Credit goes to Nintendo Life for pointing out this release.

In one of the few instances where Europe gets super cool things before us in the States, SEGA has dropped an amazing Mega Drive dynamic theme in the latest PS3/PSN update.  A fan’s bedroom from the 90s is the setting, featuring classic games playing on the television with subtle movement of the controller cord.  The only thing that the theme is missing is this kid.  According to the store, when you download this theme (if you’re a Playstation Plus member), “you can download this exclusive item and keep it forever!”  Very cool.

Also, while there is music in this video, it has been clarified that there is no music in the theme.

[via SEGAbits]

Usually with these “Shopping Network” posts, items are featured because of their picture or stupid headline.  The latter is the case here.  Look at this seller, teeming with enthusiasm, over these broken, archaic devices.  “WOW!!!”

Given the price, would you splurge on a bunch of broken retro consoles?  What would you do with them?  (Past the jump, 36 broken Genesis 2 systems.)

WOW!!!

The game was produced by Nuvision, perhaps best known for the prototype Bean Ball Benny, as well as one published title: Bimini Run, a boat racing game. And honestly, when it comes to that title?

That about says it all. Swamp Thing is pretty legitimately horrible as well; you control the titular character from the Swamp Thing comic book series. I’m not too familiar with the original property, so I can’t say how much is accurate to that world, but if turning into a log and rolling around is part of the action, I’m skeptical. It’s interesting in that this is the first I’ve heard of it, but it’s likely nothing more than a historical footnote in the world of Nuvision. You can grab a copy of the ROM here and try it out yourself.

Check the image gallery past the jump.

UK:Resistance got a hold of some awesome photos yesterday.  A guy named “Porl” decided to up and paint one of his many Mega Drives and emblazon Sonic and his winged ring on it.  Look at the detail on this thing!  I’m impressed with his work along the vent, switches and cartridge slot.

I have a few spares in my collection and it got me thinking about painting up one of my Mega Drives. When I was staring at the Mega Drive shape [*SAD SMILEY FACE*] I noticed the ring around the cartridge slot and thought that I could use that to make the iconic Sonic 1 intro screen.

I want one.  I want one so I can jam a cartridge into Sonic’s eyes for not being grrrrrrreeeeeeeeen enough.  More cool photos in the gallery past the jump.

It’s the early 1990s.  Your old NES is collecting dust, but there’s a new console on the market, the SEGA Genesis.  It was time to put that 8-bit machine to bed in order to get your Blast Processing on.  Sonic is lighting up your television and your NES has been packed away.  What would your NES be saying (or in this case, singing) to you at this time?  Well, let’s find out:

If you like this track, please support its creator, inversephase, at this link right here.  It’ll only set you back two quarters.

Damn you, Cee-Lo, and your catchy song!  It’s too good!

I thought this was really, really cool. NewAgeRetroGamer from YouTube whipped up this neato remix of Launch Base Zone’s music from Sonic 3 using TFM Music Maker and Madtracker, citing distaste with the lack of variety in the Act 2 remix of the song from the actual game. The results are really funky and totally worth a listen. Check it out!

Check out the relevant thread on the forums here.

For those of you who are interesting in the product for reasons outside of that strange nostalgia factor, the console will be available in the UK starting in April of 2009. You can pick it up for about £39.95 and it will feature a total of 50 titles. 20 of them being official licensed SEGA titles such as Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic Spinball, and Alex Kidd with 16 others being special motion controlled sports games. The other 11 will be a variety of arcade titles. I know what you’re thinking though. “As great as those games sound, what if I get bored of playing waggle-tennis 2D?” There’s good news! Turns out the Zone40/SEGA Zone (as the console is named) will be able to take Genesis (or in this case, Mega Drive) cartridges, leaving you free to play whichever classic titles you want while pretending it’s still 1992 with a twist from the future.

SEGA: Ultimate Genesis for the iPhone (source: Gizmodo)

According to Gizmodo, SEGA is ready to release an iPhone/iPod Touch app called “Ultimate Genesis” which is, for all intents and purposes, a SEGA-exclusive virtual console for the iPhone. The app itself should be making its appearance on the app store in early February while being packaged with one game – Space Harrier II. It will be a free download where users will purchase what will basically be Genesis ROMs within the app to add to their collection. The offerings that should be available from day one are:

• Sonic the Hedgehog: $5.99
• Golden Axe: $4.99
• Ecco the Dolphin: $2.99
• Shining Force: $2.99

As you can see, different games will be available at different price points for the time being. It should be noted that both Sonic and Golden Axe are already available in the App Store at those price points where as Ecco and Shining Force are not. SEGA may be pricing Sonic and Golden Axe simply to be consistent with the versions available in the app store while $2.99 may be the standard price for most games from here on. It is unknown if those who purchased Sonic or Golden Axe stand alone will be able to transfer those games to Ultimate Genesis when it’s released.