The Genesis Mini 2 - A Mini Review

The Genesis Mini 2 is finally in my hands. Or…hand. It’s extremely small, covering the surface area of a CD jewel case. This makes sense, perhaps, due to it being based on the “Genesis 2” hardware iteration, which itself was a trimmed revision of the 1989 model. In essence, the device is a mini system based on already miniaturized hardware.

As stated in a previous blog, this pint-sized unit comes packed with some sixty games or so. Sega CD titles are also included this time around, but the Genesis games still dominate the mix. Most are rather niche when compared to the more mainstream-friendly library of the original, and this is where fans might find themselves divided. The games here are probably not as good, but…they are probably more interesting due to their obscure nature.

Case in point: Crusader of Centy is a fine Zelda-esque experience long lost to time. Loose copies of the game often fetch for over $1000 on eBay. Finally, it’s been reissued here in physical form which, when averaged with the other games, amounts to two bucks. That’s a steal. Other oddities and gems include Splatterhouse 2, Thunder Force IV (Lightening Force in the West), Virtua Racing, Alien Soldier, Shadow Dancer, Herzog Zwei, Phantasy Star II (with a bonus easy mode), Rainbow Islands Extra, Elemental Master, and Streets of Rage 3.

Still, the real stars are the Sega CD inclusions, even if they barely comprise 20% of the selection. Sonic CD, Sewer Shark, Silpheed, and Night Trap are probably the most recognizable, with the remainder being an uneven mix of worthy, weird, or why? types of titles. Shining Force CD and Final Fight CD come closer to the former, Mansion of Hidden Souls falls more around the middle, and The Ninja Warriors hits bottom in that why bother? kind of way. (It was probably super cheap to license, incidentally.)

All in all, this is an all-in-one that’s not for everyone. Which, in a way, makes sense; it’s not a machine anyone can just snatch from a Wal-Mart on impulse. Rather, the consoles are only available at Amazon with a significant upcharge in shipping lopped on top (Prime Member or not). Worse, it only comes with one controller, and many of the Sega CD games that should be here, from the Lunar titles to Time Gal to Keio’s Flying Squadron to Snatcher, have been unceremoniously excluded. Nevertheless, running through the Mini 2’s eclectic library of curiosities proves far more fascinating, even rewarding, than the first console. And for that, I give this system my somewhat cautious recommendation.--D