Re-Genesis of the Sega Mega Drive

Re-release of the classic 16-bit Mega Drive will be ideal for retro gaming fans.

If, like me, your childhood was dominated in the early 90s by computer games, chances are you were a part of the titanic struggle between the global superpowers of video games: Sega and Nintendo.

Before the likes of Sony or Microsoft had even thought about entering the market with their PlayStations and Xboxes, the fourth generation video game console market was all about SNES and Mega Drive (or Genesis depending on where you came from).

The Mega Drive was Sega’s best selling console, with over 29 million units sold worldwide. The Mega Drive also represented the pinnacle of Sega’s achievements, before the company tripped up on epic failures like the Saturn and Dreamcast.

From next month, you’ll be able to relive the glory days of Sega, with a new slim line, hand held version of the 16-bit console classic being released on the general market. Developed by a third party, the Blaze Mega Drive will be available in shops on 24 April priced £39.99 ($56).

The console will come with 20 games which defined the era. No Sega platform would be complete without Sonic the Hedgehog, and so the fourth incarnation of the series, Sonic and Knuckles is included with the system.

Scrolling fantasy beat ‘em up Golden Axe will also feature as one of the 20 preloaded games from the classic days, along with ninja adventure Revenge of Shinobi and aquatic platformer, Ecco the Dolphin.

Apart from the free games, the real bonus of the new Mega Drive is that the console will be region free, which will allow cartridges from the US Genesis version or the Japanese console.

The Mega Drive is where it all started for iconic games still prevalent today. The hype surrounding Street Fighter 4 is largely due to the colossal success of Street Fighter 2 on the Mega Drive.

Why not take a trip down memory lane and play the original and best versions this Easter?

By Burt Ernstein posted March 16, 2009 10:55 AM with 869 views