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.

Neverland has announced that it will be filing for bankruptcy after slow sales performance and a deteriorated financial status. This is following the Rune Factory 4, developed for Marvelous AQL, that became the fastest selling game in the series. Neverland initially tried to raise fund to continue operations, but were unsuccessful and are shut down as of today.

It’s a pretty big blow, especially since Neverland had a hand in developing the Lufia and Shining Force titles, which introduced new players to an entire generation’s worth of niche JRPGs (the first Lufia game was Fortress of Doom, which released in 1993, while Shining Force’s first game released in 1991 for the Sega Mega Drive).

Neverland was also working on Rune Factory 5, which Marvelous AQL confirmed would be releasing in the near future. We’ll have to wait and see what decisions are made regarding the future of the game along with Neverland’s other properties. Stay tuned for more details.

(Source)