Sega Mega Drive Classic console available for pre-order at £50

Only a couple of weeks after Nintendo launched its Classic Mini NES with 30-built-in games, Sega has followed up to launch an official Mega Drive Classic Game Console with 80-built-in games. The Sega console is now up for pre-order with availability scheduled for October, priced at £50. According to a report on TheNextWeb, there will also be a handheld Sega Mega Drive system launched at the same time and the same price.

Sega Mega Drive Classic game console

As you can see from the pictures this console is very much in the same vein as the Nintendo release from a couple of weeks back. It is a mini console with a decent collection of embedded games to provide almost instant retro-gaming  gratification. However the new Sega console has some important plusses and minuses.

On a positive note; the console has many more games available than the Nintendo rival, it is based on a 16-bit console – a generation ahead of the NES, there's a pair of wireless controllers included, Sonic and Mortal Kombat series games are all available, and its compatible with standard original Sega Megadrive cartridges that you might have in your attic.

Negative points include; it uses component AV cables to connect to your TV, and the product quality reputation of Chinese manufacturer At Games isn't so good, says TNW. However I note from the product description that the console "is not an emulator" so should provide original style gameplay.

Sega Mega Drive Portable system

This handheld features a 3.2-inch diagonal screen and also includes 80-built-in games (same list as with the above console). As you might already suspect – you cannot slot original cartridges into this device – however you can load up additional game ROMs (.BIN and .SMD files) on an SD card.

Enhancing its portability this handheld contains a built-in rechargeable battery (recharge via USB) to provide "hours of fun without ever having to buy expensive batteries". The device looks slim and compact whilst offering the full complement of Mega Drive control pad buttons on its front.

Games list for both consoles