{"id":2637,"date":"2015-12-06T14:28:08","date_gmt":"2015-12-06T19:28:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/?p=2637"},"modified":"2015-12-06T14:28:08","modified_gmt":"2015-12-06T19:28:08","slug":"review-atgames-sega-genesis-classic-game-console-2015-version-with-videos-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/2015\/12\/06\/review-atgames-sega-genesis-classic-game-console-2015-version-with-videos-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: AtGames Sega Genesis Classic Game Console (2015 version) (with videos)"},"content":{"rendered":"

AtGames<\/strong> has released the 2015 version of their Sega Genesis Classic Game Console<\/a>, which is available in standard (reviewed here) and deluxe (the addition of a cartridge containing five generic sports games) versions, with the former usually selling for a street price of around $40. The main change between this year’s version and last year’s is the software mix, and specifically with Mortal Kombat<\/strong>, Mortal Kombat II<\/strong>, and Mortal Kombat 3<\/strong> in the 80 included games (I provided the full list here<\/a>). Of course, as usual, thanks to what is effectively this system’s Genesis-on-a-chip<\/strong>, it can play most Sega Genesis<\/strong> cartridges via its cartridge port (more on that later in Cartridge and Flashcart Compatibility<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

If you’d like to skip to the part where I provide direct feed video of some of the games in action, check out the Games<\/strong> and Cartridge and Flashcart Compatibility<\/strong> sections of this review. Otherwise, there’s no better place to start than the Introduction.<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Thanks to its strong arcade roots that can be traced all the way back to the 1940s, the company that came to be known in 1965 as Sega was always defined by great games. Of its home platforms, the most successful was easily the Sega Genesis<\/strong> (also known as the Mega Drive<\/strong> in various territories). That combination of great Sega games married to a great Sega platform was a difficult combination for the company to replicate, even though the its predecessor, the Master System<\/strong>, successor the Saturn<\/strong>, and, in particular, its final console, the Dreamcast<\/strong>, have more than their fair share of fans. It’s not surprising then that AtGames releases new versions of their Sega Genesis Classic Game Console<\/a>, as well as a portable version that accepts SD cards instead of cartridges<\/a> (for the same general price), every year.<\/p>\n

\"What

What comes in the box.<\/p><\/div>\n

Console<\/h2>\n

The console itself is quite small and light, measuring approximately 5.5 x 4 x 5 inches (13.8 x 10 x 12.7 cm). Unlike some of AtGames’ other products, this design only vaguely recalls the original Genesis<\/strong> console’s look, but does nail the heavily black color scheme.<\/p>\n

At the top of the console is a cartridge slot and a power indicator LED, which is flanked by ON\/OFF and MENU buttons, the latter of which can be pressed to reset the console without powering it off. On the front of the console is the infrared sensor, which is flanked by two ports for plugging in wired controllers.<\/p>\n

The rear of the console has separate AUDIO (white) and VIDEO (yellow) composite connections, which works with the included, but relatively short, composite cables, or, you can of course use your own. Finally, there’s a 9V DC jack for use with the included power supply.<\/p>\n

\"Everything

Everything is quite compact.<\/p><\/div>\n

Controls<\/h2>\n

Both controllers, which mimic, but do not directly replicate, the proven design of the original Sega Six Button Control Pad<\/strong>, are functionally the same, and contain a switch to designate one or the other as player one (P1) or two (P2). As with the AtGames Atari Flashback 6<\/a>, these controllers use like-it-or-hate-it infrared wireless technology, which requires general line of sight with the sensor on the front of the console to work properly. Each controller requires three AAA batteries, which are not included.<\/p>\n

Of course, you can also plug in just about any original wired Sega Genesis<\/strong> controller directly to the console, including many of the third party replacements. AtGames themselves makes wired versions of their infrared controllers.<\/p>\n

Games<\/h2>\n

The menu system is straightforward. Move up and down or left and right to move between the games and pages of games. Once you select a game by pressing START, it starts up the same as it does on a standard Sega Genesis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Of the 80 included games, 40 are originals from back in the platform’s prime, while the other 40 are later, more generic releases that are typically lower quality clones of popular titles. However you choose to look at the selection, it’s still a good value, particularly since you can easily augment what’s included with individual cartridges. Here’s a sampling of some of the built-in games to give you an idea of how they look and sound:<\/p>\n

Altered Beast:<\/strong><\/p>\n