32x---Should I Pick One Up

[XMARLTONX]

I have a CDX so I am sure you are all aware of the legendary FCC percidiment. From what I have read, it works fine anyway, do I need a spacer of any kind?

Also, the only game I really seem interested in is Doom. Which I could easily play on my PC. In your opinion, what are the must have games of the 32x?

[Genesis Knight]

The 'must-have' games are not good enough to merit a purchase of a 32X. If you find one cheap, get it. But never, ever go hunting for one. That's pretty much the rule of thumb.

[j_factor]

I can tell you from experience that the 32x works flawlessly with a CDX.

I would say a 32x is worth getting. It has a stronger video signal (which is actually more noticeable on the CDX than other Genny systems), and it has a few good games. It only has a very small number of good games, but you might as well get a 32x for them. It's not a whole new system or anything, just an add-on. I don't see any reason not to get one; it's not like it's 100% worthless.

Recommended:

Blackthorne
Knuckles Chaotix
Kolibri
NBA Jam T.E. (maybe... I'm still not sure how it stacks up to other versions)
Night Trap
Shadow Squadron
Star Wars Arcade
Tempo
Zaxxon's Motherbase 2000

Not Recommended:
BC Racers - Has bugs and messed up sound. You're better off with the Sega CD version.
Virtua Fighter - Yes it's better in many ways than the horribly rushed Saturn port, but there's not really any reason to play VF1 anymore IMO. Get Remix or something.
Spider-Man: Web of Fire - If this were a $5 common, I'd say that it's not bad, you might as well pick it up. But at the $100+ it runs, it's not even remotely worth it. It's not the worst Spider-Man game ever, but it's really not great.

[Melf]

I'd get one if you can find it cheap. There are some gems, as j_factor pointed out.

As for working with a CDX, we have a full feature (http://www.sega-16.com/Connecting%20a%2032X%20to%20a%20Sega%20CDX.htm) on it on the site.

[Joe Redifer]

I don't recommend Tempo. It has horrible music/sound and the gameplay is pretty bad. The graphics look like regular Genesis graphics for the most part.

[Alvatron]

You should pick one up if you find it cheap enough. I picked one up on Ebay a few years back new in the box for $19.99. I'd have to say I wouldn't pay more than that for it, though.

Virtua Racing Deluxe, NBA Jam TE, Knuckles Chaotix, and Mortal Kombat II made it worth the money to me.

[j_factor]

I don't recommend Tempo. It has horrible music/sound and the gameplay is pretty bad. The graphics look like regular Genesis graphics for the most part.

How can you not like the music? It's funky as you wanna be!

The graphics are full of garish colors and weird stuff going on in the background that I've never seen in any Genesis game.

It might not be as good as its sequel, but I had a lot of fun with it.

[Joe Redifer]

The music didn't have any melody and is even worse than that found in Toejam and Earl... 2! The stuff going on in the background is completely random and can't even sync with the music. The opening sample sounds horrible, especially when the female singer comes on. They should have used a higher sample rate... not sure why they didn't.

[FishySaysSpoon]

I bought my 32X solely to play Knuckles Chaotix. I felt it was well worth it. Mind you I have picked up a few other games in the process. Star Wars I would recommend as well.

[Joe Redifer]

A lot of people forget about Space Harrier and to a lesser extent After Burner. Both are great arcade ports, and if you don't have them on the Saturn, the 32X versions will do perfectly!

[RaveFury]

(Tempo) might not be as good as its sequel, but I had a lot of fun with it.

Wait, Tempo had a sequel? What was it called, and what system was it on?

...So I can avoid it at all costs.

[Genesis Knight]

Super Tempo for Saturn (Japanese only, IIRC).

[XMARLTONX]

Ya sold me =) If I see one for a good price on eBay...I will definatly be picking one up =)

[Alvatron]

Good for you. Find one at a decent price with some good games and you'll like it.

[Melf]

Super Tempo is quite pricey nowadays, so be sure to nab one if you can find it cheap.

[David J.]

Tempo JR. on the Game Gear is pretty pricy and decent too.

I love the 32X. Lots of great games, and when you think you are done buying games, more pop up!

[Genesis Knight]

Super Tempo is quite pricey nowadays, so be sure to nab one if you can find it cheap.

That is, of course, assuming that you like to buy pricey games for cheap regardless of their quality. :p

[j_factor]

Except Super Tempo is universally considered to be of very high quality.

And I wouldn't call Tempo Jr. "pricey"; it's more expensive than most Game Gear games, but that just means it's $10 instead of $5. There's no such thing as a pricey US Game Gear game.

[oneupthextraman]

I bought mine just for the av cords, and my Genesis was dying, (games would onle work after some different boot ups and pushing harder, the 32X fixed that.)

[GameUser-16-32-128]

I also have a CDX and was considering the 32x, but i don't think it's worth getting since there are only a handful of decent games. I already have a Saturn, it's more powerful and has better games.

[GameUser-16-32-128]

Okay you guys got me! I bought a 32x from ebay for under $20 (including shipping) the system is only missing the A/V cable and one of the metal plates and I also got Cosmic Carnage (CIB/like new) for $8.95 + $3.50 for shipping. I'll give this thing a whirl and see if it truly is the mushroom of doom.

[Genesis Knight]

You aren't going to impress yourself too much with Cosmic Carnage. Good price for the system, though.

[Joe Redifer]

Don't worry about the missing metal plate. I haven't used my metal plates for over 10 years, though I still have them.

[evildragon]

I need the metal plate for what I want to do. Right now, my 32X is picking up RF between the Genny and the SH2's (Which live the bottom half of the 32X).

Only results in a crash with a 32X game. And I indeed know it's RF, hooked up a scope.

Since you don't use it, would you be willing to sell it?

[Joe Redifer]

That's like asking me to sell my 32X box. I don't use that either, but I am a completest. You could easily make a shield yourself. The metal isn't exactly uncommon and it is fairly easy to shape.

Why does your 32X crash and mine doesn't?

[evildragon]

My room has more high RF radiation than yours does. I got atleast 4 RF transmitters, and atleast 8 devices around the Genesis that "can" give off RF.

[Genesis Knight]

You might hit up VinnyT, evildragon. I sold him my 32X and I'm fairly certain he doesn't use the clips.

[evildragon]

I'll try to build one first, and if it fails, i'll ask him.

[Joe Redifer]

Do you have an pirate radio station in there?

[evildragon]

I have no comment. ;) Jk

no, I have Wifi, CB, Wireless surround sound speakers, and wireless TV... (wireless TV is where I can walk around the house with a TV, that gets cable from the cable box in my room, but without a wire attached. That way the portable wireless TV gets all thousand channels.

[GameUser-16-32-128]

I'm re-evaluating my purchase of the mushroom of doom and have come to a final conclusion .... sell it! This thing is just sitting in the box without a conversion cable for almost 2 weeks. Without it, the thing is useless. It's impossible to find this stupid cable anywhere! Cosmic Carnage and Knuckles Chaotix won't save it either. It just makes better sense just not buying it in the first place, since I already have a Saturn with great games that blow away the weak 32X library. Oh well at least I didn't waste more than $20 on this thing. Expect to see a 32X for sale in the next few days.

[Genesis Knight]

Yeah, it's definitely not as much fun without the cable. :p

[KnightWarrior]

I just got Blackthorne for the 32X, Is it the same as the SNES version

[Joe Redifer]

Kind of but not really. I was thinking of doing a Side by Side article on those two someday.

[Dirt Ball Gamer]

Better graphix IMO for 32x, but otherwise pretty same. Dude I love my 32x, I think its totally worth owning, i mean why not. I love space harrier. I wish It had done well and could have kept the genesis alive instead of sealing its fate even though genesis games made at the same time were just as good sometimes better. I want some homebrew games or hacks for it now dammit! Gimme a completed hack of some unreleased game like darkstalkers or something!

[The Sports Guy]

Dont waste your money trying to find the conversion cable for it. its just a sega addon with a lot of unused potential. there are a few good games for it, but no earthshattering, marathon worthy games that i have ever played anyways.

[idolknight]

I would only get a 32X for Space Harrier or Blackthorn. Space Harrier 2 (I know loads of people wont agree) I really clunky and just abit.....crap. The 32X version is almost arcade perfect.

[playgen]

The Video connector on the 32x is exactly the same as the one on the console - well the MDII anyway. Just stick bits of wire (easier if its fairly thick single core) between the two connectors. Not pretty but does the job for no cost.

[TmEE]

Until somebody touches the wire...

[playgen]

As I said use single core wire of a decent thickness and it stays in place just as well as a normal cable. Since the connectors on the 32x and MD2 are identical, it simple to connect up the individual pins, takes seconds. Better that than not being able to use your 32x because you can't get hold of the proper cable. Its what I did, as I couldn't be bothered to buy proper male end connectors to build a cable properly.

[evildragon]

Bah, I built my own cable, and while I was at it, I made an RGB to Component adapter :p

Providing RGB quality in america!