Re-think everything you know about playing retro games in your modern living room and say hello to POLYMEGA, the world’s first modular HD retro game console. We built POLYMEGA so that you can have a modern gaming experience with all your favorite classic game cartridges, disc games, and accessories in 1080p HD without the clutter and sub-par video quality of using the old retro systems. It’s modular, so you can play an ever-growing list of classic game cartridge-based systems the way they were meant to be played – with minimal lag and with universal compatibility.

POLYMEGA features a built-in optical disc drive that can play your collection of classic disc-based games. Just insert a CD and start playing — no need for complicated configuration steps. It’s compatible with games for systems like PS1, TurboGrafx-CD, Sega CD, Neo Geo CD, and there’s more to come. So, why not invite some friends over to party like its 1999?

More details regarding POLYMEGA have been slowly trickling out to public, and their latest piece of news sheds some more light on the “Element Modules” and what comes with them. The Element Modules are essentially attachments to the core POLYMEGA console which allow you to insert your classic cartridges and play or upload them as you wish. These modules also come with controller ports that could work with your classic controllers.

Each Element Module includes a retro-styled wired controller that comes packaged in a sleek, color-coded box to differentiate each module from the other. The packaged controllers also come with a menu button in the center, allowing you jump to the menu with ease.

We’ll keep you updated on the latest news regarding the POLYMEGA, but in the meantime checkout these awesome screenshots!

Via POLYMEGA 

Well, OrionSoft has launched a Kickstarter, not for a new game, but for the ‘Retro Game Designer’ – a piece of software that he has been working that will allow YOU to make your own games for the Mega Drive/Genesis, Dreamcast, Jaguar or PS1!

The good news is that, he’s promising the Retro Game Designer won’t require any coding knowledge, so anyone should be able to create their own games.

Now, admittedly, this idea isn’t totally new; there’s plenty of PC-based software out there that allows you to create your own games. But those software packages rarely allow development for console, and if they do it’s usually for modern platforms. This will be one of the few that caters for specific retro consoles.

The basic packages/tiers are aimed at people who want to dabble in game design, but not sell their wares. While the higher priced tiers (going up to 500Euros) will be for professionals and you’ll be free to sell your game made with the software.

By the looks of it, Orion is aiming to use stretch goals to help advance the creation of different game engines. He’s hoping, with full funding, to be able to include engines for: 2D Platformers, Point ‘N Click Adventures, Scrolling Shoot ‘Em Ups and RPGs.

This is definitely another Kickstarter project, I’ll be backing. If it’s successful, hopefully we’ll see plenty more games coming to the Mega Drive and Dreamcast for years to come!

Check out the Kickstarter project, here.

However, AtGames, the company that has infamously released its Flashback Genesis systems over the years, confirmed on social media that it is working with SEGA to supply the technology that will go into the Mega Drive Mini.

The rumors are true! Sega is going to release the Mega Drive Mini in Japan, powered by the latest AtGames technology. This same new and improved technology will find its way into the US and other territories later this year! #MegaDriveMini pic.twitter.com/4kbVKEz8oK

— AFZ (@ATGFlashback) April 14, 2018

This has caused a lot of controversy among SEGA fans as many have wanted SEGA to release a high-quality micro console of its own – like Nintendo with the NES and SNES Classic. Because of AtGames’ history of poor quality with its consoles, namely inaccurate sound emulation, among others, it’s understandable why some SEGA fans are upset.

We found the Genesis Flashback HD to be a quality system (read our review here), although it still wasn’t able to achieve 100 percent perfect sound emulation. However, AtGames has said that the new Mega Drive Mini will include a new emulator that should make gameplay and audio better than ever.

All the negativity is perfectly understandable. You’ll either see the improvement this year in the HD hardware or you won’t. Talking about it doesn’t do much at this point. There is a switch to a proven emulator and other features that have been requested for years making it into the 2018 HD models. There will be similar changes on the Atari HD side. Exciting stuff, but no reason to believe any of it until it’s actually in the wild.

We’re cautiously optimistic that this new system will be as close as ever to what SEGA fans have been asking for, but of course it will all come down to what games SEGA chooses to have pre-installed on the system and how well those games play. Hopefully, we’ll see more at E3!

At the event, we saw a version of the console and, compared to ATGames’ recent Mega Drive Flashback HD console, it’s tiny!

But not a huge amount more is known about the system just yet, we couldn’t see any controller ports or whether it’ll use wireless controllers, or both. It’ll be awesome if they do allow for original Mega Drive/Genesis controllers, but I’ll happily take either!

The one thing we know is that the Mega Drive Mini (tentative title) is being launched this year (2018)! Watch this space!

Right now there isn’t a whole lot of information, other than Sonic, Thunder Force IV, Phantasy Star, “…and more” will be coming to the system.

But it seems this was just a little teaser announcement, as SEGA went on to reveal a Mega Drive Mini and Shenmue I & II would be coming to PS4, Xbox One and PC – which would no doubt be more exciting to a lot of SEGA Nerds out there.

Instead, SEGA has confirmed on Twitter that more information would be announced tomorrow at the ‘Classic Game Stage’:

さらなるラインナップ発表などの「SEGA AGES」追加情報は、明日4/15（日）15:40より配信予定の「クラシックゲームステージ」にて発表いたします。会場にお越しいただけない方も、YouTube LIVE／Periscopeにてご確認ください！ https://t.co/vrcALAJIvS #セガフェス #SEGAAGES

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) April 14, 2018

Translation:
“Additional information such as “SEGA AGES” will be announced at the “Classic game Stage”, which will be delivered from 15:40 (Sun) tomorrow at 4/15. If you are not able to come to the venue, please check with YouTube LIVE/periscope! http://segafes.sega.jp/stage/ #セガフェス #SEGAAGES”

So stay tuned for more information on SEGA AGES on Switch!

The good news is that the service is certainly not dead and SEGA is still committed to bringing its back catalogue of retro goodies to smartphones and tablets, but the team is shifting focus slightly. It looks like SEGA Forever will now concentrate more on games that are natively coded for iOS and Android, rather than emulated, as the team explained in a post on its mobile page:

“Over the past eight months we’ve been observing how SEGA fans have been playing the 18 SEGA Forever titles that have been released so far.

“While we originally intended to focus largely on emulated titles, we have observed that our native ports are the most played games (Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Sonic CD, Crazy Taxi, and Virtua Tennis Challenge).

“Therefore, we’ve decided to make some changes to appeal even more to the audience that is most interested in this project. While we will continue working on emulated titles – with a surprise or two that you haven’t been expecting – our plan this year is to focus on porting titles natively.

“As a result of these changes, the cadence of releases will reduce. However, the next SEGA Forever title will be rolling out soon!

“The mobile team wants to thank fans from all around the world: in only eight months SEGA Forever titles have been downloaded more than 40 million times. This is only the beginning!”

I think it’s going to be interesting to see where this will take SEGA Forever. On the one hand the idea of emulated games sounded decent enough, as it could allow SEGA to publish games relatively quickly (not needing to code them specifically for the devices), but in practice SEGA Forever’s emulation hasn’t always been well received, with several issues particularly in the early weeks/months of its launch.

So, perhaps concentrating on native ports of retro titles could be the best thing for the service. From what’s been said, it looks like we won’t be seeing any Saturn or Dreamcast titles in the near future (sadly), but I’m sure looking forward to the “surprises” mentioned above.

What’s really exciting is that the game will be using the same engine as Overbound Games’ absolutely brilliant Sonic fan-game, Sonic Time Twisted – which you can check out more of in our 30min play video, here.

And ‘Sonic Triple Trouble 16-bit’ looks like it’s going to be just as good as Time Twisted, so I’m definitely excited for it. Noah has also given a brief overview of some of the game’s features:

• All levels from Sonic Triple Trouble faithfully recreated in 16-Bit Style!
• Accurate 360 Sonic Physics!
• Play as Sonic and Tails!
• Gamepad Support!
• New mixes of Triple Trouble Songs by Noah Copeland!

There’s currently no release date given, but Noah has stated in the trailer description: “This is a fan game you can expect to be completed… soon!”

If you want to know more about the game, including updates, you can do so by:

• Following @NoahCopeland on Twitter
• Visiting the GameJolt Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit Remake Page, here.

On a personal note, I used to love Sonic Triple Trouble, when I first played it on my Game Gear back in the day. However, playing it more recently, the game does feel rather ‘janky’ compared to other Sonic titles of the era. So the chance to play it in a smoother, more detailed 16-bit version sounds awesome to me!

It’s awesome that many of these games are kept active in live eSports tournaments, with certain teams even gaining in popularity and keeping their fans in the loop with their own clan website, which many people are said to prefer over social media. Although these games are an absolute joy to watch when played by professionals live in a tournament, many of us pale in comparison and simply wish to have a fun night with our friends and the Sega Genesis.

As for which games to pick when you’ve got a group over at your house, that gets pretty tough considering there are many to select from, but we’ve created this list because these titles are simply great to play together. Let the games begin!

Side-scrolling beat ’em ups

When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and things get very tough in these beat ’em ups. You can essentially switch your brain off for a while and simply button-mash away. The gameplay is fun for bystanders and gamers alike, and there’s always some amazing surprise that keeps people on their toes. We’re choosing Streets of Rage 2, Golden Axe, X-Men 2: Clone Wars, and of course, Double Dragon.

Fighting

Although you could argue that you’ve already done plenty of fighting in the games listed above, there is much more skill and finesse needed for fighting games. You need to know special combos, power moves, and analyze your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses in order to take them down in the easiest way. True, these games can be hugely frustrating (only if you’re losing), but as long as you don’t take them too seriously, then it’s fun for people to witness things like a fighter coming back from the brink of defeat and taking down the challenger in a flurry of incredible hits. You’ll have to pick Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat II. Some think fighting games are getting easier, which might be true, but we still like those games from the past.

Sports

Finally, a break from fighting (although people will still get hurt) with some sports games. Some people hate watching sports, but if it’s 16-bit sports? Then they absolutely love it. The Sega Genesis provided many sports games that can give you a great party night on the console, so to get people cheering and booing in equal measure, select NBA Jam, NHL 95, and Tecmo Super Bowl.

Now, who is bringing the snacks and drinks?

Their latest album released this week, and it is pretty fantastic. Most of the album consists of classic Genesis shooters such as Thunder Force IV, After Burner, and more.

You can listen to it on Spotify, Bandcamp, Deezer, and Cdbaby. Check it out below!

Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Their latest video touches on a pretty sensitive topic – which is the better game between Sonic Mania and Sonic CD. Personally, Sonic Mania edges out Sonic CD for me because I was never that big of a fan of the time-traveling aspect in Sonic CD, and Mania builds upon every classic Sonic game that came before it while also not forgetting its past, if that makes any sense whatsoever.

I guess it really doesn’t matter either way, because topics like this are totally subjective, and this is the Internet, so we’ll always respect each other’s opinion even if they differ radically from our own, right?

Anyway, how ’bout you weigh in on this topic and let us know which game you think is better and be sure to explain yourself!