The Polymega is a home video game console created by the American company Playmaji, Inc. It is a retro gaming console that can play games from older systems that used CDs or cartridges, including PlayStation, TurboGrafx-CD, Neo Geo CD, Sega CD, Sega Saturn, Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Sega Genesis, Sega 32X, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), and Nintendo 64. The console has a built-in DVD drive, and special add-ons called Element Modules allow it to support games that use cartridges.
It was first called RetroBlox in 2017 but had many delays before being released in September 2021.
History
The console was announced in January 2017 as the RetroBlox. It would be made by RetroBlox, Inc, a company based in Los Angeles. The company was started by Bryan Bernal and Eric Christensen, who used to work at Insomniac Games. Bernal wanted to create the console after a trip to Japan in 2015. There, he bought many PC Engine games but found it hard to play them on modern HD televisions without special changes. He aimed to make a new console that could play these games without needing modifications. The console was first planned to release in early 2018, but delays happened.
In May 2017, the console was renamed Polymega, and RetroBlox, Inc became Playmaji, Inc. Work on the console continued quietly for a year before it was shown at E3 2018. Playmaji started accepting pre-orders in September 2018, but the company’s website went offline for several days because of high traffic and a type of online attack.
The hardware design was completed in early 2019, but a shortage of 14nm chips caused delays. A public test phase began in early 2020, and the release was delayed again to November 2020 because of problems with a company in another country that made parts for the console. The release was delayed again after issues with communication with Wal-Mart after a change in staff. Playmaji canceled pre-orders from Wal-Mart’s website and asked buyers to purchase through the Polymega website instead. The release was pushed to February 2021 for those who preordered in 2018 and 2019.
The consoles were built in Myanmar, where protests happened in 2021, causing more delays. The COVID-19 pandemic also affected the timeline. The console was finally released worldwide on September 12, 2021, fulfilling pre-orders made before May 2020. Some units arrived in Japan a day early. The console costs $450, and Element Modules, which support cartridge games, cost $80 each.
In February 2023, Playmaji announced plans to create the Polymega App, a free program that lets users play saved games on a computer. The company also plans to start a paid service called Polymega XL, which would add features like cheat codes and cloud storage for game libraries. Because many computers lack a disc drive, Playmaji plans to release the Polymega Remix, a USB-powered external drive that also supports cartridges.
In July 2023, Playmaji announced a partnership with Atari, which became a minority investor. This deal would help Playmaji finish shipping Polymega pre-orders from 2021 by the end of 2023. Under the partnership, the Polymega App and Remix will work with the modern Atari VCS console.
Hardware
The Polymega uses an Intel Coffee Lake S processor. It has Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections, and uses HDMI to display 1080p video.
The console's default controller looks similar to a DualShock 4 and works with all modules. It can connect wirelessly or through a microUSB cable. Playmaji also makes a range of classic controllers for each module, with designs that resemble the original versions. Controllers made for older consoles are compatible with the Polymega's modules. Similarly, each module's classic controllers can be used with the original consoles. Third-party USB controllers, such as the Xbox 360 controller, are also compatible with the Polymega.
Playmaji collaborated with Sinden Technology to create a Polymega light gun called the Retro Gun Controller. It is designed to work with HD televisions and is expected to be released in mid-2024.
Games
The Polymega uses Linux and is based on emulation technology. It uses legally licensed software, such as Kega Fusion, MAME, Mednafen, and Mesen, which have been modified by Playmaji. The main console includes a built-in CD drive. Cartridge-based games are supported through add-ons called Element Modules, which connect to the base unit. Each module contains five pre-installed games.
Playmaji claims the Polymega is "the world's most compatible game console." It supports games from several cartridge-based systems, including the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), and Sega Genesis. It also supports CD-based systems like PlayStation, Sega CD, and TurboGrafx-16, along with its international versions such as the PC Engine.
Support for the Neo Geo CD was announced in June 2017. The Polymega loads Neo Geo CD games much faster than the original console, which had slow load times. In September 2018, support for the Sega Saturn was added, a console that is difficult to emulate. Bernal said the Dreamcast might be the last console supported, explaining that Playmaji does not plan to support GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, or newer systems. Bernal noted challenges with emulating the Dreamcast due to its GD-ROM format but stated in 2022 that work on this was ongoing.
The Polymega was originally planned to use a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), but this was canceled in mid-2018. Removing the FPGA allowed more space for a faster dual-core chip, improving compatibility with demanding systems like Saturn, Dreamcast, and Nintendo 64. Before this change, Bernal said some consoles, like the N64, would not be supported due to legal issues, including unexpired patents. In late 2021, Playmaji announced an N64 module due to high demand. Bernal said, "There are very few legal ways to play N64 games outside of the original hardware, so it’s an obvious choice for us." The N64 module was released in December 2023. Compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games is planned using the N64’s Transfer Pak. Through a partnership with Atari, Playmaji also plans to release a module for Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges, expected in 2024.
The Polymega is compatible with over 90% of the game libraries from classic consoles. It supports regional variants, including NTSC, PAL, and Japanese games, without needing patches. The console includes a built-in database with cover art, descriptions, and screenshots for thousands of games. This information appears when a game is inserted and is organized by console and region.
The Polymega can save game data to its memory, creating a backup and helping preserve physical copies. However, it cannot save games downloaded from the internet; an original game copy is required. Once game data is saved, a module is no longer needed to play the game, though it is still required for classic controllers. The console has 32 GB of storage and includes slots for SD cards and M.2 SSDs, allowing additional space for archived games.
Initially, the Polymega was planned to include live streaming through YouTube and Twitch, but this feature was removed in 2018.
Playmaji regularly updates the console’s system, such as adding support for previously incompatible games. An update in late 2021 introduced screen filters that mimic the monochrome displays of the Game Boy and Virtual Boy.
Playmaji plans to launch a digital store for downloading games, including arcade titles. An internal development studio has been created to produce original games exclusive to the Polymega. Playmaji also intends to eventually support cloud gaming services.
Reception
Christopher Grant of Polygon said the console is a good choice for gamers who already have many games, stating, "The Polymega is an attractive all-in-one option. Although it does not have the special features of the MiSTer, it is still a strong competitor for the best retro gaming console." Will Greenwald of PCMag praised the console's emulation software and gave it a rating of 4 out of 5. Damien McFerran of Nintendo Life specifically commended the Saturn emulation and wrote, "There is no other machine like this on the market, and it seems likely to become a popular choice for retro gaming fans." Some critics mentioned that the console's high price is a drawback. PCMag and Wired included the Polymega in their lists of top retro gaming consoles.