RetroGen - Portable Sega Genesis System

[sevin0seven]

I am tempted to buy this new hardware from Sega. What do you guys think? Is it worth it? It came out on the market yesterday? To me it's like a new version of Sega Nomad but better.



Description:
The only portable gaming system that not only plays SEGA Genesis and Megadrive games but is also licensed by SEGA itself. With new titles scheduled after its release there is no reason not to pick up this awesome portable system. The Retro Gen also includes a built-in battery that can be charged via USB and has a six-button layout mimicking that of the second Genesis controller that had an improved layout. It also includes an SD card that can be used to play “licensed games that have been downloaded and saved to an SD card using a special development cart.”

[Boaradoor]

Does it play the carts? If it does I would so get it

[h8b1llg8ts]

I'm thinking that's third party and not an official Sega release ...

[sevin0seven]

Does it play the carts? If it does I would so get it

Yes it plays both Sega Genesis and Sega Megadrive Carts. That's why it's like a Sega Nomad, but way better.

Here's a pic of Sega Nomad:


You see the difference in looks, and buttons mapping. Plus there will be new games coming!

[shadobeni]

Hmm, can't say I like the button placement, the angle is too sharp. Wish it were the same angular orientation as the old 6 button genesis pad.

I wonder if re-releasing old systems as portables will become a new trend/fad as old systems start to break down. I'm not sure of what the typical lifetime of a system is compared to a cartridge.

That was one advantage of genesis carts over snes ones. They were fairly small so making a portable genesis that used the old carts didn't make it too bulky. I'd have a hard time managing a portable snes that use original snes carts.

It'd be cool if it could also play SMS and GG carts/roms with an addon.

http://www.gamespy.com/articles/998/998637p1.html

Unlike the nomad it doesn't have a player 2 port to attach a controller for 2 player action.

[sevin0seven]

I'm thinking that's third party and not an official Sega release ...

Yes it's officially licensed by SEGA, read article:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/26/sega-licensed-retro-gen-might-have-you-hunting-for-cartridges/

[Curlypaul]

According to this site it does.

I've been watching these for a while now. Unlike the non portable version, which is twice as expensive than a second hand MD and doesnt really offer anything new, I could go for this handheld as its bound to be way cheaper than a nomad, and the battery will last longer and the screen will probably be better and theres this sd card... which I'm sure someone will find a way to play anyold rom.

not sure about the look of that dpad though

[Hatta]

I wonder if it will work with the neo-md flash cart.

Edit: Oh, it has SD. That's even better.

[MrPopo]

Hmm, can't say I like the button placement, the angle is too sharp. Wish it were the same angular orientation as the old 6 button genesis pad.

Agreed on that point. The Nomad's butten placement is pretty good, in my opinion. It does get heavy after a while, though. The d-pad also scares me a little. The Nomad d-pad isn't ideal, but this looks more like the recent style of electronic switches that depress very slightly. I want a bit more tactile of a feel on my d-pad.

[gradualmeltdown]

Its all about screen quality and battery life for me. No doubt the Nomad parts are better top to bottom minus the screen ( god I hope they can do better now). If this thing runs forever and the controls don't fall out of it I think I might get one.

This isn't an official Sega console lets keep that clear. It is a 3rd party console using technology licensed by Sega similar to the Master System hardware by Tec Toy or Tonka in the states.