Found something really neat today (RetroGen Genesis SNES cart)

[CatalystiCam]

Was with my friends today searching around stores and thrift stores, looking for a genesis actually (I decided I wanted a genesis much much more than a game gear). Unfortunately, I did not find a Genesis... yet. However, I did have to settle for something I found very interesting. It's called a Retrogen, and it lets you play Genesis on your SNES. The idea itself is just crazy considering the rivalry back in the day.

http://www.retrouprising.com/img/2012_08/1171.jpg

Something about this, I just find incredibly neat. It came new, and works great so far. I thought it wasn't compatible with my Sonic 1, but it appears that it's my cartridge when I looked it up. (Sadly enough, I still have yet to play Sonic 1).

A few of you tech nuts want to take a guess as to how this works exactly? It does come with it's own set of Red, White, and Yellow cables that hook into the side of the cartridge.

Additionally, this is my new favourite store that I found, they sell new and old stuff and looks similar to that of an EB games store, although they are a lot better with user friendliness and awesomeness. The stuff they sold for the older consoles was cheap (like 99 cents for most genesis games). So I got a handful of games as well. All have worked on this thing, except sonic 1. Sonic 2 & 3 both had minor glitches on the intro screen (maybe it's my TV type for these two?), but seemed fine otherwise.

Games I picked up:

Sonic The Hedgehog
Sonic The Hedgehog 2
Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Sonic Spinball
Eternal Champions (Figured it's good since the Bagel bunch loves it)
Jurassic Park (Another one I was looking for)
Taz Mania Something (It was 99 cents, and it's taz :P)
Shinobi III

I think that's it, too lazy to run downstairs to look :P

Comments are very welcome :)

Edit: I am still planning on buying an actual Genesis, because I love the controller, and I want the real deal. I was a bit impatient as well. the store said they get about 4 in every month. As for Sonic 1, it aint exactly the rarest game out there, and I'm going to try to clean it.

[KATZ]

yeah i've seen this before, i figured it was probably a load of manure, not that rare actually

[Dudebro]

Seems cool enough. I assume it works because it's basically just an adapter from one format to another, that's why some games don't work too. Still cool idea.

Btw if you haven't played Sonic 1 yet just play it on RU, duh.

[warghoul]

I've seen those. You could just get one of these.
RetroN 3 Video Gaming System for NES, SNES & Genesis (http://hyperkin.com/retro-gaming/retro-system-retron3.html)

[Seahawk]

A few of you tech nuts want to take a guess as to how this works exactly? It does come with it's own set of Red, White, and Yellow cables that hook into the side of the cartridge.

It sounds like it's an entire unofficial Genesis SoC built into a cartridge casing. If the video/audio cables plug into the cartridge, then it probably plugs into the SNES only to draw power from the SNES cartridge connector.

[CatalystiCam]

I've seen those. You could just get one of these.
RetroN 3 Video Gaming System for NES, SNES & Genesis

I actually was going to mention this, but I forgot. Another cool thing about this store is they sold these, along with some other companies 3 in 1 console. Also a handheld Sega Firecore. No, not the nomad, the firecore, which I believe was some form of genesis, but I'd have to look it up.

Thanks though, but I don't think I want to pay 60 bucks for that. Reason A being NES games were lacking at the store. They almost had as many saturn games at the store as NES games. SNES, Genesis, N64, and shockingly Intellivision were the big ones (yeah, intellivision).

So I guess these guys look at craigslist and get some games in sometimes, but mostly, they get in trade-in. They must get them cheap too, if they're reselling genesis games for 1-6 bucks. Only a few games there were even 6 bucks too, most were 99 cents.

Anyways, I'll wait until they get a Genesis there, and I might hold out until they get a Model 2 Genesis (or model 3 if the stars align). Genesis' are 20 bucks, where as the 3 in 1 things are 60 or 70 bucks. This converter thing should keep me going until then.

---------- Post added at 09:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 PM ----------

It sounds like it's an entire unofficial Genesis SoC built into a cartridge casing. If the video/audio cables plug into the cartridge, then it probably plugs into the SNES only to draw power from the SNES cartridge connector.

Kinda what I was thinking. Not sure they can build a whole Genesis in the cart though, but that would be amazing. Not to mention the Cartridge is tiny, it barely sticks out of the SNES.

---------- Post added at 09:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 PM ----------

Btw if you haven't played Sonic 1 yet just play it on RU, duh.

It's the novelty of actually having it. That and it's nicer on the T.V. I don't know, I've always enjoyed that more, but I can't justify going for it unless I really like the console, which in this case I did. I went through a rampage of playing all sorts of Genesis games on RU for a few days to make sure I wanted the real thing.

[Dudebro]

Get Pirates! Gold, great Genesis game.

[KATZ]

for those that are lazy i have researched it for you


the firecore is an offically licensed emulator
http://www.retrouprising.com/img/2012_08/1172.jpg

although why would you want the model 3? http://www.retrouprising.com/img/2012_08/1173.jpg

those things are ugly XD

i have 2 model 2s and, 1 model 1, but my model 1 bit the dust :(
model 1 http://www.retrouprising.com/img/2012_08/1174.jpg
model 2 http://www.retrouprising.com/img/2012_08/1175.jpg

[Slime Slayer]

It sounds like it's an entire unofficial Genesis SoC built into a cartridge casing. If the video/audio cables plug into the cartridge, then it probably plugs into the SNES only to draw power from the SNES cartridge connector.
I can't tell if I think that is really cool, or really stupid.
http://www.retrouprising.com/img/2012_08/1176.jpg

@Cam, what was the name of the store? Sounds like a west coast version of Microplay.

[CatalystiCam]

Get Pirates! Gold, great Genesis game.

Is it? Shoot! and that was one I left behind today. hopefully it'll still be there. I played some xbox one that was good.

although why would you want the model 3?

Rare, and I actually like the look, not as much as the model 2 though I don't think. Also, I don't think model 3's are Sega CD or 32x compatible, but that's not a problem for me :P

i have 2 model 2s and, 1 model 1, but my model 1 bit the dust

See, my brother's used to tell em Model 1's are unreliable, besides they look ugly. Sorry, that's just my opinion. Not the only place I heard about their reliability issues. I don't so much anymore though.

the firecore is an offically licensed emulator

Right, I remember that now, I remember Tails mentioned them once. Looks alright.

I can't tell if I think that is really cool, or really stupid.

Somewhat of a Gray area I guess haha, I'm leaning slightly towards the cool side. I wouldn't have bought it if I could just find the actual thing xD It'll do for now. Then I may only use it for the 6 button only games like Comix Zone. Both the Genesis controllers I bought and have waiting are 3 button.

@Cam, what was the name of the store? Sounds like a west coast version of Microplay.

Something Trade & Save, it's pretty great. Employees were pretty cool too.

[warghoul]

@Cam The multi systems are worth it. I play my 2 in 1 SNES NES even though I have a SNES and 3 NES's because it's new and I dont want to put the wear and tare on my existing systems. $60 now isn't so bad in a few more years it will be even harder to find consoles that work well.

Also my favorite local store has a hand held SNES. Has anyone ever played one of these I was thinking of buying one but I'm not a huge fan of 3 inch screens.

[Seahawk]

Get a Model 1 Genesis, it has a better sound output and you have the front headphone jack for stereo sound. Model 2 & 3 have changes in the sound circuit that completely screws up the audio. Listen to the sound comparison here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Mega_Drive#Audio_and_video). First 7 seconds are model 2, second half is model 1.

[CatalystiCam]

@Cam The multi systems are worth it. I play my 2 in 1 SNES NES even though I have a SNES and 3 NES's because it's new and I dont want to put the wear and tare on my existing systems. $60 now isn't so bad in a few more years it will be even harder to find consoles that work well.

I might consider it, that's just an unrealistic price to pay anytime soon.(sad, I know. Down to 2 bucks after today) Looking to get a job in September. Maybe I'll wait that long, not sure.

Kind of curious now, you may be right about reliability. I tend to hold more faith in these older systems to pretty much last a long long time. I don't know though, I'm no Genesis expert, what does everyone else think?

Get a Model 1 Genesis, it has a better sound output and you have the front headphone jack for stereo sound. Model 2 & 3 have changes in the sound circuit that completely screws up the audio. Listen to the sound comparison here. First 7 seconds are model 2, second half is model 1.

ehhhhhhhhhh. Kinda wish you didn't tell me this. xD Brings me back to my reliability question. Supposedly 5 kids my oldest brother knew as a kid had Genesis Model 1's, and they stopped working. We had one we got from a garage sale that never worked. 4 out of 5 failing, overheating I think? (not sure I should count one from a garage sale one haha).

Kinda falls into this factor; if the model 1 is a lot less unreliable, then Reliability > Sound. If it's slightly less reliable, and I can count on it for a decade give or take (hopefully take :P), then Sound > Reliability.

Edit: 10 kids(ish) my oldest brother knew had Genesis model 2's that never failed. 2 people I knew had model 2's that never failed.

[Slime Slayer]

I've got 2 model 1's and a model 2, all three worked perfectly last I checked.

[Winnebagel]

Nice Cam. That looks cool. The only Emu console I have is the RetroDuo. It's pretty good overall, but since it won't play Battletoads, it's kind of a pain, so I mainly play my actualy systems instead. Good find.

[Kugyince]

I have a couple of model 1's. They worked last time I used them.

Either way, comparing good and bad sounds on a Genesis is like comparing good and bad places to contact skin disease.

[CatalystiCam]

I have a couple of model 1's. They worked last time I used them.

Either way, comparing good and bad sounds on a Genesis is like comparing good and bad places to contact skin disease.

Not sure there's much difference that I'd care. I'm assuming the snes cartridge would have the worst sound, yet Ice zone in sonic 3 still sounded amazing to me.

---------- Post added at 12:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:10 PM ----------

I have a couple of model 1's. They worked last time I used them.

Either way, comparing good and bad sounds on a Genesis is like comparing good and bad places to contact skin disease.

See, sound is one thing that I don't think would be that much better, or matter much. I'm assuming the snes cart doesn't have the greatest sound quality, even so Ice zone in sonic 3 still sounded amazing.

Nice Cam. That looks cool. The only Emu console I have is the RetroDuo. It's pretty good overall, but since it won't play Battletoads, it's kind of a pain, so I mainly play my actualy systems instead. Good find.

Thanks, WB.

Kind of my concern with the Triple console thing though, Warghoul. Does that Triple console even have full compatibility?

I've got 2 model 1's and a model 2, all three worked perfectly last I checked.

I have a couple of model 1's. They worked last time I used them.

Hmm. Still wary of it, but I'll probably just get whatever they have at the store, at the time.

[Seahawk]

Kind of my concern with the Triple console thing though, Warghoul. Does that Triple console even have full compatibility?

No knockoff device in the world for any system is going to have full compatibility. If you want to be 100% sure of playing your game for any system, you need an officially produced original console.

[CatalystiCam]

No knockoff device in the world for any system is going to have full compatibility. If you want to be 100% sure of playing your game for any system, you need an officially produced original console.

Sells me on the genesis right there, I already have a non official, not fully compatible genesis already.

In other news, been spending all my time on Sonic 3 thus far, since I always play 2, and also Sonic & Knuckles on its own, and never got far in 3 as a kid for 2 reasons (I mostly played these on the mega collection as a kid in case you're wondering):

First reason being that Hydrocity was murder to me as a kid, and I rarely got by it to begin with (although it's grown on me today, and isn't as much trouble)

Second reason being that I always picked the option to play just as tails so I could get through Hydrocity easily. Unfortunately this meant a really confusing version of the Marble Hill zone boss I could never beat. I now pick Sonic & Tails

I'm finding Sonic 3 much more brutal than 2 (2 is pretty easy though), though S&K trumps them all in difficulty. If I beat S&K, I can beat this. I got to Ice Cap zone once as a kid, and got back there today. I got one step further than that even. Launch zone or whatever, it's pretty cool. I quit when I got cheap-shot however. Beat what I thought was the last boss with no rings on me, then sonic was flying through the blimp thing, jumps out, and I'm waiting for the thing that frees all the animals. Second I jump out, Robotnik pops out and fires a dart at me. this was my last life, so I got game over haha. This was cheap, I'm done for now.

Gotta say 3 is seeming a lot better than 2 thus far, I just haven't learned the ropes like I did in 2 yet.

[SMASH]

That looks like the biggest lawsuit ever. That is like being able to play xbox games on a PS3. That is awesome.

[CatalystiCam]

I see why there's 3 bosses in a row... this is the end of the game? No wonder they made Sonic & Knuckles, that is kind of short for a game, but nice. Plus I love the short race mode thing in Sonic The Hedgehog 3. Also, my mistake before, it wasn't a dart that hit me when I called it a cheapshot, it was a laser. I still haven't beat the game, got close though.

[KATZ]

you can get a used genesis 3 for 30$ on amazon

[CatalystiCam]

Not looking online. ordered 4 things online in my life, and 2 never arrived. People with good ratings too (like 99.7-100%). I'm convinced it's the postal here.

Even so, I prefer to buy locally. Thanks though.

Tried Eternal Champions. To my disappointment, it was a fighting game. I thought for whatever reason it was an RPG. I'm horrible at most fighting games, so I can't see myself playing this much. I'll hang onto it though. Who knows, I was okay at Killer Instinct, but I've been horrible at EC so far.

Tried Jurassic park... Well more accurately played again. this was one of the many games we rented commonly when I was really young, and when we rented consoles. It's also one my brother bought on the last genesis he had for a month or two before pawning it. I'm enjoying it though, I never really made it far that I remember, so I'm hoping to.

[Dudebro]

Buck Rogers is a good RPG for the system. Starflight is an awesome game, get it if you see it. If you want a challenging rpg with a good story you can't go wrong.

[CatalystiCam]

Thanks, I'll keep my eyes open. Recommendations are more than welcome, but I also have a list of games I personally tried, and want to get on top of that.

[StarfoxFan2009]

Roadblasters was a pretty fun car combat game. you should try to get that

[CatalystiCam]

Thanks, SFF!

Found this:

Ace9921's Retro Gen Adapter Review (http://www.retrorealities.com/retroreality/forums/showthread.php?tid=179)

Seems pretty accurate, I was looking again to see if Sonic 1 is incompatible, but it is compatible... I cleaned all my games and the retrogen with Rubbing alcohol like I should have also. Seems this device is pretty good, but I still want a genesis. As for sonic 1, it got a few good cleanings, and nothing yet. I forgot there was a switch on the cartridge for different regional stuff and some other switch, going to try one of those, and hopefully it works somehow.

If you read that review, it mentions some T.V.'s have issues with white screens, which is what I found with Sonic 2 & 3. Good to know, should work on my old Sony Box T.V. upstairs if that's the case. I figured it was something to do with the newer T.V. or something. I'll move the SNES and the RetroGen upstairs at some point. Been leaving it downstairs there in case my brother wants to use the console really.

[warghoul]

Kind of curious now, you may be right about reliability. I tend to hold more faith in these older systems to pretty much last a long long time. I don't know though, I'm no Genesis expert, what does everyone else think?





The older systems are great compared to today's longevity of systems. But playing old games on new systems just means you will get to keep you're old one longer. The 2 in 1 NES SNES I have plays every game I ever tried perfectly. From what I hear though the ones with a genesis port tend to have sound problems and the controllers aren't that great. Though that's just what I heard I never actually played one.

[CatalystiCam]

The older systems are great compared to today's longevity of systems. But playing old games on new systems just means you will get to keep you're old one longer. The 2 in 1 NES SNES I have plays every game I ever tried perfectly. From what I hear though the ones with a genesis port tend to have sound problems and the controllers aren't that great. Though that's just what I heard I never actually played one.

They have their own controllers? I don't think that's how the ones I saw work. Plus, I really like the regular Genesis controller haha. I want to use the two Genesis controllers I bought.

[warghoul]

That's what I don't like about them. That particular system comes with genesis controllers. I don't want to try to play my SNES games on there, thats why I got the 2 in 1 it uses actual SNES controllers. I should go buy the Genesis system though I found an old box of about 50 games at my parents and I haven't had one of those since high school. It would be great to play shinning force again!

[CatalystiCam]

Man oh Man. So it's been a couple of weeks, figured I'd phone into the store and see what's up. I had given them a list I made of games I wouldn't mind to have so they could put it on some sort of wishlist. They didn't have my phone number until now though. I asked about a Genesis, and I guess 2 have come in and sold since then.

I had to request to be put on a waiting list of about 4 people right now to get one. It's weird to think really, that these things are so hard to come across now, because there is such demand. Back in 2009 or whatever it was when I visited those 2 pawn shops often, I'd find countless Genesis' all over, and now that I want one, they've suddenly shot up in popularity, and are hard to come across.

Good to know though, glad to hear they always have a steady stream of games coming and going, really just speaks right to me, and I'll probably invest in a triple-console one day too.

fun fact, they actually had 2 Genesis model 3's come in since I was there, and they had never seen one come in, until I mentioned its existence. How about that. I told them I wouldn't care what model I got, I'd get whatever at this rate, as long as it works.

Edit: Not to mention, they can get some guy to clean the console out decently if you pitch in like 5 bucks.

[Slime Slayer]

if you pitch in like 5 bucks.

To "pitch in" is to suggest that you and another person or other people are going to split the cost of something. For example 3 buddies might all pitch in 5 bucks for a 15 dollar, extra large pepperoni. Anyway, I wouldn't do it, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[CatalystiCam]

Wasn't really planning on it, and good point. Oh and by the way, the name of the place is "Play N Trade Video Games", since you were asking before, and I wasn't sure.

[KATZ]

i have play n trades down here in florida, they are great for finding older games, i got many of my rarer games there for less than 10 bucks along with life time warrentys

[warghoul]

There are plenty of Genesis systems around if you just look about a bit.
P.S. Please don't out bid me. I want it.

Huge lot of Sega Genesis 1 & 2, Game Gear Games, Consoles & Controllers | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-lot-Sega-Genesis-1-2-Game-Gear-Games-Consoles-Controllers-/190717036412?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3 D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D1630674464995903514%26pid%3 D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26)

[CatalystiCam]

i have play n trades down here in florida, they are great for finding older games, i got many of my rarer games there for less than 10 bucks along with life time warrentys


they're great aren't they?

Glad you guys posted today. Went there and got some very successful finds I'd say. Most of my games came in their packaging too with instructions even on some:

X-Men (In box)

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure

Sonic The Hedgehog (In box with instructions) - replace old one that didn't work

Virtua Racing (In Box with instructions) - however not compatible with Retrogen

Golden Axe (In Box with instructions)

Outrun 2017? - not sure of the year 20something

all this plus 2 saturn games for 22 bucks! Some of these like Golden Axe came complete in box for 2 bucks. That's fantastic! Virtua Racing was a buck. Sonic was 5 bucks.

Edit: However, no Genesis yet.

---------- Post added at 03:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:36 PM ----------

@Warghoul, dang! A lot of Genesis' and controllers.

[warghoul]

@cam Tell you what. If I actually win the auction (Witch I probably wont)
and you still don't have one. I will sell you one for a nominal fee + S&H.

[CatalystiCam]

Tempting, thanks. Very tempting, and I appreciate it. May be possible, but the only way I could is through a pre paid visa and paypal which hasn't always worked the greatest for me in the past :-/ So maybe. Thank you very much though!

[warghoul]

Right on. I will keep you informed just in case.

[CatalystiCam]

So, got some playtime in some of these games. I took my SNES with the RetroGen up to the lake to get myself to play it more. Had no trouble convincing myself to play, especially in bad weather :P

Outrun 2019 - I just played it for the first time, one level and I've got to say it's looking real good, real good indeed, reminds me of the Top Gear Games on Snes, which is a great thing! (Top Gear 3000 is my faovurite racing game) Seems like a good pick up and play game, especially for me. First impressions are good.

X-Men - I played this a fair bit last night, and this morning... It's not bad, far from it, but it's not seeming to be terribly great so far. I've heard the second X-men is where it's at, so I'm looking forward to that.

Anyways, X-men, controls seem okay, but nothing great, they don't seem entirely responsive when I need them to be. this game has been considerably difficult thus far. I got by the first level once, and it wasn't easy, I found the boss really confusing, you can't seem to hit him. It seems more like he takes damage at random when he feels like it. This is frustrating.

One biggish complaint about X-men. There seems to be these random bees or something that just fly out out of nowhere, and are hard to dodge. Very annoying, especially when fighting the first boss.

I can see this game being good if I get good enough at it, but nothing special.

Taz-Mania - Actually fairly impressed with this game, controls aren't perfect, and I can't put my finger on what exactly I mean by that, but I can't get the precision I want out of them. I like the level design of this game so far, and I've heard it's very fun, I'm excited to get better at it. I'm impressed with this game. I wasn't expecting much out of it to be honest.

One complaint, sound effects are pretty abysmal. Hoping it's just the retrogen. Annoying weird enemy sounds, and little to know BGM, not overly impressive.

Shinobi III - I expected a lot out of this one from what I've heard, and it delivered. I can't say much about this game, it's a great platformer, controls are great, music is amazing, what else can I say? It's got what I'd consider a fair amount of challenge. It was a while ago, but I think made it to the elevator section of the second level? I got past a forest area, a factory area, a horse riding area, and I made it to the elevator last time I played. Very impressed with this one

Last but not least...

Sonic The Hedgehog - So, I barely ever played this game as a kid, I think maybe once. Now that I have played it several times, it's quite enjoyable, and got a good bit of challenge. Music is fantastic as usual, and I make it further and further more easily every time I play like I expected. I do have to say it seems like there is a lot more precision platforming and slowness to this game. Some things can be tedious like an overuse of those checkerboard boxes moving up and down. That's a minor complaint though, and really doesn't bother me much. Great game so far.

I'll give out more opinions later, I have to play these more, and play the ones I still have yet to. Once again, I won't be playing Virtua Racing until I have an actual genesis, which is all it works on.

[CatalystiCam]

Finally got a call just over a week ago that a Genesis had made it into the store. Around 30 bucks for all of this:

http://www.retrouprising.com/img/2012_12/1554.jpg

[T to the C]

The Model 1 of the Sega Genesis is the best one in my opinion!