Difference between revisions of "Wondermega"

From Sega Retro

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| consoleimage=Wondermega.jpg
 
| consoleimage=Wondermega.jpg
 
| imgwidth=320px
 
| imgwidth=320px
| name=Wondermega / X'eye
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| name=Wondermega / X'Eye
| maker=[[Sega]], [[JVC]], [[Victor]]
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| maker=[[Sega]], [[JVC]]/[[Victor]]
 
| variants=
 
| variants=
 
| add-ons=
 
| add-ons=
 
| processor=
 
| processor=
 
| europe=
 
| europe=
| usa=September 1994 (X'eye)
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| usa=Spring 1994 (X'Eye)
| japan=
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| japan=1992 (original Wondermega), 1993 (Wondermega M2)
 
| australia=
 
| australia=
 
| benelux=
 
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}}
 
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The '''Wondermega''', also known as the '''X'eye''' in North America, is a combined [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[Mega CD|Mega CD]] which was made by JVC and was released in Septermber 1994. It features improved sound capabilities, [[MIDI]] connections, two microphone inputs and a S-VHS Connector.
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The '''Wondermega''' is a combined [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[Mega CD|Mega CD]] which was made by JVC/Victor and was initially released in 1992. It features a DSP for audio enhancement, a [[MIDI]] output jack, two microphone inputs and S-video output. In 1993, a redesigned model known as the Wondermega M2 was released, which dropped several features (including the MIDI output, DSP and motorized disc door) but added wireless controllers.
  
At one point it was packaged with a CD called ''[[Wondermega Collection]]'' that included ''[[Quiz Scramble Special]]'', ''[[Flicky]]'', ''[[Pyramid Magic]]'' and ''[[Puzzle Fighter]]''. It was also packaged with ''[[Prize Fighter]]'' and a Karaoke CD that included the songs ''Achy Breaky Heart'' and ''Two Princes''.
 
  
The CD-ROM is compatible with [[CD plus G|CD+G]] (CD and Graphics) enabled CD Players. The X'eye also supported the "Wonder CD" peripheral that allows someone to create music and connect to MIDI-enabled devices, as well as a music keyboard called the "Piano Player" that allowed you to create music and learn to use the keyboard. It was later given a redesign with a softer, more curved look. Some of the extra features were removed, and the joypads were remodeled infrared joypads.
+
Like the Mega CD, the Wondermega and X'Eye are compatible with [[CD plus G|CD+G]] (CD and Graphics) discs. The original Wondermega also supported the "Wonder CD" peripheral, which included a full complement of MIDI jacks (in, out and thru) as well as a music keyboard called the "Piano Player".
  
 
==Models==
 
==Models==
There were surprisingly several models of the Wondermega, even though sales never caught the standard Mega Drive or Mega CD units.
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There were several models of the Wondermega, though sales never reached that of the standard Mega Drive or Mega CD units, due to the Wondermega's substantial price.
 
===Wondermega, Sega Model===
 
===Wondermega, Sega Model===
The first Wondermega model came from Sega themselves, and was only released in Japan. The control pad included is identica to that found in a regular Japanese Mega Drive package.
+
The first Wondermega model came from Sega themselves, and was only released in Japan. The control pad included is identical to that found in a regular Japanese Mega Drive package. One of the more novel features of the original Wondermega is a motorized disc door, which automatically opens or closes at the touch of a button.
 +
 
 +
The original Wondermega was packaged with a CD called ''[[Wondermega Collection]]'' that included ''[[Quiz Scramble Special]]'', ''[[Flicky]]'', ''[[Pyramid Magic]]'' and ''[[Puzzle Fighter]]''.
 +
 
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
File:Wondermega.jpg|Console
 
File:Wondermega.jpg|Console
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  File:Wondermega rgm1.jpg|Console
 
  File:Wondermega rgm1.jpg|Console
 
  File:Wondermega2.jpg|CD area
 
  File:Wondermega2.jpg|CD area
  File:Wondermega3.jpg|Extra sound buttons
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  File:Wondermega3.jpg|DSP preset buttons
 
  File:Wondermega4.jpg|Karaoke buttons for recording/mixing
 
  File:Wondermega4.jpg|Karaoke buttons for recording/mixing
 
  File:Wondermega5.jpg|Power/reset buttons, controller ports
 
  File:Wondermega5.jpg|Power/reset buttons, controller ports
  File:Wondermega6.jpg|Audio/video output
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  File:Wondermega6.jpg|Audio/video output and MIDI output
 
File:Wondermega RGM1 JP Box Front.jpg|Front of box
 
File:Wondermega RGM1 JP Box Front.jpg|Front of box
 
File:Wondermega gamepad.jpg|Victor Wondermega-branded gamepad
 
File:Wondermega gamepad.jpg|Victor Wondermega-branded gamepad
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===Wondermega, Victor RG-M2 Model===
 
===Wondermega, Victor RG-M2 Model===
Sweeping changes were made in the RG-M2 model, also by Victor. The [[DE-9]] controller ports have been moved to the back, and in their place, an infra-red receiver. RG-M2 wireless controllers are very different in design from Sega's models and feature six buttons. The RG-M2 employs numerous cost-cutting measures, resulting in a slightly smaller unit with a sleeker design.
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Sweeping changes were made in the RG-M2 model, released by Victor in 1993. The [[DE-9]] controller ports have been moved to the back, and in their place, an infrared receiver. M2 wireless controllers are very different in design from Sega's models and feature six buttons. The M2 employs numerous cost-cutting measures, resulting in a slightly smaller unit with a sleeker design.
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:Wondermega rgm2.jpg|Console, now with infra red controllers.
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File:Wondermega rgm2.jpg|Console, now with infrared wireless controllers
File:Wondermega rgm2 2.jpg|Redesigned mixing buttons
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File:Wondermega rgm2 2.jpg|Karaoke and headphone volume dials
 
File:Wondermega rgm2 3.jpg|Audio/video output, with extra controller ports
 
File:Wondermega rgm2 3.jpg|Audio/video output, with extra controller ports
 
File:Wondermega rgm2 box front.jpg|Front of box
 
File:Wondermega rgm2 box front.jpg|Front of box
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
===X'eye===
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===X'Eye===
When brought to North America as the X'Eye, JVC recycled the Victor RG-M2 model, but removed all signs of infra-red controllers. This means the normal [[DE-9]] ports have been brought to the front.
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During the spring of 1994, JVC released the Wondermega M2 as the X'Eye in the United States, albeit with several features from the M2 removed. The S-video connector was removed in favor of the 9-pin AV port used by the Mega Drive II (although some X'Eyes lack this) and the wireless controllers were dropped, with standard 9-pin controller ports in place of the M2's infrared receiver.  
 +
 
 +
The X'Eye was packaged with ''[[Prize Fighter]]'', ''[[Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia]]'' and a Karaoke CD that included the songs ''Achy Breaky Heart'' and ''Two Princes''.
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
File:Xeye.jpg|Console
 
File:Xeye.jpg|Console

Revision as of 04:13, 29 November 2011

Wondermega.jpg
Wondermega / X'Eye
Manufacturer: Sega, JVC/Victor

The Wondermega is a combined Sega Mega Drive and Mega CD which was made by JVC/Victor and was initially released in 1992. It features a DSP for audio enhancement, a MIDI output jack, two microphone inputs and S-video output. In 1993, a redesigned model known as the Wondermega M2 was released, which dropped several features (including the MIDI output, DSP and motorized disc door) but added wireless controllers.


Like the Mega CD, the Wondermega and X'Eye are compatible with CD+G (CD and Graphics) discs. The original Wondermega also supported the "Wonder CD" peripheral, which included a full complement of MIDI jacks (in, out and thru) as well as a music keyboard called the "Piano Player".

Models

There were several models of the Wondermega, though sales never reached that of the standard Mega Drive or Mega CD units, due to the Wondermega's substantial price.

Wondermega, Sega Model

The first Wondermega model came from Sega themselves, and was only released in Japan. The control pad included is identical to that found in a regular Japanese Mega Drive package. One of the more novel features of the original Wondermega is a motorized disc door, which automatically opens or closes at the touch of a button.

The original Wondermega was packaged with a CD called Wondermega Collection that included Quiz Scramble Special, Flicky, Pyramid Magic and Puzzle Fighter.

Wondermega, Victor RG-M1 Model

The first Victor model, RG-M1, is identical to the above, but has Victor branding. It also shipped with a custom Victor Wondermega controller.

Wondermega, Victor RG-M2 Model

Sweeping changes were made in the RG-M2 model, released by Victor in 1993. The DE-9 controller ports have been moved to the back, and in their place, an infrared receiver. M2 wireless controllers are very different in design from Sega's models and feature six buttons. The M2 employs numerous cost-cutting measures, resulting in a slightly smaller unit with a sleeker design.

X'Eye

During the spring of 1994, JVC released the Wondermega M2 as the X'Eye in the United States, albeit with several features from the M2 removed. The S-video connector was removed in favor of the 9-pin AV port used by the Mega Drive II (although some X'Eyes lack this) and the wireless controllers were dropped, with standard 9-pin controller ports in place of the M2's infrared receiver.

The X'Eye was packaged with Prize Fighter, Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia and a Karaoke CD that included the songs Achy Breaky Heart and Two Princes.

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