RetroDefense

So many games I need to play, but besides some retro stuff, I've been looking forward to starting Bayonetta 3 and getting back to Pac-Man World Re-Pac (which - sure - is arguably neo-retro).

I'm still waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail - I didn't have any luck finding the game locally. Looking forward to it! Via the Sega Genesis Mini 2, my significant other and I have been playing Crusader of Centy. I've spent a little time with some Switch eShop downloads as well - Ultracore, Clockwork Aquario, Namco Musuem Archives Volumes 1 & 2, and I just purchased Xeno Crisis.

Sega Genesis Mini 2.

Thanks for the fantastic donation, @CIVICMINDED - and congratulations, @Ethereal Dragonz! And thanks @Phillyman and @E-Day, for another great contest and the scan work. You guys are committed!

Taking a break from my regular retro backlog to enjoy some games fit for the spooky season. Currently working on Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge for the Game Boy (via the Castlevania Collection) and - since I'm a glutton for punishment - Ghosts 'n Goblins: Resurrection on Switch. Which reminds me - I should really give PS2 Maximo: Ghosts to Glory another go sometime. An issue of Tips & Tricks has a really nice strategy guide for the game - I can't recall the issue number off hand but Maximo is on the cover - with some tips on manipulating the continue system so the game is actually finish-able.

Agreed - it's been great seeing so much 80s era stuff lately. Lots of gaming history in these old time capsules!

I've heard it's 8 gig this time around but I don't believe this has been confirmed. It also looks like M2 has added some features to some of the games included on this mini. Not only the usual quality-of-life features at a system level - like save states, rewind, etc - but unique features per game. Supposedly, Phantasy Star II, Outrun, Hellfire, and Rainbow Islands all have some enhancements. Perhaps others as well. So far, I've kept all of my minis stock out-of-the-box - the exception being the Playstation Classic. You really have no choice but to hack that thing to bring it up to par with the others. I'm hoping - once the chip shortage is under control - Sega decides to revisit this mini and make a traditional push at retail. Maybe by next Christmas or whenever. I've had several casual gaming friends and family members who've shown interest in these mini consoles, purchased the first Genesis mini, and would probably pick this one up as well. If they see it sitting on a retail shelf somewhere. I also hope Sega makes this a trend. I'd love to see a Genesis Mini 3 with another round of Genesis and Sega CD games. Hopefully Lunar/Popful Mail licensing with Victor Ireland/Working Designs will be resolved the next time around. And maybe throw in some Game Gear and Sega Master System classics as well.

In case you missed the announcement, Sega will be releasing a Sega Genesis Mini 2 in October 2022. This one is modeled after the Genesis 2 form factor but includes some Sega CD games. A six button controller is included this time. The plug-and-play system includes 60 games and software emulation is reportedly again being handled by M2. (I'd bet this is once again software emulation instead of a FPGA.) Mega Drive versions will be released in Japan and European regions with some different games, but here's the Genesis roster. You'll notice several "imports" in the mix. Sega CD: Ecco the Dolphin Ecco the Dolphin: The Tides of Time Final Fight CD Mansion of Hidden Souls Night Striker Night Trap Robo Aleste Sewer Shark Shining Force CD Silpheed Sonic CD The Ninja Warriors Genesis: After Burner II Alien Soldier Atomic Runner Bonanza Brothers Clay Fighter Crusader of Centy Desert Strike Earthworm Jim 2 Elemental Master Fatal Fury 2 Gain Ground Golden Axe II Granada X Hellfire Herzog Zwei Lightening Force (Thunderforce IV) Midnight Resistance Outrun Outrunners Phantasy Star II Populous Rainbow Islands Extra Ranger X Ristar Rolling Thunder 2 Shadow Dancer Shining Force II Shining in the Darkness Sonic 3D Blast Splatterhouse 2 Streets of Rage 3 Super Hang On Super Street Fighter II The Ooze The Revenge of Shinobi Toejam & Earl: Panic on Funkotron Truxton Vectorman 2 Viewpoint Virtua Racing Warsong Bonus Genesis games: Fantasy Zone Star Mobile Spatter Super Locomotive Devi & Pii Vs. Puyo Puyo Sun Space Harrier II The bonus games are interesting. Fantasy Zone is a new port. Star Mobile is a puzzle game that had been completed back in the day, but never released. It did make it to the PC Engine though. The Space Harrier II bonus is reportedly both Space Harriers I and II and running at 60 fps (!?!). I'm not familiar with the other bonus titles. As for the game roster, I'm happy with it. It could have been better - especially the Sega CD line-up - but this is a matter of opinion. Knowing the Japan release is getting Popful Mail and both Lunar titles does sting a bit. More than a bit, actually. I could have done without some of the re-re-re-released stuff too. Alien Soldier, Gain Ground, Bonanza Brothers, etc. 'Course, I have a habit of picking up Sega compilations without question so I've already seen these titles several times. If this will be your first time playing 'em, I doubt you'll be disappointed. Most of the titles included in this mini reviewed well in their day. I'm really looking forward to Night Striker. One of my fave arcade games during my college years. If you're not familiar, think Space Harrier but with branching paths like Outrun. Good stuff. The Sega CD / Mega CD version is very pixelated compared to the arcade original but I'm hoping it plays well. And if you haven't already, give Ristar a try. "Hidden gem" is cliche anymore but Ristar definitely qualifies. For physical game collectors who count mini systems as physical game collections, this system is a boon. Price Crusader of Centy on Ebay sometime. It's a fun Zelda-esque title that'll cost you bank nowadays. The Sega Genesis Mini 2 is an Amazon exclusive, though orders will ship from Amazon Japan (weird - perhaps related to chip shortages or whatever?) Pre-orders are open - get it while the gettin's good.

If neo-retro counts, I'm 105 shines into Super Mario Sunshine. I've finished the game before but am working to 100% the game this time around. I'm playing via the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection on Switch, which I thought would make the goal easier - and being able to suspend the game easily is convenient - but I'd rather be using a Gamecube controller rather than a Switch Pro. On deck, I have the TMNT Cowabunga Collection, Pac-Man World Re-Pac, and Capcom Fighting Collection. All for PS4.