The Mega Drive mini 1 was nice but had the problem that 95% of the games were already released 100 times. In DVD compilations on many consoles over 20 years, download portals, or you played it yourself back then and found the titles on every street corner. The Mega Drive mini 2 is a device for fans. The games are high quality and many insider tips. One has quite thought about it, the games all have their reputation in the Md scene and very interesting in historically context. Much of it was re-released for the first time. + some remaster titles. The CD Games show more of the Mega Drive World und Lifestyle of the 90s. The performance of the emulation is better than its predecessor. For someone who played Mega Drive back in the early 1990s and has over 180 games on their shelf, the Mini 2 is a lot more interesting and a nicer mix than the Mini 1. Less mainstream, yet consistently games that are either very good, or are historically significant.
I didn't even bother with the mini 2. I just love the look of the original mega drive. I would never actually use them when there's so many easier ways to play these games.
A very good video as always but for me, its a tie. I had 22 of the 45 games on the Mega Drive 1 Mini and only 5 from the Mega Drive 2 Mini. However I feel that the games on the second are those which are out of the ordinary. Alien Soldier is a brilliant game which few will have played and a welcome surprise. Ristar one of the best and most innovative platformers in history personally but was so late in the Mega Drives life. Golden Axe 2 is better than Golden Axe 1 but doesn't have that same level of nostalgia for most. I get your point on Streets of Rage 2, far better than the 3rd. The second Toejam and Earl is interesting. Never had a Mega CD so those games are a treat. There's even things on the second which I didn't think I'd like but are brilliant. And then there is Herzog Zwei. I still don't know how to fully play it, I don't think I'll ever ace it, but even though I'd played it before, if people persevere they are playing the best RTS game out there. It's a hidden and a clever game. Soleil is a brilliant RPG although it's not my genre really I've got into it, it's a Zelda clone which could argue might be better, but might not as well. Undecided but seeing as I'm toying with thoughts it might be is something. Super Hang On is a personal fave from back in the day, great to play it even though they changed the signs for copyright reasons. Final Fight CD best edition of that game ever. I prefer this Street Fighter 2 on the MD2 to even the SNES one. I've got to say the additional games are a bit rubbish. Devi and Pi you can see why it was never released. Super Locomotive is awful, Spatter even dated for a retro console. Star Mobile interesting but I'd put Tetris or Columns over it. Fantasy Zone good but done before, Puyo Puyo is Mean Bean Machine and Space Harrier good but isn't a new game really. But there's enough here that is quality that I never played as a kid and I think if you put yourself in the 90s again, play through each one slowly there's so much to enjoy. So it's level for me. MD1 is nostalgia and I played the majority of the games in my collection or at a friends. MD2 is some nostalgia but mostly new, quality experiences which I am gutted to miss out on as a kid. Just make sure you read up on Herzog Zwei as if you don't you'll be confused to what is really going on. But like I say, a great video with great points but my opinion for what it's worth is level pegging for different reasons and Sega has done a good job
My thoughts on this are that the Genesis/MD1 is for the average Sega fan. Sega added quite a few of the big hitters here. I feel the Genesis /MD2 is more for the hardcore Sega fan. Curated with some amazing cult hits (Alien Soldier, Gain Ground, Elemental Master, Herzog Zwei, Truxton, Rainbow Islands EX). Then you have the games that you can't believe weren't on the first Mini (Revenge of Shinobi, Phantasy Star II, Ristar, Golden Axe II, OutRun, Thunder Force IV, Shadow Dancer, Super Hang-On, Virtua Racing), along with something that actually made me buy this when I was on the fence (a version of SPACE HARRIER II, reimagined as if the Sega MD/GEN had hardware sprite scaling. The original release is infamous for running at a very low frame rate, and having choppy sprite redrawn sprites. So as a huge fan of the original I'm very happy to have something this special. Not only that, but you can also play the entire SPACE HARRIER arcade game (unreleased on a 16-bit Sega home console). Finally you have Sega/Mega CD games. Sonic CD is better than Sonic 3 IMO. It's pretty underrated. They give you the ability to play with the choice of USA or EUR/JPN OSTs. Like the first Mini the new one allows you to switch regions and play the import versions. So Streets of Rage 3 becomes Bare Knuckle 3, Revenge of Shinobi becomes The Super Shinobi, and Night Trap is hilarious with Japanese dubbed. :) Silpheed and Robo Aleste are top tier shooters on the Sega CD, and Final Fight CD pulled off a better, albeit less colorful, version than the SNES offering.. You get the two player co-op, more on-screen enemies, and an amazing remixed OST. Overall I like the Mini 2, but at $145 USD /w shipping, I'd really only recommend it to hardcore Sega fans. For a bit more you can buy an Analogue Mega Sg FPGA based console, which can play SMS and GEN/MD (region free) with zero latency, all Sega controllers/accessories, original carts. You can also buy cart adapters to play Game Gear, SG-1000, Mark III, and Sega My Card games. Not to mention it'll also play every SMS/GG/SG-1000/GEN/MD/ColecoVision rom (with exception of Virtua Racing, due to the use of an SVP co-processor), right from an SDcard. This is currently on pre-order for $199. Or buy a Pocket for $220, and play nearly even portable (real cart/roms), and many consoles (via roms), with a $100 dock that can connect the portable to an HD display.
The problem with the Analogue Mega Sg and the Pocket is, that - besides being more expensive and not having any built-in games - if you order them now then you will only receive them sometime in 2023 (Mega Sg ships in Q4 2023 and Pocket is Fulfillment Group C: 2023). I'd love to buy a Pocket but I will not wait for a year for it to arrive...
I was lucky to have owned one since 2021, but after using it for this long and seeing how amazing it is and what it's capable of I would certainly wait a year for it if I had to. I'd order one, and play other stuff until it showed up. Every time a new console or arcade core is released it's like a mini XMAS. We just got TG16/Super Grafx, and Super Game Boy support for it. I also just pre-ordered the cart adapters for NGPC/TG16/Atari Lynx, so I can enjoy my collection of those games again. My Turbo Express and Game Gear need cap replacements, and even then the ghosting makes it nearly impossible to enjoy these days. My NGPC works fine, but you need to be in daylight or under a 100w bulb to see the screen, and my Lynx eats AA batteries like a beast. Six AA batteries in two hours.. My GB original is in need of ribbon soldering to fix missing rowsnod pixels.. The Pocket almost perfectly replicates the old yellow screen, except it looks razor sharp (or you can blur it like the original), or make it look like the GB Pocket, GB Light, Game Gear, and so on. It's just a perfect one stop shop for so many classic handheld systems, and the openFPGA cores are an amazing "bonus". It'll eventually support nearly as much as the mister, but at a fraction of the price, and size.
I disagree, although the original Megadrive Mini has it's solid games listed, the titles are very abundantly available on modern consoles. The Mini 2 offers unique titles that aren't on offer on say, the Switch. Both are great.
I’ve still got the megadrive mini 1 with the fake megadrive cd and 32x and got a couple of Bluetooth 6 button controllers from 8BitDo. I decided not to get the megadrive 2 as most games didn’t appeal to me.
The mega drive 1 is the better one. As a collector I have both versions of this and original hardware. And I feel that they have done the mega drive 1 dirty on the sound. I have a model 1 series 1 and it sounds so much better than any of the following mega drives. And I don't like on the mdm 2 that they have a slide button and left off the power light. The game are OK but not really much to wow the crowd.
When it comes to games, I would agree with you, but when it comes to customising your own Roms (like adding Mega Drive games you can purchase from Steam), the Mini II (if and when it is accessible) will be superior for its better emulator and roughly 3GB of free storage.
As I had the first Mega Drive with Mega Games, it’s all about memory lane for me. No need for the mega drive II. I do have Mega CD and 32x titles on the Mega Drive Mini I, at least the games I wanted to have but didn’t (and the CD versions of eternal champions, Ecco and Earthworm Jim are the definitiv versions for me).
Megadrive has the better games. But megadrive 2 still has some interesting choises and tweaks for games. So they really put love and effort in it. But at the end it's all about nostalgia and megadrive 1 wins in that regard.
I'm sure it's probably due to licencing or whatever, but Mini 2 should've had Moonwalker, Batman, Rambo 3, Ghostbusters, Two Crude Dudes, Strider, Wrestle War, and Snatcher.
That sounds like a Sheffield-ish accent to me, certainly South Yorkshire county. Nice video, thanks. There are "hacks" for the first model to be found on this very website.
@@TheGebs24Good question! I'd go with Ghosts 'N Goblins from the first Mini. It came out a few weeks after the August 1989 launch here, and I fell in love with it. It's one of those games that I find very accessible and infinitely replaceable, even 33 years later. And on Mini #2, I'd have to go with the Space Harrier II remaster (which by the way, if you press right while going into the Options screen_, you'll be able to turn on de-flicker.. Trust me, you'll want it on if you are sensitive to sprite flicker!). I would have gone with The Revenge of Shinobi, but Sega has modified this game no less than five times since the 1989 rom! They've removed Spider-Man, Godzilla, Batman, turned Rambo enemies into bald men, and the last change made the title screen Shinobi look much different (the original was a copy of action star Sonny Chiba).
Personally I would prefur the mega drive collection on switch/xbox or ps as a lot cheaper than mega drive mini 1 or 2 although I did buy a mega drive mini 2 and mega drive collection on psp/xbox 360 & switch
Bummer Sega opted to use the Japanese MD2 mold for all regions & only changing colors to reflect region. Games list is definitely not as solid as the model 1 but there’s still some bangers on this model 2 that makes it a must have. C’mon, Crusader of Centy alone is justification to own it but we also get Lightening Force, Truxton, EWJ2, Rolling Thunder 2, Herzog Zwei, Silpheed, Elemental Master, Ristar, Vectorman 2, Shining Force 2, SSFII & SOR3, a massively underrated SOR game regardless of Ash missing. But yeah not as good as the model 1 on delivery of design & games list and if I MUST choose only one it would be the Model 1 mini due to games but I’d surely miss Crusader of Centy
There was a time when the 1st mega drive mini was around $50 and I passed on it then, do you know why? Because Every game on there is either on every Sega Collection released on every platform already or they are so common that they could be easily purchased at any time. Still with the scumbag scammers below??
As a child I owned the MegaDrive 2 but inherited my late uncle's original in later life. The Mini 2 certainly has more games but as you said, the selection isn't as good by the looks of things. Great video as always Gemma
The first megadrive had a better look to the system as well.👍👍💯💯 Ps big mistake that the game Snatcher was never featured as is very sought after title.
It’s a shame they cancelled Ash in bare knuckle 3 if you were to change the language to Japanese to access it.. I was really looking forward to finally being able to play this version of sor3 on official sega hardware.. RIP Ash
I always picked wrong console,I picked Philips cdi over PlayStation 1 and I also got an amstrad cartridge monstrosity, these videos are a walk down nostalgialane, I no longer tell my nephews and nieces I'm old now I tell them I'm retro
Great video as always Gemma! I actually have this sega megadrive 2 lion king box that I found in my attic the other day, any idea on what it might be worth?
Nice comparisons Gem, I think the mega drive mini pips it to the post. They shouldnt of missed the light from the model 2 and not giving the extra controller either seems abit crap. Both great units. but still its model 1 for me. Keep up the good work, youre amazing :)
An excellent video Gem. I think that Sega thought there would only be one mini and likely selected the best games for that mini. The only thing that is wrong the mini 1 was including Street Fighter 2 Special Champion edition with only a 3-button pad, an act of utter barbarity 🤣
Just ordered a mini 2, i dont have the original mini but I grew up with the Genesis (i guess version 2) and mainly played sonic 1, 2, 3, sonic and knuckles, spinball, mortal kombat, road rash? space harrier, outrun, afterburner, streets of rage (on gamegear) vectorman, earthworm jim, ecco the dolphin. I saw the Sega CD as a kid but never had the money so to experience it and many of the rpgs for the first time is nice. Its not that i dont want to play the classic, I have played them so many times I want to try some new things with the CD music. I always wanted that CD and Sega channel as a kid.
I feel that the first one was made to get the cult and rarer games like Mega Man and Castlevania out in modern games. I would have liked the second one to get games never released out of Japan like say pulseman as a example.
I have both systems and agree the Mega Drive mini 1 is the better machine for game selection, if you hack the system even better. But I'm a sucker for a mini console and had to pick up the mini 2.
Can someone tell me were or how to find this 16bits soundtracks? Would love to listen, but i only find original soundtrack for games. A Playlist or something.
I like the look of the mini mega drive 2. Games like Super Hang On which I had on my original and Thunder force 4. I've had enough copies of sonic over the years (PS2 sonic collection), the Xbox 360 copies which allowed you to combine sonic 3 & knuckles, and the games that came with Sega Mega Drive classics for PS4 just didn't make the first one a must have in the way the new one seems too.
For me I think I prefer the second one and like you it is based on my opinion and probably my memories also. I didn't own a Mega Drive 1 but I did own a Mega Drive 2 so for me that is a big thing. You hit the nail on the head at about 8:30 when you said you think this one was aimed more at collectors.... I'm not actually looking at playing it much (although both my kids and I have done a lot surprisingly), I mainly bought mine to go on a shelf and look pretty and come out occasionally to "scratch that itch" Sega by saying they wouldn't be making as many also pretty much confirmed that for me.... BUT the bits that annoy me, the missing power LED that you mentioned and why oh why does it have a red version of the Jap power switch and not a button?! Two unforgivable things in my mind from Sega, they made this for collectors and then cheaped out on something that is not only visual but you touch.
I personally have more nostalgia for Sonic 2 and Streets of Rage 2 over Sonic CD and Streets of Rage 3 but accept the later games are probably better. I like Crusader of Centy a lot and I do have nostalgia for the Strike series which isnt represented on the first console. I think the mini 2 has more storage and a stronger cpu which will be more significant as people hack the thing
Bare knuckle 3 is on there which looks and plays better than the European Streets of rage 3. So much so that for me there's not much between it and SOR2. All you have to do is switch the language to Japanese and create a save file, so that you don't have to switch the language every time you want to play Bare knuckle 3. As for which system is better? I reckon it's subjective depends what you feel like playing there are expensive games on both mini systems.
I think the line ups on both are pretty solid but I do agree that the original mini has a stronger overall selection of titles. Some of the games on the mini 2 however are outstanding; Thunder Force IV is my number 1 favourite Mega Drive game of all time, then you've got Revenge of Shinobi, Atomic Runner, Alien Soldier, Desert Strike, Elemental Master, Super Hang On, Ranger-X. Outrun, and Shadow Dancer which are all top tier games in my book. I think both systems compliment one another very well.
Was on the fence about the Mini 2 as it had about a dozen games I thought should have been on the 1st, but features way too much shovel. (Clayfighter?) Similarly, the Mini 1 (which I have and mostly love) could have been way more interesting by swapping out, like, 5 games. Put Herzog Zwei on there and you've introduced a whole other genre!
I prefer the look of the O.G Megadrive since I had one as a kid, as far as the games go most of the model 1 titles are on the Sega Genesis collection for ps4 so the model 2 has the upper hand there since it's got games I want and can't play. Sadly I can't get hold of either mini console.
Comparing different games as an example for sound qualities, and then side by side but different parts of one game doesn’t really show anything unfortunately.
With mega cd games announced for the Mini 2, it was always going to be a disappointment if Snatcher wasn't included. Well, looks like we'll have to wait for the Mini 3!
MD2 Japanese version is hands down the definitive version to own and is the best mini console. It's too bad that Genesis Mini 2 and MD Mini 2 had different games and omitted the games the fans wanted like the Lunar series. In terms of the amount of passion that went into MD2 Mini, I do disagree with your assessment. I watched all the title announcement shows from Sega for both 1 and 2 and both have quite a bit of passion, especially from chief producers Mr. Miyazaki and Mr. Okunari both of whom been at Sega for decades (Miyazaki however is now at Atlus). It was a big passion project for both minis and let's not forget the amount of effort that went into making the MD2 Space Harrier and Harrier 2 happen (really interesting story from Okunari and Horii at M2), which not to discount the amazing bonus titles we got in MD1 in Darius and Tetris.
I can't really agree that the Genesis mini was better than the mini 2. Since I am primarily a computer gamer these days, I have the Sega Compilation and the Castlevania Compilation on Steam. With that in mind, there's only about 10 games on the original mini I could want. Whereas, the mini 2 has a bunch of games not easily obtained beyond owning an actual Sega Genesis. Even then, many of the games are outrageously priced on the secondary market. There is some games that are on the Sega Compilation, sure. I think it is much less of a percent of the games, if not the entire amount overall (I think it is like 4-6 games). Don't get me wrong, between the two Sega minis there are a bunch of great games. And my argument is weakened if one doesn't pick up a Sega, Castlevannia and/or Sonic compilations (which are cheaper and easier than getting a mini 1 at this point). And neither have any team sports (football, basketball, baseball, etc.) titles which the Genesis was well known for. This is the only really gap in either. I passed on the mini 1 because it didn't have that many games I couldn't get else where cheaper. The only thing I don't like about the mini 2 is that I never did like the look of it compared to the Genesis 1 design. Which is far more iconic to me. But it makes a lot of sense for the mini 2 to be the Genesis 2 design. Especially if you happen to have both to know which one is which.
I’ve heard so many good things about The Mini Megadrive 2. So it’s surprising to hear that it an’t that hot?! 🤔. I guess, it has the appeal of those unusual “heard about” games as you say. So it perhaps can’t beat the original! Maybe due to the initial love that went into it. The power of those hand picked classics. Really pack a colourful punch! Still looks Great though! 🙂👍
Great topic Gem I too think the Mega Drive mini 1 is better due to the killer game lineup. The Mini 2 not having Alien Storm was a surprise also would have preferred the superior Streets of Rage 1 over 3.
I think it's a bit unfair to say the Mini 1 is better than the Mini 2 because of it's games. Of course the Mini 1 has better games solely because it came out first. In my opinion the Mini 1 has about seven out of ten of the best games that were released during the Genesis/Mega Drive's lifetime. While I don't feel the Mini 2 has any "Top 10 games", it does have some classic games the represents the Genesis/Mega Drive era, with Sonic CD, Midnight Resistance, Desert Strike, Truxton, Alien Soldier, and Crusader of Centy being standouts. The Mini 2 isn't bad for what it had to work with.
You can add more games to the mini 1 also. You can't do that with the mini 2. I got the mini 1 for $50 . The mini 2 is double and triple the price. You pay more for less games. I won't waste my money.
The Mini 2 on a technical level is actually better than the Mini 1. It has a faster processor, and it also has 8gb of storage compared to the 500mb the Mini 1 has.
@@TheGebs24 - No worries! I remember finding it out on a translated Japanese Sega announcement where they talk about the tech specs. I do prefer the Mini 1 shell though; especially the Japanese version :)
Not quite sure the Genesis mini 2 was made to be better than the first. With its limited amazon only release its more for collectors and sega/genesis fans, given the games on the mini 2 are mostly lesser known games and probably wont appeal to as many people.
The Mega Drive mini 1 was nice but had the problem that 95% of the games were already released 100 times. In DVD compilations on many consoles over 20 years, download portals, or you played it yourself back then and found the titles on every street corner.
The Mega Drive mini 2 is a device for fans. The games are high quality and many insider tips. One has quite thought about it, the games all have their reputation in the Md scene and very interesting in historically context. Much of it was re-released for the first time. + some remaster titles. The CD Games show more of the Mega Drive World und Lifestyle of the 90s. The performance of the emulation is better than its predecessor. For someone who played Mega Drive back in the early 1990s and has over 180 games on their shelf, the Mini 2 is a lot more interesting and a nicer mix than the Mini 1. Less mainstream, yet consistently games that are either very good, or are historically significant.
It would be better with mortal combat,for me street fighter was always bundled with snes
Omg I was thinking “where it MK?”
@@TheGebs24 great video
Gotta love your brit accent, and how you squeeze those....
Controllers?
Gazongas 😊
Didn't really get the audio comparison. How can you tell which is which?
I didn't even bother with the mini 2.
I just love the look of the original mega drive.
I would never actually use them when there's so many easier ways to play these games.
A very good video as always but for me, its a tie. I had 22 of the 45 games on the Mega Drive 1 Mini and only 5 from the Mega Drive 2 Mini. However I feel that the games on the second are those which are out of the ordinary. Alien Soldier is a brilliant game which few will have played and a welcome surprise. Ristar one of the best and most innovative platformers in history personally but was so late in the Mega Drives life. Golden Axe 2 is better than Golden Axe 1 but doesn't have that same level of nostalgia for most. I get your point on Streets of Rage 2, far better than the 3rd. The second Toejam and Earl is interesting. Never had a Mega CD so those games are a treat. There's even things on the second which I didn't think I'd like but are brilliant. And then there is Herzog Zwei. I still don't know how to fully play it, I don't think I'll ever ace it, but even though I'd played it before, if people persevere they are playing the best RTS game out there. It's a hidden and a clever game. Soleil is a brilliant RPG although it's not my genre really I've got into it, it's a Zelda clone which could argue might be better, but might not as well. Undecided but seeing as I'm toying with thoughts it might be is something. Super Hang On is a personal fave from back in the day, great to play it even though they changed the signs for copyright reasons. Final Fight CD best edition of that game ever. I prefer this Street Fighter 2 on the MD2 to even the SNES one. I've got to say the additional games are a bit rubbish. Devi and Pi you can see why it was never released. Super Locomotive is awful, Spatter even dated for a retro console. Star Mobile interesting but I'd put Tetris or Columns over it. Fantasy Zone good but done before, Puyo Puyo is Mean Bean Machine and Space Harrier good but isn't a new game really. But there's enough here that is quality that I never played as a kid and I think if you put yourself in the 90s again, play through each one slowly there's so much to enjoy. So it's level for me. MD1 is nostalgia and I played the majority of the games in my collection or at a friends. MD2 is some nostalgia but mostly new, quality experiences which I am gutted to miss out on as a kid. Just make sure you read up on Herzog Zwei as if you don't you'll be confused to what is really going on. But like I say, a great video with great points but my opinion for what it's worth is level pegging for different reasons and Sega has done a good job
My thoughts on this are that the Genesis/MD1 is for the average Sega fan. Sega added quite a few of the big hitters here. I feel the Genesis /MD2 is more for the hardcore Sega fan. Curated with some amazing cult hits (Alien Soldier, Gain Ground, Elemental Master, Herzog Zwei, Truxton, Rainbow Islands EX).
Then you have the games that you can't believe weren't on the first Mini (Revenge of Shinobi, Phantasy Star II, Ristar, Golden Axe II, OutRun, Thunder Force IV, Shadow Dancer, Super Hang-On, Virtua Racing), along with something that actually made me buy this when I was on the fence (a version of SPACE HARRIER II, reimagined as if the Sega MD/GEN had hardware sprite scaling. The original release is infamous for running at a very low frame rate, and having choppy sprite redrawn sprites. So as a huge fan of the original I'm very happy to have something this special. Not only that, but you can also play the entire SPACE HARRIER arcade game (unreleased on a 16-bit Sega home console).
Finally you have Sega/Mega CD games. Sonic CD is better than Sonic 3 IMO. It's pretty underrated. They give you the ability to play with the choice of USA or EUR/JPN OSTs. Like the first Mini the new one allows you to switch regions and play the import versions. So Streets of Rage 3 becomes Bare Knuckle 3, Revenge of Shinobi becomes The Super Shinobi, and Night Trap is hilarious with Japanese dubbed. :) Silpheed and Robo Aleste are top tier shooters on the Sega CD, and Final Fight CD pulled off a better, albeit less colorful, version than the SNES offering.. You get the two player co-op, more on-screen enemies, and an amazing remixed OST.
Overall I like the Mini 2, but at $145 USD /w shipping, I'd really only recommend it to hardcore Sega fans. For a bit more you can buy an Analogue Mega Sg FPGA based console, which can play SMS and GEN/MD (region free) with zero latency, all Sega controllers/accessories, original carts. You can also buy cart adapters to play Game Gear, SG-1000, Mark III, and Sega My Card games. Not to mention it'll also play every SMS/GG/SG-1000/GEN/MD/ColecoVision rom (with exception of Virtua Racing, due to the use of an SVP co-processor), right from an SDcard. This is currently on pre-order for $199. Or buy a Pocket for $220, and play nearly even portable (real cart/roms), and many consoles (via roms), with a $100 dock that can connect the portable to an HD display.
The problem with the Analogue Mega Sg and the Pocket is, that - besides being more expensive and not having any built-in games - if you order them now then you will only receive them sometime in 2023 (Mega Sg ships in Q4 2023 and Pocket is Fulfillment Group C: 2023). I'd love to buy a Pocket but I will not wait for a year for it to arrive...
I was lucky to have owned one since 2021, but after using it for this long and seeing how amazing it is and what it's capable of I would certainly wait a year for it if I had to. I'd order one, and play other stuff until it showed up. Every time a new console or arcade core is released it's like a mini XMAS. We just got TG16/Super Grafx, and Super Game Boy support for it. I also just pre-ordered the cart adapters for NGPC/TG16/Atari Lynx, so I can enjoy my collection of those games again. My Turbo Express and Game Gear need cap replacements, and even then the ghosting makes it nearly impossible to enjoy these days. My NGPC works fine, but you need to be in daylight or under a 100w bulb to see the screen, and my Lynx eats AA batteries like a beast. Six AA batteries in two hours.. My GB original is in need of ribbon soldering to fix missing rowsnod pixels.. The Pocket almost perfectly replicates the old yellow screen, except it looks razor sharp (or you can blur it like the original), or make it look like the GB Pocket, GB Light, Game Gear, and so on. It's just a perfect one stop shop for so many classic handheld systems, and the openFPGA cores are an amazing "bonus". It'll eventually support nearly as much as the mister, but at a fraction of the price, and size.
thumbnails are getting saucier
I disagree, although the original Megadrive Mini has it's solid games listed, the titles are very abundantly available on modern consoles. The Mini 2 offers unique titles that aren't on offer on say, the Switch.
Both are great.
I’ve still got the megadrive mini 1 with the fake megadrive cd and 32x and got a couple of Bluetooth 6 button controllers from 8BitDo. I decided not to get the megadrive 2 as most games didn’t appeal to me.
The mega drive 1 is the better one.
As a collector I have both versions of this and original hardware.
And I feel that they have done the mega drive 1 dirty on the sound.
I have a model 1 series 1 and it sounds so much better than any of the following mega drives.
And I don't like on the mdm 2 that they have a slide button and left off the power light.
The game are OK but not really much to wow the crowd.
When it comes to games, I would agree with you, but when it comes to customising your own Roms (like adding Mega Drive games you can purchase from Steam), the Mini II (if and when it is accessible) will be superior for its better emulator and roughly 3GB of free storage.
I bought both. I got the Mini 2 and realised I wanted the Mini 1 so I picked it up from CEX for a reasonable price
hey, can the controller of mini 1 be used with mini 2 and vice versa? thanks
As I had the first Mega Drive with Mega Games, it’s all about memory lane for me. No need for the mega drive II. I do have Mega CD and 32x titles on the Mega Drive Mini I, at least the games I wanted to have but didn’t (and the CD versions of eternal champions, Ecco and Earthworm Jim are the definitiv versions for me).
Megadrive has the better games. But megadrive 2 still has some interesting choises and tweaks for games. So they really put love and effort in it. But at the end it's all about nostalgia and megadrive 1 wins in that regard.
Hi everyone, how are you?
I'm sure it's probably due to licencing or whatever, but Mini 2 should've had Moonwalker, Batman, Rambo 3, Ghostbusters, Two Crude Dudes, Strider, Wrestle War, and Snatcher.
That sounds like a Sheffield-ish accent to me, certainly South Yorkshire county. Nice video, thanks. There are "hacks" for the first model to be found on this very website.
Both are pretty awesome IMO.
If you could only pick one game from both Minis what you pick?
@@TheGebs24Good question! I'd go with Ghosts 'N Goblins from the first Mini. It came out a few weeks after the August 1989 launch here, and I fell in love with it. It's one of those games that I find very accessible and infinitely replaceable, even 33 years later. And on Mini #2, I'd have to go with the Space Harrier II remaster (which by the way, if you press right while going into the Options screen_, you'll be able to turn on de-flicker.. Trust me, you'll want it on if you are sensitive to sprite flicker!). I would have gone with The Revenge of Shinobi, but Sega has modified this game no less than five times since the 1989 rom! They've removed Spider-Man, Godzilla, Batman, turned Rambo enemies into bald men, and the last change made the title screen Shinobi look much different (the original was a copy of action star Sonny Chiba).
Personally I would prefur the mega drive collection on switch/xbox or ps as a lot cheaper than mega drive mini 1 or 2 although I did buy a mega drive mini 2 and mega drive collection on psp/xbox 360 & switch
Bummer Sega opted to use the Japanese MD2 mold for all regions & only changing colors to reflect region. Games list is definitely not as solid as the model 1 but there’s still some bangers on this model 2 that makes it a must have. C’mon, Crusader of Centy alone is justification to own it but we also get Lightening Force, Truxton, EWJ2, Rolling Thunder 2, Herzog Zwei, Silpheed, Elemental Master, Ristar, Vectorman 2, Shining Force 2, SSFII & SOR3, a massively underrated SOR game regardless of Ash missing. But yeah not as good as the model 1 on delivery of design & games list and if I MUST choose only one it would be the Model 1 mini due to games but I’d surely miss Crusader of Centy
There was a time when the 1st mega drive mini was around $50 and I passed on it then, do you know why?
Because Every game on there is either on every Sega Collection released on every platform already or they are so common that they could be easily purchased at any time.
Still with the scumbag scammers below??
As a child I owned the MegaDrive 2 but inherited my late uncle's original in later life. The Mini 2 certainly has more games but as you said, the selection isn't as good by the looks of things. Great video as always Gemma
Thank you my lovely
How did you add that picture?
Just because of the design the 1 wins, the 2 is ugly
The first megadrive had a better look to the system as well.👍👍💯💯
Ps big mistake that the game Snatcher was never featured as is very sought after title.
O
M
G
SNATCHER should have been on one of them
It’s a shame they cancelled Ash in bare knuckle 3 if you were to change the language to Japanese to access it.. I was really looking forward to finally being able to play this version of sor3 on official sega hardware.. RIP Ash
I always picked wrong console,I picked Philips cdi over PlayStation 1 and I also got an amstrad cartridge monstrosity, these videos are a walk down nostalgialane, I no longer tell my nephews and nieces I'm old now I tell them I'm retro
Great video as always Gemma! I actually have this sega megadrive 2 lion king box that I found in my attic the other day, any idea on what it might be worth?
My little brother had a Sega Mega Drive and I played they heck out of the built in Sonic game! Good times!
Yes now Martin! GOOD TIMES
Nice comparisons Gem, I think the mega drive mini pips it to the post. They shouldnt of missed the light from the model 2 and not giving the extra controller either seems abit crap. Both great units. but still its model 1 for me. Keep up the good work, youre amazing :)
Cheers Tommy lad
I agree model 1 is the better system hands down. What a lot of Sega don't realize is that a lot of Sega CD
An excellent video Gem. I think that Sega thought there would only be one mini and likely selected the best games for that mini. The only thing that is wrong the mini 1 was including Street Fighter 2 Special Champion edition with only a 3-button pad, an act of utter barbarity 🤣
I wonder if the 6 button controller from the mini 2 would work on SF2 on the mini 1?
Just ordered a mini 2, i dont have the original mini but I grew up with the Genesis (i guess version 2) and mainly played sonic 1, 2, 3, sonic and knuckles, spinball, mortal kombat, road rash? space harrier, outrun, afterburner, streets of rage (on gamegear) vectorman, earthworm jim, ecco the dolphin. I saw the Sega CD as a kid but never had the money so to experience it and many of the rpgs for the first time is nice. Its not that i dont want to play the classic, I have played them so many times I want to try some new things with the CD music. I always wanted that CD and Sega channel as a kid.
I’m in the USA and am wondering if your version of the Mega Drive Mini is the same as the EU. Thanks.
Id love to have the m1...ssdly they are more expensive now and harder to find
I feel that the first one was made to get the cult and rarer games like Mega Man and Castlevania out in modern games. I would have liked the second one to get games never released out of Japan like say pulseman as a example.
I have both systems and agree the Mega Drive mini 1 is the better machine for game selection, if you hack the system even better. But I'm a sucker for a mini console and had to pick up the mini 2.
Got my mini 2 today, love it. Where did you get the plastic mount display stands? Thanks.
MD2 wins for me just for the amazing Space Harrier arcade port!!!
The mdm2 games list speaks to the heart.
Can someone tell me were or how to find this 16bits soundtracks? Would love to listen, but i only find original soundtrack for games. A Playlist or something.
Thank you for leaning forward and keeping us abreast with great content!
Naughty 😂
I like the look of the mini mega drive 2. Games like Super Hang On which I had on my original and Thunder force 4. I've had enough copies of sonic over the years (PS2 sonic collection), the Xbox 360 copies which allowed you to combine sonic 3 & knuckles, and the games that came with Sega Mega Drive classics for PS4 just didn't make the first one a must have in the way the new one seems too.
I'm gonna try and snag one in the January sales. Thanks for another cool vid, Gebs.
Anybody else having sound problems (as in none at all) with MD Mini 2? Cables have been checked with other machines etc.
I don't know is it better but it doesn't look better... first design of MD is amazing.
So true Steve! Like the iconic, sleek look is life
Plus the fact the mini 1 is based on the far superior shape of the first classic console! 😍😍
For me I think I prefer the second one and like you it is based on my opinion and probably my memories also. I didn't own a Mega Drive 1 but I did own a Mega Drive 2 so for me that is a big thing. You hit the nail on the head at about 8:30 when you said you think this one was aimed more at collectors.... I'm not actually looking at playing it much (although both my kids and I have done a lot surprisingly), I mainly bought mine to go on a shelf and look pretty and come out occasionally to "scratch that itch"
Sega by saying they wouldn't be making as many also pretty much confirmed that for me.... BUT the bits that annoy me, the missing power LED that you mentioned and why oh why does it have a red version of the Jap power switch and not a button?! Two unforgivable things in my mind from Sega, they made this for collectors and then cheaped out on something that is not only visual but you touch.
Streets of rage three is actually a lot better than part two in playability
The MD mini 2 looks more cheaper than the first one, but personally I prefer the game selection in the second model.
This comment 👏👏👏
I wish it was a Sega CD mini only maybe 30 - 40 games.
That would be amazing
*Great video Gemma and true MD 1 better but I got 2 for Ninja Warriors and Final Fight as they are amazing and cost a bomb* ⭐️ ❤ ⭐️
Great video as always, will probably pick up both for the collection...
Thanks Dill mate 🎉
I personally have more nostalgia for Sonic 2 and Streets of Rage 2 over Sonic CD and Streets of Rage 3 but accept the later games are probably better. I like Crusader of Centy a lot and I do have nostalgia for the Strike series which isnt represented on the first console. I think the mini 2 has more storage and a stronger cpu which will be more significant as people hack the thing
I am curious if the inclusion of Snatcher would have swayed opinions.
I believe it would have made this a thousand times more appealing
What the quality like when playing an actual cartridge on either?
I was looking for a comparison like this one. Great job Gemma!!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘
Bare knuckle 3 is on there which looks and plays better than the European Streets of rage 3. So much so that for me there's not much between it and SOR2. All you have to do is switch the language to Japanese and create a save file, so that you don't have to switch the language every time you want to play Bare knuckle 3. As for which system is better? I reckon it's subjective depends what you feel like playing there are expensive games on both mini systems.
*but they cut out Ash and an entire level on this unit!* 💡
On mine the level is still there it's just Ash that's missing?
Mate I could have sworn the harbour section was still in this version. Just without Ash but no, you're right.
Even so it's not the entire stage that's missing, so I still stand by my original comment.
I think the line ups on both are pretty solid but I do agree that the original mini has a stronger overall selection of titles. Some of the games on the mini 2 however are outstanding; Thunder Force IV is my number 1 favourite Mega Drive game of all time, then you've got Revenge of Shinobi, Atomic Runner, Alien Soldier, Desert Strike, Elemental Master, Super Hang On, Ranger-X. Outrun, and Shadow Dancer which are all top tier games in my book. I think both systems compliment one another very well.
Was on the fence about the Mini 2 as it had about a dozen games I thought should have been on the 1st, but features way too much shovel. (Clayfighter?) Similarly, the Mini 1 (which I have and mostly love) could have been way more interesting by swapping out, like, 5 games. Put Herzog Zwei on there and you've introduced a whole other genre!
Love your work Gemma. Keep staying awesome
🤚
Also, by the way, when Mini II is finally opened up, I'll totally be putting all my Mini I games on it.
I prefer the look of the O.G Megadrive since I had one as a kid, as far as the games go most of the model 1 titles are on the Sega Genesis collection for ps4 so the model 2 has the upper hand there since it's got games I want and can't play. Sadly I can't get hold of either mini console.
Comparing different games as an example for sound qualities, and then side by side but different parts of one game doesn’t really show anything unfortunately.
With mega cd games announced for the Mini 2, it was always going to be a disappointment if Snatcher wasn't included. Well, looks like we'll have to wait for the Mini 3!
MD2 Japanese version is hands down the definitive version to own and is the best mini console. It's too bad that Genesis Mini 2 and MD Mini 2 had different games and omitted the games the fans wanted like the Lunar series. In terms of the amount of passion that went into MD2 Mini, I do disagree with your assessment. I watched all the title announcement shows from Sega for both 1 and 2 and both have quite a bit of passion, especially from chief producers Mr. Miyazaki and Mr. Okunari both of whom been at Sega for decades (Miyazaki however is now at Atlus). It was a big passion project for both minis and let's not forget the amount of effort that went into making the MD2 Space Harrier and Harrier 2 happen (really interesting story from Okunari and Horii at M2), which not to discount the amazing bonus titles we got in MD1 in Darius and Tetris.
Great video 👍 I've recently bought the mini 1 and think I made the right call! ❤
Would love to see some Neo.Geo videos.. Brilliant video..👍
I agree but personally nothing beats the original hardware, I prefer The Megadrive 2 :D
This sounds nice, but I can't help to think that I won't play it more than once when or if I get one.
Is that a pager!? LOL
No it’s a Rode lav mic 😂😂😂
@@TheGebs24 Nice! I thought your were taking it waaayyy back. LMFAO.
interesting video as always, it's a real pleasure to see your videos, thank you for your passion. 😊😊♥️♥️
GREAT video Gemma. Always spot on.
Enfin un avis impartial et avec beaucoup d'objectivité, la première est bien meilleur !!!! Merci pour cette analyse de qualité !
9:42 Wow, she barely even touched her skin and instant dots that fast lol....
I can't really agree that the Genesis mini was better than the mini 2. Since I am primarily a computer gamer these days, I have the Sega Compilation and the Castlevania Compilation on Steam. With that in mind, there's only about 10 games on the original mini I could want.
Whereas, the mini 2 has a bunch of games not easily obtained beyond owning an actual Sega Genesis. Even then, many of the games are outrageously priced on the secondary market. There is some games that are on the Sega Compilation, sure. I think it is much less of a percent of the games, if not the entire amount overall (I think it is like 4-6 games).
Don't get me wrong, between the two Sega minis there are a bunch of great games. And my argument is weakened if one doesn't pick up a Sega, Castlevannia and/or Sonic compilations (which are cheaper and easier than getting a mini 1 at this point). And neither have any team sports (football, basketball, baseball, etc.) titles which the Genesis was well known for. This is the only really gap in either.
I passed on the mini 1 because it didn't have that many games I couldn't get else where cheaper. The only thing I don't like about the mini 2 is that I never did like the look of it compared to the Genesis 1 design. Which is far more iconic to me. But it makes a lot of sense for the mini 2 to be the Genesis 2 design. Especially if you happen to have both to know which one is which.
Warsong and Shining force make model 2 interesting…
how about the hardware performance? is the mini 2 better than 1?
I’ve heard so many good things about The Mini Megadrive 2. So it’s surprising to hear that it an’t that hot?! 🤔. I guess, it has the appeal of those unusual “heard about” games as you say. So it perhaps can’t beat the original! Maybe due to the initial love that went into it. The power of those hand picked classics. Really pack a colourful punch! Still looks Great though! 🙂👍
Great topic Gem I too think the Mega Drive mini 1 is better due to the killer game lineup. The Mini 2 not having Alien Storm was a surprise also would have preferred the superior Streets of Rage 1 over 3.
Mega Drive mini was the best of the mini consoles
I think it's a bit unfair to say the Mini 1 is better than the Mini 2 because of it's games. Of course the Mini 1 has better games solely because it came out first.
In my opinion the Mini 1 has about seven out of ten of the best games that were released during the Genesis/Mega Drive's lifetime.
While I don't feel the Mini 2 has any "Top 10 games", it does have some classic games the represents the Genesis/Mega Drive era, with Sonic CD, Midnight Resistance, Desert Strike, Truxton, Alien Soldier, and Crusader of Centy being standouts.
The Mini 2 isn't bad for what it had to work with.
I like the design for the first model but the games on the second edition are much more superior
Awesome I Need The Mega Drive Mini
You can add more games to the mini 1 also. You can't do that with the mini 2. I got the mini 1 for $50 . The mini 2 is double and triple the price. You pay more for less games. I won't waste my money.
Shame they cheaped out. They must have been trying to do a cash grab exploiting the goodwill of the first version.
My Japanese one arrived today. The box for it is tiny lol.
The Mini 2 on a technical level is actually better than the Mini 1. It has a faster processor, and it also has 8gb of storage compared to the 500mb the Mini 1 has.
I wish I was more techy. Thanks for the input 😃
@@TheGebs24 - No worries! I remember finding it out on a translated Japanese Sega announcement where they talk about the tech specs. I do prefer the Mini 1 shell though; especially the Japanese version :)
Nice discussion 👌
Not quite sure the Genesis mini 2 was made to be better than the first. With its limited amazon only release its more for collectors and sega/genesis fans, given the games on the mini 2 are mostly lesser known games and probably wont appeal to as many people.
Good comparison! 👍
Thank you Dean
I think both are gems tbh
I have to respecfully disagree, the Mega Drive Mini II has more games and in the words of Albert Einstien, Quantity is Quality.
I got the 1st one and modded it, even put all my master system games on it lol, this why i didnt bother with md2
I know it's going off on a tangent, but will you be playing Gow Ragnarök?
Sewer Shark and Night Trap are horrible games. They should have offered more to license the Lunar games, Popful Mail, and Keio Flying Squadron.
Can you use the official wireless mega drive pad with these minis? It works with original mega drive and pc.
I believe so but I haven’t tested one
The mini 1 can be hacked while the mini 2 can’t.
Great video I really enjoyed it.
Great video
Thanks Garry 😃
your videos are awesome gemma!!!!!