Another 32X Appreciation Thread

[NonShinyGoose]

I got busy on the keyboard this weekend and wrote an article on why the Sega 32X wasn't the worst thing to be released. Hopefully it'll educate the masses a little bit.

You can read it here: http://www.gamesasylum.com/2011/01/2...ubbish-honest/

I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. The screenshots looks especially good on the page I think.

I even did a little research and found that it was designed on a hotel notebook and not a bar napkin as some people believe!

[GKC]

Good article. I have really enjoyed the 32x as of late and it's easily been my most played system. With that said though I paid next to nothing for the system and 10 games (that is next to nothing compared to what someone would spend on any other system with 10 games) and I do understand how someone could feel let down but the 32x if they paid launch prices. Even though I think I would have still enjoyed, I could see where early adapters would be coming from. But with the prices for the system and it's games today there is very little reason for it to recieve the negativity it does. It is a great bang for your buck and a very underrated system.

[Da_Shocker]

It had the best home versions of NBA Jam, Mortal Kombat II, Pitfall and Blackthorne while games like Metal Head and Shadow Squadron looked better than some of the early Sega Saturn titles. Shadow Squadron was in fact converted to Sega Saturn. The Rayman-alike Tempo was a joy to play, Virtua Fighter was an impressive conversion that was better than the Saturn version due to having no loading times and although rather ancient the conversion of Afterburner and Space Harrier were the best around until Sega released Sega Ages on Saturn. Combine this little lot with Knuckles: Choatix and Kolibri – often touted as the two reasons to own the system – and I think you’ll agree that the 32X isn’t quite the harbinger of death that most make it out to be.

Decent article but I disagree with a few things.
NBA Jam on the 32X is indeed better than the 16-Bit versions. It doesn't compare to the Saturn or PSx versions.
MKII-The best Sega version but still not as good as the SNES version IMO
Shadow Squadron and Metal Head don't look better than any other early Sega made shooter. You'd be comparing them to the likes of Panzer Dragoon and Gun Griffin. DarXide did look as good as a few first gen Saturn titles.
VF-load times weren't an issue on the Saturn version of VF. The 32X did have a few features that were exclusive to that system but it looked and sounded way worse than the Saturn version.

[Greg2600]

Good article. I must say I didn't know of the lack of European release. That makes sense though. The 32X/Mars project was totally a brainchild of Sega of America at the time. Japan didn't want it done at all. They were willing to wait a year for the Saturn. Because the Saturn was due, SEGA couldn't get anybody to make games for the 32X. The high price, coupled with so-so public acceptance of the SegaCD, meant only the most fervent gamers bought the 32X when it debuted. Sega never followed up those initial games with anything earth-shattering, and then pulled the plug. I can tell you firsthand, the consensus on the "street" back then was SEGA had two strikes on some buyers (CD, 32X) and they weren't going to strike out by buying the Saturn, which also pretty much failed.

PS: I think you left an "in" in this sentence that shouldn't be there.

but Sega of Europe in really gave European 32X owners a hard time

[doomguy]

.
VF-load times weren't an issue on the Saturn version of VF..

The Saturn version takes ages to load and was generally poorly done.

[Curryman123]

I wanted to buy one of these things, But after i saw AVGN.

It does look like a tumor on your Sega genesis, and poor genesis gets rapped with all the extra hookups. I seen one of these things hooked up at my friends (before he sold his 32x) and buy it looked like a mess. :d

[Da_Shocker]

Good article. I must say I didn't know of the lack of European release. That makes sense though. The 32X/Mars project was totally a brainchild of Sega of America at the time. Japan didn't want it done at all. They were willing to wait a year for the Saturn. Because the Saturn was due, SEGA couldn't get anybody to make games for the 32X. The high price, coupled with so-so public acceptance of the SegaCD, meant only the most fervent gamers bought the 32X when it debuted. Sega never followed up those initial games with anything earth-shattering, and then pulled the plug. I can tell you firsthand, the consensus on the "street" back then was SEGA had two strikes on some buyers (CD, 32X) and they weren't going to strike out by buying the Saturn, which also pretty much failed.

PS: I think you left an "in" in this sentence that shouldn't be there.

Wait if Japan didn't want the 32 at all then why on earth did they release the unit in Japan? The MD was in 3rd place getting trounced by the SC and doused by the PCE.

[cleeg]

Good article, although I'm not sure that a 32X will work on a Mega Drive from another region without modding. It says this on Console Passion's website, which is where I had mine done, but it's been a while since I read that part of the site and may be mistaken.

There are some cool games though as you say, I agree VF is better, but mainly in the sense that it was better than the Saturn because it was as good as it could be for the system. The Saturn one could've been so much better and was dissapointing with hindsight.

[ItellYaHuat]

It's too bad that practically 2 million people agree with AVGN's opinion of it.

[NonShinyGoose]

Decent article but I disagree with a few things.
NBA Jam on the 32X is indeed better than the 16-Bit versions. It doesn't compare to the Saturn or PSx versions.
MKII-The best Sega version but still not as good as the SNES version IMO
Shadow Squadron and Metal Head don't look better than any other early Sega made shooter. You'd be comparing them to the likes of Panzer Dragoon and Gun Griffin. DarXide did look as good as a few first gen Saturn titles.
VF-load times weren't an issue on the Saturn version of VF. The 32X did have a few features that were exclusive to that system but it looked and sounded way worse than the Saturn version.

I did think about the Saturn and PS1 version of NBA Jam being superior, but no loading times on the 32X version nudged me towards that version.

I'm standing my ground on the fact that Metal Head looks as good as an early Saturn title. I was in my mind though thinking about stuff like Kileak: The Blood and Cyber Sled on PlayStation 1.

PS: I think you left an "in" in this sentence that shouldn't be there.

Thanks, man.

Good article, although I'm not sure that a 32X will work on a Mega Drive from another region without modding. It says this on Console Passion's website, which is where I had mine done, but it's been a while since I read that part of the site and may be mistaken.

There are some cool games though as you say, I agree VF is better, but mainly in the sense that it was better than the Saturn because it was as good as it could be for the system. The Saturn one could've been so much better and was dissapointing with hindsight.

Even Sega new the launch version of VF was poor - they released Virtua Fighter Remix shortly after to make up for it.

My MD/32X set up is of a US 32X and a PAL MD with a 50/60hz switch and a region switch (Jap/Eng). All my games are US and work fine. I can even set the MD to Japanese and get Cyber Battle instead of Cosmic Carnage...which is pretty cool.

[Baloo]

Good article! I'm also an enjoyer of the 32x, and while it may not have been a smart move business-wise, 15 years later it still has some enjoyable exclusive games and ports.

The Saturn is even more underrated, criminally so...

[ItellYaHuat]

Good article! I'm also an enjoyer of the 32x, and while it may not have been a smart move business-wise, 15 years later it still has some enjoyable exclusive games and ports.

That, and it makes collecting in the Sega scene that much more enjoyable. There's more for us to collect in terms of models, addons to our favorite console, and there's also more for us to experiment with.

[Da_Shocker]

I'm standing my ground on the fact that Metal Head looks as good as an early Saturn title. I was in my mind though thinking about stuff like Kileak: The Blood and Cyber Sled on PlayStation 1.
:

You say that yet you simply are just comparing PSx games to 32X games. Cybersled being an old Namco game that predates the 32X and Kileak being a bad FPS from Genki. These games would be a better comparison.

[djshok]

I've always been a big fan of the 32X. It's really too bad that there aren't more games for it.

[GKC]

It's too bad that practically 2 million people agree with AVGN's opinion of it.

I am alright with people watching AVGN's review (what 4 games?) and then coming away thinking the system sucks without ever playing it. Keeps prices down for those who like the 32x.