Forgotten Consoles: Wondermega

This particular licensed Sega system was manufactured by JVC, released as the X’Eye in the US. Compatible with Mega Drive and Mega CD formats, the console originally boasted some quality audio and video output methods before it was iterated upon.

The Wondermega went through several renditions, all keeping the same theme and design. Sega would eventually would release their own version of the Wondermega, seen above.

The Wondermega (ワンダーメガ) is a combined Sega Mega Drive and Mega CD which was made by JVC/Victor and was initially released in 1992. It features a DSP for audio enhancement, a MIDI output jack, two microphone inputs and S-video output. In 1993, a redesigned model known as the Wondermega M2 was released, which dropped several features (including the MIDI output, DSP and motorized disc door) but added wireless controllers. Victor released the system in the US as the X’Eye, but not in the same way as they did in Japan. The system never made it to Europe, although several magazines back then had predicted an official European release.

Like the Mega CD, the Wondermega and X’Eye are compatible with CD+G (CD and Graphics) discs. The original Wondermega also supported the “Wonder CD” peripheral, which included a full complement of MIDI jacks (in, out and thru) as well as a music keyboard called the “Piano Player”.

The Wondermega is compatible with the 32X, although it looks a bit odd when connected. It also blocks the cd door so the 32X must be removed every time the CD drive needs to be opened.

-Sega Retro

More can be found at segaretro.org

 

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