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Hyperdub will release new music exclusively on a Sega Genesis cartridge
Many artists and labels are constantly exploring different methods through which to release their music beyond streaming and CDs. Some have sold USB drives featuring their tunes over the last decade or so. However, there haven't been too many instances I can think of where a selection of tracks will only be available on a Sega Genesis cartridge.
8BitDo made a wireless controller for Sega Genesis fans
The latest retro-inspired controller from 8BitDo should bring a smile to the face of many Genesis fans. The M30 takes its cue from the Sega console's controllers and it works with PC, macOS and Android as well as Nintendo Switch. A single charge will give you up to 20 hours of play time, while there are screenshot and home buttons along with a turbo function. The M30 will set you back $30.
Analogue's Mega Sg sounds like the ultimate Sega Genesis
Analogue, the retro console manufacturer behind the Nt Mini and Super Nt, excellent modern NES and SNES reproductions, is now bringing back a seminal '90s rival. The company has announced the Mega Sg, a Sega Genesis, Mega Drive and Master System recreation that can play over 2,180 classic cartridges. Unlike other retro console clones, Analogue, as its name suggests, doesn't use emulation methods. Rather, the company opts to use an Altera Cyclone V FPGA chip to ensure 100 percent compatibility -- and so that games can be played exactly how they were intended. It's not the exact chip used in the Genesis, but using an FPGA chip that runs off HDL (hardware description language), it can essentially be any other chip. It's a solution that bypasses emulation through an operating system, to connect and speak directly between game cartridge and motherboard.
Sega's Mega Drive Mini won't arrive until 2019
The retro console craze kicked off by Nintendo's NES and SNES classic systems, with Sony's miniature PS1 inbound, has proven bountiful for nostalgic gamers keen to relive their 8- to 32-bit glory days. But Sega's plans to join the rose-tinted celebrations with its own Mega Drive Mini has hit a speed bump. Slated for release in Japan this year, the iconic console is now being delayed until 2019, the company announced on Twitter.
Sega to support modded Genesis games on Steam
Sega's Mega Drive console (or the Genesis, depending on where you lived at the time) still boasts an impressive library of 16-bit games. Many of those are now available on Steam and Sega, hoping to attract some new collectors, has developed a virtual playground for them called the Mega Drive Classics Hub. Notably, this also comes with Steam Workshop support, allowing PC players to share "modified versions" of their favorite games from the early 90s. That's pretty unusual, given most developers and publishers are opposed to fan-driven emulation and modification of classic games -- no doubt because of its relationship with piracy.
A look at the evolution of modern video game controllers
If anything's kept pace with how video games have changed over the years, it's how we interact with them. Our biggest touchpoint with virtual worlds is the gamepad and -- akin to how games themselves have evolved from simple 2D affairs into 100-hour-long labyrinths in three dimensions -- controllers have changed to accommodate that. What you'll find in the gallery below is a comprehensive look at gamepads from the past 30-plus years of gaming, including high points and missteps alike. [Image: Adafruit Industries/Flickr]
The Nook Simple Touch can run a Genesis emulator, but should it?
There we were, thinking touch-based versions of gaming classics were a bad idea on a device intended for gaming -- and then we saw Sonic the Hedgehog 2 running on a Nook Simple Touch. YouTube user "ndncnbvcuyuys" rooted his touch-based Barnes & Noble e-reader, installed the Android 2.1 OS on it, and hooked up a Sega Genesis emulator. The results are not what we'd call "ideal," but as the hacker says, "It is playable." Sure, technically speaking, the on-screen virtual buttons allow interaction with Sonic and his buddy Tails, but whether it's any fun at all is another question altogether. "ndncnbvcuyuys" seems to have a penchant for the impossibly fast games on touch-based e-readers, as he got PlayStation 1's WipeOut running on the Nook Simple Touch just a few weeks back. Might we suggest a PlayStation Vita instead? [Thanks, Ron]
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?
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 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.
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 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.
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]
Sonic the Hedgehog and Peggle come to iPod
Two new games are available on the iPod today, and they couldn't be any more opposite of each other. One is perfectly suited to the iPod's limited controls, and was practically built to be played with the circular click wheel. The other... well... not so much.The original Sonic the Hedgehog is now available for the iPod, featuring the full Sega Genesis classic, as well as the option to replace the game's seminal tunes with your own crappy music. We love Sonic and all, but the platforming precision required to play through this title will most likely not prove conducive to the iPod's click wheel and buttons. We expect much cramping and cursing.Contrast this with Peggle, Popcap's ever-so-excellent casual game offering, and the other game now playable on the iPod. Of the two, Peggle's much more suited to the format, and could easily become one of the best games available for the music player. Both titles are now available for purchase through the iTunes Music Store for $4.99 USD each, and are compatible with the 3G iPod Nano, the 5G iPod, and the iPod Classic.Read - Sonic press releaseRead - Peggle press release
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 9/24/07
Mondays are usually regarded as bad by most folk. We have to go back to work and push back the memories of fun from the weekend that just passed. That doesn't count for Virtual Console fans in the U.S. however. No, we celebrate the coming of Monday and cherish its offerings.
VC Monday Madness: Kirby, Legend and Streets
Like the great Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, Kirby's Avalanche is a fine Puyo Puyo clone. And, as you all know, we're insane about some puzzle games here at Wii Fanboy estates. Here is all of the games available for download after 9am PST today: Kirby's Avalanche (Super NES, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points) Streets of Rage 3 (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points) LEGEND OF HERO TONMA (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points) Be sure top stop back later for our video wrap-up. Unlike last week, we'll have it up in speedy fashion.
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 9/17/07 [update 1]
Update: Sorry, folks. I ended up getting home very late last night and was way too tired to attempt the video. I'll try to get it up as soon as I can today. Thanks for your patience.Sadly, we don't have video for you at the moment (yours truly has a sporting event to attend and I ran into some video editing problems), but when I get back, you can bet I'll be uploading the video (however late that may be). So, you have something to look forward to if you are going to be up that late (or something to look forward to when you get up in the morning). Or, whatever. You just have something to look forward to.
VC Monday Madness: Yoshi's Story, Super Thunder Blade and World Class Baseball
We're always glad to see a N64 title release on the Virtual Console, as there are plenty of titles from that system that we feel deserve another play. Sadly, though, this week's releases don't include any of those N64 games. Instead, we're presented with a bunch of games that aren't all that notable.This week's Virtual Console releases are: Yoshi's Story (N64, 1 player, 1000 Wii Points) Super Thunder Blade (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points) World Class Baseball (Turbografx16, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points)
