Retro-Bit announces partnership with SEGA to work on Genesis, Saturn & Dreamcast accessories
First products to be unveiled at CES 2018
Well this came out of the blue! Yesterday, the retro console hardware and accessories company, Retro-Bit, announced a new partnership with SEGA of America to produce official accessories for the Genesis, Saturn and Dreamcast.
But, before you all get too excited about the prospect of a brand new Saturn or Dreamcast console, calm down!
Right now the full details of what this new partnership entails isn’t entirely clear, however, from reading the press release (full details below), it sounds more like this deal will focus on products like controllers or cables, rather than new consoles, as it highlights in this line in particular: “…a licensing agreement with SEGA of America to produce accessories for SEGA’s gaming platforms…”
However, this is still great news, as it means those of us with dying power chords for their Genesis’, or damaged Dreamcast controllers, will soon be able to replace them with officially endorsed products. What’s more, it sounds like these accessories will be given a modern upgrade, as they promise products such as controllers will feature USB for PC compatibility and Bluetooth technology (possibly for tablet and phone compatibility?).
Also, I wouldn’t necessarily rule out console manufacturing down the line. SEGA has worked with several third party companies in the past to bring new versions of their systems to life, such as Tec-Toy and ATGames (and some others), so maybe Retro-Bit might have new consoles on the cards at a later date. Fingers crossed!
While full product details haven’t been announced just yet, we won’t have long to wait, as they are set to debut at the Innex booth #21023 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2018, in just a few weeks’ time!
Press Release
RETRO-BIT® ANNOUNCES SEGA® LICENSING AGREEMENT TO PRODUCE ACCESSORIES FOR SEGA GAMING PLATFORMS
First Products to be Officially Unveiled at CES 2018
POMONA, CA, December 19, 2017– Acknowledging the continual growth of the retro-gaming market, Retro-Bit, a premier publisher and manufacturer of classic gaming products, today announced a licensing agreement with SEGA of America to produce accessories for SEGA’s gaming platforms, including but not limited to the SEGA Genesis, SEGA Saturn and SEGA Dreamcast.
The first products and concepts under the agreement include several accessories that feature the same great quality as their original Sega counterparts like the original console port, but also with modern upgrades such as a USB® port for PC compatibility and Bluetooth® wireless technology. These new products are slated to debut in the Innex booth #21023 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2018.
“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.”
To book an appointment for an exclusive tour and demo of the Innex Inc® booth at CES 2018 visit: HERE.
[Source: Retro-Bit]
Finally! A year and a half of sendind emails to Retro-bit and 8bitdo finally worked XD
So I wasn’t the only one o-o.
Lol
They just need to remake the Saturn’s 3D Control Pad and they got all three consoles covered. 🙂
Sega’s 6 button controller has always been my favorite 2D controller style.
Agreed there. Though the 3D pad had a nice feel to it.
Definitely the best D-pad and the six buttons where nice for some games combined with the shoulder buttons.
Really hope Retro Bit means it when they say “quality” cause I’ve heard that line before.
Fingers crossed Retro Bit is serious about making quality game pads.
I’ve only heard about their game pads being a little off the mark but I don’t see why they couldn’t manage it.
I’ve always wanted a USB Sega Saturn pad for emulation and games that fit the button layout though I’d like that layout with added analog triggers and sticks to modernize it slightly.
Much like 8bitdo’s SF30Pro and SN30Pro which is essentially an SNES pad with analog sticks and gyro to fit match up with the Switch Pro Pad.
Dreamcast wise I wonder if it’ll have VMU support at all and if it does I hope the USB side can at least be open to the option of accessing and controllnig VMUs from a PC.
You know, for backups and emulation, maybe use it to monitor my PC tempatures etc, you know, with some clever programing.
Worried how it’ll turn out but fingers crossed it’ll work out well.