Analogue Mega Sg Review - Is the Sega GENESIS clone worth $190?!?
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- The Mega Sg is the latest FPGA based clone system based on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive from Analogue. Is it worth the $190 price? And how does it stack up to a RetroN5 or original Sega Genesis with HDMI / RGB output?
More Info: www.analogue.co/mega-sg/
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** DISCLAIMER: Analogue provided the Mega Sg for review, but I was not paid for this video and no one reviewed what I said. All the opinions are my own ** - Hry
"showing composite is not fair"
Bro, I used to play it with RF back in the days, even composite look stunning.
Damn! I didn't even know anyone played RF back in the day, I figured composite was the standard. Here I am being angry composite was the standard in the U.S. learning across the pond they had component as the standard and I learn someone had it worse.
@@livingcorpse5664 I used RF too. In the early 90s, I am pretty sure the only connection our TV had was a male coaxial for an antenna, so only RF would work. Also, the gen 1 Genesis didn't have composite output without some weird cable that looks like a 5 pin DIN plug, but I literally never saw this cable until I bought one about two years ago; as a kid that port was just a mystery.
RF was mainly terrible because, without fail, the wire broke as soon as the module was taken out of the box. Even time I played, I had to wiggle the cord until I found the sweet spot that wasn't static, lol. We must have had at least five or six RF switches that were all broken.
I think its cool that people are trying to get these games to look as good as possible, but tbh i feel the same. Composite is fine and imo you get better dithering. I play composite on my crt but my master system, jaguar and turbo grafx 16 use RF. Im just happy playing the games.
@@riflemanm16a2 RF was the only gaming I knew back in the NES days. Never bothered me a bit, as it was all I knew at the time.
@@AdamsBrew78 Same here, I didn't know about composite until the N64. The fragility of the RF switches was really annoying though.
Seems like a solid unit. I only wish manufacturers would go "Type C" vs using micro still. It's very inexpensive to jump to a C vs micro.
exellent video especially the comparison with the Retron 5 I missed somewhere else , congratulations !!
I noticed that some of the grainy effects are masked by the Composite cables, like the pipes in Sonic 2, the transparency in the pipes looks fairly convincing in Composite, but in the HD version, you can notice the spacing in between the pixels. In fact, the same thing kinda happens in your Earthworm Jim comparison between the Sg and the RGB cables, I guess those can be mitigated by the scanline options in the Analogue Sg, but I wouldn't say it's the be all, end all solution.
There is an interpolation option in the Mega Sg that mixes dithered transparencies like those so that they look as they should.
Great review, very informative and thorough. Thanks! Can't wait to get my Mega Sg, it's already in the mail...
As a FPGA designer/programmer, I can help clarify that the reason you do emulation with a FPGA is to solve timing issues. Games programmed for older consoles (in this case the Motorola 68K) rely not on program timing techniques but expected processor execution times. So each frame of video, so many cycles would go to the game engine, some to the sound chip, some to the video frame buffer etc. When you emulate games on a PC, you are essentially serializing this entire process and trying to do it faster than a static screen refresh rate. Using a FPGA, you can design an entire 68K MCU and have it clocked at exactly 7.6 MHz. I recommend the GameHut channel for more information on how games were coded back in the day.
What do you think of this article? (it's very short and straight to the point!):
FPGAs Aren't Magic - archive.is/4Umsk
Just a note: Scanlines look pretty bad at 1080p. 720p is an exact 3x upscale from the original system’s native 240p so if you want authentic looking scanlines, put the resolution at 720p 60fps.
I did not know that! Thanks :)
No worries, Jason! Great video, as always.
J Kemp thanks for the heads up!
Unfortunately, there’s a lot more to it than that. :(
True 720p displays are almost non-existent, so you are almost always going to get a non-integer scale regardless.
Next, you can do 5x (1200p) to get an integer scale at 1080p with only a little bit chopped off at the top and bottom (barely more than your typical CRT overscan back in the day). Unfortunately, most 1080p displays simulate a bit of overscan by default and will still break your integer scale. What’s even worse is that they often hide the relevant settings or do not have them at all! Even the ones that have a setting in the menu call it 10 different things. 1:1, full-pixel, JustScan, etc. Some make you jump through crazy hoops, like manually labeling a particular input “PC” will secretly disable simulated overscan.
It’s a mess, but it’s still far easier to get scanlines working right with 1080p and 5x mode, which is why it’s such a shame that Hi-Def NES doesn’t have 5x mode (Nt Mini does). :(
@@MetalJesusRocks yeah 720p is a scale of 240p. Same as super nt. I use hybrid scanlines in 720p
Wow... great review! I think I'm sold.. Especially that it comes with that Master System adapter!!! Great work , man!
Propaganda...
This is very, very cool. I've spent the last few years trying to find solutions to get my old consoles displaying properly on HD TVs but maybe I should have been focusing on Clone systems! Either way its great to see that these classic games and consoles are not being left behind by technology!
thank you!! this was awesome!! answered all my question!!!!
Saturn or Dreamcast would be awesome to see made.
How many Sega Genesis clones do we really need? Saturn would be no brainer.
I love the enthusiasm for the Saturn, but you'd really want to kill this guy for trying. The Saturn is probably one of the most complex of systems to try and model. It's both exceptionally over-engineered and yet feels like a frankenstein system of components that all require tight timing and, to be honest, I'm not even sure all of the components have been completely reversed engineered. Doing the Saturn would make this look like child's play.
@@RichardHartness I agree. I just dont get why a new Sega clone seems to come out every few months. There's enough already.
Pixels ARE NOT PROBLEM, not need to be MORE BLUR "HD", must be SHARP.
Best are: RetroN 5 & Pound.
Quick, raise your hand if you don’t have access to the complete Genesis library and a means to play it already. Oh wait, we all do. There’s no market here. The 50-somethings interested in this device already have them provided from Analogue and their video “reviews” went live this morning.
Now for the sad part. When a device like this bombs, it’s used as an excuse to not make anything for the Saturn or Dreamcast. You keep seeing Sega licenses classic systems because that was their biggest hit. Sega won’t make a Saturn classic or Dreamcast classic because those systems were deemed failures. However, I would certainly be more interested in a Saturn or Dreamcast classic.
Brother, that t-shirt rocks! (I haven’t started the review yet, but came to your channel first! You’re intelligent, eloquent, informative: you cover the details fans need, fun, and seem like a genuinely good person. Thanks for so many hours of education!
Thanks so much for in depth review and comparisons. I've never bothered trying to play my old machines on new TVs as it's too costly, too many compromises and far easier just to use a PC with emulation and avoid 99% of known issues. However, this hardware based mega drive / genesis has me eventually being able to play my old carts on my modern TV and I can now collect stuff from foreign regions without usual horrid PAL hz slow-down here in OZ. THANK YOU!
There is something about the Sega Genesis that can never be duplicated. I bought my Sega Genesis when it was first released (and bundled with Altered Beast.) I call it: "The Sega Genesis smell." During gameplay, one could detect a subtle sweet smell of burning plastic. Once the player experienced that smell, one KNEW that one was playing with power...
haha! I didn't have a Genesis myself growing up (I went with the Turbografx and very happy that I did), but two of my best friends had one and now that you mention it, I kind of know what you're talking about with that smell. I don't know if my mind is playing tricks on me, but I remember that smell with my Turbografx and even my NES.
Mate! What a video! You did an unbelievable job showing the difference between options! Good job!
Awesome review!!! I was waiting you review for a long time. I'm crazy about this console. And see what this console is capable is awesome!!!
Wow this really brings a new life to Genesis & MasterSystem games. Visual graphics & sound are all highly improved. Almost like a complete remastering. SO many games I can relive in an all new light. Definitely worth it.
Aaaaaand just like that, every gaming channel has a review for the Mega SG.
Russell Harrington yes, but none like John Hancock and Metal Jesus.
MLiG would like to have a word with you. :P
And? It's called sending out units for review
Sponsor
Like most electronic product releases, there was a review embargo.
this is the content we come for. never change the drum muzak in the background man
Nice to see Jim get some footage never gets enough love
That's a good cartridge to use for comparison footage because it has those demo levels that run when you turn it on, so everything matches across systems and the audio/music is so iconic.
Looks like im done shopping for a new genesis. This is perfect. Hdmi, master system, and sega cd support, and wireless controllers. Thanks for the upload metaljesus, very well done.
Great review. I just got mine yesterday & ultra core was not on the system. I upgraded it to the latest firmware 4.2 (i was on 4.1) & Ultra Core is now on the system. I hope this helps someone.
Awesome video, Metal Jesus! Good comparisons, so one can see what the differences are.
Great review dude. Mine’s arriving in a London at noon Wednesday
I don't get why most people use a Genesis model 2 for sound comparisons, the original model with the "High Definition Graphics" in white on the top of the circle has the best sound of any Genesis model.
i think he might have made a mistake. he has so much knowledge to know he probably missed it.
Depends on the version of model 2. The first revisions were decent. The later ones not so much.
Love to play Spellcaster and kenseiden again on the master system
I found a copy of Spellcaster. It's such a fun game!
Awesome video, dude! Love your channel. Keep it up, brother!
Mine ought to be here in a couple of days, so excited!
In addition to that, I have to say...having watched TONS of the review videos of the MegaSG, MJR, yours is easily the very best. MLIG's is THOROUGH and very detailed (42 minutes long as well), but yours with the direct comparisons to Composite, that crazy Pound Cable, and the Retron5, REALLY are just fantastic journalism, really useful and extremely well edited with the side by sides. The effort it had to take to get all the EWJ actions so exact on multiple playthroughs, just amazing. You're not just funny and real, you're an absolute pro at making videos.
Hoping the Pound cable comes through; I would love this if it works for 32X as an option since the MegaSg isn't going to do any 32X. Thank you for all that you do MJR!!!
Personally, I like the way the composite output looks. Basically how it looked when I played the genesis as a kid. Though, I'd probably still play with HDMI.
Best review of this system so far. Thanks dude!
Thanx for showing this stuff. I like how you rewiev the systems and games.
Great overview!!! :D
Analog should partner with SEGA to release a full-sized replica of either the Mark 1 or Mark 2 *GENESIS* with Analog's hardware on the inside. *I would buy that in a heartbeat.*
Forget all these "mini consoles" I want a full-sized re-release of the system with cartridge support!
No doubt some modder will take this device and make it work inside a full-size chassis. =D
great idea. Really besides cost the only downside is it will never look like an original
Would love to see them tackle the N64. Also that pound cable vs the Mega Sg looked pretty darn good to me so both are pretty good competitors. The audio though, the Megs Sg sounded more brighter to me. But it did sound clearer.
I doubt that'll ever happen. Most N64 emulators use HLE, which makes them not suitable for FPGA's. Also, the N64 had that custom chip, emulation of which....varies.... So I don't think we'll see them ever do an N64 project - MAYBE if we see some new FPGA's hit the market? IDK, But not with what we currently have.
With Analogue's quality I'd absolutely love that too.
Mine is in the mail as we speak! I cant wait to start playing my genesis games on it! Would live to see a turbo grafix 16 version from them
ha
Oh sweet! Skeleton Krew! Loved that game on the MegaDrive. Both that one and The Haunting Starring Polterguy are my favs. :)
Your review, My Life In Gamings review , Rerez review of Mega SG are the best
the issue with the 32X is that the unit had you running video bypass cables from the genesis to the 32x. You cant really do that now with HDMI. SEGA CD working is good enough for me.
Great choice using Sonic 2 Level 2. Such a nice song. Thanks for doing the scanline demo. Scanlines add the original pixel definition the 90s developers intended. More depth and less flat. Thanks!
Great video! Please keep up the hard work!
Would have liked to see Virtua Racing, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Super Street Fighter 2 and a few others that have problems playing on clone systems tested.
watch one of the 50 reviews by everyone who got sent a copy for free to review.
Spoiler: they all work fine.
I think that Analogue needs to go all in and create new Sega CD and 32X add-ons. Granted, that may be cost prohibitive for them, but, it would be a great step in the direction of preservation of the Sega experience.
I'm sure that they will have to create a 32X add-on, since the original 32X is incompatible with HDMI compliance, but ALL Sega CD add-ons, work for the Analogue Mega Sg. ...so will they remake the Sega CD add-on? ...no.
Was there anything worth playing on the 32X that didn't make it to another console?
I think they need 32x+CD addon to make this complete.
@@badreality2 If they're going that far, why not go all the way? Working Sega CDs aren't exactly easy to come by.
@@3rdalbum there are a few gems, some decent ports, some bad ports. It's a small, mixed bag
I purchased a mega sg this holiday season based on your review. Purchased butt loads of classic genesis games i grew up on for my son and I to play together. Thanks metal Jesus!
Awesome review Jason!
I want them to go turbo graphics 16
Same!!!!
You're in luck!
I think that comparing the audio to the original Model 1 would be a more apt comparison between the two.
Yes. Keep up the good work. You are my favorite video game related CZcams channel.
The best Mega Sg test i've seen on YT! GG
One day all our old hardware will die. The CRTs we use will die, too. When that happens will need an alternate to works with the digital displays we use now. I for one am glad that Analogue has provided that for the SNES and Mega Drive.
Form what I can tell the Mega SG provides a more authentic experience than even Sega’s own Mega Drive 2.
You game sack and MVG all released the same review on the same day. I liked how you and MVG both used the intro to bloodlines
So did Colin aka This Does Not Compute
@Chris Taber they sent them the unit, I doubt they are paid
Sorry I had to watch this in 2x playback speed today. I appreciate your work on this channel!
I can't wait for my Mega SG! I should be seeing it on Thursday!
After that Sonic 2 demo I'm sold!
Keep in mind the model 2 genesis had the worst sound chip of all the models, he was also showing it using composite, the worst fidelity cables. A model 1 genesis/mega drive on a crt is the best way to play.
Analogue: The world desperately needs you to engineer a TurboGrafx-16 FPGA clone. Don't forget SuperGrafx!
This x1000!
Analogue PC-16😁
TurboGrafx/Pc Engine and Supergrafx are already done in FPGA on the MiSTer already. With Pc Engine/Turbo CD support soon to come. You should check out the MiSTer FPGA project.
@@mfdumile I will absolutely do that! Haven't heard of that one. Thanks!
Maybe we don’t need it as badly as you think. ;) Check out the UpperGrafx/UperGrafx UGX-02. It replicates the graphics hardware in FPGA exactly like the original Analogue Nt except this one is plug and play with the original consoles! That means perfect digital video over DVI/HDMI (no analog conversion). It’s also able to play CD and card games from SD card.
In short, we already have perfect digital video and all the benefit of an Analogue jailbreak in a plug and play device for TurboGrafx-16 and PC Engine. It works with original games too.
Thank You for making this video. It's very informative! 🤘🤙👍
Fine, you talked me into it..just ordered =D Thanks for the review, definitely helped me in making my choice in the end.
Wow, that Mega SG looks pretty amazing to be fair but i cant help feeling a little bit sad that there'll be no going back to original hardware once you get used to that crystal clear sound and picture.
N64!, Now that would be a day one purchase! Great video mj
Yeah buddy. That or an Analogue Atari 2600.
PSone is fine too
Be good if it came with a wireless controller similar to the old hori or do a deal with the brawler controller
that's what I'm waiting for. Otherwise, I'm buying an UltraHD modded N64 eventually
themcfaceman Do it... same price as Analogue’s console and no worries about accuracy.
SOLD! I want it! I am a Sega fan for sure and this is for me. Thanks for the great video!
Okay that Tokyo Mirage Sessions clip in the opening had me ❤❤❤
Its awesome to see a system like this, especially as emulation is threatened now. The quality of this seems so great and its legit since its a recreation of the hardware. I would like to see all the old Nintendo systems recreated from this company much love
MetalJesusRocks Do you have a buying guide for the SEGA Genesis? If so, I can’t find it. If not, it would be awesome if you made one!
Great review!! thank you for doing this literally just order one of these bad boys. Would be dope to see an Analogue N64 Next!!!
Analogue N64 would be next level!
I was considering picking one of these up cause I loved the Super NT. Analogue systems are fantastic!
WOOOOW this is next level of retro gaming :)
Agreed!
Nice to see robocop vs the terminator getting some love
Cool game back in the day... think I still have my copy of it..
The audio... It sounds so clean! It's driving me nuts
Good video! This is the kind of stuff I like to see.
Great video hopefully they can release an adapter for 32x in the future and ideally there own CD Drive!
I think it is only worth it if you have a mega CD to play it in hd.
The rest of it is not really a seller for me at that price.
You didn't mention the farting noise it makes when you touch the power button.
(or was that a Game Sack exclusive DLC?)
Still one of the best reviews on the system.Great work.
8:22 ... and I like the picture quality of the composite output. Real retro, as it used to be on CRT monitors. All this beautiful image quality only reveals the pixelation and angularity of the characters. Composite blurs it out.
I think the MSRP of Sega Genesis was $189.99 when it was first released.
Great video! The Pound cable is pretty nice, though obviously better off with the Mega SG (if you can afford it).
I'd say the Pound cable is the best of the bunch. Not staring at blocky hard edges is the best way to play these older games. The others are more accurate to the original content, but the Pound cable wins it imo for the experience.
There's no way these old games will actually look good at higher resolution - letting the conversions blur the image up a bit helps the hard aliasing. Same issue I had with the UltraHLE emulator when it came out - too many jaggies for N64 games. The experience was better on a scanline CRT.
@@masejoer I can see your point, but I personally appreciate the crisp pixels on sprites on 2D games. 3D is a different story, like you said N64 (for example) needs some help masking things.
Mines arriving Wednesday cant wait!
Nice to see the Pound cable compared to the SG. I do a comparison of the SG against HD Retrovision cables in my own video. HDR cables might be the closest equivalent that you can get out of original hardware.
Bought one of these for my game room and gave two away on stream. It’s a nice machine to have.
Better than AT games :v
Mega SG is amazing. I need one.
AT games would advertise the system as containing arcade ROMs, but then when you buy it it's just genesis ROMs.
HuezinXD get the super retro trio
@@rebelfriend5172 Eww, why? They stole open source emulator code.
I want it so i can have a spare to use. My current Sega Genesis works fine, but it'd be nice to have a spare.
Ive got the Mega Retron it works good enough, its a cheaper price too.
Dude, I had no idea how much I need this until now.
Fantastic overview! I want one
Personally I prefer the pound image, it is less pixelated
This is one of three review videos that showed up on my homepage on CZcams...hmm...lol
I got 6 all at 11am you're slacking yo.
:P @@ninjamaster3453
What's your point? There's nothing shady going on.
Awesome video dude id like to see turbo grafix 16 games one day
it's amazing how muffled the audio is on a regular composite signal compared to this. I never would have known I wanted more clarity out of the audio had this not existed.
Great comparison video, but I'll take composite video output on a good CRT TV over HDMI on any HDTV. Composite looks much better than shown in this video on CRT.
I already got the Super NT.
I wish they would make a N64.
Not currently feasable
I emailed them this about an n64and they just said any news will be released on our page 🤨
@@steveothehulk kevgris already stated there doesn't exist an FPGA big enough. The max currently is psone
n64 doesnt hold up well today homie... Saturn on the other hand... :O
Why not just buy an N64 (about $40 on eBay) and get it modded with Ultra HDMI ? Then you’ve got actual hardware rather than emulation for a similar price to Analogue’s consoles.
@metaljesusrocks I couldn’t tell a difference in the video quality other than composite was bad... Probably due to me watching this on a phone though. Keep up the good content!
Thanks for this video. You drew my attention to the new Pound Technology HD Link Cable which is a lot cheaper an option for those who still own an original SEGA Mega Drive / Genesis. Cheers!
Has to be Turbografx next
nah m8 , n64
@@AcousticNRG the N64 can wait, let the PC-Engine/TurboGrafx 16 have a chance.
What’s the benefits of turbografx compared to this
Does the power base convertor work with it?
it blocks the hdmi port
Yes, but you can't use the original one that was made for the Genesis Model 1, as it doesn't fit. Doesn't matter though, as the Mega SG comes with its own Power Base Converter in the box.
I’m definitely getting this system my original Sega Genesis died and my Sega CD system still works so this is a must have for me! 🤘 thanks for the video man keep me coming you’re doing great!
It would have been fairer to make the comparison with megadrive 1, using its rgb output and its yamaha sound chip. Even so, I liked the review to find out about this device. Cheers from Spain.
*Still got my G1 Genesis...maybe its time to attempt some Eternal Champions Fatalities!*
These clones are cool but, for me a huge part of the enjoyment is the original hardware.
It was pretty cool attaching a real Sega CD to the Analogue and just having it work with glorious 1080p output!
@@MetalJesusRocks that is pretty awesome to be fair! No messing about with up scalers and all that stuff!
I'd love to see anlogue tackle the neo geo brand and make an all in one neo geo console that plays all the neo geo formats, platforms and accessories.
MJR - Please review the built in game! Rare opportunity to review a NEW Mega Drive game! -- Keep up the amazing work. Love your videos!
Fit a 3.5mm headphone jack, but not a hardwired volume control slider/knob? (facepalm)!
@Steve Fox consumer headsets yes, but not on pro studio headsets or older headsets. You'd need a mixer to get the volume control.
Hey metal J. What game had the most impact on your life?
Definitely H.E.R.O. would be on that list! LOL
Love your Stormtrooper shirt!
Awesome video have my MG preorder.