The Genesis/SegaCD/32x setup is the biggest POS ever.

[fishsandwich]

Those of you familiar with my postings may know that I am a big Sega 32x fan who believes that the system (not the add-on... the system) had a lot of untapped potential and could have been really cool.

Of course it wasn't and isn't cool, so the point in moot.

However, I still play it once in a while, and I happened upon a convertor this weekend that would possibly allow me to play some previously unplayable PAL 32x games on the 32x. I dug in my pile of junk and dug out the Genny (which was attached to the Sega CD) and then my 32x. There was a brief moment of panic when I thought I'd lost the special Genny-to-32x connector, but I found it. I know many of you are looking for these darned connectors and I don't want to join the group.

Anyway, I once again realized that SEGA LOST THEIR COLLECTIVE MINDS IN THE 1990's.

This thing is a NIGHTMARE. Three power cords. Two connectors. A footprint as big as Sasquash. So much interferance from various wires and signals that you can't get a clear picture. I couldn't even get my 32x to boot up, so the whole exercise was totally futile.

http://www.big-net.pl/~gosiam/images/segagenesis_32x.jpg
http://www.retro-games.co.uk/sega/32x/segacd32x.gif

http://www.scd.ucar.edu/news/02/features/bluesky/cables.jpg

Why not add a Gameshark and one of those old oversized Genny carts from EA and go for a Tower of Babel look? Why not add one of those big-assed things that let the Genny download stuff from the web? Maybe a Master System Powerbase? How about a golf tee?

:angry:

[CreamSoda]

Haha, yeah I know what you mean... Just trying to get the 3 big plugin's to fit all at once can be a challenege sometimes. LOL

One day I got a Sega Genesis 2/CD2/32X set for $5 at a yardsale, I thought that was the best deal ever(but it was $5 for a reason), I wasted like half the afternoon getting it all setup right, so it work, finding spce for the plugins, ect. Only to have both the 32X and Sega CD ironicly break within like a week or so. LOL

[WanganRunner]

I don't keep them all hooked up together, it's too much of a mess.

I've got my 32x on my Genny 2, and then the Genny 1 and Sega CD Model 1 are on a different TV.

I seriously wish they had released some kind of integrated, wondermega-ish device that supported Genesis, 32X, and CD all in one unit. Oh well...

[le geek]

Yes it really is a frankenstein setup. I have a Saturn hood ornament duck taped to mine :)

It got to the point that I noticed I rarely played Genesis, so I finally picked up another one...

Cheers,
Ben

[Poofta!]

i agree with you, but as an owner of MIB version of those, and actively collecting for the doomed console addons, the thing is great today.

i love connecting the behemoth to play the obscure sega cd game now and then. some of the 32x games are great too (SOME.)

[klausien]

I hear you loud and clear. I thankfully have an X'Eye, so my setup is less cumbersome, but even two megalith AC adaptors is a pain.

[puxley]

I'm having a blast with my Genesis/32X/CD setup, it's a little ungainly but well worth the trouble. And it's not much wider than an Xbox.

The trick is to get a dedicated powerstrip for the 3 transformers, then you only have to worry about 1 plug. Make sure the plugs are oriented correctly (side by side) so that the bulky plugs will fit side-by-side. The first one I bought had the plugs "stacked" so they wouldn't fit, so I just switched it out with a power strip I already had.

I haven't had any interference problems either, my Shining Force CD picture is crystal clear. Definitely use RCA plugs instead of RF.
Happy gaming.

[it290]

I don't mind it that much. But I keep my Genesis model 1 hooked to my Sega CD model 1 and the Gen model 2 with the 32x for looks. It's easier to use the Power Base Converter that way, too. Anyway, I'm sure you guys all like those Transformers that join together to make something bigger, so why not just look at the SCD/Genesis/32X combo that way?

[Push Upstairs]

Yeah that combo makes a battleship sized setup. Even worse for me since i have a Gen 1 + Model 2 Sega CD.

I have no stereo AV cables for my Genesis 2/32x so it doesnt get my play time. If i did, i'd be playing "Space Harrier" a whole lot more. 8-)

I love Sega, but the 32x was kind of a waste. They really should have just gone full steam with the Saturn instead.

[-hellvin-]

Yep, there is an orgy of wires behind that damn annoying setup. I've also noticed with the 32x the picture does just not look good at all. Very fuzzy and pretty shitty audio. I think I hooked everything up right but then again I'll probably never know.

[vulcanjedi]

But. Um ..

That is the only way to play T-MEK ! And two of the best coop arcade games. Shadow Squadron and Star Wars Arcade.

And get yourself an arcade monitor with a 15khz refresh rate and an arr gee bee cable and you will have flawless video.

I have often wondered if there would be a market for a 4 connector 2 amp 10volt power supply to have a single plug for this monster.

VJ

[fishsandwich]

But. Um ..

That is the only way to play T-MEK ! And two of the best coop arcade games. Shadow Squadron and Star Wars Arcade.

And get yourself an arcade monitor with a 15khz refresh rate and an arr gee bee cable and you will have flawless video.

I have often wondered if there would be a market for a 4 connector 2 amp 10volt power supply to have a single plug for this monster.

VJ

Ah yes... don't get me wrong about my 32x love! The 32x had several worthwhile exclusives... I personally don't think T-Mek made the transition from arcade to home very well, but it's the only home version besides the shitty PC port. I can't believe no other console got Star Wars Arcade. And where's Star Wars Trilogy Arcade for that matter? Certainly the DC could have done it.

I think I am going to order the Genny composite cables... maybe that will help somewhat.

Cheers

:D

[puxley]

In my opinion, Shadow Squadron is the absolute best 32X game, and you never hear about it.

It's a very playable and creative space dogfight game. Crude polygons, perhaps, but it's ultra-smooth go-anywhere 3D space battles.
Star Wars Arcade, the one that most people get to play, isn't fit to lick it's boots!

If you like to fly a space ship and blow stuff up, you will LOVE Shadow Squadron.

That said, I wish I could play DarXide sometime!!

[Vroomfunkel]

Darxide is a great game, actually. Not by any means worth the amount of money that you would have to spend to get it, but then you're not paying the money for the gameplay I guess.

I took a serious shot at getting it once, but was just outbid .. fortunately the smarmy bugger who outbid me lent it to me later on :D

Trouble is ... it is seriously brutally difficult! The learning curve is incredibly steep! Both he and I could not get beyond the second level, and neither of us are exactly pushovers when it comes to videogames. I grew up on Elite, on which the general control & radar system is based, but even with this to my advantage the time limit is extremely punishing ...

Perhaps I was missing some vital technique .. if so, and someone can let me know what it is, I would love to give it another go.

Vroomfunkel

[fishsandwich]

That said, I wish I could play DarXide sometime!!

Me, too! That's what I was trying to get to play but it won't play at all on an American 32x. The PAL 32x isn't compatible with the Genny, so you have to have a Megadrive AND a PAL 32x, but then there's the issue of NTSC television compatibility!

Star Wars Arcade could have been SO much better had they turned down the difficulty or built in some codes or SOMETHING. The space sequences suck, but attacking the deathstar and flying into it and other capitol ships is just plain cool.

That being said, Shadow Squadron IS the better game. The best of it's type of the 32x, by far. VF is still my favorite 32x game, though. The Saturn got a sequel to Shadow Squadron in Japan... it's called Stellar Assault SS. Give it a try!

Cheers

:D

[vulcanjedi]

Speaking of Darxide.

Are you aware you can buy it for $6.99

Think I'm kidding? :)

http://www.frontier.co.uk/games/darxide-emp/

Oh yeah, it's for the PocketPC. Seems to have made a perfect port over to the handheld. I bought it last year and even on my 3 year old Dell Axim it plays sweet.

VJ

[Sotenga]

So much irony here... I'm currently eyeing an auction for a Genesis/SCD/32X... but I'm used to dealing with an overabundance of cords and connectors, so I'll manage. :)

[Sosage]

I am also with you on this. I remember hooking up the 32X for the first time all those years ago (yeah...I am one of the suckers who bought it when it was 150-ish). Those damn convertor...plate...things...felt like I was performing dental surgeory on my Genesis.

When I finally figured that out, I looked at my power situation. You know, I can't find the manual, but I remember it telling me to only plug the power cord into a wall socket. Not a power strip. I had to scratch my head for a second on that one. Who the hell has four accessible wall sockets for the Genesis, SegaCD, 32X AND a T.V? I said screw it and busted out a power strip. Actually, it was a second power strip just for the Sega tower daisy chained into another power strip. I was certain that my house was going to catch on fire. Screw it. I needed to get some Virtua Racing on...and it isn't as if I didn't own a fire extinguisher. ;P

Then there was finding physical room for the console, with cartridge popping out of the top. To make the long story short, it ended up on the floor.

Someone mentioned a MVS supergun being a "contraption" in another thread. Screw that. IMO, the 32X/SCD/Gen combo is the undisputed king of video game contraption. ;P

[Cryomancer]

The hugness of the Sega Cluster is one of the reasons I love it. I want the karaoke add-n too for extra wideness.

Get this, Sega made their own power strip with spaced out plugs, if anyone has one, I'd love to talk you out of it.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Ah this is awesome....yeah the "BattleShip" of Sega....more cords then a copperhead's crib....three PSU is a pain in the ass to make this sucker run...

I love how big it looks after you're done....people who come to your house who don't have any idea what it is...will stare at it and go "DAMN that's huge!"

[Anexanhume]

Concerning this, is it a rumor that you can get the 32x to function with the cdx?

[goatdan]

I just love hooking up a Sega Genesis 1 with a Sega CD two. The extender thing makes it a good two or three inches wider, making it remind me of a ship.

I don't think it was a bad idea for Sega at the time at all. Looking at it now, it most definitely is one of those issues of "waaaaay too much to put together."

[Mr. Smashy]

The thing that really bugs me about the Genesis/SegaCD/32X behemoth is that they stayed with the "wall wort" style of AC adapter when they could have gone with something a little more accommodating in the style of, say, a TG16 (or GameCube) AC adapter.

Still, I keep that Sega trio hooked up and give it a power bar of it's very own.
Maybe I should have a chat with some people that might be inclined to modify AC adapters to a less obstructive design.

[Imstarryeyed]

Greetings I saw this thread and wanted to say that I have the system setup in my front room. The best way I found to handle the plug situation is to utilize a 3 face extension cord. I have one of those extension cords that has 2 spaced out 3 prong plugs in the front and 1 on the back, this plug works very well for me so all I do then is plug the extension cord onto my power strip and I am ready to go.

Currently in my living room I am using a Pelican Pro Systems Selector
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001GAYUE/103-9992643-9047818?v=glance

I also bought an eight cubby shelf from Target.

On that shelf I have the Pelican Switchbox sitting on top and sitting on top of the switchbox is a CD-I system.

In the cubby holes I have an N64, Sega Saturn, NES, Panasonic 3DO, SNES, Dreamcast, the bottom 2 cubby holes I use for controller and controller extension cord storage.

The cubby holes are about 12" high and I think 11" wide so not every console fits in there. The Model 1 Genny + the CD with that extra inch it adds on will not fit in there for sure.

I have a TV Stand to the side of the cubes that the TV sits on.

In the TV Stand I have the Sega Model 1/32X/CD system along with a Playstation 2 and a Turbo Duo (The Turbo Duo sits on the PS2).

The TV sits next to a another TV where I watch TV and play Xbox, GameCube and the PS2 (the PS2 unit sits with the other consoles but actually is connected to this other TV)

I use 2 power strips and use a whole bunch of powerstrip savers that can piggyback each other.

http://www.powerstripsaver.com/

The system works really well and I am not too worried about safety or fire since only 1 or 2 plugs for consoles are on at any given time. (I keep my consoles off when not in use)

With the exception of the NES, PS2, Gamecube and Xbox everything is hooked into the Pelican switchbox.

The PS2, Gamecube and Xbox share a different MadCatz 4 port switchbox themselves on 1 TV that has cable and is used for TV watching and the NES is hooked directly into the videogame dedicated TV's RF connector, so the Pelican switchbox was not necessary for this one, good thing too as I ran out of ports on it)

The dedicated game TV has the empty jacks in the front make it very easy to plug in other consoles that I may drag to the front room temporarily. They area also ideal for all of the Direct to TV handheld battery consoles that are very popular now. (The Wireless Ms. Pac Man one with 7 games is the best yet in my opinion!)

All of the wires are pretty much hidden in the back of the cubby holes and the front room with the exception of 2 TV's looks pretty normal.

It is neat however to play a game on 1 TV while having the music channel playing Jazz in the background too!

Just thought I would suggest some options for those of you folks that are trying to get the most of your consoles. I too hated to bring them down, unpack, setup and stike down again over and over.

:D

[Iron Draggon]

OK first of all, are you all aware that Sega made a power strip specifically to make this setup far less annoying? It has 5 sockets for the adapters, all of which are spaced far enough apart to allow you to plug in all the adapters side by side with plenty of room between them to prevent both overheating and interference. It has a surge protector complete with a reset button and a light-up power switch as well. They sold them for only $10. I have two.

These babies are one of the best purchases that I ever made for my gaming hobby. With just two of these babies, I have enough sockets to plug in my Genesis, Sega CD, 32X, SNES, 3DO, PlayStation, Saturn, Dreamcast, Jaguar, Jaguar CD, all at the same time, and then plug the two power strips into any standard two socket wall outlet. Or better yet, I could plug them both into a UPS for even more protection, and still only use two sockets on the UPS.

Of course they're quite rare now, and nearly impossible to find, but grab one if you can find one! They're very easy to spot in the wild, if you're fortunate enough to find them, as they have the letters S-E-G-A stamped and painted in Sonic Blue between each of the 5 sockets. You can't miss them! They're much larger than regular 5 socket power strips too, with extra thick cords. If you find one boxed, the boxes had the usual red label logo for Genesis stuff.

Now, with that said, one of my favorite things to do is to plug Sonic 1 or 2 or 3 into Sonic & Knuckles, plug that into a Game Genie, and plug that into my 32X Genesis 1 Sega CD 1 combo! Talk about a gaming Tower of Babel! It's like playing with Legos! Just keep stacking them, and reach for the sky!

And as soon as I finally get the Karaoke attachment, I'll have another module branching off to the side! It just keeps growing! So imagine what it would be like if they had ever used the rear expansion port for something as well!

I think it's totally awesome how they expanded it so much! At least they did expand it, and they expanded it to the fullest too! Now look at how many other systems have an expansion port that was never used for anything!

[crazyjackcsa]

I just got the Sega CD and 32x I love the size, but what I think makes it log big is the width and the height compined. the 32x alone doesn't seem too bad because it's tall and narrow. The Sega CD doesn't look too bad because its low and sleek. Here is what I'm thinkinf for the largest Contraption.: Genesis and CD Model 1 32x with the game genie, S+K and an EA cart or virtua racing sticking out of the top. All of the power cords is a headache, but like others I have a dedicated power strip.

[Slate]

I have a Gen2/CD2/32X setup on the floor. With a little repair, My 32X works better then new. And i have my Sega CD modded so when the fuse blows, I can just pop in another fuse. I'm all set to go. :)

[chrisbid]

i have a genny1/sega cd1 setup and a genny2/sega cd2/32x setup. with the second setup, the machine is only slightly taller and wider than an xbox, but shorter lengthwise.

[Archenemy]

I have a 32X/ CDX setup :evil:

Do not listen to your inner voice telling you to not doing it.

JUST DO IT!!!

The only issue would be that the Sega 32X CD Games are not so easy to put inside it LOL

[Sosage]

Now, with that said, one of my favorite things to do is to plug Sonic 1 or 2 or 3 into Sonic & Knuckles, plug that into a Game Genie, and plug that into my 32X Genesis 1 Sega CD 1 combo! Talk about a gaming Tower of Babel! It's like playing with Legos! Just keep stacking them, and reach for the sky!

For extra height, see if you can somehow sneak an X-Band in there.

Come on...lets see how high we can possibly make this thing. =)

[Flojomojo]

All I can say is ... thank goodness for GENS!

[Slate]

Has anyone ever tried using 2 32x systems at once? (One on top of the other)

I don't have 2 32x systems to try it. It seems like madness, however.

[Cryomancer]

Not my image, but you get the idea.

http://img113.exs.cx/img113/9229/11023197673846lu.jpg

edit:

here's some stuff on the powerstrip as well
http://www.shinforce.com/general/Peripherals.htm

[Slate]

Not my image, but you get the idea.

http://img113.exs.cx/img113/9229/11023197673846lu.jpg

edit:

here's some stuff on the powerstrip as well
http://www.shinforce.com/general/Peripherals.htm

Good grief that is big... I don't recall the Karaoke addon for Genesis..Ever. Is it a mod?

[poloplayr]

A source at the energy department revealed that those setups actually cause 57% of most nations' blackouts. I bet you did not know that.

[GarrettCRW]

Jeez, that pic is scary. X_x

Speaking of the Power Base Converter, is that sucker compatible with a 32X mounted onto a model 1 Genny? It'd be nice to know if I ever decide to get a 32X (I'm pretty certain that I'll be chasing after a model 1 Sega CD eventually, though.)

[-hellvin-]

2 32x's...damn. I have two and I think I'm going to try it. Personally I don't even think the 2nd one will snap in to the slot correctly, but we'll find out.

Edit: Aaaaahaaha! Success! Man, was it WEIRD though. It starts up and the produced by text is colored red and then the screen turned puke green and it looked like I was playing castlevania in nightvision. I test knuckles chaotix and it didn't play it.

[Iron Draggon]

Hey, what the heck is that thing plugged into the controller ports? I dunno what that is, but I love the idea. Just fill up all her holes! (I mean the Genny, you pig!) That pic is really close to what I was thinking of, but where's the Game Genie? And couldn't you just plug those into each other indefinitely? They're like Donkey Kong! How high can you get? VR Racing into S & K for sure, excpet VR Racing won't work with the 32X. That's the real reason why they made VR racing for 32X right after that. The SVP's in VR racing and in the 32X cancel each other out. Or something like that. It won't boot up.

[thegreatescape]

Hey, what the heck is that thing plugged into the controller ports?
Looks like the reciever for wireless controllers..

Coming soon: The ultimate Heavyweight grudge match- The Sega Tower of power vs the X-box X_x

[fishsandwich]

I have a 32X/ CDX setup :evil:

Do not listen to your inner voice telling you to not doing it.

JUST DO IT!!!

The only issue would be that the Sega 32X CD Games are not so easy to put inside it LOL

I did it for years, but a word of warning... the CD function stopped working for no reason and has not worked since. No more Sega CD on my CDX!!!

Cheers

:(

[it290]

Jeez, that pic is scary. 2003_eek.gif

Speaking of the Power Base Converter, is that sucker compatible with a 32X mounted onto a model 1 Genny? It'd be nice to know if I ever decide to get a 32X (I'm pretty certain that I'll be chasing after a model 1 Sega CD eventually, though.)


I don't think it is. I don't think it works electronically, but even if it did I'm not sure it would fit, and if it did fit it would look hella goofy.

I always thought it would be cool if the PBC had extended the Genesis cart port as well as adding in the SMS cart/card ports, so that you could leave it plugged in all the time. That would be the ultimate.

[Dimitri]

Speaking of the Power Base Converter, is that sucker compatible with a 32X mounted onto a model 1 Genny?

No, you cannot use a PBC with the 32X, same as you can't play any games that are SMS carts in Genesis shells (which is basically just the Japanese Phantasy Star reprint and a handful of pirate multicarts).

Oddly enough, these carts don't work on the Nomad, either. >_>

[esquire]

Why not add a Gameshark and one of those old oversized Genny carts from EA and go for a Tower of Babel look? Why not add one of those big-assed things that let the Genny download stuff from the web? Maybe a Master System Powerbase? How about a golf tee?

:angry:

Better yet, a Gameshark, Sonic & Knuckles and Sonic game of your choice. LOL
Oh and don't forget the EA Sports 4-player multi-tap or the Miracle Piano. That would be a good start.

[jajaja]

what is that server pic?

[fishsandwich]

what is that server pic?

http://www.scd.ucar.edu/news/02/features/bluesky/cables.jpg

What, this one? Just some random pic I found on Google that approximates the amount of space and wiring one needs to successfully hook up a Genny/CD/32x combo.

For all the processors it has, the damn thing should be a Cray... I wonder if the trio COULD have done a decent approximation of Daytona USA given a super-talented bunch of programming using every chip and trick available from the three-moduled monstrosity...

@_@

[Slate]

2 32x's...damn. I have two and I think I'm going to try it. Personally I don't even think the 2nd one will snap in to the slot correctly, but we'll find out.

Edit: Aaaaahaaha! Success! Man, was it WEIRD though. It starts up and the produced by text is colored red and then the screen turned puke green and it looked like I was playing castlevania in nightvision. I test knuckles chaotix and it didn't play it.

I'll try it if i ever get a chance.. I had the same problem (Screen was a differant color) But it turns out that the Conversion cable was not in fully. i didn't know what to do with it Until i found out about the white wire fix. :)

[Breakpack]

Potential is what comes to mind when I play my 32x.I imagine all the good ports in the hands of knowledgable programmers.The rumored Dracula X,Darkstalkers.How would a port of X-Men vs. Street Fighter have turned out on the system--or for that matter,what if Sculptured did the 32x port of Mortal Kombat 2 instead of Probe?How about MK3 on 32x CD???I haven't even imagined the games that COULD have came out for the 32xcd.....gahhh,potential.... X_x

[GarrettCRW]

No, you cannot use a PBC with the 32X, same as you can't play any games that are SMS carts in Genesis shells (which is basically just the Japanese Phantasy Star reprint and a handful of pirate multicarts).

Oddly enough, these carts don't work on the Nomad, either. >_>

Bah.....I have more reasons to keep using my PBC ready to go than to have to unhook a 32X every time I want to fire up an SMS game. *gives the 32X the boot*