Wondermega

Wondermega / X'Eye
Manufacturer: Sega, JVC/Victor
Release Date RRP Code JP (Victor) 1992-04-01 ¥82,80082,800 JP (Sega) 1992-04-24 ¥79,80079,800 JP (Victor M2) 1993-07-02 ¥59,80059,800 US 1994-04 $499.95499.95 RG-M10BU

The Wondermega (ワンダーメガ) 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. Victor released the system in the US as the X'Eye, but not in the same way as they did in Japan. The system never made it to Europe, although several magazines back then had predicted an official European release.

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".

The Wondermega is incompatible with the 32X as it lacks RGB output, necessary for the 32X to function.

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, Victor RG-M1 Model

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

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  Console

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  CD area

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  DSP preset buttons

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  Karaoke buttons for recording/mixing

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  Power/reset buttons, controller ports

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  Audio/video output and MIDI output

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  Victor-branded gamepad

Wondermega, Sega Model

The next 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 includes Quiz Scramble Special, Flicky, Pyramid Magic and Puzzle Fighter.

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  Console

Wondermega M2, 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.

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  Console, now with infrared wireless controllers

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  Karaoke and headphone volume dials

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  Audio/video output, with extra controller ports

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  Wireless control pad

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  Wired control pad

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. X'Eye consoles with the 9-pin mini-DIN port are compatible with the 32X, however this setup is somewhat unwieldy and requires the 32X to be removed every time a disc is inserted or removed, since the 32X partially blocks the disc door.

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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  Console

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  Bottom

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  A/V output

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  With 32X connected

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  JVC-branded control pad

Promotional Material

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  JP print advert (Victor model)

• Wondermega MD JP PrintAdvert 3.jpg

  JP print advert 2 (Victor model)

• Wondermega MD JP PrintAdvert.jpg

  JP print advert (Sega model)

• XEye MD US PrintAdvert.jpg

  US print advert

Releases

Japan

Box	Name	Date & Price	Console	Hardware	Software	Documentation
	Wondermega			RG-M1		Control Pad	Wondermega Collection
	Wondermega					Control Pad	Wondermega Collection
	Wondermega			RG-M2		Control Pad

United States

Box	Name	Date & Price	Console	Hardware	Software	Documentation
	X'Eye			RG-M10BU		Control Pad	Karaoke Top Hit Sampler Prize Fighter Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia

External Links

• Sega of Japan catalogue page (Japanese)