KW-501
From Sega Retro
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KW-501 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer: King-Wei Electronics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The KW-501 is an unlicensed Sega Mega Drive clone manufactured in Taiwan by King-Wei Electronics, Inc (慶威電子) and distributed across various countries during the 1990s. It was the successor to the KW-500 and was built as a more affordable alternative to Sega's official offering, and was one of the first (and perhaps most prominent) Mega Drive clones released to the general public. The KW-501 was predictably challenged by Sega in many markets, but saw traction in countries where Sega's presence was limited, particularly in Asia and South America.
The original version of this console is believed to be the Zhan Shen (戰神) which was sold in Taiwan, however numerous companies distributed the KW-501, rebranding the unit to suit their needs. There are many slight variations of the console, including the Scorpion XVI, Froggy System 16, MG-16 (by Electrolab), Turbo Aito (by Universe Electronic S.A), Magic 2, Speedy Boy, MG-2 (by Kinyo), Super Bitman (by Bitman), Power Pegasus (by Bobmark International) and KW-II, Kowi 96' and Kowi 97' (by Kowi) as well as the Super Mega 16 Bit by Saba. A King-500 unit was advertised for sale in Germany[1] though it is not known if any were sold. Saba successor is the KW-502.
All KW-501 consoles are presumed to be internally identical, with minor cosmetic alterations and swapped RF adaptors for differing markets.
Contents
Hardware
The KW-501 functions as a regular (original model) Mega Drive, complete with volume slider and support for the Sega Mega-CD via the expansion port underneath the unit. Furthermore its controller port positioning lines up with a real Mega Drive, meaning the Remote Arcade System is compatible. The unit is not, however, compatible with the Sega 32X, as the add-on's connection cable will not physically fit in the system - minor modifications to the circuit board can re-enable this functionality.
New to the KW-501 are two switches located next to the expansion port for determining both region and refresh rate, making the system compatible with the vast majority of Mega Drive games. The KW-501 was also designed around the concept of a built-in Mega Drive game - below the unit lies a second cartridge slot which the unit will default to if no cartridge is detected on top. Any regular Mega Drive game can be inserted here, however only the PCB will fit - the game must therefore be removed from its protective shell. Some models, such as the Kowi 96' lack this second port.
The build quality of the KW-501 is predictably lower than the official Sega Mega Drive, but the system usually shipped with two six button controllers.
History
All KW-501s were manufactured in Taiwan for export across the world.
Taiwan
The KW-501 is known to have been released in Taiwan as the Zhan Shen (戰神).
United Kingdom
Under its Scorpion XVI name, the KW-501 became infamous in the United Kingdom, where it gained widespread press coverage and undercut Sega's official Mega Drive console by a considerable margin. Though presumed to have been forced out of the market shortly afterwards, the Scorpion XVI stands as one of the few clone consoles of this nature to make gains in the region and is now a valuable collectors item. Some Scorpion XVIs use Aito branding, while others were sold with Magic 2 branding.
Predictably the Scorpion XVI did not see a widespread release, however is known to have retailed at branches of Beatties for about £70.
South America (Argentina)
The majority of KW-501 consoles appear to have been sold in South America in PAL-N regions (and thus were mostly found in Argentina). Consoles are known to have crossed the border into Brazil, but were met with stiff resistence by Tectoy. It is assumed some systems also crossed over to Uruguay and Paraguay, which also use the PAL-N format.
MG-16s are perhaps the most common unit to be seen in Argentina, although systems by Kinyo and Kowi were also sold there. Given the extent of Mega Drive piracy in the region, is difficult to gauge the success of the KW-501 - given the rarity of the Sega Mega-CD and its games, there were likely many cheaper alternatives to this unit.Turbo Aito was distributed by Universe Electronic S.A.
Russia
The first available clone of this type in Russia was Magic 2 which appeared in 1994.
Later, the Bitman released KW-501 in the form of the Super Bitman, a presumed successor to the "Bitman" Famiclone distributed by Bitman in the region. Similar to the above it was likely undercut by cheaper Mega Drive clones. After Bitman became a Sega distributor, the console was called the official clone [2] similar to Mega Game II in Portugal. There was also a version modeled on Songa II.
Poland
KW-501 was released as the Power Pegasus and was distributed by Bobmark International as a "successor" to the Pegasus console. It was originally announced on Play Box 95 where they promised to release it before Christmas 1995 but judging by the date of shipment under console, it was released in September 1995. Bobmark was a Sega distributor in Poland, so it could be assumed that the product was released with the permission of Sega, just like Mega Game II in Portugal. Using the well-known Pegasus brand was supposed to attract to Sega, players who played on 8-bit famiclone. Although the console cost 300 PLN and was cheaper than the original models (Mega Drive cost around 350 PLN), did not gain as much popularity as it predecessor. One of the reasons for the failure was the lack of advertising, which could be due to the experience with Pegasus, which when it was released in 1991 didn't need advertising for the first period to gain popularity, but then the only consoles on the Polish market were Rambo and original Atari consoles, and in 1995, apart from Pegasus and Mega Drive clones, most of the consoles available in Europe were also officially available in Poland. In April 1996, Power Pegasus could be bought for 260 PLN. Eventually there was also new model called KW-501U which is even more rare than standard KW-501.
Serbia and Montenegro
There are rumors that around 1996, Power Pegasus appeared in Serbia and Montenegro. Saba was another available console.[3]
Bosnia
There are rumors that around 1996, Power Pegasus appeared in Bosnia.
South Africa
MG16 was sold in this region by H.H.Lin Hoovers Video Shop.
Magazine articles
- Main article: KW-501/Magazine articles.
Photo gallery
Zhan Shen (戰神)
Zhan Shen (戰神)
Zhan Shen (戰神)
Zhan Shen (戰神)
Scorpion XVI
Turbo Aito
MG-16
MG-16 alt
Magic 2
Magic 2 alt
Magic 2 alt
Speedy Boy
MG-2
Super Mega 16 Bit
KW-II
Kowi 96'
Kowi 97'
Super Bitman
Super Bitman Pad
Power Pegasus
Alternative model without warranty seal
Power Pegasus (KW-501U)
- Power Pegasus KW501U UCS.jpg
UCS
Micro Genius model
King Karol model
Promotional material
also published in:
- Action Games (AR) #34: "Marzo 1995" (1995-xx-xx)[4]
- Action Games (AR) #35: "Abril 1995" (1995-xx-xx)[5]
- Action Games (AR) #36: "Mayo 1995" (1995-xx-xx)[6]
- Action Games (AR) #37: "Junio 1995" (1995-xx-xx)[7]
also published in:
- Action Games (AR) #34: "Marzo 1995" (1995-xx-xx)[8]
Physical scans
| Mega Drive, (戰神) |
|---|
   Cover
|
| Mega Drive, (Scorpion XVI) |
|---|
 Cover
|
| Mega Drive, (Scorpion XVI) alt |
|---|
 Cover
|
| Mega Drive, (MG-16) |
|---|
 Cover
|
| Mega Drive, (Magic 2) |
|---|
 Cover
|
| Mega Drive, (Magic 2 alt) |
|---|
 Cover
|
| Mega Drive, (Speedy Boy) |
|---|
|
| Mega Drive, (MG-2) |
|---|
|
| Mega Drive, (Super Mega 16 Bit) |
|---|
 Cover
|
| Mega Drive, (KW-II) |
|---|
  Cover
|
| Mega Drive, (KW-II) (Dual System) |
|---|
 Cover
|
| Mega Drive, (Kowi 96') |
|---|
 Cover
|
| Mega Drive, (Kowi 97') |
|---|
 Cover
|
| Mega Drive, (Super Bitman) |
|---|
  Cover
|
 Manual  UCS  Warranty Card |
| Mega Drive, (Power Pegasus) |
|---|
   Cover
|
 Registration card  Warranty card  EN Manual  PL Manual |
| Mega Drive, (Power Pegasus) KW-501U |
|---|
|
| Mega Drive, (Aito) |
|---|
 Cover
|
External links
References
- ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "September 1993" (DE; 1993-08-09), page 59
- ↑ https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/233963 (Wayback Machine: 2016-08-13 18:50)
- ↑ Svet Kompjutera, "Februar 1996" (YU; 1996-xx-xx), page 84
- ↑ Action Games, "Marzo 1995" (AR; 1995-xx-xx), page 68
- ↑ Action Games, "Abril 1995" (AR; 1995-xx-xx), page 68
- ↑ Action Games, "Mayo 1995" (AR; 1995-xx-xx), page 68
- ↑ Action Games, "Junio 1995" (AR; 1995-xx-xx), page 68
- ↑ Action Games, "Marzo 1995" (AR; 1995-xx-xx), page 7