JB

Actually, I'd really like to see 'em try an Asteroids movie.Should be good for a laugh.

Nothing like slapping it in and going, without waiting for hte install and worrying about performance and system requirements. But truly, the big draw of consoles from a true gamer's perspective is the exclusive games. If the game you want is only available on one platform, that platform becomes more attractive. So do I.Just not when I wanna play a game. From what I've heard 2k is actually more stable, though I have no 1st hand experience with XP. And actually, properly tweaked, even a Win98 system can be quite stable. I can pull a week of uptime on my secondary machine, which runs Win98 for DOS compatibility purposes. My compatibility problems arise form NEWER computers. PCI soundcards and NT-based OSes have made DOS games QUITE tempermental. I doubt we'll ever see a home Itanium, though I know the next x86 iterations are going to be 64-bit. And it's not like 32-bit CPUs hurt game consoles. Why should 64-bit ones be any exception? Especially since the game consoles have already embraced them(DreamCast, N64, and GameCube all use 64-bit CPUs, as I recall).

Mode also works as a button in some 6-button compatible games. Yes. Make sure you get a complete set. For RF shielding. Not technically required, though the shielding interface does make for a more secure dock. The SCD2 came with 2 plates, one to fit a Gen2, one to fit a Gen1. The SCD1 only came wiht the Gen1 plate. Yes. The video pass-through cable. If I recall, the Genesis AND 32x video hardware is active at the same time in 32x mode, so a video cable hooked into the 32x won't get you the full image. I've head the expansion port plug IS necessary if you don't have a SegaCD. Never seen it myself, though, so I wouldn't know. SCD + Genesis 1 needs a patch cable, but it's a standard component that can be had at any Radio Shack. Stereo headphone plug on both ends, running from the Genesis' headphone jack to the SCD's line in jack. You'll NEED something with RCA audio in connectors to ever get sound from a Gen1/SCD, even if you use an evil evil RF modulator for your video. The Gen2 has audio in lines on it's expansion connector, so a SCD sends it's audio into the Genesis to come out the standard hookups in that case.

Windows and DOS both, I think. Haven't mesed with it in a while. And bad SNES games are actually bad. Emulators don't use headers, and many SNES ROM images don't even carry headers.

AV out of both the Gen1 and Gen2... http://www.gamesx.com/avpinouts/genesisav.htm Hmmm... my mistake. Gen1 DOES do RGB out. Which is why there wasn't room for stereo audio out. Sheesh, does Sega EVER get things right? Well, will I be able to connect it to my TV? I don't have SVideo on my TV in any form. All I have is Cable or the Red/Yellow/White AV inputs. I'd prefer being able to just connect it to my System Switcher. But I don't know. I'll take a look at that it has with it tomorrow. Both are capable of doing composite video out. The Gen1 cables are easier to find, but the Gen2 cables do stereo sound without messy patch cables from the headpohone jack. SegaCD1: Only fits Genesis 1. SegaCD2: Fits Genesis 2, and Genesis 1(with the extender plate that came with the SCD2). 32x: Fits Gen1 and Gen2. Officially doesn't work with CDx, but this claim seems to have been more to dodge FCC regulations than due to actual incompatibilities, as it is quite compatible. Power Base Converter: Fits Genesis 1. Can fit Genesis 2 with minimal modifications. Likely true for the CDx, though I haven't had a chance to test. That's it for the expansions. The Gen3 lacks the expansion bus used by the SegaCD, and lacks the z80 coprocessor used by a select few games, as well as the Power Base Converter. Also doesn't work with the 32x or Virtua Racing(the one Genesis co-processor cartridge). It is a bad bad system. The CDx lacks the expansion bus, because it has a SCD built in. The Nomad lacks the expansion bus, because it's a handheld system. I do not know if it ahs the Genesis 3 compatibility issues, thougha PBC or 32x would make it quite awkward to use.

Okay, Space Dungeon was never OFFICIALLY ported to anything else. That better. 1-button Qix is still scary. I mean, it may as well be a porn game at that point. Wait a second... It IS big, and the controllers ARE unreliable. Honestly, I like the size. When combined with the shape, it makes for a system that LOOKS powerful, even next to the Sega Frankenstein... errr, I mean, a Genesis with both SegaCD and 32X expansions. Certainly not a very PRACTICAL reason to get one, but... Scott Adams has made his old games freely downloadable for Windows-based computers. Infocom... well, there's DOS/Windows versions, but they aren't freely downloadable... Not that I would EVER advocate piracy of out-of-print software...

I know. 'Tis a sight that needs seeing.

It's big and it's black, but it lacks the sleek lines... More like this...

Just checking, but you're sure the header was accurate? Many alleged emulator problems are actually the result of bad headers on the ROM images. The famous GoodNES DOES NOT check headers, so a ROM image with a bad header will be approved by it, but still not work right in many emulators. I've found NEStoy(available here) to be quite effective for header cleansing, at least for games in it's database.

Gah! Apologies. ... How'd they handle there being 2 drawing speeds? I'm sure Qix plays better with a digital stick, but 1 button?

Actually C64 paddles work too. I think they're more durable as well. My mistake. ... I actually wasn't aware there WERE C64 paddles.

But remember, this will VOID Comodore's warranty.*chuckles*

Not all 5200 games were released in alternative forms. Space Dungeon and Qix were both 5200 exclusives, as well as both quite enjoyable, if not exactly the best-known games ever. The 5200 version of Space Dungeon is quite special in that it is the only home version EVER. Tragically, it's never been released on any other platform, and likely never will be, unless you count emulators.

Vader is the nickname for a VCS/2600 with a black front as opposed to a woodgrain one. The Vaders were the first units to be sold as 2600s instead of Video Computer Systems. Assuming you can't find some real joysticks(Atari sticks aren't exactly hard to find), a Genesis gamepad will work just fine. Though there isn't an option for the paddles, you'll have to find actual Atari paddle controllers. Welcome to the joys of gaming on the legendary Atari VCS.

AV out of both the Gen1 and Gen2... http://www.gamesx.com/avpinouts/genesisav.htm Hmmm... my mistake. Gen1 DOES do RGB out. Which is why there wasn't room for stereo audio out. Sheesh, does Sega EVER get things right? Yah. I believe strongly in originals instead of ports. Especially since the GBA is lower resolution and they aren't bothering to adapt the games(which I guess would make them adaptations or remakes instead of ports... bah). I've seen a few reviews complaining about having to make jumps on faith in Mario World. And as a heads-up, Metroid Fusion is quite linear. If you don't go in expecting the standard Metroid experience of blundering about a world unrestricted it's far more enjoyable game.

Dunno. I saw a blurb about it in Nintendo Power. It may have been canned after review, but before release. GoodNES has a European version, but ONLY a european version. It must've only been released there. My ROM site has probably the majority of NES games, and that game isn't listed. Yah. I don't really consider the GoodX tools a good source, but it was worth checking... And that European ROM image without US or Japanese ones was odd to say the least.

Isn't the arcade spec'ed as having a speech synthesis chip?Shame Taito didn't use it. This debate could be put to rest. I've always said it "kwics" or something to that effect.

You can. ... If you don't mind 1-player paddle games only, or pressing right to fire in a paddle game. I know standard Atari sticks work in Geminis. I ASSUME the VTP does too.

It can output standard composite video. Only the Gen 2 can output stereo from the plug on the back, though. Gen 1 outputs composite/mono, and you'll have to use a patch cable plugged into the headphone port to get stereo sound. On the flip side, the Gen 1 uses a standard connector, so it's easier to make an AV cable if you don't get one with the system. The Gen2 aslo has RGB on the AV out port. But not S-video(which the SNES can do).

Dunno. I saw a blurb about it in Nintendo Power. It may have been canned after review, but before release. GoodNES has a European version, but ONLY a european version.

Yah. That's how, for example, GeoCities knows if you linked from off-site. I admit I haven't used Opera in a long time, but I disliked it intensely when I did use it. And I regularly hear complaints about their refusal to comply to standards. I like LiteStep.Never hunted IE down and killed it, but I never use it unless I hit a site that relies on non-standard features or bugs in IE to work.

So THAT'S why there always seem to be more than there should be!

I think the final game was actually Beauty and the Beast, but I'm not sure.

So is the Genesis 2, as far as I know. Games, anyways. Actually, it's because the AV out was recycled from teh Mater System, so there weren't enough pins for stereo sound. Though the headphone jack is a plus if you're using a SegaCD, as you can tweak the Genesis/SegaCD balance. Personally, my used Gen2 came with an RF modulator, so I can't enjoy the stereo. Actually, the PBC is 100% compatible, it just needs a small mod to remove a chunk of plastic from the lock tab. I own such a PBC. As far as the SegaCD... Ya got me. The Gen2 physically doesn't interface with a SegaCD1. Even if it did(say, through a jury-rigged cable), the lack of audio in on the Gen1 expansion connector means you won't get CD sound coming out of your Gen2. And the SegaCD2, tragically, ISN'T 100% compatible, though as far as I know it's limited to instabilities in a few games instead of outright failure to play. No restrictions to teh library, just the slight danger of a crash.

Yeah. When I catch up with Mr. Guy, I'm gonna tell him to quit buying everything up. He's got enough stuff, it's time to give someone else a chance.