Sega's retro answer to the SNES Classic, hands-on

Sega Genesis Flashback is the latest AtGames retro console, revamped to go against Nintendo's Super NES Classic.

It has one big advantage: It actually plays old cartridges.

It also has two wireless 2.4GHz controllers.

Luckily, we had some old games lying around to try.

The system looks like a lot like an old Genesis system, and is a similar size.

It comes with an HDMI cable, because... this connects via HDMI!

The construction feels flimsy, though: This power switch slid under the chassis (yikes).

The Flashback works with old Sega controllers, if you have them.

The included wireless controllers have six buttons (like later Genesis controllers) and extra buttons to go back to the main menu... and even rewind games.

Some of the many, many games included. There are 85. but only 57 are actual games for Sega systems. And of those, 45 are Genesis games. 

Cartridges don't pop in as satisfyingly as they used to.

Comparing the Genesis Flashback to the Atari Flashback 8 Gold (left) and Nintendo NES Classic (right).

The Atari Flashback 8 Gold, side by side.

The controller feels lightweight.

The interface? Not so elegant. But functional?

Games look OK when still, but don't have great frame rate.

Sonic and Knuckles!

Each game has a title card with some instructions.

Remember Vectorman?

Good old Sega logo.

Toejam and Earl aren't included, but plug in a cartridge and they can be.

But when we did, the cartridge loaded and dumped these weird files on our system.

Ah, the memories.

Just a heads-up: Opinions were mixed.

This didn't feel as good as it should have.

For $80, it should feel better.

In-game menus can pop up to save games.

Golden Axe didn't age well.

Cartridge games "load" a bit before starting.

I loved Phantasy Star games. They also didn't age well.