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BogusMeatFactory wrote:I have a question. With all the various handheld renditions of consoles floating about for pretty cheap. Is it worth ever investing in getting a Sega Nomad as a collector's piece? They tend to run pretty high and I know the battery life is atrocious. What are people's take on adding that to a collection.

Is it worth it or not?

I found one cheap at a yard sale awhile ago, and as a collector's item it's cool to own. As a handheld console, unless you mod it, it consumes WAY too many batteries.

I actually like to keep mine on my bedside table with an AC adapter, because sometimes it's pretty nice to just lay down and pop in a game for a bit before I go to sleep.

I definitely wouldn't pay more than $50 max though (unless you're getting some games with it in a lot or something)...

It's not worth $200. And this is coming from someone who loves that system.

It's useful, but not in ways that can't be remedied more cheaply. For instance, it's got a Genesis Model 2 AV Out for your Genesis SCART cable! But so does, you know, an actual Model 2 Sega Genesis. Which is currently going on eBay for $15.

It's also got six buttons! But so do, you know, six-button Genesis controllers.

You get the idea.

BogusMeatFactory wrote:Awesome thanks for the input guys...yeah I will just keep an eye out for it in garage sales really. I do NOT want to spend that much money on it! Any good suggestions for portable Genesis players that do not run on roms? I see one...any others?

Well, since you asked...

There are two portable Genesis clones which run real cartridges instead of ROMs.
The genmobile (which I mentioned earlier)...


...and the retrogen


Both are officially liscenced. Both are ultimately made by at@games. Both are essentially Firecore systems. Both have bad sound emulation.

Personally, I like my nomad better than either one, but I almost never play my nomad.

samsonlonghair wrote:Well, since you asked...

There are two portable Genesis clones which run real cartridges instead of ROMs.
The genmobile (which I mentioned earlier)...


...and the retrogen


Both are officially liscenced. Both are ultimately made by at@games. Both are essentially Firecore systems. Both have bad sound emulation.

Personally, I like my nomad better than either one, but I almost never play my nomad.

Yeah sound emulation is very important. If it doesn't sound right then absolutely not. I guess I will just have to be happy playing the genesis on my tv! Thanks for the input man! I appreciate it immensely.

I've had my Nomad for about 10 years now. I love it for what it is...more a curiosity and collection piece than anything. I had always wanted one as a kid and I bought one off eBay when I has some disposable income in my early 20's. This was before I discovered emulation, of course.
I think it's much more practical to have the entire Genesis library emulated on a PSP, not to mention that it's "on-the-go" gaming at its best. Who wants to lug that monstrosity of a Nomad battery pack (especially with its short life span) and cartridges anywhere? I wouldn't sell my Nomad though. It WAS a great thing in its time.

If you really like Genesis/Mega Drive games and can get a good deal on one, it's absolutely worth it!

Do I actually use it? All the time. Beats having to hog the TV and it's great for on the go or just chilling on the couch.

Add a Mega EverDrive cart and you've got your whole cart library with you anywhere you take your Nomad.

I'd upgrade the screen and battery pack to really maximize its usefulness.

While it is larger that most modern portables and isn't super portable, it has a good feel to it. I've got big hands, so using a phone, or even a PSP, for emulation just doesn't measure up for me. Plus I'm all about ACTUAL HARDWARE, so emulating just doesn't have the same appeal.

I'd steer away from the newer Genesis "clone" portables as I've had sound and graphical glitches with those cheap ass, Chinese made units.