Would owning a 32X allow me to use a Power Base Converter on a Model II Genny?

[Edmond Dantes]

Topic line. I've seen "Tower of Babel" picks that stick the Power Base Converter in the 32X and wondered if this would function for game-playing. If so, does the 32X have to be hooked up and powered for this to work?

Thanks in advance.

[theclaw]

No. Hooked up and powered, or not, doesn't matter. Neither has any effect. 32X cannot pass through the connections needed by Power Base Converter. (to be specific, Master System mode at all, even on a flash cart will not work)

However... Power Base Converter does fit the Sega CDX if you're lucky to track a working one down. Unlike Model II Genny!

[substantial_snake]

Although the UK was shafted with many game released at this time they did get their own Master System Converter that did fit on a Genesis 2. They are usually pretty rare so I was surprised to find a bunch on Ebay at the moment, should work on any region genesis as well so grab one if your interested.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=master+system+converter+II&_sacat=0&_odkw=master+system+converter&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

[Edmond Dantes]

That's okay.

I have a Model 1 Genny. The problem is, my Model 1 is compatible with my Power Base Converter, but my Model 2 is compatible with my Sega CD, and I don't have the space to keep both systems hooked up all the time.

One solution I thought of is buying a Model 1 Sega CD, but I read here that they're notorious for not working anymore.

[Edmond Dantes]

Nevermind. I'm an idiot. The solution was staring me in the face the whole time.

[theclaw]

Yeah if your goal is trying to save space, pair CDX with the Genesis 2 size converter. There's no better combo for those tight on room to setup consoles. It's phenomenal how much compatibility they fit into that underrated model.

[Edmond Dantes]

The solution I found was to simply plug my Model 1 Genny into my Model 2 Sega CD. It's a little ungainly looking, but it means I can use both the Sega CD and the Power Base Converter without having to constantly switch out Genesii.

Kinda makes me feel bad though--I had that Model 2 ever since I was a kid... but sacrifices have to be made!

[Gameguy]

You could get it to work on a Model 2 using a Honey Bee converter, it's just an extention/bridge meant to get around the physical lockout between Japanese and US games. Since it's just an extention to the cart slot it should work fine with the power base converter.

[substantial_snake]

The solution I found was to simply plug my Model 1 Genny into my Model 2 Sega CD. It's a little ungainly looking, but it means I can use both the Sega CD and the Power Base Converter without having to constantly switch out Genesii.

Kinda makes me feel bad though--I had that Model 2 ever since I was a kid... but sacrifices have to be made!

Its kinda hard to find but there is a plastic extention piece for the model 2 SEGA CD to make it look better using the model 1 Genesis.

[old_skoolin_jim]

All this work is silly- all you need to do to make your own PBC-> Genny 2 mod is:
1) obtain a hand saw (preferably one that's old and/or inexpensive- I don't know how badly this affects the blade, or not)
2) saw off the fat plastic tab on the back that physically prevents it from fitting onto the genny 2. This is literally just a slab of plastic; there are no components or anything in this location.
3) plug It in and WHAMMY! SMS on your Genny 2.
If you don't want to cut up your PBC I understand, but it seems silly to go through such a rigamarole for this. :)

[Blanka789]

I'll agree with the above poster, it's very easy to mod PBC's to fit the Model 2 Genesis. If you don't like the way it looks, get a Model II PBC or, better yet, a Master System. Buying the actual system will give you more options as to which games you can play.

[Edmond Dantes]

Really? I was under the impression that any game which works on an actual SMS, would work on the PBC. Even imports. Is this not true?

[MrSmiley381]

Word on the street is that there is only one Master System game that will not work with the PBC, and that game is F-16 Fighting Falcon. You just need to keep a Master System controller around for the few games that have problems with Genesis controllers. I'm planning to pick up a PBC for my Genesis 1/CD 1 with extender combo. Keep it all clean and it should look pretty nice.

[theclaw]

Didn't the US/PAL Master System also drop support for SG-1000 games? I thought you need a Japanese model to do that.

[SparTonberry]

Word on the street is that there is only one Master System game that will not work with the PBC, and that game is F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Supposedly it used one of the SG-1000 video modes for the title screen (which the Genesis doesn't support).
From what I heard, no, the SMS didn't drop SG-1000 support, just the Genesis. However, SG-1000 games won't boot on a US/EU SMS because they lack a header, which the SMS uses to verify a game is plugged in (when deciding which port to boot from).
Though I also heard the SMS/MarkIII palette for SG-1000 sucks compared to an original.

I've heard the EU Mega Drive 2 converter lacks the card slot, if that matters.

[Ninga64]

Not unless the units (manly the 32X) are modded, no.

[CelticJobber]

When did everyone start calling Genesis "Genny"? This thread is the first time I've heard it... And I have to say, I'm not a fan of the term...

[Edmond Dantes]

When did everyone start calling Genesis "Genny"? This thread is the first time I've heard it... And I have to say, I'm not a fan of the term...

It's the internet. "Genesis" is too long to type now, so we say "Genny."

Also, Genny is a girl name, and the Genesis is such a sexy beast that.... umm, yeah, let's drop this line of thought before it goes places we don't want.

[fergojisan]

All this work is silly- all you need to do to make your own PBC-> Genny 2 mod is:
1) obtain a hand saw (preferably one that's old and/or inexpensive- I don't know how badly this affects the blade, or not)
2) saw off the fat plastic tab on the back that physically prevents it from fitting onto the genny 2. This is literally just a slab of plastic; there are no components or anything in this location.
3) plug It in and WHAMMY! SMS on your Genny 2.
If you don't want to cut up your PBC I understand, but it seems silly to go through such a rigamarole for this. :)

I used a Dremel. I only had 3/4 of the tower of doom, or whatever it's known as.

[Ze_ro]

If you really want to play SMS games on a Genesis 2 (or LaserActive, or any other model that the PBC doesn't fit), there are alternative adapters available. In fact, when I tried to search for images of them on Google, it gave me a link to this thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?p=863371) where someone posts a picture of one I'd never seen before (scroll down to fishsandwich's post, where he used a bigger font for some reason). Of course, you lose the ability to play card games and use the 3D glasses.

Oh, and if you're worried about your Genesis 1 looking strange on a SegaCD 2, here's the extender piece you're looking for:

http://www.quickerbuy.com/assets/photo/avatar/157527/sega-cd-extender-plate-for-genesis-model-1-systems.jpg

--Zero

[theredlineboss]

Oh, and if you're worried about your Genesis 1 looking strange on a SegaCD 2, here's the extender piece you're looking for

Yep, if you go that route, you will be able to join the exclusive club of people who have way too much Genesis!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/theredlineboss/Games/DSCN1465.jpg

(yah, that's mine :vamp: )

-Rob

[Edmond Dantes]

theredlineboss: What is that thing you've got sticking out the front of your Genny?

I'm not really concerned about the aesthetics as long as it plays.

[Gameguy]

theredlineboss: What is that thing you've got sticking out the front of your Genny?
That's the receiver for the wireless controllers.

[Edmond Dantes]

Oh. Coolies. Anyway, that seems like the most awesome Genesis setup yet.

Getting back to the question of the 32X... does that even work in a Model 1? The Angry Nerd's video said something about special prongs you needed.

And since I can't use the 32X as a passthru for the Power Base... is there any reason to get one? I haven't yet seen a game that really tempts me.

[theclaw]

32X will work in a model 1. Sega's own rarely-seen-today model 1 adapter, attaches to and requires a Genesis 2 32X cable.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Official-Sega-32x-Conversion-Cable-Genesis-Model-1-/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/$(KGrHqZ,!gwE5lK6qI+JBOqe8Di21g~~60_3.JPG

Lucky however it's near universal among clone cables to fix that annoying choice. By connecting model 1 direct with 32X.

Should you want cable spaghetti (or for laughs)... It should be possible with special adapters to use this excessive audio path:
Headphone jack > sega cd > 32X.

Also yes. Not only does 32X retain RGB output, RGB is in fact necessary internally for 32X to operate as intended. The very few Genesis based systems lacking RGB are 32X incompatible unless modified. (I believe Wondermega 1 and Laseractive?)

[MrSmiley381]

Should you want cable spaghetti (or for laughs)... It should be possible with special adapters to use this excessive audio path:
Headphone jack > sega cd > 32X.

That shouldn't work, actually. The 32X pulls Genesis audio from that extender cable. A Genesis 1 only outputs mono through its AV jack, so you would only be sending mono audio and the Sega CD would never interface with the 32X in sending audio. However, the 32X will allow you to output audio from the Genesis end via headphone jack or via Sega CD stereo if you are using a Genesis 2 or a Genesis 1 modded to send audio over the expansion slot.

So really it's like 32X > Genesis > Stereo Cable > Sega CD or 32X > Genesis 2 > Expansion Slot Pins > Sega CD. In the case of the Genesis 2 it would probably help to run audio through the Sega CD as it would clean up the messy sound a little bit. Still, you can pull stereo right off the 32X. This all is under the assumption you're using a Sega CD 2 though. The Sega CD 1 will not pull audio from the Genesis 2's expansion slot pins, but will still allow you to send audio from a Genesis 1 over a mixer cable.

I've been spending far too much time researching this lately.

[BlastProcessing402]

Getting back to the question of the 32X... does that even work in a Model 1? The Angry Nerd's video said something about special prongs you needed.


The only prongs I remember are two metal dealies you're supposed to stick in the Gen's cart slot before plugging in the 32x, I assume for FCC reasons. 32x still works just fine in my model 1 (no TMSS) without them.