Is the Sega 32X really that bad?

[D.Daniels]

The 32x is awesome.

 

Why?

 

Because it plays Space Harrier perfectly.

 

Me like Space Harrier. Space Harrier good.

 

Sadly, no one seemed to notice at the time.

 

People did notice but here in the UK a lot of our home computers had it many years before, my ST came with it, and also over here the 32x was the price of a Snes and Megadrive here

Edited February 8, 2017 by D.Daniels

[+Cafeman]

I'm rather ashamed to admit, I couldn't have cared LESS about Space Harrier and Afterburner 2 when the 32X came out in 1994-95. I fondly remembered them, but I was not yet aware of the brilliance of all those 80's Yu Suzuki games. I wouldn't have paid $50 each for those carts. But I picked them up on the cheap later and loved them!

 

I still think it was good for SEGA to release those, although c'mon (again I say it), why not put both on one cart?

[D.Daniels]

I'm rather ashamed to admit, I couldn't have cared LESS about Space Harrier and Afterburner 2 when the 32X came out in 1994-95. I fondly remembered them, but I was not yet aware of the brilliance of all those 80's Yu Suzuki games. I wouldn't have paid $50 each for those carts. But I picked them up on the cheap later and loved them!

 

I still think it was good for SEGA to release those, although c'mon (again I say it), why not put both on one cart?

 

probably too much memory, Afterburner II is reduced in graphics a bit compared to arcade/Saturn version. I don't think it was the 32x power, but rather a way of cramming it onto a cartridge.

Edited February 8, 2017 by D.Daniels

[+Cafeman]

Could be - I also noticed the Saturn versions are superior to the 32x versions.

[cabear]

i bought my 32x with virtua fighter, doom and star wars arcade. i don't think i ever picked up any games besides those 3, but i had fun with them. the library isn't big, and though i've only played it now through emulation the best games were probably the 3 i had with it. maybe virtua racer and afterburner / space harrier as well.

[Atariboy]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think they also only run at 30 fps instead of the 60 that they did in the arcades.

 

Even more reason that they should've ported over Outrun, since that one was originally 30 fps anyways.

Edited February 8, 2017 by Atariboy

[D.Daniels]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think they also only run at 30 fps instead of the 60 that they did in the arcades.

 

Even more reason that they should've ported over Outrun, since that one was originally 30 fps anyways.

 

I get the feeling any other release would have been Super Hang on or Thunderblade (ok), even in that new Japanese Sega GTA/Shenmue game its Hang on again zzzzzzzzzzzz

Edited February 8, 2017 by D.Daniels

[Gentlegamer]

It needed coin-op perfect Shinobi, Golden Axe, Crack Down (some of my Sega coin-op faves).

[+save2600]

Space Harrier, Outrun, After Burner, Hang On, etc, were super old hat by the time the 32X was released. BUT had they and more like-minded arcade stuff been released at a budget price point under a Classic Arcade banner or series, I think that would have been a good thing. Budget price point being of upmost importance here. Expecting people to shell out $60-$70 for 80's conversions was a gross miscalculation IMO.

[schuwalker]

It needed coin-op perfect Shinobi, Golden Axe, Crack Down (some of my Sega coin-op faves).

Add Alien Syndrome and Alien Storm to that mix...

[zetastrike]

I've owned a 32X twice in my life. Both times I was really excited to be able to play its weird and cool games. Then I realized that most of them are either disappointing (Chaotix), just not that good, or have some kind of equivalent on the Saturn that's just as good or better. That, combined with the hassle of all the wires and the 3rd AC adapter with my Genesis and Sega CD, and the inability to use the component video or S-video my Genesis has installed and stuck using crappy composite, made it just not worth owning. The 32X has its charms to be sure, but for me it's an emulation console.

[Tempest]

Chaotix isn't a bad game, it's just not a Sonic game. It's more like a Sonic spin-off title. Also the 'true ending' for finishing all the bonus stages is sooo not worth the hassle.

[+-^CrossBow^-]

I've owned a 32X twice in my life. Both times I was really excited to be able to play its weird and cool games. Then I realized that most of them are either disappointing (Chaotix), just not that good, or have some kind of equivalent on the Saturn that's just as good or better. That, combined with the hassle of all the wires and the 3rd AC adapter with my Genesis and Sega CD, and the inability to use the component video or S-video my Genesis has installed and stuck using crappy composite, made it just not worth owning. The 32X has its charms to be sure, but for me it's an emulation console.

 

Adding s-video to the 32x isn't that big a deal. It isn't as easy as doing it on the Genesis itself, but it can be done. And in most cases a 32x modded for s-vid looks best than any stock genesis through s-vid. I have mine permanently modded in this way. Took out the original AV out port on the PCB and soldered a dedicated s-video out port in its place. Looks near stock this way. Audio out is handled by the genesis itself so it isn't a problem in that regard either. But for me, VR Deluxe, Kolibri, and especially the 32x version of Blackthorne are reasons to own one.

[+FujiSkunk]

I found the easiest, if not exactly cheapest, way to get S-video from the Genesis and 32X...

 

 

Combine it with the A/V cable adapter that came with the 32X for connecting to a Genesis I, and you get the best video and audio the Genesis has to offer, at least short of using a monitor that can tap the RGB signals.

[Austin]

Chaotix isn't a bad game, it's just not a Sonic game. It's more like a Sonic spin-off title. Also the 'true ending' for finishing all the bonus stages is sooo not worth the hassle.

 

I plowed through Chaotix in one sitting a couple of months ago. I'd say the biggest issue that holds it back from being great (or even all that "good") is the repetitive nature of it. The stages aren't very distinguished in gameplay style from one-another, and you have to go through each style of level a whopping five times (with each of those five times looking and feeling nearly identical to one-another). It gets super repetitive very quickly, particularly in a single sitting like I did it. And yeah, getting the true ending isn't worth it. Fun in short bursts, but I don't recommend a lengthy session in a single sitting.

[Punisher5.0]

It's a cool piece of tech. It's a shame those dual SH2's weren't push to their max. I bet they could have done much more if the devs actually cared. I used to have a 32x years ago and every once in a while I think about getting one again but the trigger never gets pulled.

[Atarikid96]

I just bought my first 32x, and other than the complicated setup, I think it's a decent system. The port of doom is better than the snes version imo, except for the music quality. I will say that I don't see a HUGE difference in the graphics verses the regular Genesis. I haven't really started collecting heavily for it yet though, so only time will tell.

[Atarikid96]

I've now had mine for about a month, and I gotta tell you, there are some really underrated games for this system. It is my new fav port of DOOM, and the port of Primal Rage is great as well. I still don't think the graphics are truly 32 bit, but as far as graphics go, Star Wars The Arcade Game is the best looking game on this sytem graphics wise, imho. That's just me, though. I would reccommend doing research before you decide to buy it and end up hating it lol.

[Flojomojo]

You like 32X DOOM? Compared to what?

[phoenixdownita]

I venture he likes it more compared to syphilis!!

 

Out of the joke I like-ish too, better than the SNES and 3DO, but I do like the 3DO in a quirky way when you shrink the screen to "post stamp" size and the framerate really picks up.

For sure the Genny alone would have had much trouble to even try to offer it.

I have 2 32X in my "collection" (don't ask it's a long story) .... I solved the power cabling setup by buying those 2-in-1/3-in-1 power plugs that can be used for Genny + 32X + CD if only Sega had not decided to change plug (and polarity) between the MD1 and the MD2 .... whatever too late.

[Austin]

32X DOOM is fine. Plays well, runs smooth enough. It's still DOOM and it's still fun. I enjoy firing it up once every now and then for a playthrough. It's far from the best, but it's not the trash people like to make it out to be.

[Classic Pac]

I once own a 32X overall it really isn't all that bad. The real problem is too few games, and too many that are just enhanced versions of games that are on the Genesis.

[Flojomojo]

32X DOOM is fine. Plays well, runs smooth enough. It's still DOOM and it's still fun. I enjoy firing it up once every now and then for a playthrough. It's far from the best, but it's not the trash people like to make it out to be.

 

I confess, I am strongly persuaded by this definitive rundown of the differences in the console ports. It's been 20 years since I've played 32X Doom on real hardware, and I haven't bothered with it in emulation, because I have the PC version.

 

Here's the 32X section. The whole back third of the PC game is missing from the 32X port.

 

9. SEGA GENESIS 32X DOOM

========================

o A Sega Genesis System Console, model 1601, equipped with one standard Sega

Genesis "6-button" controller (model MK-1653), and one Sega Genesis 32X

module (model MK-84000A), was used as the test system for the Sega 32X Doom

game described in this document.

 

o Pros: Player can always start a game on any of 15 map levels. The Automap is

actively updated at all times, whether displayed or not (in most other Doom/

Doom II games, the Automap will not update while displayed). Some controller

customizing allowed (the Fire button can swap functions with Speed button or

Activate button, etc.). With a "6-button" controller attached, weapons can

be accessed directly, or weapon choices can be cycled in both directions.

 

o Cons: Requires both a Sega Genesis system and the "32X" expansion module.

This version has the least map levels of all Doom games, and most of the maps

are edited/simplified versions of the original PC Doom 1 maps. Games in

progress cannot be saved (but a player may always start a new game on any of

15 maps). No multiplayer ability. No BFG 9000 weapon available without

using a cheat code. Monsters can only display a front side (despite the fact

that screen shots on the game box and the 32X module box show side views of

monsters). Only 7 monster types in the game (tying with the Jaguar and GBA

Doom 1 games for least variety). No Spectre Demon. No Cyberdemon or Spider

Mastermind monsters. No Blur Artifacts. No light-amplification visors. No

crushing ceilings. With a standard Sega "3-button" controller, weapons are

cyclic-access only, and weapon choices can be cycled in only one direction.

Cannot save game configuration settings. First-person view does not fill the

entire space above the status bar, and game does not utilize all available

display space on the TV/monitor screen. Although monsters can hurt each

other, they cannot deliberately fight each other. Some rooms on some maps

are inaccessible. The few built-in cheat codes can be difficult to implement

(the code button combinations may have to be pressed several times before a

code will take effect). The use of cheat codes can prevent access to some

maps, and also prevents the game's full ending sequence from being shown.

The status bar can only display the ammo level of the currently selected

weapon (in PC and some other game versions, all ammo levels for all weapons

can be displayed at all times). Infrequent, brief flashes of graphics

"noise" may sometimes appear across the first-person view or Automap screen.

 

o Miscellaneous: Port by id Software. Cartridge format. 17 map levels, all of

which are found in PC Doom games. Decent graphics resolution and quality.

Gameplay speed is adequate, but can be somewhat slower than a PC Doom game

played on a modern computer. Maps 16 and 17 can only be accessed if the game

was started on map 1, and if cheat codes were not used during the game. In

order to see the game's entire ending sequence, a player must start on map

level 1 and play the game all the way through without using cheat codes (a

game won any other way will result in the credits being shown, and then the

game simply halts with a plain textured screen and a "DOS prompt"). Contrary

to what is stated in the game manual, a player cannot enter map 1 from map

15; map-level sequence does not "wrap around". Rocket and barrel explosions

can penetrate solid walls and doors (allowing a player to kill some monsters

without ever directly encountering them). Health potions and Spiritual Armor

bonuses add 2% to a player's health or armor (versus 1% in the PC games).

Picking up an Invulnerability Artifact causes a drop in graphics chroma, as

opposed to the white-out effect seen in many other versions. Picking up a

Berserk Pack causes a relatively bright, sustained flash of red, which may be

mistaken for the effect seen when the player character takes sudden, heavy

damage. The shotgun-loading sound is played (sometimes at very low volume)

for a teleportation event, instead of the teleport sound heard in most other

versions. Map level names are not used, only map numbers. Map numbers are

only indicated in the tally screens, not while playing a map level. In the

Automap, the player icon (an arrow) looks like the one used in the PC games,

as opposed to the green triangle used in most other versions. There is an

option in Automap mode to turn on a grid which overlays the map, and can be

used as a reference for scale (a feature otherwise found only in the PC

games). Rockets fired by the player appear to fly backwards (the nose of the

rocket faces the player as the rocket moves away). All monsters, items and

Artifacts located in very dark areas remain well lit at all times. Not all

teleporters function (but all important ones do). Because graphics are only

provided to show the front side of objects, some monsters in "wait" mode may

seem blind when a player approaches them from behind (a monster will always

appear to look at a player even when it is not actually facing toward the

player). When the "Happy Ammo" cheat code is used, the player attains an

ammo level of 500 rounds for every weapon (versus a specific individual ammo

level for each weapon in the PC games).

 

o PC Doom and Sega Genesis 32X Doom map level comparison:

 

PC DOOM MAPS | SEGA 32X DOOM MAPS

---------------------------|--------------------------

MAP : MAP NAME(S) | MAP : MAP NAME REFERENCE

-----:---------------------|-----:--------------------

E1M1.:.HANGAR..............|..1..:.Hangar.............

E1M2.:.NUCLEAR PLANT.......|..2..:.Nuclear Plant......

E1M3.:.TOXIN REFINERY......|..3..:.Toxin Refinery.....

E1M4.:.COMMAND CONTROL.....|..4..:.Command Control....

E1M5.:.PHOBOS LAB..........|..5..:.Phobos Lab.........

E1M6.:.CENTRAL PROCESSING..|..6..:.Central Processing.

E1M7.:.COMPUTER STATION....|..7..:.Computer Station...

E1M8.:.PHOBOS ANOMALY......|..8..:.Phobos Anomaly.....

E1M9.:.MILITARY BASE.......|.17..:.Military Base......

-----:---------------------|-----:--------------------

E2M1.:.DEIMOS ANOMALY......|..9..:.Deimos Anomaly.....

E2M2.:.CONTAINMENT AREA....|.10..:.Containment Area...

E2M3.:.REFINERY............|.11..:.Refinery...........

E2M4.:.DEIMOS LAB..........|.12..:.Deimos Lab.........

E2M5.:.COMMAND CENTER......|.13..:.Command Center.....

E2M6.:.HALLS OF THE DAMNED.|.14..:.Halls of the Damned

E2M7.:.SPAWNING VATS.......|.15..:.Spawning Vats......

E2M8.:.TOWER OF BABEL......|.....:....................

E2M9.:.FORTRESS OF MYSTERY.|.16..:.Fortress of Mystery

-----:---------------------|-----:--------------------

E3M1.:.HELL KEEP...........|.....:....................

E3M2.:.SLOUGH OF DESPAIR...|.....:....................

E3M3.:.PANDEMONIUM.........|.....:....................

E3M4.:.HOUSE OF PAIN.......|.....:....................

E3M5.:.UNHOLY CATHEDRAL....|.....:....................

E3M6.:.MT. EREBUS..........|.....:....................

E3M7.:.GATE TO LIMBO/LIMBO.|.....:....................

E3M8.:.DIS.................|.....:....................

E3M9.:.WARRENS.............|.....:....................

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes: The PC Doom/PC Ultimate Doom map in Episode 3 Mission 7 is referred to

as "GATE TO LIMBO" in the tally screens, and "LIMBO" in the Automap.

Map level names are not used in Sega 32X Doom.

 

[dj_convoy]

I'm happy I own one, but I'm a SEGA dork. Objectively, I don't know that I'd recommend a 32X to anyone. There's just not enough strong content to really make it a slam dunk purchase. Star Wars, Shadow Squadron, Kolibri, Chaotix... decent versions of Virtua Fighter and Racing, Afterburner and Space Harrier are all good if you don't have better ways to play them (e.g. a Saturn)... maybe Tempo. That's about it. I mean, there are some ports (but do you really need Mortal Kombat II, WWF RAW or Primal Rage with slightly more colors?), and a couple of SEGA CD games that benefit, but again, nothing mind blowing.

[+Black_Tiger]

Space Harrier and Afterburner 32X were budget releases which retailed for almost half as much as regular 32X games.

 

If anyone actually saw them new for the same price as regular 32X games bitd, it was likely just crooked stores trying to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers.