There are a lot of differences in the libraries between the Genesis Mini 2 and the Japanese Mega Drive Mini 2. Is it still worth importing?
Check out my review of the US Genesis Mini 2 here:
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Opening “Sega” jingle is from Astal for the Sega Saturn.
Ending Music during the credits is from Batman for the Sega Genesis.
SLX Logo
By: Jan Neves
YouTube Page – https://www.youtube.com/user/Jan3d
Intro by Evan S.
https://portfolio.tsestudios.com/
Episode Notes:
1. So far my experience with the Mini 2 has seen only the US version receive a power brick.
2. Astro City Mini controllers and the Retro-bit Sega pads all work with this.
3. Most of the front end options are the same between regions.
4. Though this Japanese version has Lunar and Popful Mail, I consider the US Genesis Mini 2 the better overall value.
5. At some point Sega and other companies need to graduate to 1080p output and USB-C connectors.
6. At some point someone at Sega needs to champion a dedicated retro system that is FPGA based and connects to the internet to buy games. Sega can’t compete with Sony and Microsoft, but they sure as hell have the back catalog of console and arcade games to support such a device.
34 Comments
You rock segalordx
Another top-notch video and with a very classy ending. Great job, sir.
My frustration with Sega is that they always try to push things I don’t want and withhold what I do want. The best of the mini 1 and mini 2 (both regions) plus Snatcher would have made one amazing mini. Instead, you have to buy 4 machines and still not have the one game people have been wanting access to. I ended up not buying any of them because the software compilations I already have are a much better deal with an overall better game selection.
SEEEGAAA :)) !!!
I appreciate you covering this for our edification! I gotta say though, it seems like too much of a headache for the average Genesis/MD fan to get the most out of. Sega could have done way better here. No offense to M2 but both the US and Japanese editions of this mini-console feel like half-assed efforts IMHO, because of the many downsides you already mentioned.
My genesis mini 2 did come with a power brick
Lovely tribute to Rieko Kodama at the end my man. Sega will not be the same without her.
You missed something regarding Ecco CD. Turns out that while we got Ecco 1 and 2 as separate releases on CD in North America, Ecco CD in Japan was a two-disc combo pack. You can select both games from the menu similar to the Space Harriers.
Of course this means that this thing technically has 21 CD games while we only got 12…I'm not bitter…
I preordered the American version a month in advance. Amazon gave me a delivery date of the 4th of November. But iit still hasn't shipped yet. Anyone else experiencing this?
You’d almost think it would’ve been cheaper to have one version of this device that could do it all. At start up select EU, JP, or NA and get that areas cover art. With each game selected you could pick from available language options available.
Heck that would’ve increased amount of playable JP and played NA games by a worthwhile amount also.
The Japanese audience always seems to get the superior product.
American audience needs to give Sega the boot once and for all…..
no xmen, no english lunar. no segacd batmans. maybe i will get these in the sega genesis SEGACD mini 3.
Just like the first Genesis mini, I really wish I could've bought the English Genesis variant of the Tower of Power…oh well.
Great video as always. I bought both this version & the Genesis mini 2. I’m currently learning Japanese because of this mini console. Also, RIP Rieko Kodama. As others said that was a fantastic tribute to her. 58 is way too young.
Such a kick to the guts on hearing about the passing of Phoenix Rie. Such an immense talent gone far too soon 😥
What did Sega use a Raspberry Pi 1 for the Genesis Mini instead of building their own emulator that's specifically designed for these retro systems you thought they would but they didn't I bet you they didn't
Just switch the language to JP on the normal model 👍
This lady deserves many fans and popularity I really appreciate what she did since she worked with SEGA!
8:40 You should make a video on what games that you think could and should be on a hypothetical Mega Drive Mini 3.
I was worried this would have a disappointed tone to it, but halfway through, it seems like this product is a-okay! Just… still DYING for Lunar over here.
I'm guessing the rights were murky since Working Designs folded long ago
I’m so spewing. You can not get this console in Australia. 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
5:13 7:04 I think the reason they didn't include Columns III and Starblade on the international Sega Genesis/MD Mini 2 was because they didn't want to have to sell the Sega Tap and Sega Mouse outside of Japan.
Why is EVERYONE saying that the Japanese Mega Drive mini 2 doesn't come with a power brick? I bought both the US Genesis mini 2 and Japanese Mega Drive mini 2 and BOTH of them came with a power brick.
No popful mail😢😢
Rieko Kodama also saved the excellent Switch port of Virtua Racing, she retrieved the original game's source code while entire libraries of game source codes have been misplaced forever. Her contributions to Sega are immeasurable, while her friends and family knew her most, I hope they're aware of all the joy she brought to Sega and gaming fans worldwide
RIP Phoenix Rie
Just out interest, I'm wondering if Robo Aleste is still censored in the U.S. version on the Mini? I know the PAL release is not censored but I remember the U.S. original version being censored. I'm wondering if that's why there are two versions available on here.
There is a cut scene bridged between stage 4 and stage 5 where Astaros gets up out of her bath to put her robe on after learning the news of a rogue warrior named Kage tearing through the Japanese districts. Anyway there is about 3 seconds where you can see a good picture of Astaros nude with her parts covered by her long hair. This was cut out of the U.S. release on the original Sega-CD, I know because I have played it. Not sure about the Japanese version, most likely uncensored as the Japanese don't usually believe in censoring games.
Dodge Danpei really does rock, I found that one in my everdrive list and it's similar to a Neo Geo game I've played
I hope Sega makes a Saturn and dreamcast mini 😻 I really want one to play some of those games in a more convenient way
that's really cool that the Japanese MD Mini 2 was made in memory of someone's passing, especially someone who had a hand in making the MD a place where plenty of quality RPGs were available.
I like the shout out to Reiko Kodama.
🎶🎵 "Saaaaaayyyyyyyygah"🎵🎶
16:53 If anyone caught hbomberguy's latest video on the Roblox "oof" and what a massive liar Tommy Tallarico is, he points out that there were a lot of women involved in classic video game development, especially music and art design, who never got credit because of sexism in Japanese work culture in the 80s and 90s. For example, most of Street Fighter II's soundtrack was composed by a woman whose real name wasn't given in the credits. Capcom, Konami, Sega of Japan, Nintendo, they all had lots of women on their development teams who were never really credited directly for their hard work and exceptional skill.
It's high time they be remembered for their contribution to the hobby that means so much to us all.