This is what Sega fans have been waiting for. The SEGA Mega Drive Mini is finally here! Released September 19th, we waited a whole six months for this little guy to finally get released.
Many of us here at Saiga NAK are big Sega fans, and we made sure to reserve one as soon as we could. After it arrived, we realized we couldn't keep all the greatness to ourselves, so we wanted to share it with you all by doing an unboxing!
Let's go!!!
Unboxing
There are two types of Mega Drive Minis available to purchase. One is simply called the Mega Drive Mini which comes with a single controller. The other option available is the Mega Drive Mini W, with the W meaning double, meaning that this one comes with two controllers.
We here always enjoy multiplayer games, so we went with the two controller set.
The package design takes from the original Mega Drive packaging.
On the back we see the 42 titles that are included in the system!
The box includes
- One Mega Drive Mini
- Two Controllers
- One HDMI Cable
- One USB Cable (for power)
- Instruction Manual
Be careful when buying the Mega Drive Mini: the box contains a USB for power but does not contain an adapter. The Genesis Mini does seems to contain one, according to the official Sega Genesis Mini Site.
The system requires output of 5V/1.0A or more, so be sure to prepare accordingly!
The front contains two USB-A ports for the controllers.
On the reverse side of the system, we have an HDMI port and a Micro USB port for power.
On the top of the system we have the power and reset buttons, and a "PHONES VOL.", but... we don't think it works as the headphone jack is fake...
The slot on the Mega Drive Mini opens in the same way that the old one does, which is another nice blast from the past!
But, of course, it doesn't just open! Connecting the Mega Drive Tower Mini will allow you to connect and games using the Mini Cartridges sold separately.
Getting into the Settings
As much as we want to get started, we've got to go through some initial set-up first.
These settings include:
- Basically a "Read Me"
- Language Settings
- Screen Settings
- Wallpaper Settings
- Credits
- Licensing
- Other Settings
Warnings and other stuff like that.
Here we have the language settings, with a plethora of languages available, including English, Spanish, and Korean! We wouldn't expect anything less from Sega!
On the Screen Settings page, you can set the aspect ratio, being able to choose from the original 4:3 aspect ratio of old analog TVs or the 16:9 ratio that's standard in today's age. Doing this will stretch the picture a bit though.
Here we've got wallpaper settings, which changes the appearance of the black bars around the image, should you choose a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Credits.
Copyright stuff.
In the top left, you can change the order of the games on display.
You can change the oder of games based on release date...
Alphabetical order...
Genre...
And even the amount of players.
42 Titles Included!
The Mega Drive Mini includes 40 timeless classics, and even two exclusive titles to the Mega Drive Mini, "Tetris" and "Darius".
This Tetris title has never been released, but is now seeing the light of the world through the Mega Drive Mini.
Darius is a Taito made arcade game that has made it onto the new system.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2: practically the face of Sega.
Madou Monogatari was the game that essentially came before Puyo Puyo, taking its characters to use throughout the series.
With so many of the classics included, there's no doubt that Street Fighter II Dash Plus Champion Edition would be.
Never released in the USA, but praised for its four player action is Yu Yu Hakusho: Makyou Toitsusen. I wonder what it would be like if there was an esports tournament with this game...
Tant-R, originally released for the Sega System C arcade system.
There's too many to list here, there are definitely enough games included to keep anyone busy until the end of 2019!
Mini-Cartridges
While getting some interviews dont at TGS 2019, we were able to pull a gacha at the Sega booth, and got Golden Axe! We decided to put it in the console as soon as we could.
It's amazing that Sega even thought of making cartridges that looked like they worked with the Mega Drive Mini! It definitely takes us back. Although the cartidges are just accessories and don't actually have software on them, it kind of completes the experience.
The Mega Drive Mini is a Definite Buy
From using the device today, we really think the Mega Drive Mini is a great product. The control pad is also easy to use, and with the option to even buy and insert mini cartridges makes the device even more interesting. We're even thinking about getting the American Sega Genesis Mini to take for a spin as well...
With the Mega Drive Tower Mini and the Mini Cartridges, Sega is really trying to make the experience feel as nostalgic as possible, and they're doing a great job at it.
More details can be found at the Mega Drive Mini Official Site (Japanese)!
Check the Sega Genesis Mini Official Site as well!
