Suspected Pirate MegaDrive, Confirmation please?

[Epicenter]

I found this auction the other day ..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=62054&item=8107490507#ebayphotohosting

I am quite convinced this machine is pirated, as I've seen identical systems in Russia and Turkey that were, and used this exact design, all in different boxes. I even saw one with the wrong CPU speed. All had the big 2 in the logo, a toggle swtich and not a push button for Power, an odd color for the Reset and Start buttons, et cetera. I also don't know of any MDs that came with Sonic 3. Any info would be schweet.

If you'd like to see other versions of this I've seen, I threw together a page here ..
http://www.epicgaming.net/pirate_md_hw.php

[Cmosfm]

I'm about 95.7% sure this is a legit system. The box is very nice, and the fact that the game actually comes with the legit manual almost basically screams "REAL".

[Epicenter]

It's quite possible they bought and bundled the cartridge.. but I HAVE seen pirates with duplicates of full color manuals. Near identical ones, even. The fact that the same machine was found in other countries with the wrong CPU type, no RF shielding between the board and plastic, a failure prone, unauthorized power brick (12v instead of the proper 9v), a voltage regulator that overheated to 90C, et cetera tells me this is more of the same, just sold in Japan.

Finished uploading the images to the EG page above if you want to take a look at them. Seems pretty damning.

[Cmosfm]

It's quite possible they bought and bundled the cartridge.. but I HAVE seen pirates with duplicates of full color manuals. Near identical ones, even. The fact that the same machine was found in other countries with the wrong CPU type, no RF shielding between the board and plastic, a failure prone, unauthorized power brick (12v instead of the proper 9v), a voltage regulator that overheated to 90C, et cetera tells me this is more of the same, just sold in Japan.

Finished uploading the images to the EG page above if you want to take a look at them. Seems pretty damning.

Ok, let's say he DID buy and bundle the cart and manual...did he also print up the new box to show that it included Sonic 3.

The system is legit, now that I look at it more I can safely say this is a 100% legit system. I'll bet my entire game collection that it is. I've been in this hobby too long and I have a nack for pointing out an noticing pirates from Legit systems...as well as games.

Also, being that identical systems in bootleg form have shown up in other countries proves nothing, ever seen some of the bootleg Famicoms? Hell, some of them look so real that it's shocking.

Either way, it's real, I cannot provide you anything to back that up but believe me. It IS real.

[Epicenter]

I'm not saying the seller made this. I'm saying he bought it in Japan, as he claims, from someone who thought it was real. I asked for a photo of the bottom vents. On the pirate machines, these holes show the PCB .. there is no metal shielding. Without it, the machine violates various regulations, including FCC codes. All Sega hardware was shielded. None of the pirate machines like this were ..

.. that should confirm it.

[Cmosfm]

Maybe they violate US regulations but when did you become the regulation expert for systems from other countries including Japan, Turkey and Hong Kong?

Actually, I did look at your pics in the webpage you made...that system is legit also. It's just the way they do things in Turkey. Seals and system voltage rating, bundled games, controllers, colors etc etc etc all range from country to country...and are all different.

Ahem....

http://www.cyberiapc.com/vgg/sega_md2.htm ( wonder why this legit system says "sega console" and has 2 controllers? silly people!)

Your knowledge of imports and pirates seem to range from little or none but you still tell me that I am wrong. Aren't you the same guy who "ripped the eBay seller a new one" with his "pirated" famicom system that you though was, but turns out was legit, where in turn you got ridiculed here for posting your magnificant triumph over the "evil ebay pirate man"?

And on that note...I'm done here, the system on eBay and the system from Turkey are both legit. Take my advice however you will, because I will not be giving you any more.

[davidleeroth]

I second the legit. I cannot put my finger on anything that would say it's a pirate console.

I can however find some arguments on your site where I can lay a reasonable doubt:

Machine Top - Note the unusual markings and coloration as well as the slide-type switch.
All used in legit consoles, too.

Box Front View #1 - Pretty professional looking.. except Sega never calls them 'systems', not 'consoles'.
Sega does call them consoles.

Box Front View #2 - The real deal only includes one controller.
No. Some came with two controllers.

Box Back View #1 - Far too many languages on the back of this box.
# Manual Front - Too many languages used on this!
# Manual Back - Too many languages! This was clearly made for export. The Sega labelling is pretty bold ..
Bigger sale region, more countries, more languages. Just like in Scandinavia.

Box Back View #2 - Note the low-quality game screenshots.
The quality on legit ones wasn't exactly what I would call high, either.

Quality Seal - Sega doesn't use this seal.
Now I don't know if Sega uses this or not (it could be by the company that distibutes or makes these consoles with license) but I do know that manufacturing big holograms like in picture isn't really that cheap and it would be hard to believe they would justify the cost.

Warranty Card - I have a hard time believing they do repairs..
So they made up a logo and company, put the logo in the hologram and the warranty card. Jeez, it's just a Mega Drive. Have you checked the company's backgroung and find what other things it does (if anything)?

The other points I will leave open.

[sniperCCJVQ]

Legit.

[Bratwurst]

Suspected Pointless Epicenter Post, Confirmation please?

[Epicenter]

If it's legitimate, please provide proof. The ones pictured below are the real deal .. all machines that looked like the one in this auction I've cracked open were pirate and used nonstandard, faulty hardware and had no real Sega license at all. Not even RF shielding..

http://www.planetemu.net/interface/histoire/megadrive.jpg
http://www.iceteapeche.com/emu/images/megadrive.jpg

[Epicenter]

BTW, a list of just some of the things wrong with these machines:

- 10 MHz CPUs .. still running at 8 MHz
- Voltage regulator that runs at 70-90C when it never exceeds 50 on the real deal
- No Power LED, just the pins on the board for one.
- Sound issues.

Official consoles aren't this screwy.

[16-bit]

Mr. Epicenter emailed me this morning and told me that I am selling a bootleg system, which is entirely false. He made a similar error regarding a famicom system a month or so ago, so I encouraged him to post here.

Here is the information on the bottom of the system.

Model No: HAA-2505
Rating: 7W
Serial Number: A30116265
Sega Enterprises Ltd. MADE IN JAPAN.

Moreover, the system connects to and works with the Mega CD.

He replied:

"Real Sega model #s always started with 'MK-'"

My response:

The following are the model number of my Japanese Mega Drive Products:

My Mega Drive Model 1: HAA-2510
My Mega CD: HAA-2910
My Mega CD Model 2: HAA-2912
My Mega Jet: HMJ-0300

Sincerely,

16-bit

[Epicenter]

If you wouldn't mind taking a photo of the bottom of the machine, and the circuitboard, I think it would clear everything up.

[Cmosfm]

Mr. Epicenter emailed me this morning and told me that I am selling a bootleg system, which is entirely false. He made a similar error regarding a famicom system a month or so ago, so I encouraged him to post here.

Here is the information on the bottom of the system.

Model No: HAA-2505
Rating: 7W
Serial Number: A30116265
Sega Enterprises Ltd. MADE IN JAPAN.

Moreover, the system connects to and works with the Mega CD.

He replied:

"Real Sega model #s always started with 'MK-'"

My response:

The following are the model number of my Japanese Mega Drive Products:

My Mega Drive Model 1: HAA-2510
My Mega CD: HAA-2910
My Mega CD Model 2: HAA-2912
My Mega Jet: HMJ-0300

Sincerely,

16-bit

Dammit epicenter do you get some kinda stupid thrill scouring eBay and finding innocent sellers to just to send them e-mails and tell them there systems are pirates? This makes what, the THIRD time you a wrong? Probably wrong a lot more than that but this is just the 3rd we know of.

I have a little more advice for you...LEARN about what you are looking at before making brasen conclusions based on what you THINK you know...which is wrong.

This topic is over, you asked for professional help and we have given it to you, now let's just wait until the mods lock this pointless waste of a topic.

[Epicenter]

Actually, second time, not third .. no one has provided ANY PROOF I am wrong. You're being extremly rude. And you act like I'm antagonizing people, I'm just collecting info and informing people if their auctions are inaccurate. Someone sent me this, asked if it was real or not. So, I'm finding out. Jeez. :P

[Cmosfm]

Actually, second time, not third .. and you have no one has provided ANY PROOF I am wrong. You're being extremly rude. And you act like I'm antagonizing people, I'm just collecting info and informing people if their auctions are inaccurate. Someone sent me this, asked if it was real or not. So, I'm finding out. Jeez. :P

1 - Famicom
2 - Mega Drive 2 from Turkey
3 - Mega Drive 2 with Sonic 3 from Auction.

Proof? You want proof...scour google and look yourself. We gave you professional answers saying that it was real, and you just don't seem to believe us. Why would we lie to you?

It seems to me that you are antogonizing people, you e-mailed this guy twice telling him that his systems were pirates BEFORE asking questions here and/or doing a little research for yourself.

Call me rude if you want, I'm just rude because I find you and your uninformed, smug, and highly illogical posts and opinions on pirate systems to be very annoying. Ever hear of "mind your own buisness"? How about doing that for a change instead of butting into other people auctions.

Now I'm going to see if I can find a mod to lock this.

[Epicenter]

Wait for some photos before you accuse me of 'antagonizing' people. Jeez. O_O

[Epicenter]

I'm not too inclined to listen to you or Bratwurst because you treat me like a waste of life. :P I'd like to see proof these machines are official because they're designed like garbage. I find it very hard to believe.

[sniperCCJVQ]

http://sega.jp/community/segahard/md/md2.html

[Epicenter]

There, proof. Thanks, man, you're right. :) It's probably official, then. I know the Russian and Turkish ones on my site are NOT official however. One has low-grade unofficial components and one came with a 10-in-1 pirate cartridge and the fake Sega seal.

See, I'm not some fucking criminal or psychopath, but when EVERY MEGADRIVE LIKE THIS YOU SEE is pirated you assume they all are. In the future please provide PROOF instead of just directly insulting me and bitching me out for a very logical assumption from my experiences.

[Flack]

There are hundreds of thousands of games out there to play, and all you have to do with your free time is harass people who might be selling something you think might be pirated because you saw one that looked similar to it in a different box one time in a different country?

Go play a game, man.

[sniperCCJVQ]

Epicenter, next time, trust the DP community.

[Epicenter]

There are hundreds of thousands of games out there to play, and all you have to do with your free time is harass people who might be selling something you think might be pirated because you saw one that looked similar to it in a different box one time in a different country?

Go play a game, man.

Heh, I play plenty of games. But I collect info about pirate equipment because it's usually weird, stupid and funny. I don't like seeing people get ripped off, so when someone sent me that auction I thought I'd let the seller know it seemed pirated. My apologies if I've SENT SHOCKWAVES INTO THE COMMUNITY, causing DEATH AND HORRIFYING, UNENDURABLE PAIN UPON ALL WHO READ THIS THREAD. FYI I've gotten rid of a lot of the dumb shits who are ripping people off selling CDs full of emulators that they try to make people think is the real machine and every NES game in existance. I know these people would be dumb to fall for that but I hate it when people are conned. So I try to stop it when I can. :P If that's a crime then sue me.

[Cmosfm]

There, proof. Thanks, man, you're right. :) It's probably official, then. I know the Russian and Turkish ones on my site are NOT official however. One has low-grade unofficial components and one came with a 10-in-1 pirate cartridge and the fake Sega seal.

See, I'm not some fucking criminal or psychopath, but when EVERY MEGADRIVE LIKE THIS YOU SEE is pirated you assume they all are. In the future please provide PROOF instead of just directly insulting me and bitching me out for a very logical assumption from my experiences.

:roll: You obviously did not go to the link I gave you above in my previous post.

Stiill...whatever...you just dont get it.

[Epicenter]

And you don't get it-- you're being obnoxious. You and Bratwurst are both remarkably rude. You're just like the elite bastards at any forum-- anyone makes a mistake, they're treated like low-life scum. This is why I almost never post here, or anywhere-- people like you.

[Cmosfm]

And you don't get it-- you're being obnoxious. You and Bratwurst are both remarkably rude. You're just like the elite bastards at any forum-- anyone makes a mistake, they're treated like low-life scum. This is why I almost never post here, or anywhere-- people like you.

I am far from an "elite bastard" as with Bratwurst...as a matter of fact I rarely even get mad here, ever. But you on the other hand, judging from the previous topics, are a brazen, unintelligent fucktard that obviously doesn't know how to mind his own gotdamn buisness. Who are you?, the angel of the fucking pirate community here to save the souls of the innocent spenders? it would be different if you were annoying people that are selling REAL PIRATE SYSTEMS, but your not...your bugging legit sellers.

Only thing I see is a person (you) that spends way to much time with his nose up other peoples asses.

[Flack]

There are hundreds of thousands of games out there to play, and all you have to do with your free time is harass people who might be selling something you think might be pirated because you saw one that looked similar to it in a different box one time in a different country?

Go play a game, man.

Heh, I play plenty of games. But I collect info about pirate equipment because it's usually weird, stupid and funny. I don't like seeing people get ripped off, so when someone sent me that auction I thought I'd let the seller know it seemed pirated. My apologies if I've SENT SHOCKWAVES INTO THE COMMUNITY, causing DEATH AND HORRIFYING, UNENDURABLE PAIN UPON ALL WHO READ THIS THREAD. FYI I've gotten rid of a lot of the dumb shits who are ripping people off selling CDs full of emulators that they try to make people think is the real machine and every NES game in existance. I know these people would be dumb to fall for that but I hate it when people are conned. So I try to stop it when I can. :P If that's a crime then sue me.

We all know, we've all heard about how it's only okay to sell pirated equipment that gets your personal stamp of approval. The last time we went through this it was because you bought a cheap-ass famiclone, got pissed because you bought, in fact, a cheap-ass famiclone, and had decided to e-mail Nintendo and everyone else in the world to stop the unholy selling of this machines -- which, you've failed miserably in by the way, I saw 3 different booths at the flea market selling them this morning. The fact that these sellers you are harassing are now coming here to post is even more bothersome.

I've seen no evidence in this thread that you've put a stop to anything. In fact, this thread clearly shows that you've done quite the opposite and harassed at least two different legitimate sellers! Now you say "I thought I'd let the seller know it seemed pirated" but that certainly wasn't your tone at the beginning of the thread. It was, "I am quite convinced this machine is pirated." Then you go into the whole thing where you are demanding proof from people that an item is real. I think it's on YOU to prove that items are FAKE.

And then there's the ... ah you know what I just lost complete interest in this argument. No one here can stop you from being an ass but you. Enjoy your conquest to save the good innocent citizens of eBay from dangerous suspected hardware. I've got games to play.

[Bratwurst]

I wish I was elite, then I could do wire kung fu, rob the souls of men and absorb their powers.

[Epicenter]

I wouldn't be surprised if very few people here play games. Everyone's too busy buying entire collections of games they'll never play just so they have bragging rights, making it harder for the people want to buy and PLAY them to find said games and driving up the prices sellers demand. And don't even get me started on the prototype hoarders who throw them in their closets and never do any research, investigation or even PLAY them. Pff.

[Cmosfm]

I wouldn't be surprised if very few people here play games. Everyone's too busy buying entire collections of games they'll never play just so they have bragging rights, making it harder for the people want to buy and PLAY them to find said games and driving up the prices sellers demand. And don't even get me started on the prototype hoarders who throw them in their closets and never do any research, investigation or even PLAY them. Pff.

It's one thing to insult me and Brutwurst who were obviously being assholes toward you, but to insult the entire community....tsk tsk.

You better hope that this topic gets locked soon, if not, get your flame helmet ready.

[Kroogah]

Plus, everyone here is probably collecting PIRATE GAMES! AND THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW IT!!!!!

My favorite pirate game is Monkey Island.

[digitalpress]

I wouldn't be surprised if very few people here play games. Everyone's too busy buying entire collections of games they'll never play just so they have bragging rights, making it harder for the people want to buy and PLAY them to find said games and driving up the prices sellers demand. And don't even get me started on the prototype hoarders who throw them in their closets and never do any research, investigation or even PLAY them. Pff.

YES EPICENTER.

THE COLLECTORS WILL TAKE ALL.

PRICES WILL BE DRIVEN UP.

YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY GAMES WHEN WE ARE THROUGH.

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.

[PapaStu]

I wouldn't be surprised if very few people here play games. Everyone's too busy buying entire collections of games they'll never play just so they have bragging rights, making it harder for the people want to buy and PLAY them to find said games and driving up the prices sellers demand. And don't even get me started on the prototype hoarders who throw them in their closets and never do any research, investigation or even PLAY them. Pff.

Hell the proto's that Ive got, im very proud of. Hell ive spent money on them, im gonna display them, and when i can get ahold of a Dev unit or a Net Yaroze to play my PSOne prototypes, I will have a field day with them.

Now to get back to my hording of all the PSOne, GC, XB, PS2, and every other system i own, from the rest of you. So when I DO get around to amassing 1200+ PSOne games, you can hear my boasting and bragging across this country. Hell when i complete the Working Designs variants for the PSOne, your gonna hear my boasting and bragging, because i will own probably a 1/4 of the entire run of WD games just to get everything that I need, preventing any other schmuck from getting any games at all.

[Ed Oscuro]

Heh, I've done business with 16-bit before.

He's often the only guy on eBay with x68K software and in fact I got ahold of a copy of Phalanx he sold - damn good quality merchandise for the money; he and NeoGeoMan are the only two I would think about buying x68K games from at this time. None of that "$233 beat-up sleeve Akumajo Dracula" crap I fell for back when I was new to the business.

Anyhow, Sega had like, I dunno, an anti-Tonka theme to their Game Gear and Mega Drive product boxes...it's like for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction, except the US/European Genesis and MD boxes don't even compare (to borrow a certain malpropism).

Good item there. Also confirms for me what the Japanese MD 2 looked like, I don't think I've seen one before :)

[SoulBlazer]

It's notes like this that make me think we need a special page here at DP explaining the differences between pirated and real systems and games, for all countries, with pictures. The guy who started a pirated thread here is on the right track.

And, on a side note, WTF did Joe's response mean? O_O LOL

[Ed Oscuro]

It's notes like this that make me think we need a special page here at DP explaining the differences between pirated and real systems and games, for all countries, with pictures. The guy who started a pirated thread here is on the right track.
No, we don't need a page with our opinions (which may or may not be easy to follow, comprehensive, or authoritative, and likely not all three at once ;) about how to tell a pirate apart from real consoles. I think that as pirates get better we might someday see true-to-god identical cartridges and perhaps even consoles from people trying to make a quick buck...that sort of $#17 has started in the Neo Geo community and is just gonna spread.

Too much for one site to try and keep up with. It's best to look at these things on an individual basis, really.

[TheRedEye]

OH BOY FURRY-INDUCED DRAMA! THANK YOU INTERNETS!!!

[kainemaxwell]

OMG the furries are selling pirated items!!!!!1111

[portnoyd]

Epicenter is just pissed he got PWNED by 16-bit.

[Epicenter]

No, I'm pissed because I made an honest mistake and was treated like the antichrist for it. Sorry if I insulted anyone. Let's just forget it, OK? :P

[digitalpress]

And, on a side note, WTF did Joe's response mean? O_O LOL

If you don't get it... you don't "get it".

Sorry.

[16-bit]

I appreciate all who took the time to help Mr. Epicenter understand the Japanese Mega Drive better. Thank you very much.

16-bit

[hydr0x]

No, I'm pissed because I made an honest mistake and was treated like the antichrist for it. Sorry if I insulted anyone. Let's just forget it, OK? :P

a mistake??????? LOL LOL LOL

you didn't even try to look up the system at segas site


btw, i looked at the md "pirate" at your site, and i think as i am european i can perhaps point out some things:

1. This System looks FAR more professional than any other pirate system or cart i've ever seen from the turkey or somewhere in africa
2. The multiple languages don't mean shit, all those are used on european systems quite often, only arabic is not very common
3. As is speak 3 languages on the box i can say that the translations are quite good! only thing i noted is that they made the same mistake in a couple of german words, it's not translated wrong though, just written (and nothing important)
4. I don't know the language code -33 on the box, but that might be because no games were released exclusively in the countries were this one could be from
5. most pirates don't have a EAN number
6. most pirates don't list patents
7. all the "wrong" components don't mean anything, you gotta think of the fact that this is a small market with a lot less regulations than germany or the US, it's absolutely possible Sega decided to use these cheap components to save some money as it's not forbidden in the Turkey or whereever
8. The instruction manual is indeed weird as the languages don't cope with the ones on the box, this is the first REAL indication that this MIGHT be a pirate (btw, why are there 2 manuals on the pic????)
9. the seal, why do you think sega doesn't use this one?? ever though about the fact that this might not be a sega seal but a seal that you have to use in the Turkey....?? (makes sense now, huh?)