SEGA Fes, an event dedicated to SEGA fans in Japan, is taking place right now and revealing new information about what awaits the developer this year. One of the event's main attractions is the Mega Drive Mini, a miniature version of the classic 1990s console with several games included.
Mega Drive Mini.
The console will have 40 games available in its memory, ten of which were shown during the presentation:
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Puyo Puyo 2
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Shining Force
- Powerball
- Rent-a-Hero
- Gunstar Heroes
- Comix Zone
- Space Harrier II
- Madou Monogatari I
One interesting aspect of this Japanese version is that some of the listed games were never released in the West, so there is a high probability that the games included with the console's Western version will differ from those in the Eastern version.
Games confirmed so far for the Eastern version of the Mega Drive Mini.
The console will cost 6,980 yen in Japan (approximately 70 dollars) for the standard version, which comes with only one controller, and 8,980 yen (approximately 90 dollars) for the version with two controllers. Western prices have not yet been revealed.
Promotional image of the console's mini version.
Although there are almost no details about the console's Western version, the Eastern version offers a good example of what to expect from it. The Mega Drive Mini will be released worldwide on September 19.
Update: SEGA revealed the first 10 games in the console's Western version and answered several questions. See below.
Q. When will it be released?
A. September 19, 2019.
Q. How many games will be included?
A. 40 games.
Q. Which games will be included?
A. Today, we are excited to announce the first wave of games included with the system, with the rest to be announced intermittently over the coming months:
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Space Harrier II
- Shining Force
- Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
- ToeJam & Earl
- Comix Zone
- Altered Beast
- Gunstar Heroes
Q. Which version of the Mega Drive is the Mini model based on?
A. It is based on the Mega Drive Model 1, released in October 1988 in Japan, August 1989 in North America, and November 1990 in the rest of the world.
Q. How large is it compared with the original console?
A. It is approximately 55% the size of the original Model 1.
Q. What comes in the box?
A. The Mega Drive Mini comes complete with 40 games, two replica three-button USB controllers, a USB-to-Micro-B power cable, a power adapter (North America only), and an HDMI cable.
Q. Who handled the game ports?
A. M2 is handling the porting process. The company previously worked on the SEGA AGES and SEGA 3D Classics Collection compilations, earning a fantastic reputation based on the quality of its emulated projects and faithfully recreated ports.
Q. Can I use original Mega Drive controllers with the Mini?
A. No, only the supplied USB controllers.
Q. How much will it cost at launch?
A. US$79.99 / £69.99 / €79.99 / AUD$139.95.
Q. Where can I find more information?
A. genesismini.sega.com / megadrivemini.sega.com/
