Genesis Exodus

[Flack]

I didn't own a Sega Genesis during its prime. In fact, I only got my first one about a year ago. But even since I started looking, I've noticed something strange ...

... they're everywhere. And they're cheap.

Last week I went to five thrift stores. At the first one I went to I was afraid I wouldn't find anything, so I picked up a loose genny (console only) for $2. There was a loose genny at the next one too. Then, on Thursday, I found a boxed Genesis for $10, and another loose genny for $2. I have like 10 loose Genesis 2's now and I have no idea why I keep buying them. Must. Stop.

The last thrift I went to had two loose Gennys for $5 each, and a loose Genesis/Sega CD stuck together for $20. I passed on all, thinking back to the pile of loose Gennys I've built in the closet.

Based off of my observations, here are a few conversational questions.

1, Are there a disproportionate amount of Genesis units for sale? Is this nationwide, or only in the midwest?

2, Is there a huge stock pile of Genesis controllers somewhere? What happened to all the controllers that went with all these loose gennies?

3, Why is this?

If I could get $10 forr a loose Genesis on eBay I could probably retire.

[chrisbid]

the genesis was the popular system among casual gamers in the early 90's. they ditched their systems for Playstations. and in a few years, youll see original Playstations in thrift stores in similar quantities (though more PSXs will be broken)

Nintendo has always had more zealous fans

[EnemyZero]

Up in the north east i dont see that much genny consoles, i live in western new york, and i can say games are all over but not consoles as much, up here its N64's up my wazzoo

[Jibbajaba]

Yeah I notice the same thing here, Flack. Seeing a genesis, loose or otherwise, in a thrift store is no big deal. I've passed on more than one. I would have bought that Sega CD unit though. That Ive never seen in the wild.

I have an extra Genesis 1 in my closet if you are interested. It's even loose, just like you like it. :)

[Nez]

Loose gens are almost as comman smb/duck hunt cart here in phx. I figure 2 is enough though.

[Flack]

Yeah I notice the same thing here, Flack. Seeing a genesis, loose or otherwise, in a thrift store is no big deal. I've passed on more than one. I would have bought that Sega CD unit though. That Ive never seen in the wild.

I have an extra Genesis 1 in my closet if you are interested. It's even loose, just like you like it. :)

I passed on the Sega CD because I bought one loose for like $5 about a month ago. I'm serious. All these places used to have Atari 2600's, but now they're all Sega!

[jonjandran]

Down here in Florida , I could get 5-6 Gennys a week from the thrift stores and flea markets.

They're more abundant than hot chicks in bikinis down here. @_@

[icbrkr]

I agree with Jon! I'm so pathetic, while on vacation in Panama City, I hit the local thrift stores. One had 4 Genesis' (1 Model 1, 3 Model 2s). $10 ea but I didn't need anymore...

[DigitalSpace]

I live in Portland, OR, and I see Genesis consoles just about every time I hit a thrift store. One time, a week passed without the sight of Genesis stuff (other than a few overpriced sports titles) at any thrift store... not even a controller. It was bizarre.

And even if I don't see a console, I'll see a 3 button controller or two.

Model 1 and model 2 of course. For me, I see model 2's a little more often than model 1's. Almost always loose, with no controllers, no hookups. Anywhere from $4.99-$9.99. I've heard that the hookups can be hard to find if you don't have them.

I've also noticed at local Goodwills that the consoles and controllers are separate. If you want a controller, add an extra $4.99 to the total. x_x

I have yet to see a model 3 at a thrift, but I did come across it in a game store once.

Before I started collecting, I passed up a Genesis 2/Sega CD 2 at a Value Village for $10. But now that I think of it, it might have been for the better. It was REALLY dirty... and of course, no controllers or hookups.

PSX consoles are already starting to pop up here. I saw one with a controller and hookups at a Goodwill for $29.99. Another Goodwill had a loose console at $5.99 and the lid wouldn't close correctly. In fact, once I opened the lid, I couldn't get the damn thing closed. They are starting to pop up more often.

[Tricky X]

Same here. Almost every thrift store I hit has a $5 Genesis, I have even passed up ones in boxes lately. The are everywhere. Most loose systems I pick up, but I don't need anymore Genesis systems. Already have like 5.

Tricky X

[Push Upstairs]

The store i used to work at had the Genesis systems the cheapest...$14.99 for a complete system only the N64 was closested in price before the price increase.

Genesis systems would come in by the loads and they would hardly ever sell. :(



Nintendo has always had more zealous fans

This is very true and in some extreme cases its not a good thing.

[chrisbid]

while the general neglect of the genesis is kindof sad, as a collector its pretty cool as the low demand makes collecting cheaper and more fun and adventurous. :)

[Jasoco]

What I thought of...
http://i3.ebayimg.com/01/i/01/ed/61/b7_1_b.JPG

LOL

[Flack]

Model 1 and model 2 of course. For me, I see model 2's a little more often than model 1's.

Out of the last 20 or so I've seen, 19 have been model 2's. I've only seen one model 3 (which I bought, came with about ten boxed games and all hookups for $20) and I haven't run across a single model 1 yet. Like I said, I've also run across two Sega CD's connected to Model 2's. One I bought for $5 I think, the other was $20 and I passed on it.l

[Jasoco]

When GS used to carry them, I'd see tons of 1's. Some 2's. Now they're all shipped out and last time I was there, there was one in the bin. A Model 2. Before they shipped them out, I peered into the storeroom and saw STACKS upon stacks of them.

[DigitalSpace]

Model 1 and model 2 of course. For me, I see model 2's a little more often than model 1's.

Out of the last 20 or so I've seen, 19 have been model 2's. I've only seen one model 3 (which I bought, came with about ten boxed games and all hookups for $20) and I haven't run across a single model 1 yet. Like I said, I've also run across two Sega CD's connected to Model 2's. One I bought for $5 I think, the other was $20 and I passed on it.l

Wow, no model 1's? That's odd. Nice find on the Genny 3 and the games though.

I forgot to mention in my last post that I have even seen a few Mega Drives. I think that's the only import console I've found in the wild.

[Gapporin]

Huh. I really haven't noticed an abundance of Genesis' where I live. I found a couple of Model 1's at garage sales, and then I found another one at a Goodwill (Model 1; it was gone the next time I stopped in), but that's been it so far. Granted, I live in a smaller town, though.

[Pedro Lambrini]

Here in Edinburgh you never see Gennys anywhere - don't know why! LOL
Seriously though, it's all Playstations and football games (read soccer!) here...it's so rare to find anything interesting - except the once I got a Saturn for £1.49 minus another 10%!! Oh yeah!!!! :D

[Flack]

I've seen a few Playstations at the local thrifts, but nothing like the amount of Gennies I've been seeing. Usually the PSX's I see are $20-$25, so you could get them cheaper at a pawn shop. Plus, when it comes to cart systems really all I've ever had to do is clean the contacts, but I'm always worried about a CD system from a thrift working right.

[Crush Crawfish]

Genny stuff is extremely common around where I live. I'd have to say that at least 70% of the time I find something at a garage sale, It's a genesis system or games. I STILL haven't found a sega CD or 32X though.

[dojosky]

same as here !! LOL i used to have over 18 sms systems ! I still have over 10 turbografx-16 systems lol ... too many genesis systems here ! in past I could usually always find snes all the time but now finally its starting to dry up and recently i ve seen them popping up again but reeks of smoke and yellowish snes yuck ! some people even use their systems to place their burning cigarettes on lol ive seen burn marks on 3do ! yes back in 1995 i wonder if that owner shelled out $400 or 700 for it and placed his burning cigarette on it LOL jeez ! as well plenty of nes and snes with burn SCARS !!!!

[Algol]

Over here, its hard to find ANYTHING older than PS1, except for Genesis. And even when you do find Genesis stuff, its usually the ever popular sports games. We seem to have an equal amount of Model 1s and 2s. I still have yet to see a model 3 in the wild. On my last excursion to the flea market, there was a guy who was selling an X'Eye without hookups for $45, which I couldn't afford. :(

Ah well...at least my Goodwill just got a half dozen boxed Laseractives last week. ;)