A Beginner's Guide to the Genesis

[Melf]

Every so often, Sega-16 gets a few emails by people just starting out with a Genesis. To help them out, we've compiled an excellent beginner's guide (http://www.sega-16.com/Feature-%20Genesis%20Beginners%20Guide.htm) to the console that answers the most basic questions, as well as some of the more complex issues. It's a must-read for newcomers, and I'm sure even the veterans might learn a thing or two!

[Joe Redifer]

Good article!

-Typo in the last sentence of first paragraph ("too").

-Typo in decription of model 1 Genesis. It features composite A/V out as well as RGB out. It does not need to be modded in any way to go beyond RF. The unit came with a composite video cable. At least I hope that was a typo! How did the writer not know this?

-Sega Genesis model 2 being the best is completely subjective. I much prefer the model 1. I'll take it ANY DAY over the ugly model 2. The only thing better about the model 2 is the stereo A/V out, as noted.

-I don't think the model 2 Sega CD is better. I have never had any problems with a model 1, and it only has ONE more moving part... the tray. That's like saying a flip top DVD burner is better for your computer than one with a retracting tray. Better mod your computer for a flip top drive! The model 2 also has a much larger footprint when attached to a Genesis. Oh yeah, it's also really ugly.

-I completely agree with his assesment of the 6-button pad, but you don't need to hold the MODE button for all 3 button games. Just some, like Forgotten Worlds, Ms Pac Man and whatnot. I should create some sort of list that says which games require the 6-button pad to be initialized in 3-button mode.

-You can dunk a Q-tip in isoprpyl alcohol and rub the soaked end on the cart pins. It won't hurt it in any way. Urban legend.

[Obviously]

I remember all the warnings about not using alchohol to clean your cartridges, even the cleaning kit warned me that alchohol would damage my carts. Of course... considering the "special cleaning solution" that came with the cleaning kit actually was rubbing alchohol I learned at a young age about the myth. I personally think it was made up just to sell cleaning kits though I'm glad I got one anyway because some of the tools are nice.

I agree with the article that the model 2 Genesis and CD are better though. It is just a matter of personal taste however and mostly because I have to carry it back and forth a lot and it's light and not bulky and I'm not going to be caught dead with a Genesis 3.

[Genesis Knight]

*Typo in decription of model 1 Genesis. It features composite A/V out as well as RGB out. It does not need to be modded in any way to go beyond RF. The unit came with a composite video cable. At least I hope that was a typo! How did the writer not know this? *

Meh. I knew it, but simply forgot about it. I haven’t used the M1 in a while – out of sight, out of mind.

*Sega Genesis model 2 being the best is completely subjective. I much prefer the model 1. I'll take it ANY DAY over the ugly model 2. The only thing better about the model 2 is the stereo A/V out, as noted. *

Well, since this is my article, I suggest you write your own article about the ugliness of the M2, then. =P

*I don't think the model 2 Sega CD is better. I have never had any problems with a model 1, and it only has ONE more moving part... the tray. That's like saying a flip top DVD burner is better for your computer than one with a retracting tray. Better mod your computer for a flip top drive! The model 2 also has a much larger footprint when attached to a Genesis. Oh yeah, it's also really ugly.*

I’ve seen countless M1 SCDs with broken or jammed trays, and it’s a technical fact that a disk tray is more breakable than a flip top. (It’s a ‘duh’ thing.) Besides, the Sega CD is fifteen years old and most of those units have been through heck over that timespan, so it’s just safer to get the fliptop.

*I completely agree with his assesment of the 6-button pad, but you don't need to hold the MODE button for all 3 button games. Just some, like Forgotten Worlds, Ms Pac Man and whatnot. I should create some sort of list that says which games require the 6-button pad to be initialized in 3-button mode.*

I understand that. I was simply trying to keep things simple.

*You can dunk a Q-tip in isoprpyl alcohol and rub the soaked end on the cart pins. It won't hurt it in any way. Urban legend.*

Um…okay. Did I say that isopropyl will hurt it? I don’t remember stating that. What I want to know is if blowing on the pins will hurt the cart. Melf mentioned this in his Acc. and Peripherals article, and I’m wondering if that’s his observation or a fact.

[Genesis Knight]

Double post.

[Joe Redifer]

Isopropyl alcohol is rubbing alcohol. Same thing. I think that blowing on the carts really doesn't do anything bad or good unless you happen to throw a little spit when you do. It is unlikely that the cart's pins would get dusty so I don't see why this could help.

I suggest you write your own article about the ugliness of the M2, then.

OK. Here it is:

Why the Model 2 Genesis is Ugly
By: Joe Redifer

The model 2 Genesis is ugly. I do not like the way it looks. It does not look like a Genesis. The model 1 looks like a Genesis. But the model 2 is ugly.

The End.

[David J.]

So I shouldn't finsh my cart repair and cleaning guide?! :(

[Melf]

Lol, all we need is for someone to come in and say that the model 3 is the prettiest! I'm waiting for him, me and my big barrel of ripe tomatoes. :P

David: This is more reason to do the guide. The myth of rubbing alcohol damaging carts should be dispelled once and for all.

[landstalkerx]

The model 3 does have one small advantage. You can play most japanese imports on it without a game genie, or enlarging it's cartridge slot.
Since I've got some modded model 2's though, the model 3 I have is just collecting dust

[ary incorparated]

youre right melf.But didnt add much valeu like inovation.Still the smootest one,A few days ago i had a discussion about which system was better and he began talking about model of the genesis,he grabbed the old genesis out 89 and the snes,then i grabbed a genesis 3 to make him shut upp,and ending the discussion that was going nowhere because he tought the snes still had way supperior graphics,so we held a competition like he set a Snes demo unit in his gameshop with DK country and he putted the genesis Demo unit(not a exact official one)eroes.Poeple touched the genesis controller to play Gunstar.Dk was left i the dark and was runnig defect cause of dust or something.Totally ended the discussion that genesis isnt shit at all,Their both great systems,you cant compare em to eachother its like comparring bananas with Kiwi,s :D

[ary incorparated]

I think the CDX is the best version hehe.Backwards compatible with no problem,it has a av jack etc. :D

[Revenge of Joe Musashi]

I've always perferred the original model of the Megadrive simply because you can see how far the system has gone with the style of games released during the period of the system's lifespan. The different packaging,the type of games that I thought may never be allowed to appear on a sega machine(like Streetfighter 2), the sheer use of technological marvels some cartridges used to push the Megadrive,like GUNSTAR HEROES,the SVP chip and the bigger 20 meg carts. I never get that feeling of history with the sleeker Megadrive 2's and i basically hated their design.

[Obviously]

Here's how I like to compare the two. The original is like a big American muscle car and the model 2 is like a sleek European sports car. Both look and work well in their own right.

The Genesis 3? Well that's more of an old rusted out Volkswagon Beetle that leaks oil everywhere.

[Melf]

I'd compare it to the Yugo or Le Car. :P

[Joe Redifer]

I have a friend who has a Genesis 3. Should I beat him up? Of course he also has a Genesis 1 (Sonic revision) and a CDX, so perhaps I should not pound him into submission?

[ary incorparated]

Yup,spare him the pain i know some people who have a virtual boy or Jaguar.I dont beat them up maybe those systems,at least i get tempted by them or like to beat the shit consoles.BTW A friend of mine has a 32x with wrestle mania WWf raw,Should i beat him,he he i cant that dude is twice as large as my lenght. :D