Sega Genesis Mini

The six-button version of the pad would be nice for Street Fighter 2, and I’m still a bit upset that Micro Machines 2 didn’t make the cut, but these are nit-picking points. The Mega Drive Mini is every bit as good as the SNES Mini – only it has double the games. Nintendo may have won the console war overall, given it’s made three consoles since Sega shipped its last, but in the battle of mini machines, it definitely has the edge.

Despite a few minor blemishes, the Mega Drive Mini is a brilliant offering from the Sega side of things. To be this good might have taken AGES, but boasting top-notch emulation and one of the most complete collections of games we’ve seen in an official micro console, it’s been worth the wait.

If you’re the kind of person who is ready to sink dozens of hours into Phantasy Star, and invite people over so you can tag-team ToeJam and Earl, you can’t really go wrong with the Genesis Mini. It has exactly what you’ve come to expect from a tiny retro console — cute hardware, a well-constructed library of games, and modern features like multiple save files — but also goes a step further with the smaller details, like the menu music, moving bits of hardware, and access to games from multiple regions.

The Genesis Mini isn’t just a cash-in on the retro mini console craze. It’s a carefully considered package that serves as both a nostalgia machine and a preserver of some of the rarer titles to feature on Sega's console. Solid emulation and a collection of 42 mostly good games make it a must-have for Sega fans and a worthy diversion for anyone interested in 16-bit gaming.

The SEGA Genesis Mini isn't perfect, but it's as close to perfect as any retro all-in-one mini console has come so far.

Packed with games, hidden bonuses and lovely touches, the Sega Genesis Mini is a faithful reproduction of Sega’s classic console, and a brilliant buy for fans of the original and newcomers alike.

The SEGA Genesis Mini may be late to the retro console party, but it has one of the best game line-ups of them all.

With an awesome selection of games, a great price point, two controllers, and simple USB power, the Genesis Mini is a hit.