Sega Genesis/CD vs. X'Eye vs. Wondermega vs. CDX

[Mobius]

I'd like to play Snatcher, and I'd like to play it in all its glory: on an original system with the Justifer gun. But all I have is a Genesis 3, and that's obviously not going to cut it. So I need to buy some hardware to supplement the game, and it seems I have a whole ton of options. I was hoping for some input and to have some questions answered.

The Genesis/CD combo and X'Eye seem to be very reasonably priced, but my main criteria is that I want the hardware that is going to give me the best possible gameplay experience. Because of that, I'm leaning towards a Wondermega or Wondermega 2, since they have S-video outs. But that leaves me with a few questions:

1. Do Sega CD games have region locks? Will I have to mod a Wondermega to play a US copy of Snatcher? (I know the Turbo Duo/PCE-CD has no region lock on CD games, so I'm really hoping that's the case for Sega CD, too.)
2. How much should I expect to pay for a Wondermega or Wondermega 2, both boxed and unboxed? (eBay doesn't have much of a history here.)
3. Are there any caveats with the non-standard hardware? Do all peripherals work just as well? (32x, Power Base converter, Justifier gun, and other accessories.)
4. Is there any compelling reason to get a CDX?

[InsaneDavid]

1. Do Sega CD games have region locks? Will I have to mod a Wondermega to play a US copy of Snatcher? (I know the Turbo Duo/PCE-CD has no region lock on CD games, so I'm really hoping that's the case for Sega CD, too.)

Yes, they do have region locks. There are BIOS replacement mods to SCD1 and SCD2 units that will allow the play of multi region SCD/MCD games but they're far beyond novice level. You can also attempt to duplicate the game disc, inject an alternate region BIOS (USA into a JPN image for example), burn the converted game to a CD-R and run that. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't, it takes some time either way.


3. Are there any caveats with the non-standard hardware? Do all peripherals work just as well? (32x, Power Base converter, Justifier gun, and other accessories.)

The 32X works fine with the JVC X'Eye, as does the Power Base Converter although you have to cut away a good deal of the plastic housing on the PBC for it to fit. I have a Justifier but have been unable to get it to work with my X'Eye but I think that's simply because I have the AV connection through so many splitters and boxes. (the gun draws and shoots fine but it doesn't fire where aimed)


4. Is there any compelling reason to get a CDX?

Over an X'Eye? Not that I can think of. The USA/JPN region mod for the JVC X'Eye cartridge slot is also easy to perform.

[CosmicMonkey]

The Mega Cart from Tototek allows any region CD game to be played on any Sega CD system, including Wondermegas and Multimegas etc.

And due to the fact that the original RG-M1 Sega/Victor Wondermega is one of the nicest looking consoles out there, I'd get the credit card out.

[Mobius]

Great info guys, thanks!


The Mega Cart from Tototek allows any region CD game to be played on any Sega CD system, including Wondermegas and Multimegas etc.

And due to the fact that the original RG-M1 Sega/Victor Wondermega is one of the nicest looking consoles out there, I'd get the credit card out.

After reading your post, I was really tempted to do this. Then I read up on the Mega Cart, and judging by Tototek's boards, the people who have tried it on a Wondermega have had problems. Damn. :-\

Does anyone here have experience using the Mega Cart on a Wondermega?

I'm starting to think a normal Genesis/Sega CD combo with an S-video mod would be my best bet.

[klausien]

I'm starting to think a normal Genesis/Sega CD combo with an S-video mod would be my best bet.

Not so much. Remember, the more connections there are, the greater the drop in picture & sound quality and increase in interference. The side by side Genesis/Sega CD 2 combo is more reliable than the original stacked model, but both also have the disadvantage of being quite large and unwieldy. There is also the multiple AC Adapter issue. With a 32X in the picture, you have to plug in THREE of the huge bastards.

Get a combined unit. Either an X'Eye or CDX will do fine. I recommend the X'Eye personally. It is a great machine and I believe the S-Video mod for it is quite easy to do. The CDX is sexy, but it is also on the expensive side and is hard/scary to work on. If you need to play imports, reburn them using a tool to change regions.

[Mobius]

Not so much. Remember, the more connections there are, the greater the drop in picture & sound quality and increase in interference.

How is this a factor? Are the video connections daisy-chained somehow? I assumed there was just one video output -- the one from the Genesis.

[klausien]

How is this a factor? Are the video connections daisy-chained somehow? I assumed there was just one video output -- the one from the Genesis.

It's mostly an interference issue. If you've played Master System games on a Power Base Converter, you know what to expect. The connection between the Genesis & Sega CD is one, and the mixing cable on the Genesis 1 to the Sega CD is another. The 2 power supplies also let off a good amount of interference. Any time you interface two powered units, this is going to happen. The 32X does it as well. The connections between the units also suffer from metal fatigue and corrosion, creating a fiddly situation. These issues are by no means a dealbreaker, but why bother when there is a better option?

The combined units simply do not have these problems. The X'Eye is especially nice because it has separate composite audio jacks for improved sound. It's a shame that some of the WonderMega improvements were left out in the US release to save on costs, but it is still the best Genesis/Sega CD combo outside of maybe a LaserActive. I absolutely love mine. The region switch mod (carts only) is easy as well.

The CDX is smaller, but just isn't as functional with the 32X (weight distribution issues). Not that I wouldn't want one anyway. :)

[CosmicMonkey]

If they weren't so rediculously rare and expensive, I'd have had an Aiwa CSD-GM1. I reckon they're pretty damn cool, and about as obscure as Mega CDs come.

[Soviet Conscript]

if your not real picky go with a x'eye. there not real expensive and i think the S-video mad isn't that hard/expensive.

that being said i still like the model 1 genesis/sega cd combo. yes it has 3 power adaptors which is a pain but i think the interference issue is almost negligable. i'm into the whole a/v thing and i never saw any diffrence caused by any interference. genesis systems are also cheap and easy to mod. personally i prefer the version 1 genesis/cd combo i think it looks nicer. i also have no space to spare on the shelves and this combo takes up less space as its more veretical but thats totally depending on how your set up is. the model 2 is less prone to breakdown.

lastly it may not be an issue for you but a genesis/cd combo has no compatability issues with games or addons. x'eyes and cdx's and things like these may not be compatable with 100% of whats out there. like you saw with the mega cart thing. i tell you right off the bat Beggar Prince will not load or save on those systems. the percentage of non compatables are real low but if you want pretty much 100 percent go with the genesis/cd combo.
you'll also have an easier time finding people to mod these.

[InsaneDavid]

x'eyes and cdx's and things like these may not be compatable with 100% of whats out there. like you saw with the mega cart thing. i tell you right off the bat Beggar Prince will not load or save on those systems. the percentage of non compatables are real low but if you want pretty much 100 percent go with the genesis/cd combo.
you'll also have an easier time finding people to mod these.

I never understood why Beggar Prince doesn't work on a JVC X'Eye, for the most part it uses the same chips as a Genesis 2.

[j_factor]

Don't bother with an S-video mod. Instead, get a SCART connection off a European website and buy a YUV transcoder. Then you can play your Genesis in component. Best possible video quality for Genesis aside from an RGB monitor (and very close to that) -- better than s-video, and no modification necessary. It also works with the 32x, unlike s-video mods.

[Soviet Conscript]

I never understood why Beggar Prince doesn't work on a JVC X'Eye, for the most part it uses the same chips as a Genesis 2.

i have no idea, all i can tell you is the cdx and wondermegas were not popular or non-exsistant in Tawain and thus the game was not checked for compatability. it has something to do with how it saves i suppose.


Don't bother with an S-video mod. Instead, get a SCART connection off a European website and buy a YUV transcoder. Then you can play your Genesis in component. Best possible video quality for Genesis aside from an RGB monitor (and very close to that) -- better than s-video, and no modification necessary. It also works with the 32x, unlike s-video mods.

i'm not saying i don't belive you...but i did alot of looking into a/v connection for older systems once upson a time and from what i was told the YUV transcoaders didn't really work or were total crap. it was either settle for s-video (which i still think looks good) or if you didn't have a RGB monitor go through alot of crap. don't you need a $200 upscaler of some sort for this to work?

[j_factor]

i'm not saying i don't belive you...but i did alot of looking into a/v connection for older systems once upson a time and from what i was told the YUV transcoaders didn't really work or were total crap. it was either settle for s-video (which i still think looks good) or if you didn't have a RGB monitor go through alot of crap. don't you need a $200 upscaler of some sort for this to work?

Some of those transcoders are crap, indeed. You have to get the right one. The one I got (based on recommendations) cost me like $60. But it's really nice. The only problem is that it lacks any audio passthrough, so to make use of it on other systems you have to mod it (hooray for the Genny's headphone jack!). I still haven't attempted to mod mine, but I'm told the mod is very easy.

You don't need an upscaler unless you want to go to a VGA monitor.