Sega Mega Drive Black Console (PAL)

When looking to pick up a Megadrive again to rediscover some of it's classic games, I had already ruled out the standard UK PAL model.

The UK machine not only runs slower (50Hz) than a US Genesis or Japanese MD (both 60Hz), but also doesn't display a full screen picture.

I could have gone with either import model, but in the end decided to try a modded machine. So whilst this started life as a PAL MD, various mods have been added:

1. a switch to toggle between 50Hz / 60Hz
2. a switch to toggle English / Japanese text in selected games
3. rear stereo connectors added next the the standard AV out
4. cart slot widened to allow Japanese carts to be inserted without a converter
5. RF port disabled
6. colour changing power LED - pointless, but looks cool!

The console and the cartridge slot are in great condition considering the age of the Megadrive. All of the mods have been carried out to a high standard and the switches have been tucked away out of sight at the back.

When trying this out I couldn't believe the difference 60Hz made to certain games. There were no borders top and bottom to be seen and the games now ran at the true speed.

The first Sonic the Hedgehog game is probably the one that's most noticable - at first the music seemed too fast and the pace a little manic, but that was just because I was used to how it used to run on a UK model (slooow).

For the most part I can leave 60Hz mode enabled. But if I come across a title that is optimised for PAL or has some kind of region lock, I can revert back to 50Hz at the flick of a switch - best of both worlds.

The other aspects such as stereo hook ups I can run through my amp and the wider slot so I don't need a separate adapter are just bonuses.

Recently, I bought myself a Model 1 version Mega Drive. I can't stop playing it.

As a piece of hardware, the Mega Drive is well-built and sturdy. The controller is simple in design but VERY comfortable to hold, much more so than overcrowded modern controllers. The buttons are comfortable under your thumbs and it becomes familiar quickly thanks to its simplicity. Bearing in mind these bits of plastic and metal are 20 years old, they're surviving excellently. Overall, no complaints whatsoever regarding the physical design.

The games are something else. As a long-time Nintendo buyer, I've neglected Sega products until now; I can comfortably admit I was missing out. The classic examples, which are easily discovered in any list of the 'best Mega Drive games' online, are all wonderfully made. Modern games have become increasingly realistic and are often harshly gritty and violent, which is something I find hard to enjoy. As an antidote to this, the Mega Drive is host to hundreds of naive and colourful games, with funky and memorable music, and thoroughly addictive game-play. The satisfaction of completing a retro game is surprisingly great. There's no hand-holding like today's games; if you want a challenge, there are plenty of Mega Drive games which would be ideal.

I must add that the Mega Drive I bought was modified by the seller in three ways. Firstly, a 60Hz switch had been added, so that the games play at their intended speed, rather than the European standard of 50Hz. There is also a language switcher, so that games can be played in their original Japanese, should you wish to. Lastly, the game cartridge slot is widened, so that any Mega Drive game can fit, whether it is American, European or Asian. More info on these modifications can be found easily online.

Personally, these mods were essential to my purchase, as I want to have as much freedom as I can when buying Mega Drive games. Note that an RGB scart cable is necessary to play in 60Hz mode; this cable makes the graphics look BRILLIANTLY sharp and full of colour, I might add. These are easily found on ebay. However, the mods are by no means necessary, and a fully original Mega Drive will be thoroughly enjoyable as well.

To sum up, I'd say the attraction of retro games is their difficulty and inimitable innocence; the Sega Mega Drive is the perfect console purchase to enjoy the wondrous atmosphere of these colourful adventures. I'm a happy customer.

One of sega's finest hours was the release of this great console. While sega are now out of the battle with consoles after the demise of the much much under rated dreamcast, you can see and appreciate what they were trying to achieve with a little trip down memory lane and a couple of hours on this ugly machine.
Like with most retro consoles now, they appeal to the older generation more as it offers much more than new consoles, something and xbox 360 or a ps3 cant offer, and thats love. The love of simplistic, real gaming.You played to play, not played for achievements or trophies, or played to be top dog on a vast network of predominantly english and americans, who's sole purpose is to "drop shot, "quick scope" and invent dreadful new words like "pwned". You played your sibling in often heated battles, broke a few pads, or sat on your sofa with your best mate for hours playing 16 bit games, that now to the younger generation, seem dreadful.
My love for retro gaming has grew the older i get, and even though this may possibly be the ugliest console ever to have been bestowed upon us, the gaming is simply beautiful. I bought this mega drive to play classics once again, like road rash, haunted, sonic (in the days when it was actually good),
and a little point and click called cosmic spacehead. These games really took me back to the days where id sneak the tv back on at night because i couldnt get enough, and even now, i still cant get enough.
Even though you can see why sega were always second best to the likes of the snes and ps2, it doesnt take away the fact that this console still had heart, it still has a good few classics, not as good as mario world and donkey kong etc. But theres a charm about what it does offer. I find that those that had a snes had no need for a mega drive, but those that had a mega drive did have a need for it, and it will hold a place in their heart and memories of their youth.
I wouldnt pay a great deal for a mega drive, not as much as a snes and the reason being is that the snes has a much bigger selection of 'classics' and its much more sought after. That said, i would and have bought one while i can.
If you are thinking of re-buying one, id be looking to pay around 10-15 pound which is worth anyones money, obviously depending on games that may come with it, you can swing a few quid either way. If i was you id also consider buying the sega mega drive 2 as it was a bit better looking than the 1st version. Theres an added bonus with the mega drive over the snes, and thats the game pricing. Flashback for example on the snes has a much higher value on the snes as opposed to megadrive, even though its the same game, but to resell you should expect to get what you paid. So you can get all your favourite games for a fraction of the price.
All in all its a great console, it still holds its own and its pretty cheap, so if you never played one, get one. Why not? Its charming, its cheap and it has some nifty little games on it, some much under appreciated.
Take a chance on it, you wont regret it...not for a tenner.

I bid for this item purely as a trip down memory lane (I was fanatical about my mega drive when I was a kid!) and with having a family and job that keep me very busy there was no way I could justify buying a PS3 or XBox 360.
The unit itself is a lot smaller than I remember and feels very light compared to more modern games machines, but the games are just as fun and addictive as they were 10-15 (OMG I'm old!) years ago. Some of my old favorites that are still fun to play include Jungle Strike, Micro Machines, Aladdin, Collums (my Mum and girlfriend love this) and of course the amazing Sonic the hedgehog series. All in all if you remember this from the early nineties twinned with the fact that you can normally pick one up on ebay for about £15 (generally with a few games thrown in),I would recomend you get yourself one.
As a final note, due to the sturdiness and low cost of the games cartridges, I can imagine my young son will also be able to use his in a year or so. This way he can play video games without the danger of him destroying £250 worth of Playstation 3!
Enjoy!

Well, at the moment im very in to collecting video games consoles, and this was a must have!

First of all, when connected to the Mega Drive 1, the Mega CD 1 and it looks AWESOME together!!!! It just looks like a mean machine which means business!
Its also made very well, and a must have piece of kit for any mega drive owner or video game enthusiast!

When switched on, you can tell effort was put in to it, and has a great retro feel to it. Games load pretty well, and playing games you've already played on the original mega drive are just that little better on the Mega-CD. First of all as any fan of streets of rage would tell you, the music was one of the best parts of the game, and to hear the music and sound effects re done in cd quality is great to hear, although you wont see any huge changes in the graphics. Games do have loading times, but nothing which you havnt been through already if you own and cd/dvd/blu-ray based console.

PROS:
Looks great with original Mega Drive
Very well built
Better enhanced games then the mega drive
VERY easy to connect and play
Great games to choose from which were only released for this system

CONS:
Nothing special with any of the remake of original games graphically
Like with every cd based console there are loading times, and more chance of the games getting scratched

Hope this Review Helps, but i will say its a must have for a collector! Thanks for reading :)