Sega Mega Drive Mini release date, updated games list and everything else you need to know
We've rounded up all the info we've gathered since the Mega Drive Mini was first announced last April
SEGA are finally getting in on the miniature retro console action, and they're doing it properly.
The Mega Drive Mini was first revealed in April last year, delayed for a rethink, and finally revealed again this March.
The console is a scale replica of the original Mega Drive, while the wired controllers are full-size reproductions.
You can also expect to get video cables and a power supply in the box, unlike some similar retro offerings.
It comes with 40 Megadrive classics and two bonus games.
When is it coming out and how much will it cost?
The Mega Drive mini is coming on September 19, 2019.
The delay means that it's now coming to all regions at the same time -- the original release schedule had it coming out in Japan first, but we're pleased to report that is no longer the case.
It's going to cost $79.99 in the US, but the RRP for the UK and Europe hasn't been revealed yet.
Given the US pricing we're expecting it to be £69.99 here -- but we might get lucky and see it a little lower.
What games are going to be included?
The console was meant to have 40 games on it, but 42 have actually been confirmed.
Interestingly, the Mega Drive mini is rated 16+, compared to the 12 rating of the recently released Mega Drive Classics collection.
The reason for this seems likely to be the inclusion of Road Rash 2, with the series' trademark violent motorcycle street races likely to be frowned upon by regulators.
CONFIRMED GAMES SO FAR
ALL the games have now been revealed.
These are:
- Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
- Alisia Dragoon
- Altered Beast
- Assault Suits Leynos! (Target Earth)
- Beyond Oasis
- Castle of Illusion
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Columns
- Comix Zone
- Contra: Hard Corps
- Darius MD
- Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
- Dynamite Headdy
- Earthworm Jim
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Ghouls 'N Ghosts
- Golden Axe
- Gunstar Heroes
- Landstalker
- Langrisser II
- Lord Monarch
- Mega Man: The Wily Wars
- Monster World IV
- Phantasy Star 4
- Road Rash II
- Shining Force
- Shinobi 3
- Slap Fight MD
- Snow Bros
- Sonic Spinball
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Space Harrier 2
- Street Fighter 2: Special Champion Edition
- Streets of Rage 2
- Super Fantasy Zone
- Tetris
- Thunder Force 3
- ToeJam & Earl
- Vectorman
- Wonder Boy in Monster World
- World of Illusion
Both Tetris and Darius, the final two titles announced, may well not count towards the main game count because of their rarity.
Tetris was made for Megadrive but almost immediately pulled from sale due to licensing issues, with very few cartridges ever actually produced.
Darius, meanwhile, is actually a brand-new port of the arcade game of the same name from the era, which never came out on Megadrive at all.
Why was it delayed?
Sega delayed the original version so they could bring production in-house -- and now say it "delivers quality as only a 1st party product can."
Originally, the hardware itself was going to be made by AtGames, who make the Mega Drive Flashback.
That device is a full-size console which has games pre-installed and is capable of playing games from their original cartridges.
It was widely derided by fans for having low build quality, and not even looking that much like the original.
Sega fans were not impressed by the news the same firm was making the mini, with one asking: "How many retweets to break every contract you have with ATGames and hire a competent development house for the Mini Mega Drive?"
Others made it clear via social media that while they loved the idea of a Mega Drive Mini, they would not buy it unless it was actually manufactured by Sega itself.
One thing we don't yet know is the UK price. It's $79.99 in the USA, so we'd expect it to hit at £69.99 here -- but that hasn't been confirmed.
No UK sites have have it available for pre-order.
MOST READ IN GAMING
Sega heard fans loud and clear.
Despite the massive success of the NES Mini and SNES Mini from Nintendo's Classic lines, Sega was "surprised" by the enthusiasm for the console from outside Japan, according to Gematsu.
"In order to Sega achieve a level of quality that Sega fans expect, Sega has established a system to rethink the design of the device with the original team at its core, as well as cooperate with Japanese developers proven in software development," the firm said.
If you're tempted by the Mega Drive mini, what games do you want to see revealed for it next?
Let us know in the comments.
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