Traditionally, one of the biggest obstacles to game development is learning to code. That's time consuming! Developing for retro hardware can be even more challenging thanks to the scarcity of modern development tools. Well, the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive homebrew scene is about to explode thanks to the impending release of MD Engine from indie developer Two Black Cats. The MD Engine software will launch on Steam on September 7.

It's always sad when a game developer dies, but especially so when that person is the founder of an actual genre. Yoshihisa Kishimoto is just such a person. He created the Kunio-kun/River City and Double Dragon franchises, and as such, is considered the father of the beat 'em up genre. Double Dragon was instrumental in popularizing cooperative multiplayer, so his influence even extends beyond the genre that he created. Lamentably, Kishimito died on April 2, as reported by his son.

Welcome back to  Co-op Classics, the column in which we look at unique cooperative games from yesteryear....

The Nintendo Switch Online Plus Expansion Pack is a yearly subscription that gives players access to numerous features. Among those features is a library of Sega Genesis games, playable on Switch with online multiplayer and other enhancements. 4 new games have just been added to the Switch's Genesis library: Golden Axe II, Alien Storm, Columns, and Virtua Fighter 2. Golden Axe II and Alien Storm are classic 16-bit beat 'em ups, and now Switch Online Plus subscribers can play them with online co-op!

The Sega Genesis Mini 2 and the Japanese model, the Sega Mega Drive Mini 2, launched a few weeks ago. Sega's latest mini console features more than 50 games, including several never-before-released bonus games. The Japanese console includes a slightly different lineup of games and a smaller controller. Sega also sells a mini Mega CD 2/Sega CD 2 for cosmetic use with the original or second Genesis Mini. We've got lots of photos of these brilliant mini consoles to share! 

Arcade1Up has released numerous 3/4-scale arcade cabinets over the years, with my favorite being the Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder cabinet. Even the coolest cabinets like that one, however, only feature 17-inch monitors. That's what makes the announcement of the Killer Instinct PRO Series Arcade Cabinet so exciting. The Pro cabinet includes a 19-inch screen, SuzoHapp stick and buttons, and improved speakers. It will feature not just both Killer Instinct arcade games, but also the arcade, NES, and Genesis versions of Battletoads!

When Sega announced the Mega Drive Mini 2 for the Japanese market at the beginning of June, we wondered when an announcement for the American market would be coming. That finally happened, as the Sega Genesis Mini 2 is now official and already available for preorder! The Genesis Mini 2 and Mega Drive Mini 2 will each have shared and unique games, including co-op classics like Rolling Thunder 2 (US) and Final Fight CD (Japan).

Earlier this month, Sega announced the Mega Drive Mini 2 for the Japanese market. The new mini console will feature over 50 games, 20 of which will be Mega CD games. Excitement for this type of product largely depends on the included games, so Sega is announcing the Mega Drive 2 Mini's titles in batches. The latest batch of games includes the co-op classic The Ninja Warriors and several ports of arcade classics. Interestingly, an analog flight stick will be available for the Mega Drive Mini 2 as well.

Today, Sega of Japan announced a new mini console, though it might not be the one that fans really wanted. The Mega Drive Mini 2 is a miniature version of the Mega Drive 2 (known as the Sega Genesis 2 in North America). It's not just a reskinned Mega Drive Mini, though: the new console will feature 50 games from both the Genesis and Sega CD lib...