Making old systems new again is a bit of a trend at the moment, with the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition (Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System in Europe) being just one example that's due in stores soon. Different markets cater to different needs, bringing up some interesting products in the process.
One example is being distributed by Tectoy in Brazil - a Mega Drive 'Limited Edition'. Unlike a number of licensed Mega Drive / Genesis clones currently available in different forms, this one closely recreates the original design and look of the '90s machine.
It'll come with 22 games pre-installed, supports original cartridges, will have one controller in the box and also includes a slot for Micro SD cards. A downside, however, is that its composite input only, so there's no HDMI support.
The Brazilian market, it should be noted, is quite unique due to heavy taxes on imported goods; back in early 2015 we reported that Nintendo was backing away from the country for that very reason. The pre-order cost on this unit is 379 Brazilian Real, which is about $120 - it's due to ship in Summer 2017.
Mega Drive / Genesis clones are rather common, with multiple products announced earlier in the year. For fans of the original hardware, though, it's nice to see the attention to detail in this Brazilian unit, even if we'll likely never get our hands on one.
[source tectoy.com.br]
Comments 39
cool
No HDMI? But it clearly states on the Mega Drive that it's High Definition graphics!
It looks neat. I seem to remember TecToy was the main Mega Drive distributor in Brazil, and this went well into the 2000s.
I'd wait to see how this looks, and sounds when it comes out though. I have too many nightmares of Mega Drive clone consoles coming out like... well, this.
Very nice. I've almost buckled a few times and bought that cheapo AT Games clone Genesis that we have here in the states, but this thing would be an instant buy if we had it here. It's just so pretty.
You forgot to mention that not only can it actually run MegaDrive carts. It can read ROMs from a microSD card from a card reader located next to its AV outputs.
Tec Toy have been selling officially licensed Master System and Genesis games and systems in Brazil since the early 90s. Some of the most collectable Master System games were only released in Brazil by Tec Toy (such as the Master System version of Mickey Mouse Legend of Illusion which was Game Gear only in other territories).
Was a great console.
Tec Toy still distributes SEGA stuff in Brazil?? Huh.
@RatKing64 And Duke Nukem 3D
Greatest console ever made!
It was my first console. In it I used to play the hell out of Moonwalker and Decap Attack, here in Brazil.
Then some robber broke in and stole it from me, open up the way for the Super Nintendo, and my life then started for real.
But I still miss the Mega Drive.
Oh fudge, here we go again...
How much? That's pricey. And no HDMI output. shakes head
The internet has told me that Tectoy Master System (which you can see at the same store) is selling about hundreds of thousands here in Brazil.
Now, about the pricing of this Brazilian Mega Drice: It is hell of expensive! It must be manufactured overseas.
The tax question can be solved, at a certain point, when the manufacturing process is finalized here in Brazil, as it actually happens with the national PS4 and XOne.
It must be, although, a great value for those with extensive cartridge collections, as it ia kept as retro as possible. Because I found out this package lacking.
It lacks a 6 button pad, and lots of must have classics, as more games as well.
In the competition, the NES mini seems more appealing, even without a cartridge slot. And is half the price, in dollars.
One question to be answered: is it like the original hardware remanufactured or is it another board with emulation and a cartridge slot on it?
But will it sound good or will it be as bad as the other Megadrive/Genesis remakes??!
People kept asking for HDMI, I don't think Brazilian customers care about HD graphics, I mean c'mon over there the Sega Master System is more popular than even the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It's basically an 8-bit Sega country over there so TecToy had no reason to up it to HDMI.
I'm sure you mean composite output, rather than input.
@filterclay
They have this FAQ:
http://institucional.tectoy.com.br/faqmd.aspx
It says it is neither the original hardware nor an emulator. They tried to re-create the hardware, but replacing components with similar ones in some cases, as the original are no longer being produced.
@btnassu So it's an FGPA like the NES mini coming out.
@retro_player_22
It is not really like this. The SMS can still be found, but you have to really look for it, or buy online. It is sold more as a toy for younger kids.
It is not as if we were stuck in 1990 here in Brazil. Right now, PS3 games can still be easily found, but the majority of games on display in stores are for PS4 and Xbox One. It took almost 2 years for the current gen becoming really current for us. Thing is, with the huge social gaps we have, while some people have Oculus Rifts, in some poorer regions the most popular console is the PS2!
@btnassu Grato por compartilhar!
Interesting the idea of replicating the old hardware using new parts as much as possible closer to the original. But it has compatibility issues, so it is a pitty we wont be playing the incredible conversion of Virtua Racing or Sonic 3 & Knuckles - nor they are in the SD card with the other games on the list. There was a question about selling cartridges again, personally I think it will be hard to happen, but seems Tectoy is trying something.
@retro_player_22
And about the gaming scene here: it is pretty much like the world wide market, lots of interest in current gen, a lots more of last gen console and games - like btnassu already told - and things always going on slowly, because video gaming here in Brazil is an expensive hobby, unfortunately!
It's a trap boys, beware. There are rumors everywhere saying that this could potentially be a "Genesis on a Chip" console, most likely the ones you guys have in US which is distributed (?) by AT Games.
In the exterior, it's a Mega Drive / Genesis. In the interior... The good news is that it'll have cartridge slot and a "pre built" Everdrive with that SD card port.
The bad news: It won't have compatibility with MD / Genesis acessories and special games such as Sega CD, or Virtua Racing and Sonic Knucles for example.
It's worth the nostalgia, but, honestly, I'd say that's a lot of money to put on for what this console will offer.
I'd buy one if they did something like that in the US, I know it's so easy to get SEGA games, but still....that console was always right beside my SNES with all of it's attachments I saved hard to buy.
Ha ha.
I just pre-ordered mine. I don't care about it having HDMI output because playing retro games on hdtvs will always be better on emulation. For the real deal, I use my CRT tv. About the sound quality we'll have to wait and see, but if it isn't great it'll kill it for me, but still I think tectoy listened to their fans and I am giving them my support. They are heading the direction I want them to.
Support original Genesis ?
Years after Nintendo left Brazil, still hard being a Nintendo fan here. But with the economy starting to get better may be easier when the Switch release!
ha tec toy the makers of:
cool
First time in quite a longe time I see this site remember that Brazil exists.
It's a bit pricey considering a standard Nintendo 3DS is currently $600 brazilian Real, and you can find some used PS3s here for R$500-600.
Not worth it if you ask me. Specially considering it hasn't HDMI.
I would bet that we do see a similar system soon in USA and Europe. Sega I think will jump on this train
Will it have blast processing?
In case anyone was wondering yet didn't get round to clicking the link...
ALEX KIDD
ALIEN STORM
ALTERED BEAST
ARROW FLASH
BONANZA BROTHERS
COLUMNS
DECAP ATTACK
E-SWAT
FATAL LABYRINTH
FLICKY
GAIN GROUND
GOLDEN AXE
GOLDEN AXE 3
JEWEL MASTER
KID CHAMELEON
LAST BATTLE
OUT RUNNERS
SEGA SOCCER
SHADOW DANCER
SHINOBI 3
SONIC 3
TURBO OUTRUN
@retro_player_22 I think you're not right! Brazilians love video games and are one of the largest markets in the world, everyone in Brazil has PS4 or XBOXONE, TecToy sells Master System for children, and will now sell Mega Drive (running via hardware is not emulator) for fans retro games
Mega Drive to be launched in Brazil will play games through a similar hardware to the original Mega Drive, will not only be an emulator in a similar housing to the original! housing will be the same as the original, as well as control! my friends in the USA are contacting me for me to buy and deliver them!
@Anti-Matter yes
The Mini NES should have had a game input. And a card reader maybe? $300. I'd do it.
Other than the lack of an HDMI option, this is pretty cool, and almost directly in line with the kind of thing I was thinking when I said Nintendo should re-release new versions of its older consoles like NES and SNES (although I would actually shrink them down a little bit in this day and age, more like the SNES Jr. size or even a little smaller). I like the idea of them being pretty the exact same systems we all fell in love with as children but now also coming with a decent chunk of games pre-installed too. And, actually being able to play all the original carts too (plus the micro SD option too), with the original and proper controller, is all icing on the cake.
I just hope for them that compatibility and more than anything else QUALITY will be there. because most Megadrive clones out there have terrible sound and those that support cartridges are most of the time incompatible with certain games.
Very good that sometimes something of sega is shown.
I created a kit for the original Sega Mega Drive for the Raspberry Pi with HDMI. So all other games can be played as well. There is also the possibility to connect the original controllers.
https://retro-emulation.com/raspberry-pi-sega-mega-drive.html
The best way to refresh a broken Sega Mega Drive.
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