If you are a die hard authentic buy a actual old sega, but for the kids etc buy the Sega HD. More games and cartridge slot gives longer life.

I must add, however, that if the console is hackable and some talented people find a way to overhaul the system, letting us load custom roms, changing the emulator to Retroarch’s Genesis Plus GX, etc, I will buy this one. The shell is pretty nice actually.

Check this video. A guy has opened the Genesis Flashback and has found a working USB port inside. The OS is based on Android 4.4. Not much more info so far, but I’m pretty confident someone will find a way to hack this device and make it as good as it should.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIAgzWNhIj4

I’m sure that, even though they don’t make hardware, they could figure out a deal with a manufacturer (could be AtGames or TecToy, or not) so the consoles are delivered as a Sega product, though manufactured by someone else.

The license is only a way to allow someone using Mega Drive stuff, but Sega has no input on the result (contents, quality assurance, etc).

There’s a better way to do this, and profitable for Sega, not only in terms of money, but also image. Sega needs good products of their own.

I mean, didn’t they start that “Amazing Sega” marketing campaign? Well, do amaze me, Sega. Make the official Mega Drive mini. Name it “Sega Forever: Mega Drive” like “Nintendo Classic Mini: NES/SNES” and create some synergy with the mobile project.

Of course things can be done well. It just takes passion and talent. When done well, you have a product like SNES mini. When not, a product that you can’t help but detect flaws, like AtGames Mega Drive Flashback.

We Sega fans should demand Sega to do things well, not accept average stuff.

Theses are officially license from Sega. Sega doesnt make any hardware so they gave the rights to AtGames and ToyTec to make systems

This year’s model, sadly, is not enough for me. There are so many issues that prevent me from giving my money to this “not bad” product. I want a GOOD product like the NES and SNES Mini.

What they should do next year:

1- Remove the shovelware, for god’s sake. Of course I can just ignore these games but, who wants them? It screams “THIS IS CHEAP” all around.

2- USB power and connection, like the Nintendo Minis. This would open the possibility of either hacking or updating the console’s firmware with improvements on the emulator. Not having Sonic 3 is really painful, but if I could add it like I added Donkey Kong Country 2 and 3 to my SNES Mini, then there would be no problem.

3- Finish the emulator. Sound is decent but not as good as it should and could. Maybe talk to the Genesis Plus GX author for a perfect emulator.

4- Make a main menu that doesn’t make you say “Why?”. Organization and navigation can be much better than this. Also, add some music, man. This tiny feature is much appreciated in the SNES Mini.

5- Make good clones of the MD controller. And either wired (with long cables) or bluetooth with battery like 8bitdo. Maybe bluetooth with USB cables (and maybe a MD controller to USB adapter) would be the best.

6- I don’t really care about the cartridge slot (good for anyone who wants it; I don’t need it as long as I can add my own games through a SD card or by connecting the console to my PC, like the Nintendo Minis), so if this makes the product more expensive, I’d gladly remove it.

If they deliver this next year, I’m totally buying it. But I actually hope it’s Sega who makes an official Mega Drive mini. I’d love to know the reasons why Sega hasn’t done it already.