In December 2017, Retro-Bit announced new accessories such as Bluetooth controllers for Mega Drive, Sega Saturn, and Dreamcast, which were first shown in January 2018. For CES 2019, the company announced on Twitter a prototype called “Genesis Portable System,” which closely resembles the SEGA Nomad, a handheld released by SEGA in 1995 that played Mega Drive cartridges and could connect to a TV, much like Switch today.
The handheld has some differences in shape and button placement and promises HDMI output and a widescreen display. This is probably because it is difficult to find 4:3 displays today, although the games may run in their original aspect ratio with black bars on the sides. There will also be a button to switch between NTSC and PAL regions, an input for a second controller, and a reset button that was not present on the original Nomad. It is not yet known whether there will be an SD card slot.
Despite the resemblance, the device is not a re-release of the Nomad, and we still do not know about the emulation quality. However, more modern screen technology and a rechargeable battery, both easily available today, would certainly suit this new model well.
The price and release date are still unknown, but we will share more information as soon as we know it.
Check out the images below.
