Sega Genesis Mini: Retro-style ad reminds us of anti-Nintendo '90s slogan
Genesis Does want to remind you that it's 30 years old.
It was always a very pretty console.
As Sega Genesis Mini's Sept. 19 release date draws near, reviews are out and its "Genesis Does" trailer harked back to a '90s rivalry Wednesday. Sega celebrates the 30th anniversary of the original console's US release with a retro-style commercial, but removes the iconic "what Nintendon't" because the companies are pretty friendly these days.
We've embedded the new and old commercials below so you can get both versions of the catchy jingle stuck in your head.
The retro mini-console costs $80 in the US, £70 in the UK and $140 in Australia. If you're in a territory where Genesis was known as Mega Drive, Sega released a trailer for you too.
The Europe and Middle Eastern launch will be delayed by two weeks "due to unavoidable logistical challenges," Sega said last month.
CNET sister site Gamespot was among the first to report about the Sega Genesis Mini, which was first announced in late March at Sega Fes 2019 in Tokyo.
The console will come preloaded with 42 games:
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Space Harrier 2
- Shining Force
- Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
- ToeJam & Earl
- Comix Zone
- Altered Beast
- Gunstar Heroes
- Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
- World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck
- Thunder Force III
- Super Fantasy Zone
- Shinobi III
- Streets of Rage 2
- Earthworm Jim
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Contra: Hard Corps
- Landstalker
- Mega Man: The Wily Wars (This is a compilation of the first three Mega Man games)
- Street Fighter 2': Special Champion Edition
- Ghouls 'n Ghosts
- Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
- Beyond Oasis
- Golden Axe
- Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
- Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball
- Vectorman
- Wonder Boy in Monster World
- Tetris
- Darius
- Virtua Fighter 2
- Alisia Dragoon
- Monster World IV
- Kid Chameleon
- Road Rash II
- Eternal Champions
- Columns
- Dynamite Headdy
- Strider
- Light Crusader
The new device will be based on the original Model 1 Sega Genesis -- not the second version that made the rounds toward the end of the console's lifespan -- and 55% of that console's size. It comes packaged with two replica three-button USB controllers, one USB-to-Micro-B power cable and one HDMI cable. US customers will also get a power cable as part of the package.
You can battle it out in Virtua Fighter 2.
The trend of rereleasing "mini" versions of once popular consoles was kickstarted by Nintendo with the NES Classic (and later the SNES Classic). Sony followed suit with the less well-received PlayStation Classic. Ever since those consoles were announced, the countdown was on for Sega to jump in.
You can find out more and preorder at Sega's official site.
Originally published March 31.
Update Aug. 14: Adds Genesis Does trailer.
