Classic Game Room - SEGA 32X review part 1

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Part 1 of 2. Classic Game Room HD reviews the SEGA 32X add-on for the Sega Genesis 16-bit video game console. Also available for the Sega Mega Drive, the 32X boosts the POWER of the Genesis.... or something like that. It plays 32X games which are typically larger, smoother and even better looking than awesome Sega Genesis video games. The 32X suffered from many problems though, not the least of which was its requirement to use two power supplies. The 32X works with the model 1 and model 2 Sega Genesis but requires a special 32X cable to work properly. The 32X is powered by the common Sega MK-3102 power supply and covers the player's room with wires and nonsense. Sega's biggest mistake? Even though the 32X was a commercial disaster and is regarded as a joke there are some amazing games available for the Sega 32X like Doom, Virtua Fighter, Virtua Racing Deluxe, Afterburner and Metal Head. The library of games is smaller than what you'll find for the Genesis but there are some real gems in there like Cosmic Carnage. If you can find the cables to make it work, pick up a 32X for a song these days and you'll be surprised at how good it actually is, even if it is a complete clusterf---.

[julianchrobak-prince]

I watched this video in 2012, when I was 12. I'm now 21 and am a proud owner of a working Model 1 Sega CD and Sega 32X. Thank you for getting me into game collecting, Mark. I'll miss the old days. :'-)

[VulpisFoxfire]

I picked up literally the last one the local K-Mart had. They were using the cover of the box for display, so the stuff was kinda dusty.

[JoeyJJ]

32X had a lot of great games for it. For the time it had the best home ports of Space Harrier and After Burner

[girochin]

I remember the year these came out... Within 6 months the 32X, Sega CD, and all related accessories were in the 75% off bin (actually it was more of a wall because our store had bought a lot of that stuff.) Interesting enough they were sharing the clearance bin with all the Nintendo Virtual Boys.

[SavageBillahx]

Awesome! I had my Sega with 32x and Sega CD back in the day! I was talking with some of my friends about it and they didn't even remember these existed. Thanks for proving me right

[exorphitus]

The 32x didn't fail because the console itself was bad. It failed because Sega was at war with itself. Sega of America made and pushed the 32x while Sega of Japan put out the Saturn and ordered the 32x discontinued. Sega had also released and discontinued the Sega CD shortly before, so as you might imagine people were sick of buying Sega's crap only to have support for it pulled shortly after. If Sega had waited to release the Saturn and shown the 32x proper support, or better yet released the 32x as is own console like originally planned the system wouldn't have failed as badly. Instead they trolled their fanbase one to many times and ended up destroying themselves.

[marccaselle]

These days, I play this on my retropie. It's much easier than trying to track down everything and the life support wires lol

[jimjam]

If you don't have the cable to connect the 32x to the Genesis, you could do a quick and dirty hack that I did when the cable for mine broke; Just grab some wire, and connect a wire to each hole on the 32x's AV in, then you just connect the other ends on the wires to the same holes on the Genesis, then you tape the mess of wires together. Tada! Now you can play Truxton, eventhough it doesn't require the 32x.

[DookieCakes]

I've got a 32X, but I've only got 6 games for it. However, I like the 32X. It's not the greatest system ever made, but it has some fun games on it. Definitely worth it if you're a collector or are curious.

My 32X however, doesn't have the connector for the original Genesis model, but I do have the part of the wire that works on the Genesis 2.

[MartyMcflyonPS]

I agree mark the 32x is awesome and even if u don't have 32x games it improves ur sega genesis color palette

[TheAltruisticAutistic]

You are missing a couple of metal pieces that are supposed to go into the console flaps. They were to touch something inside the genesis, and that's why there are connectors at the front (and back?) of the 32x.

[collinsrv]

The Genesis M1 only needed prongs when attached to the M2 Sega CD

[The_Husband_of_Jane_Lane]

It would've been great if Sega released the 32X as a separate console instead of an add-on (as they were originally going to), but no, they decided to release it as an add-on.

[d.vaughn]

Here's an interesting (or not) bit of video game info...
The Atari 7800 had a planned add-on such as this. The Atari 7800 XM homebrew project drew it's inspiration from the original design. Of course, all the grandiose plans, for the Atari 7800, we're squashed once Atari changed hands from Warner Communications to Jack Tramiel.

[NadaCero]

Everyone says the the 32x and Sega CD suck, but idgaf, I'm getting them for my Model 2 Genesis

[FedorovAvtomat]

Yes you can do that and someone on Sega 16 is making a Wolfenstein port for the 32X as we speak. The limit of adressable cartrige space on a 32X is the same as a Genesis. 4MB however using bank switching, meaning going from 1 ROM chip to another, you can theoretically make a game infinate in size.

[adamd]

I just picked up a 32X yesterday and it turns out that AVGN was right about it damaging Genesis games. I played Sonic 2 on the 32X for 5 minutes and it just stopped working! It wouldn't even work on the Genesis with the 32X disconnected!

[Claredeth]

I've been waiting for this review from CGR for a time.

[soulblazerz]

Where did you find the time and energy to plug in BOTH cords? Phew! Tiring!

[dogeymon]

@MrAzazel666 - No, not the spacer. The expansion piece that plugs in the side of the Genesis, in the part that would normally plug into the SEGA CD. What was THAT for?