jepjepjep said:
There's a ton of good info at
http://www.sega-16.com/
Definitely. Go there, Sega-16 has more Genesis/Sega CD/32X information than about anywhere else.
Ultima_5 said:
Why hello there GAF. This may seem like a really strange time to be asking about retro video games with the E3 and what not, but over the last few months I have become increasingly interested in retro gaming systems. I now own every nintendo system, and most of the major games for each one. However, I want to expand into non-nintendo systems. I've been reading up on the Sega Genesis, and I think that is going to be my next purchase. I recently saw this model of the system in a store for $25 (Is that a good price?)
Are there other models that are superior? Also, I know that there were a lot of expansion things on the genesis (32x, sega cd, etc) Should I be on the look out for any of those, and would they be compatible w/ that model?
Finally. What games should I be on the hunt for? The only genesis game I've ever played is Gunstar Heroes.
(I did my best to google search similar topics, but I couldn't find any. If there was an older thread, mods can go ahead and lock this one. Also, this is my first thread so thats why it kinda sucks lol)
Thanks in Advance!
For models: The "High Definition Graphics" model 1 Genesis is indeed the best model. Non-"High Definition Graphics" model 1s, however, are often no better than model 2s.
There are actually several revisions of the Genesis hardware, besides from the three obvious models. Graphic and sound quality varies significantly between models. To tell the models apart, this thread at Sega-16 is where to go:
http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7796
Genesis hardware is complex, though simple compared to Turbografx/PC Engine hardware. There are three main models of Genesis, each with multiple revisions -- see the above link for details. There are also two add-ons of course, the Sega CD and the 32X.
Sega CD - I like the Sega CD, I'd say it's recommended for anyone who likes Genesis games. It's got a good number of good games and definitely is worth having. Note that a memory card is essential if you want to play many games, as the internal memory is very small, and memory cards ("CD Backup RAM Carts") are expensive and uncommon; there are no third party alternatives. Sega CD system prices also seem to have gone up in the past few years... still, it's a good system I'd say. There are two models of Sega CD, model 1, which is a large unit which has a tray-loading drive and goes below the Genesis, and the model 2, which attaches to the side and is top-loading. The model 2 is more reliable due to the top-load design and is the recommended one for anyone. The model 1 was designed for a model 1 Genesis, and a Genesis 2 looks silly attached to it; on the other hand, the Genesis 1 looks large attached to a model 2 Sega CD, which is designed for the Genesis 2. There is a spacer (plastic block) that fills in the gap on the side for use when using a Genesis 1 with Sega CD 2, but it's just a visual help really, not strictly needed. The locking plate that goes on the bottom of the Genesis really is very useful, though, to keep the Genesis in place.
-Mixing cable - Because of that "Genesis 1 is mono only on the rear port" restriction, for either model of Sega CD, in order to get stereo sound output from the Sega CD, a mixing cable is required. This just requires any standard male-to-male miniplug audio cable. Plug one end into the headphone jack on the front of the Geneiss 1, and the other end into the Mixing port on the back of the Sega CD. Then use the red and white audio jacks to connect to the stereo or RCA ports (for instance, with the yellow plug from a mono Genesis 1 or 2 A/V cable and the red and white plugs from the Sega CD, to get stereo without needing a Genesis 2 or 3 and Genesis 2 stereo A/V cable).
32X - The 32X is less essential than the Sega CD, with a much smaller library (40-45 games versus 220, using worldwide totals). The Sega 32X is the most powerful 4th-generation system, though, so it's kind of cool for that, and it has a few good games, particularly if you like shooting games of various kinds, so platform fans often end up getting one. It's kind of cool, but not the greatest. Looks kind of ugly, in my opinion, and it requires its own power supply again, like the Sega CD, so for the full unit you need to find room for three power bricks. Also, attaching it requires a bunch of parts and cables, so make SURE you get all the ones you need!
-Spacer: The 32X has a spacer that goes between the system and a Genesis 2. This is because carts sit deeper in a Genesis 1 than a Genesis 2, and the 32X had to be designed to fit both styles. Having a spacer is highly recommended for anyone using a 32X with a Genesis 2 because otherwise all of the weight of the 32X is pressing straight down onto the Genesis' circuit board and can over time bend the board and cause something to fail.
-End terminal thing - There is a piece you're supposed to attach to the Genesis' side port for if you don't have a Sega CD. Not too important, just get a Sega CD instead.
-Connector cable - The most important part. You connect the TV video cord (the 32X came with a mono A/V cable in the box, so they still often come with it, but a Genesis 2 RFU will work the same - though note that a Genesis 1 AV cable or RFU will not work, they are incompatible.), and then the 32X to the Genesis via the connector cable. Essentially the Genesis/Sega CD and 32X each draw a visual layer, and then the cords combine them to make it look like a single picture. Because the Genesis 1 and 2 use different A/V cables (this is presumably because the Genesis 1's rear port is mono only, while the Genesis 2 supports stereo, as I said above), the connector cable on its own will only attach the 32X to a Genesis 2. For a Genesis 1 you need...
-Connector cable adapter - This short adapter cable is necessary for plugging the 32X into a Genesis 1. Plug the connector cable into the adapter, plug that into the system.
I have a Model 2 Genesis, so I have bad sound like all model 2s do, but I'm lucky and got one with the best kind of video encoder, so at least I do have the best video quality... and really, I like the look of the model 2 better overall, and it looks much better attached to a model 2 Sega CD, which is the better, more reliable model of Sega CD. Also you don't need that stupid Mixing cable in order to get stereo audio from the Sega CD with a Genesis 2, because the Gensis 2 outputs stereo sound from the back of the system, while the Genesis 1 only outputs stereo through the front headphone jack, and mono only through the rear... but a lot of people prefer the model 1 because of its classic looks and better audio, which makes sense. Also you need a model 1 if you want to use an unmodified Power Base Converter (for Sega Master System games), the rear of the thing blocks a Model 2's power cord. But on the other hand you need the Genesis 2-to-Genesis 1 adapter to use a 32X, and that adapter is even harder to find than the 32X-to-Genesis 2 connector cord... but anyway, each model has advantages and disadvantages.
As for price, $25 is about right. I'd say get it, if it really is a "High Definition Graphics" one.
Oh, as for games, go to Sega-16. There are lots of good games for the Genesis, Sega CD, and 32X.
