E3 2019: Reviving The 16-Bit Wars (And Good Disney Games) With The Sega Genesis Mini

Retro mini consoles have been all the rage lately, especially after the NES Classic set the market (and eBay) on fire. Some have continued that success while others have crashed and burned, but Sega is looking to get off on the right foot with the Sega Genesis Mini. As if reviving that old 90’s rivalry of the 16-Bit era, the E3 build had enough nostalgia with some surprise game selections to boot.

Featuring over 40 games spanning the Genesis’ legendary run, the mini’s library hosts trademark games like Sonic the Hedgehog alongside some cult classics like Eternal Champions. What I didn’t expect to see was the Mickey Mouse series of Genesis games from a bygone era where Disney licensed games were some of the best on the market. I jumped at the chance to try one out in front of the nostalgic console with the familiar control in hand. 

As expected, the game was a picture perfect port of what Genesis games played like for better or for worse. The game had the same dark, almost grainy visual quality that was typical of many games of that era, all while being a little slow and floaty. The controller itself is an exact replica of the old Genesis controller, which felt awkward at the time of release with its three horizontal buttons laid out across the long, wide pad. After nearly 30 years of improvements, it did take a little getting used to. 

With all that said, the brief time I spent with the console felt like a faithful recreation of what Genesis gaming was like. For collectors, nostalgia addicts or those who want to play through some of gaming’s history, the Sega Genesis Mini is looking like a great way to do so. With HDMI support for HD TV’s two controllers and so many games to play, we’ll have our eyes peeled as the “cool” console of the 90’s makes its big return. 

The Sega Genesis Mini will launch on September 19 for $79.99.