LaserActive - Compiling a Database - Compatability

[Contrabassoon86]

Hello DP Colleagues,

I finally got a replacment LaserActive player off of ebay last night, and now I started re-looking for information on the player. There is no one good source of information on what the player can do.

So I wanted to use the collective forces of the DP Forum to compile some information. I could compile the information on a text file once we get enough information.

What I am looking for is information on:
the player itself
Sega PAC
NEC PAC
Karaoke PAC
compatable devices/games

I'll be posting information periodically!

[norkusa]

I really love the LaserActive. I'm 4 discs away from a complete US collection and currently debating wether or not to start collecting the Japanese stuff. I guess I like it so much because I'm a big fan of the old laserdisc arcade games and the LA games have the same feel as them.

There isn't much info on the LaserActive anywhere for some reason. Probably because it's so obscure and most collectors don't care about it. There is a section dedicated to it in the DP Advance Edition collectors guide however. All the info in it is already on the DP online rarity guide though. You already check that?

[digitalpress]

I think the DP database is pretty good with this. Vince owns everything for the Laseractive and I've got all the US stuff... if there's more info you need please let us know so we can research it!

http://www.digitpress.com/DP/cmf/listing.cmf?system=80

[Contrabassoon86]

My Comments are really about compatability of certain games on the laseractive PACs. Specifically what discs work, and what don't. I know that a fair amount of Japenese PC Engine CD's work on the system, but which ones specifically? Do v. 1 card games work (like Altered Beast) or is it just v. 2 and later? No one says out right. Do MegaDrive CD games work on the LaserActive? I don't know. I know the American Backup Ram Catridge works.

I think there should be a database (not just a listing of the games) for what actually works for one of the best systems out there.

[digitalpress]

Interesting. I've never encountered a PC Engine or MegaDrive game - cartridge, HuCard OR CD - that doesn't work on the LaserActive. I'll be curious to hear the results you get here.

You should probably rename the thread "Laseractive Incompatibility Database" or something to that effect, it's misleading as is.

[Steve W]

I've wondered about region compatibility for a long time too. I remember reading something years back that the Mega LD and PC Engine Duo modules were basically regionless. A couple years ago, I saw a site that shows how to region mod them. I don't know what to believe. I don't do eBay, so I haven't bought any imported Mega CDs to find out for myself. I'm dying to know the answer to this, just in case I come across any Mega CDs in the future.

[digitalpress]

I've wondered about region compatibility for a long time too. I remember reading something years back that the Mega LD and PC Engine Duo modules were basically regionless. A couple years ago, I saw a site that shows how to region mod them. I don't know what to believe. I don't do eBay, so I haven't bought any imported Mega CDs to find out for myself. I'm dying to know the answer to this, just in case I come across any Mega CDs in the future.

Well if it means anything, I've played dozens if not hundreds of PC Engine and Mega Drive games on my Laseractive (it is the only hooked up TG-16/Genesis compatible system in my home) and have yet to run into one that doesn't work. As I said before, I'm curious to hear what games DON'T work because that means I don't own 'em :)

[Contrabassoon86]

Well if it means anything, I've played dozens if not hundreds of PC Engine and Mega Drive games on my Laseractive (it is the only hooked up TG-16/Genesis compatible system in my home) and have yet to run into one that doesn't work. As I said before, I'm curious to hear what games DON'T work because that means I don't own 'em :)

What country are your PACs from? Do you have American PACs or Japanese? Can you play foreign catridges and HuCards or just CDs? This is the clarification we need!

Scott

[digitalpress]

What country are your PACs from? Do you have American PACs or Japanese? Can you play foreign catridges and HuCards or just CDs? This is the clarification we need!

Scott

I have American Sega and NEC expansion packs, and I play PC Engine and Mega Drive games regularly, both cart and CD. As I said before, I haven't run into a single game with a compatibility issue. I have a LOT of games. I'd be happy to test a few specific games, I have some free time over the next week, run it by me.

[Contrabassoon86]

Hey Joe,

If you feel like testing games for the board, then could you test any Japanese Cd-Rom v.1 game (non-Super, like Altered Beast) to see if it has any problems. Do you require a converter for playing foreign carts? For Japanese Arcade card games, do you require a converter to use the arcade card? I am pretty sure that the LaserActive doesn't play arcade card games automatically.

These are just some thing I want to get cleared up,

Scott

[digitalpress]

Hey Joe,

If you feel like testing games for the board, then could you test any Japanese Cd-Rom v.1 game (non-Super, like Altered Beast) to see if it has any problems. Do you require a converter for playing foreign carts? For Japanese Arcade card games, do you require a converter to use the arcade card? I am pretty sure that the LaserActive doesn't play arcade card games automatically.

These are just some thing I want to get cleared up,

Scott

You definitely need an arcade card for the arcade card boards, and as I recall, that is rather SNUG but works fine. I'll need to refresh my memory on the converter board, I have one of those "diving board" converters so I may have used that in the past for PCE cards, I'll let ya know. I can tell you for sure that Altered Beast works though. I just can't remember if I used the converter board or not. I will check on Tuesday.

[Contrabassoon86]

Another question that could be asked is which type of NEC controllers are combatable with the LaserActive? Unless I am mistaken, TG16 controllers are not interchangable with Turbo Duo controllers. Or I could be crazy (or ignorant more likely). What kind of 6 button controlers work with the NEC PAC?

If anyone knows, that would be great!