SEGA to release Genesis Mini next month

SEGA is giving the SEGA Genesis console the mini treatment as the company sets to launch the new SEGA Genesis Mini next month.

Yes, the revamp and resizing of popular game consoles continues, with SEGA once again moving with the trend and joining the dozens of other companies and third party manufacturers (think Commodore 64, PSOne, and more). While there have been a few rehashed Mega Drives popping up every now and again, the Genesis is one to watch out for.

The SEGA Genesis Mini is a working replica with 40 games included. The controllers remain full-size.

"The iconic SEGA Genesis console returns in a slick, miniaturised form along with two classic 3-button control pads," says SEGA.

The package includes a Genesis Mini console, two wired control pads, a USB power adapter, power cable, and an HDMI cable.

So far it looks like SEGA is specifically targeting the United States and Canada for the SEGA Genesis Mini, offering pre-order purchases through the likes of Walmart, Best Buy, GameStop, EB Games Canada and others.

But there's good news for those in Asia Pacific, because Amazon will ship internationally. Amazon lists pricing as US$79.99. The console's official release date is September 19 (September 20 in Asia Pacific).

Full list of 40 included games:

1.            Ecco the Dolphin

2.            Castlevania Bloodlines

3.            Space Harrier II

4.            Shining Force

5.            Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine

6.            Toe Jam - Earl

7.            Comix Zone

8.            Sonic the Hedgehog

9.            Altered Beast

10.         Gunstar Heroes

11.         Castle of Illusion Staring Mickey Mouse

12.         World of Illusion Staring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck

13.         Thunder Force III

14.         Super Fantasy Zone

15.         Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master

16.         Streets of Rage 2

17.         Earthworm Jim

18.         Sonic the Hedgehog 2

19.         Contra Hard Corps

20.         Landstalker

21.         Beyond Oasis

22.         Ghouls 'n Ghosts

23.         Alex Kidd

24.         Golden Axe

25.         Phantasy Star IV

26.         Street Fighter 2

27.         Mega Man: The Wily Wars

28.         Sonic Spinball

29.         Vectorman

30.         Wonderboy in Monster World

31.         Virtua Fighter 2

32.         Alisia Dragoon

33.         Columns

34.         Dynamite Headdy

35.         Strider

36.         Kid Chameleon

37.         Light Crusader

38.         Monster World IV

39.         Eternal Champions

40.         Road Rash II

41.         Tetris (bonus game)