JEW wrote:

no it wasn't. the screen was too tiny for all teh fast games they tried to put on it. I couldn't run in a sonic game for fear of smacking into something I couldn't see. games like aladdin and streets of rage were SO dumned down that I often said "why do I want this when I can just play it on genesis" it also ate batteries like a motherfucker. wouldn't get me through a car ride. the whole system also felt TOO huge to be portable, heavy and uncomfortable after a while. the shinobi games were fun though.

Well, there is a game that makes the Game Gear worth getting in my opinion.

And that game is Super Columns.

Knyte wrote:

The game gear was nothing more than a portible Master System. Just like the GBA was a portible SNES. The only handheld I wanted in it's heyday was the Turbo-Express, which was a portible TG-16 that came out while the original TG-16 was still on the market. Though, it too, had it's flaws. It you want the ulitame Sega portible, then I have two recommendations: 1. Sega CDx The CDX was released in 1994, combining the Sega Genesis and the Sega CD into a single compact unit. The CDX could play both Genesis and Sega-CD games, thanks to its rear-mounted cartridge slot and its front-mounted flip-top CD drive. Like the Sega-CD, it was also capable of playing audio and CD+G format CDs. Unlike the Sega-CD, its compact size and addition of a headphone port enabled it to play audio CDs on the move, powered by two AA batteries. However, unless high end batteries such as lithiums were used, it would drain the batteries fairly quickly. The unit featured front-mounted CD control buttons as well as a backlit LCD screen to display the track number. An extra line-out port was provided for connection to stereo equipment. However, games could only be played while the unit was powered by its main PSU and connected to a television, unlike the portable Sega Nomad. There is some confusion as to whether the Sega 32X add-on actually worked with the CDX. While Sega stated in the 32X manual that it does work, it added an insert into the North American retail box retracting that statement. This was likely due to the CDX/32X combination never receiving FCC approval for use in the United States. European advertisements for the Mega Drive 32X however, where it was often shown attached to a Multi-Mega (CDX's name in Europe), suggest otherwise; upon testing, the 32X works perfectly with the Multi-Mega. Reports from users say that while the add-on may work, it does cause some issues of physical instability and stress, having the much larger 32X add-on sit atop the smaller Multi-Mega unit. This seems to make the cartridge port more prone to “connection stress and weight damage”, toppling the unit over, among other problems. Pushing cartridges in sometimes would cause the front of the Multi-Mega unit to lift off the ground. In practice, with the two units sitting in such an unstable way make it easier to physically damage, this may also be the reason for the sticker. In long term use keeping the two connected makes the unit seem much more fragile than before that it is much more prone to breakage because none of the securing clamps included with the 32X that work with other Sega hardware fit. Leaving the unit exposed to all the damage listed above much more often because the hardware sticks out farther with nothing to keep it secured. Extreme caution should be used to not force the hardware to topple or anything else that would cause the 32X weight to shift causing damage to the CDX game cartridge slot if used. Propping the 32x up with homemade supports, just enough to cause some of the weight to spread out evenly over some supports and away from the Multi-Mega unit is also recommended. In addition, the size of the 32X prevented the opening of the CD tray of the CDX. This meant in order to play a Sega CD 32X game (a game that required both the Sega CD and the 32X) one would have to disconnect the 32X, place the CD in the tray, and then reconnect the console. 2. Treamcast Treamcast is a third-party developed Dreamcast clone from China. This small system with its fold-down display resembled the revised PlayStation. The Treamcast can read CD-Rs and play MP3s and Video CDs with special software. It also contains pirated Dreamcast firmware, enabling it to play Dreamcast games. Sega accused the company of copyright violations and was able to halt sale through various websites. Because of its pirated firmware, the Treamcast can play all international games. Also, despite its origins in Hong Kong, the Treamcast houses an American power supply. It will also take original Dreamcast controllers, 3rd party controllers, and the unique controllers which come with it. The screen is a modified PlayStation screen manufactured onto a miniaturized Dreamcast body. It is still available through about 5 websites throughout Hong Kong and Canada. It can also be found on the streets of Hong Kong or on eBay auctions. Their newest edition of the Treamcast sells for $169.99 and will also have the same features as previous versions (playing MP3 music, playing VCD movies, and being able to play games of all regions). It comes in a black casing. It houses a Samsung TFT screen of extremely good quality, but this time will come with the original Dreamcast controller for comfortable playing.

1.) I have read about the CDX before and despite the inability to properly support the Sega 32X, I think it will still be a good buy. That way, we could have a Sega Genesis/Megadrive and a Sega CD in one handy console. However, I have heard that it costs more than both a Sega Genesis and a Sega CD combined, but I need to look further into that.

On a side note, Aiwa made a variation of the Sega CD that was only available in Japan, and has one of the most interesting setups on any game console. You have to see it to believe it.



2.) I never really was a fan of pirated stuff, but the Treamcast still looks pretty cool for a pirated system. However, I'll just buy a regular Dreamcast instead.

Char Aznable wrote:

I love going down to the local Game Xchange, just because they always have shit like the Treamcast and the FC Twin in stock. I'm picking me up an FC Twin once I have some spare cash.

Totally! I have seen FC Twins before as well as some of those pirate SNES controllers.

Actually, my older sister and I bought one of those pirate controllers, and despite the cheap, plastic-like feel, it still worked like a charm. I'm not impressed by the sticker on the A B X Y area, though.

JEW wrote:

I've never messed with an FC Twin. it just seemed so... cheap.

Well, I never really was a fan of pirate consoles myself.

Nekkoru wrote:

Back on the topic. From all of the Sega consoles, I'd recommend the Dreamcast. It can play games from pretty much every other system via emulators and new titles still appear in Japan. Plus, the system isn't as dead as it looks. It's still alive - new games are still being released in Japan and Europe - in 2007 a German developer NG:DEV.TEAM released Last Hope, a pretty sweet shoot'em up. Plus, if you manage to install Linux / BSD on it, you've got yourself a mighty cheap web server.

Well, maybe Sega should make a comeback and try to make a new console.

After all, Sega was always the best competitor to Nintendo.

Nekkoru wrote:

Didn't you hear? Sega is actually doing something. Not much is known, but the community is bracing itself for the impending attack of Dreamcast 2.

Really? May I see some sources?

Optimist With Doubts wrote:

Nekkoru wrote: Didn't you hear? Sega is actually doing something. Not much is known, but the community is bracing itself for the impending attack of Dreamcast 2. That was just a rumor. The new sega console rumor has been around for awhile but since sega renewed their dreamcast trademark in december everyone has gone bat shit crazy. http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/06/debunk-sega-protects-the-dreamcast-trademark-not-doing-another/ but in actually true sega news SMS games are going to the virtual console.

That I have noticed. I even saw it on the Japanese Nintendo page.

Here is a little more insight on the Aiwa Mega CD I was talking about. It's kind of crazy, really.

Well, retro will always be cool to me.

Anyway, I still like the Game Gear.

I just bought another game for my Game Gear today. It's the original Sonic the Hedgehog.