Earlier this month, Sega announced the Sega Genesis Mini 2, which launches this October in North America and will contain more than 50 Sega Genesis and Sega CD games. However, since the announcement, it has only been officially available to preorder through Amazon — and with the odd caveat that it is shipping directly from Japan (and not for cheap). Ars Technica reached out to Sega for clarification on the manufacturing and supply of Sega Genesis Mini 2, and it confirmed something depressing: Mini 2 will receive a much smaller run than the original mini console.
Sega said the supply of Sega Genesis Mini 2 manufactured will be around one tenth that of the first. It also confirmed that this console is a “Japan-only project,” explaining why the console is shipping directly from Japan. Sega is producing so many fewer units this time because of the ongoing global semiconductor shortage. It is likewise becoming increasingly unlikely that Europe will receive an official release of the console.
We don’t know exactly how many units are being manufactured, but in fairness, the original Sega Genesis Mini was readily available for a good year or so after its release. Shrinking that to one tenth the size should at least still mean that the most hardcore American and Japanese fans should be able to procure one. And again, Sega Genesis Mini 2 is currently still available to preorder, albeit at a price that seems to fluctuate. It might be wise to preorder one now and then cancel later if it turns out the final game list doesn’t have what you were hoping it would include.
For reference, below is the list of games that has been confirmed for Sega Genesis Mini 2 in North America so far. Many more games will still be announced for inclusion in the future. For example, it was recently confirmed that the Japanese version of the console will include both Lunar games, among others.
Sega Genesis Mini 2 Games List Confirmed for North America So Far
- After Burner II
- Alien Soldier
- Bonanza Bros.
- Lightening Force (not a typo)
- The Ooze
- OutRun
- OutRunners
- Rainbow Islands Extra
- Rolling Thunder 2
- Shining in the Darkness
- Sonic 3D Blast
- Splatterhouse 2
- Super Hang-On
- Vectorman 2
- Virtua Racing
- Mansion of Hidden Souls (Sega CD)
- Night Striker (Sega CD)
- Ninja Warriors (Sega CD)
- Shining Force CD (Sega CD)
- Silpheed (Sega CD)
- Sonic CD (Sega CD)
- Fantasy Zone (bonus game)
- Star Mobile (bonus game, previously unreleased on Genesis)
Sega Genesis Mini 2 launches on October 27 in North America.
