Fact checking wiki: which system has most sanctioned variations?

[romanoaj]

Saw this stated in the Sega Genesis entry on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Genesis

"The Mega Drive has received more officially licensed variations than any other console. Each region has its own peculiarities and unique items, while other variations were exercises in reducing costs"

I've always said the PC-Engine has the most variations.  I count 11 officially sanctioned variations of the PC-Engine (including the Sharp Twin X1 ... and 12 if you count the SuperGrafx).

Which is correct: me or the wiki entry?

[SamIAm]

If it's variations of the system, it's probably PCE with the most, but if it's variations of companies making the system, it's probably the Mega Drive.

[spenoza]

I suspect Wikipedia is also talking about hardware revisions, not just different external models. Sega was constantly revising and cheapening the hardware in the Genesis. I'm sure the Genesis has had more actual revisions.

[VestCunt]

Today I discovered that while the Genesis 2 model #1631A may work with my sawed-off Power Base Converter, the plain old Genesis 2 model #1631 does not.

[CrackTiger]

No matter which way you look at it, the Genesis/Mega Drive has more, but the PC Engine is probably second.

[Tatsujin]

But the pce has the way way waaay cooler ones. A very fact too.

[SignOfZeta]

I guess it depends on what you consider a variation. The DC has a SHITLOAD of alternate versions, but they are almost all color variations. The electronics saw very few changes (maybe two versions?).

The Megadrive has seen comparatively few outwardly visible variations, the PCE would have the most...but PCEs rarely (ever?) change internally since they use make a new unit instead of revising the old one.

Obviously the PC-FX would be (tied with other systems, I'm sure) the system with the fewest variations, mostly because they (probably) never sold out of the original shipment and therefore never got a chance to revise it.

[Tatsujin]

But the FX had at least two hardware versions.
The regular and the pc-card version.

[SamIAm]

Obviously the PC-FX would be (tied with other systems, I'm sure) the system with the fewest variations, mostly because they (probably) never sold out of the original shipment and therefore never got a chance to revise it.

I think the author of Mednafen was saying something like there were two versions of the PC-FX BIOS just among ordinary systems, so they probably went through at least two shipments.

It's gotta be one of the lowest nevertheless, though.

[Tatsujin]

[CrackTiger]

I guess it depends on what you consider a variation. The DC has a SHITLOAD of alternate versions, but they are almost all color variations. The electronics saw very few changes (maybe two versions?).

The Megadrive has seen comparatively few outwardly visible variations, the PCE would have the most...but PCEs rarely (ever?) change internally since they use make a new unit instead of revising the old one.

Obviously the PC-FX would be (tied with other systems, I'm sure) the system with the fewest variations, mostly because they (probably) never sold out of the original shipment and therefore never got a chance to revise it.

I've seen this discussion on a couple other forums in the past and in the end, the Mega Drive is close to PCE with official Asian/North American/European physically unique models, but wins worldwide because of Brazil alone.

The Mega Drive/Genesis has at least:

Model 1
Model 2
Model 3
Mega Jet
CDX/Multi Mega
Wondermega
Wondermega 2/X-Eye
Nomad


The PCE has at least:

White PCE
CoreGrafx 1/2
Shuttle
PCE GT/Express
PCE LT
PCE Duo
PCE Duo R/RX
TG-16
Vistar


Both have LaserActive modules and computer hybrids. You could count the SuperGrafx, but maybe the 32X as well. The PC-FX has a SuperGrafx inside of it, kinda like what the Sega Neptune would have been. Tec Toy put out some unique physical variations that I believe still used real hardware before the switch to emulation. If hardware on a chip models are counted, then the Mega Drive/Genesis has all the more official variants.

There are PCE hardware revisions, similar to Mega Drive revisions. The CoreGrafx and SuperGrafx have a bug removed and stronger/louder WSG/PSG sound. If as much study was done to PCE hardware as the Genesis receives, we might find out about more variants.

[SamIAm]

(PCFX and PCFXGA)

I didn't express that well. There was apparently one BIOS revision on the main console, NOT including the PCFXGA boards (of which the DOS and PC98 versions are probably each unique as well).

[romanoaj]

But the pce has the way way waaay cooler ones. A very fact too.

Fact

I've seen this discussion on a couple other forums in the past and in the end, the Mega Drive is close to PCE with official Asian/North American/European physically unique models, but wins worldwide because of Brazil alone.

Ah.  All those TecToy oddities I'll likely never own.  

The Megadrive has seen comparatively few outwardly visible variations, the PCE would have the most...

Well put.  

So, in my revised view, the PC-Engine has more visibly obvious variants than any other console.

[BlueBMW]

I know working on capacitors in PC-FX consoles, I have see two distintly different capacitor arrangements.  The locations are the same, but the ratings were quite different.  One used a lot of 10v and 16v caps, the other used a lot of 35V caps and even some 50v.

[Joe Redifer]

But the pce has the way way waaay cooler ones. A very fact too.

Oh hell yeah!  That Shuttle is TO DIE FOR!  Best console design EVAR!  Even better looking that the Master System 2, if that's even possible.    But yeah, most of the PC Engine stuff  looks pretty damn cool.

But are we counting variations in the same model?  There are different versions of the Genesis model 1 and different versions of the Genesis model 2, all with their own innards and different visual/audio qualities.  Also, are we counting the handheld stuff with the built-in games or retcons?

I would count the SuperGrafx for sure and all Duos.  I would NOT count the 32X.  I would count the PC equivalents like the Giga/Terra Drive or whatever they were called as well as the LaserActive modules.  I wouldn't count the PC-FX as it cannot play PC Engine games.

Today I discovered that while the Genesis 2 model #1631A may work with my sawed-off Power Base Converter, the plain old Genesis 2 model #1631 does not.

I have a 1631 that works with the Power Base Converter just fine.  I don't hack mine to pieces, though, I either disassemble it or use the Everdrive to run Master System games if I need to on that particular unit.

[CrackTiger]

But the pce has the way way waaay cooler ones. A very fact too.

The Wondermega is as cool as anything ever made and super functional.

[Joe Redifer]

Oh man that is a thing of beauty.  The only flaw is no RGB output built in, but granted that's a flaw that every PCE unit has as well.

[CrackTiger]

Oh man that is a thing of beauty.  The only flaw is no RGB output built in, but granted that's a flaw that every PCE unit has as well.

Yeah, but the built-in s-video is better for most of us NTSC players. Something which no PCE system has either.

[Tatsujin]

I play all my MD & MCD games on that thing too, but as beauty it looks, it's also very big. And you can't open the cd lid manually (by pressing a hardware button).
But it sure is a hell nice looking system, no doubts.


I still think a PCE core & IFU & CD-ROM or a DUO looks a tad cooler.

[roflmao]

That thing looks awesome!  Pardon my ignorance, but is it region free?

[CrackTiger]

That thing looks awesome!  Pardon my ignorance, but is it region free?

Hell no!

But I've done most of my MD cart/CD playing on my Multi-Mega for years. I'd be happy playing Japanese games separately on one of these.

[SignOfZeta]

Its true, the Wondermega is...its just the shit, period. Amazing. Unfortunately its still a Megadrive so...not a lot of games I like and the vast majority of them are on cart anyway.

Taken as a system though, its fucking incredible. Is it cooler than the PCE/CDROM2/IFU? I don't know. Its very close.

[Joe Redifer]

I would totally molest that thing and put a switch on it to play US cart and CD games, if that was possible, making sure to have a huge ugly switch stick out, preferably on the side or the top.... some place stupid, for sure.  No but seriously I would love to region-mod that.

[RegalSin]

THe Mega drive had five variations, in terms of cross nation releases.

Brasil        SMS
Europe,     Genesis
Korea,       Genesis
US/Canada/Mexico Dreamcast
Japan  Saturn`Dreamcast

The PCE only has two, which is

US
Japan

..................

SEGA had the entire US in thier market, and was juggling, three systems.
They even extended the life of the Saturn as another PCE, with Sagata.
In South America, the SMS was being sold, and is probably being sold today. Even now they have those portable Genesis consoles. Europe still demands for a Dreamcast and Mega Drive comeback. Dreamcast was NEC
last hurray in the game market, as parts.

The PCFX was NEC making a PC, just for videogames.
The Supergrafx was already shotdown, by it's own brand.

I keep asking myself, why did they have to go from the suitcase unit to the Duo units?

[spenoza]

RegalSin, the SMS and Dreamcast were not MegaDrive variants. And I still can't figure out if you are a deliberate troll or not. It's driving me nuts.

[CrackTiger]

THe Mega drive had five variations, in terms of cross nation releases.

Brasil        SMS
Europe,     Genesis
Korea,       Genesis
US/Canada/Mexico Dreamcast
Japan  Saturn`Dreamcast

The PCE only has two, which is

US
Japan

The PCE also has official releases in Europe and Korea.

The PCFX was NEC making a PC, just for videogames.
The Supergrafx was already shotdown, by it's own brand.

The PC-FX is a next-gen/SuperGrafx hybrid and a console all the way. NEC already had the most popular PC's in Japan for many years, which were strongly supported with games.

[Tatsujin]

Brasil        SMS

ok, that made me lol

[Tatsujin]

RegalSin, the SMS and Dreamcast were not MegaDrive variants.

I don't think he is THAT dumb to not knowing about these facts..lol.

[Otaking]

THe Mega drive had five variations, in terms of cross nation releases.

Brasil        SMS
Europe,     Genesis
Korea,       Genesis
US/Canada/Mexico Dreamcast
Japan  Saturn`Dreamcast

What about the Neo Geo Bullet Hell Shmup namely Super Mario Galaxy Remix the 3DO exlusive?

[Samurai Ghost]

I would totally molest that thing and put a switch on it to play US cart and CD games, if that was possible, making sure to have a huge ugly switch stick out, preferably on the side or the top.... some place stupid, for sure.  No but seriously I would love to region-mod that.

I've got a couple Wondermegas and I'd totally be down to region mod one but I wonder who could do it. Maybe Apollo Boy on here?

And yes, the Wondermega is the sex! Best looking console ever in my opinion.

[Tatsujin]

Lol, you got just a couple of 'em?

[Samurai Ghost]

Actually now that I think about it I have three... Two SEGA models and one JVC model. I think I have some kind of Wonderdisease. But I also had five or six Shuttles at one point so it could be some kind of general mental disorder related to old game hardware...

[BlueBMW]

Nothing wrong with having lots of certain systems...   I think I've got 7 laseractives and 10 68000s now lol.  Many are still broken and awaiting repair, but hey!

On the note of a wondermega.. I got a wondermega 2 from Opethian that had been region modded and overclock modded.  Its my primary system for anything genesis / megadrive.  Doesnt look as cool as a WM1, but works fantastic.

[Joe Redifer]

Is the s-video quality on the Wondermega 2 as good as the Wondermega 1?  Also I hear the sound quality on Wondermega 1s is really nice as well.  I love how they took away the s-video option for the X'Eye.  Thanks JVC, Americans hate s-video, especially on systems that really need it.  And calling it the X'Eye, WTF?

[PikachuWarrior]

You can use a genesis 2 video cable in place of the video-out connector on the jvc x'eye (the rounded port that has pins). In this case, I used a scart cable to a scart --> rgb box and then outputting in component. No hardware mods at all. You can see the results here: