A Badass Find!

[Arjak]

Yesterday, I had to drive with my family down to Denver to drop Mom off at the airport, and being an opportunist, decided to check out the local used game shops.

To make a long story short, I was directed by the local Gamestop to a place called Game Xplosion (If you are ever in the Denver area, I highly recommend a look; it's on 120th Ave. and Sheridan, next to a K-Mart in the Broomfeld area.), and while searching the shelves, I hit unbelievable paydirt.

In the end, I came home with a NES game, a SNES game, a N64 game, and...

A CIB (Complete In Box) 32X!:o

I was shocked. After having it retrieved from a high shelf, opening it to make sure all the parts were inside, and staring in awe as Dad found all of the original paperwork down to the registration card and ads in the bottom of the box, I immediately claimed it for purchase.

I shall post pictures as soon as Mom is picked up next week with the Digital Camera in tow.;)

So, I now possess the complete Sega Genesis set: Genesis, Sega CD, and 32X. My next step is to wait for my little sister to stop playing her new Horse Riding game for the Wii so I can test it out! YAY!

[Insert Coins]

You don't have a complete set. Where's your Power Base Converter?

[QuickSciFi]

How much was that CIB 32X?

Also, What games are you going to test on it?

P.S.> Great Find.:D

[Arjak]

@Insert Coins: The problem with the Power Base Converter is that:

A. I consider that more Master System related than Genesis,

and

B. I have a Model 2 Genny that I do not feel like defacing to get said PBC to fit.

@QuickSciFi: The 32X alone set me back a decent $40. And as for the game, I guess I'll have to make due with a Neutered Port of Doom.;)

[QuickSciFi]

Doom is fine.

P.S.> I find you either opt for a PBC or 32X (or both), but never on the same system. I think the best looking combinations would be:

Model 2 + Model 2 Sega CD + 32X

or

Model 1+ Model 1 or 2 Sega CD + PBC

P.S.S.> 40 bucks is not such a set back, considering it was a CIB 32X.

P.S.S.S.> I Still can't get it of my mind how that AVGN melted that 32X.


@Insert Coins: The problem with the Power Base Converter is that:

A. I consider that more Master System related than Genesis,

and

B. I have a Model 2 Genny that I do not feel like defacing to get said PBC to fit.

@QuickSciFi: The 32X alone set me back a decent $40. And as for the game, I guess I'll have to make due with a Neutered Port of Doom.;)

[Christuserloeser]

I consider that more Master System related than Genesis

I dunno, it's as much Genny related as 32X or SCD, with the difference that it A) offers much better games than those two combined, B) doesn't run on additional, external hardware, but the Genesis itself: The PBC is just a pin converter.


I have a Model 2 Genny

You definitely should look into getting it modded for Crystal Clear Audio (http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showpost.php?p=163421&postcount=20) by TmEE - unless it's a VA4 model 2 (http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7796).


that I do not feel like defacing to get said PBC to fit.

There are alternatives to the original PBC, namely the PBC 2 (pretty rare it seems) and third party adapters.

[Arjak]

Let's see...

From the long metal sheet seen through the vents and the fact that I cannot see a blue wire in the cart slot, I'd say this is a...

God damn it.:daze:

I'll contact TmEE...

[kool kitty89]

Let's see...

From the long metal sheet seen through the vents and the fact that I cannot see a blue wire in the cart slot, I'd say this is a...

God damn it.:daze:

I'll contact TmEE...

The metal shielding goes all the way across? (the VA-3/4 will be ~3/4 across)

Anyway, open it up first anyway to check things out, se exactly what revision you've got, and importantly, the video encoder. (pray it's not the Samsung KA2195D) Wait... You've got a 32x, don't wory about the Genesis's encoder. (except for the few games that won't work in passthoughm or the power base converter, which isn't really an issue anyway)

As you'ved probably read, both the VA-3 and VA-4 have the shorter boards/shields, and both have the good sound. (the problem with the VA-3 being some have the Samsung encoder)



@QuickSciFi: The 32X alone set me back a decent $40. And as for the game, I guess I'll have to make due with a Neutered Port of Doom.;)

Well, you probably have a list of 32x games you're already intersted in, but I'd suggest Shadow Squadron, Space Harrier, AfterBurner Complete, Virtua Racing Delux, Virtua Fighter, and possibly: Chaotix (if inexpensive), Star Wars Arcade (not a big fan personally though), Metal Head (thit one's hit or miss, I'd try it in emulation first), and maybe T-Mek. (probably others I'm overlooking like NBA Jam or Mortal Kombat, but I don't know a whole lot on these)
Try to get them cheap, I'd definitely aim at Sadow Squadron first, great game, possibly the best on the console, tends to be very affordable as well. (particularly if you're satisfied with a loose copy)


As for master system, don't bother with the PBC, particularly the rare/expensive PBC II. (especially if your Genny's got the crap Samsung encoder) Just get a Master System, preferably shop around. (SMS II is less common and has RF out only, so don't bother, go for the standard model as cheap as you can find it)

[Arjak]

So I hook up the 32X to my Genny, and now I've discovered that it wasn't quite CIB after all.

It has no AC Adapter. Anyone have a spare?:fit:

[Joe Redifer]

I'll have to check out that Game Xplosion again. I've been there a long time ago but it wasn't cool enough to make me Xplode in my jeans. What other stuff did they have that you noticed? Any complete Genesis-type games? Anything for TurboGrafx? Granted, it's not tremendously far from me, but still I must ask.

That sucks about the AC adaptor. I think it might have a proprietary plug (don't quote me on that), but you could take it to Radio Shack to see if they have anything that fits. They usually sell AC Adaptors that have varying voltage and whatnot.

[Arjak]

They had a shelf full of Genesis games with the box but no manual, several bins with loose Genesis games, and a small stack of TurboGrafx games. Too bad 3 or 4 of them were Keith Courage.;)

Still, they had quite a lot of good stuff. I saw Intelligent Qube for PS1, but it was out of my price range. They had copies of Final Fantasy 7, both Greatest Hits and Original Release. Same with Castlevania: SotN.

Jeez, now that I think of it, I wish I had the money to buy these and sell the copies I didn't want on ebay for ridiculous prices...

[Arjak]

I have found a suitable replacement for the missing 32X plug! I pulled out the plug for my old Game Gear and tried that, and it works perfectly! I tested both Doom for 32X and VectorMan 2 for Genesis, so I believe I am set.

Thank you for your support of my find.

[Baloo]

Eh, $40 for a almost CIB 32x isn't all that great.

[Nunzio]

Eh, $40 for a almost CIB 32x isn't all that great.

No, but the excitement of finding one in the wild almost makes up for it. Personally I would drop $40 for one CIB right now myself.

Try to get Mortal Kombat 2, it's wicked.

[TmEE]

you won't even get a loose 32X for 40USD in Europe :P

[mick_aka]

you won't even get a loose 32X for 40USD in Europe :P

Very true, perhaps one on It's own with no cables whatsoever you may grab for under $40 USD

[mrbigreddog]

Eh, $40 for a almost CIB 32x isn't all that great.

Yes it is!!! That's a kick ass deal! (maybe not because it was actually missing the A/C Power cord but....) Still not bad.. He could turn around and sell that on ebay for at least $100!

[xXxTWO FACExXx]

At this one place I go to I got a CIB 32x for 20 bucks

[kool kitty89]

Yes it is!!! That's a kick ass deal! (maybe not because it was actually missing the A/C Power cord but....) Still not bad.. He could turn around and sell that on ebay for at least $100!

And missing the AC cable is a lot better than missing the mixing cable. ;)

[Chaotix]

To make a long story short, I was directed by the local Gamestop to a place called Game Xplosion (If you are ever in the Denver area, I highly recommend a look; it's on 120th Ave. and Sheridan, next to a K-Mart in the Broomfeld area.), and while searching the shelves, I hit unbelievable paydirt.

I don't know if you guys ever heard of it (probably have though), but there is a place called Gamecrazy which is a subsidiary of Hollywood Video. They sold a lot of classic games (probably one of the last full blown chain retailers to carry 8/16-bit generation games). They had decent prices too. Lately, they've been dropping a lot of those classic consoles... Its a real shame. >_<

I remember...I think it was the second time that I went to one, they were starting to get rid of their Sega Game Gear stock. They didn't have them in the display case like they used to so I had asked if they had any Game Gear games anymore. The guy told me they were getting rid of them as he pulled out a plastic bag full of Game Gear games...about 20-30 of them. All of them were like $.45 (just carts of course). I bought a few (like Sonic Labyrinth, Sonic Drift 2, and NBA Jam)...but now I regret not buying them all. I was too naive at the time. D=

[jetlag]

Very true, perhaps one on It's own with no cables whatsoever you may grab for under $40 USD

I got one for 50 euro in box, shielding plates, spacer, md1 converter cable. manual.:cool:

[Baloo]

Yes it is!!! That's a kick ass deal! (maybe not because it was actually missing the A/C Power cord but....) Still not bad.. He could turn around and sell that on ebay for at least $100!

You canNOT sell a 32x CIB for $100 on eBay, you must be crazy. Sega CD sure, but NOT 32x.

32x goes for $30-35, and if you shop around you can get one for cheaper than that. The $100 price is just from those morons selling BIN CIB 32xes at $99. They can stuff it. The one video game store that closed near me not too long ago had a 32x CIB for $50, sat under the case for ages. $40 is not a good price. I got my 32x with Mixer Cable, Model 1 cable, RF Plates, and AC Adapter plus 8 32x games for $34. Then I traded a GBA SP for a Model 1 cable and A/V cables. The Model 1 cable that came with the 32x had some corrosion in it, but I wasn't expecting to get it as he had just found it. And I got the one in the GBA trade first. But I digress.

$40 for a CIB is NOT that good of a price.

[tomaitheous]

I found cosmic carnage under my bed and it was free. I don't remember originally paying for it, so it's as if I didn't. Pretty good deal.

[Iron Lizard]

I remember back in the day there were mountains of things unsold at Toys'R'Us. It would have been easier for them to sell 55 gallon drums of radioactive waste at the time. I am sure they must put them in the same landfill as all of the E.T. cartridges. It does surprise me to see them selling for so much.

[Da_Shocker]

I found cosmic carnage under my bed and it was free. I don't remember originally paying for it, so it's as if I didn't. Pretty good deal.

Burn that POS trash ass game!

Anyways got my 32X in 97 or 98 brand spankin new from K-Mart for 24.99 with Doom. They also had MKII for like 64.99 which was to steep for me so I got it brand new from VGLQ for like 15 dollars.

[Baloo]

Sega must've really lost a good bit of money on the 32x. Shame too, it had a lot of potential.

[T2KFreeker]

Why does nobody bring up Blackthorne? That game is awesome and a real gem for the 32-X. Blows the SNES version out of the water!

[blazin06]

There is one going for $30 at my local game shop. It comes with all the cables, but no shielding plates I don't think. What are the shielding plates used for? Are they really neccesary?

[Baloo]

They aren't necessary at all.

[Chaotix]

Yeah...I cant really find the point of the shielding plates on the 32x...
I mean the plates are made to prevent RF interference right? Well you can't even use the RF out on the Sega Genesis when you play 32x games so that kind of defeats the purpose of it, right? The Sega CD one makes a bit more sense because you can still use the RF out with it attached...

I doubt that any RF interference created by the 32x would be strong enough to mess with the electronics or cause any FCC violations...

I use the plates anyways though. =D

[kool kitty89]

Sega must've really lost a good bit of money on the 32x. Shame too, it had a lot of potential.

Not nearly as much as with the Saturn though. :roll:

[SCAMPELMSTEPE]

i didnt think they were two seperate models, i always thought badass bridges came unfiled...

Its simple enough, just go down the local hardware store and pick up a needle file, probably best a V like ped said.

[Baloo]

Not nearly as much as with the Saturn though. :roll:

Yeah, Saturn was pretty much a total bomb. It's what really ruined Sega, and shame too, because it's got a strong Japanese library and it's a very good system. The whole US/EU Reaction thought was just really bad.

[17daysolderthannes]

P.S.S.S.> I Still can't get it of my mind how that AVGN melted that 32X.

It was a loose one though. Considering there are probably about 1/3 as many 32X cables as there are 32X systems and they are pretty reliable hardware, they are almost worthless without the cable. Although, I have 2 and neither one will play Knuckles Chaotix, and I've confirmed the cartridge works on another setup. I guess it's my Genesis 2...

[Baloo]

Knuckles Chaotix is a pretty finicky 32x game for some reason. Try it on a Model 1/32x Setup.

[17daysolderthannes]

Knuckles Chaotix is a pretty finicky 32x game for some reason. Try it on a Model 1/32x Setup.

I'd like to, but I can't get ahold of a cable. I could definitely rule out the Genesis being the problem with that because my HD Model 1 is so pristine it's the example on the Genesis Wikipedia page (its the picture with the HDG model 1 with Sonic in the slot and some studio headphones and a 3 button controller on a tile floor).

[Diosoth]

Bernie Stolar killed the Saturn. He limited 2D titles and there were almost no RPGs, because he claimed they would not sell. Then the PS1 flooded with those genres and became a success. Bear in mind, Stolar worked for Sony the first year of the PS1, and also barred those same types of games until he was fired. If he'd stayed at Sony, Sega might still be making consoles.

AVGN probably burned a broken 32X. He's not likely to ruin his own collection.

[Baloo]

I'd like to, but I can't get ahold of a cable. I could definitely rule out the Genesis being the problem with that because my HD Model 1 is so pristine it's the example on the Genesis Wikipedia page (its the picture with the HDG model 1 with Sonic in the slot and some studio headphones and a 3 button controller on a tile floor).

I've got an extra Model 1 cable, but it needs to be cleaned. The inside of one side has this white corrosion in it, and I'm not sure if it can be cleaned or not. If you interested, I can try to clean it for you.

[17daysolderthannes]

I've got an extra Model 1 cable, but it needs to be cleaned. The inside of one side has this white corrosion in it, and I'm not sure if it can be cleaned or not. If you interested, I can try to clean it for you.

golly, thanks Baloo!

9ogQ0uge06o

if you can send it to me for cheap I'll see if I can clean it. I actually had to fix my regular 32X cable, lol. Apparently someone jammed it in haphazardly one time and it bent one of the pins over, causing one of the audio channels to merge with the video channel, creating all sorts of chaos on screen. I bent the pin over and now everything else plays perfectly. Was there anything else besides the model 1 patch cable to get it working on a model 1? I know the RF plates are unnecessary, but was there anything else? oh, and could you maybe take a picture of it (if a camera is handy) so I can see what kind of corrosion we're talking about so I know if we should even bother or not.

[Christuserloeser]

stuff I read at some website

All of the above is incorrect.

[kool kitty89]

It was a loose one though. Considering there are probably about 1/3 as many 32X cables as there are 32X systems and they are pretty reliable hardware, they are almost worthless without the cable. Although, I have 2 and neither one will play Knuckles Chaotix, and I've confirmed the cartridge works on another setup. I guess it's my Genesis 2...

I'm not positive he actually toasted a whole 32x, I haven't checked into it, but it could have been just the shell -keeping the innards as a backup/spare parts, still not that much of a loss either way. (depending on personal oppinion of course, I hate wase in general, so I hope it was just the case) Or of course it could also have been a broken 32x that he didn't mention in the video, but I've never seen more than 2 32xs in his vids and he mentioned the loose 32x he got for less than $3 at a flea market.

You could at least test chaotix with your model 1 w/out the mixing cable; just using the Genesis or 32x AV output direct (granted each will only give you part of the picture -not sure which is more, but iirc a lot is done with the Genesis in that game). Still good for at least testing functionality.

As for the missing cable, it might be easiest to just make your own (and a direct M1 to 32x, not a M1-M2 adaptor), finding the 8-pin DIN connector of the model 1 should be fairly easy (or canabalizing one), but th emodel 2 connector is rather uncommon (not sure if it was unique to Sega though), so the easiest would be canabalizing a M2/3 A/V (or RF with all pins) cable. (or if you have a dead model 2/3 or 32x you could take one of the AV connectors from that and make an actual M1-to M2 adaptor, rather than the aformentioned direct cable)
Connect R,G,B, and sync, you might also need audio, but if it's for M1 specifically, I think the headphone jack would work fine. (otherwise you'd have to mix the mono signal from the AV port)


Bernie Stolar killed the Saturn. He limited 2D titles and there were almost no RPGs, because he claimed they would not sell. Then the PS1 flooded with those genres and became a success. Bear in mind, Stolar worked for Sony the first year of the PS1, and also barred those same types of games until he was fired. If he'd stayed at Sony, Sega might still be making consoles.

This has been rather overemphesized and twisted, along with the whole Working Designs issue (they had been looking for an excuse to jump ship). The lack of western releases had more to do with Sega's dire situation in general and weak market position. Stolar's "quality control" emphesizing not so much on keeping some games out, but rather making sure the best at least got priority. (lest they not make it overseas at all) Still, his policies stll had some issues and his "not our future" statement could probably have been more tactful, but some of the worst mistakes with the saturn had been done before he became President. (mainly to do with insistances made by Japan, mishandling the transition from the genesis -including the 32x- and especially the rushed launch of the Saturn)

http://www.eidolons-inn.net/tiki-index.php?page=SegaBase+Saturn+p3&bl=y This artical is fairly good at showing things from both sides, though do still take tings with a grain of salt. (and tech info in particular isn't that author's strongpoint)