Ever since Nintendo announced their Nintendo NES Classic Edition system, the world has been eating it up. No, seriously, everyone who’s ever touched a Nintendo Entertainment System has had that on their mind. It’s pretty much all I hear at work, well that and Pokemon Go, that is. And you know it’s getting out of hand if every store has stated that the system is sold out already; Amazon, Gamestop, Bestbuy. It’s definitely good news for Nintendo, a renewed interest in their product, especially the very beginnings is impressive.
But what about their old rival? What about SEGA? Sure, there are several SEGA Genesis knock-off’s out there, but they aren’t very good. Most are poorly constructed, don’t play most cartridges and are a pain to get working. What’s more, they aren’t even officially licensed by SEGA, so no thanks. However, if there was a time to jump into the retro-gaming scene, now would be as good as any. Nintendo has already shown that, and they’re rolling in the bank. SEGA, on the other hand, would have no issues either if they decided to get off their butts and got a SEGA Genesis Classic Edition system out the door.
Of course, it would be all about the games, so I’ve compiled a list of games that I would love to see if SEGA actually did do this.
- Sonic the Hedgehog 1
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Sonic and Knuckles
- Altered Beast
- Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker
- ToeJame & Earl
- Beyond Oasis
- Phantasy Star 2
- Phantasy Star 4
- Streets of Rage 1
- Streets of Rage 2
- Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
- Earthworm Jim
- NBA Jam
- Gunstar Heroes
- Mortal Kombat II
- Shining in the Darkness
- The Revenge of Shinobi
- Contra: Hard Corps
- Shining Force II
- X-Men 2: Clone Wars
- Golden Axe
- Comix Zone
- Madden ’95
- Celtics vs. Lakers
- Bulls vs. Blazers
- Double Dragon
- Strider
- World of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck
- Aladdin
- Vectorman 2
I wanted to stop at 30 titles, despite the fact that so much more belong on this list. And while we may never see SEGA actually put out a Genesis Classic Edition, if they did, I’d love for them to see this list.
Do you agree with what made the cut? Is there a game or two that you’d replace? Let us know in the comments below. Perhaps
I’d be 100% behind this. I’ve been trying to contact Atgames (they make the tiny Mega Drive with cart slot available at Argos in the UK) for some time to arrange a collab with a new game I’ve been developing, but never get a reply. I wonder if SEGA themselves would be interested. The little Atgames machine certainly does the job, apart from the shoddy wireless controllers, but to see a real SEGA Mega Drive that LOOKS like a SEGA Mega Drive on the shelves again would be amazing.
I’m not overly confident that we’d ever see a new system with proper Genesis internals, though, since system-on-chip and emulated solutions are the most cost effective way to go. I’ll bet my life savings that new little NES doesn’t have a proper board.
Sega actually already did this. They made a couple different mini-Sega plug and plays, and the knock-off system that you mentioned that actually takes most old cartridges and controllers.
The issue with the systems that use carts is that many of these carts are either hard to fine or very expensive. That’s a bad way to bring in a new retro gamer or someone who just wants to get this as a present or keepsake.
I’ve never seen an officially licensed plug in play, but I have seen them and they’re rare. I’m looking at one right now, the Sega Genesis Radica Plug and Play on Amazon. $100 fgor 6 games. No way, no how.
https://www.amazon.com/Sega-Genesis-Radica-Plug-Play-Games/dp/B000N0T21K