Sega Dreamcast, Saturn And Mega Drive Hardware Coming From Retro-Bit in 2018

The joypads are missing two buttons.

@ga3tr0n This is a pic of the Retro-cade, I believe there are no visuals on the upcoming hardware yet.

That's a misleading headline. With that photo, I was thinking a clone Saturn or Dream cast system was being announced.

I would love to see a comeback for these consoles. The Saturn is very old these days and the Dreamcast only has VGA on it's side.

One thing I would like to see is compatibility with the original controllers.

To come back on the subject, I was starting to think about buying upscalers and such for my dreamcast... let's hope this fits even better. Well, it need to be able to run bleem! of course. Without that, where's the fun?

Both were very good consoles with odd flaws, I remember one day thinking my Saturn was broken but it turns out that a big watch battery was all that was between me and losing all my data. Shining Force 3 was amazing on this as was Pander Dragoon Saga, I wish I'd kept the latter as it's worth a fortune now

How involved is SEGA? Because I know Saturn emulation is usually a huge hurdle. If they can actually nail that and let me play all of my old games, I'm in.

Edit: Oh... Just accessories? Oh well. :/

Did I read that headline right? I must be hallucinating.

EDIT I love the fact that we're getting new hardware, but I kind of wish for reproductions of certain games. Sega Saturn games are probably out of the question, but Dreamcast seems like a possibility. Well that seems like too much wishful thinking. Either way this is the best news I've heard all week. Can't wait for January to see what they'll reveal.

Shining force 3. Panzer dragoon saga. Yes. Want. Would be great if you can play patched games for the other SF3 scenarios.

Also could be a good way to replay shenmue without a hd remake.

I wish Sega would give more love to their Saturn and Dreamcast classics but I get they are just too unknown. Not viable businesswise

@samuelvictor just typical of my luck 😣

Power Stone and Shenmue. Could be tempted.

Whoa!!!! I owned a Sega Dreamcast and would love to play it again. Having never owned a Genisis, I’d love one of those as well.

Man...this retro revival is crazy good!

I would like it if both the Saturn and Dreamcast came in one machine. I want it all and I don't want to buy two systems. Each had its own small audience so why not combine the two into a Dreamcast/Saturn combo?

@neufel The way I have had my Dreamcast setup for a while now is with a VGA box hooked up to a VGA to HDMI upscaler. It has worked great to be honest, kind of a crazy setup but it works.

I could use a HDMI abled Dreamcast / Saturn...

@Hikingguy I don't think that is an actual production image, they said it should be revealed at a tech show in January. I imagine the 4 button controller must be some type of Genesis controller since that was originally just a 3 button controller, a Dreamcast controller would need analog triggers and an analog stick, and a Saturn controller needs 6 buttons.

Saturn and Dreamcast emulation? Good luck Retro-Bit, AtGames couldn't even go beyond the Genesis. Hopefully it could play all or some of my games. Would be awesome to see some Burning Rangers, Virtua Fighter 2, Panzer Dragoon, Soul Calibur, Shenmue, and Skies of Arcadia in HD.

If the dream cast option is decent ill bite. otherwise..I'll stick with my 3 dreamcasts.

It’s funny, my mate back in the day kept telling me to buy a Dreamcast. Eventually I caved in, then they day after they announced it was dying, sorry folks I killed it. I grew to love it though, and to this day it still works. It’s sad what happened to them, but also shows how well Nintendo have done, they don’t try to compete with Sony or MS, they do something different which mostly (except U) pays off.

@Tedikuma Where does it say just accessories?

How does this work? Does it take cartridges/ discs or is it through emulation?

@Prolix Whilst i'd love to see Catherine ported to Switch, i don't see how this is relevant to this particular post.

I want to see what the wireless Dreamcast..... Controllers will look like.

I'm preparing for disappointment.

@retro_player_22 Yeah even emulators on PC still struggle with accuracy for Saturn and DC emulation so I’m very curious to see how they can manage it with a budget clone device.

Unless you have $200 (or more) lying around for one of the 3,000 North American copies of Panzer Dragoon Saga that were manufactured or the only one of three Scenarios of Shining Force III for the Saturn (Sega left Western gamers with a permanently unresolved cliffhanger), you'll probably find collecting all those great Saturn titles especially prohibitive to come by, sadly, especially all of its fantastic RPGs. The Saturn really needs an HD compilation of all of its best games, but that's unlikely to ever happen.

If you want to experience the 190-plus hours of all three interlocking Scenarios of SFIII (which rivals Valkyria Chronicles in my personal opinion as Sega's greatest SRPG ever, and that's saying something), I strongly suggest using the Shining Force Central fan community's English patch (link here: http://sf3trans.shiningforcecentral.com/ ). Please note that it will require importing the Japanese versions of SFIII, but the price isn't horrible and is well worth it. It will require either an emulator or a modded Saturn to play it, but I can attest they did an incredible job with it.

And YES, for the record, Sega is and has been aware of the project for years now and have allowed the community to proceed since the patch requires purchasing official software, so no worries over legality.

No VMU...

...no deal!

@Hughesy The actual press release: http://retro-bit.com/retrobit-announces-sega-partnership

"a licensing agreement with SEGA of America to produce accessories for SEGA’s gaming platforms"

Here's an idea, since GameCube got a chance to have Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2, I say those games should get a second chance on a Nintendo console through its own Xbox Arcade-like system or through GameCube Virtual Console emulation on Nintendo Switch.

I am sick of buying faulty DCs so I would love this.

Or I could also take Shenmue remasters, Sega.

@AtlanteanMan i picked up all 3 of them a year ago, well worth it thought i still need to finish scenario 1

What sorcery is this?

@Hikingguy Oh yeah, the classic Saturn 3D controller could definitely work, it's just too bad that it felt like a predecessor to the Dreamcast controller, since I agree that the Dreamcast controller always felt awkward. It was nice for some 3D games, but terrible for others. I also got the TotalControl adapter that allowed me to use a Saturn controller on my Dreamcast, it was the only way to play fighting games!

@BongoBongo123 For now, that's not really sure, but judging by the previous two systems they've released, it'll probably come pre-loaded with games, so I will personally not count too much on any option to play original games on it.

But they do apparently seem to have Sega's official support, so you never know what they may come up with.

And in case you're wondering: the picture in the article is from their previous console, so that's not necessarily representative of what they're going to make of their Genesis/Saturn/Dreamcast box.

Well.... let's see if the thing has already shipped.

@Robotron2084 If some games/discs do work, and others don't, then I'd sooner suspect a dirty lens or an end of life disc drive, but not necessarily a calibration error.

If it's a dirty lens, just use pure alcohol and a cotton tip to clean it. And if the drive is dying on you, then no re-calibration is going to help. Luckily, replacement drives can still be bought today, and they're not that expensive either, so if you really want to preserve your system and want to keep playing the games, just buy a replacement drive.

It's pretty easy to install as well, so you might want to consider that as a serious option besides cleaning and/or re-calibrating the drive.

@Robotron2084 Well, then we can definitely rule out calibration errors. If you would have that, then no disc would read, and the drive would make even more noise than normal, continuously appearing to search a position on the disc to read, but never actually reading or loading any data.

As for the discs: are you sure that the faulty discs are scratch or dirt free? I don't know if you have a disc polishing shop over there, but over here, most game shops actually have that service, costs a buck or two per disc and polishes them all smooth again, making them look and work like new.

If the discs are degrading, then you should be able to see that under a decent light source. Instead of damage by scratches, it should look like irregular cracks or like the surface is corroding, leaving empty or irregular spots on the disc.

@Folkloner there was no announcement articles on Nintendo Life (obviously) and I had to think of the topic to which I can attach it. Atlus is the division of Sega, so here comes why I posted here.

@Yorumi If you have a genuine calibration error, then practically no disc should read, since most of the original discs are written in a certain format and data order, meaning that the Dreamcast's drive must perform in the exact same way for every disc.

If only some games work, then it sounds more like luck, or discs not being entirely filled with data, which means that the drive can skip certain parts while reading without a game failing. (all pre-HD consoles have had games that didn't entirely fill the disc, but the developers padded them out with dummy files to make a correctly sized image to burn)

But I agree that it was somewhat of a weird system, in more ways than one, even...

But nonetheless, still a wonderful console and definitely not a bad system to own, with a lot of games that, regardless of their visuals, are still highly enjoyable to play to this day, and I do so whenever I have the time. And my drive is still in mint condition. Never had any read issues, except for the odd lens cleaning that I've had to do.

@Yorumi I'm actually collecting game disc and have a working PS1, PS2, DC, 3DO, among other older systems, but my 3DO recently started acting weird, and I'm afraid that is just about collecting than actually playing... as playing means in my opinion wearing down the system, and at the end it will fail and you end up with game disc but unable to play, so sad... but this retro systems are a good sign of playing games there and leaving your old consoles intact, just to have them there I guess...not to play on them

@Dom Reseigh-Lincoln, please update this article to make it clear that they announced accessories, not hardware. Read the source more closely: "RETRO-BIT® ANNOUNCES SEGA® LICENSING AGREEMENT TO PRODUCE ACCESSORIES FOR SEGA GAMING PLATFORMS". They seem to be controllers that have two plugs attached, one for USB and one for the original consoles. The current article is misleading most people into thinking they are likely to produce consoles, which isn't likely based on the source news item.

@Robotron2084 You're welcome. I also looked into replacement drives for sale in the UK, and they're still available, just in case you might need one in the end after all. You can check out www.consolegoods.co.uk, eBay UK or any dedicated retro game shop, which should be able to hook you up with the right addresses.

@VGScrapbook It seems that you're right, and the article should have made that a bit more clear, to not get people's hopes up too much.

Press release from the Retro-bit website:

The first products and concepts under the agreement include several accessories that feature the same great quality as their original Sega counterparts like the original console port, but also with modern upgrades such as a USB® port for PC compatibility and Bluetooth® wireless technology.

These new products are slated to debut in the Innex booth #21023 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2018.

"With retro gaming on an upswing, we are pleased to offer officially SEGA licensed accessories in their original format as well as apply the innovative classic gaming enhancements that have become the hallmark of Retro-Bit,” said Titi Ngoy, President and CEO at Innex Inc. the exclusive distributor of Retro-Bit. “We’re excited to unveil the first of these new products and concepts at CES, and do so alongside an exciting 2018 product catalog".

So, you might want to add/correct that, @Dom...

I just thought of a great solution for the Dreamcast controller. They should make it so it has a little screen built into it that is just like the VMU screen, and make the console think that is just a standard VMU. That way you can just utilize internal storage or a SD memory card or something while being able to enjoy the old VMU.

While I do have my reservations due to the poor emulation they’ve had in the past, I’ve been reading right here on this site that the new Retro arcade mini is a big improvement. Also, teaming up with Sega May be a good thing as Sega needs to step away from AT Games as their poor emulation has NOT done the Genesis library any justice at all. I would imagine also that Saturn emulation will be a challenge as well. Let’s hope they get these products right and if so I will be there ready for day 1 purchases!! Now...Sega when are you gonna take a hard look at the Switch and put some of your classics in the eshop?? I think you’re missing out on some serious $$$!!

Wow, hearing that the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast are getting new editions is rather awesome. Both of those systems have some truly great games.

@impurekind You might wanna read the official press release, or my quote of it in comment #53...

@joey302 Same goes for you.

I am just waiting for this ever flooding market of retro clones to crash. I feel like we get a new one ever other week now.

But I also feel like most people disagree with my preference to have a Virtual Console style service, as opposed to a closet full of retro clones and plug and play systems.

@Heavyarms55 Well, then you've probably got a long wait ahead of you, possibly the rest of your life...

But seriously, though: the AtGames systems, although quite variable in quality and emulation, have been around for years already, and Nintendo will more than likely come up with a few more Classic Mini's, which will in turn encourage other companies to keep churning out their own retro-based products, just like they are doing now, so all or most of them are more than likely here to stay for the next two to three decades...

@ThanosReXXX I legitimately wish for you to be wrong. I just do not understand to appeal to all these silly plug and play, and retro clone systems.

I see little to no benefit to them over a VC system. Even better if that VC system becomes like steam where you buy a game once and it's on your account rather than the device. But even I know that is unlikely.

HDMI Sega Saturn, please please please!

@Heavyarms55 I honestly wouldn't mind being wrong or right, since I do like some of them, but I'm not really an avid collector of them on the other hand, so if they never release any new models of them, then that's fine by me as well.

The reason for the appeal is simple and clear, though. Take the NES and SNES Classic Minis for example: it's convenience but instead of just having digital titles on another system, you still have some physical representation of the actual console that the games were originally published on, which is often what attracts retro enthusiasts or people even mildly interested in these kinds of things.

For me personally, it was also that I have never owned a NES or SNES, because my first Nintendo console was an N64. Before that, I used to play games on a Commodore Amiga, so now actually having the mini version of the SNES, kinda feels like making the collection complete, because I own nearly every Nintendo console and handheld, so I'll be hunting for that NES as well to make up for not having these two consoles originally.

And because they come pre-loaded with games, you don't have to hunt for the ones you want, let alone are able to buy for a reasonable price if you would simply buy an original NES or SNES, because that could easily set you back hundreds of dollars.

So, these little devices are a simple, convenient and versatile solution while still giving you an experience that feels like the real deal, well at least were it concerns the Nintendo Minis, because these other systems don't always look like the real deal.

I do agree with you on buying the VC games only once and having them tied to your account: personally, I haven't double-dipped for any VC games that I already had on my DSi, 3DS or Wii, so it's only a one-time buy for me, regardless of how good a game is, but I also think you're right on that being unlikely, so unfortunately, that would be another thing that no one should be holding their breath for...

Well this article is total crap. It's either a deliberate clickbait-y title or the author hasn't done their research properly, neither of which are good enough quite frankly.

How involved is Sega, or more importantly, how much do they care?
If handled with a bit of love a classic mini Sega Mega Drive, Dreamcast and/or Saturn would go down a treat.
Having read reports on the Super NT, i'd feel better if Analogue had been approached.

They announced controllers. Not sure why NintendoLife is implying that it's more.

Warning: A Sega agent has been planted at NintendoLife.

Well, i don't care about knockoff consoles, i have 2 DCs and it's not like they are expensive.

However, i'd definitely be interested in a wireless DC controller, or a wireless controller adapter.

@Signosis That's not completely due to the Analogue NT guys themselves, but to the tech that they use, which is FPGA-based, so basically anyone with enough knowledge to program an FPGA board, could make such a system work, even we ourselves can buy FPGA's in a box to program or play games on.

The only downside so far is that FPGA's are originally not meant for anything above 16 bit tech, so it could be used for the Genesis/Megadrive, but not for the Saturn or Dreamcast.

Recently, some experimentation has been done with a considerably expensive board to recreate the original PSX, but that is only in it's infancy, so anything higher than that, will not be available for years to come.

There is a project that was already mentioned a couple of times on Nintendo Life called RetroBlox/Polymega, that uses a combo of FPGA and Linux-based emulation, but not a full-on FPGA project for 5th and 6th gen consoles.

But all of that is besides the point, seeing as the article has mistakenly mentioned consoles, when the press release itself is only talking about peripherals and USB-based controllers.

I've quoted the press release in comment #53, in case you're interested. I've also put a link in there.

I think your "retro gods" are raising eyebrows at the topic title.
Not sure if anyone posting after me will read this, but if you do, until it's stated otherwise, this article is about new accessories being made for existing SEGA consoles(and PC/Moblie via USB and Bluetooth).

This is NOT announcing newly-remade SEGA consoles soon to arrive at stores. I repeat, NO SEGA console remakes.

That being said, I would love a new Saturn controller for my PC!

@Linker2A03 Why do u guys keep saying that?

The article clearly states: “No word on exactly what products”

Could be anything, couldn’t it?

Edit: Never mind. I read more in to it off-site. As u were.

And the award for most misleading article of 2017 goes to...

@ThanosReXXX Wait, so it's just a few accessories from those consoles for now?

@Alexface

Literally my first thought as well. I'd gladly import Shining Force 3 Scenario II and III (Already own the first one) if I could patch it on this thing to run in my native language. My Japanese isn't too good and my attempts at Saturn emulation (even with the original discs) hasn't gone well. If this console is supporting USB, there's a shot we could finally play those games with a patch. If I'm not mistaken, other clone consoles support the use of patches anyway.

I'm a big Saturn and DC fan either way, so I'd love to see this, especially for games of X-men vs Street Fighter if it happens to be region free.

@impurekind Yup, that's all they really announced. Additional stuff might come in the future, but for now, that's a BIG if, judging by that official press release.

@Linker2A03 "Not sure if anyone posting after me will read this"

I'd say: have a look at comment #53. And then at several comments that come after that. It seems like only a handful of people (like you, me and @VGScrapbook) have either read the actual press release itself, or have at the very least read all the comments before we rushed down to post our own, to prevent us from looking kind of silly because we posted what somebody else had already said quite a while ago...

after buying the disaster console in the picture (and quickly getting rid of it). I wouldnt hold out any hope there emulation was awfull with captial F never mind the controllers, Will be same as flashback sega consoles. Plastic junk

@ThanosReXXX Dang, I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. Though new controllers would be nice to have, using the term "hardware" right next to (off all things) the Saturn and Dreamcast is a bit disingenuous. Just another reason why I shouldn't comment during my lunch break.

whatever it is, you can rest assure 70% of the people here are going to say its "too expensive" or "ill wait for a 90% price drop" after the pricing is revealed.
we know that much for now.

@ThanosReXXX

As someone pointed out, this won't get me any closer to getting my copy of Panzer Dragoon Saga back, but I do remember that Skies of Arcadia was ported to the Game Cube, so it could, it could, it could (oh, pretty please) be ported to the Switch. I still play that once in a while, but I'd rather have it on my Switch!

At least I can listen to the sound track of Panzer Dragoon Saga. Percussive!

Sorry but I can't believe how bad of a "news story" this is, and how misleading it is. Specially from this site.... The ACTUAL press release is only about "console accessories" and the first ones are controllers for each console.... No where have they stated that they will be making "mini" consoles of any of these systems....While that might be the case, it's far from confirmed....

@AlwaysGreener @impurekind Sorry to be the one to have to disappoint you guys, but there IS a tiny bit of hope left, since they said that controllers would only be the first items they're going to produce, so where there's a first, there's also a second, and a third, and so on, so who knows what other things they're going to manufacture.

But having said all that, I am still curious about these controllers. Wireless controllers for my Dreamcast would certainly be nice...

Cool; I wonder if they’ll include a light gun attachment for House of the Dead and such?