Miniature compilation consoles – it seems they’re everywhere these days. We’ve got the the NES Classic, SNES Classic, Sega Genesis Mini, Atari Flashback (all 400+ versions of them), NEOGEO Mini, PlayStation Classic (poop), C64 Mini, and… and… I think that’s it. Clearly there’s a demand for this sort of thing whether you’re into it or not. But with all of the current mini systems on the market, and the Sega Genesis Mini set to release on September 19th, what should we expect of the next crop?

Nintendo isn’t the first company to release a miniature console. Long before the NES Classic, AtGames brought us NES, SNES, Atari, and Genesis emulator boxes. These AtGames mini consoles never felt right, but they did offer a range of good to bad titles at a more-than-reasonable price. Although AtGames did it first on a major scale, Nintendo absolutely set the bar with their 2016 release of the NES Classic. Nintendo glamorized the concept of what a mini-console could and should be, emphasizing the faithful – and nostalgic – packaging and design. Next on the bandwagon was NEOGEO, Commodore 64, and now Sega.

What’s Next

While this is purely speculation and entirely unfounded, I’ve heard rumors of a Nintendo 64 Classic. Sounds great to me! I’m in! I know Reggie shut the notion down, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen eventually. I also know for a fact that Tommy Tallarico recently acquired Intellivision and that is currently in the works (being called Amico), but it will function as a new system instead of a miniature compilation console. Name Drop: My neighbor is Tommy’s brother. 😛

What we could also see: Could Sony re-do their PlayStation Classic? Could a weird PC Engine or TurboGrafx-16 mini console hit the streets? Maybe a nice bucketfull of Sega Saturn Classic? This all sounds good and well and fun, but I also have to wonder… At what point is the market going to reach a tipping point from oversaturation? Side-note: Have you ever even played the TG16?

I think there’s only so much at-home shelf space for all of these miniature consoles, and eventually the novelty will wear off. Don’t get me wrong! It’s a beautiful thing. I’m a retro game collector, so for me, this is lovely. I enjoy seeing everyone get back into the games they grew up on, and I secretly love bragging with comments like, “Oh that’s cute. You’re playing Mega Man X and the original Star Fox on your SNES Classic. I was just playing those last week…. ON A REAL SUPER NINTENDO WITH REAL CARTRIDGES.” I am a little snobby, although I try to be polite and contain my self-righteousness.

What’s Best

I think what’s best for everyone is to just let Nintendo and Sega do their thing up to a point and then everyone just let it be. We don’t need a PlayStation 2 classic, or an Xbox Classic. I FRIGGIN’ LOVE the TurboGrafx-16, but I don’t see how it could succeed (despite rumors there’s one in the works). Considering Sega isn’t in the console market anymore, I think we could benefit from a Sega Saturn Mini, although I’m not convinced it will sell well in America, despite the fact that I’m a HUGE fan. What WILL sell well is a Nintendo 64 Classic with Mario Kart 64, Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64, and of course… Goldeneye. Among others.

Even if we do get an N64 Classic and maybe an improved PlayStation classic, what the world really needs is more compilation packages (discs, downloads, etc), but less mini consoles. If the market gets too watered down, it could have negative impacts on the popularity of retro gaming in the eyes of the casual gamer. Retro gaming will ALWAYS be popular for the fanatics. But I can’t see how retrogaming’s biggest demographic (children of the late 70s, 80s, and 90s) could possibly continue shelling out bucks for obscure retro consoles to crowd their mantles and TV centers. Eventually, they WILL be satiated and the thirst will be gone.

Conclusion

The kind of compilation games that retro fans want to see, but may be a tough sell, are some of the 80s and 90s games that were well-received yet were stuck on a failed gaming system. What do I mean? Think Popful Mail, Lunar: The Silver Star, and Sonic CD from the Sega CD. Think of ANY of the incredible SHMUPS from the TG-16. What about Star Control 2 for the 3DO? Or Wario Land on the Virtual Boy? The point I am trying to make is… Beyond the Sega Genesis Mini, a revamped PlayStation Classic, and hopefully an N64 and Saturn Mini, we don’t NEED any other classic consoles. Sorry Atari Jaguar. Sorry 3DO. Sorry Wonderswan. Sorry Sega SG-1000. We NEED modern access on modern systems for forgotten games. THAT is what we need. And remember… This is coming from a guy who LOVES retro games and doesn’t even own a current generation system. I’m looking out for the masses, not myself.

What do you think? Am I dumb? Am I not thinking outside the box? Am I dumb? Oh wait, did I already ask that?