If Sega Actually Made a new console....

[mrbigreddog]

And it only had full backwards compatibility with EVERYTHING
Master System, Genesis, 32x, Sega CD, Saturn, Dreamcast.... ONLY!
Would you buy it?

How expensive do you think it would be to make such a console?

[Jasper061992]

Day 1 purchase mah bethren!! :D

[Guntz]

Even if didn't have compatibility with at least one old Sega console, I'd buy it.

Actually, I wouldn't expect compatibility with ANY old Sega systems, it's impossible.

[QuickSciFi]

I wouldn't mind full backwards compatibility, but that would make the feat more far fetched than anything. I wouldn't mind a new console by Sega, though.

...Actually, come to think of it, full backwards compatibility may be more possible than I thought. The problem is, they might choose the emulation route, though. I'm thinking the hardest part would be to emulate the Saturn. Maybe they could make a re-vamped Saturn capable of playing even DC titles and a new array of titles on Blue Ray. Also, I wouldn't mind every Sega cartridge slot made available. lol.

[Guntz]

Okay, I won't say impossible, it's improbable. Highly unlikely to happen (much like a new Sega system sadly), but anything can happen. That's why we hope for a new Sega console... Because it's possible! :D

[mrbigreddog]

I would love to see upscaled Saturn rendering and resolution! That would totally kick ass!

[N.Saibot]

Full backwards compatibilty is stupid, sorry. How do you
imagine that? 4 cartridge slots, one for SMS, one for
Mega Drive, one for 32x, one for the Saturn? Plus a super-multi
drive that plays Mega CD, Saturn and Dreamcast. That's just
overkill, it is still better owning the real consoles and when they
get too old to work there is still emulation (which is very likely to
be used in a modern re-release of an old console anyway).

I think that PS3 is quite close to what the console of my dreams
should do. Don't like the controller (which is awesome and has
lots of exclusive features)? PS3 supports many other controllers,
normal PC gamepads even. Not enough good games in this
generation? Play any other game for the Playstation 1 or 2. You
can install Linux there and get full retro-compatibility through very
good emulators (not to mention that turns the PS3 into a full-power
PC with internet and textediting). By the way: old-school Lucas Arts
adventure games work natively under Linux, since SCUMMVM is
ported over. And DOS-box is also out for Linux, so you can play old
MS-DOS games too. You basically can sell off your PC when you get
the new Playstation, it just does everything. And when a better
emulator is released, you just grab it, as simple as that. No built-in
emulation that only gets crappier in comparison to new emulators
released for PCs.

To stay on topic... So if Sega actually released a new console (which I
really doubt, this is the hard truth I'm afraid) I would like to see something
very similar to the PS3, maybe without the shiny finish and with a more
old-school controller, the one for the Saturn plus two triggers on the back maybe.

[ThugsRook]

if SEGA couldnt make a retro console thats better than KEGA Fusion, there would be no point.

there would also be no point in SEGA counting on any game sales (except maybe downloadable) on said console... so it should run on USB flashdrive ROMs.

im just sayin ;)

[FoxHound]

Yes and only if its a cart/SD card type based system

[Aaron]

Yes. I still like Sega, and would love to have another console.

[ApolloBoy]

4 cartridge slots, one for SMS, one for
Mega Drive, one for 32x, one for the Saturn?
Why would they need to make two separate slots for the 32X and Genesis?

[N.Saibot]

Why would they need to make two separate slots for the 32X and Genesis?

OK, sorry, I forgot that. Still it is just pretty much pointless,
releasing old stuff as new today. Lots of cartridge slots and
a disk drive, if it could have only been one simple disk drive
and a really brand new console, not a re-release of well known
classics. I don't get why such clone-consoles are released
today, who is supposed to buy it, if the only thing it does is
emulating? I emulate for free on my PC. If I wanted to, I could
set up one special machine near the TV and emulate every retro
console there, without having a different picture because TV
screens just look different to my monitor. Or just buy a big 20"
CRT-monitor and use it for the emulation PC.

[mrbigreddog]

4 cartridge slots, one for SMS, one for
Mega Drive, one for 32x, one for the Saturn?

Well we've eliminated 1.. don't need genesis and 32x.. but don't need saturn either.. I would hope it would have enough memory already built in to run the specific games, and should have enough memory for saves without the need of the Saturn cartridge.... So that brings us down to 2 cartridge slots...

Cause 3 slots was SOOOOO last year! ;)
http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/yobo_fc3_plus_console.jpg

[Guntz]

but don't need saturn either.. I would hope it would have enough memory already built in to run the specific games, and should have enough memory for saves without the need of the Saturn cartridge....

What about JPN Saturn games that use ROM cartridges? (I.E. KOF '95)

[mrbigreddog]

What about JPN Saturn games that use ROM cartridges? (I.E. KOF '95)

HOW does it use the cartridges? More memory? Why can't that be built in?

[havok666]

HOW does it use the cartridges? More memory? Why can't that be built in?

KOF '95 has it's own RAM cart that contains character data on it.

[NeoVamp]

Cause 3 slots was SOOOOO last year! ;)
http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/yobo_fc3_plus_console.jpg

wtf is G-Factor supposed to be?

[mrbigreddog]

My Envision.... Introducing.... THE MEGA SEGA!!!!

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5992/segamega.jpg

[mrbigreddog]

KOF '95 has it's own RAM cart that contains character data on it.

OHHH!!!! Maybe downloadable content??


wtf is G-Factor supposed to be?
It's says it's suppose to be their own new "genesis" style games.... But I've never seen it....

[QuickSciFi]

My Envision.... Introducing.... THE MEGA SEGA!!!!

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5992/segamega.jpg

Lmao. That looks awesome. =)

[Chris]

If it was anything like mrbigreddog's vision, definately.
It would be nice if it came with a pack-in game for each platform too.

[mrbigreddog]

Lmao. That looks awesome. =)

Thanks.. Just something I threw together real quick...


If it was anything like mrbigreddog's vision, definately.
It would be nice if it came with a pack-in game for each platform too.

Sonic Spinball, Sonic CD, Knuckles Chaotic, Sonic Jam, Sonic 4 (dreamcast version)

[tz101]

My Envision.... Introducing.... THE MEGA SEGA!!!!

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5992/segamega.jpg

Umm, I see two cart slots, but nothing for SMS carts.

[kool kitty89]

And it only had full backwards compatibility with EVERYTHING
Master System, Genesis, 32x, Sega CD, Saturn, Dreamcast.... ONLY!
Would you buy it?

How expensive do you think it would be to make such a console?

Umm, yeah, I kind of doubt the BC thing would be a realistic possibility, as remote a possibility of any New Sega console would be, I think they might want to avoid that for similar reasons that Nintendo did, so they can peddle classic games through an online service. (not to mention more compilations)

That, and I doubt a new Sega console would stop at DC as the most capable hardware.



...Actually, come to think of it, full backwards compatibility may be more possible than I thought. The problem is, they might choose the emulation route, though. I'm thinking the hardest part would be to emulate the Saturn. Maybe they could make a re-vamped Saturn capable of playing even DC titles and a new array of titles on Blue Ray. Also, I wouldn't mind every Sega cartridge slot made available. lol.
Emulation would be OK, and should be relatively straightforeward for good quality, although the Saturn seems to be a bit trickier. (SMS, Gen/MD, CD, 32x, and DC should be reasonable on any decent modern console though)

They could have the cart connectors available as accessories as well, and omit saturn RAM cart requirements (have it standard as part of emulation), any save games being allowed via onboard HDD/flash. (as with PSX compatibility on the PS3) Possibly allow for external interfacing of real memory carts/VMUs as well. (again, as with PS3)

Hardware wise, it would seem likely that it would be PC based, like their newer arcade boards. One obvious problem would be the OS, the current boards all used soem variant of Windows CE iirc, so as along as MS is in the console game, that would be a roadblock for Sega. (they could always switch the OS for the console, but that would also lessen the advantage of having parallel arcade+onsole hardware -unless they had a newer arcade board which used a different OS entirely -like a 'nix derivative)



OHHH!!!! Maybe downloadable content??


It's says it's suppose to be their own new "genesis" style games.... But I've never seen it....
Sounds liek the firecore... But that would imply it was emulation based, and I was under the impression Yobo used clone ASICs. (so maybe something else entrely compared to the pseudo 32-bit firecore)

[mrbigreddog]

Umm, I see two cart slots, but nothing for SMS carts.

Cause you can't see the side of the console.....:cool:

[kool kitty89]

HOW does it use the cartridges? More memory? Why can't that be built in?

KOF '95 has it's own RAM cart that contains character data on it.

Hmm, I though it was a ROM cart, same purpose as a RAM cast (Saturn's RAM is too limited), but ROM would be a lot cheaper, but also specific to that one game, hence why havign RAM expansion wouldn't fix that.

[Deo]

My Envision.... Introducing.... THE MEGA SEGA!!!!

Is it to late to put a tiny little slot for GG games?

[nathanallan]

mrbigreddog, what the heck is G Factor (on the box pic)?? Never heard of that one.

[Da_Shocker]

Hmm, I though it was a ROM cart, same purpose as a RAM cast (Saturn's RAM is too limited), but ROM would be a lot cheaper, but also specific to that one game, hence why havign RAM expansion wouldn't fix that.

KOF 95 rom cart simply contained the background data.

[NavesRegge]

I'd buy the console if it looked like this:

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/5516/bunnylaforge.jpg

And that is the only way. Unless the console would actually turn out good without being a rabbit.

[nathanallan]

Naves, love your avatar!

[mrbigreddog]

Is it to late to put a tiny little slot for GG games?

That's cause you can't see the BACK of the console! :cool:


mrbigreddog, what the heck is G Factor (on the box pic)?? Never heard of that one.


The "G-Factor" they are referring to is the Yobo "Factor 5" game console, as it came with a 5-in-1 multicart of homebrew games, and one of them has lightgun support.

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[fatboy]

Well, I know I'm in the minority on this one, so don't totally bite My head off, but I hate it when console developers try to turn their systems into "All in one" devices. If You want internet, word processing, multimedia, emulation, Etc, Etc, get a computer, I don't care if it's Windows, Mac, or Linux, get a computer. The entire point of a dedicated game console is, well, GAMES. You should just be able to turn the system on and play, no firmware updates, no compatibility problems, just play.
In the rare, impossible event that SEGA returned to the console hardware biz, they should do just as they always did, and base the system on their current arcade hardware. This is why we all became SEGA nuts in the first place, right? Because that copy of Outrun You just got for Your new Genesis played almost like the arcade machine You pumped all of Your allowance into, Like how that copy of Mar Matrix You got for Your dreamcast subjects You to the same masochistic bullet-hell you get in the arcades.
Throw in a Blue-ray drive since thats the current high-end standard, and that's all.

..... Oh crap, I'm on the soapbox again......

[mrbigreddog]

I think SEGA would have a better angle going with the all in one... Just to jump in there with the Big Boys Right off the bat would be (IMHO) suicide!

[nathanallan]

It's really mystifying why they haven't released a flashback type of game yet-- maybe with built in games, no gimmicks like the motion controller. I would hope they have a clone of Curt Vendel over there, but I guess not.

To me the Zone thing doesn't qualify, as it's nothing like the original, can't (afaik) be modded to accept carts or SD roms. Blaze doesn't work for me either (I think that the general concensus is right along those lines, too) nor do the AtGames stuff. Pretty cool, but still not a winner that makes me want to go down to the store and buy it (or import one or a few).

I don't think it's so hard to have an emulator on a single board computer running some kind of Unix core. If Sega were to go that route, along with adding in solder points to add a cart connector or CD device for the other consoles(Saturn, maybe??), I'd be totally onboard with that.

[mrbigreddog]

It's really mystifying why they haven't released a flashback type of game yet-- maybe with built in games, no gimmicks like the motion controller. I would hope they have a clone of Curt Vendel over there, but I guess not.


Like this?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51aJP%2B3TEAL._SS400_.jpg

[kool kitty89]

Well, the original flashback is a rudimentary NOAC based clone with ported VCS and 7800 games iirc. The FB2, however, uses an actual VCS clone ASIC (TIA+RIOT+6507) and also facilitates a cartridge slot. (there's solder points for one on the PCB, and there were 24-pin VCS type connectors availble separate, IDK how that was arranged though) Too bad it didn't have that slot out of the box though.
The fully compatible repro joysticks of the FB2 were nice too. (I don't have a FB/FB2 personally, just a real VCS)

I think there were/are plans for a possible MARIA clone as well, for 7800 functionality.

Does/did Curt Vendel actually work for the new Atari Inc. (Infogrames), I got the impression it was more of a 3rd party/independent thing with licencing/support from Infogrames. (so the comment about Sega having someone like curt with them wouldn't apply as such, unless I'm mistaken)

A big difference of course, is that, unlike the VCS (or 7800), there have been continued true hardware clones on the market (from durring the Genny's lifespan up to now), the difference being that those can't legally offer built-in games (unless licenced by Sega). I'm not entirely sure what Tectoy's situation is, I think they got the rights to the SMS/MD hardware for the region, not sure about game licences though. (Tectoy did have plenty of its own games, so those wouldn't be an issue either way to have built-in) Tec toy continues to produce their own clone ASIC based MDs of course.

[nathanallan]

@mrbigreddog; not quite like that, but that's along the right lines. I have the blue and the red ones, they're okay but offer no options on expansion (which I would really like).

@kool_kitty89; Curt doesn't work for Infogrames as I know, and you are right, he runs Legacy Engineering and right again, he gets perks. What they are specifically I do not know (none of my business, really).

What I'm saying is that Sega can do it right, but seem to have chosen not to up to this point. I mean crap, I'd buy a small set-top something that is in effect a Genesis console, and get extensions that turn it into a Saturn (as an add-on) or Sega CD. It isn't that hard!! People throw away computers that are capable of running great emulation these days!

Come on, Sega, get with the program!!

[N.Saibot]

@mrbigreddog; not quite like that, but that's along the right lines. I have the blue and the red ones, they're okay but offer no options on expansion (which I would really like).

@kool_kitty89; Curt doesn't work for Infogrames as I know, and you are right, he runs Legacy Engineering and right again, he gets perks. What they are specifically I do not know (none of my business, really).

What I'm saying is that Sega can do it right, but seem to have chosen not to up to this point. I mean crap, I'd buy a small set-top something that is in effect a Genesis console, and get extensions that turn it into a Saturn (as an add-on) or Sega CD. It isn't that hard!! People throw away computers that are capable of running great emulation these days!

Come on, Sega, get with the program!!

Come on nathanallan, do you really want another console
from Sega that emulates the past successes? This has no
point, people can emulate at home on their own since, as
you said, everyone owns a computer that is more than capable
of emulating a Mega Drive and many people have dual- or
quadcore CPUs which could, I assume, emulate a Saturn
very good. And the last singlecore CPUs should have enough
speed to emulate the Saturn too.

I think, that after they milked everything out of emulating the
Mega Drive with Firecore and stuff like that, they'll start releasing
Saturn emulators. But it will always remain at an extremely cheap
level, with no such good controllers as the original and with very
small effort. No one will take such a risk and release something,
which is basically an emulator, as a new console. Backwards
compatibility for one generation is a great thing, but releasing a
jack-of-all-trades for the full price of a real console is really pretty
much pointless. No one will ever buy it, if it uses emulation. What
would be the point?

And if a wonder happens and it is somehow compatible through
hardware, only hardcore collectors/fans would possibly buy it. No
one wants to play old games today except us. And I also don't want
old games on new hardware, the old consoles are perfectly capable
of running and emulation works great on PC.

[mrbigreddog]

And if a wonder happens and it is somehow compatible through
hardware, only hardcore collectors/fans would possibly buy it. No
one wants to play old games today except us. And I also don't want
old games on new hardware, the old consoles are perfectly capable
of running and emulation works great on PC.

Come on! How much better are PS1 games on the PS2 and PS3? Higher Res, smooth graphics.... You don't want that for the Saturn? I know I sure do!

[Christuserloeser]

The success of Wii's Virtual Console is proof that people do want to play classic games.

[mrbigreddog]

The success of Wii's Virtual Console is proof that people do want to play classic games.

Exactly!!!!

[FoxHound]

The success of Wii's Virtual Console is proof that people do want to play classic games.

And on a reliable new system....! ;)
Sega could do it, Make a console that has their own VC store or something that will work with Sega pass.

[Guntz]

But they already have their own games on the VC. :confused: They could break away when the Wii2, PS4 and Xbox 720 come out, but right now I don't think the cards are in their favor. :(

[Deo]

Come on! How much better are PS1 games on the PS2 and PS3? Higher Res, smooth graphics.... You don't want that for the Saturn? I know I sure do!

Panzer Dragoon in sexy 70 inch LED glory surrounded by Bose subwoofers and speakers.

[Guntz]

Plasma is the best!

[kool kitty89]

And if a wonder happens and it is somehow compatible through
hardware, only hardcore collectors/fans would possibly buy it. No
one wants to play old games today except us. And I also don't want
old games on new hardware, the old consoles are perfectly capable
of running and emulation works great on PC.

Umm, you do realize that numerous 3rd parties have genuine hardware clones on the market, right? Plus Tectoy, who never stopped producing Mega Drives. (or SMSs even I think, at least as plug-and play)
Granted the a/v quality is lacking in most cases, and as most (outside tectoy) are nintendo+sega dual clones, they lack native controler ports, but they are real hardware (and without the issues with the NOAC, as most flaws are due to external circuitry, not the ASIC, off colors in video perhaos, if any of the asics have composite video encoding built-in -too strong green in some clones) Soem even have Virtua Racing and SMS compatibility.
Yobo's FC 3 plus has excellent video and audio quality, but lacks Virtua Racing and genesis controller compatibility unfortunately. (but it uses hardware compatibility for SNES, NES and MD/Genesis, no emulation -just a converter to interface NES/SNES controllers with the genesis)

The thing is, real consoles are pretty affordable, though most Model 2s are not the best option for US users. (video cannot be modded with the samsung encoder, and it's the worst compsite) Poor audio can be modded, but is indeed weak stock.

[nathanallan]

kool_kitty89 is absolutely correct, Tec Toy has never stopped making Mega Drives, they even are still making SMS consoles. It's neat how they have kind of "evolved" the platforms, there's even that Guitar Idol console out, as well as many, many others that are really odd.

From what I have read, some of the quality has gone down (I don't have one here in front of me so limited to what I read about them).

But in that part of the world, the Mega Drive is a current gen console!

[N.Saibot]

Umm, you do realize that numerous 3rd parties have genuine hardware clones on the market, right? Plus Tectoy, who never stopped producing Mega Drives. (or SMSs even I think, at least as plug-and play)
Granted the a/v quality is lacking in most cases, and as most (outside tectoy) are nintendo+sega dual clones, they lack native controler ports, but they are real hardware (and without the issues with the NOAC, as most flaws are due to external circuitry, not the ASIC, off colors in video perhaos, if any of the asics have composite video encoding built-in -too strong green in some clones) Soem even have Virtua Racing and SMS compatibility.
Yobo's FC 3 plus has excellent video and audio quality, but lacks Virtua Racing and genesis controller compatibility unfortunately. (but it uses hardware compatibility for SNES, NES and MD/Genesis, no emulation -just a converter to interface NES/SNES controllers with the genesis)

The thing is, real consoles are pretty affordable, though most Model 2s are not the best option for US users. (video cannot be modded with the samsung encoder, and it's the worst compsite) Poor audio can be modded, but is indeed weak stock.

OK, maybe I'm wrong, I was really sure that all those modern
Mega Drives are emulating and having no compatibility through
hardware. But still, they are all worse than the "real deal" and you
actually stated the same thing. I would honestly rather emulate,
than buy a clone with lots of disadvantages and without any choice
for the controller. On a PC I can at least choose the controller I'll be
using and the video quality will be top-notch.

[N.Saibot]

kool_kitty89 is absolutely correct, Tec Toy has never stopped making Mega Drives, they even are still making SMS consoles. It's neat how they have kind of "evolved" the platforms, there's even that Guitar Idol console out, as well as many, many others that are really odd.

From what I have read, some of the quality has gone down (I don't have one here in front of me so limited to what I read about them).

But in that part of the world, the Mega Drive is a current gen console!

You have a very neat part of the world there sir, in my town I can hardly find a Mega Drive or a game for it on the fleamarket!

[kool kitty89]

kool_kitty89 is absolutely correct, Tec Toy has never stopped making Mega Drives, they even are still making SMS consoles. It's neat how they have kind of "evolved" the platforms, there's even that Guitar Idol console out, as well as many, many others that are really odd.

From what I have read, some of the quality has gone down (I don't have one here in front of me so limited to what I read about them).

But in that part of the world, the Mega Drive is a current gen console! A loot of newer incarnations are cartless plug and play models, and that guitar idol thing must have added hardware to support that on top of the MD ASIC. I think they do still have real cart-compatible MDs and SMSs maybe, but I kind of think the market is so saturated with used systems it's shrunken a bit for that portion. (I do wonder if they have newer model Power Base Converters though, given how rare those are for the official ones in US or Europe even)



OK, maybe I'm wrong, I was really sure that all those modern
Mega Drives are emulating and having no compatibility through
hardware. But still, they are all worse than the "real deal" and you
actually stated the same thing. I would honestly rather emulate,
than buy a clone with lots of disadvantages and without any choice
for the controller. On a PC I can at least choose the controller I'll be
using and the video quality will be top-notch.
No, not the FC3 plus, it onyl has 2 drawbacks, no virtua racing (or 32x/PBC/CD) compatibility, and no native controllers. Video and sound are better than many real stock MD/Genesis models (well for those without RGB), sound especially. The added advantage is it's compatible with SNES and NES too.

Other close tend to be cheaply made, the ASICs normally aren't at fault (maybe if they integrate composite video encoding -not for sound though), I think most are based on the ASIC TECTOY uses. Indeed, some have been able to mod consoles for controller support and better sound I think. (maybe video) and One fo the clones (GenX or GN Twin?) actually works with Virtua Racing, unlike official late model MDs/Genesis (and TECTOY MDs), the Genesis 3 and majesco distributed VA4s are like that I think.

Still, as cheap/plentiful as MDs are in most regions, there's less of a market for clones in general. (indeed, clones tend to be more expensive and mainly desirable for convenience)


You have a very neat part of the world there sir, in my town I can hardly find a Mega Drive or a game for it on the fleamarket! You're in Germany, so that's Nintendoland, right. :p
The cheapest stuff in Europe is probably from the UK (Segaland ;)), that is if you can get good shipping prices.

[nathanallan]

If it were up to me all those S. American consoles would be here, but shipping from there is crazy expensive, adn they'd all have to be modded for NTSC :( They have a form of PAL that (I am told) most tv sets can use nowadays, but they'd still need a lot of tweaking (again, as I am told).

Plus they're expensive anyway just to buy. A friend told me that there aren't flea markets and things like there are here in the US, they don't run things like that there.

[kool kitty89]

If it were up to me all those S. American consoles would be here, but shipping from there is crazy expensive, adn they'd all have to be modded for NTSC :( They have a form of PAL that (I am told) most tv sets can use nowadays, but they'd still need a lot of tweaking (again, as I am told).

Plus they're expensive anyway just to buy. A friend told me that there aren't flea markets and things like there are here in the US, they don't run things like that there.

The refreshs rate is the standard 60 Hz (granted most EU PAL sets work fine in 60 Hz as well), it's the color carrier which is different still, so composite video will be colorless. (unless newer TVs work with PAL colorburst) RF is another issue entirely and that would be serious on the MDs with RF only.

Plus the sound is crap anyway (bad mixing circuit) and I think they may have similar incompatitibly as the genesis 3. (at very least no CD port)

[N.Saibot]

...
No, not the FC3 plus, it onyl has 2 drawbacks, no virtua racing (or 32x/PBC/CD) compatibility, and no native controllers. Video and sound are better than many real stock MD/Genesis models (well for those without RGB), sound especially. The added advantage is it's compatible with SNES and NES too.


There are still drawbacks and you named them: no native
controllers, no 32x and no Mega CD. But if it is an almost
real console inside... Guess it's a nice and convenient
thing. But imagine how cool a dedicated emulator PC would be:
plugged into a real TV or a big CRT Monitor through RGB,
added compatibility for like everything that's emulateable at this
point and you can still mod a Saturn or 6-button Mega Drive
controller to work with USB.




...
You're in Germany, so that's Nintendoland, right. :p
The cheapest stuff in Europe is probably from the UK (Segaland ;)), that is if you can get good shipping prices.

Right, those bloody Nintendo-lovers are totally going crazy here : P
There is SO much Nintendo stuff on flea markets, like hundreds
of games sometimes, from the NES, to the portables, to SNES and
what not. SNES games are in the majority though.

I am aware of UK, buying from there can be a bit pricey, but it is the
only option you have when you can't find stuff on german ebay. Surprisingly,
the german ebay has quite a good amount of Sega stuff too, not that
much worse than ebay.co.uk.

[kool kitty89]

There are still drawbacks and you named them: no native
controllers, no 32x and no Mega CD. But if it is an almost
real console inside... Guess it's a nice and convenient
thing. But imagine how cool a dedicated emulator PC would be:
plugged into a real TV or a big CRT Monitor through RGB,
added compatibility for like everything that's emulateable at this
point and you can still mod a Saturn or 6-button Mega Drive
controller to work with USB.
There are some subtles (or not so subtle depending on how detail oriented you ar) differences between clones and emulation, one big one being interlaced display from a PC (or modded xbox etc) rather than the 240p of the original for most things, but also some other peculiarities in resolution and pixel aspect ratio as well as color saturation and such.
Of course, if you use a HDTV for output with VGA or DVI from a PC, you get a perfect emulator immage, no artifacts from down converting to standard definition. (or issues with a real console on many HDTVs with deinterlacing especially)

The genesis 3 (and final, majesco distributed model 2s) have similar incompatibility (stock) as most clones, actually more as at least one close supports virtua racing, but they do fully support the original controllers, have good video and sound. (except mono only on the Gennesis 3)
The clones are indeed real MDs inside, well it's cloned hardware on a chip, but it's still th ereal hardware (sega even had the main hardware on a single chip by the final MD2s and all model 3s). Again, I think most are based on the chip TECTOY uses and also seem to share the poor external audio circuitry as the TECTOY MDs. (at least tectoy uses real controllers stock -as would clones if there were any newer, dedicated genesis -or genesis+SMS clones -the latter should be a lot simpler than SNES+NES clones as the MD ASIC supports SMS compatibility already)

It would certainly be interesting to see a dual Master System+MD clone consoel with 2 cartridge slots. Obviously the market would be fairly small in North America alone, but it would make sense in Europe at least.