The past decade or so has seen gaming become more mainstream. Gaming fans who grew up during the late ’80s can now enjoy their favorite fandom in many forms. Meanwhile, there’s also a growing trend of nostalgia that’s revitalizing the retro gaming scene. It’s no surprise then that LEGO has found continuous success in this recipe through its collaborations with video game companies. This time, the toy company is now partnering with the gaming giant’s old rival, Sega, to create an upcoming set that stands as an ode to the 16-bit era of gaming — the LEGO Sega Genesis console set.
16-bit brick nostalgia
The LEGO Sega Genesis console set comes with 479 pieces, including parts for builders to assemble two versions: the North American console or the international Mega Drive version. In addition, the set also includes two detachable controllers, a removable game cartridge that resembles the cover of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and several stickers for additional customization. There’s also a bonus easter egg — Sega’s famous blue hedgehog mascot — appearing in brick form inside the console. Completing the set will size up to 4cm in height, 16cm in width, and 12cm in depth.
Starting from June 2026, the LEGO Sega Genesis console set will be available for $39.99. Considering that previous collaborations for consoles could go up to more than $200, this is quite a reasonable price tag. Prior to this set, the company had already produced several Sonic the Hedgehog sets in previous years. Rumors are saying that the next collaboration will be with another ’90s icon, this time with the original PlayStation. This will open up a world of possibilities for new sets with Sega and Sony properties in the upcoming years.
While the Sega and Nintendo ’90s console wars have ended, the comparison between the two companies’ collaborations leaves several fans unhappy with the release. The small size and lack of detail have drawn criticism from fans online, especially when compared with Nintendo’s sets. Unlike the LEGO Sega Genesis console set, the previous Nintendo Entertainment System set featured over 2,600 pieces, including a Mario figure and an old-school CRT TV inside. While the set costs significantly more, it’s the proper tribute that several fans were expecting. The controllers included with the set are also getting some criticism as they are less detailed than the previous LEGO Sega Genesis Controller set that the company offered exclusively online in 2025.
Plugged into nostalgia
Despite the heated discussion, the trend of pushing “playable nostalgia” has been a continuous success for toy and game companies. After all, adult fans of LEGO and gaming enthusiasts are willing to pay for something premium and better suited to their tastes. Despite the polarizing opinions on the release of the LEGO Sega Genesis console set, I’m personally happy to see the console I grew up with in brick form at a reasonable price. Being able to build a piece of my childhood and technology that defined my formative years is a feeling that is hard to replicate. Although not as grand as the Nintendo sets, I’m glad it exists at all and would love to have on my shelf.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been taken by Jezael Melgoza. The images used in the body of the article are owned by LEGO and have been provided for press usage.
Sources: Cosmocover / Chris Compendio (GameSpot) / Rahim Noorali (Notebookcheck) / Amy Verner (Vogue)
