Sega Genesis CDX and Sega 32X Retro Review

[@patrickfoxchild2608]

I used my CDx as a discman back in middle school. Took it on a number of field trips. Worked splendedly!

[@yuhjeice7186]

That sounds cool

[@gpdcjf102]

had no idea 32x would work with cdx. OUTSTANDING WORK, man.

[@tramdr]

+gpdcjf102 I just saw another video review where they said it wouldn't. Good job.

[@dad7275]

Yep. It's the way I used to game with my Genesis/cd.

[@RelliKsReliCsTheBeerNinja111]

The CDX was crazy expensive back in the day. $400!! I wanted one really bad but my parents thought I was crazy asking for something that was so much. I tried to talk them into it by telling them it wasn't that much compared to the Neo Geo(a system that I really wanted also) but they didn't fall for it LOL

[@IvyANguyen]

If only Sega released a unit that combined all 3 units into one sleek unit like this...

[@tuberoyful]

Ivy A Nguyen It was called the Sega Neptune and was unfortunately recalled😞

[@OldShaman]

Neptune was just gonna be a stand alone 32x running on it's own AV power.

[@danielorozco8046]

It makes no sense to release that many 32bit systems. One of their biggest mistakes.

[@danielorozco8046]

Ayamalach it was canceled.

[@TheDeathOfLucifer]

@iVirtualPlays The hardware was just too different for that to realistically work and Sega Saturn's hardware itself itself was really expensive for gen 1 systems

[@TheCodedtestament]

The CDX is a true curiosity, but it is also a great piece of hardware. If you want a Genesis/Sega CD combo, this is the best way to go, both from a practical standpoint, and for plain 'ol cool factor. The CDX, to me, is a reminder of that era where Sega was a huge name in hardware, and when strange ideas like this actually had a chance of being made. The CDX is a great, rare piece of Sega history.

[@evilinsecticon3813]

Plus, it's a portable CD player too!

[@hitkid2456]

It was kind of like the Turbo Duo, but that thing was a lot more common in Japan.

[@alexflores7652]

My wife had one too. She had gotten it from her brother and he got it when he passed through Hong Kong on his way to the Gulf just before Desert: Shield/Storm. I took it with me to Canada during Maple Flag joint US/NATO exercises in 2000 when I was in the USAF. I used it as a CD player. We still have ours but I think we need to get a power block plug to get it going again. I loved playing it when she showed me it the first time back in Utah in 99 and 2000 and when we got back to Colorado Springs after I got out of the Air Force in 01.

[@thoughtprocessRI]

Still the best console ever

[@Alysa-Aiday]

I agree!

[@MVLGAMING]

Good to know the 32x and CDx play together. Think I'll upgrade my Mega-CD to a Multi-Mega to save some space.

[@gaming-zombie1392]

I wasn't a Sega fan as a kid but wish I was lol it was a good as NES... Now 36 year old I wanna play all the older Games... If get PS3 & 360 not die on me I would be playing all their Games...

[@gaming-zombie1392]

Your so right but I was NES fan-boy lol... I did play with Sega Master as a kid & Love it... But Sega Genesis I play with it after Dream-Cast was out & Dream-Cast to me was good & it was better Looking then PS1 & 2 but people not gave it a chance to Shine... Like now with the OUYA is a GREAT console for Android but people don't Like it... THANKS for sharing & showing us the older Games it was AWESOME wish to had them all again...

[@chaimshmuel7746]

I was the opposite, I never had NES until the 90s. First it was the Commodore 64, then Atari 2600 then the Genesis...

[@hitkid2456]

@@gaming-zombie1392 OUYA was one hell of a mess. People who shouldn't be helming such a venture were behind it. It was a real shame, because nothing has shaken up the industry players in two decades!

[@hitkid2456]

@@chaimshmuel7746 NES, Gameboy then Genesis for me. I even got a Virtual Boy though! And wanting to be more self-reliant I suppose, I didn't have another console until I got the Dreamcast, and it was already dead by then. I have gotten many of the older ones by now, and didn't even play PS games until I had a PS2 slim and PS3 was well into its life.

[@WhiteJarrah]

If you're concerned about video noise in your 32X, check out the website Retro Gaming Cables. They sell shielded RGB SCART cables, the Sega Mega Drive and 32X use RGB Csync, which is a very high quality video signal. They sell for about 10GPB. And on ebay you can buy a SCART to HDMI upscaler for only $30US.

[@LonSeidman]

Thanks for the tip! I've been meaning to start playing around with RGB output, I hope that will make the difference on my 32X as it's never looked clean as long as I've owned it.

[@WhiteJarrah]

It should do the trick. I've never used a 32X, but from what I understand it does a great job of cleaning up footage from the Mega Drive especially when it is outputting through RGB. Personally, I have my Sega Mega Drive, PlayStation, SNES and PAL Gamecube all outputting RGB to a Bandridge SCART switcher that then outputs to my RGB SCART to HDMI upscaler. They all look amazing though it. The Sega Mega Drive looks like I'm playing it on the PS3. If the Mega Drive alone looks this good through RGB, I can only imagine what wonders the 32X will do.

[@Steggman]

Electro magnetic shield plates. that's what came with the 32x. You had to put them into the flaps of the 'normal' genesis. The CDX had a single flap though, so you couldn't insert them. This probably explains why you had 'noise' on the TV

[@w_k773]

Retro games from the 90s really is something else! It's very simple, fun and creative! Really hate modern games with too much complexity

[@davistalhone9482]

You are correct: the 32X sold for a whopping $149.95 when it was released. Sadly I sold off the Genesis/ Sega CD combo to finance my Sega Saturn. Miss it all- though I did just pick up a Genesis portable emulator with 80 games recently to atone. It's helping! lol

[@davistalhone9482]

I got the Sega Genesis Ultimate Portable Game Player- It came with 40 original Genesis titles preinstalled, 40 new games (mostly puzzlers and generic android clones). But it's also got an SD card slot capable of running downloaded roms as well. So far every game I've played has been controller mapped perfectly. I'm actually really impressed with it. Have you encountered this particular unit per chance?

[@JUSXTREME96]

Davis Talhone Do you guys not notice how terrible the sound on those things are?

[@evilinsecticon3813]

JUSXTREME96 -- yes but plug in earphones and turn the sound down and its tolerable.

[@SuaveCerealKiller]

I have one, and couple.more atgames systems...I'm pretty happy

[@rodrigomolinsky]

Good to know that the 32X makes some noise. I always thought my 32X was frying something, but never had a problem.

[@firstatheist]

The Sega CD was the google glass of it's time, a technology whose theoretical applications far exceeded it's grasp at the time.

[@Konstantinosmo]

Great console. At audio cd mode (via aa batteries), the screen has no light?

[@FunkyStudios]

this could of been the real 32x system with all the features.

[@magicarpet101]

pretty sure the bad picture quality is due to the fact youre not using the metal plates with the 32x, they stopped interferance with sound and video.

[@segadream4713]

MrSebmaq Those are for grounding and the reason yours didnt work is because they weren't making good contact.

[@segadream4713]

***** Did it look shiny and smooth? It so it was a USER ERROR.

[@gabnrami]

It has some interference because you are not using the fcc approved metal requieriment to avoid tv problems like sound or signal interference

[@y9784]

***** , did you use the GTV-COMPSVID-2-HDMIS to convert the composite video to HDMI for capture in this video? If using that device you mentioned in your other video, did you notice any input lag or super sharp (white edges) on pixels? Were there any settings that reduced the ultra sharpness or lag? Thank you,

[@RelliKsReliCsTheBeerNinja111]

Great show I love it when you review retro games!! I love all the sega systems! Sega Saturn is my all time fav system(well its tied with the Colecovision for different reasons), but the Gen,32x and CD is a close 3rd right behind the Dreamcast. I have always been a Sega Fan much more then a Nintendo fan.

[@chaimshmuel7746]

RelliKs ReliCs I'm with you on the Sega Saturn. I have a huge collection of fighting games including Japanese games as it was the greatest system for those. All that was needed was the converter cartridge to be able to play the Japanese games but as far as Street Fighter, X-Men, Marvel Disk system was made for the fighting games

[@toopienator]

Best Genesis model ever. I want one.

[@hitkid2456]

Not quite the best. That would be Aiwa Mega CD IMO. But at least this works with 32X, as disparate as it looks with it.

[@JulianWiersbitzki]

You can buy all needed 32x cables at www retrogamingcables co uk, also the mostly missing genesis 32x patch link cable. They are building great cables for a lot of retro game consoles.

[@chaimshmuel7746]

The only reason I purchased a 32x was to play/get the game Doom. I had the original model 1 Sega Genesis purchased for me the week it was released. I also had the model 1 Sega CD which was mounted underneath the Sega Genesis and later on for fun I would see how much I could hook up at once. My best was the Sega CD, Sega Genesis, 32x, X band (which was the original dial-up multiplayer internet gaming adapter/chat/news line that actually worked really good with a couple of games i had although if a phone call came into the house it would kick you off!) Game Genie, Sonic and Knuckles, which allowed you to attach a game on top of it utilizing it a flip up cover on the top of the cartridge itself, and finally Sonic 3, of course it just looked ridiculous but that's what I was going for! I could have added the Sega Mega Drive adapter and the cleaning system cartridge but I would have had to make a hole in my ceiling!!!

[@jorgeelracing]

greetings very good video, I wanted to ask you a question, to play sega 32x on cdx, you only need the connection to videos and electrical connection. ?

[@Sega_is_all_i_cd]

@ 3:30 damn bro they took your idea for this game!! Sue bro! Lol

[@dave4shmups]

Great review Lon! Please do some more retro reviews!

[@Alysa-Aiday]

I love it too

[@dad7275]

I actually own a cdx and choose to use the model 1, model 2 cd addon combo. The sound from the model 1 Genesis is supposedly more crisp. I've heard the cdx uses same sound capabilities as the model 2 Genesis which is not the best.

[@obsoletegeek]

Congrats on 100K Lon!

[@Shantae-June22002]

Can you buy electromagnetic shields for the 32X online?

[@TheRetroChallengerV]

Did you ever make the Mega everdrive with 32X video?

[@booteddestroyers5519]

What's The Point of the sega 32x Add On For Sega genesis???

[@rob41137]

7:55 CLOSER?!

[@Михаил-т4ю8о]

I must warn you that if you want to play a game for sega cd and if 32x is inserted then the drive will not open due to the fact that 32x is blocking the drive and you will have to reconnect.

[@romerolemstra8747]

Did you know that the CDX and 32X can output RGB like the original Genesis model 1 and 2 and Sega CD model 1 and 2

[@evilinsecticon3813]

Romero Lemstra - The Genesis 2 cannot output RGB without modification.

[@josephwolf7552]

I truly honestly believe if the Sega Saturn had 32x and Sega cd support. Sega would be still publishing consoles, even if the Dreamcast was backwards compatible with Sega Saturn Sega would rival Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo

[@hitkid2456]

Heheheh, SEGA would have been the only ones with BC that gen! I wish they gave it more thought. It would have really helped.

[@KJsGotGame]

A lack of backwards compatibility is not the reason that any of those consoles failed

[@SmokeMonster]

Excellent review :D

[@seancooney368]

ah 2014, so many things I want to warn you about...

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

I had the CDX and wanted the 32X so bad but never got it. I was glad to find out recently that the 32X was pretty much a flop. Haha!

[@punkrocktv8229]

What games did this come with?

[@SPQR101010]

Do 32x CD games work with the CDX?

[@chaimshmuel7746]

SPQR101010 yes

[@NativS2002]

SPQR101010 Yes , but the 32x blocks the cd drive from opening properly

[@tuberoyful]

Been had it and the 32X needed money and sold it on offer up

[@abvmoose87]

Altered Beast!!

[@chiphopper]

Great video Lon! :)

[@Deflecto3]

The SEGA toilet looks better than the Atari Jaguar toilet.

[@annaleetranny3380]

wow!

[@HyperRush79]

~looks a Scaler with 32x

[@section23]

Shame the voice is out of sync with the picture in this video

[@section23]

***** Just on my iPhone, it seemed to get better the longer I watched though

[@bolt853]

You shouldn't be installing the 32x on the CDX. it can cause overheating and electrical shock issues.

[@NickBailuc]

Electrical shock? That's retarded, its low voltage. Its not a washing machine or TV, its a console powered by a power source outside of the console

[@segadream4713]

Nichita Bailuc He didn't say it would kill you. Voltage is voltage and in the right circumstances you can be shocked. Which can cause you to die if it travels the right way through your body. Hold a 9 volt to your tongue. Better yet tape it to your nut sack. You can take it, its low voltage as you say. Voltage has little to do with anything. It's the AMP's that hurt you sparky. And thats what proper installation controls in setups with DUAL power. You can think what you want or whatever you do with your brain. But It will cause heating if its not properly connected as intended. And that starts fires, and that can kill you for sure. You are the one who's retarded. Learn to know what you are talking about before you open your mouth and put your foot inside next time.

[@segadream4713]

Nichita Bailuc All you have to be is grounded,which is what you become when you make contact with a ground and the loose ground on the device between the two power sources.I'm not just smart,I'm an electrician, you can touch live 400 amp feeds and not become shocked if you aren't grounded. In this case you can get shocked and not only will it not trip the breaker, you won't get hurt from it either unless you make the potential higher by standing in water. But this is still considered electrical shock. Hell, static electricity can shock you,why on gods earth wouldn't this. Better luck next time.

[@NickBailuc]

Sega Dream yea thats what im saying, but the voltage there is too low, and its all covered by plastic if you havent noticed. its not like its a bunch of circuit boards with a transformer exposed

[@evilinsecticon3813]

He forgot to add the shielding between the two systems. The processors are too close to one another to be continuously safely utilized over an extended period of time.

[@TheRealDustinNunn]

The Sega CD and the Sega 32X add-ons killed the Sega Genesis line.

[@JulianWiersbitzki]

The announced Sega Saturn killed the Sega Genesis/MegaDrive Addons.

[@retrosoul8770]

The add-ons were unnecessary in the first place. They made the Gen seem weak on its own which it absolutely wasn't.

[@chaimshmuel7746]

The Sega CD didn't kill it as much as 32x, as the 32x was released one year prior to the Saturn. The Sega cd was released 3 to 4 years prior to the Saturn which allowed Sega/developers to release games for a few years before having to switch over to the Saturn. The Sega CD also familiarized consumers with the notion of a CD based video game console which was a good move. 32x was just a step backwards for Sega as they already released the Sega CD three years prior and we're about to release the Saturn but somehow felt that a new cartridge based add-on Console would be the right move...

[@retrosoul8770]

Stephen I agree regarding the 32x completely but with the Sega Cd, imo was the first signal to consumers that Sega didn't have faith in their own hardware. Instead of focusing on the Gen's advantages over the Snes in on-screen sprites, parallax, animation etc, they focused on what it couldn't do instead. That was the first strike, and a foreboding sign of what was to come later...

[@evilinsecticon3813]

Neither of those add ons, nor the power base converter or Genesis Nomad killed the Genesis line. Time is what killed the 16-bit era. Time for the next generations to to come into fruition.

[@Motorrad127]

i tried the 32x on my cdx when it came out.. had to fuck with it to get it to work and i got to play like 4-5 times and then it no longer worked. wtf

[@Jayrod64]

Honestly there are better Star Wars games on the N64 and GameCube.

[@dandrawsit4915]

This Star Wars game is a direct port of the 1993 SEGA Model 1 Star Wars arcade game and it managed to bring the whole arcade experience home which was technological achievement at the time

[@mattkennedy6115]

Honestly you’re free to play and enjoy any console and not piss on others opinions

[@mr.evilmanners]

can't we just put the 32x cartridge on the Sega CDX without using the 32x thingy ?

[@chaimshmuel7746]

spazz tckkk unfortunately you can't because the cartridge slot acts the same way as a Genesis cartridge slot, therefore the 32x adapter is needed to be able to play the 32x games

[@evilinsecticon3813]

Actually, you can. The 32X for the most part just added overlays and graphical features that were not featured on the Genesis. Those extra features will not be present when (attempting) to play a game. That and you'll either have to take the 32X cartridge out or modify (cut) your Genesis/CDX.

[@hitkid2456]

@@evilinsecticon3813 Has anyone done so? Would be fantastic to see!

[@WaterIilIy]

I used to have a Sega CDX but sold it like an idiot.

[@tuberoyful]

WhiteLionness Me too as well 😞

[@evilinsecticon3813]

The majority of us all make errors. It's when we refuse to correct those errors when they become mistakes.

[@SuaveCerealKiller]

I had one twice over the years..sold traded them away...wish I hadn't.

[@jacaredeparede3553]

eu tenho quer comprar?