Hopping aboard the trend of re-releasing older consoles in miniature versions, Sega has announced the Genesis/Mega Drive Mini. It will retail for $79.99 and release on September 19th, with a whopping 40 games included. This version of the console is based on the Model 1 Genesis, which originally launched in August 1989 in North America.

The first ten games that Sega confirmed would be coming to the platform are:

• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Ecco the Dolphin
• Castlevania: Bloodlines
• Space Harrier II
• Shining Force
• Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
• ToeJam & Earl
• Comix Zone
• Altered Beast
• Gunstar Heroes

Along with 40 games, consumers will also receive two replica Genesis controllers with USB functionality, a USB to micro-B power cable, a power adapter (in North America only)m and an HDMI cable. Sega also confirmed that M2, which worked on the Sega Ages and Sega 3D Classics Collection, would handle porting the games.

Given Sega’s library of classics, re-releasing the Genesis with these games included is a pretty good idea. Time will tell if, as far as its quality is concerned, it’s more in line with Nintendo’s NES Mini and SNES Mini and less akin to Sony’s PlayStation Classic. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months regarding the remaining games.

The Elbow – Double Dragon

The Elbow trick is one of the most revered moves in Double Dragon history, particularly because it knocks down enemies faster and does lots of damage. It’s also not a trick – it depends on the number of points one has because that leads to more hearts. With five hearts, you can execute the elbow, smashing foes behind you and knocking them down for those quick, no-death speed-runs.

SA-X – Metroid Fusion

The Metroid series was creating atmosphere and tension from simple world design as far back as its inception, so when Metroid Fusion took the series on a slightly different path for a handheld game, their masterstroke was introducing the SA-X. The result of her infected Power Suit being pulled together by the mimetic X Parasites, the player is hunted throughout the game by the heartless creature with the full power of a endgame Samus. Powerless to harm the SA-X, should they hear the telltale footsteps and accompanying anxiety, the player can only run or hide throughout the entirety of the game, until the final showdown at least. 

Using different weapons against different enemies proves to be the most effective strategy, which breaks up the monotony of waves of enemies as well as makes experimenting with weaponry fun at times.  Players are able to hang from ledges as well as throw both enemies and allies across the screen.  The game really shines in its boss battles.  The bosses are unique and require you to think of a new strategy each time you face a new one.  Playing the game with two people (either on-line or off) makes these boss battles that much more fun, because no two players employ the same strategies to defeat the bosses.

As can be seen in the above pictures, Gunstar Heroes and its 16-bit graphics haven’t aged all that well over the years.  Sound effects for the game are about what could be expected, and match the old school graphics.  When you first boot up the game, the graphics may be a bit distracting because of their age, but after playing for a few minutes the action really takes over and makes you forget how old the game looks.  For those looking to boast, the game offers online leaderboards as well as several fairly easy trophies.  The game isn’t all that challenging, and in the end there’s really only a few hours of gameplay to be had here.  It’s a fun few hours though.  The last string of boss battles in the game really exemplify the pinnacle of side-scrolling action games in the early ’90s.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 3.