Which Genesis system is more rare/sought after Brand New?

[j1e]

I'm looking to buy a new (BNIB) Sega Genesis system sometime in the near future. I know there are 3 variants to the system. I will more than likely just keep it unplayed/new in the box for collectible purposes. Which system would be considered more rare (or rarer if that's a word)? I have a model 1 and 2 but have never owned or played the Genesis 3. What would a collector find more sought after out of these 3 systems brand new in the box?

[tom]

I guess mine, but new?, once in a life-time:
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=193634&g2_serialNumber=2

[Gameguy]

The Model 3 would probably be the rarest system out of the models you're considering. Out of the three models I personally would want an early Model 1 Genesis without a lockout chip(most likely a launch unit with Altered Beast included, if that's possible to find).

I notice you're not considering an X'Eye, CDX, or Nomad, which are also different Genesis systems. Those would probably be more sought after than any of the other models you mentioned.

[RPG_Fanatic]

Out of the three models I personally would want an early Model 1 Genesis without a lockout chip(most likely a launch unit with Altered Beast included, if that's possible to find).


I have a launch (Altered Beast) system thats never been opened. I just have no idea how much its worth.

[Daft Punk]

Isnt the Maximum carnage set one if not the rarest us release?I guess thats if your going for rarest "boxed" set.

[Xian042]

Yeah I'd go for a first run model 1 Altered Beast package. If not that, then go for a CDX or X'eye.

[Kyle15]

There are model 1's that don't have a lockout chip? I had no idea! @_@
Are there any ways to tell a loose launch model from a later model? There are plenty of model 1's here, but none are in the box.

[AB Positive]

There are model 1's that don't have a lockout chip? I had no idea! @_@
Are there any ways to tell a loose launch model from a later model? There are plenty of model 1's here, but none are in the box.

Pop in a game and watch the TV as you turn it on - do you get the "Made under authority of SEGA..." message before the game boots?

Yes - it has the lockout chip

No - it's lockout free. :)

[garagesaleking!!]

the model 3 genesis systems are not that hard to find new. The model 1 is probably the rarest.

[MrSparkle]

there are alot of cool alternative genesis systems out there like the aiwa boombox with built in sega cd. Personally out of the 3 american models i would go for the original altered beast model 1 package. But if your willing to go outside of these 3 systems id say try to find a sega megajet i see them fairly often on ebay.

[Bojay1997]

Value-wise, the original launch Genesis with Altered Beast pack-in is the most valuable of the three models. I have seen them go on Ebay for hundreds of dollars lately new/mint in the box.

[evil_genius]

I guess mine, but new?, once in a life-time:
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=193634&g2_serialNumber=2

What's that?

[Bratwurst]

What's that?

Sega Teradrive. All the Sega branded peripherals and monitor really makes that setup look nice.

[j1e]

Thanks for the replies. I bought a model 1 version core system BNIB for $80 shipped. I thought that was a fair enough price.

[MrSparkle]

80 bucks sealed? if so congrats thats a bit better than fair thats pretty good.

[Trebuken]

If we're putting the Teradrive on the table then someone should have mentioned, or suggested a Laseractive with the Sega PAC.

You should also look at getting a Nomad.

[The 1 2 P]

I guess mine, but new?, once in a life-time:
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=193634&g2_serialNumber=2

What the hell are you doing playing Barbie:Super Model?LOL I have a JVC X-Eye that was new when I bought it on ebay a few years ago. If you are going to try and snag a new unit I would definitely try and get some sort of game cart/dc combo like the X-Eye or cdx.

That is a nice setup Tom. Me jealous:cheers:

[Bojay1997]

80 bucks sealed? if so congrats thats a bit better than fair thats pretty good.

Agreed, although the collectibility of the core system is a lot lower compared to the original release with the Altered Beast pack-in which would explain the lower price.

[Gameguy]

I have a launch (Altered Beast) system thats never been opened. I just have no idea how much its worth.
I'm not too sure of the value, I personally wouldn't pay too much for one since it would just sit unused. If I ever came across one cheap(like $30 or less) I'd pick it up.


Isnt the Maximum carnage set one if not the rarest us release?I guess thats if your going for rarest "boxed" set.
I don't think that's a system set, I'm pretty sure it's the game packaged with comics like the one shown here;
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/sega/genesis/2008/06/the-rarest-and-most-valuable-sega-genesis-megadrive-games.html


There are model 1's that don't have a lockout chip? I had no idea! @_@
Are there any ways to tell a loose launch model from a later model? There are plenty of model 1's here, but none are in the box.
There's an easy way to check, I think I found this info from this site several years ago.

"On the underside of the Genesis you should see a label that has "FCC" on it. The following are the two types of IDs that are on the Model 1's:

FJ846EUSASEGA: a system that has this ID does NOT have the copyright screen.
FJ8USASEGA: a system that has this ID DOES HAVE the copyright screen."




I didn't mention any of the Mega Drive consoles because I assumed the original poster was only interested in North American units. There's plenty of unique/interesting Mega Drive consoles out there, like the Mega Jet or Teradrive(I know this one has already been mentioned earlier).

[Kyle15]

I'm not too sure of the value, I personally wouldn't pay too much for one since it would just sit unused. If I ever came across one cheap(like $30 or less) I'd pick it up.


I don't think that's a system set, I'm pretty sure it's the game packaged with comics like the one shown here;
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/sega/genesis/2008/06/the-rarest-and-most-valuable-sega-genesis-megadrive-games.html


There's an easy way to check, I think I found this info from this site several years ago.

"On the underside of the Genesis you should see a label that has "FCC" on it. The following are the two types of IDs that are on the Model 1's:

FJ846EUSASEGA: a system that has this ID does NOT have the copyright screen.
FJ8USASEGA: a system that has this ID DOES HAVE the copyright screen."




I didn't mention any of the Mega Drive consoles because I assumed the original poster was only interested in North American units. There's plenty of unique/interesting Mega Drive consoles out there, like the Mega Jet or Teradrive(I know this one has already been mentioned earlier).

Thanks! :)
Also, one more thing: is there a difference between model 1 and model 2 hook-ups?

[Kevincal]

I heard the early model 1 Genesis' also had better sound output than the other models... Any truth to this? I have a model 2 Genesis right now... I miss my model 1 from my childhood.. :( I bought the Sonic 1 model 1 system package new from TRU back in 1991, boy that was awesome playing that for the first time! :D I really wish I had kept it and the box etc..

When was it again (month/year?) that the Genesis model one was changed to have the region lockout? Is that when they also removed the "High Definition Graphics" logo from the system?

[CosmicMonkey]

I've never seen the box for the Aiwa CSD GM1. Going by the prices I've seen for loose units, a BNIB one would make your Visa card melt. I assume the same would go for BNIB Sega or Victor Wondermega systems.

[yoshilime53]

i think the pwr supply is diffirant

[Daft Punk]

I don't think that's a system set, I'm pretty sure it's the game packaged with comics like the one shown here;
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/sega/genesis/2008/06/the-rarest-and-most-valuable-sega-genesis-megadrive-games.html




I tried to google it but couldn't find anything. Id have to see the front of that book set's box to be sure. It's been years so memory is probably foggy or I dreamed it ;)

ah found it......

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?p=985551

Yup I was wrong ....Carry on :P

[Cornelius]

Thanks! :)
Also, one more thing: is there a difference between model 1 and model 2 hook-ups?

yes. The power supplies have the same (or close) specs, but the tip is very different. Also, the Model 1 can use your regular rf adapter (NES, SMS, Gen 1, etc) or a special composite cable (I think it is a fat 5-pin plug, maybe the same as the SMS... too lazy to look it up atm). The Model 2 requires a special small (about s-video size, but with 3 pins) connector for either rf or composite.

[Kyle15]

yes. The power supplies have the same (or close) specs, but the tip is very different. Also, the Model 1 can use your regular rf adapter (NES, SMS, Gen 1, etc) or a special composite cable (I think it is a fat 5-pin plug, maybe the same as the SMS... too lazy to look it up atm). The Model 2 requires a special small (about s-video size, but with 3 pins) connector for either rf or composite.

Thanks again! :)

[Gameguy]

Thanks! :)
Also, one more thing: is there a difference between model 1 and model 2 hook-ups?

yes. The power supplies have the same (or close) specs, but the tip is very different. Also, the Model 1 can use your regular rf adapter (NES, SMS, Gen 1, etc) or a special composite cable (I think it is a fat 5-pin plug, maybe the same as the SMS... too lazy to look it up atm). The Model 2 requires a special small (about s-video size, but with 3 pins) connector for either rf or composite.
Only other thing that hasn't been mentioned is that the Model 2 uses the same adapter as the Game Gear and Nomad, you can just use the Genesis adapter to power any of those(that's what I do).



I heard the early model 1 Genesis' also had better sound output than the other models... Any truth to this? I have a model 2 Genesis right now... I miss my model 1 from my childhood.. :( I bought the Sonic 1 model 1 system package new from TRU back in 1991, boy that was awesome playing that for the first time! :D I really wish I had kept it and the box etc..

When was it again (month/year?) that the Genesis model one was changed to have the region lockout? Is that when they also removed the "High Definition Graphics" logo from the system?
I've heard the same thing, there even was a site that had sounds recorded from different model Genesis units to show the difference, but it was an odd file format that couldn't open on my computer(I couldn't hear the difference myself). As you mention, it's only the early Model 1 units that have better sound, the later Model 1 units are redesigned with cheaper components like the Model 2. You need to hook up a cable to the headphone jack to hear the better stereo sound with a Model 1, but it's not really a big deal.

There are several mods you can do to Model 2 Genesis units to improve the sound(crystal clear audio mod), and there are even mods to bypass the licensed screen. I personally prefer to keep systems original though, why bother have original hardware if you're just going to change it to work differently.
http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?p=325760

My first Genesis was a Model 1 with the Sonic pack-in, I got it brand new in '91. It doesn't have the lockout chip in it. It's currently packed away and I haven't used it in years but I never remembered seeing that licensing screen until I got a Model 2 several years later.

[RASK1904]

Thanx for those numbers! I have one without the lockout chip. What can you do with it?

[Gameguy]

Thanx for those numbers! I have one without the lockout chip. What can you do with it?

Some early unlicensed games will only work on an early system(such as Budokan), another benefit is that it's import friendly. You can play all Japanese games on it without issues, just use a Game Genie(no codes needed) to overcome the physical differences between the cartridges and the slot. I'm not sure about PAL games though, some european games work on the Genesis without issues, I'm not sure if all would work without problems.

Plus, some people find the licensing screen to be annoying. This doesn't have that so the games start faster.

[Mason P.]

I just ordered a early model Gen 1 on ebay. I waw hoping that the Micro Machines Military Pal version would play on it. Humm...

[crom]

Id say model one is your best bet for a couple of reasons...

non lockout...
headphone jack in the front...
and multiple outputs in the backs... (din and componet)
also the ac adapter isnt as propriatory as model 2 is with that yellow tip...

and last but not least... its the classic genesis...

[Ed Oscuro]

Teradrive is definitely the rarest, probably more so than the Laseractive.

Coming close you've got the Wondermega and like systems (although, in a fair world, those should be cheaper).

Shout out to the Nomad and Mega Jet too. The Mega Jet seems like a gimmick console but it's definitely convenient to be able to plug it right into a TV and go.

Sure wouldn't mind having a Teradrive, but I can't really see a use for it, especially since you're stuck using the (admittedly probably pretty decent) IBM-made CRT (no radiation leakage, better picture, less weight, much better energy usage > scanlines). It's an outdated IBM PC (an XT? 16-bit anyway) connected to a Genesis without any decent software support, that's what it is.

Not to take anything away from Tom's nice find; I am jealous, but it's definitely not the first piece of hardware I'd be getting.

[tom]

hey I understand,
but my Teradrive is not complete, as I cannot access the 'third mode' PC and Genesis gaming combined, as I don't have the (PC) software required for this. Even if, it'll be in Japanese only.
Still, would be nice to have.

[boogiecat]

The Mega Jet wasn't that popular in my country even if its cheaper than the Mega Drive 2 consoles 10-14 years ago.

Wonder Mega can be also called a rarest Mega Drive/Genesis console so does the CDX..

[Ed Oscuro]

The Mega Jet wasn't that popular in my country even if its cheaper than the Mega Drive 2 consoles 10-14 years ago.
Why was that? Possibly the controls? I don't have any trouble using the build-in controls, same with the Nomad.

Very nice picture out of both systems, better than the Genesis II and Genesis 3 by far as I recall.

[Mason P.]

is there a big sound difference between early model 1 and later model 1? I have an unmodded early model 1 right now and am considering getting a s-video w/composite jacks and region modded. Now should i get that or try to get my early model 1 modded? I think that region mod will negate the lockout chip issue.

[genesisguy]

For me I'd like a mint early model 1 with the original box. I have a early model one that says high definition graphics on it and a later model 1 that doesn't say high definition graphics on it.

[boogiecat]

Why was that? Possibly the controls? I don't have any trouble using the build-in controls, same with the Nomad.

Very nice picture out of both systems, better than the Genesis II and Genesis 3 by far as I recall.

Its likely the controls and the shape of the console it self which is weird to some,back then they're selling it in my country at around $70-$80 and sadly it didn't click even at that price ranges cause the Mega Drive 2 is still cheaper by around 30-40%...

[Atarileaf]

I see the 2nd version in thrifts all the time and was thinking of picking one up now that I have a dozen or so games. Is the 2nd version any good or should I hold out for another model?