Which MegaDrive to buy?

I am thinking of buying a new MegaDrive (or a MegaDrive 2, whatever is better). Now, I mainly want to do this to bring back the old times when I use to have a MegaDrive, play all the Sonic games on the console itself, and a few other classics (Italia '90 kicks Fifa's ass anyday =P)


But in the future when my hack is more complete, I will want to put it on a cartridge, then play it on the real console. But my hack (I believe) is 60Hz. So, shall I buy a JP MegaDrive (2)? Will 50Hz games still work on it? Or just go for the PAL MegaDrive? Also, I do have a 3DTV so I need to make sure whatever I buy, it will work on it (Here is my TV in case you need to know.)


So, in short, I want to buy a MegaDrive or MegaDrive 2 (which is better or both same?), which will play both 60Hz and 50Hz (whatever is better for my hack in the future), and will plug into my TV easily.


Thanks for your help


redhotsonic

 

Your hack is built on a Sonic game, and Sonic games don't force the Mega Drive to its maximum potential, so your hack will most likely work fine at any of the two rates, if your hack is based on a Sonic game that has a fail safe screen, then simply removing that screen and resuming gameplay should do absolutely no harm. I would recommend getting one at 50hz for the reason that you have more processing time available to get stuff done, but if you plan for your hack to be universally playable, then it doesn't really matter.


As for the model, I don't claim to be a tech wizzard on these things, but I'll give it a shot, one of the obvious things is that a Mega Drive 1 has a headphone jack which outputs in stereo along with a volume controller, while a Mega Drive 2 does not. It also has two different video/sound outputs, RF and A/V out, while the Mega Drive 2 only has A/V out and is a different shape to the Mega Drive 1. It is also my understanding that the Mega Drive 2 does not have the same main processor as the Mega Drive 1, it has a cheaper varient with certain removed features (the removed features do seem to be useless for your needs though), and the FM chip inside the Mega Drive 2 is not actually a YM2612.


In general, I don't think you'll be any worse off choosing one over the other, mainly because the second one was designed to be able to do what the first one can, if your game/hack will work on one of them but not the other, then there's simply no point in calling it hardware compatable, or even running any hardware tests at all considering half the people won't be able to play it on hardware. I have both of them here, but I keep number 2 on because I have no remote and cannot tune the first one. Not that I would choose the first over the second one either.


In other words, I don't think it really matters for your needs, not unless you're doing something really hardware specific, which may cause it to not function properly on emulators.

 

I see. The reason why I asked about refresh rates is because S1 PAL runs slightly slower (music wise) and that centiseconds are different to suit refresh rates, so I didn't want to get a 50hz and it go slower or vice-versa

 

From my understanding, since I own a PAL model, all the 50hz mode does is processing frames slower, meaning it will put the 10 extra frames the game expects to be rendered in one second into the next one. Gameplay wise absolutely nothing (but the slight lag, obviously) will change. In fact, a second in any timer-related game I've played on my real MD was slower than a real-world second, so don't worry about that (though, with some tricks you can check which console version the game is being played on, and thus adapting your game to your needs.


Personally, I'd go with the first model, and not only for the reasons MarkeyJester already listed. Since the only reason to buy such an old console nowadays is usually nothing more than the average nostalgia feeling, getting an MD1 will give you the most. But in the end it really doesn't matter, it's your choice.

 

So wait, the Genesis Model 1 IS better than the Genesis Model 2? I only have a Model 2 because about 1 and a half years ago I was able to pick up one with a 32X (Don't know if those are model specific) and a Sega CD Model 2 all-together. And I've seen and used a Model 1 and I personally haven't seen a difference (between a Model 1 and a Model 2) when I play...

 

That's because the differences are so slim it really doesn't matter. As I said, the main factor to chose the first model over the second would be nostalgia, nothing more really.

 

I'd go for the Model 2. The way it goes with the Mega CD is a lot nicer to deal with than the tower of consoles from the Model 1, I think!


Otherwise, what Ordos said. You're gonna want to get a mod to change the refresh rate, though.

 

As people say, it really doesn't matter too much. I think the same as Selbi, model 1 is great for the nostalgia, design, solidicity, but the model II has a great design too. I own the two models and I'm very happy with both. But if you really want to play your games and hacks at full speed you have to mod your console. I have my two MegaDrive (model 1 and model II) untouched (I mean without any kind of mod), so I use a Sega Nomad to play my hack at full speed. It's much better to play games at full speed and full screen, so maybe you could considerer to buy a Sega Nomad (but it will cost much more than a MegaDrive, of course). Anyway, the games doesn't play too bad at all in 50hz consoles and your hack is from Sonic 2 so you will not have the slow music problem because Sonic 2 music plays well, not as Sonic 1 that plays the music slower than if you play at 60hz.

 

I decided to buy an Asain MD from someone over at Retro. He's modified it so it can switch between 60Hz/50Hz EU/JP. It has a wide enough slot for JP cartridges, whilst still accepting the UK one. That seem good to everyone? =P

 

He said I had to buy a RGB cable to get the best quality as the analogue ariel way is bad. But then he found his RGB cable so he's including it in and I plug it via SCART in the back of my TV. So it should be good =)

 

The sound output from the MD1 is way better than the MD2, if that sort of thing concerns you.

 

Sure, better music is always better =P

 

Personally I would get a MD1. I own a Genesis 1 & 2 and like some people stated, it has better sound output. And I use a Model 2 Sega CD with my Model 1 Genesis, so you don't have to get the Model 1 unless you really want to. xP Also are you wanting to get a 32X as well? Or are you going to pass on that?

 

Never played the 32x in my childhood so have no memories on it. So I will be passing on it. Same with the MegaCD, as I only played Sonic CD, and I have that downloaded for the PS3 =P