How rare is Sega MultiMega ?

[dj898]

I saw it listed on YJ for 60000 yen?!
That's right 60000 fr*akin' yen! :o

Just how rare is this thing?
Even rarer than Sega Wondermega???

http://page12.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/p7966599

cheers

[Sneth]

not rare

[Calpis]

Its far rarer than the Sega Wondermega, its very release is controversial. It's numerous boxes have no indication of authenticity nor even being of the Japanese region. I'm waiting to see a Japanese MM "BIOS."

[dj898]

hmm so it's either someone trying to sell US model as JPN?
Or some kind of unofficial product???

curious curious...

[Calpis]

No one seems to know for sure but at least the case is European for sure. They appear to be comprised of: Euro case, CDX internals (new Japanese MCD ROM?) and perhaps an all new Japanese bottom label.

[dj898]

sounds like Sega Japan brought back surplus stock from Europe and made some quick hack job? :p

[GaijinPunch]

The Japanese one is rare -- very rare. Never once found it in years of searching Akihabara, but you can find a Sega-CDX there quite easily.

The Megadrive and MegaCD bombed beyond all repair in Japan, and they knew it. Why produce mass numbers of something that won't sell (yeah, refrain from jokes please). 60,000 yen is about the going price me friend. You will not find it much cheaper, if it all.

EDIT: Absolutely no Japanese written on the box is dodgy. I did see a boxed one ages ago, but can't remember what it looked like. The seller says that you can play Japanese software no problem, but doesn't mean it wasn't modded. On that note though, the CD-X apparently has a bitchy BIOS when trying to multi-regionize it.

I stand corrected:
http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-...1389/multi.htm

Apparently it wasn't necessarily made for Japanese release, but probably aimed as an Asian release, then the Akiba shops got a hold of them that way. You learn something new every day.

And while I'm at it, Wonder SOund
http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-...89/rg-sp1.html

Anyone seen that before?

[Calpis]

Yeah, CDX is a bitch to multiregionalize due to the surface mount ROM but a skilled reworker should have no problem. The actual BIOS data is no problem, it's absolutely no different than any other Mega CD BIOS. I know someone who is attempting to add a switching BIOS to a CDX soon.

Once I've seen a "Japanese" box, it was a Euro box with a big Japanese paper sticker. Who really knows though, after Mega Drive 2, all Japanese/European boxes look dodgy.

[GaijinPunch]

I'll dig up an old email on the Multi Mega regionalization. There were certain carts if I'm not mistaken that allowed you to play any region CD games, but these carts didn't work for all CD games on the Multi Mega even though they would on an MD1 or 2.

Wait... I'm backwards. That was the CD-X (but I assume it's a similar issue). I gave up looking for a Japanese MM and thought about a multiregion CDX, until I heard about their low compatibility rate.

[Calpis]

Are you thinking of the Datel CDX cartridge? There are multiple Datel carts and none of them are very effective, each only plays 10-20 games.

The ONLY way to play games with a 100% success rate is to run the games through their original MCD BIOS/in their original speed. I'd love for someone to dump the "Japanese" and European MM BIOS so I can get to work on making a pretty multiregion unit :)

[GaijinPunch]

Sounds like a worthwhile project. Back in Japan I could've probably bought one, dumped the bios then sold it w/o losing any money. Not quite the same now. ;(

[Calpis]

I could always just use a Japanese MCD2 BIOS but it wouldn't be quite the same :) I'd like to get myself a MM case but the prices are redonkulous. Why CDXs are so available is a mystery to me.

[AntiPasta]

sounds like Sega Japan brought back surplus stock from Europe and made some quick hack job? :p

They had better left some here, I'm having a very hard time coming across one :angry

[Calpis]

You'd be better off with a NTSC CDX anyhow :)

[Nintendomad]

These are the Hong Kong version of the Multi mega and it plays Japanese cd's and carts in accordance with all other mega Drive stuff of that period in Asia.It even retains the famous gold logo on the box of all late HK releases.I have seen these for sale in Hong Kong before, so I know this to be true first hand.

Sega of japan passed up the oppurtunity to release this because of low sales of both the wondermega and aiwa all in one consoles.

They prepared it for the Hong Kong market where it met with some success and they were also imported into japan by many stores to sell them as imports because they were perfect for the jap market.

So it is an official product but is not a japanese release and never was , it was intended solely for the asian market and although it plays ntsc j software , it should never be marketed as a jap product.

[Calpis]

So if it's Asian, it's NTSC with a 220v PSU? I might have to get one.

[Nintendomad]

Yep that is correct kyuusaku mate, it is basically the uk package with a new box and set to the jap region that's all.It is NTSC however and not like the pal md's that were for sale earlier in the region.

[Nintendomad]

You'd be better off with a NTSC CDX anyhow :)

I don't think so mate :smt042

This baby plays all the great jap software that was made for the mega cd and jap md.The jap boxes are world famous for the best artwork on game boxes ever, the artwork was just beautiful unlike the horribly ugly genesis boxes.

[Zilog Jones]

And I couldn't live with that wrong name on anything! I remember even when I was like 10, I used to hate the way my copy of Streets of Rage looked, just because it said "Genesis" on it.

[Calpis]

You'd be better off with a NTSC CDX anyhow :)

I don't think so mate :smt042

This baby plays all the great jap software that was made for the mega cd and jap md.The jap boxes are world famous for the best artwork on game boxes ever, the artwork was just beautiful unlike the horribly ugly genesis boxes.

I resent that, some Genesis e.g. CDX boxes are far better than the Mega Drive (MultiMega) box. Don't think I enjoy US boxes more than JP, when it comes to consoles I am a NTSCJ Nazi.

One pet peeve of mine is Mega Drive boxes, particularly PAL boxes. No one can judge the authenticity of a Mega Drive 2 or greater simply from a picture due to the countless clone-like licensed European and "Asian" systems.

Sure the Asian MultiMega would be better for it's games' box art, or for every reason for me as I only play J games. However, a CDX costs $100, one sixth the price. Also.. thats not a Japanese box. It's some horrible "Asian" (not just for HK but for the "world") original box just like the other Sega-disowned MD boxes. Have you seen a CDX box? They're really not that bad. One could just as soon modify a CDX for Japanese region carts and MCDs before they could fundraise the extra $500 and buy one. Also, I don't see the collector's value in Asian systems which really are the lowest of low, with the "J" MultiMega being the sole exception.