The Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) is a great 16-bit system to collect for and play. The system really shows off Sega’s expertise in the arcade scene and the game library is geared more toward the arcade experience. Sporting a Motorola 68000 CPU and Z80 co-processor, many of the games are ports of arcade games or follow the same style. In this first installment, let’s take a look at some systems that are capable of playing Genesis/Mega Drive cartridge games and are officially licensed or manufactured by Sega.
Display Options
If this article, I’m going to discuss RGB and SCART. If you are not familar with these and wish to learn more, I highly recommend checking out this site: http://retrorgb.com/
In the US and in Japan, TV’s don’t have SCART input (in Europe that’s a different matter). Instead, these TVs will have Composite (RCA), S-Video, or Component (and sometimes even VGA). The systems below all input either Composite or RGB (VGA). A converter box (usually taking RGB SCART as input) is necessary for outputting Component or HDMI if your TV takes those as input.
Sega Genesis Model 1
The Genesis Model 1 was a high-quality build of the Sega Genesis. It’s probably my favorite – as it has a classic look and solid construction. It’s the largest model, but it’s not really that large – being smaller than an Atari 2600 and dwarfed by the later Sega CD add-on console. Later designs were really made for aesthetic differences (slimming down the case) or cost-cutting. This is a full-featured Sega Genesis.
One unique feature of the Model 1 is the 3.5mm stereo headphone jack and volume slider on the front of the console. The back A/V DIN port supports RGB (as do most Sega consoles) but on CRT TVs most of us will probably be using a composite cable (single audio channel unless taking audio from the front). You can have this model modded to have S-Video output and stereo RCA audio jacks on the back (highly recommended if available). There are also 3.5mm to RCA adapter cables readily available for hooking up the stereo audio from the front of the console to the TV.
If you are using this stock, it’s really not that bad (in fact it probably has the best bass sound of all the systems). When using composite out, try and play games using a CRT TV for the best look. If you’re using a HD-TV, look online for a SCART to HDMI converter (then buy a SCART cable for this). Both are relatively cheap and widely available.
Sega Genesis Model 2
The Model 2 looks very different than the Model 1 (having a sleeker, no-nonsense form-factor), but technically it’s not that far off in technical specs. The front audio slider and jack present on the Model 1 has been removed, but stereo was added to the Model 2 cable port. The A/V output jack was changed from DIN to Mini-DIN and offers composite or RGB.
Some people have reported some color fading on the Model 2 (based on the model) from the RGB signal. But I’ve also read reports that the composite is better on the Model 2 than the Model 1. The Model 1 also seems to beat out the Model 2 in audio (probably due to separation of audio signal – as it went to the front port directly). Either way, this is from people looking at fine details (and perhaps being nit-picky). For the average gamer, either model looks great and will serve just fine.
Sega Genesis 3
This late-model is small and sleek, but at the expense of the classic Sega quality – mostly because it was licensed out to another company (Majesco) for manufacture in 1998. This remains interesting to collect, but as far as your system-of-choice, you can do far better. For example, none of the external hardware (like the 32X, SMS Power Case Converter, or Sega CD add-on) works with this model.
Games like Virtua Racing (with co-processors built into the cart) also don’t work because of hardware changes. On top of that, games like Gargoyles, that took advantage of specific hardware glitches, also don’t work. This model can, however, play import cartridges (well those that don’t check region).
The power LED is removed and replaced with an exposed orange/red sticker visible when the slider switch is moved up. While the system provides the same mini-din cable that the Genesis 2 offers, but RGB is not supported without modding. The audio is also mono (meaning no left-right channels) – again, supplied through the mini-DIN Genesis 2 connector. There are certainly mods that correct each of these problems, but there’s no room in the case for the board/circuitry.
AT Games (Firecore, a.k.a. Genesis 4)
The AT Games (aka Firecore) model is a recent update that even-further slims down the Genesis. The US version comes with 80 built-in games – including the Sonic titles – but does, thankfully, keep the cartridge slot. Like the Genesis 3, there’s no region-lock, so you can play all of your import titles.
The sound is mono (one channel) and sounds far worse than any of the previous models (that’s actually been the major complaint of reviews online). I found this issue is somewhat alleviated by splitting it and feeding it into both RCA jacks. I’m not sure if there’s a grounding problem or if I’m just perceiving the change, but there seems to be less static and jitter this way. The graphics are fair – very similar to the Genesis Model 3 really.
The latest unit comes with two wireless controllers that work using line-of-sight technology (probably IR). As expected, the controllers are not of the same build quality of the original corded controllers and leave much to be desired. However, they are built well-enough to suffice. This is offset by the inclusion of two controller ports on the front of the console. So at least you can plug in your original controllers.
Sega Nomad
The Sega Nomad is a portable Sega Genesis with a built-in screen very similar to the Sega Game Gear. The unit itself contains the buttons for player one (and they’re laid out well) and there’s a controller port on the bottom for a second player. Unmodified, the screen is somewhat washed out and difficult to see (this can be true even if the capacitors are replaced). However, there’s a mini-DIN connector on the top for plugging in to a TV.
Like the Genesis 3, this unit is incompatible with most hardware attachments (like the 32X, SMS cart converters, etc). And it’s also region free – meaning you can play your foreign carts on it.
There’s a mod for Sega Nomad to replace the screen with a TFT LCD screen, replacing the CFL tube and back-lit screen entirely (capturing video from the TV-out connector).
Sega CDX
The Sega CDX (aka Multi-Mega) is a compact version of the Sega Genesis produced late in the gaming generation that has a Sega CD unit built in. When there’s no disc inserted, the unit acts like a Sega Genesis. With a Sega CD put in, it functions just like a Sega CD (and also plays audio CDs). The A/V output (a DIN cable) is the same as the Genesis 1 – meaning the device supports composite and RGB output.
There are two front ports for Sega Genesis controllers. The RGB is excellent on this system and available without modding (just like the Genesis Model 1). I’m not sure it’s worth paying the extra money (given that this is uncommon), but this is definitely a capable system. It is compatible with the CDX (al though it looks a little goofy) and Sega Master System games (using a converter cartridge).
Pioneer LaserActive PAC
The Pioneer LaserActive was designed as an all-in-one entertainment device – offering LaserDisc playback and CD audio. The CLD-A100 system offers a bay for inserting PACs – plug-in hardware modules. A Genesis PAC was sold separately – allowing gameplay of both Genesis and Sega CD games.
The PAC has two controller ports and uses the audio/video through the main unit. Unfortunately the main unit offers only composite output (through RCA jacks). Back when this came out, composite was certainly acceptable, but given the original price tag of $970 in 1993, I’m surprised this didn’t offer S-Video.
JVC X’EYE
The X’EYE is another collector system that is both very rare and expensive. Like the Sega CDX, this is a Sega Genesis system with a Sega CD built into the same box.
As JVC created audio chips for Sega (which was part of the deal that allowed JVC to license this technology), this is touted as having the best Sega CD audio. Unfortunately the video is composite (through a standard RCA jack on the back). So, like the LaserActive PAC, this is more of a curiosity than a must-have version of the Genesis.
Amstrad Mega PC / Sega TeraDrive
There were also IBM compatible systems capable of playing Genesis/Megadrive games released in the early to mid 90’s. The Amstrad Mega PC (a 386) came out in Europe and Australia, while the IBM Sega TeraDrive (a 286) came out in Japan. Both systems are rare and highly collectible, so expect a steep price tag.
Both systems provides VGA output and stereo sound on the back panel, with cartridge input and controller ports on the front panel. The TeraDrive offers RCA jacks on the back with Composite output as well. The VGA outputs a high-quality RGB signal (without jail-bars) from the Mega Drive hardware. The Amstrad was designed to play games in PAL while the TeraDrive plays NTSC games. US games work with the Amstrad, but there is the speed difference (as US games are NTSC).
The Amstrad seems capable of playing SMS games using an adapter cartridge (like the Master System Converter 2) as well as games like Virtua Racing with an external processor (the Sega Virtua Processor). However the TeraDrive doesn’t seem to be capable of playing SMS (meaning it’s missing the SMS hardware).
Best System for CRT/Composite (RCA) Users: Genesis Model 2
If you’re looking for a system to play Genesis games on your old CRT TV with composite input, the best choice for the money is, in my opinion, the Genesis Model 2. You can certainly use an CDX or even a Sega TeraDrive, but those are far more expensive options and you’d probably want to use those with a VGA monitor or RGB display option anyways.
For starters the Genesis 2 is probably the most economical choice (as I regularly see them for less than $40). But that’s not really the discerning factor. The Genesis 2 offers a great composite video signal (reportedly better than the Model 1). One downside with the mini-DIN connector is that the audio quality is poorer than the Model 1, but one can easily add RCA jacks to the back for the left and right audio channels (as well as composite through a RCA jack too).
If you have access to the X’EYE or the TeraDrive, those would be great at outputting composite as well, but they’re really for collectors given their rarity. Either is certainly viable here. With the X’EYE you’ll likely get better audio quality (the best really for Sega CD games). And with the PC hybrids you’ll get about the same output as the Genesis 2.
Best System for RGB/SCART (HDTV) Users: Genesis Model 1
The great thing about all of the Sega-manufactured systems is that they output native RGB without any modding. It’s just a matter of hooking up the correct cable (such as RGB SCART for the US/Japan system). The later licensed models don’t offer RGB without modding, but it can be done (though questionable whether it’s really worth doing). The later PC hybrids output VGA (basically a form of RGB), so you’ll likely want to use a monitor with them.
The Genesis Model 1 and the Sega CDX are both my picks for outputting RGB signal. Both also take the same DIN cable and don’t have any audio issues like the Model 2 does. The Model 1 wins out mainly due to audio quality. While the CDX has great audio, the Model 1 has it split out and with a better bass sound. Other than that, there’s not much difference aside from size (favoring the CDX) and price (favoring the Model 1). If that’s not enough, there’s the Model 1’s aesthetics – it’s just a really great, classic-looking system.
Well, that’s it for all of the official Sega-licensed consoles. Next time, we’ll look at the hardware clones capable of playing Sega Genesis carts.