Sega Nomad VS Turbo Express

[VenomMacbeth]

Discuss.  Anything from technical data to personal preference.  Although, I have a feeling I can guess the winner. ;)

[EvilEvoIX]

You are basically arguing MD Vs PCE, I'm not getting into that again.  But strictly based upon a portable basis, Turbo Express hands down.  It was out years earlier and was a stellar device to have in the day and to be able to play home consoles games on the go.  As bad as the battery life is it kicks the nomads but as well.  I myself would rather have a turbo express.

[CrackTiger]

Nomad has a better catalog of games for me, since I prefer RPGs and adventure type stuff. Genesis carts can save and RPGs don't suffer from blurring like action games do. Flashcarts make it all the more attractive now.

I think that the TurboExpress is the nicest looking video game system ever made, eclipsing even the PCE GT.

[syphic]

Comparing the 2 right now the Express screen just looks nicer.

[turboswimbz]

I've never had a nomad, but the express is just cool. I'd always pick it first. I have to believe though that if your going just of game catalog that a good case could be made for either.

[PunkCryborg]

I have both and play my GT all the time. Nomad... not so much but it looks cool

[turbokon]

The express, as bulky as it is, still more portable then the nomad. The express has way better lcd and it came out like 5 years before the nomad.

[Tatsujin]

The Nomad looks just like a piece of junk compared. I don't mean its hardware itself, but its design. That came right out of hell.

The ugly oval buttons, the not so good D-pad, the asymetric screen outline and all around casing. One could not have designed it more ugly than that.

But it serves its purpose as the GT does, plays home games on the go. Just many years later the GT did, and even in a lower quality.

So undoubtly the GT gets its vote here, even if I were a sega fanboy.

[Arkhan Asylum]

You are basically arguing MD Vs PCE, I'm not getting into that again.

Nope.

But strictly based upon a portable basis,

There you go.





I would choose the Turbo Express for a few reasons:

1) The controls are nicer.  This is extremely important.
2) It's portablerer
3) The card games are yknow, portable!
4) Better selection of arcade style games, which are what I'd likely be playing on the go.   I tried taking Phantasy Star 2 on the go once.  What a joke.

Better battery life too.

[esteban]

The Nomad looks just like a piece of junk compared. I don't mean its hardware itself, but its design. That came right out of hell.

True story! 

[BigusSchmuck]

But you can't do this with  your express!

Seriously though, the express seems a whole lot more portable than the nomad due to the hucard format. I can carry 20 hucards easily and neatly in a small bag, can you do that with the nomad and genesis carts without looking like a hoarder? Not to mention the weight associated with carrying 20 genesis carts... I guess if push came to shove you could always use that fat sack of games as a weapon.

[Duo_R]

Everdrives on both removes the game haul issue. I like both but Turbo better overall.

Now if we spin off into which plays Street Fighter 2 better a clear winner

[TR0N]

Don't have either so i wouldn't know which i prefer 

[Joe Redifer]

The Turbo Express definitely has the better form factor for all the reasons Tats touched on. As far as screen quality I don't really remember. Not sure which one eats through batteries faster.

[EvilEvoIX]

Now if we spin off into which plays Street Fighter 2 better a clear winner

Nomad, six buttons alone does this.

[Tatsujin]

Now if we spin off into which plays Street Fighter 2 better a clear winner

Nomad, six buttons alone does this.

Darn, thought that was the GT.

[EvilEvoIX]

Now if we spin off into which plays Street Fighter 2 better a clear winner

Nomad, six buttons alone does this.

Darn, thought that was the GT.

I see what you did there.

[Tatsujin]

Now if we spin off into which plays Street Fighter 2 better a clear winner

Nomad, six buttons alone does this.

Darn, thought that was the GT.

I see what you did there.

Aye aye Captn. Obvious

[TheClash603]

If they came out at the same time, I think you have a real fight as to which is better.

However, since the Turbo Express came out so much earlier, it wins on ingenuity alone.

[PunkCryborg]

i would like nomad more if the battery pack didnt stick out the back. Its a really funky design.

[Psycho Punch]

Everdrives on both removes the game haul issue

We can also eliminate the need for both the nomad and express with a modded PSP or one of those chinese portable emulators.

[Duo_R]

No it doesn't

Emulation < Real Hardware

[Tatsujin]

One "<" is not enough.

[VenomMacbeth]

That & there's no decent PC Engine emulator for the PSP.  I have yet to find one that doesn't glitch.

[CrackTiger]

For over a decade, I played both on the go regularly. I found that portables get as much use at various destinations with power sources TVs, etc as they were used on a bus. If these two systems are being judged on functionality, then a huge pro for the Nomad is being able to hook it to a TV like a regular Genesis and add extra controllers. Even on the go, you can have 2-player SSFII matches with 6 button gameplay.

[Joe Redifer]

But can you WATCH TV on the Nomad? As we all know from the very existence of the Xbox One, it's all about TV TV TV TV TV. The Turbo Express can watch TV. And that's what videogaming is all about.

[geise]

The ugly oval buttons, the not so good D-pad, the asymetric screen outline and all around casing. One could not have designed it more ugly than that.

I think the D-pad is freaking amazing!  I also think the system had to be a little larger since it had to deal with "carts" not hu cards.  I do agree the buttons are ugly as all hell though, but I think for it's time it was a decent hand held.  I can't say wich one I'd rather have since I've never owned an express.  I do know I want one though.  I guess I can deal with R-Type getting cut off.

[Psycho Punch]

As we all know from the very existence of the Xbox One, it's all about TV TV TV TV TV. The Turbo Express can watch TV. And that's what videogaming is all about.

Not the Nomad, but the Game Gear does, and I'm sure you're aware of that! How awesome it is to be able to watch the superbowl and then switch to a quick Columns play between the commercials! ! !

[Tatsujin]

The main problem with the nomad was clearly its country of origin.

[VenomMacbeth]

Don't hate on the Nomad's style.  It's totally a testament to Sega's awesome 'tude of the era.

[turbokon]

For over a decade, I played both on the go regularly. I found that portables get as much use at various destinations with power sources TVs, etc as they were used on a bus. If these two systems are being judged on functionality, then a huge pro for the Nomad is being able to hook it to a TV like a regular Genesis and add extra controllers. Even on the go, you can have 2-player SSFII matches with 6 button gameplay.

My turbo express is modded with TV out and external controller port:)

[CrackTiger]

For over a decade, I played both on the go regularly. I found that portables get as much use at various destinations with power sources TVs, etc as they were used on a bus. If these two systems are being judged on functionality, then a huge pro for the Nomad is being able to hook it to a TV like a regular Genesis and add extra controllers. Even on the go, you can have 2-player SSFII matches with 6 button gameplay.

My turbo express is modded with TV out and external controller port:)

A Nomad can be modified for SMS and 32X support.

[VenomMacbeth]

Alright, here's one for you guys...

Sega Nomad VS Turbo Express Vs the Hyperkin Supaboy. ;)

[geise]

Alright, here's one for you guys...

Sega Nomad VS Turbo Express Vs the Hyperkin Supaboy. ;)

Turbo Express.  That Supaboy thing is not something that would be good on the go haha.  It's so tiny.  Not bad for sitting on the couch at home though.  Man I thought the Nomad was huge.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

'Express, hands down.

[soop]

the not so good D-pad,

whut, u crazy, Tats.  That D-pad is really good.  Better than any MD pad I've used.  Plus, 6 buttons are great, and I've always liked that form factor more than buttons-below.  As Biggus says though, Hucards are waayyyy smaller, coupled with the fact that I tend to take the entire box out with MD games.

As for the screen, I remember the nomad being a bit blurry, but it's so damn easy to mod with a 3.5" screen, and then it's superdoopersharp.
Battery life is roughly the same now, which is enough for a playthrough of most action titles.

I'd (perhaps unfairly) say a modded Nomad with a flashcart is slightly better than an unmodded PC GT with a flashcart.  And I hate the idea of taking a knife to a GT.

Oh, and don't forget, Nomad has simultaneous, if akward, 2 player.  Definite advantage.

[esteban]

A Nomad can be modified for SMS and 32X support.

Hahahhahaha. I'm not sure if you are serious or joking about this!

Personally, I'd love to use the SMS --> Genesis adapter with the Nomad.  Same goes for the 32X.

Nomad + 32X = The Next Level (literally!)  

[turbokon]

I think duo_r was able to modify the nomad to also accept SMS cartridges.

[turboswimbz]

IDK but all this, but all I'm saying is when I'm sitting in the Bathroom, Releasing a Fudge Dragon, or Hiding from a party full of people.  I ain't reaching for no chunky nomad or even an express.  I'm sitting there grunting and sweating, even doing a bit of moaning, passing a kidney stone or two.  I am drowning the sounds out with a classic brick Game Boy, with a Tetris cart in it. I don't need no fancy mods, I got an extra pack of Duracells under the vanity, and all the time in the world. 

[Duo_R]

that's right, SMS mode enabled just a simple connection inside makes it work. It's funny some of the shortcomings of both systems can be improved with some modifications. Stock screens I think Turbo wins - the Nomad was really washed out. But then again both screens look pretty dated.

I think duo_r was able to modify the nomad to also accept SMS cartridges.

[GohanX]

We can also eliminate the need for both the nomad and express with a modded PSP or one of those chinese portable emulators.