Difference between revisions of "Sega Multi-Mega"

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Sega Multi-Mega

Manufacturer: Sega

Release	Date	RRP	Code
JP	199x		HLP-0001
US	1994-04^[1]	$399.99399.99^[1]	MK-4121
EU	1994-04		MK-4121-50
UK	1994-05-14^[2]		MK-4121-50
CA	199x		MK-4121-22
BR	1994-05
AS	199x		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

RU TV advert (AOZT Dendy import)

BR print advert

ES print advert 1

ES print advert 2

FI advert (1994)

UK advert (Autumn 1994/Winter 1995)

UK advert (Spring-Summer 1995)

NL flyer

Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #57: "April 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
also published in:

GamePro (US) #57: "April 1994" (1994-xx-xx)^[3]

Print advert in Edge (UK) #8: "May 1994" (1994-03-31)

Print advert in Video Games (DE) #1994-06: "6/94" (1994-05-25)

Print advert in Video-Ace Dendy (RU) #12 (1994-10-28)

Print advert in Magazina Igrushek (RU) #1: "1/1995" (1995-xx-xx)

Print advert in Tricks (RU) #2: "2/95" (1995-xx-xx).

Print advert in Score (CZ) #17: "Květen 1995" (1995-05-01)
also published in:

Score (CZ) #18: "Červen 1995" (1995-06-01)^[4]

Print advert in LeveL (CZ) #4: "Květen 1995" (1995-05-01)

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

EU (Catalogue)

References

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

Sega Mega Drive
Topics	Technical specifications (Hardware comparison) \| History \| List of games \| Magazine articles \| Promotional material \| Merchandise \| Cartridges \| TradeMark Security System
Hardware	Japan \| North America \| Western Europe \| Eastern Europe \| South America \| Asia \| South Korea \| Australasia \| Africa EZ Games \| Genesis 3 \| LaserActive \| Mega Jet \| Mega PC \| Mega Play \| Mega-Tech System \| Mega 6 \| Nomad \| Teradrive \| Mega Drive Mini \| Mega Drive Mini 2 New Mega Drive \| Tianli VCD/DVD Players \| "Consoles on a chip" \| Licensed clones (Magic 2 \| Mega Game II \| Power Pegasus \| Super Bitman) Unlicensed clones
Add-ons	Game Box \| Power Base Converter \| Mega-CD \| 32X (Mega-CD 32X) \| Mega Modem \| Demo System DS-16
Cases	Sega Genesis Nomad Carrying Case \| System Carry Case
Controllers	Control Pad \| Six Button Control Pad \| 6 Button Arcade Pad \| Arcade Power Stick 6B \| Konami Justifier \| MK-1470 Action Chair \| Activator \| Arcade Power Stick \| Keyboard \| MegaFire \| Mouse \| Mega Stick \| Menacer \| Remote Arcade System \| Ten Key Pad \| Third Party Controllers
Accessories	4 Way Play \| AC adaptor \| Cleaning System \| Control Pad Extension Cord \| Game Factory \| Genesis Speakers \| Headset \| HeartBeat Catalyst \| Microphone \| Region converter cartridges \| Mega Terminal \| Nomad PowerBack \| RF Unit \| SCART Cable \| Stereo Audio Video Cable \| Team Player \| Video Monitor Cable \| Third-party AC adaptors \| Third Party Accessories
Network services	Sega Channel \| Sega Game Toshokan \| Mega Anser \| Mega Net \| TeleBradesco Residência \| XB∀ND
Development tools	ERX 308P \| ERX 318P \| Sprobe \| SNASM68K \| SNASM2 (Mega Drive) \| SNASM2 (32X) \| PSY-Q Development System (Mega Drive) \| PSY-Q Development System (32X) \| 32X CartDev \| Sega Mars Development Aid System \| Sega 32X Development Target
Unreleased	Edge 16 \| Floppy Disk Drive \| Mega Play 1010 \| Sega VR \| Teleplay System \| Video Jukebox

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

[:File:GamePro_US_057.pdf_p90-1] 1.0 ^1.1 GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 90

[2] Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1994-05-09), page 6

[:File:GamePro_US_057.pdf_p38-3] GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 38

[:File:Score_CZ_18.pdf_p65-4] Score, "Červen 1995" (CZ; 1995-06-01), page 65

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{ConsoleBob
 | consoleimage=Multimega.jpg
-| imgwidth=320
 | name=
 | maker=[[Sega]]
 | releases={{releasesMD
+| md_date_jp=199x
+| md_code_jp=HLP-0001
 | md_date_us=1994-04{{magref|gamepro|57|90}}
 | md_rrp_us=399.99{{magref|gamepro|57|90}}
@@ Line 10: / Line 11: @@
 | md_date_eu=1994-04
 | 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_code_as=MK-4121-07
-| md_date_jp=199x
+| md_date_ca=199x
-| md_code_jp=HLP-0001
+| 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==
@@ Line 27: / 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 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.
-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==
@@ Line 55: / Line 58: @@
 ==Promotional material==
 {{gallery
-|{{gitem|Genesis CDX TV Advert RUS (Steepler import).mp4|RU TV advert ([[Dendy(company)|Dendy]] import)}}
+|{{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
@@ Line 70: / Line 75: @@
 |{{galleryPrintAd
 |videogames|1994-06|17
+}}
+{{gitem
+|VAD 12 RU Dendy.jpg|Print advert in Video-Ace Dendy (RU) #12 (1994-10-28)
 }}
 {{galleryPrintAd
-|VAD 12 RU Dendy.jpg|vad|12|
+|migr|1|100|
 }}
-{{gitem|Gameland advert RU.png|Print advert in ''Biblioteka zhurnala Tricks. Vypusk 1. Mortal Kombat 1-3'' (RU) #1 : "" (1995-xx-xx)}}
+{{gitem|Genesis CDX advert RU.png|Print advert in ''Tricks'' (RU) #2: "2/95" (1995-xx-xx).}}
 {{galleryPrintAd
-|Score 17 CZ Schiel Games Shop advert.jpg|score|17|
+|score|17|65
+|score|18|65
 }}
 {{galleryPrintAd
-|Videohry Slunicko.jpg|level|4|
+|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)}}
 }}