[Update #1: A poster on the Atari Age forums posted the above image of what’s supposedly the official Mini Megadrive box. According to the poster, the system will also have a suspend/restore feature. Also, the list of pre-installed SEGA games (see below) has been updated with the latest information.]

Several months back, the Internet went crazy over the news that Tectoy would begin manufacturing Genesis systems once again. More annoyingly, many websites falsely led people to believe SEGA was somehow behind this new system and was taking on Nintendo’s NES Classic, thus signaling the beginning of “Console War II.”

The Tectoy Genesis looks great and all, with it using original hardware, including built-in games and ability to play actual Genesis cartridges, but the fact that it didn’t include HDMI meant that it couldn’t truly rival Nintendo’s mini NES, at least in the average consumer’s eyes.

But we’ve learned that AtGames will release a new Genesis, called the Mini Megadrive, that could actually be that contender, and it’s coming later this year. The new system is designed to look like a Model 1 Genesis and will come with 85 pre-installed games, 2.4G wireless controllers, a cartridge slot and an HDMI out that will output video at 720p. It’s now available to pre-order for a $10 limited-time discount at 79.99 Euros and is scheduled to begin shipping on Sept. 15.

Of course, we know that AtGames’ previous efforts in manufacturing Genesis clone systems have left a lot to be desired, especially in the sound department, so the jury is still out on whether this system is truly worth your investment.

List of included games :

Mortal Kombat I, II, III

Virtua Fighter 2

Altered Beast

Phantasy Star series

Sonic Series

Golden Axe

Mortal Kombat

Phantasy Star IV

Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi

Sonic & Knuckles

Sonic the Hedgehog

Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle

Alien Storm

Altered Beast

Arrow Flash

Bonanza Bros.

Chakan: The Forever Man

Columns

Columns III

ComixZone

Crack Down

DecapAttack

Dr. Robotnik’sMean Bean Machine

ESWAT: City Under Siege

Eternal Champions

Fatal Labyrinth

Flicky

Gain Ground

Golden Axe II

Golden Axe III

Jewel Master

Kid Chameleon

Phantasy Star II

Phantasy Star III

Ristar

Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master

Sonic Spinball

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic 3D Blast

Sword of Vermilion

The Ooze

Vectorman

Vectorman2

Virtua Fighter 2

Shining Force: the Legacy of Great Intention

Shining Force II: the Ancient Seal

Shining in the Darkness

Super Thunder Blade

Mortal Kombat II

Mortal Kombat 3

Non-SEGA games:

Adventure in the Park

Air Hockey

Black Sheep

Bomber

Bottle Taps Race

Brain Switch

Break a Fireline

Bubble Master

Cannon

Checker

Chess

Cross the Road

Curling 2010

Dominant Amber

Fight or Lose

Flash Memory

Hangman

Hexagonos

Hidden Agenda

Hide and Seek

Jack’s Pea

Jewel Magic

Jura Formula

Lost World Sudoku

Maze 2010

Mahjong Solitaire

Memory

Mirror Mirror

Mr.Balls

Mya Master Mind

Naval Power

Panic Lift

Plumbing Contest

Skeleton Scale

Snake

Spider

T-Rex Memory Match

Wall-Breaking

Warehouse Keeper

Whack-A-Wolf

[Via JournalDuGeek]