Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The Mini is unapologetically awesome, and bless Sega for doing this one right. At long last, Sega is rediscovering its groove and reigniting the 90s, which was arguably their decade more than anyone else's, including Nintendo. This reissue is confidently executed, competently crafted, and features 42 of the greatest, most diverse, and even surprising titles ever to grace the Genesis, including some unexpected cult classics like Toe Jam & Earl. Rather than focusing on the software which is proven and a real showstopper in the emulation department due to Sega's personal attention to the Mini, I'll focus instead on the hardware and packaging. Presentation-wise, Sega knocked it out of the park and through the windshield of an unexpecting passerby. The box screams 1991 nearly as loudly as its iconic ads screamed, "Sega!" with a perfect miniature replica of the Sonic Box as it was known nearly 30 years ago. I love this box. The system itself is just as convincing and features moving cartridge port dust cover flaps, or whatever they were called. Even the volume slider is there, and it slides with conviction and quality. I may spend just as much time admiring the proportions and attentiveness to detail as I will playing the thing. Maybe. The Genesis Mini rocks. I can't wait to sink my teeth into the previously unreleased games and blast the familiar and sorely-missed FM synth, courtesy of a proprietary Yamaha chip that has never been replicated. I think this chip should be celebrated for driving some of coolest sounds and tunes ever to grace a console. I applaud Sega for sticking to their guns with the 3-button controller, especially since we can get a first-party 6 button with ease for around $20. I recommend doing so for several of the games, but for 90% of the catalog you won't need it. While many complain it should have been included in lieu of the 3-button, I'd argue the true retro flavor would have been diminished significantly, as the Genesis was born into the world with just three buttons. It was only later in the 90s due to the popularity of games like Street Fighter 2 that Sega's wonderful 6-button controller earned a spot in Genesis lore, and like the Genesis Mini itself, it was worth every penny.