At Sega FES 2018, an event where Sega showcases its releases and new projects, there were two announcements that left fans of one of the most iconic companies in video game history more than satisfied. Sega is entering the mini console market and will launch a reduced version of Mega Drive. Additionally, the release of the classic Shenmue I and II for current consoles and a collection for Switch was announced. We bring you all the details of these announcements.
Mega Drive Mini makes its debut
The arrival of this new edition of Sega Fes was not going to be like any other. In recent months, rumors indicated that the 16-bit console that created titles like Sonic, Streets of Rage, and Golden Axe would see the light. Finally, it was so: SEGA will launch Mega Drive Mini. However, not many details were given. We imagine that, just like Nintendo did, it will have HDMI support and run games from an SD card.
The announcement of Mega Drive Mini means a lot for the company that left the console market 17 years ago with Dreamcast representing that fall. Mega Drive was one of the best-selling consoles of its time, with strong markets in America and Europe as well as its logical stronghold in Japan. SEGA's third console arrived in 1990 as successor to the Master System to compete against Nintendo and its SNES.
Despite the euphoria we all have who love that wonderful black box, it was only announced for the Japanese market for now. But we hope the doors open so it reaches every corner of the planet.
Shenmue I and II return
Another release that is by no means minor is the arrival of two great titles that the deceased and magnificent Dreamcast once had: Shenmue I and II. After the popular clamor that for years has been on social networks for the remastering of these classics, SEGA decides to listen to users and its announcement includes PS4, XBOX ONE, and PC although in the Japanese country it will only debut on Sony's console.
Sega Ares for Nintendo Switch
Sega also announced a collection that will arrive on Nintendo Switch called Sega Ares and will feature more than 15 classics, including Sonic, Phantasy Star, and Thunder Force IV. The rest of the games have yet to be revealed.
Sega left the world speechless when in January 2001 it announced it would no longer manufacture Dreamcast, which would lead to its definitive disappearance from the console market. This 2018 is an extremely important year for Sega, and expectations for what this reduced version of the 16-bit console will bring are very high. And why not get excited about a future immersion of Sega in the console market, being what it once was.
