Sega’s plug-and-play Genesis includes 40 classic games, SD card support

By Gabe Gurwin July 25, 2016

sega portable plug and play genesis atgamesmegadrivebox — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nintendo’s NES Classic Edition console looks to be a huge hit this holiday season, with its $60 price tag, library of 30 of the best games ever created, and small size making it the perfect stocking stuffer. But not so fast, Nintendo. Sega and AtGames have their own plug-and-play system, and it’s getting an update to celebrate Sonic’s 25th birthday.

Available in Europe this October from FunstockRetro, the Sega Mega Drive Classic (for those in North America, you know the Mega Drive as the Genesis) comes pre-loaded with 40 Mega Drive games, including Altered Beast, Golden Axe, Kid Chameleon, Sonic the Hedgehog and several of its sequels and spinoffs, and the first three Mortal Kombat games. It also includes an additional 40 “Sega Arcade/Puzzle games,” which feature some classic titles. After we play Fight or Lose and Yawning Triceratops for a bit, we’ll try out Curling 2010 and Mr. Balls.

Unlike Nintendo’s system, the Mega Drive Classic includes both an SD card slot and a game cartridge slot, allowing you to play additional games that aren’t included in the list. The current version available includes Ecco and Streets of Rage, for instance, but these have been replaced in the 25th Anniversary console with Sonic 3D Blast and Phantasy Star 2.

In addition the the home console version, you can also pick up the Mega Drive as a handheld system: the “Ultimate Portable Game Player.” It ditches the cartridge slot (remember the Sega Nomad?) but still features an SD card slot and includes the same games as its slightly bigger sibling. YouTube reviewer and plastic stuff enthusiast Stuart Ashen tested the handheld out last year, and found its sound quality to be noticeably inferior to the original system.

The 25th Anniversary Sega Mega Drive Classic and portable consoles will be available in Europe this October for about $65. You can order the Sega Mega Drive Classic from FunstockRetro.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…

Gaming

Everything we know about the Sega Genesis Mini

Everything we know about the Sega Genesis Mini, from game lineup to release date

sega genesis mini release date price games segagenesismini2

Following in the footsteps of Nintendo’s NES and SNES Classic systems, the PlayStation Classic, and even the Neo Geo Mini, Sega is releasing its own bite-sized plug-and-play system -- the Sega Genesis Mini. The system comes loaded with more than three dozen of the most iconic games released for the original Sega Genesis, and it promises a gaming experience you’d expect from the console you spent years playing in the ‘90s. From games and price to the console's specs and the release date, here is everything we know about the Sega Genesis Mini.
It’s made by Sega, and it will vary by region

Go to Target or Walmart today, and you are very likely to see plug-and-play Sega systems on the shelves, marketed as “Sega Genesis Flashback.” These consoles come preloaded with more than 80 games and feature several display modes and even wireless controllers, but they’ve been heavily criticized for poor-quality emulation that ruins the experience.

Gaming

How to unlock fast travel in Another Crab’s Treasure

Kril with a coconut shell

Another Crab's Treasure is a fantastical soulslike set deep under the ocean where danger lurks around every corner. And like other games in the genre, it's often brutally difficult to overcome the various challenges you'll encounter. As such, you may find yourself wanting to backtrack for level grinding, to uncover new secrets, or to buy additional items in the game's main hub. However, you may notice early in the game that you haven't yet unlocked the ability to fast travel between the multitude of Moon Snail Shells (aka "bonfires") you've found. Here's how and when you'll unlock fast travel.
How to unlock fast travel
In the opening hours of the game, you may notice that you can access your skill tree, which will show a skill called Shelleportation. But you may be discouraged to see that you aren't able to apply any points to it yet. That's because the game doesn't open up this feature until you've advanced a few hours into the story.

To unlock fast travel, you'll need to work your way through the first few main areas of the game until you reach a boss called the Polluted Platoon Pathfinder. After beating this baddie, you'll soon find yourself teleporting to the Moon Snail's Domain. Here, you'll learn about the power of Umami, as well as unlock access to your skill tree.

Gaming

Best gaming chair deals: Save on Corsair, Razer, and more

Razer - Iskur Gaming Chair.

Sitting down to play video games for hours and hours can be a lot of fun, but it can also be pretty bad for your health. Beyond just the lack of circulation, most modern chairs are not really made to have us sit in them for long periods, and so they don't offer things like lumbar support or breath to help keep us cool. Luckily, gaming chairs have come to the rescue, and if you're looking to at least help keep your body safe and healthy, going for a gaming chair can make a big difference. That said, gaming chairs can be quite expensive, which is why we've gone out and found some of our favorite gaming chair deals for you to pick from.
Homall Massage Gaming Chair -- $85, was $170

The Homall Massage Gaming Chair is affordable, but it will get the job done of keeping you comfortable while playing video games with its ergonomic design and high-quality PU leather materials. It's got head and waist pillows with a massage function that sets it apart from other cheap gaming chairs. The backrest can recline between 90 degrees and 180 degrees so you can find the perfect angle, and it also has a retractable footrest for an extra sitting position.