Breaking News: Sega President Reveals Shocking Details About the Future of Sega Saturn Mini

Sega president Yukio Sugino has addressed the potential development of a miniature console based on the iconic Sega Saturn machine. In recent years, gaming companies have been creating avenues for fans to enjoy retro games, and the concept of miniature consoles with preloaded classic games has gained popularity. Following the footsteps of Nintendo's NES and SNES mini consoles, Sega introduced its own line of retro mini consoles, starting with the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Mini.

Sega launched these miniature consoles in two releases, namely the Sega Genesis Mini 1 and Sega Genesis Mini 2. The initial version featured 42 emulated games, while the second edition included more titles that also had some overlap with the Sega CD's library. Soon after the mini console's release in 2022, Sega sought feedback from fans through an online questionnaire included with each purchase, asking which mini console they would like to see next. The questionnaire included the possibility of developing a Sega Saturn and Dreamcast mini, both of which are highly recognizable consoles in Sega's history. When this possibility was brought up to current Sega president Yukio Sugino, he acknowledged the challenges that may arise in bringing such a project to fruition.

In an interview with Famitsu (translated by VGC), the Sega president stated that the main challenge in creating a mini console for Sega Saturn lies in its hardware complexity. While the Sega Saturn boasted superior performance compared to the PS1, its intricate hardware poses difficulties for adaptation. Sugino mentioned the company's willingness to explore this possibility when they have the opportunity to collaborate openly with passionate Sega Saturn and Dreamcast fans.

In 2022, Yosuke Okunari, the producer of Sega classic hardware, acknowledged the demand for a mini-console for the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast. However, he stated that the production of these mini consoles was unlikely due to the high costs involved in recreating and miniaturizing the hardware. The complex architecture of the consoles, coupled with the difficulties in emulation on current boards, further added to the challenges. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the increased costs. Despite the Sega Saturn's failure, it had a library of games with hidden gems, such as Panzer Dragoon Saga, which unfortunately hasn't been re-released. At present, the release of a Sega Saturn mini console seems unlikely in the near future.

Source: Famitsu (via VGC)