Hyperkin's Portable Genesis / Mega Drive Docks Like A Nintendo Switch

So it's a modern Sega Nomad. As fun as it would be to relive my Nomad days, I just don't see myself using it. I still have my Game Gear but aside from that, portable gaming was destroyed for me by the Playstation Vita and the way Sony eviscerated early adopters.

@Uncharted2007

are saying you wont play a handheld because of lingering negative feelings about Vita? 🤔

this looks cool btw. if i had a whole stack of genesis games id get one, but ive played shining force 2, phelios, and castlevania bloodlines to death already 😂

On one hand, this is a really cool tribute to the Nomad. On the other, it's entering such a saturated market for this kind of device that I can't figure out what this brings to the table that isn't covered by a competitor.

I guess the cartridge slot? But is that such a big selling point on a portable device? I love my old Genesis carts, but I have no interest in taking them on the go.

@-wc- I'll play them but won't buy them. If I'm gaming, I far prefer the big screen and frankly, my time for gaming and my interest in modern gaming have dwindled significantly over the years.

The Sega Pilgrim

@Uncharted2007
the vita thing doesn't make sense to me, and that's okay, but i pretty much feel the exact same way.

i generally have 0 to 30 minutes to game a day, and i prefer to spend those minutes on my tv, and big speakers 👍

if i have idle time, it's quite brief, and healthier for me to take a breath and think or meditate on that time. yeah, I'm getting old 😅

A lot of negativity for what looks like a really cool handheld, especially for a Hyperkin product. Do people hate Hyperkin?

Not everyone wants to spend $500 on a Sega Nomad that eats batteries and will probably need a new screen or new internal components.

I really like the design of this device and the only other alternative(that plays carts) that I know of is that Columbus Circle MD Pocket which is questionable in terms of quality.

I’m really interested in this device if the price is right I will definitely bite hope you can use an ever drive I really like the look of it

"As for what kind of tech is inside, it is rumoured that the MegaRetroN HD doesn't use software emulation, and instead employs a system which is closer to FPGA – although it is not believed that it's a full FPGA solution, so don't expect the same level of accuracy."

So it is essentially system on a chip with parts that are a close approximation of the originals but not quite and will probably have something else to boost performance or sound or something.

@Hexapus I don't think anyone "hates" Hyperkin. It's just a really niche device entering a space already crowded with more versatile hardware.

We still don't have a price on this, but the Anbernic RG ARC has a nearly identical layout and is relatively inexpensive. What would incline someone to choose this instead?

I don't really understand the point of this. If it had Master System/Game Gear support too I could see it having an audience. Just Genesis seems like a waste of potential, especially if it's carts only with no microsd support. Also not crazy about the form factor. If you're gonna make a modern Nomad, then make a modern Nomad, not this PS Portal "just slap a screen in the middle of the controller" look they went with.

@Razieluigi Some people want to play their original carts. I've seen people ask if there was a cheaper Nomad alternative. There is something to be said about taking a MD cart out of it's clamshell, popping into a console and playing only that game.
Perhaps it's the nostalgia factor but it is a slightly different experience. I think people that are into Evercade handhelds might agree.

I already have a Anbernic 351P that I use regularly as well as some cheaper handhelds, so I do get your point. However, I don't think there should be a limit to how many handhelds are available. I would bet that if this was Analogue brand handheld, no one would be complaining.

Edit: There are also hardliners that are dead set against emulation/roms(even though they probably emulate old games on modern hardware). To some emulation is not accurate(lag/stuttering), illegal, immoral, or all of the above. This would be a way for them to have a handheld without breaking copyright laws. I'm not saying I agree with them but there are a lot of people out there that are anti-emulation full stop.

I always wanted a Sega Nomad. This l looks like it could be a great modern alternative. And with the ability to dock and play on modern TVs.

If it turns out well and the price is right, I will absolutely get it. I still have my old Genesis cartridges and always want new ways to play them.

@Hexapus I get the cart thing and alluded to it above. I have a MegaSG that I love for that exact reason.

It just makes less sense to me for a portable console.

That said, I don't begrudge anybody that finds this thing interesting (especially if they've always wanted a Nomad). But I wonder how the economics work out for Hyperkin, because it seems to me that this would appeal to a very small audience.

I don't get why Hyperkin kept adding 16:9 aspect ratio into these product that only plays older games, it is pointless and doesn't make the games look any better. Unless they are planning to add more cores compatibility for playing other platforms in there like arcade, GBA, Game Gear, Game Boy, etc., platforms that would make sense to use other aspect ratio outside of 4:3 but this thing will just be compatible with Genesis, Mega Drive and probably Sega Master System games only so why the constant addition of 16:9 is questionable.

As far as I know the original SupaBoy they made with the LCD screens were only 4:3 but ever since they started making those newer SupaBoy models with the wider IPS screens they started forcing 16:9 into the mix, heck the SupaBoy S model was force into 16:9 entirely stretching every Super NES games to God awful mode without any 4:3 option. It was a huge mistake until they quickly fix it with the next two models the SupaBoy SFC and SupaBoy SFC Gold which retain the 4:3 option but somehow still kept the 16:9. It looks like Hyperkin doesn't want to let go of the 16:9 aspect ratio anytime soon.