifications of the SEGA Mega Drive Mini are sparse at this time, but if it is a slightly altered version of the AtGames unit, it will likely feature the same line-up of Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear and original titles from the Genesis Flashback. It will also include backwards compatibility with existing Mega Drive games via its cartridge port, as well as HDMI out for modern televisions.
The SEGA Mega Drive Mini will launch in Japan later in 2018.
The full list of included games has been confirmed by the PlayStation Blog. Notable exclusions from the collection include Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles which is likely due to licensing agreements regarding the soundtrack, which infamously features work by Michael Jackson. We also have confirmation of both offline and online multiplayer for games that support multiplayer options.
UPDATE 1
SEGA Europe have confirmed that the game will feature a new rewind option, a mirror mode and a selection of visual filters. SEGA Europe have confirmed the mirror mode mirrors the entire game horizontally – text and all. There has also been confirmation that Sonic 3 will not be included. The game will support trophies and achievements. An official website is also now live.
ORIGINAL POST
A new SEGA Mega Drive Classics collection will launch for PS4, Xbox One and PC on May 29th 2018.
This new collection appears to be based on the engine powering the SEGA Mega Drive Classics Hub for PC (complete with the virtual gamer’s bedroom), which is bizarre considering this is supposed to be getting a PC port as well. Will it become an update to owners of the SEGA Mega Drive Classics Hub on PC or will SEGA de-list the hub? We will update this story as we learn more.
This collection will feature over 50 Mega Drive titles including Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, Space Harrier II, Gunstar Heroes, ToeJam & Earl, The Revenge of Shinobi, Kid Chameleon and Altered Beast.
If you haven’t subscribed to GameHut yet then sort that out right now because Jon Burton of Traveller’s Tales has been revealing some fascinating prototypes of Sonic R, Sonic 3D: Flickies’ Island, Puggsy and Toy Story. Now Burton has gone a step further and explained one of the weirdest little quirks about Sonic 3D – it’s infamous level select glitch. People have wondered for ages why if you wobble or hit the Sonic 3D cartridge while its in the Mega Drive and turned on, why it instantly displays the game’s level select menu. Burton has all the answers and you can learn exactly what’s causing this by watching the video below:
We visited the Centre for Computing History in Cambridge and had a look at all their SEGA stuff! The centre is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am ’til 5pm. Adult entry is £8.
Eric Chahi’s Another World was a monumental achievement in 1991 featuring beautiful artwork, rotoscoped animation and cinematics that were animated using flat polygons instead of pixel art. This masterfully directed piece of work features no heads-up-display at all and each scene must be played through trial and error to discover how to progress.
The Sonic Hacking Contest 2015 is now live and we’ve been attempting to review as many of the hacks as we can. We probably won’t get a chance to look at them all but you can check out 9 of them in the following 3 round-up videos on our YouTube channel:
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