Sega's Astro City Mini - Review

Well, was it any good?
I'm now on Patreon! Help support the channel.
/ segalordx
Check out my Sega Lord X merchandise page!
segalordx.thre...
If you would like to support the channel directly:
www.paypal.me/...
Head over to Facebook to hear me ramble about various things:
/ segalordx
I'm now on Twitter!
/ sega_lord_x
Opening 3D Logo By:
Jan Neves
KZbin Page - / jan3d
Opening 2D Animation By:
Kevin Bhall
Facebook - / kevin.bhall.14
Episode Notes:
1. This guy retails for around the $140/$150 mark. Amazon Japan is the cheapest place I've seen it new.
2. I ordered a Astro City Mini pad, but I ain't happy about it. Sega really went the scummy route on this one.
3. The scanline feature looks worse here than I've seen on other devices. They are just too big and dark to be useful.
4. Virtua Fighter is not an easy game. Trying to beat Akira and Dural on the default difficulty with that tony stick and buttons has been brutal. I have taken a dozen losses trying it.
5. To get back to the menu you need to press the coin and start buttons together. I forgot to mention that in the video.
6. The screen and stereo speakers really are nice on this thing. They really put some great effort into the build and physical quality of it.

[@shaunbowen]

We need Model 1, Model 2 and Model 3 Collections, on consoles and Steam.

[@KannX]

That's what I was going to say. That would be amazing!

[@seenoweevil1991]

@@KannX Same. Come on, Sega!

[@heavysystemsinc.]

I'm down for a model 2 collection. Last Bronx, Fighting Vipers, Dead or Alive...I'm there, dude.

[@lurkerrekrul]

Don't get your hopes up for a home version of Sega's Star Wars games though. I doubt Disney would clear the license.

[@shaunbowen]

We also NEED a Sega 'light gun games' collection for VR headsets. Imagine Virtua Cop or House of the Dead where you could actually look around!

[@tom11zz884]

Finally the definitive review on this device by a Qualified SEGA expert...thanks

[@SegaLordX]

Haha, I’m no expert. But I appreciate you value my opinion.

[@tom11zz884]

@@SegaLordX You have more knowledge than most about stuff related to SEGA

[@JohnPannozzi]

@@FloridaEbikes and Daniel Ibbertson.

[@aquamich129]

@@SegaLordX you are definitively a youtiber to listen to. Not a fanboy. Quite relevant and informative trust me

[@bruceg22000]

It's beneficial that he knows how the games are supposed to play so he can accurately comment on the emulation quality.

[@SilverAxe13]

The only review I need right here. Rock on, SLX, and Merry Christmas!

[@zero-theaveragegamer1159]

My thoughts exactly about the review itself.

[@zero-theaveragegamer1159]

@matt fahringer well I was more being polite, I have other questions like curious about the hacking scene and what people will do. Will it be able to be hacked and ROMs be put on it or maybe even overclocked for better performance? Worth it at all for arcade emulation or should I stick with my series X to emulate literally everything?

[@f-zerogx2624]

He’a not gonna reply you. He has 77K subscribers, he thinks he’s a big shot on KZbin.

[@VirajKathwadia]

@@f-zerogx2624 He replied to me. I don't think he thinks he' a big shot, I find his manner to be that of a humble man.

[@SeaToSkyImages]

The amount of extremely high quality content you're putting out these days is pretty inspiring, SLX. You're one of my favourite channels.

[@markmooney8055]

Thanks! 🥰

[@ninjapants7688]

"If you walked into a Japanese arcade in the mid-90s, you would see plenty of these machines lining the walls" Lived in Japan and recently went back in late 2018, they're still lining the walls now.

[@Rationalific]

@Florida Bikes and Gear: Fighting evil by moonlight; Winning love by daylight; Never running from a real fight; She is the one named Sailor Moon!

[@ForeverWinter1812]

For anyone who's interested in ordering the Astro Mini. Order it off Amazon Japan. I paid $211.00 for the Astro City Mini, the piggy bank stand, and one of the controllers. And it arrived to me within a week. Amazon Japan does not mess around with shipping.

[@ronbuil6923]

damn dude, what's the retail price? that's a lot of money

[@Rountree1985]

lmao you threw away that much money

[@ForeverWinter1812]

@@ronbuil6923 to be fair my custom Wireless arcade stick with all Korean Parts is $600 in parts and labor. So it's all relative to what you value things. The unit itself was $118. The controller was $24. And the piggy bank was $40. Stupidly overpriced. So $184 before shipping. But this got here within a week and I got 2-day priority mail from Texas that still hasn't showed up after 2 weeks... I know a lot of people have no interest in the system but I am because once this is hacked and you can load more games on it, it'll be perfect for me to play on the go. Do an internal battery mod, put a bigger screen on it. Just a perfect little tinkertoy for my needs. 😎

[@maxg6321]

@@Rountree1985 sorry you're broke

[@Tolbat]

Thank you so much for covering this. Pre-ordered mine months ago, it came Friday and we have been playing games since. My family loves it and I am so proud to add it to my collection. The cabinet holds no nastalgia for me either but it is awesome. Love it.

[@Tolbat]

Oh and the six buttons are awesome

[@Tolbat]

Buy the astro city mini controllers or it's pointless.

[@nintendive]

@@Tolbat Only pointless if you have big hands, I don’t so 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Tolbat]

@@nintendive for hours of play and multiplayer, but thats my opinion. Enjoy it, love mine.

[@ndiolo]

Virtua Fighter is only slow when you play on HDMI When you play on the Astro mini itself, no slowdown at all !

[@ultimateman55]

For $150 I think it's perfectly reasonable to expect a smooth VF experience, the ability to plug in a reasonably common USB controller, and dip switch access. Glad they got many things right with this release but can't say I would even consider spending that kind of money on something with these flaws.

[@JustinLeeper]

I only played Death Adder for the first time at a famous retro arcade here in Tokyo. It’s pretty fun! (By the way, arcades are called “game centers” here. “Arcade” means covered shopping streets to Japanese people)

[@buckdancer421]

Man, we need a Saturn Mini!

[@mrlaidback83]

And a Dreamcast Mini as well.

[@VirajKathwadia]

Prediction is we'll get a Master System Mini sooner.

[@Daniel-it1dp]

I want to get one just so I can finally say I have an Astro City Arcade cabinet XD

[@frankiepaul9869]

You should do that. If it makes you happy then just do it. I support you "not financially", but still.

[@esprithk]

Just to let you know, you can use other controller/fighting stick by connect Mayflash MAGIC-NS adapter(updated to V.1.28 or higher firmware and set to "white light"). I use HORI Fighting stick mini 4 now. After Mayflash Magic NS is updated firmware to v1.28 or higher, user must switch the mode to "white light" while connecting to a PC, MAC, or LINUX computer. Then, you can connect your "white light" Magic NS to Sega Astro City. Now you can use XBOX One controller(wireless), PS4 controller(wireless), and Nintendo Switch Pro controller(wireless) on your Sega Astro City mini. You can also use HORI fighting stick mini on it

[@esprithk]

for PS4 wireless pairing. user press "PS + Share" at the same time. for XBOX wireless pairing, press "X" and it will flash slowly. Then press the "pairing button" for few sec and wait. for NS Pro controller, simply press "pairing button" for few sec and wait.

[@jfralick83]

Even though I never grew up in Japanese arcades I played a few of these games at Aladdin’s Castle and in the early 00’s a lot of Japanese exclusives I played on MAME. After seeing your review I now have no regrets purchasing and am excited to play it when I get my pre order!! Thanks for the excellent review!

[@ValhalenDZ]

Really enjoying mine, it's a shame there isn't Outrun or Afterburner on this considering they have so many others from the time period

[@VirajKathwadia]

I agree, Super Hang On or Hang On would have also been nice.

[@-haso]

Seeing the side by side of VF, I can’t help but feel a Sega Ages release of it is coming soon.

[@tinlunlau1]

We had an arcade in Toronto that had Sega Astro City cabinets. So many memories

[@superpcengine]

the astro city controller is worth it. one of the best dpads i've used in my life. get it!

[@VirajKathwadia]

Indeed it is a solid D pad!

[@DafyddBrooks]

This gives me more and more hopes that the Saturn mini will be a reality one day :)

[@mrlaidback83]

Even though I still have an original Dreamcast, I'm still hoping Sega releases a Dreamcast Mini as well.

[@DafyddBrooks]

@@mrlaidback83 YEP i can go with that too :). i know they said it would take a long time though because of the hardware but fingers crossed though man :)

[@jonli9488]

Thank you for the review. Merry Christmas everyone and Happy Holidays

[@Rountree1985]

lmao

[@atomiswave2]

Wish they had a usa release

[@Tolbat]

Ordered from Amazon japan it was pretty painless.

[@thecunninlynguist]

@@Tolbat ditto. came earlier than I expected too. Thought it was coming after Xmas.

[@Tolbat]

@@thecunninlynguist same and it has english, bonus

[@johnhess9443]

That hurts me about the quality of VF.. I was really hoping for a finally arcade perfect version I can play at home. One of my favorite games. Looks fantastic otherwise. Hopefully they release a VF collection in the future. Long overdue.

[@jimechols4347]

Virtua fighter using mame emulator for PC should be perfect by now.

[@davidt3563]

It's really disappointing to hear that the other controllers don't work. I was really looking forward to this.

[@rexon31]

the japanese megadrive six button controllers work fine , remember this was made for the japanese market not us

[@barbul666]

You can get around it, I connected the Daija Arcade Stick (joy and Sanwa buttons as in a dedicated stick) via an adapter - it works like a charm. A great piece of hardware, if they only used a 4: 3 screen, add a built-in battery, and instead of the 3 Columns version add Out Run and Spider-man: the Video Game, it would be perfect.

[@VirtuaBros]

Thanks for covering the emulation quality of vf1. I was wondering about that.

[@PixelShade]

Awesome review! You have my full trust Sega Lord X. :) To be honest, it would be great if these companies allowed us to buy ROMs instead. Because the homebrew scene does a much better job emulating these games than official releases. I'm super happy that the Sega Genesis Classics Collection on Steam came with binary ROM files, just rename them and use them in a proper emulator. RetroArch allows the option "run ahead" which basically eliminates input lag. The shader option (together with integer scaling) is amazing! especially on 4K displays. These filters are not just black lines added for novelty, they actually have a real rgb/scanline-pixel matrix that convey the feeling of a real CRT with smooth rounded pixels, contrast glow etc. Yeah, I will always be an emulator guy. However, I will still throw my money at companies like SEGA. I don't like piracy but I would like to conserve my video game history and be able to play these games the best way possible.

[@JohnPannozzi]

You said it. I still want an Astro City Mini, tho.

[@RobGMun]

Its an awful review. A friend down the road as a unit and SegaLord X is completely inaccurate!

[@TheRealDustinNunn]

What really shines is the Astro City arcade stick controller.

[@TheBdomijan]

There is a cheap Mayflash USB adapter that lets you use almost any usb controller (I use my switch pro controller for example) on the Astro city mini. You may want to update this fact FYI. ✌️

[@AdamDoree]

I found that the performance in VF (frame rate drop during replays etc) varied (or rather, was not noticeable at all) depending on which screen is used. On my 4K Sony OLED, it has the same frame rate issues seen in this review, and yeah it's a bother. But on an older 1080p Sony LCD panel it seems fine -- and even on the unit's screen itself it seems fine. (Incidentally, it feels more responsive in those better performance cases). So it might be worth testing a few screens and/or screen settings to see what you get. When it's working properly, VF looks and plays STUNNING on Astro City Mini. Huge fan of the channel, SLX!

[@RyoGuiRen]

It's worth an investigation. In my case I noticed VF replay slowdown only when connected to TV, while it runs smooth when played on Astro City Mini directly. I'll try to connect to another TV too.

[@VirajKathwadia]

Which Model Sony OLED TV you using?

[@AdamDoree]

@@VirajKathwadia AG9 / A9G

[@VirajKathwadia]

@@AdamDoree Interesting as I don't seem to have those problems on my older A1.

[@foojae]

I would pick it up if maybe price drops to like $50 and they start selling it on Amazon US. Otherwise I can live without this one. Hope they release AMD Model 2 version of this cabinet with model 2 arcade games in the future with the fixes you mentions. Maybe then I would jump on it earlier on.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

I'm hoping they do a compilation called like Astro City Sega collection or something that includes these games. I'd much rather pay for a game digital or physical then have to get this thing with all it's issues.

[@Nintenbro.]

That intro gave me chills because of how good it was. Nice job

[@dariusq8894]

I picked up the Mega Drive Mini while in Japan last year and can confirm the official 6-button pads do work. The Mode button even acts like the Coin button so you can access the menus quickly. My only real complaint about the unit controls is that the stick has enough resistance that sometimes the whole cabinet will shift trying to move it.

[@S.Madman]

Virtual fighter is an arcade emulation using the driver set that it's on MAME. All the glitches are identical.

[@A392Hz]

it's "virtua" not "virtual"

[@S.Madman]

@@A392Hz no it's バーチャファイター, Bācha Faitā but everyone knows what I meant.

[@LeShark75]

My Astro Mini with extra controller should be with me next week. I cant wait to sink some time into Wonder Boy. Nice video, thanks.

[@n0isyturtle]

All I want is a full collection of Super Scaler games in a mini format with a wheel and pedals. All I need from life right now.

[@Lightblue2222]

I hear Arabian Fight emulation is usually filled with glitches but that this version works

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

Played at the arcade on his dedicated cabinet, awesome cabinet worthy every token

[@segaristar1655]

Works really well on this

[@liamconverse8950]

I was in Tokyo on a layover and took a train over to an old style arcade, it was all sit down machines like this and they all took like 50 or 100 yen per credit. I think it was way better than the old American stand up cabinets

[@KhalDrogo493]

One hint on translating is using the Google Translate on camera mode looking at the screen on a fixed position. You can check the phone screen if you want to see what is written. Tedious, so do it if you really want the translations.

[@eeews]

I've tested some controllers. Japanese version of MD mini controller does work and 8-bitdo M30 2.4G controller for genesis Mini also works fine on AstroCity Mini.

[@VirajKathwadia]

Oh wow, thats really good I didn't know about the 8-bitdo M30 that means you have a wireless controller that works for it. AWESOME!

[@teddym2808]

Good news, it's been 2 years but I am playing VF in retroarch and it's working brilliantly today :)

[@MikeC-ps1tc]

Awesome review and presentation as always SLX!! So many of those arcade games have a sweet spot in my memory! I used to live right behind an arcade, got to be a janitor to earn quarters for the games.

[@heycolorwind]

Wish they would release these games in a collection on modern consoles. This Astro City mini idea is cool but it's a little too esoteric for me. It's a bit too much of a novelty, especially with the size of the control and screen, and the controller compatibility issues.

[@shaggymcdaniel3216]

Looks like I’ll be purchasing the arcade controller. Mark from Retro Core said only the Genesis Mini controller worked, but I forgot that he lives in Japan. 🤷

[@sjorspion]

The 8bitdo m30 2.4g with usb dongle that I bough for my sega megadrive mini works on the Astro Mini!😃

[@JeffYPbPr]

Arcade stick is sold out and is going for 300 plus aftermarket

[@stabinghobo57]

@@JeffYPbPr After I realized that the Astro City Mini is nearly unplayable without the add on Arcade stick or controller, the exclusive arcade stick for the mini is sold out. 😒

[@stabinghobo57]

@@sjorspion just plug in my 8Bitdo M30 2.4G controller into the player 1 usb slot on the Astro City Mini and it doesn’t work for me.

[@sjorspion]

@@stabinghobo57 That's weird. This is all I do.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/equ9XqynpbGbZ9k

[@doctorhino8736]

It looks nice but I think I learned my lesson on the neo geo mini that they aren't that practical. Some exclusive ports make this an awesome collectors item and it would look nice on a display next to other similar micro arcades.

[@Tolbat]

It looks amazing

[@mrchineseable]

received mine this week, as well as the controllers. This is so good. love these games and the pads are solidly made. Would have liked dip switch availability but overall I am a happy camper.

[@悪魔城下町]

Nice history lesson on the Japanese arcade. The lack of dip switch settings is a deal breaker for me. 😕

[@DCGX]

My unit was delivered a couple of days ago, and I'm really happy with it. Small things like being about to reorganize the main menu, having a dedicated pause button (you have to press both of the smaller buttons at the same time) and a few more options per game would've been nice. 'Virtua Fighter' does feel too slow, but the screen and stereo speakers are great. I did get the regular gamepad right away, which was around $20 when I preordered the Mini from Amazon Japan. I debated on getting the standalone Astro City Mini arcade stick, but they cost nearly as much as the Mini itself! Crazy.

[@figment1988]

Here's my take on the whole thing. I got mine last December, and this is an amazing unit. And i do agree with the issues of Virtua Fighter, but this is something that is quite forgivable. As for the fact that most of the games are the Japanese versions, they aren't too bad. In fact some games are very notable differences. Examples of said differences: * the ASM version of Golden Axe uses a Japanese romset which includes an extra demo where Ax Battler decapitates a Longmoan and blood is shown on the screen, and the Player Select text in that screen drips blood a-la Mortal Kombat II's fatality text. * since the japanese version of Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder is used, you aren't forced to go through all the stages like in the International and US romset. Now, as for the vertical orientation games, Sega recently announced a new variant of the Astro City Mini known as the Astro City Mini V which focuses on vertical oriented games which includes Zaxxon, Action Fighter, Wrestle War, Desert Breaker, and in addition to those Sega games, Sega has teamed up with M2 and Hamster to add 3rd party games from companies like Eighting (Armed Police Batrider), Nichibitsu (Moon Cresta, Terra Cresta, and Cosmo Police Galivan), Seibu Kaihatsu (Raiden), Toaplan (V5/Grind Stormer, Truxton 1 and 2, and Out Zone) and Video System (Aero Fighters).

[@RUOK2000]

Yes mate thank you for this. As a Astro City owner myself I wanted to pick one of these up as a cool collectable but the 16:9 and lack of good pad kill it for me at $200

[@deepflake9214]

Yeah, I own an Astro city too, and the 16:9 screen is a proper heresy on this mini. I won't buy it because of that.

[@lurkinginshadows1141]

Thank you for posting your honest thoughts on this device instead of parroting flowery platitudes, Sega Lord X. I had a gut feeling that I would need a separate controller with this, so I preordered both when this was first listed at Amazon Japan. My final cost (slightly less than $170) was a bit pricier than my comfort level ($120 would have been my sweet spot), but I am glad to hear that I made a right choice. Keep up the good work!

[@davistobia1425]

Alright. Let's go. The only review that holds water when it come to sega!!

[@Novapoid]

Excellent review and very fair. I personally believe that so far only the SNES Mini has managed to feel really worth it out of all the mini-consoles. The thing is, I can never shake off the feeling of these companies being a bit too greedy for their own good (in detriment of the fans)...they either make you pay for a must-own accesory (like the astro pad), cheap out on the size of the screen or the components or, the worst sin of all, include HALF the amount of games they truly should. When you consider this is all emulation and the audience for this is very much aware of emulation, it really baffles me that they don't want to offer a truly "bang for your buck".

[@hi_tech_reptiles]

Did you try Dinput and Xinput on the RetroBit pads? Theres a button combo to hold to switch, I always forget it but its in the manual slip.

[@psirensongs]

Start+B, lol. Had to memorize it to play anything with it on PC.

[@opaljk4835]

There’s a few real deal Astro city machines here in Brooklyn, I think one is at Mikeys Hook up in Williamsburg, if anyone in NY is wondering where they can see this thing in action for reals

[@kodoyama]

I love the optional money box base that completes the cab. Will definitely pick up one of those when I get this.

[@IgoByaGo]

I'm seriously about to spend over $200 for Shadow Dancer....

[@papasnejk87]

i spent almost 900 British Pounds for a full sized arcade cabinet

[@chilly6470]

Shadow Dancer.............I'm with ya!

[@matthewpordes3224]

Sonic fans are never late to the party. The others are just waiting around not knowing what they have been missing.

[@SimianScience]

i was part of that dreamcast crowd. i was mad they stopped making consoles and moved on to xbox and have been since. i owned them all and i feel 360 onward is what sega's consoles would be like if they hadnt exited

[@stevenart1988]

It would have been easy for you to produce an unboxing video showcasting some first impressions of the hardware, or to gloss over any downsides, so I appreciate that you were able to invest some real time with your purchase and come away with some caveats that different types of consumers would need to consider, while understanding some of the points brought up will vary in priority subjectively. For some, no price or peripheral requirement is too much, but even being a die-hard fan doesn't mean handwaving or accepting all shortcomings. And on the topic of 'different types of consumers', I also appreciate the consideration taken at the start of the video on the different generations of Sega fans. The SG-1000 era of Sega isn't the most popular or widely-known selection of the company's software overseas, so it would reasonable to think the niche demographic of people interested in this machine in the first place, would go without saying. But there are enough people who are on the fence, have a casual interest in Sega, or happen across your video by chance, that it helps for them to know where their interest in lies and what they see as the "Sega games" they come to know and love.

[@thmalex]

It is compatible with MEGA Drive Mini 6 button pad. The button mappings are exactly the same. Mode button is for insert coin.

[@googleboughtmee]

The Japanese mega drive mini pads defiinitely work. I wonder what the difference is with them? I'm put off by the 16:9 screen causing such large borders around the display, it spoils the looks for me.

[@ClaudioGomboli]

I cancelled my preorder when I noticed the 16:9 screen... 😒

[@goemon74]

He SLX great review. I found out that the mayflash f300 fightstick works perfectly on this unit. I also bought the pads for this mini arcade they are not bad at all

[@yeyeibarra]

I tried using the mayflash f300 elite, but it didn’t recognize the stick. Maybe my settings were incorrect on the stick. I’ll have to try again.

[@goemon74]

@@yeyeibarra found another one that works. The 8bitdo wireless black sega genesis mini and the m30 8bitdo wireless controller

[@yeyeibarra]

Oh! It indeed works. Thanks for the tip!

[@dadrising6464]

You ! you, sir, saved me 50 bucks ordering the gamepad. i wanted to find out first, if my mayflash works. thx alot. that stick is plain awesome, working on near anything ;)

[@davemurrells3780]

I wish they released a Sega Model 2 version instead with Daytona, Sega Rally etc

[@shadowflash705]

will be too expensive. Model 2 emulation isn't something you can do with a cheap ARM single board computer.

[@elfiebranford9330]

Man, I just love miniature consoles or game things. I don't know what it is, but something about small gaming that is also a collectible is just soooo good.

[@leeg12000]

Loving your content as always and appreciate all the hard work you put in to your videos. Merry Christmas SLX.

[@SegaLordX]

Same to you man. Have a good one.

[@SmileRYO]

I can confirm the 6 button Megadrive controllers work

[@TheTrueBro]

I checked on twitter, and apparently the Retrobit controllers do work, but you need to input Z+Mode when turning the Mini on to map the buttons. Take it with a grain of salt, though.

[@TheTrueBro]

twitter.com/retrobitgaming/status/1341067682649493505?s=21 So uh, Retro Bit themselves have already spoken, their wired controllers are supported. Unfortunately they don't specify how.

[@Lightblue2222]

I watched a Japanese video of someone testing usb controllers. Everything failed but the Genesis 6 button or the 6 button made for it you can buy for it seperately.

[@Lightblue2222]

Btw he couldn't get his retrobit to work but maybe he didnt know the trick. Not sure what 6 button he used since I cant speak japanese but it looked like a black Sega brand.

[@hjalmarjohnson5846]

Now, how cool would it be if we got a *Blast* city mini?!?

[@BushinRyuCat]

Ive heard that product name before (around the time of the Astro Mini reveal). Why is that special?

[@hjalmarjohnson5846]

@@BushinRyuCat It's another, similar candy cab by sega. It's a little newer, and to some people's taste a little more stylish. In the full size models the monitor was nicer in the blast (tri-sync), and a lot of them run Naomi hardware these days. There's not a lot of *huge* differences TBH, but it'd be neat to have the "city" collection fully miniaturized. There's a "Net city" as well, which came out in 1999.

[@BushinRyuCat]

If you want *TRUE* Sega criticism, or earned Sega praise....💙THIS💙 man is the one to come to 👍 Thanks, SLX

[@simon41978]

I bought the Astro City Mini, the controller and the Arcade Stick. I agree that the lack of dip switches for the games is annoying. I really like the sound quality on the games and the video quality is good too (at the very least). The controller works well with the games though I did have some difficulties playing Street Fighter II with it on the Arcade (Mame) emulator. I could do dragon punches every time but was failing a lot trying to do fireballs. It's a bit strange, the D-Pad is like none I've used. The closest D-pad to it is the one on the Neo CD controller. The Arcade Stick is fantastic, very heavy and doesn't move much at all as you play which is a big issue for me. I'm very pleased I bought it.

[@InstaLabSparti]

Imagine a mini arcade cabinet for racing games complete with force feedback and four speed shifter! Game over yeeeaaah

[@TheDozin1]

Only channel that I can say I love the intro tune....only channel I dont skip ahead to get past it...seeggggaaaaaaaaaaa

[@JCdragon81]

Thanks for the great review. Only opinion that mattered to me. Glad to see many of the issues i found while playing this device you also mentioned. But the Virtual Fighter was a bit surprising. I’ve been playing the heck out of that one. Never got to play the original arcade so this is great. I never noticed the issues you mentioned. Now I’ve only really played it on the actual device and not through the HDMI. Maybe that is the issue? Or maybe my eyes just don’t catch it. Over all, i bloody love this device and very glad to have it. Merry Christmas to you and the family.

[@Retro_Royal]

I ordered it with the Astro City Gamepad, maybe getting the Stick later. Was kinda obvious that no pro-gaming harcore session would be possible on the integrated controls just by looking at them. Will try my 6 Button Sega Mini Pad when my Unit arrives.

[@thunderm00se88]

The build quality and game variety won me over vs the Neo Geo mini. Awesome video and thank you for reviewing it!

[@sloppynyuszi]

Where are the Sega fans who started on the game gear? I got that instead of a console because my parents wouldn’t buy a tv for my bedroom :(

[@marcusproctor9208]

Funny you say that I had wonderboy on the gg but never knew the name just remembered the gameplay😅

[@mljh11]

GG Shinobi is best Shinobi!

[@sloppynyuszi]

I was all about Castle of Illusion and I put in many many miles in outrun. And I had this shooting game called Griffin. Never see anyone write about that.

[@sloppynyuszi]

@@mljh11 that is such a good game!

[@sloppynyuszi]

@@FloridaEbikes I always wanted that thing, but it was quite expensive, and I think a Casio pocket Tv was similarly priced and I got that instead.

[@cassiedevereaux-smith3890]

Nah, the earliest Sega fans were before SG-1000. I became a fan around '82, when I noticed the name on Zaxxon cabinets.

[@MVLGAMING]

I excitedly ordered one of these (and a control pad, though not the arcade style controller as that was ludicrously expensive) when I could. It hasn't arrived yet, but I'm very glad to see the language option for the main menu to be in English. And I assumed I'd have to navigate through the games in Japanese. I understand that the games themselves will still be Japanese, but at least having the navigation screen legible is a great thing! Now all I'm worried about is my UK power frying it, but I'm lead to believe USB power supplies (like that of phones) convert voltage correctly. (Though I will double check!)

[@zsiles]

Have you seen Paprium? it is finished in the end.

[@derekbuckler3859]

I think i was originally a little to harsh when this was shown, saying there were way to many puzzle games. While that may be true, after seeing how well its designed (way bettter than SNK's) and growing up in the arcades myself this thing impresses. I like how good it looks on hdmi, friggin awsome, im definetly getting one of these now. Great review x, while it isn't Perfect, you sold me on this

[@alphadog6970]

Its 2021 and arcade polygon games still lag on modern hardware.

[@Shinobi33]

It's excellent. I was worried I'd be playing the same Sega games on the compilation. They're not. They're the Arcade versions. Plus a few games never released on console or outside of Japan

[@superrayman3]

To add to the emulation issues brought up here, SEGA also seems to have used the sound core in MAME as a reference for model 1 sound emulation which was a BAD IDEA because the sound core isn't 100% yet although close listen to the opening theme to Virtua Fighter (particularly the area before Sarah hits Kage), compare that to mame, and then compare it to a PCB and you'll see straight away whet I'm talking about, instruments are missing which is the same behavior as mame and has been since at least 0.153 (and to a certain mame developer out there if you're reading this, don't think I've forgotten about you because I haven't, you didn't take my claims seriously back then, let's see if you can hear the differences this time after so long, have fun ;) ).

[@1lichfield]

I've been waiting for this review..top job and honest as always

[@xneoken]

Good review. I was so tempted to order the Astro City Mini. I'm glad I didn't order one. No room to move your hands and press buttons. Instead of the Astro City Mini, I purchased a Powkiddy A12 which has a huge 9" screen, battery powered, and plenty of space for my palm to press the sticks and buttons. Excluding VF1, I was able to run all the other SEGA arcade games. Plus it's half the price!

[@PEHfinale]

Phew, glad I added two controllers to my pre-order. The combined shipping with the unit meant I only spent $23 on each. Kinda wish I could have gotten the arcade pad as well, but that would have been like buying a second arcade mini :P

[@danmann861]

Came in at the Master System. Master System was my first console as a kid. Then it was the Sega Mega Drive. Then the MEGA CD and 32X (I got both of these when they were clearing them out in stores for a pretty decent price)...I never had a Saturn, sadly. I always wanted a Saturn but my parents talked me into a PlayStation instead because they kind of saw the writing was on the wall when people were clearing out Saturn stuff in store. But man, I regret not getting a Saturn. True story, I remember seeing Panzer Dragoon Saga for a mere $20 new on a clearance table around the end of Saturn. If only I knew then what I knew now about the asking price of that game in current years. I kick myself for not grabbing that at $20. Dreamcast I bought with my own money after it launched and LOVED the hell out of it! In my heart, I was always a SEGA kid. And I still am a SEGA kid through and through.

[@fordxbgtfalcon]

I ordered one from Japan, should be here in about 2 weeks.

[@ahtat78]

Despite i have also bought astro city mini joypad, I’m glad that my Japanese mini MD 6 buttons pad works on it and really having fun.

[@Kage5868]

Not bad hope we see more gameplay of this arcade titles

[@chrismerchant7630]

Great review, and honest content as always. I’ve got one of these and the arcade stick, my wife has hijacked it to gift to me at Xmas. I take from your video that if we accept the device for what it is then there is no reason not to enjoy it. Keep up the great work, I’m an avid fan of your straight talking content. P.S: Do we know if there are any hidden Easter eggs within this device?

[@sageinfinitenj2791]

Love your content. Great stuff

[@SegaLordX]

Thank you.

[@cherokeefit4248]

I’d love to have a cabaret of golden axe arcade. I’m sure the restored originals are big bucks to buy

[@buckeyechad1]

You sold me. Can't wait to play Quartet.

[@SENTRYXX]

I hope this arcade come to América

[@Tolbat]

Amazon japan is your friend

[@SENTRYXX]

@@Tolbat but i want in English the games

[@Tolbat]

@@SENTRYXX most of them are minus a few. They are all playable.

[@ShinobiShowdown]

I never saw the Japansese sit-down arcade machines until fairly recently man they are different than the monster machines we have in the USA.

[@VOAN]

Man Sega put so many Wonder Boy, Puyo Puyo, and Column games in here while leaving out classics like Virtua Fighter 2, Fighting Vipers, Last Bronx, After Burner, OutRun, Daytona USA, and Thunder Blade. This would had been so much more had it got more variety games instead of some of the same ones.

[@Crankinthe90s]

I want one but I don’t think I can justify 150 for this.

[@big_b_radical3985]

At that price point the emulation should be perfect, no excuses.

[@shaggy791]

Yeah, I agree.

[@originalfunkyfry]

@@big_b_radical3985 eh, i dunno.... it's *way* better than the Neo Geo mini, and that sold for around $100 when it was new.

[@maddog187killa]

I got my mini on launch day here in Tokyo. I just bought the control pad for 2500 yen, which is like $24 USD. If you want one send me PayPal and I'll pick you up one. However, shipping might be $10 - $15 USD. I'd have to check.

[@angeles2425]

Sega Mega Drive mini 6 button controller will work. Every button is where you would expect it to be. And you can access some test menu by holding Z and mode while system boot up using that particuliere controller. I say import a SMD mini jp or asia unit, for about the same price as 2 astro city controllers.

[@shibaj1401]

I can confirm that JP six button MD Mini pad works with the Astro City Mini. Plug and play.