Difference between revisions of "Mega Play"

From Sega Retro

(corrected and reworded some sentences; added missing games; merged galleries)
(20 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Megaplay2.png|thumb|right|160px|Sega Mega Play arcade machine.]]
+
:''This article is about the arcade system. For the US magazine, see [[Mega Play (magazine)]].''
 +
{{ConsoleBob
 +
| logos=[[File:MegaPlay logo.png]]
 +
| consoleimage=Megaplay2.png
 +
| imgwidth=x260
 +
| name=
 +
| maker=[[Sega]]
 +
| variants=[[Mega-Tech System]], [[System C]], [[System 18]], [[Mega Drive]]
 +
| processor=[[68000]]
 +
| releases={{releases
 +
| arcade_date_world=1991
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
The '''Mega Play''' is the name of a [[wikipedia:Japan Amusement Machinery Manufacturers Association|JAMMA]]-based [[arcade]] board with the ability to run [[Sega Mega Drive]] games. It was the second attempt by [[Sega]] to bring the home console to the arcades, following the [[Mega-Tech]] arcade system. Like Mega-Tech hardware, Mega Play hardware saw a release throughout Asia and the PAL regions, but was not released in North America.
  
The '''Mega Play''' is an arcade cabinet which used a JAMMA-based system to run [[Sega Mega Drive]] hardware and software. Unlike its predecessor the [[Mega-Tech]], coins increased credits rather than gameplay time, and no [[Master System]] games were available. All games were modified to remove cheats and extra lives. Mega-Tech games are not compatible with the Mega Play and vice versa.
+
On first glance, a Mega Play machine is very similar to a Mega-Tech one, but there are a number of key differences. Both allow the user to select from a number of built-in games via a menu, however whereas Mega-Tech can hold up to eight cartridges, Mega Play hardware can only store four. Mega-Tech and Mega Play cartridges are not interchangeable, and both systems contain modifications to stop arcade owners from purchasing and running cheaper retail Mega Drive cartridges instead. Also unlike Mega-Tech hardware, no [[Sega Master System]] games were released for Mega Play hardware.
  
==Hardware==
+
Though there were fewer games released for Mega Play hardware than Mega-Tech hardware, each game was modified for use in the arcades. With Mega-Tech, the user inserts coins for time, and can die as often as he or she wants without repercussions. Mega Play differs in that a user pays for lives and is generally not hindered by time, similar to other arcade systems. All Mega Play games were modified to limit the number of extra chances (for example, ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' replaces all the extra life monitors).
The Mega Play internals consists of a uncased Genesis PCB, a four-slot multi-cart adapter, two built-in joysticks, and the appropriate coin-op and cart-switching hardware. Mega Play cartridges differ from standard Genesis cartridges in that they contained various encryption techniques and BIOS chips to prevent unscrupulous arcade owners simply swapping in the cheaper retail cartridges. The cartridges were also shaped like standard Japanese Mega Drive cartridges, to prevent them fitting into American and European home consoles.
 
  
Like the Mega-Tech the cabinet had two screens: a large gameplay screen in the center with a smaller instruction screen just above it.
+
The Mega Play system was seen as an upgrade to Mega-Tech, and could be housed within a Mega-Tech cabinet. Like Mega-Tech it was designed with two monitors in mind, one for game selection (top) and one for the game itself (bottom), however once a game is selected the top screen will display the contents of the bottom screen, allowing passers by to see the game in action and hopefully persuade them to have a go.
  
The multi-cart adaptor used in the Mega Play was later adapted and sold as an accessory for the home console, the "Video Jukebox" or "Mega Play 1010", which plugged into the console's cartridge slot. This version could take ten cartridges at once rather than the arcade version's maximum of four.
+
==List of games==
 +
There are twelve games known to exist for the Mega Play hardware:
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Bio-Hazard Battle]]'' (1992)
 +
*''[[Columns III]]'' (1993)
 +
*''[[Golden Axe II]]'' (1991)
 +
*''[[GrandSlam: The Tennis Tournament '92|Grand Slam]]'' (1993)
 +
*''[[Gunstar Heroes]]'' (1993)
 +
*''[[Mazin Wars]] / Mazin Saga'' (1993)
 +
*''[[Shinobi III]]'' (1993)
 +
*''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (arcade game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' (1991)
 +
*''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (arcade game)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' (1992)
 +
*''[[Streets of Rage]]'' (1991)
 +
*''[[Streets of Rage II]]'' (1992)
 +
*''[[Tecmo World Cup]]'' (1992)
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
  
==Games==
+
==Promotional material==
There are twelve games known to exist for the Mega Play hardware:
+
<gallery>
*''[[Bio-hazard Battle]]''
+
MegaPlayFlyer.jpg|EU flyer
*''[[Columns III]]''
+
</gallery>
*''[[Golden Axe II]]''
 
*''[[Grand Slam]]''
 
*''[[Gunstar Heroes]]''
 
*''[[Mazin Wars / Mazin Saga]]''
 
*''[[Shinobi III]]''
 
*''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (arcade game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''
 
*''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (arcade game)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
 
*''[[Streets of Rage]]''
 
*''[[Streets of Rage II]]''
 
*''[[Tecmo World Cup]]''
 
  
==Image gallery==
+
==Photo gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Image:MegaPlayFlyer.jpg|Arcade flyer.
+
megaplay.jpg|PCB (top)
Image:megaplay.jpg|Sega Mega Play PCB.
 
Image:MM05p13.jpg|Home version for the Sega Genesis.
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
 +
{{Sega Arcade Boards}}
 
{{MegaDrive}}
 
{{MegaDrive}}
 
+
[[Category:Mega Drive hardware]]
[[Category:Mega Drive Hardware]]
+
[[Category:Sega System series]]

Revision as of 19:38, 24 August 2017

This article is about the arcade system. For the US magazine, see Mega Play (magazine).
Megaplay2.png
Mega Play
Manufacturer: Sega
Variants: Mega-Tech System, System C, System 18, Mega Drive
Release Date RRP Code

The Mega Play is the name of a JAMMA-based arcade board with the ability to run Sega Mega Drive games. It was the second attempt by Sega to bring the home console to the arcades, following the Mega-Tech arcade system. Like Mega-Tech hardware, Mega Play hardware saw a release throughout Asia and the PAL regions, but was not released in North America.

On first glance, a Mega Play machine is very similar to a Mega-Tech one, but there are a number of key differences. Both allow the user to select from a number of built-in games via a menu, however whereas Mega-Tech can hold up to eight cartridges, Mega Play hardware can only store four. Mega-Tech and Mega Play cartridges are not interchangeable, and both systems contain modifications to stop arcade owners from purchasing and running cheaper retail Mega Drive cartridges instead. Also unlike Mega-Tech hardware, no Sega Master System games were released for Mega Play hardware.

Though there were fewer games released for Mega Play hardware than Mega-Tech hardware, each game was modified for use in the arcades. With Mega-Tech, the user inserts coins for time, and can die as often as he or she wants without repercussions. Mega Play differs in that a user pays for lives and is generally not hindered by time, similar to other arcade systems. All Mega Play games were modified to limit the number of extra chances (for example, Sonic the Hedgehog replaces all the extra life monitors).

The Mega Play system was seen as an upgrade to Mega-Tech, and could be housed within a Mega-Tech cabinet. Like Mega-Tech it was designed with two monitors in mind, one for game selection (top) and one for the game itself (bottom), however once a game is selected the top screen will display the contents of the bottom screen, allowing passers by to see the game in action and hopefully persuade them to have a go.

List of games

There are twelve games known to exist for the Mega Play hardware:

Magazine articles

Main article: Mega Play/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Photo gallery

References


Sega arcade boards
Originating in arcades









Console-based hardware








84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14









































PC-based hardware








05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23





























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 | LaserActive | Mega Jet | Mega PC | Mega Play | Mega-Tech System | 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 | Cleaning System | Control Pad Extension Cord | Genesis Speakers | Headset | HeartBeat Catalyst | Microphone | Region converter cartridges | Mega Terminal | Nomad PowerBack | RF Unit (Mega Drive 2) | SCART Cable (Mega Drive 2) | Stereo Audio Video Cable | Team Player | Video Monitor Cable | 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