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French hackers connect a shock collar to a Sega Genesis, let obscenities fly (video)
There are masochists, and then there are masochists. We'd have to put French hackers Dyak and Furrtek in the latter category. The two ingenious and self destructive modders tweaked the beloved Sega Genesis to send signals to a pair of controllers any time the player takes damage. That signal doesn't produce rumbles or blinking lights, however, it's passed through a port to a shock collar meant for dogs. That's right, every time you get hit, you get zapped. The jolt of electricity you receive is hardly deadly, but it's certainly not pleasant, as you can tell from the barrage of obscenities bleeped out of the above video. The hack isn't exactly easy but, if you're bold, and don't mind a bit of pain, you'll find full details of the mod at the source link.
Retrode 2 retro gaming adapter brings SNES / Genesis support to your PC for $85
We were already head over heels for the original Retrode, and we've gotta say -- version 2.0 looks mighty good in that attire. As the story goes, the product shown above is the result of some three years of toiling, with the second iteration handling cartridges for Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo. In fact, there's a pair of ports on here, enabling one cart from each console to be loaded up and carried around. Users need only to find and install an emulator on their machine, plug a cartridge and / or an associated controller into the device and then connect the Retrode 2 to one's computer via USB. Once you've loaded a ROM into your emulator, configured your controller and canceled every appointment on your calendar for the next 48 hours... well, you're in for quite a weekend of retro gaming nirvana. It's up for pre-order now in the source link for $84.99, with shipments expected to begin on January 23rd.
PlayStation Vita shown running Sega Genesis titles (video)
Still mulling whether or not to pick yourself up a PlayStation Vita? Obsessed with retro gaming titles? If you answered "yes" to both, you should probably start socking away a few extra coins, buster. YouTube user frwololo has just upped a video showcasing the Half Byte Loader running the Picodrive emulator on Sony's PS Vita -- the first major proof that this kind of wizardry is indeed a possibility. The nuts and bolts of how it happened are being kept under wraps for now, and he seems certain that Sony's inbuilt security will make the mod unusable as soon as it's released. That said, there's still a lot of hope to be found in the clip just after the break, and c'mon -- who doesn't need a little hope to kick off a year where we're all supposed to perish?
Disney trademarks Castle of Illusion, but M-I-C-K-E-why?
Disney has put in a new trademark request for the term "Castle of Illusion," which presumably refers to the old Sega Genesis game, Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse. The trademark is specifically targeted at video game software. We're not sure what Disney intends to use this trademark for, if anything. It could be a brand new release also set in the castle that Mickey platformed through while trying to save Minnie, or it could be a re-release of the old game on a new platform, like Virtual Console release or even iOS. Whatever its release plans, Disney is apparently laying out the legal groundwork for something.
OOP Tetris cartridge begs you to buy it now for $1 million
It may shock you to know that you're a simple lottery win away from picking up a Like New copy of Tetris for the Sega Mega Drive (that's the Genesis to us Yanks). That's right, for the low price of $1 million American, you can pick up an original Japanese Mega Drive cartridge signed by the game's creator, Alekséi Pázhitnov on eBay. No word on whether the Russian game designer will actually hand deliver the red-boxed piece of gaming history if you're the lucky winner.
Sega bundling 46 Genesis games for Classic Collection Gold Edition on PC
Okay, guys. This is it. Here it is. The very last bundle of re-released Sega Genesis games that you'll ever need to purchase. Really take a moment to soak up the importance of this moment. Seriously, take your time. Alright, you're ready: Sega has announced the Sega Genesis Classic Collection Gold Edition for PC, which will toss 46 of the console's greatest hits into a single retail package on March 15. No price has been announced for the collection, but, really, what price is too high for the peace of mind you'll acquire knowing that you never have to purchase another Sega Genesis game ever, ever again? Check out the full list of 46 included titles after the jump!
Sega Genesis CDX now portable thanks to Ben Heck (video)
It's no Bill Paxton Pinball, but Ben Heck's portable Sega Genesis CDX is certainly up there in terms of superfluous gaming mods. As Heck points out, a lot of the console's games were "FMV nonsense," but, like most gaming systems, the 1994-released CDX had its ardent supporters. For those of you who fit the description, Heck's combined the CD drive and motherboard from an old CDX with a chopped six-button Genesis controller, an old camcorder battery, and a four-inch LCD screen to bring you a bulky but portable console. Now you can enjoy a game of Snatcher at the laundromat while your Sonic the Hedgehog Underoos hit the spin cycle. Check out the video after the jump.
The worst version of Virtua Fighter 2 now on iPhone
The iPhone is a surprisingly capable gaming device, something that's been proven quite handily lately by titles like Infinity Blade. Try to forget about that as you read the following news: Sega has released the Genesis version of Virtua Fighter 2 for iPhone. That's right, the least impressive version of one of the most technically demanding fighting games is now available for $2 on a device with no buttons. Enjoy!
Video: The Super Metroid soundtrack on the Sega Genesis
Most of us grew up championing the banner of either Sega or Nintendo -- if you were JC, you had a TurboGrafx-16. Aligning with one or the other wasn't a choice made lightly, predicated on which games you thought looked the baddest and, of course, that pesky money issue. If you were a Sega person, you missed out on some sweet Nintendo games and vice versa. Anyway, the point: HG101 posted a nine-minute video giving us a glimpse at how Super Metroid would've sounded if it was on the Sega Genesis, created by YouTube user Geckoyamori. Crank your speakers up to 11 and head past the break to give it a listen!
Sega brings more Genesis classics to PC
Thanks to the success of Sega's first wave of Genesis games on PC, the company has announced that it's bringing more classics to digital distribution channels. Sold for $3 each, the new batch of games includes several favorites such as Kid Chameleon, Sonic Spinball, Columns and Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (a re-skinned version of Puyo Puyo). All the titles are available now from Sega.com. The games are also set to hit Steam, GamersGate, GameStreamer and other sellers in time for the weekend. Find a full list of titles after the break. %Gallery-98010%
Nintendo, Sega controllers and carts find a new home in the RetroN 3 console
We know the hazards that can befall retro gaming enthusiasts -- janky third party consoles and KIRFy handhelds not the least among them -- so it's nice to see someone put some real thought in their hardware. Available in retro-futurist red or sober, serious black, the RetroN 3 gaming system is compatible with your Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and SNES cartridges. And if that weren't enough for you (it seldom is, is it?) you can use a pair of the original controllers from either of those three systems. If that seems too awesome, it also packs its own wireless controllers. Available now for $70.
Sega Genesis Classics rising from their graves, hitting Steam and other PC platforms [update]
POWER UP in our gallerySega is bringing a Virtual Console-like experience to PC digital distribution platforms. Sega Genesis Classics is a series of individual Genesis games available for download via Steam and additional, unspecified download services. On June 1, PC users will be able to download Golden Axe, Ecco the Dolphin, Comix Zone, and Vectorman, "from $2.99." We don't yet know how the prices will vary per game, but even if just one is that cheap, it's quite a savings over the $8 Virtual Console price. The screenshots sent out by Sega also include images of Gain Ground, Altered Beast, Space Harrier, Crack Down, Sonic 3D Blast, and Shadow Dancer, so we can expect to see those games from the distant past on PC in the near future. Update: Sega's blog post about the collection clears up the launch lineup: all of these games will actually be available June 1. %Gallery-93483%
VC in Brief: Sonic & Knuckles (Sega Genesis)
This week's release is quite the treat. Sonic & Knuckles was a great game when it released back in the day, made even greater if you had yourself Sonic 2 and Sonic 3 -- which you probably did. Now that experience is on the Virtual Console and if, like me, you have both of those games downloaded on your Wii, you can relive the experience all over again. Or you can just watch the above episode of VC in Brief for free. Sonic & Knuckles (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points) Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.
Sega releasing iPhone storefront for Genesis games
Sega has already put a few of its Genesis classics, like Golden Axe and Sonic the Hedgehog, up on the iPhone App Store as standalone downloads, but now, according to Gizmodo, it's going one step further and releasing an official Genesis emulator app for the iPhone, with individual games available as in-app purchases. Sort of. As the service will be at its February launch, the free Ultimate Genesis app just allows you to buy the existing Genesis games through a different interface, as well as new releases like Shining Force and Ecco the Dolphin for $3 each. It's essentially a united storefront for the kind of releases Sega is already doing (and has already done). But it'll also come with a free copy of Space Harrier II, which is as positive as any news regarding iPhone ports of console games can be.
Sega Ultimate Genesis Collection bringing official Genesis emulation to iPhone, pain to your wallet
After packaging and re-marketing to us our childhood over Nintendo's Wii Virtual Console and in a multitude of other forms, Sega is putting another platform to good use in its eternal quest to make us poor: the iPhone. Due for the App Store next month, the upcoming Sega Ultimate Genesis Collection will bring together some of Sega's existing, disparate releases for the iPhone under one roof and add a bunch more, allowing users to buy Sega Genesis games directly from the app. The first one's free, of course (Space Harrier II), but after that you'll be paying a decent amount for your emulation fix: Sonic is $6, Golden Axe is $5, and Ecco the Dolphin and Shining Force go for $3. The variety will undoubtedly grow over time, but we would hope that at some point Sega will offer some sort of discounted megabundle, since you can currently get 49 notable Sega titles for around $20 in the form of Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Basically: we're not sure if this is all supposed to make us worse or better about jailbreaking.
VC in Brief: Shadow Dancer (Sega Genesis)
We know, you now have that Andy Gibb song stuck in your head. Sorry, but them's the breaks! This week's Virtual Console release is Sega's Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi, a dog-friendly side-scroller very much like previous Shinobi titles. Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Check it out in the latest episode of VC in Brief above. Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi (Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points) Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.
VC in Brief: Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye (Sega Genesis)
This week's Virtual Console release is sure to please all of our elderly readers. It's Mahjong! No, seriously -- we're not playing a trick on you! Check it out in the latest episode of VC in Brief above. Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye (Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points) Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.
VC in Brief: Blaster Master (NES), Earthworm Jim 2 (Sega Genesis)
We've got a duo of high-profile titles to check out here on VC in Brief this week. Come for the shooting stuff, stay for the Pig Chutes. Blaster Master (NES, 1 player, 500 Wii Points) Earthworm Jim 2 (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points) Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.
NintendoWare weekly: Bejeweled, Blaster Master, Earthworm Jim 2
As promised, Sunsoft's brought Blaster Master to the Virtual Console -- though we think the impact is somewhat dulled by the quantity of other games available for download this week. There's a total of 11 different games available, so head past the break for the full list.
SNES / Sega Genesis USB cartridge adapter now available for pre-order
Looks like our old friend, Matthias -- the developer of the USB SNES cart reader -- is back on the scene, and this time he's going commercial. His newest project, Snega2USB, adds Sega Genesis, read and write for battery-backed SNES games, open source firmware, and up to four gamepads to the homebrew fave of classic gaming fanatics world o'er. This is a work-in-progress, but all the pieces are in place to have all orders met on the December, 2009 street date. Pre-orders will be taken until October 31 for $90 in the United States or €75 in Europe. Video after the break.[Via Gadgetoid]
