Episode 457: Mini Console Madness (Patreon)

This week's exclusive episode took place in a hotel room in downtown Milwaukee, as so often happens with podcasts these days. I gathered together my fellow Midwest Gaming Classic panelists and forced them to work for their pay by recording a bonus conversation: A talk about the "mini console" trend. Nintendo's Classic NES Edition opened the door to this market wide, but by now just about everyone worth their salt as a console maker has tried their hand at creating a tiny replica of a 1980s/1990s game system jam-packed with the best games from that platform. And it's pretty great! Although we've yet to encounter one that we can call truly perfect, this episode highlights the best of the best while also lamenting the dizzying disasters you should avoid. Please enjoy this completely normal-sized conversation.

Edits: Greg Leahy. Art: John Pading.

Music:

• 07:49 - Atari Flashback 9 Gold: Menu BGM
• 18:01 - Sonic the Hedgehog: Green Hill Zone (AtGames Genesis gameplay)
• 22:38 - Nintendo Classic Mini: NES Menu BGM
• 29:51 - Final Fantasy (NES): Gurgu Volcano
• 39:31 - Captain Tsubasa II: Super Striker: Japan All-Stars Theme | Star Fox 2: Missile
• 45:42 - SEGA Genesis Mini: Menu BGM
• 53:34 - PC Engine Mini: Menu BGM
• 59:12 - R4: Ridge Racer Type 4: Naked Glow
• 1:06:56 - SEGA Game Gear Micro: Menu BGM
• 1:14:31 - SEGA Astro City Mini: Menu BGM
• 1:26:44 - Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder: In the Fortress
• 1:37:01 - Elevator Action Returns: Blow Up (Final Mission 1)
• Closing - EGRET II Mini: And They Are Coming! (Menu BGM no.2)