• The Best Version of the Genesis - Buying guide on Retro RGB.
• GUIDE: Telling apart good Genesis 1s and Genesis 2s from bad ones. - Buying guide on the Sega-16 forum, has most hardware variants.
• 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 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.

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 (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 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

• 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.

• Notes on Mega Drive Games
• https://www.mega-drive.net/index.htm www.mega-drive.net - German website.
• MEGAfm - A synth using the Mega Drive soundchip/s
• Sega Mega Drive page on Sega Retro.
• Mega Drive Wiki