Sega Genesis CDX (History) - Rare Variants - Adam Koralik

It's Adam Koralik here and today we're discussing the rare Sega Genesis CDX. A strange attempt by Sega to keep the Genesis alive, make the Sega CD relevant, and get people to use portable CD players with the Sega brand on it. Yeah, it was the 90s.
Get the custom 32X spacer here: / kore_designus or KORE_designUS?s=09
www.patreon.com/AdamKoralik?ty=h
kzbin.infojoin -- Instead of Patreon
/ adamkoralikofficial
/ figureitoutproductions
/ adamkoralik
/ adam_koralik
/ discord
shop.spreadshirt.com/adam-kor...
Thumbnail by Pizza Parker: / @the_victorypictures
/ nikohazuki

[@mrnoreply2]

I found my Sega cdx at a good will for $1.57 it was in a pile of CDs players. They must have thought it was a CD player only best find of my life

[@paulrydzinski9995]

Dang, hella find. I was in a thrift store and they bundled a CDX + a nomad for $25. Snapped that shit right up! Defo wanna get that plastic thing for the 32x!

[@koolaid33]

@@paulrydzinski9995 Aw, I gotta try this now. Definitely gonna go check my local thrift store tmrw, will report back if I find anything.

[@hailstorm1986]

Absolutely awesome!!! 💙

[@ozmond]

@@koolaid33you won’t

[@alexbork4250]

lol

[@jadthemagnificent]

Adam is the type of guy to study for his drug test.

[@ComicBooksandVideoGameNerd96]

LOL

[@Ifrit007]

Babe, wake up, new Adam Koralik Console History Video.

[@samfrito]

The CDX will always be my favorite Sega system. Not that it does anything better than the Genesis or Sega CD, it's just about the most high quality, luxury system of theirs they ever made. It of course came with a Six Button controller even though none of the pack in games used or needed a six button layout. '94 must have been a hell of a year for their console production. Glad you did this video. I wish the Saturn had gotten its chance to be a combo system. Backwards compatibility could have had a fresh start at Sega.

[@spanishginger]

Adam was the hipster using a CDX as a music player 10 years before hipsters tried to bring back gameboys

[@paulgillie5868]

I was still playing and collecting sega when everyone was being sony's bitch. now everyone is like me nowadays collecting retro Everything is super expensive and over priced now.. Its ruined my hobby and enjoyment.

[@ruudvanloon]

I have good memories about my CDX (even though I am from Europe I own 2 CDX's, in stead of a multimega lol). Used to take it along on family holidays to hook it up to a tv wherever we were in the evening and play games with my brothers. Our favorite was Rock and Roll Racing, we spend soooo many hours on that!

[@Southernplayboy95]

in 1998 there were 6 of these in my local Toys R Us on liquidation for 25 bucks. I was a junior in high school and did not have enough money to buy all 6. I bought 1 and lent it out and never saw it agin.

[@michaeltylerstewart]

I don't always watch Adam Koralik. But when I do, I pay close attention the entire time.

[@angrynorway]

I was 12 in ‘94. I remember the video magazines here in the UK running articles about what Japan and US were getting... It was mind blowing! Also, the Sonic & Knuckles cart was bonkers.

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

19:08 “his wife was making him purge everything and he wasn’t happy about it” *the moral of the story: **_DO NOT GET MARRIED!!_* 💀

[@joeyparkhill8751]

Too late for me... luckily my wife is a gamer

[@retropulse03]

Or just grow a pair and tell her "No." I seriously don't understand all these men who's wives are their second mom.

[@Sailorsega]

I wonder if that's why he wouldn't post it. He thought no-one would buy it and he could keep his stuff.

[@bluefates58]

@@Sailorsega smart plan

[@StrokedGT]

@@retropulse03 i tell my wife no, it causes problems but it’s worth it, not selling my game or car stuff

[@theshadowman1398]

I still hate the fact that I backed out of purchasing one in 2012 when the prices were reasonable.

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

The CDX prices back then were reasonable??

[@theshadowman1398]

@@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct Yeah around 100 usd

[@jefffan171]

Anyone guessing that Sega had the screw hole for any crazy other peripherals, my guess for one has to be... battery pack. Friend of mine used his Multi-Mega as a Walkman for about a week as the thing drank battery juice like the game gear.

[@TheTCD]

I remember that Mega CD classic game compilation, solely because for some reason, Golden Axe and Streets of Rage were only single player, and that infuriated me no end back when I had it.

[@TechRyze]

I'm going to assume that the Mega CD's RAM limitation is why this happened, but that's a cop out, as they could have just had the game load half way through instead of loading in one go. It's another symptom of Sega failing. Those games should have all had significant enhancements - not FMV or anything crap like that. They were terrible examples of what the Mega CD could do. Like the opposite of Wii Sports 🎾

[@mattb154]

This was a video of some kind and I enjoyed it.

[@Matrix803]

I'm actually impressed the CDX works with the 32X without any hardware mods (besides the plastic shell). o:

[@TechRyze]

It works fine just plugged in. Used it for several years without a single problem. Several playthroughs of probably 15 32X games including Doom, Chaotix, NBA Jam,. Virtua Racing / Fighter, MK II, After Burner... plus we several more. I got hold of loads of them, and only used it with my Multi Mega. Worked normally. No issues. I guess that with American power supplies, the polarity isn't as strictly controlled? I haven't really looked into it, but maybe it's a bigger issue in the USA.

[@chrisw8069]

Love this I remember the time right after the DC was discontinued (And prior with the SS) and people, unfortunately; myself included were just dumping and selling Sega stuff for nothing. I really regret it. Thanks for this video, if I ever win the lottery I will buy some of this stuff boxed.

[@TofaSpot]

I won one of this from my father in childhood, here in Brazil was very expensive and remains expensive to this day. i remember that on this console there was a Bug on sonic CD that prevented me from continuing in the game after the wacky workbench phase, I did all as perfect past and did not proceed :( . I had to play on a common sega cd of my cousins.

[@jmcclain8237]

If your spouse "makes" you get rid of things that have sentimental value to you....you've married the wrong person.

[@CCH3900]

You know what? I still have one of these. Got it as a birthday gift in 1997, it was used. Got some great Sega CD games with it too. Needs repair though, and from what I've read repairing one of these is a real pain. I will say it's a good portable Genesis/CD option. Great video Adam, really enjoyed this one. Great memories.

[@DaVidKid1877]

If you want I'll buy it off of you.

[@CCH3900]

@@DaVidKid1877 I appreciate you showing interest in buying it, but it's not in real great shape the last I looked at it. Laser wasn't reading well. Storing at a family members place. I gave it to them, so not really just my call anymore. I'll bring it up with them next time I see them. Might be quite a while. So don't wait up.

[@Gatorade69]

19977 was a good year.

[@CCH3900]

@@Gatorade69 Yeah, noticed that last night. Thought about fixing it, but nah too funny not to. That, and this comment made it worth it.

[@scpnoobers]

I saw a video where they sacrificed a regular CD player’s laser and put it in a sega CDX

[@MrJsoeding]

Love how you tested it as a portable CD player! Not that fancy portable CD players around at that time anyhow so it was a cool feature to have on it.

[@toronaldaris]

Taking the CDX places to friends houses and playing something like Golden Axe, Road Rash II , NHL 94' or any other multiplayer game was totally a thing. It did have issues being used as a cd player because it didn't have skip protection, but it was not commonly used that way. You always had to make sure you brought a Coax Adapter with you because you never knew what kind of TV you were going to be playing on.

[@thehoeslaper]

I remember back in the day my neighbors using the cdx exclusively as a CD player for their painfully mid 90s entertainment center

[@osurpless]

Perhaps the battery life is outstanding for such purposes? I recently found out that the Famicom Disk System will last months on 4 batteries, to the point that I might pick up one come convention season again just for that very reason. Would definitely make it easier to fit into already established game system areas.

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

Imagine audiophiles getting a launch model PS1 for their CD player setup :P

[@KayoMichiels]

Love the little bugger! all the genesis and cd games in a small package and one of the cleanest cd music outputs of the time! What's more to love?

[@BroBurg445]

With all of this context, it seems like the 32X was their first major mistake, or at the very least a major one. If they just kept with the CDX, and put the time and resources from the 32X into getting the saturn out earlier, they might have been around longer. Hindsight is 2020 though, or 2015 in my case heh.

[@brettknoss486]

Sega of America was worried about the Saturn being released to late. Sega of Japan were worried about the Atari Jaguar. Atari was struggling though, and if Sega could have bought them and released a consol based on the Falcon in 1993...

[@thatryeguy6145]

I had no idea the 32X worked with the Genesis CDX. Thanks for the great video Adam!

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

20:22 I can’t imagine Adam actually listening to music CD’s. Even if he paid 1 cent per dozen of them from Columbia House, he’d probably trade them in for more purged Sega stuff or Transformers figures Will the real Adam Koralik please stand up please stand up please stand up?

[@meatrace]

I wanted this for an 8th grade graduation present but decided to save up for a Saturn instead. Ultimately I got a PS1 instead but that’s a whole other story.

[@Chusterkuun]

The CDX with the 32x plus the adapter looks like an old-school printer printing out a CD player.

[@brandonlee7382]

New recap video! Amazing! Because I wasn't born when all these retro consoles came out I find it so interesting seeing you perspective on them, I was born in 2001

[@HKT-4300]

The screw was probably for a planned rechargeable Battery pack lmao

[@cloudstrife1983]

The history of the CDX "It exists. And nobody now knows exactly why"

[@jasonarmstrong5750]

I love how sega was pretty much just snorting coke and throwing shit at the wall throughout this era

[@lebombjames3911]

"WELCOME TO -SONIC TEAM- SEGA WE MAKE GAMES I THINK"

[@paulgillie5868]

They were the best and still are. They came up with alot before anyone else. Alot of modern company's have stolen sega's ideas and get the credit.

[@anxiousheart2429]

This is my favorite gaming channel on KZbin. Thank you for the great work and effort

[@motonerve]

This kind of shit always takes me back. Knew a kid in the early/mid 2000s that had a CDX. The Saturn was my first sega console so this is what introduced me to the original Sonic games.

[@vishramramoutar]

i love how wild the video game market was back then companies just throwing things at the wall hoping it stuck.

[@MrAxelStone]

Just wanted to say its refreshing to watch content I'm interested in where you, the creator, just looks at the camera and speaks to us like a normal person that can tell us a story without a billion jump cuts, without the over the top energy, without zooming in and out for no reason whatsoever or using any of the other "how to be a cool KZbinr tips and tricks" that so many other creators use that are just annoying and distracting. You cut away to other footage that's actually germane to your content and not just a random image or clip thrown in for no reason whatsoever. Thanks Mr. Koralik.

[@poncho828]

I love how in depth you get with system and game history

[@ThePrimo80s]

Fantastic video Adam. Love these type of videos.

[@hardgay7537]

1:00 Right there is why I'm subbed to you and not those other guys. Thank you for loving video games.

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

I always sought out a working CDX on eBay, but nothing I was willing to pay for. Now that there are flash carts like the TerraOnion MegaSD & the Mega Everdrive Pro that can also do Sega CD, 32X and hopefully 32X CD in the future, I am thinking about just settling on a Model 1

[@mtshark7]

Awesome overview Adam! I have one that might need a cap replacement soon.

[@MTGBros]

pretty awesome, i totally forgot about this thing. amazed at the prices on ebay.

[@kranibal]

Always a good time listening to your stories! Stay safe!

[@gogosegaga]

The tower of power just got more powerful. I always wanted a cdx. Nice video Adam :)

[@kristianhristov3469]

Adam back at it with brilliant content.

[@Klippenschubser]

Great Video, thank you Adam.

[@Adamwinters]

Haha, that custom 32x/CDX spacer is amazing.

[@joeyparkhill8751]

I'd like to have a SEGA CDX but my kids' future won't let me

[@hateeternalmaver]

Always enjoying myself a neat Adam Sega video... ;) much love my friend.

[@bdillmore40]

Adam, loved the video! I also got a kick out of hearing your stories of how you came to aquire both Sega CDX consoles! The Mexico trip story was also funny. I've been a Sega fanboy for most of my life. I do still love Sega, but now I also love SNK's Neo Geo. So needless to say those are 2 of my favorite video game companies! Back in 2018 (I think) I worked at a local small business video game that close to my house. Well one day when I came in to work, I saw a Sega CDX console sitting in the backroom where we kept all of the video game consoles we had in stock. I asked either my manager or boss what was up with that Sega CDX. Apparently a guy had brought it in the store one day, but knew it didn't work. Well the store still wanted it, and bought it off of him. I don't know the details of that specific transaction, but I can't imagine they gave the guy a lot of money for it. It was still really cool seeing a Sega CDX in person! Other than that instance, I think I've only seen 1 other one in person. So I totally get when you said that you don't believe 5,000 CDX units were sold in the US. As far as I can remember, I have only seen 2 Sega CDX consoles in person. That's it. But as you also said, if you look for it on eBay they're all over the place. Very cool video, and an interesting one for sure! Keep up the great work!

[@joeyparkhill8751]

Adam In the words of Paul Rudd "I love you man!" anyway, thanks for uploading a video on the CDX! I hate it when people don't go into more details on something...

[@kevinvanneste2500]

Great video 👍

[@dad7275]

Thats awesome Adam. Like hearing these stories. I picked up my first cdx at a local fleamarket for $5!

[@railsrust]

I gotta say that the CDX was a great idea IMHO. Much better an idea than most of the crap they were doing at the time. Had they not made the dumpster fire that was the 32X (not hatin' on people the like it), I think it would have actually sold pretty well and lasted a few years into the Saturn's life as the 'budget' option; much how the SNES Jr. was sold during the N64's life. Sure it was expensive at first, but they'd have figured out how to cheapen it up pretty quickly to sell more units. I personally don't want a CDX 'now' because I don't have much need for Sega CD or 32X games right now (maybe in the future). Still a cool piece of hardware, and I'm glad you covered it Adam.

[@calebprenger3928]

I sold my CDX a few years back because I heard it was notorious for failing lasers. I bought a sega master system and a few games in it's place. Pretty happy about it :)

[@user-zj4ks1uv4s]

Ooh gosh, I feel for the guy at 19:00. If someone were to tell me, "Your stuff or me," I'd be like "Bye 👋"

[@joshuawick5382]

I just recently sold a copy of the Red variant of Sonic CD and the Ecco the Dolphin and Sega Classics together to a collector on ebay. He told me he was trying to complete his in box Genesis CDX collection. I decided to give him a deal on the pack.

[@joshuawick5382]

Technically, the Sega 32X is really called the Genesis 32X. The Sega CDX is called the Genesis CDX.

[@Lord_Verge]

The timing of this video is impecable. Today my wife and I literally just found and after like an hour relented and purchased a CDX. One of my holy Grails for sure.

[@samfrito]

I am glad to hear you treasure such a item as the CDX. I was always enticed by and wanted a Pro Duo (the TG-16 & CD in one) but my wife forbade me from spending the asking price, plus I have fewer than three to four games I actually love for the system. Oh well, at least I have the CDX.

[@Supersayainpikmin]

Really love these newer thumbnails, they look really cool! I actually have one of these, and it was my primary Genesis/Sega CD from 2013 to 2016 because it was cheaper than a Sega CD+Model 1 Genesis at the time. Sadly when I got my Framemeister my Scart cable wouldn't work with it and a friend tried it on a PVM and said it just outputted a very bright composite, but worked fine on his Model 1 Genesis. I eventually got a Genesis and Sega CD but the laser died just after just a year. Nowadays I just use a Mega SD, but I oddly kinda miss using the CDX, even if I would be using flash carts now regardless.

[@zenogoberti9003]

Ah! So it does work with the 32X!.. Always wandered why wouldn't it... Great vid. Loved the 32+32 Jaguar reference.. Cheers from Italy!

[@jamesburke2759]

Awesome, thanks Adam as always for a video on something ive always wanted to know more about. That little CDX pack is sweet. The thought that sega could have released more compilations or standard games on sega CD as well as cart could have really helped the console. think about the thought if you buy this add on you can buy games for $30 instead of $99 makes me want to buy one in the day.

[@fordxbgtfalcon]

Oh man 94-95 was an awesome time for gaming with Sega, lots of good memories from that timeframe.

[@plantadesombra]

i live in Argentina and i have one, my dad bought it in a trip to the US in '94. I did use it as a CD player in a '97 car trip to Brazil (around 1500 miles) and it worked great, we even conected it to the cassette player of the car with a strange device that was essentially a cassette with a cable and a mini plug. I dont remember if the batteries lasted long or not (it was A LONG TIME AGO) but i used it a lot in that 15 days vacation. I still have it. Sorry for my english.

[@zeronightex]

This has to be the definitive video on the CDX on KZbin. It's a great concept but it sucks it didn't work out. I did hear these things weren't too reliable mechanically though. Great job Adam!

[@samfrito]

Mine still works, but I am not that huge on leaving it connected anymore. Just occasional use.

[@poolee77]

My dad game me his old CDX we used to play together when I was a kid. Lots of fond memories with this thing. He kept it in good shape has rhe leather bag too

[@TheGamingCircle]

This is Adam at his best when he uploads these in-depth video's about classic gaming machines:-)) #ImLovinIt

[@daktheavking9357]

New video at LunchTime?? Hell yeah!

[@klankorbus7874]

I had it under the name 'Multi Mega' as I'm from the UK. I was a SNES kid but got this and a bunch of Sega CD games bundled with it cheap when my local electronics store was practically giving them away.

[@ZonicMirage]

I wanted one back in the day, but it was so expensive new. Happened to find one at a games/comics store in the early 2000s. Because they didn't know what it was, I got it for $100. Too bad the laser died.

[@jasonswift3764]

I think the screw hole in the back of the cdx is for mounting it In a old van with a tv or a rv or even possibly to shelf of some sort awesome chnl man.love the content.

[@TechSpec814]

I thought this was an older video I somehow missed but it was uploaded today! Lol!

[@nimrodlevy]

People in youtube, tend to open the console oddballs and talk about the inside, its cool in its own right, but, you are a true journalist. I'd easily give you polizer for your work so awesome to watch! Thank mr. Korlik. Btw, with the 32x does it Play the 5-6 games that where out for the 32x-cd combo?

[@AdamKoralik]

Thanks, and yes.

[@zaxchannel2834]

It's a nice little unit with the spacer

[@Brylant1980]

Woow Adam, I have a lot of respect for you for all the hardware and games you have. My heart hurts that i don't even have the Sega Dreamcast my best console of all time because the prices goes up all the time. You have practically everything and at least i can have a look at your videos for nostalgia. But I'll never give up on Dreamcast. I will not rest until i get this console back!

[@jonbarrett1983]

Love the merch on your store site.

[@garycormack]

No doubt about it, that 3D printed spacer makes it look 100 times better. I’ll have to enquire about one. I have one of these myself (a Multimega) i got mine switchless modded for 50/60hz and multi region, one thing that has always bugged me slightly about this unit is how the RGB Scart socket comes out the size or the console and not the back, not sure why they done it that way

[@TechRyze]

Probably related to the battery compartment. Also, that screw hole shows that there's was some kind of plan or expectation for something to attach to the back or cartridge slot.

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

I love how Sega just look at so many devices and were like "You get a Genesis, You get a Genesis, Every device will have a Sega Genesis drive.

[@cinnamondan4984]

Had this console as a kid. Was very special.

[@coreymcmanus4749]

Sega saturn is the most underrated console of all time in my opinion.

[@SLAYERfan4life88]

That form factor is so cool

[@MegaManNeo]

The CDX 32X combo looks like Duckwing's jet with the dark texture of the Batmobile. That's pretty badass.

[@7676tbrown]

I almost grabbed one of these on clearance for 29.97 in 1995 on the air force base at the bx. Wish i had

[@KatsuyaTheFuuk]

I'll watch this in a bit. Gotta heat up my mf pizza first

[@boywithanearring]

fuuka pfp

[@KatsuyaTheFuuk]

@@boywithanearring weed Fuuka

[@thomasbozard6096]

How was your pizza?

[@KatsuyaTheFuuk]

@@thomasbozard6096 pretty damn good

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

What were the toppings? Supreme with chopped up pieces of turtle, rhino, and potatoes?? :P

[@metalbrainmextrememetalent6810]

A kid had that thing when I was a younger kid. Seemed very high tech at the time. Early 90s. Made my Super Nintendo look like a baby toy.

[@andreicdavis]

In '96, I took my CDX to Brazil and used it as a CD player, but yeah battery life was horrible. Interestingly, I really only got the idea to use my CDX this way from a TV show where the protagonist used a Sony Playstation One to play music CDs. Thanks for your videos.

[@LockeTheCole]

When the CDX came out, that's just how bad the battery life of a portable CD player was. I actually used mine all the time as a portable CD player way back when when I got mine somewhat shortly after it came out and bombed.

[@PunkOnARant]

Took me a while to realize the mini-Megadrive-32X to the right is actually in the background on the bookshelf, and not on top of the other systems on the table!

[@AdamKoralik]

Mind blown!

[@Robertf752]

I remember getting mine in the summer time in Canada. I remember using it to listen to lunar directly from the game disk. Some voice files just on it .as well as the Ecco the dolphin soundtrack I remember listening to it to help me sleep at the night. Unfortunately It just stopped working and I just decided to take it apart. Now it's lost to time but it was my first Sega console and it was great 😀👍

[@charlieomeara1856]

It’s a novelty item. Original Sega CD came out in 1992. What’s so cool is it’s sooo much smaller & it’s a portable CD player too!

[@robkearsy2995]

That thing probably costs more than getting a Genesis & Sega CD separately.

[@SonofTiamat]

I still have my CDX. Haven't touched it in years though

[@3dlp]

Had my near mint boxed multi mega for over 20 years now (even got the grey soft bag the unit came packed in). Gorgeous machine. No mention on the Linguaphone model that came out years later in Asia though? Definitely the rarest version and worth a look up.

[@AdamKoralik]

Like I said, it got scattered releases throughout parts of Asia.

[@paulgillie5868]

Just came across you man. I really enjoyed the video so I've subscribed and look forward to seeing your old and new videos. I'm from scotland and I have the multi-mega with the 32x and it's my favourite sega console. Sorry to be a bother but could you possibly put another link up for the 32x connector to attach to the cdx. Thanks

[@AdamKoralik]

Thanks. Both links appear to work, what's the issue?

[@TheLuchaDork]

I actually bought the CDX with the intent of using it as a portable CD player. I still remember playing Ænima on it while riding in the back seat of my parents' car. I still have it.

[@akxmedia0]

I suppose an easy way to find out when exactly the CDX was released ; Comb through game magazines of that time. I'm certain there were advertisements for it. (Gamepro, EGM, Diehard Gamefan, Game Informer etc.) Whatever average month you get from your sources, add one month and you have roughly the release month for it. EDIT ; March/April 1994 (EGM February '94 issue, page 60)

[@SS3Dman]

3 32xs & 2 cdxs man i would love even one of those lol good old living in Australia didnt even now this stuff existed until fairly recently

[@segare-trop-vieux3932]

Great video, I saw a cdx in Japan and it is expensive. Sega was crazy with the Megadrive during the 90’s, so many variations on the mega cd. I have the wondermega from Sega and that’s enough for me. Oh I taught I subscribed long time ago, now it is done !

[@aaronsmith7967]

I remember using my Multi Mega (CDX) out an about. I remember one time I stayed over a friends place and took it and listened to it on the bus and someone thought it was a normal cd player later on when I got to my friends place he only had an old 15" CRT TV (LCD TVs was very common then this was the time of PS2 being king) they had no consoles not even a DVD player or stereo nothing but they had loads of Mega Drive(Genesis) games but no Mega Drive, I had with me the TV cable (the bad coax cable), power cable, Sonic CD (for the music) and and the 5 classic Mega Drive collection CD just incase I got to play it, so we drank (alcoholic) played loads of Mega Drive games and later on used it as a hi-fi to play load of music and danced loads it was an amazing night and so much fun. they had never known about the Multi Mega and was shocked to about the size and missed playing there old games

[@velvetdogg7375]

I remember seeing one in the summer of 94. At a game force store, had just gotten some money for my grade's and was on my way to high school. A guy was looking into getting a system. I was floored with all the options he was shown the jvc, the original Sega set up and then he pulls down the portable one. Then he told the guy the price and not to waste the money because the Saturn was coming. Me I still wanted one because of it's size but it's price !!

[@BigHilm]

That screw hole was maybe there for the Master System converted. It is used on the regular Megadrive here in the UK.