Retro gaming means something slightly different depending on your generation. For millennials, it is typically late 90s/early 2000s console or PC gaming. For GenXers, the late 8-bit and 16-bit eras are the retro games hotspot.
I’m in that category, and absolutely adore the 16-bit era. Today, we’re looking specifically at new releases for SEGA’s 16-bit console, it’s last successful platform before the Sony PlayStation came along and stole its audience. It speaks volumes that the SEGA Genesis and Mega Drive are still catered for, 27 years after SEGA built its last unit.
There is an absolute ton of SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive game news to share with you, so let’s get into it.
New Games and Ports for the SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis
Okay, here’s a quick run down of the new games and ports coming to the SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis.
First up, Captain Barrel, from Neo Byte Force, which is a very cool looking platformer, coming not just to the SEGA 16-bit but also Dreamcast, as well as Neo Geo, PSP, Atari Jaguar… amazingly, not the Amiga (yet).
Here’s the X/Twitter announcement, and a video:
The Captain Barrel demo is available on Itch.io.
Looking for a game to play this Christmas? The SNES version of Batman Returns has been ported to the SEGA Mega Drive and Genesis. The side-scrolling shooter gets a bit of an upgrade on the SEGA systems, too, with not just two-player co-op, but 60FPS as well. Check this out, Batfans:
And if you like side scrolling beat-em-ups, the Irem fighter Vigilante, an early entry in the Arcade Archives series, is being ported to Mega Drive by a fan.
Vigilante for Sega MegaDrive.
Some gameplay update and extremely faithful musics by @VTRCHIPMUSIC
Enjoy !
#SegaGenesis#MegaDrive#Homebrew#IndieDev#SGDK
— Fabrice Fernandez 🇫🇷 (@Fabio_16bits)
2:15 PM • Nov 22, 2024
There is no release date for Vigilante at this time.
The amazing looking Earthion is a new shoot-em-up coming out in 2025, not only for Mega Drive/Genesis, but also on arcade systems (via exA-Arcadia). Earthion looks absolutely belting, do not miss this when it arrives.
Finally, you still have time to back the beat-em-up Kirito The Game on Kickstarter. it has already passed its £16,563 thanks to 434 backers, so it seems likely to be produced. Digital only and physical versions of the game are planned for release. A downloadable demo of Kirito is available to try.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
