Retro-Bit Partners With Sega To Bring Dreamcast, Saturn And Genesis, Consoles Back To The Gaming

It’s been a while since Sega has been in the hardware gaming business, although it’s partnered with other companies in the past to bring back its classics, like AtGames with its Sega Genesis Flashback system.

But now things are getting serious, as a new partnership is bringing back not one but three returning Sega platforms for a new generation of players to enjoy.

Retro-Bit, a company that just released an all-in-one console featuring classics by Capcom, Data East and more, has announced that it has partnered up with Sega to produce new accessories based on its most popular consoles, including the Sega Genesis, Sega Dreamcast and Sega Saturn.

The company intends to introduce several accessories that “feature the same great quality” as the original hardware, but with “modern upgrades”, including support for PC compatibility (through USB) and Bluetooth wireless technology.

Retro-Bit intends to show off a first look of these new products next month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month, at the Innex booth in South Hall.

“With retro gaming on an upswing, we are pleased to offer officially SEGA licensed accessories in their original format as well as apply the innovative classic gaming enhancements that have become the hallmark of Retro-Bit,” said Titi Ngoy, President and CEO at Innex Inc. the exclusive distributor of Retro-Bit. “We’re excited to unveil the first of these new products and concepts at CES, and do so alongside an exciting 2018 product catalog.”



http://comicbook.com/gaming/2017/12/19/retro-bit-sega-partnership-genesis-dreamcast-saturn/

UPDATE NEWS

Retro-bit SEGA USB and Bluetooth Genesis, Saturn and Dreamcast accessories revealed!



Last month we shared the news that Retro-bit would be creating USB, bluetooth and classic controllers for the SEGA Genesis, Saturn and Dreamcast, with the products debuting at CES 2018. Well CES 2018 is happening now, and images of the Retro-bit SEGA products are online! The community section of the RGT 85 Facebook page and Madlittlepixel show us just what we can expect from the new line of products. After the break, let’s check out the images and see what we can see!



The SEGA Genesis will have a slick new SEGA Genesis six button Bluetooth Arcade Pad for use with PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and the original SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive using the Bluetooth Receiver (sold separately).



Also available for the Genesis is the standard Genesis/Mega Drive six button pad as well as a USB version. Retro-bit are also releasing new AC Power Adapters, Stereo Audio S-Video Cables and standard AV Cables.



The SEGA Saturn will see a Bluetooth Control Pad for use on Steam, PC, Mac, Android, iOS, and Saturn with the Bluetooth Adapter. Also available will be a USB Control Pad.



The blurry pic above also shows a variety of Saturn controllers for original hardware, including an all black version, a black with colored buttons version, a white version and a gray version. Extension cables and AV cables are also going to be available.



The Dreamcast will see a Bluetooth Controller, presumably for Steam, PC, Mac, iOS and Android, as well as compatible with the original Dreamcast hardware via a Bluetooth Receiver (sold separately). Also available will be a USB controller, and controllers for the original hardware in black (without the SEGA Sports branding) and the standard white. A VGA box is being released, as well as S-Video cables and power cables.

All-in-all, this is a very exciting partnership which will lead to some really awesome controllers. I know I want to get my hands on all the bluetooth controllers as well as extra white and gray Saturn pads and the black Dreamcast controller. Bye bye, money! No clue what the cost is, but we’ll be sure to share more as we hear it!

Original: http://segabits.com/blog/2018/01/10...is-saturn-and-dreamcast-accessories-revealed/

 

Sounds good but I really think SEGA should fabricate this stuff themselves.

 

If the 90s are anything to go by then they should not be doing it themselves.

 

I'm a fan of Retro bit products so I'm down with this. Maybe the next Genesis clone system will be their doing.

 

So you rather have a third party produce controllers and the like than SEGA themselves?! Have you seen (and HEARD) the AtGames stuff?

 

This must be a joke.

 

Unless there's HDMI I'm not all that interested. It is neat but as an owner of a modded Saturn and two fully functioning Dreamcasts I kinda have it all set-up. We shall see.

 

The article is not clear. I don't think they will be producing consoles, but rather releasing peripherals. Maybe some games for their own platform.

 

^ When I was reading into it they only say "accessories".

http://retro-bit.com/retrobit-announces-sega-partnership

Also didn't TecToy just make an officially licensed Genesis "Classic"?

 

I guess it'll be wireless controllers for old consoles, or PC-compatible variants of the original controllers.

 

Considering how badly Sega failed in the hardware business, I'd disagree.

Plus, they don't do hardware anymore, it would be financially disastrous to get into hardware again for the sole purpose of manufacturing a few controllers and memory cards for systems that didn't sell that well in the first place. If they were already a successful console manufacturer, I'd say sure, go for it. It would be like Nintendo manufacturing the NES again. Awesome. Not the case.

Sega does very well as a software business, and will make royalties on their licensing of Genesis, Dreamcast and Saturn names for these items.

They say they will be "The same great quality", so I would hold them to that. Don't get me wrong, I far prefer OEM accessories to third party stuff, but it just doesn't make sense.

 

I'm willing to give it a chance. Against all odds, the (unofficial) 8bitdo series of controllers for Nintendo platforms have been impeccable, so it's possible for third-party manufacturers to get it right. Maybe Retro-Bit will be the equivalent for Sega.

 

About the only thing the modern Dreamcast/Saturn enthusiast was missing is a modern cordless controller, and I hope this announcement rectifies that issue. I'm frankly quite amazed it's taken this long considering the glut of options available in the NES/SNES/PSX/PC sphere.

 

I've been hoping for something like the 8bitdo Bluetooth adapters for the Genesis and Dreamcast, so as long as they come out with this, and maybe an HDMI box for less than the Behar Bros make, I'll be on board.

 

Retro-bit SEGA USB and Bluetooth Genesis, Saturn and Dreamcast accessories revealed! Update 1st post.

 

The fact that the controllers work with with the original consoles using a custom receiver is really great.

 

Why do the boxes all look dented up and crushed like they were dug up from some musty old warehouse? That might be taking the "retro" thing a little too far

 

To help keep costs low, they had their children cut out and assemble the boxes.

But seriously, it looks like the boxes were put together by apes as a science experiment.

 

The dream of wireless 10-player Saturn Bomberman inches ever closer.

 

Where's the fun without the tangle!

Seriously though, I wonder if the multitaps would be able to power on so many BT adapters.