rob7979

I would have added either mortal kombat ir mortal kombat 2. Yes they are paired down versus 16 but versions, but are both still very playable to the extent that if you got good at them you’d be good on the arcade version too.

Agree with the other comments people have made above.

Roll on the SMS mini (please!!).

I remember this console coming out, the hype on bad influence and then the lack of support for software and any well known titles. In some ways it was abused in the same way as the 32x - just used to make cheap 16 but ports which then did nothing to convince you to buy into the next gen. At least they got the price right.

At least they are being true to form and you are getting the full Atari experience….. another good idea poorly executed.

Well balanced review which sums this product up well - probably for fans only. As such my pre-order is arriving today and will be pride of place under the Xmas tree come December.

Game selection will always come down to personal preference and I reckon that, on balance, this is a decent effort (again).

I wish I was given a 3 week road trip all expenses paid road trip to Europe to find my inspiration for work.

Having said that, given the results, maybe software houses should use this approach more frequently!

Only played this briefly but couldn’t get into it. Your article has encouraged me to give it another try!

If this is any bit as good as the final fight WIP then we are in for a real treat!

A time of intrigue and boardroom whispers.

I always wonder Microsoft didn’t buy sega when sega eventually did leave the hardware business. Both would have benefited and might have helped Xbox make more in roads in Japan.

What a wasted opportunity to bring the game gear. I passed on these. Bring on the master system mini already!!

I think I’ll pick this up for the family at Christmas. Great memories and a great introduction to the world of fantasy D&D style games for a new generation

I love these type of articles that raise the veil. The industry was defo an interesting place to work in the 90s

The best just got better!!

Thank goodness the icon remained. The Asian kung fu movie influence on the original MK made it stand out further from the crowd.

This was always a big bear of mine with the Wii virtual console - such a bizarre short sighted decision. Really ruined neo geo titles on there with slow gameplay and ugly boarders versus what we weee all used to from the arcades.

Mine is a bit of a mush mash - original co doors, Wii virtual console and now mini systems. Each have their advantages and disadvantages.

From a copy write perspective some of the replica cartridges can now be of such high quality it can be hard to discern the difference.

Great that more people now have access to these rare games, notwithstanding that they appeared on the megadrive mini. Still access to a wider audience has to be a good thi mg, right?

This is one of my favourite SNES games - it set such a great atmosphere and a believable world. Yes there were issues with having to ask every character every command to ensure nothing was missed, but I still have great memories of this game. One of my favourites. I’m going to check out the switch versions for sure.

This sounds like a collectors dream but probably redundant for any sane person.

Still, gotta catch them all as they say!

@belmont
My view continues to be that we are in a bubble- no doubt some games are that rare, others as you say are not and should not command a retro premium. In time, like all bubbles this will burst.

No doubt this will be commercialised at some points by the crew of the good ship HMS eBay!

Impressive, but then the MS always handles the Phantasy Star dungeons well. That music though is classic MS chip tune!

What a great set up! My gaming real estate seems to be shrinking whilst volume of games increases. Hmmm.

I used to live inOsaka 2002 - 2003 and would often frequent the store. I had another opportunity to visit in 2016 and it was still there - picked up a neo geo Cd.

Glad to see it is still going strong.

Great to see the platform going from strength to strength, especially the inclusion of arcade releases.

Great article and sounds like you did yourself proud Martin. Am surprised there wasn’t greater use of solitaire as I always found the analogue better for aiming.

Loved playing this game - so many great multi player memories. The advantage of online play is that multiplayer is more accessible to. Disadvantage is the lack of physicality with other players.

How about revenge of Shinobi 🥷 on the megadrive? That had spidy, batman and Godzilla fighting as bosses.

Sega once again at its best.

I notice that the Ferrari logo has been replaced on the red car in Outrun on the megadrive mini 2 so it appears as though Sega has learnt from its past mistakes.

This article is flawed - the USD prices need to be adjusted for inflation in order to compare the launch price of a PS5 versus say the PS1. Would be interesting to re do the analysis to understand whether, at launch consoles are getting cheaper or more expensive in real terms.

However you are right in that I can’t recall an increase in the price of a console ever. The trend is always down.

Fantastic to see these ‘new’ ports coming out for classic systems. Props.

Great article which I missed first time around. A well written piece.

Explains why this has been added into the megadrive mini 2 line up; I hadn’t realised it was so big in Japan.

So sad, but also a tape of caution for other collectors purchasing sealed goods that have been stored in sub optimal conditions.

I hope someone finds a method eventually to safely separate the cards in time.

It would be really interesting to see Nintendo republish some of these ina limited edition.

RIP to a legend. His covers were a huge parts of the magazine his artwork adorned, and were often an imaginative reworking of the game title in hand.

Thanks for the good times!

This was also released on the Xbox 360 live and is a decent sonic title. I ve always preferred the 2d games but I remember seeing sonic adventure for the 1st time - you definitely knew the next generation had arrived!!

So pleased to see this heading to UK shores.

I’m pretty happy with the line up, everyone will always have a change here or there, but overall I think this is decent.

Thumbs up for Sega.

This looks a fantastic book and a worthwhile homage to KoF!

@MontyCircus what were the top 10?

Looks better than the master system version. Hopefully also plays better than the master system version which was frankly, terrible.

I wish this platform every success but the real estate under my television is already full.

This seems like a very niche market for Limited to try and address. Hope that doesn’t translate into high prices.

Brilliant article.

Unfortunately given Kim ted income as a teenager I would always spend my hard saved cash on a new game versus an action replay or game genie. That said I was always curious. I remember there being coded that allowed to you to “be@ the bosses inSF2 world warrior SNES. Didn’t work terribly well but at the time gamers were so desperate for that!

Why would they ever release SG-1000? The Master System would be a much more popular option with a large number of Sega games that wouldn’t require licensing
Sonic
Hang On
Shining
Alex Kidd
Phantasy Star
Master of Darkness
Etc.

A great console, could even have a 3D glasses version 🤩

As long as it had powerstone! This would have the potential to be awesome 😎

This looks awesome but how would I hide it from my wife? 😂

I am a big fan of these mini consoles as a very accessible entry point to exploring new systems, in addition to scratching that nostalgia itch. This system is a great example of the former. Can’t wait to try my hand at some of the highly regarded classics present. Consider me in🥳

This was a brilliant, entertaining and interesting read - much enjoyed.

Slightly off topic but I loved the use of the Atari logo in Bladerunner 2; evokes memories.

Looks very interesting- does it also cover better known houses as well?

I’ll stick with the original hardware, thanks and my neogeo x.

Great article - although this guy definitely comes across as quite the salesmen!

Whilst I loved stunt race fx at the time, playing it today I can see that it really was pushing the envelope on the SNES - the controls weren’t great, small viewing area and choppy visuals. But combined with the bouncy music and bright visuals it still just about works.

Great start to my Sunday morning.

RIP Jason and thank you for contributing to a magazine that helped define my world view and inspired me to go and work in Japan. The magazine was awesome. I remember the first issue I bought was the super play gold special, which was awesome! Good times, the magazines are still a fantastic read today

A great article which really took me back. I had a SNES back then, but in recent years have really come to appreciate the mega drive more and more. Even the much derided sound chip could pump that bass in a way the SNES could never replicate. Enjoy both for what they are - amazing consoles- and enjoy 😉