After the Neo Geo Mini, the Astro City Mini, and while waiting for the V version at the end of July, it is now possible to quench your thirst for retrogaming with the EGRET II mini, a mini terminal replica of a cult piece of furniture Japanese arcades.
Taito’s EGRET II mini terminal invites you to trace the thread of a short history of Japanese video games from 1978 to 1995. The promise remains that of the Astro City Mini marketed in 2021: a miniature replica of the standard cabinet used in Japanese theaters since 1996, a modular model that marked its era with the presence of a rotating screen that made it an object of desire. To be convinced, a selection of 40 games are preinstalled in the internal memory, to which are added the ten additional titles of the SD Card + Trackpad pack.
The new mini terminal impresses with its size, sturdiness and lines. And the adjustable screen is the main asset (5 inches 1024 x 768, 4:3 format). It allows you to alternate between horizontal and vertical position depending on the games. Its rotation is automatic, and activated at any time during the game; no need to quit the game or turn off the terminal to see the image adjust to the position of the screen. The device does not have an internal battery, however, and it will have to be connected to the current to power it, via its USB-C port.
With 40 onboard games, and ten more on the SD card, the EGRET II mini covers great Taito classics: Space Invaders, Elevator Action, Bubble Bobble, Rainbow Island, Puzzle Bobble, Rastan Saga… But the he vast majority of embedded titles must unfortunately fight against the pangs of time.
Sold at a minimum of €199, without counting on the Control Pad at €35, the Control Panel at €90 or the trackball controller at €120, the EGRET II mini terminal is aimed above all at experienced retrogamers who are not very fussy about spending. Puyo is one of them, and he is the one who signed the test to read on Gamekult.