32x games

[AlexKIDD]

does anyone know approximately how many games were made for the 32x? i found one for $12 and it looked like a good deal but i wouldnt wanna get it if i could only play a couple games

[SteveW]

There's something like 30 or so games available for it. A few of them are Sega CD 32X games, though.

 

The 32X got the only game console version of T-Mek, so it's worth it just for that.

[Zaxxon]

For the love of god; buy a 32X for Shadow Quadron, buy it Star Wars arcade, buy it for Virtua Fighter or Virtua Racing but please don't buy it just for T-mek. Think of the children .

 

*shudders thinking about 32X T-mek*

[+-^CrossBow^-]

I like Shadow Squadron, T-Mek (Yes, the only reason I got a 32x), Zaxxon's Motherbase 2000, StarTrek: Bridge Simulator, Knuckles Chaotix, Virtua Racing (Best Home port still!), Kolibri (Yes, I like the music and graphics), and yes I will even go here...I like MetalHead.

 

The ones to stay away from are the sports titles, Cosmic Carnage, Motocross, and probably Tempo (Though I haven't played that one myself).

 

However, my 32x hasn't been connected in a while as Iron Soldier on the Jag gives me my Mech needs, and Wing Commander on the SNES gives me most of my space sim needs...

 

[Ze_ro]

It's worthwhile for $12, but....

 

MAKE SURE YOU GET ALL THE PARTS WITH IT!!!

 

The 32X cannot be used without the pass-through cable, so unless you get that little 1' cable with it, then forget about it, because your chances of finding the cable on it's own are approximately zero.

 

Here's what normally comes with a 32X:

• Gen1-to-Gen2 adaptor cable. This is a very short cable (about 5 inches long) that has a small round, female 9-pin jack on one end, and a larger round, male 8-pin jack on the other end. This cable (when plugged into the Gen2-to-32X cable) gives you a cable that you can use to connect the video port of the Genesis 1 to the video-in jack of the 32X. If you are planning to use the 32X with an original model Genesis, then this is [REQUIRED], otherwise it's not needed.
  
• Power adaptor. The 32X needs it's own power supply... however, it's a fairly standard adaptor, so even if your 32X doesn't come with one, you can probably find a matching power supply fairly easily. [REQUIRED]
  
• Metal clips. This pair of metal clips is meant to be inserted into the cartridge port of the Genesis (either model). Once installed, they hold the cartridge port open, and provide better RF shielding, but the 32X will work fine even without them. By the way, do NOT insert cartridges into the Genesis cartridge port while these metal clips are in there, since you could scratch the label on the cartridge. Instead, leave the 32X in there, and stick Genesis cartridges into the 32X. [OPTIONAL]
  
• Plastic "Skirt". This is a donut-shaped piece of plastic that slides onto the bottom of the 32X (around the cartridge-shaped part). The idea behind this is that the original model Genesis has a deeper cartridge port than the Genesis 2, so if you use a 32X in a Genesis 2, you should use this skirt, otherwise the 32X won't sit as securely, and could cause the game to hang or reset. If you plan on using the 32X with a Genesis 2, then this is [RECOMMENDED], otherwise, it's not needed.
  
• Expansion port dongle. This is a small "plug" that is meant to be attached to the expansion port of your Genesis. I honestly have no idea what this does, but the 32X manual says to use this if you don't have a SegaCD attached. I'm guessing that the idea is that the 32X can use this dongle to tell whether or not there is a SegaCD attached, but it seems to have no noticable effect. [OPTIONAL]
  
• Manuals. The manual shows you how to hook this beast up to all the different Genesis models. [OPTIONAL]
  
• CDX "Skirt". Actually, this was never released, although the 32X actually came with a piece of paper showing a picture of it with a description. This would have been a plastic harness similar to the Genesis 2 skirt that would have made it easier to use a 32X with a CDX. Officially, Sega had to claim that the 32X and CDX were incompatible due to FCC regulations, but the two systems can actually be used together anyways (although again, the connection might not be as solid, possibly leading to game crashes). [NEVER RELEASED]

 

--Zero

[zombiecraig]

It's worthwhile for $12, but....

 

MAKE SURE YOU GET ALL THE PARTS WITH IT!!!

 

The 32X cannot be used without the pass-through cable, so unless you get that little 1' cable with it, then forget about it, because your chances of finding the cable on it's own are approximately zero.

 

Here's what normally comes with a 32X:

[*]Gen1-to-Gen2 adaptor cable. This is a very short cable (about 5 inches long) that has a small round, female 9-pin jack on one end, and a larger round, male 8-pin jack on the other end. This cable (when plugged into the Gen2-to-32X cable) gives you a cable that you can use to connect the video port of the Genesis 1 to the video-in jack of the 32X. If you are planning to use the 32X with an original model Genesis, then this is [REQUIRED], otherwise it's not needed.

[*]Power adaptor. The 32X needs it's own power supply... however, it's a fairly standard adaptor, so even if your 32X doesn't come with one, you can probably find a matching power supply fairly easily. [REQUIRED]

[*]Metal clips. This pair of metal clips is meant to be inserted into the cartridge port of the Genesis (either model). Once installed, they hold the cartridge port open, and provide better RF shielding, but the 32X will work fine even without them. By the way, do NOT insert cartridges into the Genesis cartridge port while these metal clips are in there, since you could scratch the label on the cartridge. Instead, leave the 32X in there, and stick Genesis cartridges into the 32X. [OPTIONAL]

[*]Plastic "Skirt". This is a donut-shaped piece of plastic that slides onto the bottom of the 32X (around the cartridge-shaped part). The idea behind this is that the original model Genesis has a deeper cartridge port than the Genesis 2, so if you use a 32X in a Genesis 2, you should use this skirt, otherwise the 32X won't sit as securely, and could cause the game to hang or reset. If you plan on using the 32X with a Genesis 2, then this is [RECOMMENDED], otherwise, it's not needed.

[*]Expansion port dongle. This is a small "plug" that is meant to be attached to the expansion port of your Genesis. I honestly have no idea what this does, but the 32X manual says to use this if you don't have a SegaCD attached. I'm guessing that the idea is that the 32X can use this dongle to tell whether or not there is a SegaCD attached, but it seems to have no noticable effect. [OPTIONAL]

[*]Manuals. The manual shows you how to hook this beast up to all the different Genesis models. [OPTIONAL]

[*]CDX "Skirt". Actually, this was never released, although the 32X actually came with a piece of paper showing a picture of it with a description. This would have been a plastic harness similar to the Genesis 2 skirt that would have made it easier to use a 32X with a CDX. Officially, Sega had to claim that the 32X and CDX were incompatible due to FCC regulations, but the two systems can actually be used together anyways (although again, the connection might not be as solid, possibly leading to game crashes). [NEVER RELEASED]

 

--Zero

 

Actually, in my experience, if you don't have the "expansion port dongle" you could be in big trouble. I got the 32X before I got the Sega CD and tried to use it with my Genesis with no luck whatsoever. I have the original model Genesis (I don't know if the second model is affected) and did not have the "expansion port dongle" with the 32X that I purchased supposedly "new in box". I didn't recall seeing anything in the instructions about the "dongle", so I just assumed it was faulty and I would use it for parts. I purchased another 32X for around $15 also "new in box" and this time the "expansion port dongle" was there. So I was like, OH! Hooked everything up and presto! 32X gaming was now available on my Genesis. Now like I said, I'm not sure if the second Genesis model was affected, but the original Genesis requires the "dongle" for 32X support if you do not have a Sega CD connected to it. The "dongle" is the key to your salvation!

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Hmm...I have an original model 1 genesis...and I have never heard of nor even seen this expansion port Dongle? I do NOT have a Sega CD connected..and I have never had a problem betting either of my two 32x units working on this Genesis.

 

Since I actually did get a sealed 32x and do not recall this dongle nor see any mention of it in the paperwork, what does it look like? You have me all curious now...

 

[goatdan]

The problem with the 32X is that most people didn't keep all the parts that came with the originals. The Genesis 1 adaptor cord, for instance, is relatively tough to find. The GOAT Store got a bunch of systems in a while ago (20ish) and they were all supposedly returns that were refurbished and then never resold. We got power supplies and the 32X to Gene cord in each, about 1/3 of them had the Gene 2 to 1 adaptor, about 1/4 had the "dongle" and about 1/2 had the plastic system seat. I think the rest were just thrown out.

 

We sell all of those pieces seperately on the GOAT Store site, so if you want or need them you can get them there. But the cord that goes between the 32X itself and the Geni 2, that is 100% necessary to get with the actual system. They sell for about as much as a system with all hookups do.

[Ze_ro]

Actually, in my experience, if you don't have the "expansion port dongle" you could be in big trouble.  I got the 32X before I got the Sega CD and tried to use it with my Genesis with no luck whatsoever.  I have the original model Genesis

 

That's very odd... I've never had any problem using the 32X without the dongle on my Genesis 2... Is your Genesis one of the early, "High Definition Graphics" models that plays the locked-out Electronic Arts games?

 

--Zero

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Ze_ro...still doesn't matter.

 

My genny here is a first run High Definition model that plays all the EA titles just fine and it works just dandy with my 32x and I didn't even know there was a Dongle...so I still don't think it is 100% needed.

 

It might have been needed later on in some later runs of the genesis...but again. This one here runs a 32x just fine without it. I have even managed to get Shadow Squadron to boot up once and run for about 1 min without the power supply hooked up to the 32x. But that was only one time...

 

That was a weird day anyway...

[Adrian M]

Whatever you do, avoid the World Series Baseball 32X game at all costs! Buggy and lacking features (when compared to the standard Genesis version) doesn't even begin to describe this horrid title. Be prepared to "lose" your season after about 15 games or so into a pennant run!

[Atariman]

I have two 32x systems that I have used with both my Gen1 and Gen2, with Sega CD attached and without. I've never heard of the dongle. I'm kinda curious as what it looks like, myself.

[zombiecraig]

Actually, in my experience, if you don't have the "expansion port dongle" you could be in big trouble.  I got the 32X before I got the Sega CD and tried to use it with my Genesis with no luck whatsoever.  I have the original model Genesis

 

That's very odd... I've never had any problem using the 32X without the dongle on my Genesis 2... Is your Genesis one of the early, "High Definition Graphics" models that plays the locked-out Electronic Arts games?

 

--Zero

 

Hey, I don't know what is going on with mine? My Genesis is not from the original run with Altered Beast as the pack-in. Mine is the original model (case style anyway) that was packed with Sonic the Hedgehog. I'm not sure what the model number is and it's all connected to the Sega CD and 32X, so I'd rather not check right now. All I know is that both 32X units that I purchased new in box would not work without the dongle. One 32X unit did not come with the dongle and made no mention of it in the instructions, which I found to be very odd after I bought the second new in box 32X that did include the dongle and tell you what to do with it. And it wasn't that one of the 32X units was defective. Neither would work on my Genesis without the dongle, and both worked on it with the dongle. Anyway, since I got the front-loading Sega CD unit, I no longer use the dongle. I gave the spare 32X unit and the dongle to my brother, and he uses it with an original case style Genesis as well. As I recall, he also HAD to use the dongle to get the 32X to work. This is all very strange. I wish someone had the answer to this mystery. Why were some 32X units shipped with the dongle and others not? I do recall that the non-dongle 32X that I purchased first did not have a pack-in game. The second 32X unit with the dongle included a copy of Star Wars Arcade. So it would seem possible that during the original 32X run there was a problem with some of the units being incompatible with certain Genesis models. Then during the next run, which included Star Wars Arcade as a pack-in, Sega corrected that problem by including the dongle to attach to the expansion port. There's logical thinking of the highest degree, folks!

 

Maybe I will check the model number later...

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Could be...both the 32x units I have are just the 32x units themselves. Neither came with any games. And I also find that a majority of the 32x units you get off Ebay NIB are also the original release units. Perhaps there was some slight defect in a batch or on some future run they made changes to the 32x that required the dongle?

 

I don't know either...I just know that I have played for hours upon hours of 32x gaming on mine and again, I never knew anything about any Dongle's being needed. Now that I think about it, I don't even think I have ever opened up the panel on my expansion port.

 

I would still like to see a picture of this dongle. There isn't a whole lot of room to just stick something on the end of that connector and still close the cover up on it. So I wonder just how complex this dongle was?

 

[SS]

does anyone know approximately how many games were made for the 32x?

 

There were 32 released in the US, 2 that were Euro only, and 1 that only came out in Japan.

[goatdan]

does anyone know approximately how many games were made for the 32x?

 

There were 32 released in the US, 2 that were Euro only, and 1 that only came out in Japan.

 

One was Japanese only? Really? I didn't even think they got the 32X. What game was it? I'm not to big on my 32X history, honestly

[SS]

does anyone know approximately how many games were made for the 32x?

 

There were 32 released in the US, 2 that were Euro only, and 1 that only came out in Japan.

 

One was Japanese only? Really? I didn't even think they got the 32X. What game was it? I'm not to big on my 32X history, honestly

 

Romance Of 4 Kingdoms

[zombiecraig]

Could be...both the 32x units I have are just the 32x units themselves. Neither came with any games. And I also find that a majority of the 32x units you get off Ebay NIB are also the original release units. Perhaps there was some slight defect in a batch or on some future run they made changes to the 32x that required the dongle?

 

I don't know either...I just know that I have played for hours upon hours of 32x gaming on mine and again, I never knew anything about any Dongle's being needed. Now that I think about it, I don't even think I have ever opened up the panel on my expansion port.

 

I would still like to see a picture of this dongle. There isn't a whole lot of room to just stick something on the end of that connector and still close the cover up on it. So I wonder just how complex this dongle was?

 

The dongle was just sort of an adapter. It's similar in size to one of the Famicom to NES adapters that you can find in some original Nintendo NES carts. When you attach it to the expansion port, you actually cannot close the cover again, if I remember correctly. I would post a picture of it, but like I said, I gave it to my brother. I'll see if I can get him to take a picture of it.

[Dones]

Here are some pictures I found.

 

does anyone know approximately how many games were made for the 32x? i found one for $12 and it looked like a good deal but i wouldnt wanna get it if i could only play a couple games

 

Wikipedia has a nice list of 32X games.

[Markimus of K.]

Just remember to take off that adaptor plate before trying to use your 32X with a CDX. Took me about 15 minutes to figure that one out.

[Susuwatari]

I have 32X (a couple actually) and they all worked fine on both Genny 1 (with Sonic as the pack in) and Genny 2 and I have never seen the dongle that goes in the expansion port. The manual I have doesn't mention the dongle either.

[Ze_ro]

I would still like to see a picture of this dongle. There isn't a whole lot of room to just stick something on the end of that connector and still close the cover up on it. So I wonder just how complex this dongle was?

 

I'm afraid I have no camera to take pictures, but it's basically just big enough to house the edge connector. When it's connected to the Genesis, it sticks out funny, and looks bad. If you take it apart, there aren't even any components on it. It just seems to connect a few of the pins.

 

With my 32X, the manual says nothing about it, but there is an extra addendum page that was given regarding it. It's a white page with blue text that describes how to attach it in seven different languages (Incidentally, none of the seven languages are asian! I'm not much of a linguist, but it looks like English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portugese, and Dutch. I'm not sure if this is relevant, but it would seem that this was not meant for Japanese release). Here's what English portions of the paper says:

• Before connecting the Genesis 32X/Mega Drive 32X, attach the 32X Extension Unit to the expansion slot of your original Genesis model/original Mega Drive model or new Genesis model/Mega Drive II.

 

Note: If the Sega CD/Mega CD is attached to the Genesis/Mega Drive, the 32X Extension Unit is not needed.

• Remove the expansion slot panel and inner cover from the expansion slot on the read of the Genesis/Mega Drive. (Some models may not have an inner cover.)

[*]Attach the 32X Extension Unit to the expansion slot.

 

--Zero

[zombiecraig]

Okay! I got my brother to send me some pictures of the dongle. So here it is:

[candiru]

Interesting. I always wondered what that dongle was myself. I got my 32x boxed but missing the shielding plates and dongle. Whoever originally bought it must have got the dongle and installed it though since I found the expansion port cover to a Genesis in my 32x box. Mine also came with the Star Wars pack-in game--in accordance with BerzerkZombieBentley's theory.

[Ze_ro]

Alright, which model of Genesis is everyone using (It's printed on a label on the bottom? It would be nice to figure out which model numbers actually need the dongle and which don't. I can confirm that the MK-1631 version does NOT need the dongle to use a 32X.

 

--Zero