Handheld SEGA console gives Nintendo a run for its money with classic games
There are a lot of concerns that we may never have a means of playing old-school games in a concise and cheap way, or in a way that deters the piracy that has become a given in the scene. Emulation is a hard-swinging beast, and it dominates the retro gaming space by being so incredibly simple, and so incredibly… free.
Publishers are obviously against emulation, but it's the only choice for many who simply can't afford to engage with the alternatives.
But, in a pretty new turn for the retro games space, an old favourite is set to make a big return in a new form. We never thought we'd say it, but SEGA is back in the console game.
SEGA Mega Drive returns in handheld form
Click to enlargeTo be honest, we'd given up hope. After tapping out of the console race decades ago, it looks like SEGA Mega Drive games are playable all over again. The Verge has reported that a new console is on the way from Hyperkin, called the Mega 95.
The Mega P5 offers players the chance to play their classic Mega Drive/Genesis games, that uses the MegaRetroN HD Gaming Console's hardware to process classic cartridges. Giving us a real blast from the past, you'll be able to boot up Sonic & Knuckles and Streets of Rage 2 in all their glory.
It doesn't end with the handheld play, though, as much like the Nintendo Switch, the Mega 95 comes with a dock that will allow players to beam their games up onto their TVs too. It comes with a toggle that allows players to switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, and is tipped to boast 10 hours of play with a single charge.
The Mega 95 doesn't have a release date yet
Click to enlargeIt's an exciting notion, but temper your expectations - there is currently no announced release window for the console, nor do we know anything about its pricing. Hyperkin's Super NES and Super Famicom portable device costs $119.99 at retail, so we'll likely see the Mega 95 running you a similar fee.
We might not be getting the console incredibly soon, but this is the sort of thing that is going to absolutely delight fans of the Mega Drive, so it's worth leaving in the oven for a bit. Who knows - maybe we could see returning consoles hitting the market more often now. The future is looking bright, with a funky CRT crackle.
