If Sega has just announced the launch of the Mega Drive Mini 2, fans hoped to see a redesign of the Dreamcast or the Saturn one day. We will have to take our troubles patiently, the manufacturer preferred to abandon the idea because of the shortage of semiconductors. The manufacturing cost of new processors is too high.
In September 2019, Sega responded to Nintendo and its Mini versions of the NES and SNES by releasing the Mega Drive Mini. The fans were present at the rendezvous and the reissue of Sega’s cult console quickly found a buyer.
Of course, players were hoping to see other consoles from the manufacturer return to the mini format. This June 3, 2022, Sega confirmed during a livestream the official launch of the Mega Drive Mini 2. Available in October 2022 on Japanese soil, the machine will be equipped with 50 integrated games from the Mega Drive and Mega CD catalog. For the moment, no information concerning a release in France and other Western markets.
Nevertheless, it should be known that the Mega Drive Mini 2 was not the only console considered for a passage in miniature. Indeed, the fans have made it clear on the forums of the Japanese manufacturer. The two machines they want to see back are the Dreamcast and the Saturn!
Sega abandons the idea of a Dreamcast Mini because of the shortage
During the livestream dedicated to the launch of the Mega Drive Mini 2, Yosuke Okunari, historical figure of Sega, confirmed that the firm had worked on the design of mini models of these two cult consoles.
Only, the shortage of semiconductors and electronic components discouraged Sega. Indeed, it should be noted that these two machines display a significantly higher power than that of the Mega Drive Mini 2. In fact, it was imperative to embark on the production of new processors for these Mini variants of the Dreamcast and the Saturn.
However, Sega has made initial estimates of the costs of the operation, and according to the company, the purchase price of a Dreamcast Mini or a Saturn Mini could have rivaled that of a modern console like the Switch or the PS5. You will agree, it is clear that Sega would hardly have met with success with a retro console sold between 300 and 500 euros. Hope is still allowed, Sega could very well relaunch the project when the shortage is over.
Source : Eurogamer
