Sega Genesis

The Sega Genesis seems to continue to stand out as a great video game system purchase. It is fun, simple and has a good resale value.

GAMES
None of the games, not even the worst, is as graphically disturbing as todays modern games. This makes nearly the whole US catalog of 700+ games acceptable for your kids. Also, the games of the 16-bit era had a mastery of 2D platform games. Even today, classic style 2D adventure, fighting, platforming, RPG's are making a comeback on the PSP and Nintendo DS. Many of these are direct ports to the new consoles such as the Wii downloadable games and the XBLA downloadable games. Not sure if Sony has their PS3 network up and running, yet...

INEXPENSIVE
Many of the games, accessories and consoles are inexpensive to buy because of its popularity - there are a lot of these around.

POPULAR
The popularity of the Genesis means you will likely know someone who also has/had one and is interested in talking about or playing your system.

BETTER CONTROLLERS
The controllers feel better in the hand and have a more solid feel than that of the main competitor of the time, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. You can also use the Genesis controller in your Sega Master System console.

EXPANDABLE
The Genesis was expandable. You could add the 32X attachment (skip the 32X - very few good games) to play Sega's 32-bit games. You could add the Sega CD attachment to play the Sega CD game disks (get this attachment - some real gems like Sonic CD, Lunar, Keio, Lords Of Thunder, Wonder Dog). This system was also backwards compatible with the Sega Master System via the Sega Base Converter attachment.

Many of the popular games of the day were ported to the Genesis. Missing are some SNES exclusives that contain the word Mario or Kong or Zelda - but most everything else can be found like Castlevania, NBA Jam, Frogger, Mickey's ILLUSION series plus Sega exclusives like Sonic games, Truxton, Toejam & Earl, Valis, Gaiares, Sol-Deace.

GREAT FOR KIDS
Game cartridges don't go bad. You might crack the cartridge case but the IC board will usually take some punishment. You can not say the same for disks. Disks scratch and crack. Kids can handle cartridges just fine but disks may not last long around kids.

One little curve ball - The Sega Genesis 3, (the last one to be produced - much smaller that the first two), can not handle the add-on attachments.

What's out there?
Genesis (#1601 - model one - has a headphone volume control)
Genesis (#1631 - model two - a little smaller, no headphone jack)
Genesis 3 (#1461 - tiny and not expandable)
Sega 32X (#84000A - allows play of 32X cartridges [and disks if you have the Sega CD expansion)
Sega CD (#1690 - model 1 - rests under a Genesis 1 and has motorized tray)
Sega CD (#4102 - model 2 - sits to the side of a Genesis 1 or 2)
Sega 4-player adapter (#1647 - allows 4 controllers at one time; not needed - just pass the controller to the next person)
Sega Master Base Converter (allows Sega Master System game cartridges to be played through your Sega Genesis)

BOTTOM LINE - Great system to have around for kids and for those who grew up around one. Inexpensive to buy and great selection of games available on Internet auction sites, classifieds. Can expand the system fairly cheaply. Graphics and sound are as good as ANYTHING else from that time - which is pretty good. Buy a Genesis and get the Sega CD attachment.

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