New Sega Nomad?

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10-11-2009, 08:29 PM
Bramsworth

There needs to be a portable that's just as good as the original, no sound pitch being high and garbled. I don't see how anyone would even buy any of these since they all seem to have this same fault. Is it impossible for a single one to somehow achieve perfect sound? I'm surprised neither one took the time to fix this huge flaw before selling it to people :/

At this rate if I ever want a portable I'd probably be best off getting a Nomad still, can't find an advantage to these ones to be honest...
10-11-2009, 08:46 PM
Ace

STOP! I know why it won't go past the Game Genie screen: the 13MHz clock on the cartridge slot. Like the Genesis 3, the RetroGEN has the 13MHz clock pin(B19) disconnected, which renders the RetroGEN completely incompatible with the Game Genie. What is the frequency of the clock pin, 13.what? You would need a 13.xMHz oscillator to get the Game Genie working on the RetroGEN.
10-11-2009, 09:09 PM
EddieJ1984

Well i'll take sound problems over using 6 batteries that dont even last long.
Hmm it also seems that NBA JAM T.E dont work with the retrogen, but NBA JAM does.
Also, I odnt mind gettin the retrogen, its still $10 less than a new xbox360 game!
10-11-2009, 09:30 PM
17daysolderthannes

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bramsworth

There needs to be a portable that's just as good as the original, no sound pitch being high and garbled. I don't see how anyone would even buy any of these since they all seem to have this same fault. Is it impossible for a single one to somehow achieve perfect sound? I'm surprised neither one took the time to fix this huge flaw before selling it to people :/

At this rate if I ever want a portable I'd probably be best off getting a Nomad still, can't find an advantage to these ones to be honest...

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieJ1984

Well i'll take sound problems over using 6 batteries that dont even last long.
Hmm it also seems that NBA JAM T.E dont work with the retrogen, but NBA JAM does.
Also, I odnt mind gettin the retrogen, its still $10 less than a new xbox360 game!

I'd still argue a modded PSP is the best way to go:

-rechargeable batteries
-can put every Genesis game ever made on a memory stick (though offshoots like unlicensed games sometimes won't work, nor will virtua racing)
-compatible with Sega CD games as well
-great accuracy if you get the latest version of PicoDrive
-save states
-customizable controls (if, say, you wanted to use shoulder buttons for some reason)
-about the same price if you buy it used with a broken UMD drive (though they may go up now that there is a PSN to download PSP games).

say what you will about emulation, but what's the difference between emulation and a sketchy clone? At least the sound on the PSP is really close to perfect.
10-12-2009, 12:02 AM
Bhart

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieJ1984

Well i'll take sound problems over using 6 batteries that dont even last long.
Hmm it also seems that NBA JAM T.E dont work with the retrogen, but NBA JAM does.
Also, I odnt mind gettin the retrogen, its still $10 less than a new xbox360 game!

Before I purchase one, I would like to see a compatibility list. So far i've heard Street Figher 2 and NBA Jam T.E. don't work...are there any others?

I'l hang up and listen.
10-12-2009, 12:28 AM
runback22

Quote:

Originally Posted by 17daysolderthannes

I'd still argue a modded PSP is the best way to go:

-rechargeable batteries
-can put every Genesis game ever made on a memory stick (though offshoots like unlicensed games sometimes won't work, nor will virtua racing)
-compatible with Sega CD games as well
-great accuracy if you get the latest version of PicoDrive
-save states
-customizable controls (if, say, you wanted to use shoulder buttons for some reason)
-about the same price if you buy it used with a broken UMD drive (though they may go up now that there is a PSN to download PSP games).

say what you will about emulation, but what's the difference between emulation and a sketchy clone? At least the sound on the PSP is really close to perfect.

I tried a PSP but it just didnt work as good as advertised.....The only game I ran into that didnt work was Virtua Racing. The thing that kills it on the PSP is the horrible refresh rate on the screen. Some games were okay, others were horrible. I get a headache after a while of playing SoR3 because of the horrible ghosting. If you can mod a PSP 3000, it will be worth it. With any other older model, its bad.
10-12-2009, 12:51 AM
EddieJ1984

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bhart

Before I purchase one, I would like to see a compatibility list. So far i've heard Street Figher 2 and NBA Jam T.E. don't work...are there any others?

I'l hang up and listen.

Well Street Fighter 2: Special Championship Edition works.
World Series 95, starts with no sound, and when you go to play a game, screen goes black or you get scrambled crap.
ESPN NHL Hockey Night doesnt go past the sega logo on portable mode, but when hooked up to the tv, it works, odd.
I'll edit this post or make a reply with any more games I find odd
10-12-2009, 01:03 AM
Deo

Quote:

Originally Posted by 17daysolderthannes

say what you will about emulation, but what's the difference between emulation and a sketchy clone? At least the sound on the PSP is really close to perfect.

Sketchy clones are perfect for people with RPGs, I mean I wouldn't want to waste my time trying to recreate all 4 of my saves in PSII.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieJ1984

Well Street Fighter 2: Special Championship Edition works.
World Series 95, starts with no sound, and when you go to play a game, screen goes black or you get scrambled crap.
ESPN NHL Hockey Night doesnt go past the sega logo.
I'll edit this post or make a reply with any more games I find odd

Make sure that all the contacts on the carts are clean, I know that the portable NES (can't remember the name) is very sensitive when it comes to dirt and dust. It's a cool thing your doing testing out your carts and posting the results!
10-12-2009, 01:06 AM
Pulstar

Quote:

Originally Posted by runback22

I tried a PSP but it just didnt work as good as advertised.....The only game I ran into that didnt work was Virtua Racing. The thing that kills it on the PSP is the horrible refresh rate on the screen. Some games were okay, others were horrible. I get a headache after a while of playing SoR3 because of the horrible ghosting. If you can mod a PSP 3000, it will be worth it. With any other older model, its bad.

I don't know about the PSP but playing 2D games on the DS is fine for me. Yes even Chrono Trigger DS which didn't compensate for the obligatory LCD ghosting. Now if only the system were powerful enough to implement proper scaling when it comes to MD emulation.
10-12-2009, 01:06 AM
kool kitty89

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace

You would still get the nasty sound pitch problems, so it's not worth it.

Why, if you use a Genesis 3 motherboard? (mono, but nice quality) Granted, that guy did do a poor jub for the controlls. You can do better. :p

And does that PS1 screen work directly from RGB signals or use composite?
10-12-2009, 01:08 AM
EddieJ1984

Update: ESPN National Hockey Night's opening logos takes a while (which u can usually skip by pressing start), and i cant get past the title screen, hmmmm, but it works normal when hooked up to the tv, odd.
ALSO WWF Royal Rumble, all 6 buttons work when hooked up to the tv.
But NBA JAM T.E. works on neither.
10-12-2009, 01:22 AM
Ace

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool kitty89

Why, if you use a Genesis 3 motherboard? (mono, but nice quality) Granted, that guy did do a poor jub for the controlls. You can do better. :p

And does that PS1 screen work directly from RGB signals or use composite?

I believe the PSone Screen works via RGB, Composite and S-Video, but I won't be using a screen like that(too big). I'd get a 3" screen that has minimal blurring and will work using a 6V rechargeable battery.

Now, as for the sound circuit, while it's not worth it on the AtGames shits, on something like the Genesis 3, it's totally worth it. I would use a new sound circuit in the Radica, since it strains a lot. I would just use that Street Fighter 2 Radica since I have my GN Twin's Genesis board in my Genesis 3, and I don't want to remove it from there.

An all-vertical button layout would make me puke. I'd have a button layout like the 6-button controller, or slightly more angled.

Now, as for the probable design of my "Nomad Mini," the name is self-explanatory: it's a miniaturized Nomad about the size of a GameBoy "Brick" at most. Sorry, but I have no ideas for more original case designs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bhart

Before I purchase one, I would like to see a compatibility list. So far i've heard Street Figher 2 and NBA Jam T.E. don't work...are there any others?

I'l hang up and listen.

Virtua Racing is another that won't work because the cartridge slot is missing the necessary connections for the Sega Virtua Processor within the cartridge.
10-12-2009, 01:51 AM
17daysolderthannes

Quote:

Originally Posted by runback22

I tried a PSP but it just didnt work as good as advertised.....The only game I ran into that didnt work was Virtua Racing. The thing that kills it on the PSP is the horrible refresh rate on the screen. Some games were okay, others were horrible. I get a headache after a while of playing SoR3 because of the horrible ghosting. If you can mod a PSP 3000, it will be worth it. With any other older model, its bad.

Actually, you can mod the 3000 now, but I'd take the progressive scan 2000 any day of the week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deo

Sketchy clones are perfect for people with RPGs, I mean I wouldn't want to waste my time trying to recreate all 4 of my saves in PSII.

Well, I don't play RPGs, so I don't have that problem. Most of the games I enjoy from that era don't have saves of any kind, so the save states in emulators are a god send.
10-12-2009, 02:40 AM
EddieJ1984

The first John Madden Football doesnt work, doesnt appear at all on the screen, hooked up to tv, image does come on with some glitch crap.
10-12-2009, 04:08 AM
kool kitty89

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace

I would just use that Street Fighter 2 Radica since I have my GN Twin's Genesis board in my Genesis 3, and I don't want to remove it from there.

An all-vertical button layout would make me puke. I'd have a button layout like the 6-button controller, or slightly more angled.

Now, as for the probable design of my "Nomad Mini," the name is self-explanatory: it's a miniaturized Nomad about the size of a GameBoy "Brick" at most. Sorry, but I have no ideas for more original case designs.

Virtua Racing is another that won't work because the cartridge slot is missing the necessary connections for the Sega Virtua Processor within the cartridge.

Other than Genesis 3 or clone hardware you could canabalize a broken Nomad as well, but in that case, if th emain board is still good, you might as well try to use the original case and replace/repair the non-functioning componesnts and the screen.

How small is th eradica board?
10-12-2009, 04:47 AM
EddieJ1984

Seems like some EA games are odd, like NBA Live 95,96,97 fifa 96, you cant get past the main menu, the buttons do nothing.
YET I hook it up to the tv with the a/v cords, the buttons work! BUT (at least with nba live 95) theres NO SOUND.
Now my main question is, is the Gen Mobile that comes out this week, is it gonna be any better?

EDIT: ALSO Coach K College Basketball.
10-12-2009, 05:28 AM
nathanallan

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieJ1984

Seems like some EA games are odd, like NBA Live 95,96,97 fifa 96, you cant get past the main menu, the buttons do nothing.
YET I hook it up to the tv with the a/v cords, the buttons work! BUT (at least with nba live 95) theres NO SOUND.
Now my main question is, is the Gen Mobile that comes out this week, is it gonna be any better?

If I generally understand the hardware (comparing it to my Coleco thing that has TV out as well), the main chip senses if there's a cable plugged in and the presence of a TV so I would see if that particular unit has an error. Odd.

Does anyone else have a problem with any EA games?
10-12-2009, 05:32 AM
QuickSciFi

Here's my full review on the unit:

P.S.> I've had some trouble with other EA sports titles when I was testing my carts as well. But the truth is, I didn't really purchase this unit to play sports games. Skitchin works like a charm, though. :D
10-12-2009, 07:11 AM
Bramsworth

Ugh, poor Sonic. Deserves better than THAT sound. Just unforgivable :P

A PSP definitely sound slike the way to go if you like playing game portably. Of course there's those who would prefer using their carts. I'd be fine with emulation though, the sound is just a huge deal breaker right there, I mean how could they? :(

Good review QuickSciFi btw. I almost didn't think you were gonna talk at all for a few minutes there!
10-12-2009, 08:08 AM
QuickSciFi

^Thanks.

P.S.> If all my RPGs play as well as SoV and PSII, then I'm set. ;)
10-12-2009, 10:40 AM
TheEdge

Thanks QuickScifi,

I'll watch it when I go on break.
10-12-2009, 01:03 PM
Beastech

We should start up a database of games that have been tested on the Retrogen. I'll go over all of the Genesis games at Gamesboro, if you guys want to hit up your personal collections as well. I'll combine all of the data and put it on gamesboro.net and give everyone credit that helped out.

Just something as simple as

game title - yes/no

Just remember if a game comes up "no" make sure you test it on actual Genesis hardware as well to make sure it isn't dirty/broken.
10-12-2009, 01:12 PM
NeoVamp

Good review man, but i can't say i'm excited about this thing..
I mean it looks good and maybe the sound isn't perfect but i could handle that,
but the button layout! fuck no, I got enough wrist problems as it is now.
I don't think i could handle that fucked up layout.
10-12-2009, 01:13 PM
TheEdge

Has anyone found a case that fits the Retrogen?

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeoVamp

Good review man, but i can't say i'm excited about this thing..
I mean it looks good and maybe the sound isn't perfect but i could handle that,
but the button layout! fuck no, I got enough wrist problems as it is now.
I don't think i could handle that fucked up layout.

Come on, Neovamp.....

First everyone bitched and moaned over the sound....now its the button lay out.....this is getting ridiculous. I see nothing wrong with either of the new Nomads. nothing.
10-12-2009, 01:41 PM
Beastech

Actually the button layout is very easy to get used too. I'm not a big fan of the D-pad though. Thats one of the things I'm really looking forward too on the GEN Mobile.
10-12-2009, 02:21 PM
matteus

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheEdge

Has anyone found a case that fits the Retrogen?

Come on, Neovamp.....

First everyone bitched and moaned over the sound....now its the button lay out.....this is getting ridiculous. I see nothing wrong with either of the new Nomads. nothing.

The sound emulation kills this handheld dead in the water before you even need to pick holes in the control layout!
10-12-2009, 03:06 PM
QuickSciFi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastech

We should start up a database of games that have been tested on the Retrogen. I'll go over all of the Genesis games at Gamesboro, if you guys want to hit up your personal collections as well. I'll combine all of the data and put it on gamesboro.net and give everyone credit that helped out.

Just something as simple as

game title - yes/no

Just remember if a game comes up "no" make sure you test it on actual Genesis hardware as well to make sure it isn't dirty/broken.

What about games like Mortal Kombat 3 (or perhaps even Street Fighter II: Special Champ Ed)? They work, but you can't make any special moves. MK1 does work perfectly, but the D-pad is more like a Joystick. Forget about performing fatalities. Anyways, I guess I'm trying to say, I'd do it (I have 140+ titles), but I think it should be just a tiny bit more detailed. Perhaps adding a couple of more columns would do. What do you think?

P.S.> Are you getting free lives when playing Sonic 2? I seem to be getting free lives in mid-play without finding a "life box" or even hitting the 100 ring mark.

P.S.S.> Also, are you hearing things from these carts that shouldn't be there or you simply never heard before? Like sudden sound effects that have nothing to do with the story? It's kind of weird.
10-12-2009, 03:10 PM
TheEdge

Quote:

Originally Posted by matteus

The sound emulation kills this handheld dead in the water before you even need to pick holes in the control layout!

No, 2 New Nomads in the year 2009 for these prices are perfect and from what it looks like the emulation and sound is good enough. You guys are just blowing this out of proportion.

I think you and others have set an unrealistic bar for these new devices.
10-12-2009, 03:15 PM
Beastech

Haven't heard any random sound effects, not getting extra lives in Sonic 2 either.

My flash cart goes crazy though.

I'm totally open to the idea of adding more info per each game.
10-12-2009, 03:17 PM
TheEdge

@ Quickscifi,

many Genesis games have slow down already on the original hardware. Are you sure you aren't mistaken normal slow down for "new" slow down on the Retrogen?
10-12-2009, 03:24 PM
EddieJ1984

Nice review quickscifi!
I may do a review vid myself as well today, it wont be as in depth or near as long as yours tho!
10-12-2009, 03:32 PM
QuickSciFi

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheEdge

@ Quickscifi,

many Genesis games have slow down already on the original hardware. Are you sure you aren't mistaken normal slow down for "new" slow down on the Retrogen?

I'm certain. Primarily with all the shmups as well as fast action titles, like Vectorman (during a boss battle), for instance, or Sonic 2 (especially underwater).

However, I've no problem with slowdown. It only gives you more time to think. ;) The truth is, I have a theory that if someone manages to overclock this baby, both the slow-down and low-tone music and sound effects will also be fixed. I've no intention in modding my piece, though. :D I'm as happy as can be.
10-12-2009, 03:36 PM
TheEdge

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuickSciFi

. :D I'm as happy as can be.

Nice, Can't wait to get home and find it on my doorstep. :cool:
10-12-2009, 03:41 PM
QuickSciFi

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheEdge

Nice, Can't wait to get home and find it on my doorstep. :cool:

I hope you feel as overjoyed as I did. I still am.:D

Now off to get some sleep... Haven't slept since 8 am yesterday.
10-12-2009, 03:41 PM
TheEdge

^ gnight
10-12-2009, 05:54 PM
EddieJ1984

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
The COMBO's dont work! Like back,back, high punch to do rain's lightning.
But THEN I hook it to the tv, and they work.
Also, some cames lose some of their color pallete, but seems to be intact when you connect it to a tv.
So WHY couldn't what happens on the portable screen be the same as the tv screen? it doesnt make any sense to me.
10-12-2009, 06:11 PM
matteus

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheEdge

I think you and others have set an unrealistic bar for these new devices.

I don't think having properly emulated sound is setting the bar that high! We've had near perfect sound emulation for years...
10-12-2009, 06:35 PM
TheEdge

Quote:

Originally Posted by matteus

I don't think having properly emulated sound is setting the bar that high! We've had near perfect sound emulation for years...

From? If your talking about computer emulators then I don't think your understanding. Yes, we have Sega Genesis emulators on the computer. That's much different then mass producing cloned hardware.
10-12-2009, 06:42 PM
matteus

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheEdge

From? If your talking about computer emulators then I don't think your understanding. Yes, we have Sega Genesis emulators on the computer. That's much different then mass producing cloned hardware.

I do understand the difference... what I don't understand is why they've repeatedly released emulation based clones and still not got it right...
10-12-2009, 06:59 PM
GohanX

Thanks for the detailed video and review, it looks like I finally have my Nomad replacement. The screen looks 1000X better than the Nomad, and with the battery life I can actually finish a game of Sonic 2. I will definately be getting this, unless the Gen mobile ends up being better in some way.

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