Sega Genesis

The 16-bit revolution! Note that all 3 versions of the genesis below play the same exact games, and use the same controllers - the most notable difference between them is simply the size and look.

GENESIS 1:
This is the largest of the 3 Sega Genesis models. The Sega Master System adapter works only with this style unit (this adapter allows one to play the older SMS games on this 16-bit system). This is the only model with an earphone jack (with volume control).

GENESIS 2:
A smaller version of the genesis (about 2/3rds the size of the genesis 1) - otherwise it is basically the same as the Genesis 1.

GENESIS 3:
This is the mini version of the Sega Genesis (about twice the size of a portable CD Player) - Does everything the other systems do, but very compact. This unit does not have a light to signify that the power is on and also the reset button has been eliminated (both other models had both of these features).

REVIEWS SOON TO COME: Sega CDX, Sega Nomad, JVC X-Eye, Sega CD, and Sega 32X.

Leader in 16 bit gaming, for a few years at least!! Until the SNES came out and destroyed the Genesis! I have to say that I did purchase one for a few games, Sonic - Streets of Rage - Shinobi - Golden Axe - Altred Beast!! Buying a Genesis is definalty worth it, if only just for those titles. All it takes is a few classic games and the rest is history! RECOMMEND GETTING ONE!

This is the system I got after my original NES. I loved playing this system soooooo much. My favorite games for this system was Mortal Kombat. It had great sound and wonderful graphics for its time. Still is a great system and is one of the classics. A+++++++++++++++++

the sega genesis console was and still is a great system,when the system was first released,it was a real evolution, in terms of graphics and sound as well as gameplay.
the controllers were also much more comfortable for the average gamer also the controllers were made to fit comfortably in your hand.
the true test of any system,game,or for that matter any form of art, is how does it stand up to the test of time.
the genesis system can not stand up to todays systems as far as graphics or sound(unless you have the sega cd),but from sonic to madden to phantasy star,the games are still fun, and many have nearly endless replay value.
if you are a fan of games this system is a must,but if you dont want to buy the system pick up on of the many compilations of classic sega games for the computer you will be glad you did.

How happy were you when this thing first came out? This was awesome, The first sonic games are just classic and still being played today. I recently hooked up my sega to my 40" lcd and for an old old system like this it actually looked pretty good. This is very inexpensive amusement, good for younger kids and even my girl freind loves to play sonic games for hours on end. Cant go wrong buying some vintage sega stuff

- Dan

The 16-bit Genesis is by far Sega's greatest accomplishment. The system works very well, it will rarely freeze on the user in mid-game. The controller is very easy to use and understand. Sega's unique add-ons for the Genesis such as, 32x and Sega CD. Most importantly, the game selection for the Genesis is outstanding.

Here is a list of the games that made the system so amazing and addictive. (In no particular order)

-Toe Jam and Earl series (There is no other game like this)
-Mutant League series
-Golden Axe series
-Earthworm Jim series (Fun and hilarious)
-Sonic series (including the addicting Sonic Spinball)
-Mortal Kombat (for some reason the first one is must more enjoyable on Genesis than SNES. ABACABB)
-General Chaos
-NBA Jam TE (just like MK, it was just better for Genesis)
-The Haunting(Rare, but if you have played it you know)
-Aladdin (Yes, The Disney game)
-Home Alone (Don't judge it before you play it)
-Road Rash series (especially 2 and 3)
There are plenty more great games out there, some are slipping my memory and some I probably have not played. This is just a small list of the games I think of when I hear Genesis.

BTW, How could you not love how each game came in its own plastic case rather than a cardboard box?

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.

Did you find any useful information in this review?

I had this back in the day and it was pretty cool. I always liked atari and intellivision. Sega had better graphics though. I am thinking of buying an old set on ebay now that I think about it. LoL - Gene

As a college student, I do not have the money to keep up with the newer consoles. I really enjoy playing video games, and buying a sega was a fun trip back into my childhood!!! I really think that anyone that wants to play games, should give sega a shot! There are lots of fun games, and personally, Sonic the hedge hog makes it all worthwhile!! Proprs to Sega!

The Sega works perfectly fine, and was shipped and arrived on time. I would definitely get something else from this seller if he had something I needed.

The 16-bit revolution! Note that all 3 versions of the genesis below play the same exact games, and use the same controllers - the most notable difference between them is simply the size and look.

ORIGINAL SEGA GENESIS:
This is the largest of the 3 Sega Genesis models. It Released in 1989,following the release of the TurboGrafx-16. The Sega Master System adapter works only with this style unit. This is the only model with an earphone jack with volume control. This system brought you games like the Sonic the Hedgehog series and fighting games such as Golden Axe, Streets of Rage and Pit Fighter which allowed gaming for two players at a time.

OTHER GENESIS SYSTEMS:
Sega made 2 smaller versions of the Original Genesis, they are the same as the Original only smaller with smaller controllers. Some cosmetic differences but play all the same games.

I love this game system because its fun to play and is great for kids. With no violence and bad language its a great thing to have for kids. Also games are very cheap and are always fun. Game system is also very fast and dont have the long waits for loading game systems have today.

Orginally, the system was called "Sega Mega Drive", but because Sega couldn't get the copyright and legal issues over the use of the term in North America, it was changed to "Genesis". Hitting the open market before Nintendo's Super Famicon or Super Nintendo, the Genesis, outsold the SNES and had more practcal uses such as; 32X, an add on to "enhance" the graphic capabilty of the games, the Sega CD, a failed project to attach a CD drive to the side of the Genesis and even had an online multiplayer network called XBAND.

The system itself was top of the line when it came out back in it's day and had many what would be concidered "Classics" such as: Golden Ax, Phantasy Star series,Might & Magic ,Toejam & Earl,Shining Force Series,and of course the mascot that replaced Alxx Kidd, Sonic the Hedgehog.

The system went under three facelifts over the whole time it was "king of the 16 bit console wars", even though Nintendo had more memorial titles, the Genesis was a more well known system, Sega knew what they were doing with this system.

I thought that my purchase of this Sega Genesis console was perfect. The console works great, is in good condition and was shipped promptly. I am very satisfied!

I bought this system brand new on ebay. It has amazing graphics. I love the games. I bought it because I used to have one, but we sold it when we moved and my daughter missed it. I recommend getting this game sytem even though it is an older game system. Save your money and don't get a xbox 360 or playstation 3. If you are looking for games for the system get them off of ebay. They are less than $10.00 and they have some brand new ones. Hope this was helpful.

one controller doesn't work and you can't play NHLPA 93 on the system. i tried two different games and still nothing. this system should be returned but it still plays majority of games. its fine but look at my title.............buddy.

For me, the Sega Genesis was my childhood. Yeah we had a supernintendo, but what did I play every day at 2 o' clock after a long harsh regime of learning my ABC's in the third grade... GENESIS!

The system comes in one of two basic models (The Model 1 and 2 XD) but there were a few other models made. The Genesis 3, not actually made by sega, was made to reduce the size and cost of the sega to make it more affordable. The system also came out around the end of the genesis life span, kind of making it a last ditch effort to make some more cash off of, what I consider, Sega's biggest success.

There was also a couple of SegaCD and Sega Genesis combo system, but they are generally more expensive. If you had a choice I recommend the model 2. Not only does it offer a sleek and sexy design, but it fits better with the regular SegaCD (although there was a model to match the design of the Model 1, but once again it is more expensive.)

The Genesis had great games, like Sonic and Street's of Rage, and it also featured good games in what I consider to be the worst genre of gaming ever, MOVIE GAMES! Now if you pick up a movie game for one of todays systems, dont, its going to be grabage, of that I gurantee you. But go pick up Alladin for the Genesis, and you'll be getting into gaming gold! Besides the grand hits, and the great advertisements, came hidden gems, like the Shining Force series and Vectorman. Basically theres enough games to satisfy you for a very VERY long time, and when your done with that, its as easy as buying a 32x and your already good to go for a whole new set of games, like the very great Knuckles Chaotix.

The system is easy to hook up, and features a sleek and easy to use controller that has only three main buttons and a D pad. It may sound overly-simply, but its GREAT when controlling games. You never get confused as to what button does what, unlike a lot of newer games.

BOTTOM LINE --------------- BUY IT! BUY IT NOW!

My kids loved this item when they were young, now they have children of their own, and these kids think the game is COOL! The only issue I had was the console should have been cleaned up before shipping to the buyer.

i purchased this game console and it doesnt work properly. i tried getting in touch with the seller and yet no answer

I still have the old Sega Genesis and a few games with X-Men being my favorite and a few others. I'm upset that sega accessories are not available any longer since technology has advanced. Yet, Sega has always been one of my favorites besides nintendo and I still have mine.

I bought the Sega Genesis Game Console a couple weeks ago. The description of somewhat dusty was accurate. The listing indicated it had the remotes, the adapter and the AV cord. Here's the big ooooooops -- they failed to mention it's just a single node plug that must connect to another converter box that can be hooked to older model tvs only. I tried a coaxil converter box that was recommended at Radio Shack but that was not compatible with this included AV cord. I had to go out an purchase the correct Stereo AV adapter that exactly retrofits the game to our up to date flat screen tv. That's another $10 I had to outlay. Ask more questions up front!

I was not happy with the purchase in the condition it was promised. I recieved a faulty transformer that melted when I stuck it in the wall, and the seller decided to not replace it for me. Sorry for the bad review but, this was not a good sale.

I bought this item because I am in college and I love old school video games so that is why I bought the sega, but now I wasted my money and can't play it

How can I review what I didn't receive? I paid my money and got zip. Only because I paid thru PayPal did I get my money back. No communication from this vender at all.