Aeropause reviews AtGames’ mini-Megadrive
Posted by Graham. Filed under G, Retro. Tagged with Genesis, MegaDrive.
For our regular readers, you should remember a couple of months ago, we reported on a new Megadrive console by ATGames.
Like many mini-Megadrive consoles over the past few years, this one had some 20 built-in games. But unlike it’s competitors, the “AtGames Sega Megadrive Twin Pad Player” has a cartridge slot, which allows users to play all their old real games with it.
The slot is designed to take cartidges from all territories, with a switch for PAL/NTSC regions. So, in theory, this console can play all the Megadrive games ever made.
Although this does confuse me, as I own a PAL system but I actually have a few ‘Genesis’ games (from the US) in my collection - which work fine. Maybe not all games work or something (or I got randomly lucky in my purchases of Two Crude Dudes, Balls vs Blazers and Spider-Man & Venom).
Unfortunately none of us at Sega Nerds has been able to pick up the AtGames Megadrive, just yet (I hope to at some point!). But luckily the guy(s) over at Aeropause have one, and given it a thorough review.
From the sounds of it, the device is well worth the money, especially compared to other mini-Megadrives out there, but is it perfect? Well you will have to read the review to see.
[Source: Aeropause]
[Image from Aeropause]
[Special Thanks: Stephen Munn]
Comments on this article
There have been 18 responses to this article.
All I wanted to know is if that thing supports the infra-red controllers. Unfortunately the review doesn’t mention them. So, any ideas?
Orta
Posted July 26th, 2008 at 6:47 am.
Well I would assume that it will.
By the looks of it the device uses the original controller ports - so I would assume that it can use the original controllers, and therefore wireless ones.
I can email the guy who reviewed it to find out if you like?
(Or he might be reading this already)
Graham
Posted July 26th, 2008 at 8:54 am.
The problem with the IR controllers (at least mine and I think they’re the most common) is the receiver that connects to the Genesis plugs into both ports at the same time, so they’ll only fit in this Genesis if the spacing between them is the same.
I’ll have to wait for another review though. I want to know if this cartridge not reading problem exists with all of these consoles.
shinneri
Posted July 26th, 2008 at 9:30 am.
While this may be good, do not get it. Regular MDs are cheap (get a model 1) and you can get lots of accessories and add-ons very cheap too. It is likely higher quality.
Plus, if they have Sonic and Knuckles built in, how are you supposed to lock-on to stuff? You have to buy it again regardless… Very dumb. It should have been Sonic 1 or 2 (I assume they just went for the cheapest, though, with no real thought put into it).
Kogen
Posted July 26th, 2008 at 10:21 am.
Hey all, I’m glad you’re reading my review.
The controller ports are the same as the original and the controllers are interchangeable, as I mentioned in the review. However, the space between the controller ports is 64mm from center pin to center pin on the new system. On the Genesis 2, this distance is much less, at about 32mm. I would have to say no the the IR controllers if they require that specific spacing, but can’t test it since I don’t have one.
Stephen Munn
Posted July 26th, 2008 at 11:13 am.
Just read the review myself.
Sad that theres no stereo sound and that the cartridge support isn’t so great.
Would have been a good grab.
Hopefully they’ll make a second upgraded version in the future.
shadow1w2
Posted July 26th, 2008 at 11:55 am.
I’m buying this. Really.
2 working 6button controllers;
20 portable, ready to play, games;
RCA video-out, better than the RF I’m stuck with with my Megadrive;
It supports carts, some working some not, but hey.. it’s smaller than a pocket book.
This will be excellent since me and my friends are constantly moving our Megadrives around. A pocket-friendly one is really awesome.
I get all this for 25EUR. That’s what would cost me to get 2 nice brand new Megadrive controllers! I’m buying this, so should you punks ;D
crackdude
Posted July 26th, 2008 at 12:29 pm.
oh, I’m also thinking of ordering Sega Superstar Tennis, True Blue soundtrack and a 12 month Xbox Live Gold card. My question is:
Will a American card work on my European console and account?
crackdude
Posted July 26th, 2008 at 12:32 pm.
I just read the review too and now I can easily say it is garbage. Crackdude, you seem rather stupid if you want this.
Kogen
Posted July 26th, 2008 at 9:10 pm.
my personal reasons for getting this were explained.
My controllers are broken, I new new ones.
The 20 games are a nice addition to my Megadrive library of games.
And it’s portability and ease of connecting (opposed to the old RF) alows me and my friends to move this thing around in a shoebox.
Can anyone answer my Xbox Live question, please? ;)
crackdude
Posted July 27th, 2008 at 5:13 am.
I’m with Crackdude.
I want to pick one of these badboys up myself.
1. Because it’s so tiny, I can easily fit it in any bag, or even a pocket (sans controllers - which I will wear like a tie around my neck) - and take it round to a friends house.
2. Just to piss Kogen off. :o)
@Crackdude. I think an American card will work… but I don’t know for certain. Does it say anything on Xbox.com?
Graham
Posted July 27th, 2008 at 9:54 am.
I didn’t find anything.. But I read on some forums that subscriptions work fine regardless of region. Only MSPoints are regionlocked.
I’m ordering a 12month card with my new Megadrive :3
crackdude
Posted July 28th, 2008 at 4:43 am.
I’ve been using the official Sega 5-1 gamepad things, running off of batteries in my mobile car setup (LCDs up front and in the rear). This, however takes the cake. 20 games instead of 5? And the ability to use your own games? It’s small enough to hardwire into the car, too.
psv
Posted July 28th, 2008 at 7:31 am.
A controller is only a few dollars. You can buy a damn A/V cable for it. And…
Just nevermind. If you are too stupid to know you can just buy an A/V cable, there is no point in saying anything. Have fun wasting your money on shitty Chinese electornics covered in poison with terrible sound quality and only mono.
Kogen
Posted July 28th, 2008 at 1:07 pm.
That’s your opinion Kogen. In my opinion, 20 games and 2 controllers for 25EUR are a great deal.
I either import a AV cable from somewhere and spend about 20EUR, or I buy it from retro stores here and spend about 20EUR.
I find it pretty hard to find console cables for cheap in Portugal. It is usual to get consoles for 5 and spend 50 in essential cables. So I import stuff, but postage is usualy pretty expensive
crackdude
Posted July 29th, 2008 at 5:29 am.
It sounds like a great idea for convenience - you know, you don’t have to hit eBay for a Mega Drive if yours packs up perhaps (I dunno)?
But I really wouldn’t want to buy one based on the look of the thing, there’s something cool about the old Mega Drive 1 and 2 (moreso model 1), this just seems rather cheap. The number of built-in games sounds like it came off of SEGA Mega Drive Collection (only half the awesome) so if you have a PS2 I’d just get the Collection.
I wonder how Sonic & Knuckles would work anyway; would it recognise lock-ons and such (I’m assuming not if you have to select a game using hard reset or via a menu or something)? I don’t know, just seems better to grab a MD from the attic and a bunch of games. You get a classic experience with the quality of the consoles themselves.
But I can see why people would want one, I just think as a retro experience, it’s probably not worth it.
Svend
Posted July 30th, 2008 at 4:38 pm.
There have been a lot of questions about Sonic & Knuckles and lock-on functionality. I’ll try to test that out for you. I’m also working on a compatibility list that I’ll post soon on Aeropause.com. Is there anything else anyone would like to know?
Stephen Munn
Posted July 30th, 2008 at 7:08 pm.
Hey all,
I’ve posted a list of games I’ve tested in the system and the games that are built-in. You can have a look at it here. Enjoy!
http://www.aeropause.com/2008/08/update-atgames-sega-megadrive-compatibility-list/
Stephen Munn
Posted August 1st, 2008 at 7:54 am.