Sega Genesis Mini launches in September with 40 games, including Sonic the Hedgehog

The Sega Genesis Mini, the latest in the line of throwback, shrunk-down consoles from the 1980s and 1990s, will be released Sept. 19, Sega said from Tokyo on Saturday. The unit will include 40 games, including staple titles such as Altered Beast, Castlevania: Bloodlines, and, of course, Sonic the Hedgehog. It will sell for $79.99.

The U.S. version of the unit packs in two full-size three-button controllers with the mini console, plus an HDMI cable, power cable, and adapter. Just 10 of the games installed have been announced so far, so Sega will want fans tuning in as September approaches.

Games announced so far are:

Ecco the Dolphin

Castlevania: Bloodlines

Space Harrier II

Shining Force

Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine

ToeJam & Earl

Comix Zone

Sonic the Hedgehog

Altered Beast

Gunstar Heroes

The casing is based on the original Model 1 Genesis that launched in August 1989 in North America. It’s about 55 percent of the original’s size, Sega said.

M2 (Sega Ages and Sega 3D Classics Collection) is now creating the software for the device. When the Sega Genesis Mini was first announced a year ago, AtGames was developing the unit. It was behind the disappointing Sega Genesis Flashback console that launched in 2017, panned mainly as a conspicuously licensed product, and not from Sega itself. The Genesis Mini’s official page pointedly says it “delivers quality as only a 1st party product can.”

Pre-order links and information is coming soon, Sega said. (Update: Walmart has a pre-order listing already.)

Last night’s stage presentation noted several other details, some specific to the Japan version, but said the games would have a save-anywhere function. One difference between the Japanese and Western versions: Japan gets six-button controllers. The unit connects to controllers via USB, so original Genesis controllers won’t work on it.

Grid View

• Sega Genesis Mini, launching Sept. 19, 2019. Sega
• Sega Genesis Mini, launching Sept. 19, 2019. Sega
• Sega Genesis Mini, launching Sept. 19, 2019. Sega
• Sega Genesis Mini, launching Sept. 19, 2019. Sega
• Sega Genesis Mini, launching Sept. 19, 2019. Sega
• Sega Genesis Mini, launching Sept. 19, 2019. Sega
• Sega Genesis Mini, launching Sept. 19, 2019. Sega
• Sega Genesis Mini, launching Sept. 19, 2019. Sega
• Sega Genesis Mini, launching Sept. 19, 2019. Sega
• Sega Genesis Mini, launching Sept. 19, 2019. Sega
• Sega Genesis Mini, launching Sept. 19, 2019. Sega