Sega has announced a PC emulator for the Sega Genesis named the Sega Mega Drive Classic Hub. The emulator featuring 16-bit retro Sega games will launch on Steam as a free update on April 28, Thursday. Owners of any of the classic games will have access to the hub.
Sega's United Kingdom PR division made the announcement about Mega Drive. However, Sega has tweeted that the new update will also be available in the United States.
The Mega Drive hub places gamers in a 3D environment of a Sega fan's bedroom during the early 1990s, according to GameSpot. The bedroom walls include posters for Streets of Rage and Golden Axe, while a small bookcase includes several game cartridges. Players can then boot up the CRT TV, select a game sitting on a virtual shelf, then load the Mega Drive emulator.
The Sega Mega Drive Classic Hub features local co-op, saving during gameplay, and full controller/keyboard support.
In addition, all games will include Steam Workshop support. This allows players to build and create retro game mods.
In most cases developers and publishers are opposed to PC gamers making their own modified versions of video games, mostly due the practice being related to piracy, according to Engadget.
This is not the first time Sega has repackaged old games as it released several bundles in the past.
In related news, Atari Vault's 100 classic Atari 2600 games were recently rolled out for download on Steam. They included several retro 8-bit titles including Centipede and Asteroids.
The bundle was announced in January and is only available for PCs for about $20, according to The Verge. This game collection has very basic hardware and software requirements so even old desktops/laptops with Windows installed can support the old-school games.
Atari Vault includes a few special perks. They include local and online multiplayer, support for Valve's Steam controller, and original cabinet and box art.
The new bundle of vintage games includes several titles. They include Missile Command, Tempest, and the quintessential Pong.
Atari 2600 was a state-of-the-art console as it brought favorite arcade games to living rooms. The gaming console was launched in September 1977 and enjoyed solid sales until the releases of Pac-Man and E.T., and 1983's video game crash.
Here are some top Sega Genesis games: