Tron Unit Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 I was thinking about getting the Sega Genesis classic because it supports the original game carts and it's relatively inexpensive and comes loaded with games. However, some of the negative reviews about the original sounds missing and many of the games looking like 'knock-off" reproductions, as well as the wireless game controllers got me thinking of going with the Retron instead since it's an all-in-one for post NES/pre-PSX, has composite stereo/S-Video and the Retron5 supports HDMI. I'd have to buy all of the game carts individually or get a multicart for the Retron but at least it supports the use of the original controllers. Which one would you choose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torr Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 (edited) Neither. I may be wrong here but you don't seem interested in collecting carts, just playing the games, so get a base Sega Genesis system and an Everdrive. Everdrive will run you $88 <http://store.krikzz.com/products/everdrive-md> Sega Genesis itself can be had for pretty cheap if you live in a city where flea-markets are common or craigslist/whatever. If you live in the boonies then you'll be ordering online and have to pay shipping which can be a pain, but I'm sure if you put a want ad in the Marketplace here you should get a Genesis for a reasonable price. May be twice the price as a Sega Genesis Classic but it's better quality, can be modded, plays all games (well 99%, I assume the 1% is referring to Virtua Racing) including Sega Master System games, and you can always add a 32X or Sega CD if you wish. Please don't buy a cheap emulator system. That's a product line that really must die. If you want to emulate to save money, just use a computer. It's 100% free. Edited March 20, 2015 by Torr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tron Unit Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 I'm not a fan of emulation. Most of the time I can't get them configured to work or work with the original controllers connected to my computer. Is the Evercart Mac compatible? I presume you have to obtain the ROMS to load on it. I actually thought about just getting a 1601 model original Genesis which is the one I had in high school. I'd have to collect the carts again but that's part of the retro gaming experience. Sure I could load up a multicart like that Evercart and never have to pop carts again but where's the fun in that? I do have both Colecovision and Intellivision flashbacks and to be honest I found them to be rather disappointing. Most of the games I could care less about and all the cool ones I enjoyed playing were not included for licensing reasons. The one saving grace of the Genesis flashback for me was the ability to play the original carts but the controllers are crap. It seemed like a solution to get a cheap working Genesis. Which takes me back to the Retron. The Retron 5 has HDMI out so I presume it has built-in upscaling? If so, that's a huge benefit as any original Genesis console will require modding. It also supports the original game controllers which can be had reasonably inexpensive. The Retron 5 is about $130 so it's a bit pricey but I can play all NES and SNES games as well. So I guess I'm leaning more towards an original 1601 Genesis or the Retron now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhomaios Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Get a model 1 Genesis and buy the original carts! I can't see how you can want the SGC if you don't like emulation. At that point, why not just an original? They're cheaper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tron Unit Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Really? Buying all of the original game carts is cheaper? I could easily spend hundreds just on the game carts alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhomaios Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 I meant buying the original Genesis over buying the Genesis classic. I assume if you wanted the Classic because it takes original carts, you were going to buy the carts anyway. Reading over your posts, I'm actually not entirely sure what you plan on doing. You seem to give conflicting accounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tron Unit Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Well yes, if I bought the Classic, I would be buying the original carts, save for the ones that came pre-loaded. Whether I buy the Retron or just get an original 1601 Genesis, I'd still be buying the original carts, just a lot more of them than I would with the Classic, but I'm pretty much moving away from getting the Classic now and either getting the Retron or the 1601. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sm3 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 ... Everdrive will run you $88 <http://store.krikzz.com/products/everdrive-md> ... Thanks for pointing this device out. I had no clue they existed. Actually, didn't know this forum existed until recently There is a distributor in the States that sells them as well, which is nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Bear Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) If you don't really care for collecting original carts, I'd say get an original console (Genesis/Mega Drive mk.1 console since they are the best ones) with a flash cart (Everdrive is good). If you are interested in collecting games... well, I'd still say buy the original console but collect the games for it as well. I'm not a fan of the modern consoles like the Retron 5 that just emulate the original systems... there's no advantage to using those over a PC or Raspberry PI since they just emulate the system anyway. Edited March 25, 2015 by R.Bear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sm3 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I was originally looking at one of those "Sega" branded devices with the built-in cartridges or the Retron. I finally picked up a new old stock Genesis model 2. Is there really a benefit to getting a model 1 over the model 2? Can you tell by looking at a model 1 if it's the TMSS version that I guess you don't want? I've also read that you want the one with the "High Definition Graphics" label because of the superior audio, but not really sure what else it offers over a 2. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algus Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 If you're on a Mac, you need to look into OpenEmu. It is very easy to configure a USB controller with. I actually use a synced PS3 controller. I own some of these ATGames Genesis clones, specifically one of the older portables that takes an SD card. They are not ~bad~ and it is nice having all those classic Sega games out of the box (hell, that's about 80% of what you'd actually want to play right there) but the emulation is noticeably inferior to what is available on home computer. I can't imagine choosing the console over a nice computer setup where you can easily just torrent the entire US library and have it loaded in after a few minutes. If you must play with physical carts and go with a clone, get the RetroN 5 and pick up the Genesis 6-Pak as your first cart. (Do that if you get an actual Genesis too...it's awesome). Flash carts like EverDrive are pretty rad. They all work about as well as Harmony does on the Atari 2600. Just load your games to SD card and you are good to go. I wouldn't bother with that physical hardware though unless you plan to buy at least some games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algus Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I was originally looking at one of those "Sega" branded devices with the built-in cartridges or the Retron. I finally picked up a new old stock Genesis model 2. Is there really a benefit to getting a model 1 over the model 2? Can you tell by looking at a model 1 if it's the TMSS version that I guess you don't want? I've also read that you want the one with the "High Definition Graphics" label because of the superior audio, but not really sure what else it offers over a 2. Thanks. You will find this useful Summary: hobbyists have designed a circuit that fixes the audio in all models. Because the hobby community for Genesis is almost as awesome as the one for Atari. Just don't get a Genesis 3, it doesn't support RGB natively and isn't really compatible with the expansion devices. For Genesis 1, HDG version as well as others, you will only get stereo output from the headphone jack. I use one of these to deal with that issue. Cheap and effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sm3 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Thanks for the link, I haven't seen that page yet. I purchased some real cartridges before I realized there was something like the EverDrive/SD card solution. I'm not sure I'll ever have to purchase another real cartridge with that I do like playing the games on the real hardware though just like using my Atari 800 with the 810 etc... Just something about using the real hardware! The TV I use for the Genesis is mono only so I don't really care to be honest about the better audio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) I'm not a fan of emulation. Most of the time I can't get them configured to work or work with the original controllers connected to my computer. FYI, the Retron5 uses emulation to run the games. Do you not like the idea of emulation in general, or just the difficulty to get it set up? A flash cart is easy to use. Put a SD card in your computer, transfer the unzipped ROMs to the SD card, and that's it. Put the SD card back in the flash cart, plug the cart into your console, and you are good to go. An Everdrive and a base Genesis Model 1 or 2 console will cost less than a Retron5. You don't get the other consoles included, but you also have every Genesis/Mega Drive game at your disposal (including those ones that sell for $200+) and you are on original hardware as well, so no sound or visual compatibility issues. Edited March 25, 2015 by Austin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Bear Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 (edited) The audio on the Model 1 is a lot better, you can hear a comparison here: Aside from that, its just personal preference really, they are all quite reliable machines. I just prefer the Model 1's due to the superior audio and I prefer how the system looks. Both are better than a clone or Retron. Edited March 26, 2015 by R.Bear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Gemintronic Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Retron 5 is emulation. That means no Pier Solar and the Great Architects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tron Unit Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 I had the 1601 Genesis in high school. I am only interested in playing games like Altered Beast, Golden Axe, Revenge of Shinobi, Toe Jam & Earl, etc. I have decided against the AtGames Classic. Most of the games I have no interest in playing and more than half of the 80 games are just crap. Retron 5 still offers HDMI out which is still a big selling point and I can play all NES games as well so I am still considering it but yes, even though I can get one for $125 it's still more than the cost of getting an original 1601 Genesis. If I buy the 1601 Genesis, I have to do all A/V mods (Composite Stereo and RGB) to get it up to standards with my HDTV. I am a novice with soldering and electronics. To buy one already fully modded would be about the same price as the Retron 5. Decisions, decisions.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Bear Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 (edited) You don't need to mod a Genesis 1 or a Genesis 2 to get an RGB signal or Stereo sound. You can use an RGB SCART cable to get RGB video and get audio out of the headphone jack to get stereo audio without modding. The Genesis 2's lack an audio jack but they support stereo audio out of the multi-out on the console anyway. Edited March 26, 2015 by R.Bear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sm3 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 The model 2 doesn't seem bad to me, but I'm no audiophile. You can surely hear the difference in the video above, but playing it on an old TV without a headset or hi-fi, the model 2 is just fine in my opinion. The emulator Gens on your PC works really well also. Using that along with a USB joystick adapter you can actually use a real Sega controller with it. http://www.retronicdesign.com/en/ Of course this is only my opinion, I've only had a real model 2 a day or two now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Bear Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Yeah I imagine the difference when using TV speakers won't be as big. I use an old 1990s Hi-Fi with my retro consoles though so I do notice a big difference. Both are nice systems though, I have a couple of Model 2 consoles as well although I prefer the model 1's. I would much rather take either of them than a clone console or Retron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giltygear Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Buy a model 3 Genesis. It takes carts and its more or less an official system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torr Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 The model 2 doesn't seem bad to me, but I'm no audiophile. I have both a Model 1 and a Model 2. I'm kinda picky about my sound quality, and I find myself using my model 2! I don't know which revision of the Model 1 I have (it doesn't have the EXT port if that means anything) but my beef with it is that when I use the 1/8" stereo jack on the front for stereo sound I get a rather annoying hiss in the audio. If I use the regular Model 1 A/V cord, that only outputs mono, I don't get the hiss, so the hiss is coming from the stereo jack in the front. I'm using a Monster brand stereo wire that I've tested using my headphones and good ol' Kenwood Modular Hi-Fi setup and I don't get any hiss, so I know it's the port itself. I tried playing with the volume slider and I get the same level of hiss whether the Volume is maxed out or turned off completely. Is this a known problem with some Model 1s? Does my stereo port just need a cleaning? My Model 2 is most likely putting out a 'flatter' sound, but at least it's completely hiss free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Bear Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I have both a Model 1 and a Model 2. I'm kinda picky about my sound quality, and I find myself using my model 2! I don't know which revision of the Model 1 I have (it doesn't have the EXT port if that means anything) but my beef with it is that when I use the 1/8" stereo jack on the front for stereo sound I get a rather annoying hiss in the audio. If I use the regular Model 1 A/V cord, that only outputs mono, I don't get the hiss, so the hiss is coming from the stereo jack in the front. I'm using a Monster brand stereo wire that I've tested using my headphones and good ol' Kenwood Modular Hi-Fi setup and I don't get any hiss, so I know it's the port itself. I tried playing with the volume slider and I get the same level of hiss whether the Volume is maxed out or turned off completely. Is this a known problem with some Model 1s? Does my stereo port just need a cleaning? My Model 2 is most likely putting out a 'flatter' sound, but at least it's completely hiss free! If its lacking the EXT port then it's going to be either a VA6, VA6.8 or VA7 motherboard inside. The VA7 motherboard is known to have sound almost as bad as the Model 2's so it could possibly be one of those. You'd need to open it up and have a look at the model number on the board to be sure though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tron Unit Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share Posted March 27, 2015 You don't need to mod a Genesis 1 or a Genesis 2 to get an RGB signal or Stereo sound. You can use an RGB SCART cable to get RGB video and get audio out of the headphone jack to get stereo audio without modding. The Genesis 2's lack an audio jack but they support stereo audio out of the multi-out on the console anyway. My TV does not have a SCART input. I've read that taking audio out of the headphone jack causes sound distortion and crackling and there's a mod to resolder the wires from the headphone jack to the mono RCA out to make it stereo or something like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeeperofLindblum Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 (edited) My TV does not have a SCART input. I've read that taking audio out of the headphone jack causes sound distortion and crackling and there's a mod to resolder the wires from the headphone jack to the mono RCA out to make it stereo or something like that. Pretty sure that no TVs in America carry a SCART input in them because the standard was really only used in Europe and Japan. (From what I could tell at least...) If you really want the best look from your Genesis, keep an eye out for this cable when they fully release it... HD Retrovision Cheaper than any upscaler and works with what you have for your TV now. Not sure what to tell you about the audio part since I use that front headphone jack with zero issues... Edited March 27, 2015 by KeeperofLindblum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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