( 
) Here is part two of my Genesis buying guide, starting where my first part left off. So let's kick things off with the Sega Nomad...
Sega came out with many other version and redesigns for the Genesis that were created to help lengthen the Genesis life span. One such version is the Sega Noamd. The Sega Nomad is compatible with the complete Sega library, and the fact that it was design as a hand held with a built in screen makes it even more worth looking into. Though the Nomad let you play games from the complete Sega library, there were some issues during game play due to the screen size. Two of the most common problems are games with a lot of text on screen at once. Viewing all that text on a small Nomad screen can really strain your eyes (if the text is readable at all). Another issue is certain games have a blur effect with fast moving sprites. The most common games this was noticeable on are the Sonic series. You can avoid these problems by using the video out function on the Nomad to play the game on a big TV. To do this you will just need a Model 2 AV cable (as a side note the Nomad uses an adapter that is the same as the Model 2 Genesis, Model 2 Sega CD, and Sega 32X). Another neat function is the ability to connect a second controller to the Nomad for two player games.
This is an often brought up question, does the 32X work if attached to the Nomad? Does the Power Base Converter Work if attached? The answer to the first question is yes, the 32X does work on the Nomad. Now, before you think taking out your 32X you need to know something. First of all the 32X doesn't actually fit in the Nomad's cartridge slot. This is where the GameGenie come back into play (I guess the HoneyBee will work as well but it is much harder to get). Using the GameGenie you can extend the Nomad cartridge slot so now the 32X will fit in. Every one who tried this have reported that while the 32X game does boot it stops at the licensed by screen, or when the Sega logo appears). I've yet to buy GameGenie so I can't try this out with my 32X and Nomad at the moment yet). This setup has been recorded and uploaded to YouTube for those wanting more information.
The Power Base Convert actually suffer from a different problem. The Nomad for some reason no on can figure out, has the Power Base compatibility removed. People have taken apart the Nomad and found that a connection as left unconnected (this problem relates to the Nomad's PBC). If that connection were fixed (a little soldering know how is needed) then you could play Master System games on the Nomad via the many converters. Like I said no one knows why Sega left this part unconnected, but once fixed it works.
The Nomad is notoriously know for it's low battery life. The Nomad's back lit screen drains the batteries fairly quick. Even if you were to obtain the Nomad battery pack you still would be in for a short play. A common mistake made when buying a battery pack is that someone might buy the one made for the GameGear. The GameGear battery pack uses a uses NiCa rechargeable batteries. The Nomad uses NiMH rechargeable batteries in it's battery pack. NiMH rechargeable batteries give a longer life, in fact every rechargeable battery today is mainly NiMH. The Nomad's NiMH battery is very weak though. NiMH batteries have improved greatly though, and this is a godsend.
With the improvements in the NiMH batteries you can now get up to, or over, 6 hours of game play per charge. To do this you'll need to buy six 2650 mah Batteries, and place them in the Nomad's battery pack. The battery pack is a little box that hold the batteries, and is attached to the back of the Nomad. The reason you'll need 2650 mah Batteries is due to the amount of power the Nomad requires (which these batteries provide).
The Nomad wasn't Sega's only step they made to create a portable console. The rarest and most highly wanted portable is Sega's CDX. The CDX combines the Genesis and Sega CD into one unit. Unlike the Nomad and Model 3 Genesis this system allows the use of the 32X and Power Base Converter (even though the CDX manual says it won't work).
The only issue with the 32X is the fact that the shape and size of the add-on creates extra weight, thus the CDX can get a little warped or will tilt over easily. Sega originally was going to come out with a spacer to relieve some of this stress, but it was never released. The Power Base works just as fine as it does on the Genesis Model 1 and 2.
The CDX is able to run on batteries, but this option won't last long when playing games. What they are used for is the CD player function. The CDX doubles as a portable CD player. There is an LCD on the front of the system that tells you what track you're on an when a game is being played.
Now as I stated there are many revisions and models of the Genesis, and it's attachments, these different version only provide a Sega CD option. There was a Sega Genesis/32X system planned at one point called the Sega Venus but was never finished. There are many projects on the web that show off how to build a Venus for those that would like to see what could have been.
Another version is the Wondermega/X'eye, which is the most popular version. This was a Sega Genesis/CD combo that added extras not seen on other models and versions. This system will set you back a lot, so I would recommend the CDX if you want such a combo (though the CDX hardly is ever sold for less than $50 or sometimes $80).
If you want to experiment with multiple versions of the Genesis (that is if you have the money to support this hobby) try to look for the MegaJet. The MegaJet was a Genesis system used on a Japanese international airline. The system would be attached to a monitor on the back of a seat. As for games, the Airlines provided many of the more popular titles to chose from, and if you wanted you could bring your own games to play as well.
Sega eventually repackaged this system for consumers, where it was advertised as a portable Genesis. The Nomad which was released in the US was based off the MegaJet's design. Sega thankfully thought of adding a screen to the unit for the Nomad's American release. These two system (along with the CDX) were the only hand held Genesis available. This meant that European consumers would be left out of all this hand held goodness (the CDX was available in limited quantities in Europe at one point).
There were a couple of other releases that went under the radar. Sega partnered up with IBM and created the Teradrive. The Teradrive used an IBM AT computer and combined it with a MegaDrive. When a MegaDrive cartridge was inserted the computer would switch to MegaDrive mode. The Teradrive did give access to all the computer's main functions allowing the computer to double as a MegaDrive developing computer. Using released software you could design and program your own games (as well as edit a few). The computer side of the Teradrive had DOS installed and functioned just like any other computer.
Amstrad Mega PC was created by Amstrad with the same functions as the Teradrive. Though the Amstrad Mega PC got rid of the developing functions. This was due to the computer and the MegaDrive being two separate devices, they were just bundled as one. When ever you wanted to play a MegaDrive game the computer would switch to MegaDrive mode denying all the functions of computer.
Some of the other ones are the Aiwa Mega-CD, and the Pioneer LaserActive with Mega Drive module. The Pioneer LaserActive with Mega Drive module was really a LaserDisc player that had a MegaDrive attachment as well as a Sega CD attachment (all together this was an expensive release especially when you take into account how much both modules and and the LaserDisc player cost individually). The Aiwa Mega-CD combined a MegaDrive and a Awia CD player.
Since these there's been many clones and version made by other companies. One that's worth mentioning is the Plug-n-Play systems with built in Sega games (the one I'm going to refer to is the Radica ARCADE LEGENDS SEGA GENESIS). Modders have been able to change this Plug-n-Play device into a real Sega Genesis system (allowing the use of Genesis cartridges). So if you have the know how, and about $20 this is something worth looking into (if just for the fact that it's able to be done).
The Sega Genesis is considered to be the greatest gaming machine of it's time. It had a very long life due to it's great game selection, and accessories that made the system worth getting (the Sega Activator is an exclusion). This system received so much face lifts and remodels that you could go broke trying to obtain them all. Knowing which one is perfect for you will help you in the long run, and I hope this information will make the decision easier. I would like to end this guide with a thank you to Sega, for the system that defined a generation of gaming in the 16 Bit era.
Sega came out with many other version and redesigns for the Genesis that were created to help lengthen the Genesis life span. One such version is the Sega Noamd. The Sega Nomad is compatible with the complete Sega library, and the fact that it was design as a hand held with a built in screen makes it even more worth looking into. Though the Nomad let you play games from the complete Sega library, there were some issues during game play due to the screen size. Two of the most common problems are games with a lot of text on screen at once. Viewing all that text on a small Nomad screen can really strain your eyes (if the text is readable at all). Another issue is certain games have a blur effect with fast moving sprites. The most common games this was noticeable on are the Sonic series. You can avoid these problems by using the video out function on the Nomad to play the game on a big TV. To do this you will just need a Model 2 AV cable (as a side note the Nomad uses an adapter that is the same as the Model 2 Genesis, Model 2 Sega CD, and Sega 32X). Another neat function is the ability to connect a second controller to the Nomad for two player games.
This is an often brought up question, does the 32X work if attached to the Nomad? Does the Power Base Converter Work if attached? The answer to the first question is yes, the 32X does work on the Nomad. Now, before you think taking out your 32X you need to know something. First of all the 32X doesn't actually fit in the Nomad's cartridge slot. This is where the GameGenie come back into play (I guess the HoneyBee will work as well but it is much harder to get). Using the GameGenie you can extend the Nomad cartridge slot so now the 32X will fit in. Every one who tried this have reported that while the 32X game does boot it stops at the licensed by screen, or when the Sega logo appears). I've yet to buy GameGenie so I can't try this out with my 32X and Nomad at the moment yet). This setup has been recorded and uploaded to YouTube for those wanting more information.
The Power Base Convert actually suffer from a different problem. The Nomad for some reason no on can figure out, has the Power Base compatibility removed. People have taken apart the Nomad and found that a connection as left unconnected (this problem relates to the Nomad's PBC). If that connection were fixed (a little soldering know how is needed) then you could play Master System games on the Nomad via the many converters. Like I said no one knows why Sega left this part unconnected, but once fixed it works.
The Nomad is notoriously know for it's low battery life. The Nomad's back lit screen drains the batteries fairly quick. Even if you were to obtain the Nomad battery pack you still would be in for a short play. A common mistake made when buying a battery pack is that someone might buy the one made for the GameGear. The GameGear battery pack uses a uses NiCa rechargeable batteries. The Nomad uses NiMH rechargeable batteries in it's battery pack. NiMH rechargeable batteries give a longer life, in fact every rechargeable battery today is mainly NiMH. The Nomad's NiMH battery is very weak though. NiMH batteries have improved greatly though, and this is a godsend.
With the improvements in the NiMH batteries you can now get up to, or over, 6 hours of game play per charge. To do this you'll need to buy six 2650 mah Batteries, and place them in the Nomad's battery pack. The battery pack is a little box that hold the batteries, and is attached to the back of the Nomad. The reason you'll need 2650 mah Batteries is due to the amount of power the Nomad requires (which these batteries provide).
The Nomad wasn't Sega's only step they made to create a portable console. The rarest and most highly wanted portable is Sega's CDX. The CDX combines the Genesis and Sega CD into one unit. Unlike the Nomad and Model 3 Genesis this system allows the use of the 32X and Power Base Converter (even though the CDX manual says it won't work).
The only issue with the 32X is the fact that the shape and size of the add-on creates extra weight, thus the CDX can get a little warped or will tilt over easily. Sega originally was going to come out with a spacer to relieve some of this stress, but it was never released. The Power Base works just as fine as it does on the Genesis Model 1 and 2.
The CDX is able to run on batteries, but this option won't last long when playing games. What they are used for is the CD player function. The CDX doubles as a portable CD player. There is an LCD on the front of the system that tells you what track you're on an when a game is being played.
Now as I stated there are many revisions and models of the Genesis, and it's attachments, these different version only provide a Sega CD option. There was a Sega Genesis/32X system planned at one point called the Sega Venus but was never finished. There are many projects on the web that show off how to build a Venus for those that would like to see what could have been.
Another version is the Wondermega/X'eye, which is the most popular version. This was a Sega Genesis/CD combo that added extras not seen on other models and versions. This system will set you back a lot, so I would recommend the CDX if you want such a combo (though the CDX hardly is ever sold for less than $50 or sometimes $80).
If you want to experiment with multiple versions of the Genesis (that is if you have the money to support this hobby) try to look for the MegaJet. The MegaJet was a Genesis system used on a Japanese international airline. The system would be attached to a monitor on the back of a seat. As for games, the Airlines provided many of the more popular titles to chose from, and if you wanted you could bring your own games to play as well.
Sega eventually repackaged this system for consumers, where it was advertised as a portable Genesis. The Nomad which was released in the US was based off the MegaJet's design. Sega thankfully thought of adding a screen to the unit for the Nomad's American release. These two system (along with the CDX) were the only hand held Genesis available. This meant that European consumers would be left out of all this hand held goodness (the CDX was available in limited quantities in Europe at one point).
There were a couple of other releases that went under the radar. Sega partnered up with IBM and created the Teradrive. The Teradrive used an IBM AT computer and combined it with a MegaDrive. When a MegaDrive cartridge was inserted the computer would switch to MegaDrive mode. The Teradrive did give access to all the computer's main functions allowing the computer to double as a MegaDrive developing computer. Using released software you could design and program your own games (as well as edit a few). The computer side of the Teradrive had DOS installed and functioned just like any other computer.
Amstrad Mega PC was created by Amstrad with the same functions as the Teradrive. Though the Amstrad Mega PC got rid of the developing functions. This was due to the computer and the MegaDrive being two separate devices, they were just bundled as one. When ever you wanted to play a MegaDrive game the computer would switch to MegaDrive mode denying all the functions of computer.
Some of the other ones are the Aiwa Mega-CD, and the Pioneer LaserActive with Mega Drive module. The Pioneer LaserActive with Mega Drive module was really a LaserDisc player that had a MegaDrive attachment as well as a Sega CD attachment (all together this was an expensive release especially when you take into account how much both modules and and the LaserDisc player cost individually). The Aiwa Mega-CD combined a MegaDrive and a Awia CD player.
Since these there's been many clones and version made by other companies. One that's worth mentioning is the Plug-n-Play systems with built in Sega games (the one I'm going to refer to is the Radica ARCADE LEGENDS SEGA GENESIS). Modders have been able to change this Plug-n-Play device into a real Sega Genesis system (allowing the use of Genesis cartridges). So if you have the know how, and about $20 this is something worth looking into (if just for the fact that it's able to be done).
The Sega Genesis is considered to be the greatest gaming machine of it's time. It had a very long life due to it's great game selection, and accessories that made the system worth getting (the Sega Activator is an exclusion). This system received so much face lifts and remodels that you could go broke trying to obtain them all. Knowing which one is perfect for you will help you in the long run, and I hope this information will make the decision easier. I would like to end this guide with a thank you to Sega, for the system that defined a generation of gaming in the 16 Bit era.
Guide created: 12/18/08 (updated 06/11/09)
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