Sega Genesis Mini 2

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The original Sega Genesis Mini was released during the peak of when retro-driven microconsoles were at fever-pitch appeal. Except for a dud or two, the novelty of bringing instant old-school joy back to those wanting to stroll down memory lane was a winning formula and proved to be more than a cheap cash-in when developers put some effort into it. From Nintendo to TurboGrafx-16, there was a nostalgia machine for everyone – even Sega fans.

Sega decided to double down and bring us the Genesis Mini 2, a follow-up that gives its (more than) faithful fans another dose of 16-bit goodness, both cartridge and Sega CD, in another condensed package, featuring tons of titles that didn’t make the final cut in the original model. It’s a solid compilation for the diehard fans, especially if you actually owned or remember playing them back in their prime.

A note about images: The Sega Genesis Mini 2 is being released by Amazon outside of Japan, meaning there’s scant product images available. Because of this all images used for this review are stolen taken from the Japanese Amazon listing, where the console retains its non-American name the Mega Drive and slight color differences. Apologies for any confusion.

Design: Model 2 Lite

Like its predecessor, the Genesis Mini 2 pays homage to its blast-processing heritage by mimicking the look of its namesake, specifically the refreshed Model 2 released back in 1994, which shrunk the hardware and omitted the headphone jack. The original Model 2 was slimmer and cheaper in looks, feel and (consequentially) build quality. There’s no light to indicate the machine being powered on or off, which adds to the confusion. Overall, the Genesis Mini 2 isn’t as high quality or as authentic to the original hardware as the first Mini was.

That sounds harsh but those are broad details that even the Mini 2 seems to pay homage to in its own ironic way. The plastic shell somehow feels more hollow and lightweight than before. Incredibly, even the included USB and HDMI cables each weigh more than the actual microconsole itself. At least there’s a USB wall charger included for US users (omitted for international versions, sadly).

There’s only one controller included, but having it be the coveted 6-button version more than makes up for it. With its added buttons, improved D-pad, and more comfortable grip it’s superior in every way to the original 3-button gamepad. Plus, you’ll need it for playing Super Street Fighter II, also included with the Mini 2. There might not have been many games that took advantage of those buttons, but you’ll appreciate the improved ergonomics and near-perfect directional pad any day – even with its criminally short 6-foot cable.

Like the previous Genesis Mini, there’s also a removable expansion slot door location on the bottom if you’re interested in piecing together the various optional attachments, specifically the cool looking Sega CD expansion (that’s already sold out, unfortunately). The cartridge slot sports spring-loaded doors to house the equally cool looking mini gamepaks to help complete the sensation you’re back in the 90s. It’s all for show, of course, as none of this adds any additional functionality to the microconsole. These are still cool ideas, though, and will no doubt be sought-after collectibles among the Sega faithful.

Box Art and Menus: Still Yuzo Koshiro

Other than the selection of titles, the UI is relatively unchanged from the Mini 1. After the initial bootup and language selection you’ll see a fairly simple grid layout of available games accompanied by a bouncy chiptune-inspired track that sounds familiar – because famed synthesizer king Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage 3, included) is back once again to compose the menu medley.

Also, to show further respect to the people that helped make the Genesis what it was, Sega dedicated this machine to the late Rieko Kodama who worked for the company as a artist/director/producer since 1984, and passed away earlier this year. Her name is memorialized in credits that resemble the Sega CD boot backdrop. Sega’s lineage runs deep throughout the Mini 2, and I’m here for it.

Games can be quickly indexed via release date, recently played, number of players and more, with the game selection viewable either with front box-art or spines. Another welcome touch are those aforementioned language settings, which not only change dialect but also the native region the Genesis Mini itself, with much of the same stuff applying to the regional cover artwork and spine artwork as well.

There are a few options to change the way games are presented on your display, though these are limited. You can change aspect ratios (4:3 or stretched 16:9) with the option to add “CRT” scanlines for kitsch appeal. There are two different wallpapers to fill out the blank space between the 4:3 image as well.

Playing the games opens a few more options once you’ve triggered the menu screen, which can be opened by pressing “reset” on the console itself or pressing the “mode” button on the controller. Each game has four save-states and you’ll be able to quickly exit back to the main menu to jump right into another game if you like. Like before, Sega has supplied all the game manuals on a helpful website.

via YouTube

The Games: Old is New and Improved

Compared to the first iteration, the Mini 2 game selection includes some gems that will be instantly familiar to many and others…not so much. With over 60 games culled from the Genesis, Sega CD, and even a few ‘new’ and modified titles just for this microconsole there’s a lot to play, and to see a complete listing of every game available on the Mini 2 check out Amazon’s product page.

Among the more interesting inclusions are the ‘new’ versions of games like Space Harrier II (and the original, never ported before now) that have been changed to include smoother sprite-scaling (and flicker, sadly). Other games, including Truxton, Phantasy Star II, Hellfire, Rainbow Islands Extra, and OutRun have also been tinkered with to some degree. Whether you’ll find these changes ‘upgrades’ will vary, of course.

Other new additions to the Genesis lineup include Devi & Pi and Star Mobile, entirely new creations for the Mini 2. Super Locomotive, Spatter, and Fantasy Zone are fresh ports of older arcade classics to the hardware, while Puyo Puyo Sun is a reduced port of the Sega Titan (i.e. Saturn) arcade game.

Welcome to the Next Level: CD

For many fans, the inclusion of Sega CD titles to the mix would have been the biggest attraction, and I’m certain they’ll be disappointed when they see the meager selection on hand. While it’s true the CD-ROM add-on heralded Sega’s expansion-craze that would, ultimately, see the company exit the competitive console market, there’s no doubt several killer games were released on the format and having a nice (and legal) way to play them would have been awesome.

However, that’s not the case with the North American Mini 2, though a few hits did make the cut. The much loved Sonic CD, Final Fight CD, Shining Force CD, Robo Aleste, and the controversial (by 1990s mainstream media standards) Night Trap are accounted for, but why does Ecco the Dolphin get a CD version double-dip and Night Striker get a spot? I could go on about how titles like Snatcher, Thunder Strike, Time Gal, Snatcher and Lunar: The Silver Star are absent, but unless you’re interested in reliving the novelty of full-motion videos and CD port remasters, the Sega CD lineup included with the Mini 2 doesn’t go far enough for me to fully appreciate.

Cartridge is King

Thankfully, the cartridge-derived catalog is more substantial. Some of my criticisms about not adding more hardcore games have been answered with Alien Soldier, Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar, Splatterhouse 2 and Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi. The Mini 2 has enough RPGs to satisfy fans with Shining Force II, Warsong (Langrisser), Shining in the Darkness and a slightly tweaked version of Phantasy Star II made more palatable by M2.

I’ve played some of these games back in their heyday and enjoyed them once again without having to go to the rental store. Playing Fatal Fury 2, Earthworm Jim 2, OutRunners and SVP chip-powered Virtua Racing still feels fresh after all this time – even the lesser liked ToeJam and Earl in Panic on Funkotron (which I did own), Bonaza Bros. and Streets of Rage 3 still offer some fun for everybody. However, ClayFighter and Sonic 3D Blast still suck.

Caveats: That Input Lag

Less remarkable is the input lag during gameplay when using the wrong display. Because these games were made during a very specific time – and for very different television tech – even the best emulators will run up against improper hand-shaking and mix-matched display settings. You can thank ‘smart TVs’ for being less than smart, but just make sure your HD/4K display or monitor is set to ‘Game Mode’ or its equivalent before sitting back and enjoying what are otherwise pixel-perfect recreations.

Your experience will vary, of course, but we found most (but not all) mainstream 4K TVs handled the Mini 2’s output fine with some adjusting, but if you’re hoping to stray off the path you might want to manage your expectations. Response delay ranged from terrible on a Sony X80J LED TV to acceptable on a BenQ V7050i Laser Projector.

Conclusion: 16-Bit Second Chances

Like its predecessor, the Sega Genesis Mini 2 is less an introduction to the wonderful world of 16-bit Sega and more a reminder of why so many continue to love this particular era of retro gaming. As such, no single microconsole will ever satisfy everyone – there’s just too many great games for one machine – and that remains the case here. Still, I think Sega/M2 went a little too lowkey here, given the limited production run and availability (good luck finding one). Those looking for another dose of Genesis and Sega CD classics, including some new and improved versions, will still find much to love here. Just not much else.