2018 Sega Genesis Flashback VS Sega Genesis Mini! 

At last, the ultimate Genesis video review has arrived! And yes, the Flashback wins hands down imho... FYI - The 2018 Flashback is still available at my local GameStop for $69.99 and many other locations around the country for those who are looking for one. Please note that the box art for the Flashback on GameStop's website shows the 2017 version. If ordering online or making a in-store purchase, you will actually be getting the 2018 version. Thank you J.P.!!! YOU ROCK DUDE!!!'

Just finished watching and one of your best videos. I love the extreme detail down to the small stuff that makes a difference. Thanks for your time and effort making this vid

Don't know if anybody mentioned it here, but the Genesis Mini lacks the feature to actually delete save states like the other minis do.

I have both. The wireless Retro-bit controller works great on the mini but, I actually prefer the flashback as well. I’ve loaded up a ton of games on the SD card and play my original NBA Jam cartridge, SF2 and NHL ‘94 on it too. I bought one of the new retro-bit controllers with the 10 ft cord and it works perfectly.

Great review, that what I was looking for. Thanks mate.

Mega SG for me if I had old carts. Although I only own a mini (used to have an original back in 1991) AT Games pulled it off too late - should have done this level of quality from the get go. Great vid.

Ah good I made the right choice, with the homework I did on these two devices the atgames just looked almost perfect for me. Thanks for the video

The mini is def my fave of the two! Thanks for this Patton, loved it!

Excellent video. I own the mini and the original system. Now time to get the Flashback, clean the original and packed safe and securely. Thanks a lot

EXCELLENT WORK HERE sir! Any noticable difference in controller to on-screen action latency between the two systems?

I was looking forward to this!

On my 1989 model Genesis the red around the power light is actually that pinkish color!

I think the reason Wily Wars runs slower on the 2018 Flashback might be because it could be the 50 hz version rather than the 60 hz version.

Nice review. 11:22 is Aerials versión 16 bits? It sounds pretty awesome

The flashback is this all the games that come with it? Or do u have to add more does it really hsve mega drive game gear and master system games?

Great review!

Just out of curiosity. Since the AT Games Genesis can also play the actual Genesis cartridges, does the converter that allows you to play Master System games on the Genesis work with it as well?

I bought one the other day. I have both systems. I have mine from eBay where someone sells these systems that has all the Sega Genesis, master system and 32x games. The entire library in my hands. Some flickering for the 32x games but games like nba jam te and a few others that could never work on my old everdrive, I’m extremely happy. There was always the issue with sound but I didn’t notice any difference but then again I’m no extreme hardcore to tell the difference. Overall it’s well worth it. Plus if I ever get back into cartridges again or if I see a couple very cheap in the wild I have that option as well. All I need is two original 6 button controllers and I’m set.

Thank you for the great video!

Thanks nice review !

Wow! I couldn't get Generations Lost to work with the flash back. I wonder if I needed to turn on that extra power feature. I didn't know about it.

Best review I’ve seen by far

Fight!!! Good video Patton 👍

I think you did miss a few features in the mini based on what I’ve heard. Maybe you said them and I missed it. You can get to the menu using the controller. There’s a black screen background option. Changing the language on the UI provides both alternative box art/titles for the region, as well as that specific region’s edition of the game.

Is the Sega Genesis 6 button usb controller compatible with the hacked Playstation Classic?

My experience with atgames products has never been a good one so I opted for the sega mini and don’t regret it one bit. I used your tutorials to hack it and have been loving it since I have been able to play sega games from master system to 32x. I know I could do other systems as well but I wanted it to only be for games that the real Genesis could play in some way or another. To me the only feature I wish I had is a way to play physical games. For that I will probably get a real Genesis or one of the hd clone systems.

Sticking with my ATgames. Love that thing.

How about Super Nintendo mini vs Sega genesis? When I was ten 25 years ago I couldn’t picture this

Patton I couldn't have said it better. The mini is a great little system for what it brings. The Flashback just outclasses it with a few more features and the ability to add/ play complete collections with the sd card. And the rewind actually is the only way I've ever been able to play and beat Thunderforce 2, Musha and Sagaia. You have to give the mini a huge bit of praise because it was made as accurately and has such fantastic hi. Sega didnt let us down. I will have both of these till they wheel me into a rest home. Great job.

I bet if you used a program like SD Sorter on the SD card for the Flashback, you could get it to show alphabetically...maybe?

I got the flash back on my birthday on August 2018 or 2019, and I’ve always loved it

How do you change the music on the sega mini.

Interesting. You are the first reviewer to ever say the Atgames version wasn’t straight trash. Good video. Oh cute kid too

I was digging the “16-bit” sounding System of a Down background music.

I know this review is older but something I have noticed between the two is that if you like the scan line filter as I do, the mini scan line filter darkens each game on the screen. The AtGames Genesis does not.

Hey Patton can you please test the Sega Bluetooth wireless controller on the Flashback to see if it works I'd like to know cause I'm thinking about getting one for my Flashback since they recharge like a PS4 wireless controller

I guess hacked tho there is no contest? I mean I don't know if there is a community for retroarch etc behind the AT Games one?

Is that 8-bit Aerials I hear in the background?

2:12 For the record, my original Genesis matched the Mini, not the Flashback...because of sun bleaching. Haha

I agree 100% Love my 2018 Flashback 👍

I actually Ordered the 2018 Sega Genesis flashback on eBay, It's just the system itself but I hope it works

I still like the Sega Genesis Mini better mainly because of the size. Which is why I love the NES and SNES minis as they don't take much space and work for me better. It doesn't have to be the same size as the actual Genesis. (I have my original Model 1 & Model 2 for that) And I like the games they put on the Mini. I never owned an At Games Flashback and after hearing how bad they were, I didn't really want one. So I was happy when Sega had somebody else make the Genesis Mini console and I have been enjoying it since I bought it when it was first released. And I am really looking forward to when the Turbo Grafx PC Engine mini comes out in March.

Did you do the “one chip challenge” yet?

I ordered a flashback today

Ok, here come the hate mail to therexershow, but Atgames unit is better, I’m sorry, it just is. Many people complain about the emulation on the mini in more facets than just pointed out here, but audio issues seem to be the common theme. Ability to add games w/o hacking, the 2.4 wireless controllers, ability to use original controllers, the UI is a little suspect and it’s bigger, but it actually is more like the original in size. One thing i would like to know, if i plug in 2 originals, and do 2 wireless 2.4 controllers, can i play 4 player games???? Obv you would have to add them on the Sd card first.....i.e. NHL 94/Madden/NBA Jam.

interesting that Atgames one seems pretty cool

I love my flashback. After hacking it, I find myself playing it more than my more modern consoles. I put Sega cd games and my essential Genesis games in it

The mini for me reminds me of my childhood

Do the comparison between ps1 and ps classic, and also snes and snes classic 😍

Actually the color around the power on LED on the Genesis mini is correct per the very first release of the Genesis in 1989. Sega would change the color on later releases of the model 1 console

The AT Games Sega Genesis wins hands down! Can play my original cartridges on it and even use the original Sega controllers on it as well, plus it just looks like a later VA7 model 1 Genesis but works much much better due to it having HD capabilities

Don't get me wrong! I'm a huge Sega Fanboy, yet I'm also a Nintendo and Atari fan too love all these retro systems and games! ANYWAYS, I being that much of a fan of Sega I of course have all 3 original models of the Genesis, I have the 2018 AT Games model love it! Its probably my favorite honestly! And yes I got the Genesis mini too! Only other mini I have is the NES mini, and I also have the AT Games Atari Flashback 9 HD

The 2018 Flashback is an overall better product. I think the mini does have an edge on emulation but I found it annoying to switch from the stock emularor to Retroarch and then nativating out of Retroarch. The Flashback doesnt doesn't do that and uses the same interface for all games.

I just love the quality hollow plastic spoon feel of the at games console...oooo yeaaa...lol

Dont have either Sega Mega Drive Flashback Classic HD i can now pick up for $58 preowned or $ 99 new SEGA Mega Drive Mini is still at $ 139.95

4-Player Support on the Genesis Mini is better. It can use certain USB Hubs to allow 4 controllers simultaneously. Unfortunately, the US system does not need it. But Japan's Yu Yu Hakusho Makyō Tōitsusen and Puzzle & Action: Tant-R both are 4p supported. Party Quiz Mega Q, is also listed as 4p, but i cannot find it that is simultaneous. Just a note that if we take it international, Mini may be a bit more impressive as 4p "Multi-Tap" support is built in natively

Can I have the Sega Genesis Mini??

i agree the flashback is better... thank you !

I love my saga genesis

I like my 2018 Sega Flashback alot. I just wish there was a way to play 32x and Game Gear games at one time without having to switch the firmware. It appears the compatibility rate for 32x games isnt that great as there are some glitches. Also, the wireless controllers suck in my opinion. They have a lot of delay/lag, sometimes stuff moves on its own or does not respond to button pushes on the controller to the point of being unplayable. Thinking about just doing dedicated wired 6 button controllers instead as those seem to respond much better. Those are my only gripes about it really.

I like the saga genesis mini controls they are wired

The atgames is a budget console version of the mega sg. The ui is clunky, while the sega mini has a great ui. I like the mini better, but wish Sega had made it more like the atgames with a real cart slot, sd card slot, and 6 buttons [or at least a menu button on the controller] And great comparison video man! Thanks!

my Sega Genesis Flashback dont have sd

AtGames screwed up too many times with past Genesis Minis for me to seriously pursue this one. I bought the Genesis Flashback released after the bread loaves but just before this one, and I was not impressed.

The Sega genesis mini looks way better and half the size, the controller looks horrid on the flashback to. I'm glad I held out for the official genesis, also you have the option to buy a wireless controller for the mini.

Nice review ! I think the Sega Flashback is really worth it, but it's not the 100% perfect emulation solution because i tested a lot of roms and a few of them sounds awful or the Gamespeed was not accurate(Too fast). But most of the roms have no issues at all !

Incorrect, the Flashback HD is emulating Wily Wars perfectly. You clearly have the Pal rom, and that's precisely how it sounds on a real mega drive. The mini is using the 60hz version. That was pretty poor saying it's emulating it wrong. Try the Japanese rom which is 60 hz.

I'm aware that the 34 exclusive games may seem like a pro, but there's an issue: Quantity is NOT > Quality. Of the 85 built-in-games. 14 are those crummy bonus games that no one plays. 6 are Game Gear games that don't hold up and 13 are Master system games that didn't age well. If we are just comparing the Genesis titles, then the Flashback ONLY has 10 more games than the Mini: 52 > 42. My problem with the Flashback is how sequel heavy it is. There are so many sequels taking up the games list with little to no variety. 3 Golden Axes, 3 MK, 4 Phantasy Stars, 4 Alex Kidds, 5 Sonics and 3 Shining Force just to name a few. The only redeeming quality in comparison to the Mini is the SD Card slot, because if you have a collection of Genesis carts you are much better off with a number of clone consoles like the Mega SG and if you don't and just want to relive some classics, then the emulation is much better on the mini and you get a greater variety of games. There really is no fair comparison when you look at the licenses that were obtained by Sega for the Mini. I love the Flashback for the SD card slot and I really like their 6 button controllers. I also like the Rewind feature even though it is gimmicky, but IMO, it still pales in comparison to the Mini. I don't know, just my two cents. Love the review! As an owner of both, though, I chose to sell my Flashback to a happy buyer since my Mini comes with everything I need. (Well, it's missing Ristar, but Dynamite Headdy more then makes up for that. Haha)

Man, the audio delay on that Flashback during Strider is wretched.

This shouldn't even be a debate... Obviously the official licensed version made by Sega wins.... It's the best mini console, ever.

It's too hard to find and distinguish between the shitty flashback, and the decent one. I bought the mini instead just because of its simplicity and to avoid ATGAMES track record. Glad they actually have a decent product for a change though.

Flashback seems good but from watching... Games can randomly crash and freeze. I don't want a console like that while I'm gaming. Unless they fixed that with future updates but the emulation isn't great with crashing and freezing problems I've seen.

Personaly I think the Atgames Core Max is the way to go yes it looks like a hockey puck but it does way more

Genesis Mini is best because it has option for fullscreen

I DISCOVER THE WAY OF PUT SEGA CD GAMES AND THE GAMES RUNS WELL 😊 I WILL SAY THE WAY EXPLAINED STEEP BY STEEP IN MY CHANNEL

Sega, the SNES for poor kids.