Mega Sg

The Mega Sg is a home video game console manufactured by Analogue, released in 2019. It runs games developed for the Sega Genesis, Master System, Game Gear and SG-1000, systems released by Sega in the 1980s and early 1990s during the fourth generation of consoles.^[3] Rather than emulate games, the Mega Sg uses FPGA chips that replicate the original system hardware.

Mega Sg

Manufacturer	Analogue
Type	Home video game console
Release date	March 25, 2019^[1]
Introductory price	$190^[2]
Media	Game cartridges, Game cards, SD card
CPU	Altera Cyclone V
Display	HDMI (1080p, 720p, 480p) at 50/60 Hz
Sound	48kHz, 16-bit, digital over HDMI
Connectivity	Sega Genesis & Sega Mega Drive style controller ports (2), HDMI output, Micro USB input (power only)
Website	www.analogue.co/mega-sg/

Features

The Mega Sg features 1080p HDMI, digital audio (48 kHz 16-bit), and original Genesis-style controller ports. Kevin Horton engineered Mega Sg to use an Altera Cyclone V to match the Genesis hardware logic with very high accuracy^{[citation needed]} and also provided extra features, such as the option to scale the original 240p video output to different resolutions up to 1080p 60 Hz. Phil Fish, the designer of Fez, designed the user interface,^[4] and Arca composed the startup audio.^[5] It includes an unreleased Genesis game from 1994, Hardcore, renamed Ultracore due to licensing problems.^[6][7]

Limited edition

 

Konsolation cover art

Record label Hyperdub collaborated with Analogue on a limited edition Mega Sg with a Sega Genesis music cartridge called Konsolation featuring unreleased music from artists such as Burial, Scratcha DVA, and Ikonika.^[8][9] Konsolation was created in an edition of 1,000 units as part of Hyperdub's 15th anniversary celebration.^[10]

Track listing

No.	Title	Artist	Length
1.	"Starlore"	Burial	6:58
2.	"Mega Wasp"	Scratcha DVA	3:29
3.	"Git Gud"	Ikonika	2:31
4.	"Bobby"	Jessy Lanza & Jeremy Greenspan	4:30
5.	"Flakier Whelk"	Proc Fiskal	4:06
6.	"Segatrack"	Lee Gamble	2:16
7.	"Altered Interzone"	Mana	3:25
8.	"Check Check"	Cooly G	2:42
9.	"Yula"	Nazar	2:05
10.	"FF"	DJ Taye	2:18
11.	"Spiral Unlock"	Kode9	2:12

Reception

The Guardian gave the Mega Sg four out of five, writing: "Playing Streets of Rage 2 or Comix Zone on this thing is like experiencing a remastered recording of a favourite album, or a digitally restored version of a classic movie ... the Mega Sg makes Sonic and all the other games I have tried feel fresh and contemporary."^[11]

The Mega Sg was named the Time best inventions of 2019 award,^[12] an Editor's Choice Award from Wired,^[13] an Editor's Choice Award from Tom's Guide,^[14] an Editor's Choice Award from IGN^[15] and an Editor's Choice Award from PCMag.^[16]

Engadget game the console an 86/100, with one of the only complaints being a lack of 32X compatibility.^[17]

References

1. Wheeler, CJ (March 16, 2019). "There's A Sassy New 1080p Mega Drive And It's Arriving This Month". Kotaku UK.
2. Grant, Christopher (25 March 2019). "Mega SG review". Polygon. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
3. "Sega Genesis finally gets the HD console it deserves". Polygon.com.
4. "This sleek console plays old Sega cartridges on your new TV". Theverge.com. 16 October 2018.
5. "Arca Composes Start-Up Music for New Sega Genesis Console Remake: Listen". Pitchfork. 15 March 2019.
6. Grant, Christopher (February 22, 2019). "Unreleased Genesis game will come bundled with the premium Mega Sg clone". Polygon. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
7. Machkovech, Sam (31 March 2019). "The Analogue Mega Sg answers why anyone would pay $190 for a new Sega Genesis". Ars Technica. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
8. Deahl, Dani (December 4, 2019). "Analogue and Hyperdub have teamed up for a limited edition Sega Genesis album". The Verge. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
9. "Burial Previews New Song From Sega Genesis Remake: Listen". Pitchfork. 4 December 2019.
10. Bruce-Jones, Henry (December 4, 2019). "Burial featured on Sega Mega Drive music cartridge compilation". Fact. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
11. Stuart, Keith (2019-04-03). "The Sega Mega Drive for connoisseurs: Analogue Mega Sg review". the Guardian. Retrieved 2020-12-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
12. "Gaming for Posterity". Time Magazine.
13. "The Mega SG Gives Old Sega Genesis Cartridges an Extra Life". Wired. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
14. Ismail, Adam (25 March 2019). "Analogue Mega Sg Review: The Sega Genesis Your Nostalgia Deserves". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2021-04-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
15. Analogue Mega Sg Review - IGN, retrieved 2021-04-28
16. Greenwald, Will (March 27, 2019). "Analogue Mega Sg Review". PCMag.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
17. Hines, Z. (March 27, 2019). "The Analogue Mega SG wins the retro gaming console war". Engadget. Retrieved 19 May 2022.

External links

• Official website
• Official website for Konsolation