Sega's miniaturised edition of its early 1990s 16-bit console, the Sega Genesis (the Mega Drive outside of North America), is being re-released with 40 built-in games, mid-September 2019, from US$79 (RM323).

Ten of the 40 games pre-loaded onto the Sega Mega Drive Mini and Sega Genesis Mini have been revealed, with two versions each toting two different rosters ahead of a Sept 19 debut.

Sega of Japan announced 10 of the 40 games destined for the Japanese version at its Sega FES 2019 fan event over the weekend, with Sega of America following up with 10 from the North American and European list.

Both represent a strong first-stage roster reveal thanks to a clutch of 1990s-era icons; both contain a Sonic The Hedgehog game, although not the same one; both also come with action classics Gunstar Heroes, Space Harrier II, Comix Zone, and Castlevania: Bloodlines (aka Vampire Killer in Japan), as well as seminal role-playing game Shining Force.

The US$79 North American and €79.99, £69 European edition also boasts the first Sonic The Hedgehog along with Altered Beast, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, Ecco The Dolphin, and ToeJam & Earl.

The ¥8,980 (RM329) Japanese set offers Sonic The Hedgehog 2, role-playing game Madou Monogatari I, futuristic ball sports mashup Wrestleball (aka Powerball internationally), pattern-matching column puzzler Puyo Puyo Tsu, and birds' eye view action adventure Rent-A-Hero.

Games will allow players to save progress when and where they like and will come packaged with an HDMI cable and (unlike Nintendo's Mini range) a power cable.

The Japanese edition differs in that its USB gamepad will be modeled after a six-button controller introduced in 1993. It will be also sold in two- and one-controller configurations, the latter priced up at ¥6,980 (RM256). – AFP Relaxnews