Difference between revisions of "Sega Multi-Mega"

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{{ConsoleBob
 
{{ConsoleBob
 
| consoleimage=Multimega.jpg
 
| consoleimage=Multimega.jpg
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| imgwidth=320
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| name=
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| name=Multi-Mega / CDX / Multi Mega CDX
 
 
| maker=[[Sega]]
 
| maker=[[Sega]]
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| releases={{releases
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| releases={{releasesMD
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| md_date_us=1994 (Summer)
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| md_date_jp=199x
−
| md_rrp_us=399.99
+
| md_code_jp=HLP-0001
 +
| md_date_us=1994-04{{magref|gamepro|57|90}}
 +
| md_rrp_us=399.99{{magref|gamepro|57|90}}
 +
| md_code_us=MK-4121
 
| md_date_eu=1994-04
 
| md_date_eu=1994-04
−
| md_date_br=199x
+
| md_code_eu=MK-4121-50
 +
| md_date_uk=1994-05-14{{magref|ctw|486|6}}
 +
| md_code_uk=MK-4121-50
 +
| md_date_br=1994-05
 +
| md_code_br=
 
| md_date_as=199x
 
| md_date_as=199x
 +
| md_code_as=MK-4121-07
 +
| md_date_ca=199x
 +
| md_code_ca=MK-4121-22
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
The '''Sega Multi-Mega''' is a special piece of hardware developed by Sega and released in the early-1990s. It is a [[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Mega-CD]] and personal CD player combined into one unit. The unit was released in North America as the '''Sega Genesis CDX''' as the "Mega Drive" naming scheme was not in use in that region, and in Brazil it was called the '''Multi Mega CDX'''.  
+
The '''Sega Multi-Mega''', known in North America as the '''Sega Genesis CDX''' and in Brazil as the '''Sega Multi-Mega CDX''', is a combination [[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Mega-CD]], and [[wikipedia:Portable CD player|portable CD player]] developed by [[Sega]] and released in April 1994.
  
 +
==Hardware==
 
As with any home Mega Drive, the unit needs to be plugged into a television in order for Mega Drive and Mega CD games to be played. It must also be connected to a power supply to be used in this way, however, as a CD player it can also be run on battery power, as the unit was also designed to be portable. Due to the Mega Drive additions, the unit is larger and heavier than most other portable CD players on the market at the time.
 
As with any home Mega Drive, the unit needs to be plugged into a television in order for Mega Drive and Mega CD games to be played. It must also be connected to a power supply to be used in this way, however, as a CD player it can also be run on battery power, as the unit was also designed to be portable. Due to the Mega Drive additions, the unit is larger and heavier than most other portable CD players on the market at the time.
  
Line 20: Line 30:
 
The unit features the last version of the Mega CD [[Bios]], v.2.21. Like the Mega CD and the [[Sega Saturn]], it is compatible with [[CD plus G|CD+G]] discs.
 
The unit features the last version of the Mega CD [[Bios]], v.2.21. Like the Mega CD and the [[Sega Saturn]], it is compatible with [[CD plus G|CD+G]] discs.
  
−
The front of the unit has controller port 1 on the far left, a power button in the middle, and controller port 2 on the far right. This spacing breaks compatibility with [[Electronic Arts]]' [[4 Way Play]] multitap peripheral, and the [[Remote Arcade System]]. The functions of both these peripherals can still be obtained through third-party accessories.
+
The front of the unit has controller port 1 on the far left, a power button in the middle, and controller port 2 on the far right. This spacing breaks compatibility with [[Electronic Arts]]' [[4 Way Play]] multitap peripheral, and the [[Remote Arcade System]]. The functions of both these peripherals can still be obtained through third-party accessories or extension cables.
  
−
New to the Multi-Mega are CD controls seen on the top of the unit. From left to right these functions include; the open button for the CD lid, seek buttons for the CD player, a small LCD screen in the middle displaying the current track number (including which audio track it's currently playing in-game) (or ACCESS when loading a game), play/pause button, a stop button, and a small blue reset button.
+
New to the Multi-Mega are CD controls seen on the top of the unit. From left to right these functions include; the open button for the CD lid, seek buttons for the CD player, a small LCD screen in the middle displaying the current track number (including which audio track is currently playing in-game or "ACCESS" when loading a game), play/pause button, a stop button, and a small blue reset button.
  
−
In all cases the Multi-Mega was packaged with a [[Control Pad (Mega Drive)|6-button control pad]], a power adaptor, a Red-White-Yellow style A/V cable (probably an RF cable in Europe). North American bundles included ''[[Sega Classics Arcade Collection]]'' (which contains ''[[Streets of Rage]]'', ''[[Columns]]'', ''[[Super Monaco GP]]'', ''[[The Revenge of Shinobi]]'' and ''[[Golden Axe]]''), ''[[Sonic CD]]'' and ''[[Ecco the Dolphin]]'' with the console. In Brazil it was bundled with ''[[Night Trap]]''.
+
In all cases the Multi-Mega was packaged with a [[Control Pad (Mega Drive)|6-button control pad]], AC adaptor, and a stereo A/V cable (probably an RF cable in Europe). North American bundles included ''[[Sega Classics Arcade Collection]]'' (which contains ''[[Streets of Rage]]'', ''[[Columns]]'', ''[[Super Monaco GP]]'', ''[[The Revenge of Shinobi]]'' and ''[[Golden Axe]]''), ''[[Sonic CD]]'' and ''[[Ecco the Dolphin]]''. In Brazil it was bundled with ''[[Night Trap]]''.
  
 
The unit did not reach Japan as the Multi-Mega, but instead the design was licensed to Linguaphone, who rebranded the unit as the '''Linguaphone Education Gear'''. Very little is known about this version of the unit, though it can be assumed it was intended for education purposes.
 
The unit did not reach Japan as the Multi-Mega, but instead the design was licensed to Linguaphone, who rebranded the unit as the '''Linguaphone Education Gear'''. Very little is known about this version of the unit, though it can be assumed it was intended for education purposes.
  
−
Production of the Multi-Mega ceased when the [[Sega 32X]] hit the market, with Sega announcing that the Multi-Mega was a novelty item rather than a console designed for the mainstream audience. Multi-Megas were not designed to be used with the Sega 32X, but are fully compatible. They are also compatible with the [[Power Base Converter]] for [[Master System]] titles, and even the original design for the Model 1 will work as the end section hangs far away from the back of the system.
+
Production of the Multi-Mega ceased when the [[Sega 32X]] hit the market, with Sega announcing that the Multi-Mega was a novelty item rather than a console designed for the mainstream audience. Multi-Megas were not designed to be used with the Sega 32X, but are fully compatible. They are also compatible with the [[Power Base Converter]] for [[Master System]] titles, and even the original design for the model 1 will work as the end section hangs far away from the back of the system.
  
−
Despite not being a priority for Sega, the Multi-Mega's reduced price meant that it is often seen as a better deal than buying a Mega Drive and Mega CD separately, however its short production run means that Multi-Megas are often rarer and more expensive than standard Mega Drive and Mega CD consoles. Sega would later attempt to package a Mega Drive and 32X into one unit as the [[Sega Neptune]], but this would never leave the prototype stage.
+
The Multi-Mega's short production run means that it is often rarer and more expensive than standard Mega Drive and Mega CD consoles. Sega would later attempt to package a Mega Drive and 32X into one unit as the [[Sega Neptune]], but this would never leave the prototype stage.
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
File:GenesisCDX.jpg|US CDX model
 
File:GenesisCDX.jpg|US CDX model
 +
File:GenesisCDX Bottom.jpg|US CDX model (bottom)
 
File:Multimega.jpg|EU model
 
File:Multimega.jpg|EU model
 
File:Linguaphone.jpg|JP Linguaphone Education Gear model
 
File:Linguaphone.jpg|JP Linguaphone Education Gear model
Line 42: Line 53:
 
:''See: [[Multi-Mega consoles]]''.
 
:''See: [[Multi-Mega consoles]]''.
  
−
==Promotional Material==
+
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 
 +
==Promotional material==
 +
{{gallery
 +
|{{gitem|Genesis CDX TV Advert RUS (Steepler import).mp4|RU TV advert ([[AOZT Dendy]] import)}}
 +
|{{gitem|CDX_MCD_BR_PrintAdvert.jpg|BR print advert}}
 +
|{{gitem|1994_05_-_Multimega_1.jpg|ES print advert 1}}
 +
|{{gitem|1994_05_-_Multimega_2.jpg|ES print advert 2}}
 +
|{{gitem|Suuri lelukirja FI 1994 Sega.jpg|FI advert (1994)}}
 +
|{{gitem|ArgosSega AutumnWinter 1994.jpg|UK advert (Autumn 1994/Winter 1995)}}
 +
|{{gitem|ArgosSega SpringSummer 1995 2.jpg|UK advert (Spring-Summer 1995)}}
 +
|{{gitem|Sega Beat us if you can flyer NL.png|NL flyer}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|egm|57|54-55
 +
|gamepro|57|38
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|edge|8|85,87
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|videogames|1994-06|17
 +
}}
 +
{{gitem
 +
|VAD 12 RU Dendy.jpg|Print advert in Video-Ace Dendy (RU) #12 (1994-10-28)
 +
}}
 +
{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|migr|1|100|
 +
}}
 +
{{gitem|Genesis CDX advert RU.png|Print advert in ''Tricks'' (RU) #2: "2/95" (1995-xx-xx).}}
 +
{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|score|17|65
 +
|score|18|65
 +
}}
 +
{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|level|4|37
 +
}}
 +
{{gitem|Gameland advert RU.png|Print advert in ''Tricks'' (RU) #3: "3/95" (1995-xx-xx). Also published in:
 +
*''Tricks'' (RU) #4: "4/95" (1995-xx-xx)
 +
*''Tricks'' (RU) #5: "5/95" (1995-xx-xx)
 +
*''Biblioteka zhurnala Tricks. Vypusk 1. Mortal Kombat 1-3'' (RU) #1 : "" (1995-xx-xx)}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Catalogues===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
File:CDX MCD US PrintAdvert.jpg|US print advert
+
Catalogo Multi Mega Europa.pdf|EU (Catalogue)
−
File:CDX_MCD_BR_PrintAdvert.jpg|BR print advert
 
−
File:1994_05_-_Multimega_1.jpg|ES print advert 1
 
−
File:1994_05_-_Multimega_2.jpg|ES print advert 2
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
  
 
{{MegaDrive}}
 
{{MegaDrive}}
 
{{MegaCD}}
 
{{MegaCD}}

Revision as of 18:17, 13 April 2024

Multimega.jpg
Sega Multi-Mega
Manufacturer: Sega
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		HLP-0001
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$399.99399.99[1] MK-4121
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		MK-4121-50
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		MK-4121-50
Sega Mega Drive
CA 		MK-4121-22
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Mega Drive
AS 		MK-4121-07

The Sega Multi-Mega, known in North America as the Sega Genesis CDX and in Brazil as the Sega Multi-Mega CDX, is a combination Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, and portable CD player developed by Sega and released in April 1994.

Hardware

As with any home Mega Drive, the unit needs to be plugged into a television in order for Mega Drive and Mega CD games to be played. It must also be connected to a power supply to be used in this way, however, as a CD player it can also be run on battery power, as the unit was also designed to be portable. Due to the Mega Drive additions, the unit is larger and heavier than most other portable CD players on the market at the time.

The Multi-Mega uses the same power adaptor and A/V leads as the Mega Drive model II. These are connected to the right hand side of the unit. Also included is an 1/8" headphone socket, which works for both CDs and games, and a volume control. There is also a line out socket for hooking up to a hi-fi system.

The unit features the last version of the Mega CD Bios, v.2.21. Like the Mega CD and the Sega Saturn, it is compatible with CD+G discs.

The front of the unit has controller port 1 on the far left, a power button in the middle, and controller port 2 on the far right. This spacing breaks compatibility with Electronic Arts' 4 Way Play multitap peripheral, and the Remote Arcade System. The functions of both these peripherals can still be obtained through third-party accessories or extension cables.

New to the Multi-Mega are CD controls seen on the top of the unit. From left to right these functions include; the open button for the CD lid, seek buttons for the CD player, a small LCD screen in the middle displaying the current track number (including which audio track is currently playing in-game or "ACCESS" when loading a game), play/pause button, a stop button, and a small blue reset button.

In all cases the Multi-Mega was packaged with a 6-button control pad, AC adaptor, and a stereo A/V cable (probably an RF cable in Europe). North American bundles included Sega Classics Arcade Collection (which contains Streets of Rage, Columns, Super Monaco GP, The Revenge of Shinobi and Golden Axe), Sonic CD and Ecco the Dolphin. In Brazil it was bundled with Night Trap.

The unit did not reach Japan as the Multi-Mega, but instead the design was licensed to Linguaphone, who rebranded the unit as the Linguaphone Education Gear. Very little is known about this version of the unit, though it can be assumed it was intended for education purposes.

Production of the Multi-Mega ceased when the Sega 32X hit the market, with Sega announcing that the Multi-Mega was a novelty item rather than a console designed for the mainstream audience. Multi-Megas were not designed to be used with the Sega 32X, but are fully compatible. They are also compatible with the Power Base Converter for Master System titles, and even the original design for the model 1 will work as the end section hangs far away from the back of the system.

The Multi-Mega's short production run means that it is often rarer and more expensive than standard Mega Drive and Mega CD consoles. Sega would later attempt to package a Mega Drive and 32X into one unit as the Sega Neptune, but this would never leave the prototype stage.

Gallery

  • US CDX model

  • US CDX model (bottom)

  • EU model

  • JP Linguaphone Education Gear model

Models

See: Multi-Mega consoles.

Magazine articles

Main article: Sega Multi-Mega/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

CDX MCD BR PrintAdvert.jpg
BR print advert
CDX MCD BR PrintAdvert.jpg
1994 05 - Multimega 1.jpg
ES print advert 1
1994 05 - Multimega 1.jpg
1994 05 - Multimega 2.jpg
ES print advert 2
1994 05 - Multimega 2.jpg
Suuri lelukirja FI 1994 Sega.jpg
FI advert (1994)
Suuri lelukirja FI 1994 Sega.jpg
ArgosSega AutumnWinter 1994.jpg
UK advert (Autumn 1994/Winter 1995)
ArgosSega AutumnWinter 1994.jpg
ArgosSega SpringSummer 1995 2.jpg
UK advert (Spring-Summer 1995)
ArgosSega SpringSummer 1995 2.jpg
Sega Beat us if you can flyer NL.png
NL flyer
Sega Beat us if you can flyer NL.png
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #57: "April 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Edge (UK) #8: "May 1994" (1994-03-31)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Video Games (DE) #1994-06: "6/94" (1994-05-25)
Logo-pdf.svg
VAD 12 RU Dendy.jpg
Print advert in Video-Ace Dendy (RU) #12 (1994-10-28)
VAD 12 RU Dendy.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Magazina Igrushek (RU) #1: "1/1995" (1995-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Genesis CDX advert RU.png
Print advert in Tricks (RU) #2: "2/95" (1995-xx-xx).
Genesis CDX advert RU.png
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Score (CZ) #17: "Květen 1995" (1995-05-01)
also published in:
  • Score (CZ) #18: "Červen 1995" (1995-06-01)[4]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in LeveL (CZ) #4: "Květen 1995" (1995-05-01)
Logo-pdf.svg
Gameland advert RU.png
Print advert in Tricks (RU) #3: "3/95" (1995-xx-xx). Also published in:
  • Tricks (RU) #4: "4/95" (1995-xx-xx)
  • Tricks (RU) #5: "5/95" (1995-xx-xx)
  • Biblioteka zhurnala Tricks. Vypusk 1. Mortal Kombat 1-3 (RU) #1 : "" (1995-xx-xx)
Gameland advert RU.png

Catalogues

  • EU (Catalogue)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 90
  2. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1994-05-09), page 6
  3. ↑ GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 38
  4. ↑ Score, "Červen 1995" (CZ; 1995-06-01), page 65


Sega Mega Drive
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Sega Mega-CD
Topics Technical specifications | History | Magazine articles | Promotional material
Hardware Mega CD (Asia | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | South America | Australasia | Africa)
Sega Multi-Mega (Asia | North America | Europe | South America | Australasia)
Wondermega | LaserActive | CSD-G1M
Misc. hardware CD BackUp RAM Cart | Mega-CD Karaoke | Pro CDX
Development tools SNASM Mega-CD | PsyQ Mega-CD SDK | PSY-Q CD Emulation System (Mega-CD)
Unreleased hardware Game Genie
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