====== Sega Mega Drive ======

===== Buying =====

  * [[https://www.retrorgb.com/genesisversions.html|The Best Version of the Genesis]] - Buying guide on Retro RGB.
  * [[https://www.sega-16forums.com/forum/general-discussion/tech-aid/7756-guide-telling-apart-good-genesis-1s-and-genesis-2s-from-bad-ones|GUIDE: Telling apart good Genesis 1s and Genesis 2s from bad ones.]] - Buying guide on the Sega-16 forum, has most hardware variants.
  * [[https://consolemods.org/wiki/Genesis:Buying_Guide|Buying Guide]] - Buying guide on Console Mods. Detailed, with lots of photos.

  * I want the best audio chip.
  * I want 60Hz.
  * I want the best compatibility, but this is almost universal.
  * I prefer the original design to the Mega Drive 2.
  * I don't want to have to mod shit.
  * Step-down aren't needed, can just buy AU AC adaptor.
  * Not super fussed about video quality. All support RGB, some models I don't want anyway have jailbars.
  * I want to be able to use composite video cables (Triple Bypass mod messes with this).

The basic, foolproof, guide is: If you're buying a Genesis get a Model 1 with the EXP port on the back. If you're getting a Japanese Mega Drive get one with the text 'AV Intelligent Terminal' 'High Grade Multipurpose Use' on it. Don't buy a PAL one. If you want to fuss over details and try to get a bargain check below and the guides linked.

If you want to be a little more fussy: I don't like how the stereo audio clips in the VA0-2 models. There's not ideal solution, because SEGA's fix for the following models makes the sound //a little bit// more muffled, but I prefer that. So for me a Japanese model with a VA3-5 board is the ideal. If you want to get a 32X you might want to avoid Japanese VA4/5 boards, as they can require modification to work.

If you don't want [[https://segaretro.org/TradeMark_Security_System|TMSS]] (slightly decreases game compatibility) then make sure there is no patents text (sticker or engraved) in the panel to the left on the model info. sticker.

  * VA4 serial numbers start with: 89O, 99O, 80O, 80Q, 90O, A00, B00, A10, B10
  * VA5: 80R, 80Y, A00, A10, B10, G10

Getting a 60Hz modded PAL Mega Drive is also an option, but you have to use SCART, and they're not quite as nice looking as the Japanese models.

===== Controllers =====

Controller selection is pretty boring!

The best standard pad to get is the official six-button controller. I don't //like// the three-button controller, but it feels weird playing a Mega Drive without one. Haven't tried any third-party ones, but have heard good things about the SG Propad ([[super_nintendo_entertainment_system|SNES]]-like) and the Tetsujin controller (red/blue/purple buttons). [[Hori]] do a Mega Commander pad.

For joysticks there aren't many options. The Japanese versions of the official sticks (Arcade Power Stick) are decent, the non Japanese versions don't have microswitches. There's a version of the Capcom Power Stick Fighter, but it's pretty pricey. The colours are nice.

There are some famous [[Micomsoft]] controllers, their two variations on analogue controllers the [[https://videogameinterface.wiki/index.php/XE-1AP|XE-1AP]] and XE-1AJ. The XE-1ST2 and XE-1SG should work(?), but they're only three buttons anyway.

  * https://www.mega-drive.net/mdpads.htm
  * https://www.mega-drive.net/mdsticks.htm

===== MIDI =====

  * [[genMDM]] - A [[MIDI]] interface. Comes as a cartridge, and an adaptor for putting MIDI and USB cables into the controller port. Gives you access to both sound chips: so all the FM, PCM, and noise channels.
  * The USB ports on the [[Mega Everdrive X7]] and [[Mega Everdrive Pro]] can be used for MIDI.

===== See Also =====

  * [[sega_mega_drive_notes]]
  * [[https://www.mega-drive.net/index.htm www.mega-drive.net]] - German website.
  * [[https://www.twistedelectrons.com/megafm|MEGAfm]] - A synth using the Mega Drive soundchip/s
  * [[https://segaretro.org/Sega_Mega_Drive|Sega Mega Drive]] page on Sega Retro.
  * [[https://md.railgun.works/|Mega Drive Wiki]]

{{tag>videogame-console videogames hardware Sega}}