The GenMobile is coming... (Portable Genesis)

[Smatchmo]

Placed my preorder tonight & noticed the release delay.

Ah well, it's only a few weeks....

 

I say I'm getting it for an Xmas present for my nieces, but I'll probably keep this one and order 2 more for them. IF the GenMobile is as good as I hope, that is.

Edited October 7, 2009 by Smatchmo

[StoneAgeGamer]

Talked to Hyperkin today. They said they are on the boat and should be arriving around the 16th or 17th of Oct. They said they don't expect any delays at customs because this is a licensed product. They will be shipping to retailers a couple days after they arrive at port most likely.

[Smatchmo]

Darn, it got pushed back to mid-November. I can wait...

[Blarginatorr]

Is this something like that Mega Drive Portable thats been out atleast in the EU for some time already?

[StoneAgeGamer]

No this has a Genesis/Mega-drive slot on it as well as 20 built in games.

[Blarginatorr]

Oh yeah, should've read it more carefully...

But it seems that its from the same manufacturer, so I really hope that theyre better quality than the older ones.

 

The MD Portable that has only the built in games, or atleast the one I own, has a rather, hmm, 'unsharp' screen, and speaker issues (something isnt connected right inside). But, the TV output fixes those issues, so there's only the problem of slightly unresponsive buttons and creaking structure in general.

[in the dark]

Oh yeah, should've read it more carefully...

But it seems that its from the same manufacturer, so I really hope that theyre better quality than the older ones.

 

The MD Portable that has only the built in games, or atleast the one I own, has a rather, hmm, 'unsharp' screen, and speaker issues (something isnt connected right inside). But, the TV output fixes those issues, so there's only the problem of slightly unresponsive buttons and creaking structure in general.

 

I have the FC Moblie that is made by the same people. I hope too that they have gotten better at manufacturing these things. The FC Mobile has some color issues with some games on the LCD screen, but on the TV out there is none.

[StoneAgeGamer]

Oh yeah, should've read it more carefully...

But it seems that its from the same manufacturer, so I really hope that theyre better quality than the older ones.

 

The MD Portable that has only the built in games, or atleast the one I own, has a rather, hmm, 'unsharp' screen, and speaker issues (something isnt connected right inside). But, the TV output fixes those issues, so there's only the problem of slightly unresponsive buttons and creaking structure in general.

 

I have the FC Moblie that is made by the same people. I hope too that they have gotten better at manufacturing these things. The FC Mobile has some color issues with some games on the LCD screen, but on the TV out there is none.

 

FC Mobile 2 was much better than the FC Mobile in terms of build quality, sound, and screen. If the GenMobile is anything like the RetroGen its build quality is pretty good, screen is nice, however the sound is not. This does not bother me too much, but may bother others. IMO I would much rather use the RetroGen (and I assume GenMobile) over the Nomad. Its much more portable.

[4ever2600]

Quick question StoneAgeGamer, I tried preordering a couple of the GenMobiles on your site, picked lowest shipping and to ship within the USA costs $85.00?????? Is something wrong on the website? Please let me know what is up with this, I'd like to preorder a couple units but if that's what shipping costs...

 

 

 

 

 

Oh yeah, should've read it more carefully...

But it seems that its from the same manufacturer, so I really hope that theyre better quality than the older ones.

 

The MD Portable that has only the built in games, or atleast the one I own, has a rather, hmm, 'unsharp' screen, and speaker issues (something isnt connected right inside). But, the TV output fixes those issues, so there's only the problem of slightly unresponsive buttons and creaking structure in general.

 

I have the FC Moblie that is made by the same people. I hope too that they have gotten better at manufacturing these things. The FC Mobile has some color issues with some games on the LCD screen, but on the TV out there is none.

 

FC Mobile 2 was much better than the FC Mobile in terms of build quality, sound, and screen. If the GenMobile is anything like the RetroGen its build quality is pretty good, screen is nice, however the sound is not. This does not bother me too much, but may bother others. IMO I would much rather use the RetroGen (and I assume GenMobile) over the Nomad. Its much more portable.

[StoneAgeGamer]

Yeah that is not correct. We got new software installed a month or so ago and there's beens some weird things happening. Send me a PM with your order and shipping information and I will manually calculate shipping for you.

 

Quick question StoneAgeGamer, I tried preordering a couple of the GenMobiles on your site, picked lowest shipping and to ship within the USA costs $85.00?????? Is something wrong on the website? Please let me know what is up with this, I'd like to preorder a couple units but if that's what shipping costs...

 

 

 

 

 

Oh yeah, should've read it more carefully...

But it seems that its from the same manufacturer, so I really hope that theyre better quality than the older ones.

 

The MD Portable that has only the built in games, or atleast the one I own, has a rather, hmm, 'unsharp' screen, and speaker issues (something isnt connected right inside). But, the TV output fixes those issues, so there's only the problem of slightly unresponsive buttons and creaking structure in general.

 

I have the FC Moblie that is made by the same people. I hope too that they have gotten better at manufacturing these things. The FC Mobile has some color issues with some games on the LCD screen, but on the TV out there is none.

 

FC Mobile 2 was much better than the FC Mobile in terms of build quality, sound, and screen. If the GenMobile is anything like the RetroGen its build quality is pretty good, screen is nice, however the sound is not. This does not bother me too much, but may bother others. IMO I would much rather use the RetroGen (and I assume GenMobile) over the Nomad. Its much more portable.

[StoneAgeGamer]

4ever2600 I just looked into the problem and actually the issue was that under the UPS shipping option Next Day Air was displaying first for $85. I re-ordered how these display and ground should now display first. You should be able to order normally.

Edited November 1, 2009 by StoneAgeGamer

[4ever2600]

Cool! Thanks, I'll check it out...

[Parrothead]

I don't know exactly. Last e-mail I got from Hyperkin stated that they were delaying launch to early October to work on some compatibility issues. How true this is a don't know. Innex's has also been delayed quite a few times already as well. They claim theirs will be out this week, however I have heard this the last 4 weeks.

 

Its situations like this that I hate taking pre-orders. Yes if I don't I lose out on sales to competitors.

 

I was at Hyperkin last week and still no word on the arrival of the Gen Mobiles. Shouldn't be to much longer though. They are now telling me should be this week.

Edited November 3, 2009 by Parrothead

[StoneAgeGamer]

I don't know exactly. Last e-mail I got from Hyperkin stated that they were delaying launch to early October to work on some compatibility issues. How true this is a don't know. Innex's has also been delayed quite a few times already as well. They claim theirs will be out this week, however I have heard this the last 4 weeks.

 

Its situations like this that I hate taking pre-orders. Yes if I don't I lose out on sales to competitors.

 

I was at Hyperkin last week and still no word on the arrival of the Gen Mobiles. Shouldn't be to much longer though. They are now telling me should be this week.

 

Yes I heard this week as well.

[StoneAgeGamer]

Hyperkin seems pretty sure that the units will be arriving to their facility this week. Please note that the $5 OFF coupon that was available in CVG magazine and on their site will expire the day before the units arrive at our facility. Times running out to get one from us for $49.99.

Edited November 3, 2009 by StoneAgeGamer

[StoneAgeGamer]

Hyperkin got their shipment in tonight. So that's good news.

[tjb]

Looking forward to it. Thanks for the keeping us up to date with the e-mails.

 

tjb

[Smatchmo]

Woohoo! My black GenMoblie just arrived today, along with a cool stoneagegamer.com fridge magnet.

 

I'm already having some small problems getting Phantasy Star 2 loading up. When it did, it erased all the game data from 3 of the cart's 4 save slots. Luckily, my save slot, #3, was fine. I think it could be a cart problem, not a GM problem.

 

Also tried it out Joshua & The Walls of Jericho and it worked flawlessly.

 

 

Bonus points- I like the box the GenMobile comes in.

Edited November 18, 2009 by Smatchmo

[Reaperman]

Woohoo! My black GenMoblie just arrived today, along with a cool stoneagegamer.com fridge magnet.

how is the dpad and button feel? Is there any specific advantage to the genmobile over the retrogen?

 

suddenly the portable genesis market is feeling cramped.

Edited November 18, 2009 by Reaperman

[Smatchmo]

dpad & 6 buttons are good, feel sturdy & responsive; the 6 button layout on the GM is more vertical than diagonal when compared to a Genesis 6-button controller, but it's not bothersome. The whole thing feels so light, it's maybe a liiiiitle bit heavier than a Genesis cart.

 

The Sonic & Knuckles pass-thru cart doesn't seem to work on the GenMobile. When I plug in a Sonic 3/Sonic & Knuckles, the preloaded Sonic & Knuckles game comes on rather than the Sonic (and knuckles) III game.

 

 

And there's a small switch to the left of the power switch, no clue what that's for. No documentation comes with GenMobile. Probably a region switch or something?

[StoneAgeGamer]

And there's a small switch to the left of the power switch, no clue what that's for. No documentation comes with GenMobile. Probably a region switch or something?

 

Think it may be for PAL. Not 100% sure though.

[Smatchmo]

And there's a small switch to the left of the power switch, no clue what that's for. No documentation comes with GenMobile. Probably a region switch or something?

 

Think it may be for PAL. Not 100% sure though.

 

Gotta be. I want to get some import games to try it out now.

 

Nice product! Only problems I've encountered in my limited use have been the Sonic & Knuckles pass-thru cart not working (not a huge problem since S&K is preloaded), it cleared 3 the 4 save slots (3 wiped out were Old saves & 1 spared save was my recent, so again, no problem) on Phantasy Star 2. It played everything I threw at it, even an unlicensed game. Oh yeah, sound's not 100% on some of the games I've tried.

And the stoneagegamer.com magnet was A+

Edited November 19, 2009 by Smatchmo

[+Random Terrain]

How hard is the GenMobile to drive? I hope it stops by my house. I'm sure it will be way more fun than the BookMobile. Stupid, smelly, boring old books. Gimme games!

[+remowilliams]

Got my GenMobile today, some initial thoughts...

 

• the unit is amazingly light, and the box is interesting (foldover hard cardboard case with a magnetic latch lid)
   
  
• the build quality won't win any awards, but it feels adequately solid when being used, and you don't get the feeling that it will come apart in your hands like I've had with other import hardware
   
  
• the screen is small, but of decent quality and has good contrast and response
   
  
• being able to recharge the built in batteries via USB is pretty cool. However the fact that you can't change the built in battery or use conventional batteries, not so much
   
  
• the single speaker is clear and loud enough to get the job done, but seems to exhibit a faint high pitch whine when the internal screen is in use
   
  
• the external video is ok, but not great. Though it's decent enough for composite, and the point of this thing is to be mobile
   
  
• compatibility with the small amount of titles (real Genesis carts) I've tested so far has been excellent. Will test the Tototek cart later on
   
  
• the 6 buttons are somewhat awkward at that angle, and a bit small and closely spaced but they have a decent tactile feel to them
   
  
• the power switch is a bit too short throw, I could see accidentally turning the unit off
   
  
• there aren't any instructions included, but the operation is straightforward. And that little recessed switch to the left of the power switch apparently enables A/V output when set to the left. Thankfully it only needs to be set once and not toggled each time, as the unit detects the presence of the A/V cable if plugged in. It only does so on poweron, so you cannot switch to A/V out once the unit has been started up
  

 

And here's a really big peeve of mine... The dpad is a two piece construction - with the up and left sections and the right and down sections being cast together. How hard is it for the folks that make these things to get it through their head that a single piece construction dpad cross that is solid and raised above the case is the way to go? With the pad as is on the Genmobile, you cannot simply rock your thumb between directions like you can on a NES pad, or a million other pads made since then. This means you have to reposition your thumb over the individual pad pieces whenever you want to move, and it also means for UL and DR diagonals you have to make sure your thumb hits both of the unconnected pad pieces. Needless to say this type of construction is really not the way to go...

 

Also - StoneAgeGamer, nice swag packin with the preorder (I apparently was one of the first 10).

 

EDIT: After spending some more time with the unit, I can't forgive the flawed sound rendering on the device. The unit overall has some nice qualities, but anyone who is familiar with the Genesis in more than just a passing way will be driven nuts by how off the sound is. I personally will be giving my unit away.

 

So unfortunately a swing and a miss ultimately at a Nomad replacement. My final recommendation for most folks is - avoid.

[StoneAgeGamer]

Also - StoneAgeGamer, nice swag packin with the preorder (I apparently was one of the first 10).

 

Thanks for your pre-order!