With the NES and SNES Mini consoles, Nintendo popularized the concept of re-releasing digital-only versions of classic gaming consoles, loaded with collections of popular games that were released for the system. Other companies have since followed suit, with Sega releasing a Genesis Mini console and more recently, the Game Gear Micro. It seems Sega's not done releasing mini versions of its classic systems, and the next one may be of particular interest to fans.
While Sega hasn't made an official announcement about its next mini console, Sega creative producer Yosuke Okunari has said that the next one could very well be a Dreamcast Mini. Speaking to Famitsu magazine, Okunari said, "I think for the next one, we may go with a concept close to the Mega Drive Mini. If I have to say some names, it could be an SG-1000 Mini or a Dreamcast Mini." The Dreamcast was home to a slew of critically-acclaimed games, and so it's easy to see how one could prove to be quite popular.
Okunari also mentioned that whatever the next mini console released by Sega happens to be, it will likely get a worldwide launch. The Game Gear Micro, for the uninitiated, is only available in Japan, so this clarification was necessary. However, this means that the next console will have more ambitious plans than the Game Gear Micro, and so fans shouldn't expect to see it soon. Okunari believes it will like release more than two years after the Genesis Mini, which launched in 2021. So if Sega does plan on releasing a Dreamcast Mini, fans shouldn't expect to see it on store shelves until 2022 at the earliest.
Even though the Dreamcast was a sales failure and ultimately saw Sega exit the console hardware business, it was home to many critically-acclaimed games. As far as first-party Sega games go, titles like Jet Grind Radio, Skies of Arcadia, and Sonic Adventure 2 both seem like they would go a long way in convincing enthusiasts to pick up a potential Sega Dreamcast Mini console.
However, the Dreamcast was better known for its high-quality third-party games. The original Soulcalibur is the highest-rated game on the system, with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, NFL 2K1, and Quake 3 Arena also earning spots in the top 10 highest-rated Sega Dreamcast titles. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that these games, especially the sports titles and Quake 3 Arena, would ever be released a Sega Dreamcast Mini console.
If Sega does plan on moving forward with a Sega Dreamcast Mini, fans should hear about it in an official capacity within the next couple of years or so.
Source: Famitsu (via Siliconera)