Peripherals specialist Blaze is set to release more devices in its retro range, following the success of its portable Mega Drive.

The firm’s latest handheld features 20 built-in Mega Drive games, including classics like Sonic and Knuckles, Echo the Dolphin, Alex Kidd and Golden Axe, and the company hopes that the device will continue to perform in the run-up to Christmas.

“The response from consumers and retailers alike has been great and interest is very high,” claimed Blaze’s marketing manager James Gill.

“We hope to gain traction in the market with these products in the run-up to Christmas, and we already have other products in development that will also be released and will continue the retro theme.”

Although the retro sector has been viewed in the past as a niche market, Gill feels that the success of Wii’s Virtual Console and Xbox Live Arcade shows that there is interest in classic titles:

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“We think the market for retro games is growing and has been strengthened by the support for classics on Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 digital platforms,” he continued.

“Everybody loves reliving their youth, which makes these retro devices appealing to those old enough to have played the games first time round. They appeal to younger gamers too, who are keen to find out what these old classics are all about.”