I picked up a U.S Genesis mini today from Target, which as a 42 yr old English immigrant who had a UK megadrive back in 89, and who used to play import JP mega drive games via a Honeybee adaptor, was a surreal experience for sure. I love it, the joypads feel just right, and any sound/input lag is so barely noticeable on my Pioneer Kuro 1080p Plasma, that the even when switching to Retroarch (BlastEM) with run ahead input buffering, any difference was in the realm of the psycho-sematic. Ive ordered an Asian Megadrive mini from Playasia, as I feel that has the best overall roster of titles, and has the 2 6 button pads and packaging of the JP model. Lastly a cool feature of the U.S Genesis mini, if you switch to Italian language, you can also get the EU Megadrive menu and boxarts/romsets in English, with only the individual title synopsis being in Italian, but not in game :)
I ordered an Asian mini for that same reason, almost bought the Japanese one, but the more I looked at what I would actually play, the Asian version was the winner, plus my first megadrive back in the day was an Asian one, even though I'm from the UK, so it still takes me back. I might still get the PAL mini at some point though.
I wonder if those early review units had worse audio lag than the retail models. Like you I don't notice it at all. And in my case it should be worse because all my audio goes through the amp which while 0 lag (Acording the the specs) it does add to the chain of devices the sound goes through.
I just hope Sega will release the MegaCD thingy in Europe as well. Even better when it's the Model1 version instead of the toploader Model2 version. Not only the Japanese love to collect little cute things.
I had a Japanese Megadrive back in the 90's never thought in 2019 I could buy one again with all those games built in for the same price I'd paid for just one game back then...
I have the original Japanese Megadrive 1 model passed down to me from my brother. I have to wait till the 4th October for the European release of the Megadrive mini. When I do get a chance to go to Japan again a second time I will pick up the Japanese Megadrive mini. Good stuff! 👍
Awesome stuff! SEGA really hit the home run with this Mini! And the extras! I have two Japanese Mega Drives but I am really tempted to get one of these.
@@RetroCore It has the Asia ver exclusives n get this -- includes Alien Soldier! " Visual Sound Speed Shock! Now is the time for the 68000 heart on fire!" the best catch phrase ever
Still jealous that you got MUSHA built it. Here's hoping that the US version gets hacked soon. I will say that despite having some issues with the D-pad on the controller being a bit too loose (sometimes it double taps on the menus) I am rather pleased with the results. The different language options opening up alternate versions of the same game is amazing. Always preferred playing Puyo Puyo over Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine any day.
@@RetroCore After doing some more testing I noticed you are right. The interface should at least do one step, pause (not as long as holding the start button for the in game menu though) and then move onwards.
Back in highchool, a classmate of mine allowed me to borrow his Sega Genesis... no tower of power but it was the first time I was introduced with Sega games... I want this now! Just passed a local store here and saw a Genesis mini but no tower of power.. I hope they sell the Japanese version... I'm good with either :)
Hey Retro Core, I'm sure somebody has already said this but if you hold down start for a few seconds it will bring up the menu. I also think the 'Mode' button brings up the menu straight away too. Cool review :)
I still remember my first Megadrive, I bought it in Sannomiya, Kobe back in 1991. Same box art. I regret throwing it to the garbage... I was young and stupid...
Wonderful. I hope AT game is never to return. That allowance has done such tremendous damage to one of the absolute greatest game hardware/software brands of all time. Would be great to see a renaissance of SEGA in some greater capacity.
And that’s what we’ve been seeing for the last year with the Game Gear Micro (which was weird but peak Sega nonetheless) and the Astro City Mini which is phenomenal.
You can hold the start button on the controlpad for a few seconds, to open up the menu to return to the main game selection. Very nice video by the way!
My friend ordered the US Genesis mini along with 2 6 button controllers separate (which were made by Retro-Bit and officially licensed by Sega), and brought them to me on Dec 1st. There're some games that i've played on Sega Smash Pack 2 on PC, some games i've never played before, and some games i've played since childhood. Not to mention, the US Genesis mini also comes with an AC adapter. However, base on regions we live, we have different exclusive games.
It would have been great for you to tell us a bit more about what was written in the documents since you speak japanese, otherwise another great video! Thanks!
The Japanese and European MCD are quite similar, apart from the JPN unit having the gold logo and the SEGA logo to the left of the front panel. The best in terms of build are the EUR models as they have RF Shielding inside and JVC CD Drives. The Sony drives in JPN & USA units are notorious for going bad.
@@RetroCore I honestly bet they did that due to the video game crash. They did not want to make consumers feel as if they were getting something beyond the machine's capabilities.
Sony CD drives have always been tital crap. Just look at the PlayStation 1 and 2 for proof of that. Also, I've had 3 Onkyo CD players. All have had laser issues. Guess who made them? Yep, Sony. JVC lasers are solid.
I very much want a European version of the Tower of Power. I am really hoping hard that they release it here, now that they've released it in America as well as Japan.
Playing this in slow motion it appears to have the same 11 frame sound latency, but really, it's not overly noticeable on the USA version while actually playing the game and not just counting frames. It's not worth getting hung up on TBH.
Oh, and I got my Gen Mini last night from Amazon.. The box was obliterated in the mail because they couldn't be bothered to ship it in a box instead of a bubble mailer. So that was disappointing. Anyway, I played it for a couple of hours and it almost seems to me like Castle of Illusion has some sound issues. For example, the jumping sound is very obvious, I'd say 11 frames sounds about right for that, but other sounds, such as when Mickey knocks his head on a ceiling, happens pretty much instantly. So maybe it's more of an emulation glitch with some games rather than a blanket audio latency. I'll have to try it some more. Once it gets cracked we can just load up the 240p Test Suite rom and get more accurate timings.
Great video, really enjoy your enthusiasm for this. I think I’ll be looking to import this collection as like you I prefer the look of the original Japanese unit. Good stuff 👍🏻
Retro Core 🤣 yep I could tell. It was great to hear. Made me feel all nostalgic. That exact same excitement on Christmas morning opening my brand new Sega Mega Drive, hooking it up to the TV, putting in Sonic the Hedgehog and just being in awe of how cool it was. Happy days!
Though there's currently no 'PAL' version available yet, the North American 'power tower' is compatible with the 'PAL' Mega Drive as it uses the same cart slot design.
The Tower Of Power could also be called the Mega Drive /Genesis Trifector. How bizarre - no lag in Japanese models. They should make working models of the 32x and mega-cd with their respective games inside.
A shame this took several years to materialise after Sega completely trashed their reputation for these mini consoles in the west as a result of all that AtGames rubbish they licensed. Nice that they've finally done it right, but a shame that they had to wait for Nintendo to show them how to make these minis successfully.
I wish SEGA in the non-Japanese markets would sell the six button controller as an option. Then things would be perfect. As for the nostalgia, I do want a three button having never been able to own the Genesis (always played at someone else's place), yet I want the six button too T.T
@@Empyrealty Extra expense which wouldn't have been necessary if the six button controller had been included in all regions, which it definitely should have been. I'm sick of tech companies not standardizing their products for all regions.
@@jaysmith2858 Aye, no truer word has been said, sire. Up until PS2 days Europe posed little importance to gaming companies, Sega and Sony and Nintendo alike.
No way, I live in Japan so I got the Japanese release and it's missing a ton of great action games (even Sonic 1 and Shinobi 3 ffs), which are mostly replaced by RPGs. I'm personally much more into action games when it comes to retro, so it was a huge disappointment. I hope there is some hack to get all the games :/
I'm thinking both the Japanese and US versions might have the three variations of covers but the UK only two, because how would you choose between US English covers and UK English covers in the UK version if English gives you the UK/EU covers by default and so do all the European languages?
There's absolutely no reasonable excuse for the Western versions to not have the six button pads. Perhaps they were also going for that truly authentic 'SoJ and SoA in perpetual argument' feel.
I would imagine so. People in the US bitch way too much. I just know that if a 6 button pad was given with the system you'd get people complaining how it wasn't authentic. Can't win I guess. Sega will be making the 6 button USB pad available to buy from what I understand.
Yeah, Retro-bit partner up with Sega to make the six button arcade pads which is compatible to PC, Mac, Steam, PS3 and Switch. We Western have to buy them at Target, Best Buy, Walmart or GameStop.
Are you able to determine if the included 6 button controllers are from retro-bit? I am thinking about importing a japanese version because of the controllers, but buying 2 retro-bit controllers in addition to the european release is also an option. If they are the same controller it probably isn't worth importing the japanese kit.
There's no retro-bit marking at all on he pads. They feel 100% authentic so I doubt they are by Retro-Bit. Retro-Bit don't actually sell anything in Japan.
@@RetroCore Thanks for the reply, much appreciated :-). It's a shame Sega went above and beyond with the japanese Edition and the tower, but expects western customers to buy the retro-bit 6 button controllers.
Hi Mark, I live in the UK and I want this Japanese version so bad! The obvious advantage is the six button controller but I also prefer the larger 16 bit logo and the great original MD logo on the packaging, Japanese logos and box art are allways so much cooler than the crap we get in the west.I don't speak Japanese so can you change the language? Also the secret envelope and the tower of power are amazing! Any idea how much it would cost to import this to the UK? I'm so jealous.
The System can be changed in to English but in doing that you get the horrid Genesis box art for games that got a US release. YUCK! To have all the Japanese art and aesthetics the machine must be set to Japanese. I do agree that the original Japanese logo is the best. It looks so modern even now!
To import these to the UK you can just buy them from Amazon Japan. Here's a link - www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%BB%E3%82%AC%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%82%B9-%E3%83%A1%E3%82%AC%E3%83%89%E3%83%A9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC-%E3%83%9F%E3%83%8B/dp/B07SPZ2R4K/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=%E3%83%A1%E3%82%AC%E3%83%89%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%96%E3%83%9F%E3%83%8B&qid=1568992772&s=gateway&sr=8-1 and www.amazon.co.jp/s?k=mega+drive+mini&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
It's all about the games the country liked. Sadly for European gamers they got stuck with the shit (well to mny euro gamers) that America likes. Asia got Alien Soldier which nobody else did.
Wait what, does the japanese MD Mini have less sound delay? What the...? 😱 I am tempted in importing this. Some games aside, the controller and the cheaper price is what's tempting me.
I remember people filing down the sides of the cartridge port on UK Mega Drives to play Japanese imports in 1990. Forgotten Worlds and Strider just had to be played I guess.
I would definitely get the japanese Megadrive Mini cause i don't like the absence of a 6 button joystick and some of the games on the western versions. It's a shame they didn't include a brazilian or korean version of the menu based on the Super Aladdin Boy, but i guess that's due to licensing issues with Samsung.
@@RetroCore Yeah tell me about it. Both my phone and PC monitor are Samsung branded. Maybe with some hacking it might be possible to have a Samsung styled menu.
Do you think speed/sound/visual accuracy is enough well done comparing to real Megadrive ? What do you think of Input lag comparing to real Megadrive ?
I think it's perfectly fine. As you can see in this video the sound lack isn't an issue and sound emulation in general is 99% perfect. Only the real true Mega Drive nut will notice any difference and even then it's not that much of a big deal. As for lag, it's not different than the SNES and NES mini consoles.
I bet they are. It would be a shame to gut the Mega Drive part but I think everything would fit inside the Mega CD unit. Well, besides an actual CD Drive.
@@RetroCore Ah too bad it would have been the perfect case for the optical drive... too small for a slimline cdrom? Maybe when chinese will start massproducing copies of this at 2$ each one may attempt such mods :D
sure, it's just using standard 5 volts like any USB powered system. Your smart phone power charger will run it. I'm actually running mine from an Analogue SG power brick.
I already have the Sega mega drive tower coming delivered to me tomorrow for $40 cheaper then the American version that’s $80 which is $40 more that’s is why I bought the Japanese version I’m returning the one I got from target 5% off from $79 isn’t that cheap as $40 off
Kind of weird how they include all the international versions of their games *except* Wrestleball, which was released in North America as Powerball with substantial differences. Odd.
I don't know what the Americans are complaining about, the get six buttons spread across two controllers. A bit of a bummer you guys only get one pad. Either way looks like Sega is expecting you to buy extra game pads :(
Don't forget that the Japanese 6 button controller is a different shape to the western one so maybe Sega no longer had the western molds? Also retro-bit are selling the Sega licensed 6 button USB controllers in the West. That may be another reason.
Surprised Sega gave the best stuff to Japan. The Mega Drive was 3rd place in Japan after the PC Engine and the Super Famicom. The Genesis and the SNES were tied in the US. The Mega Drive was #1 in Europe. Yet Europe isn't getting anything unique for them.
One day tech companies will release the same product in every region of the world instead of what they do now e.g. Sega not including the six button controller in all regions, or Samsung using Exynos processors for their phones sold in the EU.
Yes it can. Assuming that the game came out in English. If you switch the settings to English, it will play the games in English along with their proper cover. Same goes with PAL regions games. I have the Japanese Mini and love it.
8:49 well let me just fire up my Vizio D-series 4KTV and I'll set this in 4K with lots of video buffer bcuz I have a crappy internet connection ;w; Also I might plan to review my GENESIS mini in Spanish when I can :3
Nothing brings me more joy than this. A SEGA fan beholding the quality that SEGA put on an anniversary release. Keep it up Mark!!
Yeah, I mentioned in another post, I haven't been excited about a new "console" in quite some time. This was like being a 12 year old boy again.
I picked up a U.S Genesis mini today from Target, which as a 42 yr old English immigrant who had a UK megadrive back in 89, and who used to play import JP mega drive games via a Honeybee adaptor, was a surreal experience for sure.
I love it, the joypads feel just right, and any sound/input lag is so barely noticeable on my Pioneer Kuro 1080p Plasma, that the even when switching to Retroarch (BlastEM) with run ahead input buffering, any difference was in the realm of the psycho-sematic.
Ive ordered an Asian Megadrive mini from Playasia, as I feel that has the best overall roster of titles, and has the 2 6 button pads and packaging of the JP model.
Lastly a cool feature of the U.S Genesis mini, if you switch to Italian language, you can also get the EU Megadrive menu and boxarts/romsets in English, with only the individual title synopsis being in Italian, but not in game :)
I ordered an Asian mini for that same reason, almost bought the Japanese one, but the more I looked at what I would actually play, the Asian version was the winner, plus my first megadrive back in the day was an Asian one, even though I'm from the UK, so it still takes me back. I might still get the PAL mini at some point though.
I wonder if those early review units had worse audio lag than the retail models. Like you I don't notice it at all. And in my case it should be worse because all my audio goes through the amp which while 0 lag (Acording the the specs) it does add to the chain of devices the sound goes through.
I just hope Sega will release the MegaCD thingy in Europe as well. Even better when it's the Model1 version instead of the toploader Model2 version. Not only the Japanese love to collect little cute things.
Open the CD attachment and you'll find another surprise inside. ;)
th-cam.com/video/UpqrD6FzwJU/w-d-xo.html
I had a Japanese Megadrive back in the 90's never thought in 2019 I could buy one again with all those games built in for the same price I'd paid for just one game back then...
I have the original Japanese Megadrive 1 model passed down to me from my brother. I have to wait till the 4th October for the European release of the Megadrive mini. When I do get a chance to go to Japan again a second time I will pick up the Japanese Megadrive mini. Good stuff! 👍
Awesome stuff! SEGA really hit the home run with this Mini! And the extras! I have two Japanese Mega Drives but I am really tempted to get one of these.
Thanks for the review, Yakumo;)
Just got my Korea ver today. Couldn't be happier w the quality. Going to Tokyo tomorrow for the tower of power
Does the Korean version have any exclusives?
@@RetroCore It has the Asia ver exclusives n get this -- includes Alien Soldier! " Visual Sound Speed Shock! Now is the time for the 68000 heart on fire!" the best catch phrase ever
That's is a classic tag line and also a great exclusive.
@@NEOGEOBATTLECOLISEUM haven't noticed so far.. then again, haven't played long either...
@@NEOGEOBATTLECOLISEUM Enjoy yours as well. Just the physical model itself justifies the purchase. Sega has really outdone themselves this time
Brings a whole new meaning to the term Printed Circuit Board. Eyethankyou!
Oh man, that was bad LOL
Still jealous that you got MUSHA built it. Here's hoping that the US version gets hacked soon. I will say that despite having some issues with the D-pad on the controller being a bit too loose (sometimes it double taps on the menus) I am rather pleased with the results. The different language options opening up alternate versions of the same game is amazing. Always preferred playing Puyo Puyo over Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine any day.
I don't think it's a controller issue but just that the menus are sensitive.
@@RetroCore After doing some more testing I noticed you are right. The interface should at least do one step, pause (not as long as holding the start button for the in game menu though) and then move onwards.
Once again - showing the competition how it's done. Great video Mark. Thanks!
Back in highchool, a classmate of mine allowed me to borrow his Sega Genesis... no tower of power but it was the first time I was introduced with Sega games... I want this now! Just passed a local store here and saw a Genesis mini but no tower of power.. I hope they sell the Japanese version... I'm good with either :)
You actually have a poster & a booklet featuring the technical aspects of the Sega Mega Drive?
You sir, are blessed. 😇
Yeah, I can now make my own official Retro Core Drive.
Hey Retro Core, I'm sure somebody has already said this but if you hold down start for a few seconds it will bring up the menu. I also think the 'Mode' button brings up the menu straight away too. Cool review :)
Yep, that's right about the mode button. Found that out just after releasing this video.
aww. that is awesome man, thanks for sharing. cant wait to buy mine. lol.
I don't particularly care for the tower of power display since I lived through it :p
but I want that envelope!!
Loving this unit and great that you played Gunstar Heroes Mark. A timeless classic and still one of my favorite titles for the unit bro. 8^)
Anthony..
I still remember my first Megadrive, I bought it in Sannomiya, Kobe back in 1991. Same box art. I regret throwing it to the garbage... I was young and stupid...
I still.own my original box. Its just like the one you had.
@@RetroCore can you show this art ? Because I have Mega Drive Genesis II and I always thinking about the box art.
Nice unboxing, Great coverage..
the tower adds maximum nostalgia..
I'm glad that Sega genesis is getting a great mini and no shovelwere or hacked games and the emulation pretty good
Wonderful. I hope AT game is never to return. That allowance has done such tremendous damage to one of the absolute greatest game hardware/software brands of all time. Would be great to see a renaissance of SEGA in some greater capacity.
And that’s what we’ve been seeing for the last year with the Game Gear Micro (which was weird but peak Sega nonetheless) and the Astro City Mini which is phenomenal.
You can hold the start button on the controlpad for a few seconds, to open up the menu to return to the main game selection. Very nice video by the way!
That doesn't actually work with the 6 button pad but I found that the mode button brings up the menu with a single press.
My friend ordered the US Genesis mini along with 2 6 button controllers separate (which were made by Retro-Bit and officially licensed by Sega), and brought them to me on Dec 1st. There're some games that i've played on Sega Smash Pack 2 on PC, some games i've never played before, and some games i've played since childhood. Not to mention, the US Genesis mini also comes with an AC adapter. However, base on regions we live, we have different exclusive games.
That's right. There are a few different games for each region.
It would have been great for you to tell us a bit more about what was written in the documents since you speak japanese, otherwise another great video!
Thanks!
Ah, speaking and reading are two different things. I can read those (mostly) but it will take time.
Lovely stuff, surprise and ,of course, unboxing !
Awesome as always!!
Didn't know the Japanese Mega CD is slightly different from the US one. And of course it looks cooler. Go figure...
The American taste was always more bland back then. Just look at the NES as a classic example. I guess that's why sega toned down the flashy looks.
The Japanese and European MCD are quite similar, apart from the JPN unit having the gold logo and the SEGA logo to the left of the front panel. The best in terms of build are the EUR models as they have RF Shielding inside and JVC CD Drives. The Sony drives in JPN & USA units are notorious for going bad.
@@RetroCore I honestly bet they did that due to the video game crash. They did not want to make consumers feel as if they were getting something beyond the machine's capabilities.
Sony CD drives have always been tital crap. Just look at the PlayStation 1 and 2 for proof of that. Also, I've had 3 Onkyo CD players. All have had laser issues. Guess who made them? Yep, Sony. JVC lasers are solid.
Very possible.
I very much want a European version of the Tower of Power. I am really hoping hard that they release it here, now that they've released it in America as well as Japan.
It would be silly not to do so.
15:47 Nice of them to include a spine view!
that envelope full of goodies certainly was a a nice surprise , Mark :)
It sure was. No mention of it either.
@@RetroCore quality console too!
Playing this in slow motion it appears to have the same 11 frame sound latency, but really, it's not overly noticeable on the USA version while actually playing the game and not just counting frames. It's not worth getting hung up on TBH.
I agree. I mean, if i couldn't really notice during game play then it's not a big deal.
Oh, and I got my Gen Mini last night from Amazon.. The box was obliterated in the mail because they couldn't be bothered to ship it in a box instead of a bubble mailer. So that was disappointing.
Anyway, I played it for a couple of hours and it almost seems to me like Castle of Illusion has some sound issues. For example, the jumping sound is very obvious, I'd say 11 frames sounds about right for that, but other sounds, such as when Mickey knocks his head on a ceiling, happens pretty much instantly.
So maybe it's more of an emulation glitch with some games rather than a blanket audio latency. I'll have to try it some more. Once it gets cracked we can just load up the 240p Test Suite rom and get more accurate timings.
Great video, really enjoy your enthusiasm for this. I think I’ll be looking to import this collection as like you I prefer the look of the original Japanese unit. Good stuff 👍🏻
Yeah, I don't get too excited for new console stuff these days but opening this thing was like being a kid again.
Retro Core 🤣 yep I could tell. It was great to hear. Made me feel all nostalgic. That exact same excitement on Christmas morning opening my brand new Sega Mega Drive, hooking it up to the TV, putting in Sonic the Hedgehog and just being in awe of how cool it was. Happy days!
Though there's currently no 'PAL' version available yet, the North American 'power tower' is compatible with the 'PAL' Mega Drive as it uses the same cart slot design.
Wow Brilliant and Well made!
The pack in game/cartridge should have been virtuaracing...*put on sunglasses and crosses arms*
I never thought I would be feeling nostalgic for something I used to laugh at in the 90's.
I love your Joy icon
Zane Gandini she is one of my all time favorite classic characters!
She makes such a good introduction into the series, just pulls right out in front of Ryo on a motorcycle.
Superb stuff, and great video
Thanks, Paul.
Would love that envelope on it's own, Tower look great though.
The envelope of goodies was a very nice surprise.
The Tower Of Power could also be called the Mega Drive /Genesis Trifector. How bizarre - no lag in Japanese models. They should make working models of the 32x and mega-cd with their respective games inside.
@Apharmd Battler 7 frames is like a 6th of a second so I hope they fix that.
@Apharmd Battler Did he say 7 frames? I thought he did. You can always buy an original one for less.
@Apharmd Battler So would I for 80 bucks.
Such a nice machine with a great collection of games! Would definitely get this if I had the money.
A shame this took several years to materialise after Sega completely trashed their reputation for these mini consoles in the west as a result of all that AtGames rubbish they licensed.
Nice that they've finally done it right, but a shame that they had to wait for Nintendo to show them how to make these minis successfully.
True but they've sure surpassed what Nintendo made and took a massive dump on Sony's pathetic attempt.
I wish SEGA in the non-Japanese markets would sell the six button controller as an option. Then things would be perfect. As for the nostalgia, I do want a three button having never been able to own the Genesis (always played at someone else's place), yet I want the six button too T.T
They do they are made by retro-bit and they let you buy the 6 button controller seperate.
@@Empyrealty Extra expense which wouldn't have been necessary if the six button controller had been included in all regions, which it definitely should have been. I'm sick of tech companies not standardizing their products for all regions.
I live in Europe, butt this is the one i want.
We in the EU get royally shafted when it comes to tech like this.
@@jaysmith2858 Aye, no truer word has been said, sire. Up until PS2 days Europe posed little importance to gaming companies, Sega and Sony and Nintendo alike.
@@ArtemyMalchuk They only stopped as people were resorting to importing and piracy to get the games.
No way, I live in Japan so I got the Japanese release and it's missing a ton of great action games (even Sonic 1 and Shinobi 3 ffs), which are mostly replaced by RPGs. I'm personally much more into action games when it comes to retro, so it was a huge disappointment. I hope there is some hack to get all the games :/
@@andyp123456 They're working on one ATM, it's got the same archetechture as the SNES mini, so it won't be long.
Thanks!
I'm thinking both the Japanese and US versions might have the three variations of covers but the UK only two, because how would you choose between US English covers and UK English covers in the UK version if English gives you the UK/EU covers by default and so do all the European languages?
I think the American release of the tower of power has 3 cartridges, the third being Alex Kidd in Miracle World.
Really hoping the UK Mega Drive Mini is sorted in terms of no extreme sound lag too.
Open up the Mega CD it holds a surprise seriously look inside 😉
Dude, going to do that now.
@@videogameobsession They probably wouldn't due to their reception back in the day. It might still be haunting them.
Yes, I saw Luke Morse open it up last night, since he opens everything. It's crazy that Sega added detail like that.
Retro: *gets Mega Drive Mini*
Also Retro: B U T T O N S
I do like my buttons :)
I got it just to say THANK YOU to Sega for kicking AT Games out the door.
Yeah. It's just a shame they didn't do it a long time ago.
Retro Core you gonna give us some Darius gameplay on the mini? Can’t seem to find any on TH-cam so far
I second this
I've tried playing some Darius. Man, it is so hard. The music is spot on to the Arcade though. It's Amazingly close.
Your request has been answered - th-cam.com/video/Zp06WFtkSV0/w-d-xo.html
Retro Core 👍🏼
Hey Mark if you open up that mega CD it's got a cardboard circuit board inside it, thought that was pretty funny. Great videos.
Yeah, just did that. Very cool.
Love the old MD logo.
it's just so classy.
what is the surprise if i buy the tower? glad the japanese got an english setting. will buy one next week
It's the file with diagrams of the mega drive and it's add ons. AFAIK the Western version of the tower don't have it.
There's absolutely no reasonable excuse for the Western versions to not have the six button pads. Perhaps they were also going for that truly authentic 'SoJ and SoA in perpetual argument' feel.
I would imagine so. People in the US bitch way too much. I just know that if a 6 button pad was given with the system you'd get people complaining how it wasn't authentic. Can't win I guess. Sega will be making the 6 button USB pad available to buy from what I understand.
Yeah, Retro-bit partner up with Sega to make the six button arcade pads which is compatible to PC, Mac, Steam, PS3 and Switch. We Western have to buy them at Target, Best Buy, Walmart or GameStop.
All you need now a mini game genie
wow they put alot of time in to making this small boi
Are you able to determine if the included 6 button controllers are from retro-bit? I am thinking about importing a japanese version because of the controllers, but buying 2 retro-bit controllers in addition to the european release is also an option. If they are the same controller it probably isn't worth importing the japanese kit.
There's no retro-bit marking at all on he pads. They feel 100% authentic so I doubt they are by Retro-Bit. Retro-Bit don't actually sell anything in Japan.
@@RetroCore Thanks for the reply, much appreciated :-). It's a shame Sega went above and beyond with the japanese Edition and the tower, but expects western customers to buy the retro-bit 6 button controllers.
Hi Mark, I live in the UK and I want this Japanese version so bad! The obvious advantage is the six button controller but I also prefer the larger 16 bit logo and the great original MD logo on the packaging, Japanese logos and box art are allways so much cooler than the crap we get in the west.I don't speak Japanese so can you change the language? Also the secret envelope and the tower of power are amazing! Any idea how much it would cost to import this to the UK? I'm so jealous.
The System can be changed in to English but in doing that you get the horrid Genesis box art for games that got a US release. YUCK! To have all the Japanese art and aesthetics the machine must be set to Japanese. I do agree that the original Japanese logo is the best. It looks so modern even now!
To import these to the UK you can just buy them from Amazon Japan. Here's a link - www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%BB%E3%82%AC%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%82%B9-%E3%83%A1%E3%82%AC%E3%83%89%E3%83%A9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC-%E3%83%9F%E3%83%8B/dp/B07SPZ2R4K/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=%E3%83%A1%E3%82%AC%E3%83%89%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%96%E3%83%9F%E3%83%8B&qid=1568992772&s=gateway&sr=8-1
and www.amazon.co.jp/s?k=mega+drive+mini&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
Capcom were definitely the worst offenders when it came to box art. Have you seen the Western covers to strider and street fighter 2? Yikes!
It's a more detailed review than a Japanese reviewer. Is the language setting Japanese?
Very good!
Thanks. The Japanese model does default to the Japanese language but it can be changed to English.
Yeah you might want to open up the CD part of the tower, there's a surprise inside
th-cam.com/video/UpqrD6FzwJU/w-d-xo.html
Wow not only did they get the 6 button controller, they got MUSHA and Revenge of Shinobi as well. I'm gonna need to one of these as well.
It's all about the games the country liked. Sadly for European gamers they got stuck with the shit (well to mny euro gamers) that America likes. Asia got Alien Soldier which nobody else did.
Thanks for this video! I'm hoping these MD minis will get hacked so that I can add more to it before I buy one.
I would imagine they will.
Apparently, these come with 512GB of flash storage so I don't think that should present much of a problem once it does.
Wait what, does the japanese MD Mini have less sound delay? What the...? 😱
I am tempted in importing this. Some games aside, the controller and the cheaper price is what's tempting me.
I don't know if it really does but it sure sound like it does.
I remember people filing down the sides of the cartridge port on UK Mega Drives to play Japanese imports in 1990. Forgotten Worlds and Strider just had to be played I guess.
Yep, I did that before I got a Japanese system.
@@RetroCore Lots of mini files went missing from CDT that year ;)
Pardon the newb question, what does the tower of power adds? Sega CD? Wondering is it worth the extra cost?
Nothing. It's just a nice cosmetic add-on.
I think with that Tower of Power, they took some cues from the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers that was hot at the time.
Im thinking to order the Japanese version, if i switch the language to english the not exclusive jp roms-games would be in english?
Nope, still in Japanese.
@@RetroCore thank you! :)
BEAUTIFUL... 💖💖💖!
Back in the day I used to have what I thought was a Japanese Mega drive, but it was PAL so I think that means it was Korean
Korea is NTSC so its going to be the Asian model that was sold in Hong Kong, Taiwan and so on.
I would definitely get the japanese Megadrive Mini cause i don't like the absence of a 6 button joystick and some of the games on the western versions. It's a shame they didn't include a brazilian or korean version of the menu based on the Super Aladdin Boy, but i guess that's due to licensing issues with Samsung.
Yeah. I can't see Samusug playing ball these days. They're way too big.
@@RetroCore Yeah tell me about it. Both my phone and PC monitor are Samsung branded. Maybe with some hacking it might be possible to have a Samsung styled menu.
For sure.
Retro-Bit partnered up with Sega to make the 6 button joystick, which we Americans and Europeans have to buy in stores.
Have you tried opening up the Mega-CD mini unit for the omake surprise?
Yep, video is here - th-cam.com/video/UpqrD6FzwJU/w-d-xo.html
I want to see slap fight :( we had the arcade version of that on the table top in the living room back in the 80s
You had an arcade in the home back in the 80's? Now that is hard core.
Great vid thanks. Couod you pleaseblink to where you bought the item pls
Sorry man. I live in japan so I can just buy them from a store. I know amazon Japan sells them and they also ship overseas.
Do you think speed/sound/visual accuracy is enough well done comparing to real Megadrive ? What do you think of Input lag comparing to real Megadrive ?
I think it's perfectly fine. As you can see in this video the sound lack isn't an issue and sound emulation in general is 99% perfect. Only the real true Mega Drive nut will notice any difference and even then it's not that much of a big deal. As for lag, it's not different than the SNES and NES mini consoles.
Looks perfect for putting a raspberry pi in the megadrive, a usb cdrom in the mega cd :D i bet some modders are already drooling :D
I bet they are. It would be a shame to gut the Mega Drive part but I think everything would fit inside the Mega CD unit. Well, besides an actual CD Drive.
@@RetroCore Ah too bad it would have been the perfect case for the optical drive... too small for a slimline cdrom? Maybe when chinese will start massproducing copies of this at 2$ each one may attempt such mods :D
My Japanese version arrives next Tuesday. As I live in Europe, will it work on a European plug? I suppose it will?
sure, it's just using standard 5 volts like any USB powered system. Your smart phone power charger will run it. I'm actually running mine from an Analogue SG power brick.
I already have the Sega mega drive tower coming delivered to me tomorrow for $40 cheaper then the American version that’s $80 which is $40 more that’s is why I bought the Japanese version I’m returning the one I got from target 5% off from $79 isn’t that cheap as $40 off
nice deal. Congrats!
Kind of weird how they include all the international versions of their games *except* Wrestleball, which was released in North America as Powerball with substantial differences. Odd.
That's is very odd.
Surprise inside the megacd if you open it
th-cam.com/video/UpqrD6FzwJU/w-d-xo.html
Did Sega of Japan forget about their local retro game TH-camr?
Yeah, buggers. Funny thing is in Japan they don't seem to spread out stuff to TH-camrs.
@@RetroCore that's odd. You'd think they would want more advertising. Hopefully there's going to be a Dreamcast mini in the future
I don't know what the Americans are complaining about, the get six buttons spread across two controllers. A bit of a bummer you guys only get one pad. Either way looks like Sega is expecting you to buy extra game pads :(
There's the one-pad and the two-pad version Mega Drive Mini that you can get in Japan.
That's right. I got the one pad version because that's the box design I had and still have for my original Mega Drive.
Does this allow you to play mega cd and 32x games? Otherwise what is the point?
What's the point of statues of figures or cars? None right besides something that the buyer thinks looks cool. That's the same with this.
@@RetroCore each to his own i suppose. If they do a functional version i'll be all over it.
Hold Start for 5 seconds to return to the menu without having to push the Reset button.
That doesn't work on the 6 button pad but I found that just pressing the mode button normally brings up the menu. no need to hold it down.
@@RetroCore Thanks. Mode makes a lot more sense for the 6bt pads. :)
So can u play the games on the tower of power or not?
Mega Drive games, yes. 32X and Mega CD, no
What is weird is that in the UK and other regions they are including the three button controller.
Don't forget that the Japanese 6 button controller is a different shape to the western one so maybe Sega no longer had the western molds? Also retro-bit are selling the Sega licensed 6 button USB controllers in the West. That may be another reason.
@@RetroCore Europeans as well.
Surprised Sega gave the best stuff to Japan. The Mega Drive was 3rd place in Japan after the PC Engine and the Super Famicom. The Genesis and the SNES were tied in the US. The Mega Drive was #1 in Europe. Yet Europe isn't getting anything unique for them.
Maybe this is why they are pushing it in Japan. Something they never did in the past.
One day tech companies will release the same product in every region of the world instead of what they do now e.g. Sega not including the six button controller in all regions, or Samsung using Exynos processors for their phones sold in the EU.
Hey, can the Japanese version of the Megadrive mini switch language and change some of the ROMs to their other region counterpart?
Yes it can. Assuming that the game came out in English. If you switch the settings to English, it will play the games in English along with their proper cover. Same goes with PAL regions games. I have the Japanese Mini and love it.
How come the j4ps get 6 button controllers?
Ironic that the mini sonic cart is probably worth more than the original
haha, you're probably right.
Shame it only comes with one controller. Does the NTST and PAL versions come with only one controller?
There's a "premium" MD Mini that comes with 2 controllers, it's around 9000yen
kokubunji AJ thankyou. I’m in Japan in November so will keep my eyes out for that edition.
Peter Snow check Amiami, they are selling it. Not sure if their physical stores have it though, but their online shop does.
kokubunji cheers :) will do!
That's right. I have one of those coming tomorrow. It's not mine mind you. It's for a friend.
I'd quite like this version, mostly because it has MUSHA on it!
Mush is a classic for sure.
8:49 well let me just fire up my Vizio D-series 4KTV and I'll set this in 4K with lots of video buffer bcuz I have a crappy internet connection ;w;
Also I might plan to review my GENESIS mini in Spanish when I can :3
5:48 To skip to the surprise...
Bit of an Easter Egg inside that console.
I know, video made of that too :)
What is that song?
It's a melody of various Mega Drive games.
Amazingg😭
Nice