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Mega Drive. Yeah!

strider

By strider,
in Retro & Arcade Gaming

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bplus

bplus

Posted
Posted
8 hours ago, Shimmyhill said:

Speaking of EverDrive carts… why are there so many variations of them, are there models to avoid and ones to snap up!? I can see the mentioned EverDrive pro as many fancy features so that one is obvious but all the other variants 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

I have mine all setup with the OSSC now and getting a very decent image, I’m thinking of getting a new RGB scart lead with stereo sound plug - retro gaming cables seem to come up often, go to brand or others to consider?

 

 And finally, I have been running a few PAL carts switched to 60hz and generally they run fine but there is an occasional stutter - ive read up on it and its down to the outputs not exactly matching NTSC timings - has anyone gone to the lengths of replacing the crystal oscillator to resolve this esp the claimed dual mode ones?

The packapunch cables really are very good. But if you are happy with your RGB cable I wouldn't bother. I could see the diff compared to my cheapo eBay one, but it's not worth 30 quid extra in my book.

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spanky debrest

spanky debrest

Posted
Posted
9 hours ago, Shimmyhill said:

Speaking of EverDrive carts… why are there so many variations of them, are there models to avoid and ones to snap up!? I can see the mentioned EverDrive pro as many fancy features so that one is obvious but all the other variants 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

I have mine all setup with the OSSC now and getting a very decent image, I’m thinking of getting a new RGB scart lead with stereo sound plug - retro gaming cables seem to come up often, go to brand or others to consider?

 

 And finally, I have been running a few PAL carts switched to 60hz and generally they run fine but there is an occasional stutter - ive read up on it and its down to the outputs not exactly matching NTSC timings - has anyone gone to the lengths of replacing the crystal oscillator to resolve this esp the claimed dual mode ones?

 

I'm not an expert but -

 

Reasons why there are so many Everdrive models:

 

The Mega Drive Everdrives are Krikzz's oldest flashcart products, so there have been a *lot* of revisions / improvements over the years.  

 

Today I think the X3 remains the lowest entry model - it loads all official ROMs including the SSF2 (the biggest one).

 

The X5 adds a pause button for Master System games, if you care about that library. The X7 uses a bigger FPGA and has power-user features like being able to load extra-big ROMs which use custom mappers (for some hacks and homebrew), and FM-sound support for SMS games.

 

The latest Pro model supercedes the X7 mainly because there's an entire Mega CD unit inside, so I think the X7 has been retired. There's a lot of cool stuff only available on a Pro model but I personally never upgraded from an X5 because I was happy running CD-Rs on a real Mega CD, loading CD BIOSs as desired. 

 

The stuttering via an OSSC is just how it is until, yes, either you use a real NTSC console or replace the crystal with a true 60hz one. It's less to do with PAL games being played at 60hz but rather the slightly off-spec version of 60hz / NTSC timings outtputted by modded PAL Mega Drives..which the OSSC (and Framemeister I believe) just don't like very much. 

 

I used to have a PAL MD with an NTSC crystal installed (regular, not dual frequency) - but only ever used it direct to a CRT. It's a cool mod but only particularly needed for some PAL consoles played through specific scalers, as I understand it.

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Alexlotl

Alexlotl

Posted
Posted
49 minutes ago, bplus said:

Is dune 2 on the megadrive worth playing these days? Is there a better version to play?

 

Sounds like the PC version was always better, and there are now enhanced ports for modern systems (e.g. Dune Dynasty) which add lots of QoL improvements. I wouldn't fancy playing it without a mouse, TBH.

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Shimmyhill

Shimmyhill

Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, spanky debrest said:

 

I'm not an expert but -

 

Reasons why there are so many Everdrive models:

 

The Mega Drive Everdrives are Krikzz's oldest flashcart products, so there have been a *lot* of revisions / improvements over the years.  

 

Today I think the X3 remains the lowest entry model - it loads all official ROMs including the SSF2 (the biggest one).

 

The X5 adds a pause button for Master System games, if you care about that library. The X7 uses a bigger FPGA and has power-user features like being able to load extra-big ROMs which use custom mappers (for some hacks and homebrew), and FM-sound support for SMS games.

 

The latest Pro model supercedes the X7 mainly because there's an entire Mega CD unit inside, so I think the X7 has been retired. There's a lot of cool stuff only available on a Pro model but I personally never upgraded from an X5 because I was happy running CD-Rs on a real Mega CD, loading CD BIOSs as desired. 

 

The stuttering via an OSSC is just how it is until, yes, either you use a real NTSC console or replace the crystal with a true 60hz one. It's less to do with PAL games being played at 60hz but rather the slightly off-spec version of 60hz / NTSC timings outtputted by modded PAL Mega Drives..which the OSSC (and Framemeister I believe) just don't like very much. 

 

I used to have a PAL MD with an NTSC crystal installed (regular, not dual frequency) - but only ever used it direct to a CRT. It's a cool mod but only particularly needed for some PAL consoles played through specific scalers, as I understand it.

 

Thats brilliant thank you, cleared up the EverDrive questions - im not sure I want/need one but having the US/JP games without the need to damage the PAL case is appealing while collecting a few PAL games for nostalgia’s sake!

 

May look into the NTSC crystal replacement as otherwise my PAL unit has been modded for PAL / JP / US and jail bar issue so could be the final chefs kiss!

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bplus

bplus

Posted
Posted
16 hours ago, spanky debrest said:

 

I'm not an expert but -

 

Reasons why there are so many Everdrive models:

 

The Mega Drive Everdrives are Krikzz's oldest flashcart products, so there have been a *lot* of revisions / improvements over the years.  

 

Today I think the X3 remains the lowest entry model - it loads all official ROMs including the SSF2 (the biggest one).

 

The X5 adds a pause button for Master System games, if you care about that library. The X7 uses a bigger FPGA and has power-user features like being able to load extra-big ROMs which use custom mappers (for some hacks and homebrew), and FM-sound support for SMS games.

 

The latest Pro model supercedes the X7 mainly because there's an entire Mega CD unit inside, so I think the X7 has been retired. There's a lot of cool stuff only available on a Pro model but I personally never upgraded from an X5 because I was happy running CD-Rs on a real Mega CD, loading CD BIOSs as desired. 

 

The stuttering via an OSSC is just how it is until, yes, either you use a real NTSC console or replace the crystal with a true 60hz one. It's less to do with PAL games being played at 60hz but rather the slightly off-spec version of 60hz / NTSC timings outtputted by modded PAL Mega Drives..which the OSSC (and Framemeister I believe) just don't like very much. 

 

I used to have a PAL MD with an NTSC crystal installed (regular, not dual frequency) - but only ever used it direct to a CRT. It's a cool mod but only particularly needed for some PAL consoles played through specific scalers, as I understand it.

Sounds like you know more about this than I do :) for some reason I never saw stuttering on my ossc and modded pal megadrive. Probably due to me using a fairly small telly.

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Shimmyhill

Shimmyhill

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Camel said:

You can get an adaptor if you don’t want to butcher your MD.

 

Ive read about a game genie or similar but these seem to go for crazy money, is there a really simple one that’s readily available?

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LaveDisco

LaveDisco

Posted
Posted

This is interesting, if probably not that useful. If anyone is looking for legit mega drive roms for their miyoo mini, analogue pocket etc, then if you have the Steam Mega drive collection, it has the uncompressed roms in a simple folder called ‘uncompressed roms’. 
 

 

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Protocol Penguin

Protocol Penguin

Posted
Posted
28 minutes ago, Alexlotl said:

I think the Master System version of Castle of Illusion is better than the MD one. Both are good, though.

Thinking back, I got my copy of Castle of Illusion from a charity shop for a quid way back in 2009. I miss being able to find retro games in charity shops! Nearest thing you’ll find these days is endless amounts of DS Brain Training…

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Haribokart

Haribokart

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Protocol Penguin said:

Thinking back, I got my copy of Castle of Illusion from a charity shop for a quid way back in 2009. I miss being able to find retro games in charity shops! Nearest thing you’ll find these days is endless amounts of DS Brain Training…

 

I saw a load of Master System/Mega Drive games at the Tenovus cancer shop in Westbourne late last year, probably all gone now but you never know!

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JamesC

JamesC

Posted
Posted

I played a bit of Toejam and Earl for the first time this weekend.

Despite being a huge Megadrive fan and being very aware of the game back when it was released, I've just never gotten around to playing it.
I remember it being quite hyped and I have vivid memories of seeing it running in Kerrison's toy shop. 
I was never into hip-hop or that very American, very 90s youth aesthetic, so I think I always subconciously labelled this as being aimed at a different audience.

 

Anyway, I absolutely loved it! I'm more nostalgic for that 90s vibe these days but I thought the game was full of charm and really fun. I didn't really do a lot, just sort of wandered around, avoiding enemies and looking for goodies but it was a nice world to lose myself in for a bit.
I'll definitely keep coming back to this.
I picked up the sequel too and I'm a big fan of 16bit platformers so I expect I'll enjoy that one aswell.

 

toejamearl.jpg.a3434fc9c75babf3652b3715ef01d375.jpg

 

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fat flatulent git

fat flatulent git

Posted
Posted
On 11/01/2023 at 19:33, JamesC said:

I picked up a cheap copy of Championship Pro Am the other day.

 

Pro Am was one of my favourite NES games back in the early 90s. At the time, I had no idea that Rare had updated some of their NES classics for the Megadrive (this along with Battletoads and Snake, Rattle and Roll).
This is pretty scarce in the UK so I was happy to find a copy and give it a try. I'm glad I did because it's great! Really fun and super smooth. It's not hugely different from the NES original, other than having a couple of extra racers (6 instead of 4), timed laps and leaderboards and just looking and sounding a bit nicer.
It's a really fun little racer and I think it's one I'll come back to regularly.

700023674_champproam.jpg.471b1e0c4e06b18375ab137c3f1f6f8a.jpg


After reading this I got onto eBay to snap this game up.

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Shimmyhill

Shimmyhill

Posted
Posted

I have my Megadrive all up and running and the wireless pad is brilliant, got the OSSC setup really well with it via a guide and have a frankly stunning picture on a 4k LCD :o my mate came over with his young kids and they loved it, they thought it was Sonic Mania (as they have that and love Sonic) and watching them play was such a joyous experience. I genuinely think my little Megadrive setup is one of the best things ive ever done, I couldn’t be any more pleased with it and 13 year old me would be blown away with the very idea of it!

 

spacer.png

 

 

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Kevvy Metal

Kevvy Metal

Posted
Posted
On 14/01/2023 at 23:42, spanky debrest said:

The stuttering via an OSSC is just how it is until, yes, either you use a real NTSC console or replace the crystal with a true 60hz one. It's less to do with PAL games being played at 60hz but rather the slightly off-spec version of 60hz / NTSC timings outtputted by modded PAL Mega Drives..which the OSSC (and Framemeister I believe) just don't like very much. 

 

I used to have a PAL MD with an NTSC crystal installed (regular, not dual frequency) - but only ever used it direct to a CRT. It's a cool mod but only particularly needed for some PAL consoles played through specific scalers, as I understand it.

 

Yes, I had this problem. 

My initial retro set up was - a few select consoles w/ Everdrives into a gscart into a Framemeister. 

My 60 hz modded PAL Megadrive would not work with this solution. I got picture issues all of the time. 

 

I fixed it by buying a Model 1 Genesis, then that sorted it all out. This was now around 2015 when getting a Model 1 Genesis cost about £30

 

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