By: Nick Gambino
With all of the Sega news this week I had to check the calendar to make sure I hadn’t stepped through a time portal that landed me in the 90s. No Trapper Keepers, Pogs or pump-up high tops in sight, so I guess I haven’t been displaced in time.
After the popularity of the SNES mini console in 2017, Sega is looking to launch a mini version of the popular Sega Genesis later this year for its 30th anniversary. The console’s working title, “Mega Drive Mini,” embraces the overseas name of the console before it was given the moniker “Genesis” when it arrived in the U.S.
Apparently, the at-one-time Nintendo competitor is relying on AtGames to create the system while Sega itself only handles the distribution. This is already raising some eyebrows. The house that Sonic built has allowed versions of the all black console to be re-released by a third party before to mixed reviews. In fact, AtGames was the company behind those releases.
Per Nintendo Life, AtGames confirmed the plans in a since-deleted tweet, “The rumors are true! Sega is going to release the Mega Drive Mini in Japan, powered by the latest AtGames technology. This same new and improved technology will find its way into the US and other territories later this year!”
We don’t yet know why the tweet was deleted but we can assume it has something to do with saving face or avoiding embarrassment. Nintendo created the NES and SNES mini consoles in-house, so you’d think Sega would do the same.
In other gaming news, Sega also announced several titles will find their way into the Nintendo Switch. To start they’ll be releasing Phantasy Star, Thunder Force IV and their most popular title, Sonic the Hedgehog. No word yet on Streets of Rage which is one of my personal favorites.
While it’s a bit worrisome that Sega is relying on another company to handle the system build of its 90s flagship console, if they can try to emulate even half of the success of the SNES Classic Mini then they’ll be in the clear. They’ve been out of the hardware game for nearly 20 years, so they’re probably a little rusty.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nick Gambino is a regular script writer and tech beat reporter for NewsWatch. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and daughter.
