Difference between revisions of "Genesis"
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[[Image:Genesis - Model 1 - With Controller.jpg|thumb|256x256px|Genesis model 1.]] | [[Image:Genesis - Model 1 - With Controller.jpg|thumb|256x256px|Genesis model 1.]] | ||
| − | The '''Genesis''' known as the '''メガドライブ [Mega Doraibu], "Mega-Drive"''' in Japan and Europe, is a fourth generation [[video game console]] created by [[Sega]] and released in Japan on 1988-10-29, and in the USA on 1989-08-14 and discontinued in 1999. The console's main CPU is a [[Motorola 68000]], but it also includes a [[Zilog Z80]] to process audio and for backward compatibility with the [[Master System]]. The Genesis uses ROM cartridges for its video game medium. Its predecessor was the [[Master System]], and it was succeeded by the [[Saturn (video game console)|Saturn]]. | + | The '''Genesis''' known as the '''メガドライブ [Mega Doraibu], "Mega-Drive"''' in Japan and Europe, is a fourth generation [[video game console]] created by [[Sega]] and released in Japan on 1988-10-29, and in the USA on 1989-08-14 and discontinued in 1999. The console's main CPU is a [[Motorola 68000]], but it also includes a [[Zilog Z80]] to process audio and for backward compatibility with the [[Master System]]. The Genesis uses ROM cartridges for its video game medium. Its predecessor was the [[Master System]], and it was succeeded by the [[Saturn (video game console)|Saturn]]. The Genesis would eventually become Sega's best-selling console selling 35 million units. |
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| + | One thing I really liked about the way Sega sold their games is that they used a hard plastic shell. This made it far more likely for a collector to keep their game's box and manual in good condition. Nintendo, on the other hand, used cheap cardboard boxes that were typically thrown out the moment they were opened, and the manuals were usually lost or damaged shortly thereafter. | ||
==Personal== | ==Personal== | ||
I never owned a Genesis as a child, but I did get one in my 40s. At least in my group of friends, it was viewed as an afterthought to the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]. Sure, the games looked and sounded better, but it meant buying a whole new system. The Genesis seemed to be owned by kids with parents rich enough to buy them a second console, or those with parents too oblivious to know about the NES. Several of my friends had one growing up, so I played a fair amount of the games, and I have played much more using emulators. | I never owned a Genesis as a child, but I did get one in my 40s. At least in my group of friends, it was viewed as an afterthought to the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]. Sure, the games looked and sounded better, but it meant buying a whole new system. The Genesis seemed to be owned by kids with parents rich enough to buy them a second console, or those with parents too oblivious to know about the NES. Several of my friends had one growing up, so I played a fair amount of the games, and I have played much more using emulators. | ||
| − | I think my major hangup for the bulk of the system's library is that the designers were too focused on stage-based games, which I | + | I think my major hangup for the bulk of the system's library is that the designers were too focused on sports games and stage-based games, neither of which I enjoy very much. I tend to only enjoy sports games if they're properly gamified, but the ones for the Sega tended to play more like simulators. Stage-based games make sense in the arcade where players don't expect a long-term commitment, but for a home console, I prefer games that take you into a different world like ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'', ''[[Metroid]]'', or ''[[Shadowgate]]''. This isn't to say the Genesis didn't have adventure games and RPGs, but, when you look at people's list of favorite games for the system they're mostly stage-based games like ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' or ''[[Thunderforce]]''. |
==Status== | ==Status== | ||
Revision as of 15:00, 1 September 2021
The Genesis known as the メガドライブ [Mega Doraibu], "Mega-Drive" in Japan and Europe, is a fourth generation video game console created by Sega and released in Japan on 1988-10-29, and in the USA on 1989-08-14 and discontinued in 1999. The console's main CPU is a Motorola 68000, but it also includes a Zilog Z80 to process audio and for backward compatibility with the Master System. The Genesis uses ROM cartridges for its video game medium. Its predecessor was the Master System, and it was succeeded by the Saturn. The Genesis would eventually become Sega's best-selling console selling 35 million units.
One thing I really liked about the way Sega sold their games is that they used a hard plastic shell. This made it far more likely for a collector to keep their game's box and manual in good condition. Nintendo, on the other hand, used cheap cardboard boxes that were typically thrown out the moment they were opened, and the manuals were usually lost or damaged shortly thereafter.
Contents
Personal
I never owned a Genesis as a child, but I did get one in my 40s. At least in my group of friends, it was viewed as an afterthought to the NES. Sure, the games looked and sounded better, but it meant buying a whole new system. The Genesis seemed to be owned by kids with parents rich enough to buy them a second console, or those with parents too oblivious to know about the NES. Several of my friends had one growing up, so I played a fair amount of the games, and I have played much more using emulators.
I think my major hangup for the bulk of the system's library is that the designers were too focused on sports games and stage-based games, neither of which I enjoy very much. I tend to only enjoy sports games if they're properly gamified, but the ones for the Sega tended to play more like simulators. Stage-based games make sense in the arcade where players don't expect a long-term commitment, but for a home console, I prefer games that take you into a different world like The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, or Shadowgate. This isn't to say the Genesis didn't have adventure games and RPGs, but, when you look at people's list of favorite games for the system they're mostly stage-based games like Sonic the Hedgehog or Thunderforce.
Status
I own a model 2 Genesis.
Games
- See all Genesis Games.
These are Genesis games that are important to me:
- Wonder Boy In Monster World - GEN - USA.jpg
Hardware
- 32X
- Game Genie
- Genesis Controller
- Genesis Six-Button Controller
- Mega Modem
- Power Base Converter
- Sega CD
Review
Good
- The Genesis had a great graphics processing unit, which out-stripped the NES by leaps and bounds, surpassed the TurboGrafx-16, and even gave the SNES a run for its money.
- The audio chip was pretty decent, and though the FM synthesis never sounded right to me, it was still a very competent chip, and the designers made some very impressive music on it.
- I liked the addition of the third button on the controller instead of a useless select button.
Bad
- Probably the thing that will make or break any system, the games, always felt lacking for me on the Genesis.
- The default controller always felt a bit bulky to me.
Ugly
- Nothing.
Media
Documentation
Toys 'R' Us ad.
Videos
Links
