X

Mini Sega Genesis is real: The Sega MegaDrive Mini

We don't know much yet, but we know we want one.

Sean Hollister Senior Editor / Reviews
When his parents denied him a Super NES, he got mad. When they traded a prize Sega Genesis for a 2400 baud modem, he got even. Years of Internet shareware, eBay'd possessions and video game testing jobs after that, he joined Engadget. He helped found The Verge, and later served as Gizmodo's reviews editor. When he's not madly testing laptops, apps, virtual reality experiences, and whatever new gadget will supposedly change the world, he likes to kick back with some games, a good Nerf blaster, and a bottle of Tejava.
Sean Hollister
sega-megadrive-mini
Sega

First, there was the NES Classic. Then the SNES Classic. And now, the Sega Genesis is making a miniature comeback too. 

Behold, the Sega MegaDrive Mini, just announced in Japan to commemorate the system's 30th anniversary. (MegaDrive was the original name for the Genesis, in case you didn't know.)

In Japan, Sega says it'll go on sale this year, though the name "MegaDrive Mini" is actually tentative.

We're not sure when or if it'll arrive in English-speaking countries, but it's a pretty good bet. 

Update, April 16: "For now Sega Mega Drive Mini is for Japan only," a Sega rep tells CNET. "Stay tuned for more news regarding the worldwide availability of the Genesis Mini." 

Sounds like we're getting a mini-Genesis too! 

GIF by Sean Hollister/CNET

You can watch the original Japanese announcement right here on YouTube at the 51-minute mark. My Japanese is pretty rusty, but I think Sega's saying it wants users to tell them which classic games they want to be pre-loaded onto the system.

mega-drive-mini-screencap
Screenshot by Sean Hollister/CNET

Oh, by the way: Shenmue 1 and 2 are coming to PS4, Xbox One and PC in 2018 as well!

There's one major caveat that might rain on this nostalgia parade: a company named AtGames claimed responsibility for the new MegaDrive Mini in a since-deleted Facebook post and tweet. That would mean this new Sega console comes from the same manufacturer as the terrible Sega Genesis Flashback we reviewed last year. We haven't been able to confirm this with Sega yet.