Mega Sg

Last updated
Mega Sg
MegaSG console.jpg
Manufacturer Analogue
Type Home video game console
Release dateMarch 25, 2019 [1]
Introductory price$190 [2]
MediaGame cartridges, Game cards, SD card
CPU Altera Cyclone V
DisplayHDMI (1080p, 720p, 480p) at 50/60 Hz
Sound48kHz, 16-bit, digital over HDMI
ConnectivitySega Genesis & Sega Mega Drive style controller ports (2), HDMI output, Micro USB input (power only)
Website www.analogue.co/mega-sg/

The Mega Sg is a home video game console manufactured by Analogue, released in 2019. It runs games developed for the Sega Genesis, Master System, Game Gear and SG-1000, systems released by Sega in the 1980s and early 1990s during the fourth generation of consoles. [3] Rather than emulate games, the Mega Sg uses FPGA chips that replicate the original system hardware.

Contents

Features

The Mega Sg features 1080p HDMI, digital audio (48 kHz 16-bit), and original Genesis-style controller ports. Kevin Horton engineered Mega Sg to use an Altera Cyclone V to match the Genesis hardware logic with very high accuracy[ citation needed ] and also provided extra features, such as the option to scale the original 240p video output to different resolutions up to 1080p 60 Hz. Phil Fish, the designer of Fez , designed the user interface, [4] and Arca composed the startup audio. [5] It includes an unreleased Genesis game from 1994, Hardcore, renamed Ultracore due to licensing problems. [6] [7]

Limited edition

Konsolation cover art Analogue x Hyperdub Konsolation.png
Konsolation cover art

Record label Hyperdub collaborated with Analogue on a limited edition Mega Sg with a Sega Genesis music cartridge called Konsolation featuring unreleased music from artists such as Burial, Scratcha DVA, and Ikonika. [8] [9] Konsolation was created in an edition of 1,000 units as part of Hyperdub's 15th anniversary celebration. [10]

Track listing

No.TitleArtistLength
1."Starlore" Burial 6:58
2."Mega Wasp" Scratcha DVA 3:29
3."Git Gud" Ikonika 2:31
4."Bobby" Jessy Lanza & Jeremy Greenspan 4:30
5."Flakier Whelk"Proc Fiskal4:06
6."Segatrack"Lee Gamble2:16
7."Altered Interzone"Mana3:25
8."Check Check" Cooly G 2:42
9."Yula"Nazar2:05
10."FF"DJ Taye2:18
11."Spiral Unlock" Kode9 2:12

Reception

The Guardian gave the Mega Sg four out of five, writing: "Playing Streets of Rage 2 or Comix Zone on this thing is like experiencing a remastered recording of a favourite album, or a digitally restored version of a classic movie ... the Mega Sg makes Sonic and all the other games I have tried feel fresh and contemporary." [11]

The Mega Sg was named the Time best inventions of 2019 award, [12] an Editor's Choice Award from Wired, [13] an Editor's Choice Award from Tom's Guide, [14] an Editor's Choice Award from IGN [15] and an Editor's Choice Award from PCMag . [16]

Engadget gave the console an 86/100, with one of the only complaints being a lack of 32X compatibility. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">32X</span> Video game console add-on

The 32X is an add-on for the Sega Genesis video game console. Codenamed "Project Mars", it was designed to expand the power of the Genesis and serve as a transitional console into the 32-bit era until the release of the Sega Saturn. The 32X uses its own ROM cartridges and has its own library of games. It was distributed under the name Super 32X in Japan and South Korea, Genesis 32X in North America, Mega 32X in Brazil, and Mega Drive 32X in all other regions.

<i>Sonic the Hedgehog 3</i> 1994 video game

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 1994 platform game developed and published by Sega for the Genesis. Like previous Sonic games, players traverse side-scrolling levels while collecting rings and defeating enemies. They control Sonic and Tails, who attempt to retrieve the Chaos Emeralds to stop Doctor Robotnik from relaunching his space station, the Death Egg, after it crash-lands on a mysterious floating island. Sonic 3 introduces Knuckles the Echidna, the island guardian, who lays traps for Sonic and Tails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master System</span> Home video game console

The Master System is an 8-bit third-generation home video game console manufactured and developed by Sega. It was originally a remodeled export version of the Sega Mark III, the third iteration of the SG-1000 series of consoles, which was released in Japan in 1985 with graphical capabilities over its predecessors. The Master System launched in North America in 1986, followed by Europe in 1987, and then in Brazil and Korea in 1989. A Japanese version of the Master System was also launched in 1987, which features a few enhancements over the export models : a built-in FM audio chip, a rapid-fire switch, and a dedicated port for the 3D glasses. The Master System II, a cheaper model, was released in 1990 in North America, Australasia and Europe.

In the history of video games, the fourth generation of video game consoles, more commonly referred to as the 16-bit era, began on October 30, 1987, with the Japanese release of NEC Home Electronics' PC Engine. Though NEC released the first console of this era, sales were mostly dominated by the rivalry between Sega and Nintendo across most markets: the Sega Mega Drive and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Cartridge-based handheld consoles became prominent during this time, such as the Nintendo Game Boy (1989), Atari Lynx (1989), Sega Game Gear (1990) and TurboExpress (1990).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super FX</span> 3D graphics chip used in Super Nintendo games

The Super FX is a coprocessor on the Graphics Support Unit (GSU) added to select Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) video game cartridges, primarily to facilitate advanced 2D and 3D graphics. The Super FX chip was designed by Argonaut Games, who also co-developed the 3D space rail shooter video game Star Fox with Nintendo to demonstrate the additional polygon rendering capabilities that the chip had introduced to the SNES.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sega Channel</span> Online game service for the Sega Genesis

The Sega Channel is a discontinued online game service developed by Sega for the Sega Genesis video game console, serving as a content delivery system. Launched on December 14, 1994, the Sega Channel was provided to the public by TCI and Time Warner Cable through cable television services by way of coaxial cable. It was a pay to play service, through which customers could access Genesis games online, play game demos, and get cheat codes. Lasting until July 31, 1998, the Sega Channel operated three years after the release of Sega's next generation console, the Sega Saturn. Though criticized for its poorly timed launch and high subscription fee, the Sega Channel has been praised for its innovations in downloadable content and impact on online game services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sega Genesis</span> Home video game console

The Genesis, also known as the Mega Drive outside North America, is a 16-bit fourth generation home video game console developed and sold by Sega. It was Sega's third console and the successor to the Master System. Sega released it in 1988 in Japan as the Mega Drive, and in 1989 in North America as the Genesis. In 1990, it was distributed as the Mega Drive by Virgin Mastertronic in Europe, Ozisoft in Australasia, and Tectoy in Brazil. In South Korea, it was distributed by Samsung Electronics as the Super Gam*Boy and later the Super Aladdin Boy.

<i>Mega Man: The Wily Wars</i> 1994 video game

Mega Man: The Wily Wars is a 1994 video game compilation developed by Minakuchi Engineering and published by Capcom for the Sega Genesis; the compilation features remakes of the first three Mega Man games, alongside a new game called Wily Tower, only unlockable with a completed save file.

The Sega Card, known in Japan as Sega My Card, is a memory card format used as game storage for the SG-1000/SC-3000 and the Mark III / Master System. Produced from 1985 to 1987 by Mitsubishi Plastics, the cards are plugged into onboard cardslots or into compatible adapters. Several versions of the format were created, including a rewritable one that allows new titles to be downloaded to a card. While substantially cheaper to produce than cartridges, the storage limitations of the format resulted in Sega exclusively distributing games on cartridges. Despite the failure of the Sega Card, NEC found more success with its own memory card format, the HuCard, which was the primary storage medium for its PC Engine game console.

RetroN is a series of video game consoles created and developed by Hyperkin which allows users to play video games from consoles such as the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Super NES. Since the release of the RetroN 5, they have been connected via HDMI. The latest in the series, RetroN Sq, was released in 2021.

Analogue, Inc. is an American company that designs, develops, and sells video game hardware. Its hardware products include the Analogue Pocket, Analogue Mega Sg, Analogue Super Nt, Analogue Nt Mini, and Analogue Nt.

The Analogue Nt Mini is a video game console designed and manufactured by Analogue It was designed to play games for the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Famicom, like the original Analogue Nt. Unlike the former, the Nt Mini uses an FPGA for processing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Nt</span> Home video game console by Analogue

The Analogue Super Nt is an FPGA-based home video game console designed and manufactured by Analogue It is designed to be compatible with games for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.

Ultracore is a run and gun video game developed by DICE. Originally due to be released for Amiga, Genesis, and Sega CD platforms, the game was canceled by its publisher, Psygnosis, in 1994 after it had been almost finished. The game was salvaged by publisher Strictly Limited Games and released together with the Mega Sg aftermarket console in March 2019. Ports for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita released in 2020. A version compatible with original Sega Genesis systems was released in Japan in October 2019. Ports for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S released in December 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sega Genesis Mini</span> Home video game console

The Sega Genesis Mini, known as the Mega Drive Mini in regions outside of North America, is a dedicated console modeled on the Sega Genesis. The Mini emulates the original console's 16-bit hardware, and includes 42 games made available through emulation software by M2. It was released in North America and Japan in September 2019 and in Europe and the Middle East in October 2019. A follow-up, Sega Genesis Mini 2, was released in October 2022 and includes 60 games from the Genesis and Sega CD.

<i>Paprium</i> 2020 video game

Paprium is a side-scrolling beat 'em up video game for the Mega Drive developed by studio WaterMelon and released in 2020. It was announced as part of a crowd-funding pitch in 2012. Development took eight years, with little to no communication with game's backers or the press, and was widely considered to be vaporware.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polymega</span> Home video game console

Polymega is a home video game console developed by American company Playmaji, Inc. It is a retro gaming console offering backwards compatibility with several CD-based platforms: PlayStation, TurboGrafx-CD, Neo Geo CD, Sega CD, and Sega Saturn. It also supports cartridge-based platforms, including Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Sega Genesis, Sega 32X, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), and Nintendo 64. It includes a built-in CD drive, while separate add-ons known as Element Modules provide support for cartridge-based games. It was announced as the RetroBlox in 2017, and faced numerous delays before being released in September 2021.

References

  1. Wheeler, CJ (March 16, 2019). "There's A Sassy New 1080p Mega Drive And It's Arriving This Month". Kotaku UK .
  2. Grant, Christopher (25 March 2019). "Mega SG review". Polygon. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  3. "Sega Genesis finally gets the HD console it deserves". Polygon.com.
  4. "This sleek console plays old Sega cartridges on your new TV". Theverge.com. 16 October 2018.
  5. "Arca Composes Start-Up Music for New Sega Genesis Console Remake: Listen". Pitchfork. 15 March 2019.
  6. Grant, Christopher (February 22, 2019). "Unreleased Genesis game will come bundled with the premium Mega Sg clone". Polygon . Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  7. Machkovech, Sam (31 March 2019). "The Analogue Mega Sg answers why anyone would pay $190 for a new Sega Genesis". Ars Technica. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  8. Deahl, Dani (December 4, 2019). "Analogue and Hyperdub have teamed up for a limited edition Sega Genesis album". The Verge . Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  9. "Burial Previews New Song From Sega Genesis Remake: Listen". Pitchfork. 4 December 2019.
  10. Bruce-Jones, Henry (December 4, 2019). "Burial featured on Sega Mega Drive music cartridge compilation". Fact . Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  11. Stuart, Keith (2019-04-03). "The Sega Mega Drive for connoisseurs: Analogue Mega Sg review". the Guardian . Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  12. "Gaming for Posterity". Time Magazine.
  13. "The Mega SG Gives Old Sega Genesis Cartridges an Extra Life". Wired. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  14. Ismail, Adam (25 March 2019). "Analogue Mega Sg Review: The Sega Genesis Your Nostalgia Deserves". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  15. Analogue Mega Sg Review - IGN, 25 March 2019, retrieved 2021-04-28
  16. Greenwald, Will (March 27, 2019). "Analogue Mega Sg Review". PCMag.
  17. Hines, Z. (March 27, 2019). "The Analogue Mega SG wins the retro gaming console war". Engadget. Retrieved 19 May 2022.