I'm just now getting around to talking about this even though it was announced a few days ago. Partially because I was holding out for more info before I started talking about it. SEGA announced the Mega Drive Mini 2, following up the Genesis/Mega Drive Mini in 2019. It's not just in name either. A whole new line up of games including SEGA CD titles and the console is based on the Mega Drive/Genesis 2 version. This is super cool, I had assumed the Mini was a one and done type of deal. There's even a Mega Drive 2 CD add on kit as well! Right now they've only announced a Japanese release date, the more info I was hoping for would be a US release. Which thankfully was announced a few days ago as well, but I had initially missed.
If I had my way, Zone Base would be made on a Mega Drive PC. Like... if there was an add on kit for the Genesis Mini to make it a functioning Mega Drive PC Mini, we'd be there right now. Instead I'm driving around thinking about what could be with tears in my eyes. There truly is no easy way out, nor a shortcut home.
It's easy to forget how different the home computing world was in the 80's and 90's. Personal computers weren't as standardized yet leading to households having a variety of options by Atari, Commodore, and other companies. It wasn't uncommon for game console makers to offer their machine as a home computer on it's own.
At the time, it wasn't a terrible idea. Most home computing revolved around word processing, spreadsheets, random software for various tasks, and of course games. The internet was a lot more limited than it is now and even what it was by the end of the 90's. The Mega Modem was a reasonable solution for online needs at the time, even if it was a bit slow for some things. A lot of time has passed since then and they way we compute is way different now. But man, there's a certain charm to those old micro computers that just can't be replicated.
Looks like another day locked up inside, good thing you've got that Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Mini with all your Turbo Changer Transformers next to it to keep you occupied. A great game loaded on the System is Wonder Boy V- Monster World III. There's like a million Wonder Boy games and Monster World is a series within a series type of thing.
Yes it's confusing.
Once you get past the naming structure, you're sure to find one hell of a great game. A hybrid action platformer/rpg with bright charming characters. The game starts out simple and the difficulty gradually increases as you go. Thankfully the Mini has built in saves, but I recommend you keeping a pad of paper nearby. There's several ocarina (Wonder Boy rocked one before Link y'all) songs you'll have to find and play at points. I'd make a point to not stick the notepad near your beverage.
You're spending a lot of time at home these days. Maybe more time than you're accustomed too. Might I suggest a Genesis/Mega Drive Mini to pass the time away? Not only is it a glorious celebration to one of gaming's finest systems, but has some pretty great ways to spend some time with. Landstalker is an excellent adventure game with RPG elements as well as some platforming action. Get started on this bad boy, fix yourself a nice frosty beverage, and just spend the time inside on an epic adventure.
I was just thinking about playing some Strider on my Genesis Mini when I get home from work. The Mega Drive commercial for Strider Hiryu doesn't exactly help with that. How in the hell did they sell a single copy with that?
Earlier this morning (yesterday for you) I got my SEGA Genesis Mini. In case you've missed it before, I work over night. As in from around 6:30pm to 7am normally, that's why my today and your today may differ some (I also schedule posts in advance). What that means in this case is, I was off work right as stores were opening. Near my work is both a Walmart and Target. I went to the Walmart first as they're 24 hours.
Now, I could have went around midnight which is usually when I take my lunch, but as I've learned in the past, it's impossible to buy anything at midnight release at this Walmart. They will never have it ready for sale until the morning for any reason. It's not even worth trying and complaints to customer service go nowhere. So, I got there around 7:30am. I walked around the electronics department for a few minutes and couldn't see any Mini's. As I was leaving, I spotted the boxes behind the sections registers. I quickly go over to the nearby worker who's stocking DVD's and ask if I could buy it, and they said sure. Then it wasn't it in the system and I was told it was a recall dammit to hell.
Here's the Walmart curse, somehow when the employees stock, they don't always do whatever it is in the computer that they've done it or something. What then happens is it's not available for sale. You will be able to fly directly from your feet to Mars without any rocket propulsion before the cashier will not assume it's a recall and get mad at you for trying to buy a product on their shelves. I then politely said 'Today's the release date, it's just probably not in there yet, is there a manager?' The cashier then told me that today, the 19th was not the 19th, and that meant it was not to be sold until tonight at midnight. And then got mad when I said that would then be the 20th. Then they told me things don't come out on Thursdays and at that point I told them to never mind and left for Target.
I got to the Target just as they were opening. Went right to the electronics section. They neither had any on shelf, but hey, it was probably behind a counter or something. They did just open after all. After a moment I saw an employee, asked, and they called the electronics employee who was in fact getting them from the back room. I got my Mini, a Mtn Dew, and some cool Halloween cat treats and went home. They call it Target because they're on point, you see.
I got home and unfortunately didn't really have time to play my new console. I ate something and laid down for some sleep. Don't worry, I'm going to play the hell out of it. I did take time to open up the box and admire the console and controllers. It comes with two 3 button controllers made from the original molds. The original Genesis 3 button controller is my all time favorite controller and boy it's awesome to open a brand new set of them. This weekend I plan to buy one of the 6 button controllers available. Hopefully I'll be able to score one of those cool translucent blue ones, it looks awesome. I've seen some wireless ones already that look like Saturn controllers, and that's very tempting.
I really want a Mega Tower Mini set to go with this so bad. I've been looking around and have a pretty good feeling it will end up on that Christmas list my wife wants me to make for her. Sure, it's just a silly toy, but damn it's cool. It's funny, no matter how many newer consoles I buy, I can never leave behind the 8 and 16 bit eras. I honestly never get tired of playing those games and get excited for every new way to play them. Holding a brand new SEGA made Genesis in my hands is pure joy for me.
I've had a rough time lately. Nothing major, normal stuff. Crazy week or two at work. I look at the upcoming weeks and the impending release of the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive Mini and I see a beacon of hope. A light shining bright telling me everything will be alright, soon I'll have my Genesis Mini and my tears will be swept away by the sweet release of 16 bit glory. Now I just got to find a way to score the Mini Tower.
Rob talk's Stranger Things 3, Halloween decorations at At Home, SEGA Mini Goodness, New Godbeast and Battle Tribes waves, and Walgreen's Siege and Power Rangers exclusives!
To say I'm waiting for the Genesis Mini with high anticipation is an understatement. I already have a few different AT Games Sega models and they're readily available still, but as cool as those are this is an official Genesis by SEGA and I care about that sort of thing. While I'm not holding my breath... ok I am... but that's a term of speech... the Mega Drive Tower Mini add on kits for the Japanese version are the exact kind of amazing accessory I need in my life. The games are pre-loaded on the console like other mini systems and there's no upgrading going on here. This is a purely cosmetic thing that's silly and I want it. A mini cartridge, a mini SEGA CD, and a mini 32X can all connect to the mini console to give it the full appearance of a decked out Genesis/Mega Drive. That's so freaking awesome. I don't expect to see it at Target, but in my dreams I already have it.
"Mega Drive Mini" will be recorded "40 titles" that can be called "Mega Drive History". "Sega FES 2019" has released 10 titles of them! Please look forward to the title announcement in the future. https://sega.jp/mdmini/ #セガフェス2019 #メガドラミニ
