What do I do with a Sega CD?

[XYXZYZ]

I'm in a little quandary here-

I'm thinking about picking up a Sega CD. I can get one locally (A CD2 with an original Genesis console) for $70.00,(US) Is that a fair price? I see complete boxed units with the later style Genesis console on eBay going for less than that.

But so far the only reason I have to get one is just to display with the rest of my consoles. If I'm going to have one, I want games! But there just don't seem to be many that interest me... I can already say the US selection ain't gonna cut it. Meh, maybe Night Trap. But I already have most of the the other interesting games on other formats. So my Sega CD collection will focus on imports- but after reading a bit on the interweb, it looks like it's a pain in the ass to get those to work. Which kinda makes it look like getting a Japanese Mega CD would be a better move, but I don't know... a lot of those import titles I can get for my DUO, and there aren't enought left to justify investing that kind of money into importing a Mega CD.

Is there some real fun I'm missing out on here? How's the selection of shooters? So far all I see is Sol Feace and a couple others. Does your Sega CD bring you any kind of joy worth noting?

Oh, and another thing, reliability- I hear a few people complain that their Sega CD won't read anything anymore, is that common?

Sorry if this was a half-coherant babble, I'm sleepy.

[Ed Oscuro]

I'm thinking about picking up a Sega CD. I can get one locally (A CD2 with an original Genesis console) for $70.00,(US) Is that a fair price? I see complete boxed units with the later style Genesis console on eBay going for less than that.
eBay don't lie. I don't know if the price you're quoting is boxed or what, but it'd still be pretty horrid.

Personally, I don't know about the Sega CD. There's a selection of games across the various genres - shooters, action games - but I'm sticking with the import version ('cuz that has Ninja Warriors). Check out the online rarity guide's Sega CD section to see if there's anything to interest you.

[LiquidPolicenaut]

I'm a big Sega CD fan/collector here and it's a somewhat underestimated system. There's a good amount of great games on it. Lunar, Lunar: EB, the best version of Snatcher, Sonic CD, Popful Mail, Keio Flying Squadron, Lords of Thunder (You already have a Turbo, so never mind on that one), Final Fight CD, Silpheed, The Terminator (an avergae side scroller, but it has a great soundtrack). If you wanna try the imports, some I recommend are Urusei Yatsura (a digital comic type game, but still worth it), 3x3 Eyes and, to a lesser degree, Shadowrun. If you want, you can check out my still half-alive MSN group on the Sega CD for pics at http://groups.msn.com/segacdfans


------------------------------------------
Yeah. My blog. Down below.
http://www.myspace.com/liquidsnake76

[atomicthumbs]

That is a pretty hefty price (especially for a model 2 Sega CD).

As far as games go, they ARE mostly crap: Like for every good game, there are around 12 bad games. Though there are some real gems out there.

Watch out for the Full Motion Video titles. There are only a couple good ones.

[DDCecil]

I feel $25-30 for a Sega Genesis and Sega CD without shipping is a fair price.

I love my Sega CD, I'm playing Vay at this very moment.

Other games I love playing:
- Lunar: Silver Star (I prefer this over the PSX remake)
- Popful Mail (I prefer this over the Super Famicom/Turbo CD versions)
- Time Gal (Probably the weakest port of all versions out there, but still my favorite of the Dragon's Lair clones. Special Note - The import version has an opening song that isn't on the U.S. version.)
- Hook (Nothing that special, but the CD soundtrack rules)
- Dungeon Explorer (I like this and the TG-16 version)
- Double Switch (My favorite FMV game)
- Snatcher (Excellent Konami Cyberpunk Thriller)
- Final Fight CD (Perfect arcade port)
- Sonic CD (I'm one of the few that enjoy the U.S. soundtrack over the Japanese soundtrack)

For 2D shooters, there is Android Assault, Keio Flying Squadron, Robo Aleste, and Lords of Thunder, which are all awesome.

[MrSmiley381]

Snatcher and Silpheed are the only real reasons I can think of, Night Trap if you want to laugh hard, or so I hear. Sonic CD made me kinda sad, though.

Then again: SNATCHER.

Oh, and I think $70 is way too much.

[attilathehun]

I'm in a little quandary here-

I'm thinking about picking up a Sega CD. I can get one locally (A CD2 with an original Genesis console) for $70.00,(US) Is that a fair price? I see complete boxed units with the later style Genesis console on eBay going for less than that.

But so far the only reason I have to get one is just to display with the rest of my consoles. If I'm going to have one, I want games! But there just don't seem to be many that interest me... I can already say the US selection ain't gonna cut it. Meh, maybe Night Trap. But I already have most of the the other interesting games on other formats. So my Sega CD collection will focus on imports- but after reading a bit on the interweb, it looks like it's a pain in the ass to get those to work. Which kinda makes it look like getting a Japanese Mega CD would be a better move, but I don't know... a lot of those import titles I can get for my DUO, and there aren't enought left to justify investing that kind of money into importing a Mega CD.

Is there some real fun I'm missing out on here? How's the selection of shooters? So far all I see is Sol Feace and a couple others. Does your Sega CD bring you any kind of joy worth noting?

Oh, and another thing, reliability- I hear a few people complain that their Sega CD won't read anything anymore, is that common?

Sorry if this was a half-coherant babble, I'm sleepy.Unless you don't live in north america it would be ill advised to get a mega cd.

JVC X'EYE or CDX is the best route instead of bulky ass add-ons.

I think the sega cd is like the saturn and dreamcast where you can adjust the laser to read games. The ps, ngcd and jag cd are fixed and can't be adjusted.

[cityside75]

I was curious about Sega CD games too. Well, I recently picked up a X'eye for and I have to admit that I've been underwhelmed by everything I've seen so far for Sega CD. There are better deals to be had than what you've found too, I picked up the X'Eye for $15.

My X'Eye is in great shape, and was well cared for but I'm already having some issues with it not reading all CD's too - FWIW.

[attilathehun]

I bought mine for $10 at amazon and the cart worked but it woudn't read cds even after cleaning it. A guy fixed for $30.

Why don't you unplug it and take it apart and see if there is a screw to turn to adjust the laser.

[GrayFox]

Uh, is this a trick question?

Get a Sega CD for Sonic CD alone, duh.

Well, toss in Snatcher too, but mostly just Sonic CD.

Yep, Sonic CD...

[MegaDrive20XX]

Uh, is this a trick question?

Get a Sega CD for Sonic CD alone, duh.

Well, toss in Snatcher too, but mostly just Sonic CD.

Yep, Sonic CD...

Thank you! He ain't lyin! throw in Lunar 1 and 2 while you're at it!

Sega Arcade Classics for Sega CD too! It's brilliant! (Especially the Golden Axe port and SOR)

[Skyway_Recreation]

SEGA CD IS THE SHIT!!!! get lunar, get vay, get popfull mail, get terminator(like liquidpolicenaut said, pretty average scroller with ill ass music by tommy talarico). most definantly get shining force CD, and my all time favorite SNATCHER! i played snatcher on playstation, and it just felt wrong, sega CD is the way to go!Sonic CD is a very great game, i have the american and japanese versions, and the jap one has awesome music! and if you import sega cd games, just iso them use a small region converter program,and then reburn them onto CD-R, that's what i do for my import titles i pick up for cheap. OR get a CDX cart, which i saw a lot of like 10 import mega cd games, 5 MD carts and a cart converter for both MD and sega CD (two seperate converters) only go for like 50 bux on ebay, which pissed me off to no end casue i missed it. BASICALLY wat im saying is get one, BUT buy a version one, cause they are cooler and look better than the second version.

[Ed Oscuro]

...kinda makes it look like getting a Japanese Mega CD would be a better move, but I don't know... a lot of those import titles I can get for my DUO, and there aren't enought left to justify investing that kind of money into importing a Mega CD.
Unless you don't live in north america it would be ill advised to get a mega cd.
He specifically said the Japanese unit, so there's no issue with PAL/NTSC.

Also, I'm glad to see that somebody can name a dozen must-have titles right off. I know they're there...just forgot the names of most of em, blast it all. LOL

[The Brown Eye]

My X'Eye is in great shape, and was well cared for but I'm already having some issues with it not reading all CD's too - FWIW.
If you try to adjust the laser (assuming you can on that model, I never had one) be very very careful. Just turn the screw a tiny bit, then test. Don't get too impatient with it and give it a big turn, because that's the quickest way to make sure your laser will never read another game again. Also, make sure you mark the original position with a marker or something.

[Tron 2.0]

But I already have most of the the other interesting games on other formats. So my Sega CD collection will focus on imports- but after reading a bit on the interweb, it looks like it's a pain in the ass to get those to work. Which kinda makes it look like getting a Japanese Mega CD would be a better move, but I don't know... a lot of those import titles I can get for my DUO, and there aren't enought left to justify investing that kind of money into importing a Mega CD.

If you end up getting a, SegaCD, D-lite can put a region switch in ;)

btw his site http://www.multimods.com/SegaMods.html

I use to own a, SegaCD and.. i thought it selection wasn't that bad.

Lunar SS
Lunar EB
Time Gal
Revenge of the Ninja
Final Fight/has the remix music 8-)
Popful Mail
Snatcher/only version to have a u.s release.
Dark Wizard
Rise of the Dragon/decent pc port.
Sonic CD/damn good sound track.
Shining Force CD/get both gg,ss on one disc.

There ya have it.

[Fighter17]

I own an Sega Genesis Model 2 with an Sega CD Model 2, and the thing still freaking works like new. The downside with the attachments is that each thing requires its own power cord (I need one for the Sega Genesis and one for the Sega CD).

When talking about games, I would stay away from all FMV games because simple they were horrible.

The games, well people who posted before me nailed the list. Here are some games you should think about buying:

Get any Core developed games because they were good (AH3 ThunderStrike and Soul Star).

When getting Sonic CD, I would stay the hell away from the US version because the US version has its soundtrack changed and I really didn't like it. More Sonic fans love the Japanese soundtrack better than the US one, so hear both soundtracks before buying.

I made a list about the best Sega CD games on Amazon:

'Sonic the Hedgehog - SONIC CD - for Sega CD' (Great game, the US version and the Japanese version had totally different soundtracks, I perfer the Japanese one)
'Robo Aleste (Sega CD)' (sequel to M.U.S.H.A, no FMV BS, just one great shoot 'em up with great redbood soundtrack)
Snatcher (The rarest Sega CD game, A MUST HAVE FOR ANY SEGA CD OWNER, this game is in my top ten favorite games of all time!)
Android Assult (a.k.a Bari-Arm) (Lightening Force mixes with Gate of Thunder for the TurboDuo)
Eternal Champions CD (Better than the Genesis version, the only Sega CD game that shows 256 colors on screen (almost all of the Genesis games shows 64 colors on screen))
Heart of the Alien (Flashback fans will enjoy this game a lot)
Silpheed (The ONLY Sega CD title with polygons)
'Lunar the Silver Star Sega Cd' (Fan favorite of the Working Designs published games)
'Lunar II: Eternal Blue for Sega CD' (Sequel to Lunar)
'Vay' (Great game from Working Designs)
'Popful Mail' (My personal favorite Working Designs game)
AH3 Thunderhawk (One of the early Sega CD games, uses alot of the Sega CD's sprite scaling and rotation that was in the hardware)
Dark Wizard (A favorite by many RPG fans)
'Final Fight (Sega CD)' (Great arcade port, light-years better than the horrible SNES version, great soundtrack)
Shining Force CD (Very rare, but excellent RPG)
Keio Flying Squadron (One of the early games with an anime cover-art, also one of the most weirdest shooters for the Sega
Soul-Star (Starfox with sprites, and my god it looks better than Starfox)

[YoshiM]

Sega Arcade Classics for Sega CD too! It's brilliant! (Especially the Golden Axe port and SOR)

I gotta go against you on that suggestion. For one the Golden Axe port does NOT have the two player option for the arcade mode. Also most of the sound effects in the games were replaced with, what I'm assuming, "more realistic" sounds thanks to the CD storage format. The only reason I have that disc is that it came with Sherlock Holmes, which is what I wanted.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Sega Arcade Classics for Sega CD too! It's brilliant! (Especially the Golden Axe port and SOR)

I gotta go against you on that suggestion. For one the Golden Axe port does NOT have the two player option for the arcade mode. Also most of the sound effects in the games were replaced with, what I'm assuming, "more realistic" sounds thanks to the CD storage format. The only reason I have that disc is that it came with Sherlock Holmes, which is what I wanted.

yes and the fact Shinobi Revenge has no updates what so ever.

Actually those sound effects were trying to be more like the Arcade verison (Villagers screaming is an example)

I liked it, but sadly without the 2 player mode it was weak. Yet SOR on the other hand had some really nice sound effects

[LiquidPolicenaut]

Man, I never realized all the hate for the Sega CD in here. I personally think the N64 is more a piece of shit than the Sega CD..but that's MY opinion :) It really is an underestimated system and between all of our posts here, we have pretty much nailed all the good/great titles on it (if you wanna try and delve deeper into the imports, I can help out with more opinons). Certain games, like Lunar: EB, Snatcher and Urusei, showed what the system was capable of in the right hands. Really short load times, great full-screen animation, smooth voice acting, etc. Even games that weren't all that good, like Adventures of Batman and Robin, still had somehting to show for it. That game had FMV animation cutscenes directly from the show itself, so it was like you got a whole unaired epsisode in it. True, it was obviously still grainy, but they had reached the point where at least it was now full screen and a little bit better than the original FMV sequences. Hell, I own the game JUST for the animated sequences :)

One off hand comment I have to say is in regards to Sonic CD. All these years I always heard how much more incredible the soundtrack was on the import version. Last year I finally got around to getting the import (at that point I finally got a Wondermega to play it on) and, you know something? I was really let down! Was it a good soundtrack? Yeah, but not as superb as everyone made it out to be. They made the American one seem SOOOO horrible compared to it, yet I don't see it that way. They both have their good and bad sides to them....except the opening to the import. Dear God, that was bad.........

[Massimiliano]

What about Dune ?
It's my favourite mega-cd game 8-)

[alec006]

Sega CD,yea its a great system,nothing like cd quality sound comming from a genesis,just watch out for some of the first models,the motorized drives can be a pain in the ass and not work but look better with a model 1 genesis.

[slip81]

I say if you're getting it for it's games, don't bother. All most all of the good titles can be found elsewhere cheaper.

If you want to collect it, then go nuts. Just don't pay $70 for it, like you said, a much cheaper one can be found on ebay.

In terms of collectability, I think it's a nice system (like the N64), because even though it had a lot of bad games, there were some really good ones, and aside from a very select few titles, all are pretty cheap. Also, since it didn't have a whole lot of U.S releases, getting a complete set is very feasible.

[FABombjoy]

If you end up getting a, SegaCD, D-lite can put a region switch in ;)

It actually takes a little more than that, and according to his page it isn't offered yet. I've done a few multiregion mods on Sega CDs and it definitely takes some time to do well.

[Slate]

Uh, is this a trick question?

Get a Sega CD for Sonic CD alone, duh.

Well, toss in Snatcher too, but mostly just Sonic CD.

Yep, Sonic CD...

You'll be glad to hear that i am one who got a SCD just for Sonic CD. If it isn't worth it, Then it's worth it just for those wierd and funny FMV games.

Back on subject..

I think that $70 is too much for a SCD + Genny 1. For $70 you may aswell throw in another $30 and buy a CDX.

Anyway, the games i play on it are...

Sonic CD (The best of all sonic games)

Sewer Shark (You need the manual, though, it's cool, though underrated)

I don't play the SCD that much. I don't have many games for it that i enjoy, so it stays unhooked most of the time.

[attilathehun]

...kinda makes it look like getting a Japanese Mega CD would be a better move, but I don't know... a lot of those import titles I can get for my DUO, and there aren't enought left to justify investing that kind of money into importing a Mega CD.
Unless you don't live in north america it would be ill advised to get a mega cd.
He specifically said the Japanese unit, so there's no issue with PAL/NTSC.

Also, I'm glad to see that somebody can name a dozen must-have titles right off. I know they're there...just forgot the names of most of em, blast it all. LOLOh no just because it has the same title is used does not mean they are the same. Japanese Mega CD runs on different voltage and different region than does a PAL.

If he doesn't live in north america or japan then the pal mega cd would be of his best interest.

If he lives in japan than the ntsc mega cd is best for him.

If he lives in north america than its the sega cd.

It is possible to install and rewire/solder a genny controller chip in the sega cd to get around regions, or was that the sega saturn?

There is a sega cd region converter program which can change region and reburn disc, but it has limitations on working for small amount of games.

If he has a model 1 mega/genny cd with the ultra rare converter cheat cart that would allow him to play other regions.

Other wise he best off getting the appopriate console to match his region of residence.

[Ed Oscuro]

Oh no just because it has the same title is used does not mean they are the same. Japanese Mega CD runs on different voltage and different region than does a PAL.
I had assumed he'd be getting Japanese games to go with the Japanese system, but that's a good point (if obvious). With the voltage, there really shouldn't be a problem. Lots of people on the boards use their JP systems on US current. I would use some spare Genesis PSUs instead of the Japanese ones, though (if they output the same current, which I'm pretty sure they do), so any potential problem is solved right away.

[attilathehun]

Oh no just because it has the same title is used does not mean they are the same. Japanese Mega CD runs on different voltage and different region than does a PAL.
I had assumed he'd be getting Japanese games to go with the Japanese system, but that's a good point (if obvious). With the voltage, there really shouldn't be a problem. Lots of people on the boards use their JP systems on US current. I would use some spare Genesis PSUs instead of the Japanese ones, though (if they output the same current, which I'm pretty sure they do), so any potential problem is solved right away.No I was referring to the Pal. Pal runs on a different voltage. Your earlier statement was that the japanese console can do both pal and ntsc.

Japanese is ntsc which voltage is same as north america, just different regions and title for the console.

You plug a pal mega cd without a special voltage converter into a outlet in Japan,/US/Canada you are going to blow the shit up

That's what happened when Matt Damien with his ps2 in France he had got from Ben Afflek in the USA.

[blue lander]

PAL and NTSC refer to video formats, not voltage levels. It just so happens that most (maybe all?) countries that use the PAL video formats also have power systems that provide around twice as much voltage as the power systems in NTSC countries.

The Japanese power system runs at about 10 volts (I think?) less than ours, actually. But it's close enough that Japanese electronics work fine here.

[Ed Oscuro]

No I was referring to the Pal. Pal runs on a different voltage.
Once again, he specifically said Japanese, and you keep saying PAL. In Japan, it's still called the Mega Drive. Only here in the states is the console called the Genesis/Sega CD.


Your earlier statement was that the japanese console can do both pal and ntsc.
You must've misunderstood me - I didn't say that. As blue lander says, PAL and NTSC are video standards, and while those aren't interchangable either, that's an entirely different matter from voltages.


That's what happened when Matt Damien with his ps2 in France he had got from Ben Afflek in the USA.
LOL

[Ed Oscuro]

The Japanese power system runs at about 10 volts (I think?) less than ours, actually. But it's close enough that Japanese electronics work fine here.
Yes. If the adaptors output the same voltage (don't see why they wouldn't, as both systems have essentially the same internals), though, you'd be better off using a US adaptor.

Hmm...I'm gonna go check that (I know it's been done before, but I'd like to see).

[blue lander]

I've got quite a few Japanese systems/computers that I run off the US power system without any adaptors. I guess I won't find out if it's a bad idea until it's too late. But I'm guessing that the power adaptor circuit in those systems was designed to work well with both systems. That way, if they wanted to introduce the system/computer to the US, they wouldn't have to manufacture a seperate line of power supplies. But I am worried that running Japanese devices off of US power will shorted their life span.

[Skyway_Recreation]

if you plug a pal system running 220v into a 120 v outlet, nothign will even happen. not enough current to even do anything, NOW if you shove a 110v-120v inot a euro 220-250, then you got sparks and flames! actually, it's usually smoke, and then is easily fixable by just installing a new psu and fuse.
its funny how euro runs at dbl voltage but half the current of american and japanese voltage. matt damon pluged a US ps2 into a euro plug, what a dildo, even if it would have worked, it would have had a scrolling screen unless the thing was ntsc and pal compatible. Jees, how he even fit it into the wall? anyway, back to the subject, once again, do your self a favor and buy a sega CD, but not for 70 bux!

[blue lander]

You can get Euro/UK adapters that merely make a US power cable fit into a Euro/UK socket without changing the voltage. They're mainly for things like laptops and blackberries that have power supplies that can handle 110-220 volts. If you use them with something that can't handle 220 volts, then you're screwed.

[Tron 2.0]

If you end up getting a, SegaCD, D-lite can put a region switch in ;)

It actually takes a little more than that, and according to his page it isn't offered yet. I've done a few multiregion mods on Sega CDs and it definitely takes some time to do well.
I thought i herd he had done some befor.

Then again he hasn't updated his site to much in ages.

Mulite bios he put in one.

http://www.multimods.com/images/SegaCDmultibios.jpg

Btw this guy site explains how to do it http://arakon.dyndns.org/tutorial/bios.html

[Ed Oscuro]

But I'm guessing that the power adaptor circuit in those systems was designed to work well with both systems.
Think of it this way. It doesn't matter if you're in Japan or the US, any popular CPU will use the same voltage (3.3v was used by most for a long time in recent PCs, not sure if the newest ones use that amount or not). The same goes for all the components.

Now, the job of the PSU is to supply current, and that's all. You can add chips and circuitry for a region lock-out, but they shouldn't change the overall power requirements for the console.

I just hauled out one of my Mega Drives (box's got a handle on it, like a Neo Geo AES...beautiful system, nobody's used this one so it shines at all the appropriate junctions/curves), and looked at the PSU:

AC Adaptor SA-160A

INPUT: AC100V 20A
OUTPUT: DC9V 1.2A
(schematic: positive to negative)

Ah, that looks familiar...but it's NOT the same as for my Genesis 2...which, sadly, is the only style Genesis PSU I have:

Model MK-2103

INPUT: 120V AC 60Hz 15W
OUTPUT: 10V DC 0.85A
(schematic: negative to positive)

I think the Super Shinobi II playing will have to wait a bit!

The likely reason is that the internals WERE changed around quite a bit for the Genesis 2.

[attilathehun]

PAL and NTSC refer to video formats, not voltage levels. It just so happens that most (maybe all?) countries that use the PAL video formats also have power systems that provide around twice as much voltage as the power systems in NTSC countries.

The Japanese power system runs at about 10 volts (I think?) less than ours, actually. But it's close enough that Japanese electronics work fine here.Yeah I know pal has different video format. But if you were to buy a pal mega cd it will also have a differnt voltage vs. the ntsc systems.