Sega Multi-Mega
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The Sega Multi-Mega (or the Sega CDX in North America) was a 16-bit video game console released in 1994, combining the Sega Mega Drive (Sega Genesis in North America) and one of its add-ons, the Sega Mega-CD (Sega CD in North America), into a single compact unit as a final attempt by Sega to encourage consumer interest in its fledgling Mega-CD format. It was sold under the name Multi-Mega in Europe (350 GBP or 999 DM), Genesis CDX in North America (399 USD) and Multi-Mega CDX in Brazil.
Overpriced and underselling due to lack of high quality Mega-CD games, and the anticipation of the Mega Drive's successor, the Sega Saturn, it was never well-supported by Sega, and died a quiet death. Its counterpart, the combined Mega Drive/32X console, the Sega Neptune, never went beyond the prototype stage.
The system is quite rare, and they have been known to sell on eBay for high prices.
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[edit] Capabilities
The Multi-Mega could play both Mega Drive and Mega-CD games, thanks to its rear-mounted cartridge slot and its front-mounted flip-top CD drive. Like the Mega-CD, it was also capable of playing audio and CD+G format CDs. Unlike the Mega-CD, its compact size and addition of a headphone port enabled it to play audio CDs on the move, powered by two AA batteries. However, unless high end batteries such as lithiums were used, it would drain the batteries fairly quickly. The unit featured front-mounted CD control buttons as well as a backlit LCD screen to display the track number. An extra line-out port was provided for connection to stereo equipment. However, games could only be played while the unit was powered by its main PSU and connected to a television, unlike the portable Sega Nomad.
[edit] Sega 32X Compatibility issues
There is some confusion as to whether the Sega 32X add-on actually works with the Multi-Mega. While Sega stated in the 32X manual that it does work, it added an insert into the North American retail box retracting this statement. This was likely due to the Multi-Mega/32X combination never receiving FCC approval for use in the United States. Advertisements for the Mega Drive 32X in Europe, however, where it was often shown attached to a Multi-Mega, suggest otherwise; upon testing, the 32X works perfectly with the Multi-Mega.
Reports from users say that while the add-on may work, it does cause some issues of physical instability and stress, due to having the much larger 32X add-on sit atop the smaller Multi-Mega unit. This seems to make the cartridge port more prone to “connection stress and weight damage” or toppling the unit over, among other problems. Pushing cartridges in sometimes would cause the front of the Multi-Mega unit to lift up. In practice, the two units sitting in such an unstable way makes the combination easier to physically damage. This may also be the reason for Sega's retraction of their statement that the 32X can be used with the Multi-Mega. In addition, the size of the 32X prevented the opening of the CD tray of the Multi-Mega. This meant that in order to play a Sega CD 32X game (a game that required both the Sega CD and the 32X), one would have to disconnect the 32X from the Multi-Mega, place the CD in the tray, and then reconnect the 32X to the system.
In practice, keeping the two connected makes the unit seem much less stable than before. It is much more prone to breakage because none of the securing clamps included with the 32X that work with other Sega hardware fit. Caution should be used with the hardware to prevent the unit from toppling, or anything else that would cause the 32X weight to shift, causing damage to the Multi-Mega game cartridge slot. Propping the 32x up with homemade supports, just enough to cause some of the weight to spread out evenly over some supports and away from the Multi-Mega unit, is also recommended.
[edit] Datel CDX cartridge
An adapter cartridge from Datel, also called the CDX, often causes confusion due to its name and function. This cartridge was sold in Europe and allowed Mega-CD games from all regions to be played on any Mega-CD.
[edit] External links
- Sega 16 Sega-16 article on the Sega CDX.
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