Sega Genesis

All posts tagged Sega Genesis

Captain Lang for the Japanese Sega Mega Drive

Posted by Sega Dude on October 25, 2024

Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: captain-lang, cartridge, high-seas-havoc, japan, physical, retro video games, Sega Genesis, sega-mega-drive. 2 Comments

I was visiting my local retro video game shop, www.retrogamebros.ca, with a buddy and I asked to see their Japanese Mega Drive games, which were not upfront. It’s like ordering off the menu, you have to know what to ask for.

My intention was to see if there were any games of interest for my friend EvilKalman. He is as fond of the Mega Drive as I am.

I wasn’t expecting to see a game I didn’t already have. That’s when I noticed Captain Lang. That’s also when I realized Captain Lang is an expensive game with a price tag of $500 CAD (~$360 USD).

I wasn’t going to spend that much cash on it despite the Bros offering a true ‘bro deal’ of $300 CAD (~$215 USD). It was a great offer.

But I still found a way to bring it home:

Instead, I ran home and pulled out a pile of PlayStation 4 games that had climbed a lot of value and some that I wasn’t into anymore.

My pile of PS4 games had a total value of about $800 CAD (~$575 USD) from pricecharting.com. I felt that should be enough in trade for the $500 Captain Lang. I wouldn’t have to spend cash, and the Retro Game Bros will have the potential to make some money once the PS4 games sell.

And that is exactly the deal we settled on. Below are the PS4 games I traded for my Captain Lang:

I was trying to remember which of these PS4 games I purchased new and which I got used. I think the majority were new. A common retail price tag for these games is $35 USD plus shipping landing at about $43 USD per game. Which means I may have spent as much as $717 CAD (~$516 USD) over the years buying these games. It really adds-up and this realization triggered something in my brain. I’m going to greatly reduce (or stop) my purchases of games that are anything less than stellar must have games.

Some examples of retro games I kept that I really want to keep in physical on a modern platform for my PS4 are Doom the Classics Collection and the more recent Tomb Raider I-III Remastered.

Cool, neat and novel games that may legitimately be fun for a while aren’t worth it to me anymore. Especially when that money can score a rare retro game instead.

How is Captain Lang? It’s pretty good. It has a real Sonic feel but falls short of Sonic’s caliber. Only one button needed to jump, double jump and tumble. Landing on enemies (Mario style) or hitting them with your double jump is how you dispatch them. The game has very nice graphics that will surprise you from time to time and the music is also notably good. Worth playing if you enjoy a classic style platformer.
Does anyone know what this games character (called Havoc) is supposed to be?

Pick-Ups – Boxed Sega 32X

Posted by Sega Dude on November 4, 2019

Posted in: Collection New Additions, Games, SEGA. Tagged: boxed, CIB, sega, Sega 32X, Sega Genesis. 5 Comments

Slowly but surely I’m managing to find complete boxed hardware for my Sega collection. Much like the Sega CD I mostly ignored the Sega 32X for decades after it’s release.

Below is my newly acquired boxed Sega 32X and it’s in really great condition.

I was actually a bit surprised at how large the box is. When I met up with the seller I found that it barely fit in my backpack. Seeing it pictured here next to the Genesis cases will give you some sense of the scale.

This was a local classifieds find (Kijiji) and cost me $150 CAD (~$114 USD). I feel I did better than the typical asking price of $200 CAD that I often see a Retro Game Swaps. I even did better than what appears to be the original retail price of $200 CAD as seen on the Compucentre price tag. Normally I remove all stickers but in this case I think I’ll keep it. There’s some history here.

I’d like to say this Sega 32X is complete but it’s not. However, it is so very close. The manual is in French and I’m sure it would have also come with an English manual; which is missing. It’s also missing the Audio/Video Cable. Aside from that everything is accounted for. Including an odd expansion port cover to be placed on the Sega Genesis console CD expansion port (if you don’t have a Sega CD connected to your Genesis).

I’ve read that this expansion port cover (called the 32X Extension Unit) was included for FCC compliance but isn’t actually needed.

I believe this is a very early version of the Sega 32X and possibly among the first. The silver metal brackets seen in the image above are called Electro Magnetic Shield Plates and it didn’t take Sega long to ditch them; similar to how Sega removed the 32X Extension Unit accessory.

Below are detailed instructions of how to install your 32X Extension Unit onto your Sega Genesis console.

It’s an interesting bit of trivia that this piece of hardware wasn’t needed at all; ever.

I’ve had a loose 32X for a few years now but it was only this summer when I finally dug it out and took it for a test drive. Of my seven 32X games Space Harrier is the only one that I’ve been interested in playing.

Back in the day I was a huge fan of Space Harrier II for the Genesis and this is what I’d be comparing the 32X Space Harrier to. And despite being told “Get Ready!” I was not prepared for how fast and smooth the 32X Space Harrier was going to be. This is what Space Harrier was meant to be! (…and in the Arcades it was)

It plays incredibly fast and is a very intense experience compared to Space Harrier II. Yes, Space Harrier is still a simplistic game and a product of the Arcade era but it’s still a fun ride.

Anyone have any 32X game recommendations? Will the Sega 32X surprise me like the Sega CD and end up being an add-on worth having?

Sega 32X “Just stick it in your Genesis!”

Pick-Ups – Sega, Sega and more Sega!

Posted by Sega Dude on October 20, 2019

Posted in: Collection New Additions, Games, Genesis (North America), SEGA. Tagged: Bad Omen, Cobra Command, customegamecases.com, Ecco the Dolphin, golden axe, Mega Mega Drive, Mickey Mania, sega cd, Sega Genesis, Tiger, Wolfchild. Leave a comment

It’s with mixed emotions that I present to you my most recent Sega pick-ups!

I found a pile of Sega CD games for sale on Kijiji (classified) which weren’t very local to me. Admittedly the advertised prices were not amazing with everything priced a bit higher than what I found at PriceCharting.com. The seller was willing to include shipping which did help some but I feel I got a little over excited and I should have tried to work out better prices.

Cobra Command was priced at $50 CAD (~$38 USD) while it’s listed at $30 USD on PriceCharting.com. The condition is reasonable for a collector like me and the game works.

Wolfchild is in really good condition and cost $100 CAD (~$76 USD, with a PriceCharting value of $48 USD) and despite a pristine looking CD the game will freeze as it loads level one.

I’m going to get the Wolfchild CD buffed once I can find a place with a proper machine for the task. I’m hoping this will do the trick.

Mickey Mania came in at $70 CAD (~$53 USD, with a PriceCharting value of $46 USD). It’s in good shape and works… but, there is a scratch on the data portion of the CD and when held to a light the light will shine through. I’m guessing that once the Sega CD tries to read this portion of the CD the game will crash. No amount of buffing will fix this issue.

I sprung for the Sega Classics 5 in 1 with Manual for $30 CAD (~$23 USD) because I was curious to try out games that were originally on cartridge and now on the CD format. The games are the same for the most part but I did notice that Golden Axe has a bunch of ‘enhanced’ sound effects that I’m not very fond of. Ecco the Dolphin on the other hand was treated to wonderfully atmospheric CD audio music. Even though not pictured Ecco came with this compilation on it’s own CD.

Because of the problems with Mickey Mania and Wolfchild I did ask the seller if he’d be willing to return $20 CAD to me. I thought that was just a small token to acknowledge the problem. But so far I’ve been met with radio silence. I’m not going to fuss much. I’ve done what I can and I’m sure there was no ill intentions on the sellers part. I sent him money and in good faith he mailed me the games. It is was it is; the CD format is not as reliable/durable as cartridges.

Next up, I felt like I was going back to my roots with some cool Japanese Sega Mega Drive games direct from Japan!

Kyukyoku Tiger (Twin Cobra) cost me $70 USD (~$92 CAD) and I was a bit disappointed to find the cover is sunfaded. The seller did send me pictures but I couldn’t really tell until I had the case and manual in hand and side by side.

Despite this I’ll definitely be doing business with www.facebook.com/Japantiquity/ again. I explained that next time I’d like games in better condition and he was very receptive and understanding.

Bad Omen on the other hand is in great shape and I’m very pleased with it. Bad Omen cost me $55 USD (~$72 CAD). Both of these Mega Drive games included shipping.

You can also find Japantiquity on Instagram @Japantiquity_japanvintageshop.

My first impression of Kyukyoku Tiger is that it does not look very pretty. But as I played I could tell the gameplay is good… and tough! Bad Omen is also a hard game that feels like it’s going to be easy but it’s just not. I really do like it and I’m looking forward to playing more.

Custom Game Cases Vol. 5

Posted by Sega Dude on May 31, 2017

Posted in: Community, Restoration. Tagged: case, clamshell, CustomGameCases.com, hanging tab, reproduction, Restoration, Sega Genesis. 2 Comments

I recently received another order from CustomGameCases.com for 25 aftermarket Sega Genesis game cases. If you’ve been keeping track I’ve done a bunch of posts about these cases and I’m pretty sure it’s because I really do like them.

These cases are almost identical to the original hard plastic clam-shell cases that Sega use to make for Sega Genesis games. Click here for my more detailed impression of these cases.

Of 25 cases 19 arrived in condition that I was happy with.

Several cases had hanging tabs that were so loose that with a few wiggles they would fall right off. This was a bit upsetting because I was planning on using these new cases to replace authentic Sega Genesis cases that are themselves in OK condition except for the fact that they are missing their hanging tabs. It’s not easy to see in the picture below but the hanging tabs on these new cases are so loose that most flop back and forth as you handle them.

All of the cases came packaged very well and I believe they were not damaged in transit. I suspect that this relatively new product has just not fully matured yet.

I emailed customgamecases.com and explained that I would like them to ship me good quality replacements. And they did not hesitate. I have already received perfect cases to replace the ones pictured above. Customer service has been excellent. Thank you guys!

I took games from my collection that had cases with missing hanging tabs and various nicks and scratches and put the cover art, manual and cartridge for each into new CostumGameCases and now they really do look like new.

Is anyone wondering why Gargoyles is in a hard plastic clam-shell case? Anyone? Yes, the original case for Gargoyles only comes in Sega’s cardboard box style.

The previous owner wanted all of his Sega Genesis games in clam-shell cases so he cut up the cardboard box and made it fit as in insert into the more common plastic cases. I wouldn’t do this myself but I also wouldn’t pass up a good game at a good price because this had been done.

Below is a closer look at a few of the games in their new cases.

MW IV (Monster World IV) is a reproduction of the Japanese version with an English translation. It’s so well done that it’s worthy of a new nice hanging tab.

Of course I would prefer authentic Sega Genesis cases but it’s very hard to find them whole and in great condition and not already housing another game. On rare occasion I’ll upgrade games in my collection and have the chance to put better cases into the collection while removing lesser ones. But since that’s not a reliable option CustomGameCases.com has got my back.

Steam Sale! Sega Genesis Classics Pick & Mix

Posted by Sega Dude on July 23, 2016

Posted in: Community. Tagged: Bundle Stars, Classics, Sega Genesis, Steam. 4 Comments

For the next 5 days Bundle Stars is having an amazing sale on classic Sega Genesis games for Steam. For about 30-50 cents (CAD) each depending on the bundle you chose you could have a virtual handful or bucket full or really excellent Sega Genesis games.

I have never used Steam before despite hearing nothing but good things about it. I thought this would be a good opportunity to try it out. So why dip in your big toe when you can just dive in. I bought all 54 Sega Genesis games that were included in this sale. And for a total of what worked out to be about $20 CAD it felt like a safe experiment.

All 54 Genesis Games

Here’s the complete selection of games available for this promotion:
(get your scrolling finger ready!)

Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
Alex Kidd™ in the Enchanted Castle
Alien Soldier

Alien Storm

Altered Beast
Altered Beast™
Beyond Oasis

Bio-Hazard Battle
Bio-Hazard Battle™
Bonanza Bros.
Bonanza Bros.™
Columns
Columns™
Columns III
Columns™ III
Comix Zone
Comix Zone™
Crack Down
Crack Down™
Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine

Dynamite Headdy

Ecco Jr.
Ecco™ Jr.
Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco the Dolphin™
Ecco: The Tides of Time
Ecco™: The Tides of Time
ESWAT: City Under Siege
ESWAT™: City Under Siege
Eternal Champions
Eternal Champions™
Gain Ground
Gain Ground™
Galaxy Force II
Galaxy Force II™
Golden Axe
Golden Axe™
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe™ II
Golden Axe III

Gunstar Heroes

Kid Chameleon
Kid Chameleon™
Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole

Light Crusader

Phantasy Star II

Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom

Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium

Revenge of the Shinobi

Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Shinobi™ III: Return of the Ninja Master
Ristar
Ristar™
Shining Force II

Shining in the Darkness

Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic 3 and Knuckles

Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic 3D Blast™
Sonic CD

Sonic Spinball
Sonic Spinball™
Space Harrier II
Space Harrier™ II
Streets of Rage

Streets of Rage 2

Streets of Rage 3

Super Thunder Blade
Super Thunder Blade™
Sword of Vermilion
Sword of Vermilion™
ToeJam & Earl

ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron

Vectorman
Vectorman™
Vectorman 2

Virtua Fighter 2
Virtua Fighter™ 2
Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair

Wonder Boy in Monster World

Yeah, that’s right. There are some real heavy hitters in this collection.

The first three games I tested were Streets of Rage, Golden Axe and Phantasy Star II. Right away I noticed that there was some kind of blur effect in place to soften what would have been the natural pixelated look.

The default display setup does not use scan-lines and curves the edges of the screen to simulate an old CRT (tube) TV. I found it strange that Sega chose to default one classic trait of an old tube TV and not also use scan-lines. To me scan-lines are a much more significant feature for an authentic look.

Fortunately the ‘Sega Mega Drive & Genesis Classics’ software does allow you to make several changes. Once in the program click on the Sega Genesis and you’ll be able to turn on scan-lines and straighten the screen edges. This is by far my personal preference.

Below are some comparison screen shots. But in order to really see the different you have to click on each image and see it full size to appreciate what the effects are doing.

No Scan-line and Rounded Edges.