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[wondermega]

Pulling a cart after the system boots is a direct suggestion by Watermelon. Specifically, they suggested Sonic 1. I assume because it has no battery. The game freezes as a still image on the screen, and you insert Pier Solar. Hit reset, and there you go. Pier Solar boots, and immediately started using my Sega CD for audio.

Yeah, I won't be doing it again. I lost FF6 saves as a child when my sister pulled a cart out of a powered system and it is one of my greatest gaming regrets / fears.

Ha! I remember way back in the day this was a trick you could do with Genesis games (boot one, then switch to another, and reset) and you'd enable cheats/alternate country versions of games/etc. I got cold on trying it for obvious reasons, but they did publish these as tricks in very early issues of EGM.

 

[IrishNinja]

Ha! I remember way back in the day this was a trick you could do with Genesis games (boot one, then switch to another, and reset) and you'd enable cheats/alternate country versions of games/etc. I got cold on trying it for obvious reasons, but they did publish these as tricks in very early issues of EGM.

this - there was a ton of these pull-out tricks, for all kinds've games/bonsues. i was super tempted on one of my harder ones, i forget which...but they'd warn you that you could be damaging your system/carts (no idea how true that is) so i never did it

 

[Noahd41]

I picked up Shinobi III this weekend and a copy of Night Warriors on Saturn. That was the last Shinobi game that I needed and it's pretty fun to play. I'd like to be able to beat them all.

 

[Mercutio]

this - there was a ton of these pull-out tricks, for all kinds've games/bonsues. i was super tempted on one of my harder ones, i forget which...but they'd warn you that you could be damaging your system/carts (no idea how true that is) so i never did it

Huh! I had no idea this type of thing was so widespread. After losing game saves, I became terrified of even jiggling the cart in the system.

 

[s_mirage]

I don't think I'd be pulling the cart from a running system often either. I seem to recall reading somewhere specifically why pulling a cartridge from a powered MD/Genesis is potentially a really bad idea. Can't seem to find it now though.

 

[Mercutio]

I don't think I'd be pulling the cart from a running system often either. I seem to recall reading somewhere specifically why pulling a cartridge from a powered MD/Genesis is potentially a really bad idea. Can't seem to find it now though.

A brief search found me a discussion of Shinobi, Altered Beast, and Golden Axe. Apparently pulling the games and putting in another changes title screens and gives ultimate lives, but one unlucky guy fried his Shinobi cartridge. They can be damaged this way permanently even without a battery backup I guess.

 

[IrishNinja]

damn, didn't think it was anything beyond said battery...that sucks, kinda reaffirms my early 90's fears though haha

 

[Mercutio]

damn, didn't think it was anything beyond said battery...that sucks, kinda reaffirms my early 90's fears though haha

A guy in the WM forums elaborates:

This is not a safe thing to do. Megadrive cartridges have VCC (+5V) and GND (0V) pins nearby and each of those pins are doubled with interconnection done by the cartridge so if you don't pull up or resinsert the cartridge perfectly straight, you could endup with a short circuit on the cartridge (which can damage it if it uses specific powered hardware - like Pier Solar does) but also the console side.

That's a very bad advice, really.

 

[Mercutio]

Got my Model II Genesis today. I definitely overpaid, but it's damned hard to find a VA3 or a VA4.

Mine was a VA4, as expected:

Big relief there. I knew the square cutouts probably meant VA4, but I've heard of some VA3 units with them too.

I don't think the seller knew about the model, because I see he's pretty much posted exactly the same thing with the same pack in carts for $10 more. The new one definitely is one of the "bad" MDII systems though, judging by the underside.

 

[theSlacker]

Got my Model II Genesis today. I definitely overpaid, but it's damned hard to find a VA3 or a VA4.

Mine was a VA4, as expected:

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i271/dapietri/FFD47A28-1D42-4C9A-A287-6599033DFDD6_zpsmigfwg8p.jpg[IMG]

Big relief there. I knew the square cutouts probably meant VA4, but I've heard of some VA3 units with them too.

I don't think the seller knew about the model, because I see he's pretty much posted exactly the same thing with the same pack in carts for $10 more. The new one definitely is one of the "bad" MDII systems though, judging by the underside.[/QUOTE]

Well the important question is, does Pier Solar work on it without any trouble? Since that is what you went though getting it for.

 

[Mercutio]

Well the important question is, does Pier Solar work on it without any trouble? Since that is what you went though getting it for.

I just snuck away from my desk to hook it up, and brought Pier Solar with me today to test.

The game boots and plays perfectly, exactly as it is supposed to. Relatively good image over composite, too.

 

[Gunstarheroes]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi8K1ac_onQ

I know a lot of you were asking about Sacred Line, well i put a basic overview of the game to video format. So if you'd like to know, i think this does a good job of giving off what you get with the game.

Also, i found a complete copy of Marko recently for 10 bucks. Holy crap is that game a pain to find complete in the wild or hell, even online. Not complaining though, now just to hope its fun in some way.

 

[Mzo]

Nice review.

Lol at that swearing. Glad I passed on this one since I'm not a collector collecting a collection.

 

[Gunstarheroes]

Nice review.

Lol at that swearing. Glad I passed on this one since I'm not a collector collecting a collection.

Yeah, it can be pretty painful at points. The eyeball screaming it when he does, it kind of makes sense. The one girl's journal full of swearing. That just felt like they were trying to be edgy.

 

[Noahd41]

I got my order of a boxed Genesis model 1 and boxed Sega CD (model 2) in the mail today. Model one box isn't in such good shape but the Sega CD box is great. No inserts or anything unfortunately.

Also had a few throw in Sega CD games and X-Men 2 and Road Rash 2 of note with the Genesis.

Really clean, fully functioning model one but the Sega CD doesn't work. Even over RF the sound capabilities of the model one Genesis are noticeable. I need you model one purists to give me the full run down. I have a bag full of cords here and I have no idea how they work but I currently have it set up with RF.

The Sega CD had the extender, all the plates and covers so I stole those for my previous Sega CD that does work. Also got two more six button controllers, three 1650 controllers but two with red buttons.

 

[Mercutio]

I got my order of a boxed Genesis model 1 and boxed Sega CD (model 2) in the mail today. Model one box isn't in such good shape but the Sega CD box is great. No inserts or anything unfortunately.

Also had a few throw in Sega CD games and X-Men 2 and Road Rash 2 of note with the Genesis.

Really clean, fully functioning model one but the Sega CD doesn't work. Even over RF the sound capabilities of the model one Genesis are noticeable. I need you model one purists to give me the full run down. I have a bag full of cords here and I have no idea how they work but I currently have it set up with RF.

The Sega CD had the extender, all the plates and covers so I stole those for my previous Sega CD that does work. Also got two more six button controllers, three 1650 controllers but two with red buttons.

I'm not a scholar on it, but the Model 1 has four basic versions: early units without the TMSS (lockout chip) and great (best, some say) sound, slightly newer non TMSS units with good sound, a TMSS having unit with the same good sound as the last batch (VA6 motherboard and VA6.8 I believe) and then the models with the VA7 motherboard that sound like junk. The lack of a High Definition marking around the cart port is usually a sign of a VA7, as is the lack of the ext port on the back, but not always. I guess some late VA6.8 models are that way too.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong though.

 

[Noahd41]

Both model 1's in my possession are high definition graphics versions.

 

[ResidentDante]

Classic Game Room - SEGA GENESIS ARCADE MOTION console review

"Casual Fishing" has to be the best title ever.

 

[Mercutio]

Both model 1's in my possession are high definition graphics versions.

Do they display the TMSS screen when they boot up? It's this one:

Classic Game Room - SEGA GENESIS ARCADE MOTION console review

"Casual Fishing" has to be the best title ever.

My god. Is this like that part of the movie when the person suffering a horrible disease is begging you to suffocate them with a pillow? Because that's what I'm going to take this as.

 

[Peltz]

I have a HIGH DEFINITION GRAPHICS version with the TMSS screen. It has the cleanest RGB-out of any console I've ever seen and the best sound output too (coming from the headphone jack). No other analogue sound-based console I own drives my speakers as well as my Genesis. That includes NES, SNES, N64, PS1, CMVS, and handhelds.

 

[lazygecko]

It has the cleanest RGB-out of any console I've ever seen and the best sound output too (coming from the headphone jack). No other analogue sound-based console I own drives my speakers as well as my Genesis. That includes NES, SNES, N64, PS1, CMVS, and handhelds.

How does the audio output of SNES hardware perform? I've been told it's more accurate but it's not something I've looked into.

Personally I wouldn't really classify the DAC/audio signals from any of the Genesis models as great. The inherent distortions in the sound chip is more than enough for me, and that is the one kind of non-linearity I do appreciate since it fundamentally alters the timbre of the sounds in a cool way.

 

[Noahd41]

Do they display the TMSS screen when they boot up? It's this one:

Ah, darn. Both units have that message at the beginning. I have an unlicensed game, Ishido - complete and basically mint that I really want to try. I take it that a Game Genie would be the only other way to get this to work (unless I found a non TMSS console)?

 

[stewy]

Is there a generally agreed-upon time where the TMSS consoles started to hit? It's something I really want to get right in Generation 16 but I've never really found any concrete information (haven't looked all that hard yet, honestly).

 

[Mercutio]

Is there a generally agreed-upon time where the TMSS consoles started to hit? It's something I really want to get right in Generation 16 but I've never really found any concrete information (haven't looked all that hard yet, honestly).

I believe the VA6 is the first TMSS system. What the date was, I wish I knew...

 

[blast processed]

Is there a generally agreed-upon time where the TMSS consoles started to hit? It's something I really want to get right in Generation 16 but I've never really found any concrete information (haven't looked all that hard yet, honestly).

Heres a nice little blurb about TMSS. Not an exact date, but it narrows it down a bit. http://segaretro.org/TradeMark_Security_System

 

[stewy]

Heres a nice little blurb about TMSS. Not an exact date, but it narrows it down a bit. http://segaretro.org/TradeMark_Security_System

yeah I've seen that too. The only other good clue I've found is the Ishido box art scan on segaretro. If you look closely you see a sticker that was clearly added later which states the game works exclusively with Genesis systems purchased before September 1, 1991.

I can only guess the rollout had to happen sometime right after that.

 

[thomasos]

Pulling a cart after the system boots is a direct suggestion by Watermelon. Specifically, they suggested Sonic 1. I assume because it has no battery. The game freezes as a still image on the screen, and you insert Pier Solar. Hit reset, and there you go. Pier Solar boots, and immediately started using my Sega CD for audio.

Yeah, I won't be doing it again. I lost FF6 saves as a child when my sister pulled a cart out of a powered system and it is one of my greatest gaming regrets / fears.

My brother did this to our copy of Last Battle when we were kids and it borked the cartridge completely. That wasn't a great loss, of course, but yanking a cartridge out of the system while it's still on isn't something I'd recommend.

 

[Fox Mulder]

found complete mean bean machine and the batman forever mcdonalds mug set at goodwill today.

aw yeah.

 

[stewy]

Finally tried the Watermelon games. Pier Solar runs great. Sacred Line, however, doesn't even boot up. Just a black screen.


edit: the enhanced soundtrack disc seems to crap out after a few seconds of every track, too...

 

[Mercutio]

Finally tried the Watermelon games. Pier Solar runs great. Sacred Line, however, doesn't even boot up. Just a black screen.


edit: the enhanced soundtrack disc seems to crap out after a few seconds of every track, too...

On Pier Solar? The CD isn't working for you?

 

[stewy]

On Pier Solar? The CD isn't working for you?

It works at first. The game recognizes the disc, but it feels like there's something wrong when it seeks a track because there are long bits where there is just no music.

Then, when a track does play, it only goes for about 60 seconds before sounding like it just glitches or something, then I hear the drive seeking again. Sometimes it starts playing the same track, sometimes it just stays silent.

I haven't had any drive issues with this CDX up until now, so I'm not sure what's going on.

 

[Gunstarheroes]

It works at first. The game recognizes the disc, but it feels like there's something wrong when it seeks a track because there are long bits where there is just no music.

Then, when a track does play, it only goes for about 60 seconds before sounding like it just glitches or something, then I hear the drive seeking again. Sometimes it starts playing the same track, sometimes it just stays silent.

I haven't had any drive issues with this CDX up until now, so I'm not sure what's going on.

Hmmmm, it works fine with my Model 2. I wonder if its a separate issue with CDX systems or something.

 

[Mzo]

Hmmmm, it works fine with my Model 2. I wonder if its a separate issue with CDX systems or something.

Sounds like every revision outside of the shitty Model 2 brings a surprise.

 

[Teknoman]

I got my order of a boxed Genesis model 1 and boxed Sega CD (model 2) in the mail today. Model one box isn't in such good shape but the Sega CD box is great. No inserts or anything unfortunately.

Also had a few throw in Sega CD games and X-Men 2 and Road Rash 2 of note with the Genesis.

Really clean, fully functioning model one but the Sega CD doesn't work. Even over RF the sound capabilities of the model one Genesis are noticeable. I need you model one purists to give me the full run down. I have a bag full of cords here and I have no idea how they work but I currently have it set up with RF.

The Sega CD had the extender, all the plates and covers so I stole those for my previous Sega CD that does work. Also got two more six button controllers, three 1650 controllers but two with red buttons.

If the Sega CD doesn't work, its probably fuse replacing time.

 

[Hector Garfria]

I used to think finding a Model 1 without TMSS was important but after hunting down and owning multiple I actually prefer the HDG Model 1 VA6 revisions. Most Model 1's without TMSS have really fucked up audio/video that yes you could help with recapping/modding but VA6 in my experience have all had the better chips inside and better audio/video most of the time.

Also look at the 2nd digit in the serial number of your model 1. 9 would be 1989, 0 would be 1990, etc. 1991 is the last year Model 1's with "High Definition Graphics" with the EXT. port on the back were being manufactured, as far as I know. My favorite Genesis is my VA6 made in 1991. The handful of games that are unplayable don't interest me.

Spoiler

FINALLY TRACKED DOWN A CLAMSHELL CASE FOR BLOODLINES.

I have one more space left for a case before I have to commit to buying another shelf for more space or just buying an everdrive. I'm kinda of tired of the ridiculous prices in the market tbh.

EDIT: Just noticed Lion King is totally misplace.

 

[Mercutio]

Sounds like every revision outside of the shitty Model 2 brings a surprise.

My VA4 Model 2 actually sounds pretty good. It doesn't have some of the richness / depth of the VA6, but nothing is distorted. Everything sounds as if it is properly instrumented. I wouldn't notice a difference unless I was playing them both side by side, switching A to B. I could actually see someone prefering the VA4, it's more "even" sounding. Nothing spikes out.

I used to think finding a Model 1 without TMSS was important but after hunting down and owning multiple I actually prefer the HDG Model 1 VA6 revisions. Most Model 1's without TMSS have really fucked up audio/video that yes you could help with recapping/modding but VA6 in my experience have all had the better chips inside and better audio/video most of the time.

Also look at the 2nd digit in the serial number of your model 1. 9 would be 1989, 0 would be 1990, etc. 1991 is the last year Model 1's with "High Definition Graphics" with the EXT. port on the back were being manufactured, as far as I know. My favorite Genesis is my VA6 made in 1991. The handful of games that are unplayable don't interest me.

If anyone wants to buy / trade stuff for my VA6 HDG model, I'm happy to do so. My wife has a firm "Only one of any given console" policy. She's right though, otherwise my collection would get a little nuts.

 

[Sorta Maximus]

I'm looking into Genesis games now. Digital only however which means 3DS, Wii U, PS3, PS4, and Steam. Since I was a SNES guy back in the day I'm sorta clueless. Here is my list so far:

3DS

3D Sonic

Wii

Sonic 2
Sonic 3
Sonic & Knuckles
Streets of Rage 2
Gunstar Heroes
Strider
Shinobi games (which ones?)
Comix Zone

Any more games I should add?

 

[sixteen-bit]

I'm looking into Genesis games now. Digital only however which means 3DS, Wii U, PS3, PS4, and Steam. Since I was a SNES guy back in the day I'm sorta clueless. Here is my list so far:

3DS

3D Sonic

Wii

Sonic 2
Sonic 3
Sonic & Knuckles
Streets of Rage 2
Gunstar Heroes
Strider
Shinobi games (which ones?)
Comix Zone

Any more games I should add?

Shinobi 3 from 3D Classics is a must-buy IMO. Revenge of Shinobi (Wii VC) is a bit more hardcore in terms of challenge, but it's just as good!

 

[Timu]

Shinobi 3 from 3D Classics is a must-buy IMO. Revenge of Shinobi (Wii VC) is a bit more hardcore in terms of challenge, but it's just as good!

Honestly, having beaten both games recently without dying on the hardest settings I find Shinobi 3 harder but towards the end due to the ridiculous platforming precision required for the last 2 levels. I don't like the double jump in either game but it's required in Shinobi 3 a lot more and it's annoying as hell. Also Revenge extends your life bar whereas Shinobi 3 has you stick with the measly 8 bars of health throughout the whole game, and considering enemies can do up to 4 bars of damage it makes it more frustrating. I beat Revenge without needing to use suicide magic whereas I needed to do suicide magic a lot in Shinobi 3 due to the pathetically low health you have.

 

[cireza]

I'm looking into Genesis games now. Digital only however which means 3DS, Wii U, PS3, PS4, and Steam. Since I was a SNES guy back in the day I'm sorta clueless. Here is my list so far:

3DS

3D Sonic

Wii

Sonic 2
Sonic 3
Sonic & Knuckles
Streets of Rage 2
Gunstar Heroes
Strider
Shinobi games (which ones?)
Comix Zone

Any more games I should add?

 

[Palom]

Any more games I should add?

Monster World IV. One of my favorite games on the system.

 

[Mercutio]

Monster World IV. One of my favorite games on the system.

I'm really considering getting a repro of that, in English.

What's the deal with repros, by the way? I hear people warn about "bit rot" with some of them, but that other makers are reliable? Where do folks go for theirs around here?

 

[blast processed]

I'm looking into Genesis games now. Digital only however which means 3DS, Wii U, PS3, PS4, and Steam. Since I was a SNES guy back in the day I'm sorta clueless. Here is my list so far:

3DS

3D Sonic

Wii

Sonic 2
Sonic 3
Sonic & Knuckles
Streets of Rage 2
Gunstar Heroes
Strider
Shinobi games (which ones?)
Comix Zone

Any more games I should add?

You missed this by a Month. Sega Genesis classics pack currently $2.62 on Amazon (Steam, includes 50 games)

Sega Genesis Classic Pack 1:
Altered Beast
Comix Zone
Crack Down
Ecco the Dolphin
Gain Ground
Golden Axe
Shadow Dancer
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Space Harrier II
Vectorman

Sega Genesis Classic Pack 2:
Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
Bonanza Bros.
Columns
Ecco Jr.
Eternal Champions
Fatal Labyrinth
Galaxy Force II
Kid Chameleon
Ristar
Super Thunder Blade

Sega Genesis Classic Pack 3:
Alien Storm
Bio-Hazard Battle
Columns III
Decap Attack
Ecco: The Tides of Time
ESWAT: City Under Siege
Flicky
Golden Axe II
Sword of Vermilion
Virtua Fighter 2

Sega Genesis Classic Pack 4:
Alien Soldier
Gunstar Heroes
Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole
Light Crusader
Shining Force
Shining Force II
Shining in the Darkness
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair

Sega Genesis Classic Pack 5:
Beyond Oasis
Dynamite Headdy
Golden Axe III
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
Revenge of the Shinobi
Streets of Rage 3
Vectorman 2
Wonder Boy in Monster World

 

[DigiMish]

Honestly, having beaten both games recently without dying on the hardest settings I find Shinobi 3 harder but towards the end due to the ridiculous platforming precision required for the last 2 levels. I don't like the double jump in either game but it's required in Shinobi 3 a lot more and it's annoying as hell. Also Revenge extends your life bar whereas Shinobi 3 has you stick with the measly 8 bars of health throughout the whole game, and considering enemies can do up to 4 bars of damage it makes it more frustrating. I beat Revenge without needing to use suicide magic whereas I needed to do suicide magic a lot in Shinobi 3 due to the pathetically low health you have.

Yea, those double jumps require too much of a precise timing. Miss it, and you're plummeting to your death.

Shinobi 3 gets hard as soon as you hit that Labyrinth level towards the end of the game, but I still feel like Revenge of Shinobi is harder - the difficulty is pretty consistent throughout the entire game... also dat good ending is hard to get.

 

[Timu]

Yea, those double jumps require too much of a precise timing. Miss it, and you're plummeting to your death.

Shinobi 3 gets hard as soon as you hit that Labyrinth level towards the end of the game, but I still feel like Revenge of Shinobi is harder - the difficulty is pretty consistent throughout the entire game... also dat good ending is hard to get.

Get powerup before the boss door, use shield, have at least 20 shurikens, beat boss before she gets squished and that's the easiest way to get the good ending.

 

[Noahd41]

If the Sega CD doesn't work, its probably fuse replacing time.

Good to know. Comparing it to my working unit, the one that is broken seems to not power on at all and the round part that fits in the centre of the disk seems elevated as if it is not held in place properly.

 

[A Black Falcon]

It works at first. The game recognizes the disc, but it feels like there's something wrong when it seeks a track because there are long bits where there is just no music.

Then, when a track does play, it only goes for about 60 seconds before sounding like it just glitches or something, then I hear the drive seeking again. Sometimes it starts playing the same track, sometimes it just stays silent.

I haven't had any drive issues with this CDX up until now, so I'm not sure what's going on.

You mean the actual, official CD from the first printing of the game? I remember hearing that quite a few people had issues with it, which is one of the reasons they ditched it in favor of burn-your-own-CD -- the problems don't seem to occur with CD-Rs. So yeah, try burning a copy of the disc image and see if that works.

If you're talking about a CD-R you made, well, it's probably the drive that has a problem. Or try burning another disc?

 

[Sorta Maximus]

You missed this by a Month. Sega Genesis classics pack currently $2.62 on Amazon (Steam, includes 50 games)

Sega Genesis Classic Pack 1:
Altered Beast
Comix Zone
Crack Down
Ecco the Dolphin
Gain Ground
Golden Axe
Shadow Dancer
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Space Harrier II
Vectorman

Sega Genesis Classic Pack 2:
Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
Bonanza Bros.
Columns
Ecco Jr.
Eternal Champions
Fatal Labyrinth
Galaxy Force II
Kid Chameleon
Ristar
Super Thunder Blade

Sega Genesis Classic Pack 3:
Alien Storm
Bio-Hazard Battle
Columns III
Decap Attack
Ecco: The Tides of Time
ESWAT: City Under Siege
Flicky
Golden Axe II
Sword of Vermilion
Virtua Fighter 2

Sega Genesis Classic Pack 4:
Alien Soldier
Gunstar Heroes
Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole
Light Crusader
Shining Force
Shining Force II
Shining in the Darkness
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair

Sega Genesis Classic Pack 5:
Beyond Oasis
Dynamite Headdy
Golden Axe III
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
Revenge of the Shinobi
Streets of Rage 3
Vectorman 2
Wonder Boy in Monster World

Oh wow, is the emulation code good?

 

[Sixfortyfive]

Following up on the discussion about various Genesis models on the previous page:

I actually have two Model 1 VA6 consoles in my possession at the moment. I'd be willing to trade one of them for an earlier version, preferably a launch version, but I'm not picky.

 

[stewy]

You mean the actual, official CD from the first printing of the game? I remember hearing that quite a few people had issues with it, which is one of the reasons they ditched it in favor of burn-your-own-CD -- the problems don't seem to occur with CD-Rs. So yeah, try burning a copy of the disc image and see if that works.

If you're talking about a CD-R you made, well, it's probably the drive that has a problem. Or try burning another disc?

Interesting. I hadn't heard that. I'm using the official disc (the reprint from this latest round). I'll try the CD-R route.

Thanks!