Nintendo’s NES Classic and SNES Classic editions reignited demand for casual retro gamers, and both miniature consoles are still difficult to get a hold of for various reasons. Since Sega was Nintendo’s main rival during the 16-bit era, we’ve been eagerly waiting for competition in the equivalent of a Sega Genesis Classic. Now, that device may actually be on the way.

Via Kotaku, Sega announced that the Mega Drive Mini will be available in Japan later this year. Since the Mega Drive was called the Genesis in North America, it stands to reason that the Sega Genesis Mini will eventually be released over here as well. But will this outperform Nintendo’s classic editions? There is some cause for concern, since the Mega Drive Mini will be using AtGames’ technology. AtGames is the company behind last year’s AtGames Sega Genesis Flashback HD.

「メガドライブ」誕生30周年記念！
『メガドライブ ミニ』（仮称）2018年発売決定！

思い出の名作ゲームの数々が、これ1台で楽しめます！#セガフェス #メガドライブ #メガドライブ30周年https://t.co/HWj6NFL96y pic.twitter.com/0C9QH1l5Mr

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) April 14, 2018

The Sega Genesis Flashback had a lineup of over 80 games, but it artificially boosted its count with Sega Master System and Game Gear titles rather than sticking to the Genesis’ lineup. Most of the first-party Sega games made the cut, including the Sonic the Hedgehog titles. But the Flashback inexplicably had trouble emulating the framerate of Sonic’s games, which are nearly three decades old. The Flashback also left out Ecco the Dolphin, Streets of Rage, and ToeJam & Earl, despite being first-party Sega games. Those should have been no-brainers!

Beyond that, what we’d really love to see from the Sega Genesis Mini are some of the third party and licensed games that made the original system great. Remember Sega’s Spider-Man game? Or Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse? X-Men, Earthworm Jim, Aladdin, Joe Montana Football, Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker, Castlevania: Bloodlines, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist would be among our picks. And since technology has greatly evolved since the days of the Sega CD, would it be too much to ask for some of those games as well?

The Sega Genesis is an all-time great console, and it deserves to have as many of its best games as possible. Don’t let us down this time, AtGames!

Which titles do you want to see on a Sega Genesis Mini? Let us know in the comment section below!

Image: Sega

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