View Full Version : New Mega Drive hardware! Looks sexy!
Gemini-Phoenix
03-13-2009, 03:55 AM
For those of you who aren't already aware, Blaze are releasing new Mega Drive hardware on the 24th of April 2009!
The new system will (Naturally) include fifteen built-in games, but the best part is the fact that it features a proper Mega Drive cartridge slot which plays any Mega Drive game from any region!
www.play.com/Blaze Mega Drive (http://www.play.com/Gadgets/Gadgets/4-/8922102/Sega-Mega-Drive-Console-With-15-Games/Product.html#)
www.HMV.com/Blaze Mega Drive (http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1;-1&sku=930595)
www.kotaku.com/5169177 (http://kotaku.com/5169177/the-sega-genesis-returns-sort-of)
This is excellent news, and exactly what we have been waiting for! It's just a shame that it's not being released by or endorsed by Sega themselves, although I would imagine that they would have to have had some kind of input for it to be allowed to be created and legitimately sold - So not just another cheap Mega Drive clone it seems, although I would imagine the build quality isn't up to much. I looks to be legit though, and I believe Sega sold the rights, so this should be treated as legitimate as any previously released Sega Mega Drive hardware. I wonder whether original Mega Drive controllers are compatible?
Still, it's new hardware all the same, and ideal for any of you who've pre-ordered the new Pier Solar game due out soon!
On a side note, I hope they develop a modern-day retro console - I would gladly pay a premium price for a modern console (Similar to the MultiMega / CDX) which plays Mega Drive, Master System, 32X and Mega Cd games, and features next-gen technology such as wireless controllers
Oobgarm
03-13-2009, 06:11 AM
That thing is hideous. And cheap looking.
I mean, I know it's a clone system, but at least make it kinda visually appealing...
Julio III
03-13-2009, 06:17 AM
That thing has already been selling on PlayAsia since last year (and it looks cheaper than those sites you mentioned!)
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-6z-49-en-70-2sf4.html
It is officially licensed by Sega and does play any-region games. However, some people have noticed issues with some games. Read the reviews on Play-Asia. Many people have also noticed that the sound is off. It comes with two 6-button pads but they aren't original Sega ones.
I've been thinking of picking one up though due to its cheapness (~£25 off PA) and I want to play Pier Solar and imports!
s1lence
03-13-2009, 08:27 AM
I'll just stick with my region modded/s-vid genny.
Gemini-Phoenix
03-13-2009, 08:29 AM
That thing has already been selling on PlayAsia since last year (and it looks cheaper than those sites you mentioned!)
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-6z-49-en-70-2sf4.html
It is officially licensed by Sega and does play any-region games. However, some people have noticed issues with some games. Read the reviews on Play-Asia. Many people have also noticed that the sound is off. It comes with two 6-button pads but they aren't original Sega ones.
www.aeropause.com/ATgames Mega Drive (http://www.aeropause.com/2008/07/review-atgames-sega-megadrive-twin-pad-player/)
Although, it appears as if the ATgames version is actually an official Sega product, created in partnership, but I have no idea whether this also applies to the Blaze variation - I would hope that they've ironed out some of the bugs that seem to have plagued the ATgames version though, otherwise there's going to be a lot of disgruntled Brit gamers
I want to play Pier Solar!
Seems that the developers say that this thing won't run Pier Solar, as apparently the game utilises some specs of the original hardware which may be a problem with this unit. I've already asked whether or not the game will be compaitble with it, and they seem to think not.
Nebagram
03-13-2009, 10:10 AM
Something like this has IMO been a long time coming (if you're not Brazilian, that is). I would be immensely tempted by this, inf act... if it weren't £40. £20, probably (despite the fact my Mega Drive is still hooked up). It does look cheap, but it's what's on the inside that counts.
ooXxXoo
03-13-2009, 11:00 AM
I bet I can fix this clone issues.....Hurry in tax check!.....
...... :D
.....
Flippy8490
03-13-2009, 11:18 AM
Not bad looking. I've seen cheaper looking, definately.
Sega sold the license to ATGAMES and they turned around to sell regional rights to other companies.
I guess Blaze has Europe, TecToy has South America and the company I work for (Hyperkin) has North America. I'm puzzled to see that nobody else is coming out with a handheld that takes cartridges.
*This is all to the best of my knowledge, the company branch I work for doesn't directly negotiate licensing.
MrSparkle
03-13-2009, 02:04 PM
Pretty unattractive both physically and overall as a product. You can get an actual megadrive for less why buy a clone with compatibility issues. At least one of the games it comes preinstalled with is fatal labryth thats a cool and unexepected choice.
Diosoth
03-13-2009, 04:18 PM
Being as small as it is, it looks okay... but no 32X support, no Sega CD support, likely no Power Base compatibility and most games don't run properly.
Mason P.
03-13-2009, 05:08 PM
It kind of has a N64 look to it.
MrSparkle
03-13-2009, 05:57 PM
It kind of has a N64 look to it.
if the n64 looked horrible :-P
Tupin
03-13-2009, 07:10 PM
Not one of the better looking clones, but I might get it simply because its region-free.
InsaneDavid
03-13-2009, 08:21 PM
"Looks sexy!"
Yeah, if you find generic project cases sexy.
Diosoth
03-13-2009, 09:49 PM
The fact it's tiny is a plus but it looks incredibly bland.
Steve W
03-13-2009, 11:26 PM
I bought a shitty Famicom/NES clone that looks exactly the same, other than different colored plastic and more NES style controllers.
It would be interesting if someone would finally come up with a Genesis/Sega CD all-in-one with a tiny footprint (CDX style, but not portable). I doubt anyone would make a 32X 'Neptune' style machine, since those components are really oddball and aren't really off-the-shelf parts. But the Sega CD would be a whole lot easier to do.
Sonicwolf
03-13-2009, 11:34 PM
They should have really used a Genesis 3 mold for this...
Gemini-Phoenix
03-14-2009, 03:22 AM
They should have really used a Genesis 3 mold for this...
Or simply released the Genesis 3 here in the UK as the Mega Drive 3...
As my understanding of things go, ATgames / Blaze also sell multi-carts with a selection of games on them, so why do we need pre-loaded software on the hardware itself, when they could've just released the Genesis 3 and bundled it with a multi-cart?
Sonicwolf
03-15-2009, 04:17 AM
Or simply released the Genesis 3 here in the UK as the Mega Drive 3...
As my understanding of things go, ATgames / Blaze also sell multi-carts with a selection of games on them, so why do we need pre-loaded software on the hardware itself, when they could've just released the Genesis 3 and bundled it with a multi-cart?
I didnt know the Genesis 3 wasnt released in the UK. That sucks.
Then again, you can get an AmigaCD32 alot easier than we can in North America..... There are probably many consoles in the UK that are hard to find here.
Iron Draggon
03-15-2009, 05:49 AM
On a side note, I hope they develop a modern-day retro console - I would gladly pay a premium price for a modern console (Similar to the MultiMega / CDX) which plays Mega Drive, Master System, 32X and Mega Cd games, and features next-gen technology such as wireless controllers
you and me both... I could live without Master System support, since I don't collect for that one, but having a Genesis/Sega CD/32X all in one would rule! the only thing better would be if it played Saturn and Dreamcast games also
hey Sega, wanna get back in the hardware biz and blow the Wii away? make a system that plays all generations of your games and add a new one to the mix... call it the Hardcore and paint a skull & crossbones on it... watch it sell!
kedawa
03-15-2009, 01:31 PM
I doubt anyone would make a 32X 'Neptune' style machine, since those components are really oddball and aren't really off-the-shelf parts. But the Sega CD would be a whole lot easier to do.
Hitachi SH series chips, like those found in the 32X, are the very definition of off the shelf parts. The problem is that the 32X library doesn't justify the added cost and complexity.
Ze_ro
03-15-2009, 01:42 PM
I'm surprised no one has already mentioned this, but this thing uses the exact same case as Blazes RetroCon (http://www.obsolete-tears.com/blaze-retrocon-machine-357.html) famiclone (the link shows a blue one, but I have a black one).
--Zero
boogiecat
03-16-2009, 10:34 PM
Looks kinda cheap,typical clone..
poloplayr
03-17-2009, 12:02 PM
I saw a vendor (perhaps Blaze themselves, cannot remember) show this off at a toy fair a couple of months ago here in London.
It looked very cheap and light in construction. But if you don't have a Megadrive/Genesis I guess it's an easy way to gain multi-region access.