As a fan of retro gaming, I have a fairly sizeable collection of physical games. And they all take up a huge amount of space. This is where a small mini-console filled with digital versions of some of those games could be really helpful. Enter the AT Games Mega Drive mini-console.
This plug-and-play device has 81 games built in. A good portion of that number is a selection of “arcade” (shovelware-ish) games, but a bunch of actual Mega Drive games are available. Most importantly, one of the main things that sets it apart from many other plug-and-plays is the cartridge slot that will accommodate actual Mega Drive cartridges.
Inside the box
Alongside the mini-console, there is the expected power supply, a/v cable, and two controllers. An instruction manual that lists every game available to play is also included. This is way more in-depth than I expected. Each game has a little synopsis of what to expect when playing and even a guide to what each button does. A small detail for sure, but one I appreciate. A list of the non-shovelware games can be found below:
- Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
- Alien Storm
- Altered Beast
- Arrow Flash
- Bonanza Bros.
- Columns
- Columns III
- Comix Zone
- Crack Down
- Decap Attack
- Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
- ESWAT: City Under Siege
- Eternal Champions
- Fatal Labyrinth
- Flicky
- Gain Ground
- Golden Axe
- Golden Axe II
- Golden Axe III
- Jewel Master
- Kid Chameleon
- Mortal Kombat
- Mortal Kombat II
- Mortal Kombat III
- Phantasy Star II
- Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
- Ristar
- Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention
- Shining Force II: The Ancient Seal
- Shadow Dancer: The Secret of the Shinobi
- Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Sonic & Knuckles
- Sonic Spinball
- Super Thunder Blade
- The Ooze
- Vectorman
- Virtua Fighter 2
In short, many of the usual suspects – Golden Axe, Sonic the Hedgehog, Flicky, Comix Zone, Altered Beast, and Phantasy Star. The trilogy of Mortal Kombat games is also a very welcome addition. I can’t really say much about the other shovalware though. “Meatloaf Rotation” and “Yawning Triceratops” sound absolutely captivating for sure.
Lightweight wonder
The controllers are chunky and tactile, with a d-pad that is nice to use. Everything is sturdy enough, although the mini-console itself is super lightweight. It’s barely bigger and heavier than a single controller. This makes it super easy to pull it off whatever surface it is laid on with a fairly gentle tug when playing.
The two main complaints I have regarding this mini-console are as follows. The abundance of visible screen tearing and audio slowdown. I found the audio problems to be most noticable when playing Sonic the Hedgehog, mostly because Green Hill Zone is such an iconic piece of music. Also, the lack of a HDMI slot. Very annoying, especially as more modern TV’s don’t have support for older audio/video connections.
Definitely the budget option
Generally, I do think this little AT Games Mega Drive mini-console is pretty good. It is without a doubt a budget console. I don’t think it would cut it for a retro gaming enthusiast, but would be good for someone who wants a cheap genuine Mega Drive alternative. Having said that, Mega Drives seem to be one of the more affordable retro consoles nowadays. The games can be a different story though. Even though I already have a Mega Drive, I can see myself holding onto this in future, mainly for the easy access to those digital games. It doesn’t hold a candle against an original machine, or a more expensive mini-console one. Still, the cartridge slot is a standout feature.