For a long time, the Saturn was thought to be uncrackable. Way back when, if you wanted to do such things, you’d need to mod it with extra chips and such. But through some technology magic, it has finally been done! The video below is interesting, if processors, bytes and chips are your thing.
The Gaming Historian did an excellent brief of the JVC X’Eye, which was posted on this site before. Enjoy!
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
In the world of smartphones, digital organizers are no longer necessary. But, before then, PDAs and similar devices were fairly common. Who ever thought Sega would make an attempt at one?
Enter the Sega IR 7000, capable of sending text messages to another IR 7000 along with other functions such as a calculator and calendar. Visit Sega Retro’s site for more info on this device lost to time.
The IR 7000 Communicator is a handheld device manufactured by Casio and released by Sega to the United States in 1994. The IR 7000 acts as a personal digital assistant, and allows IR 7000 users to communicate with each other via an infra-red beam, referred to as a “Magic Beam” on the box and back of the device. The IR 7000 features include the ability to send text messages, play the one or two-player action game “Brain Drain”, create pictures of contacts using 400 facial features, and save phone numbers and addresses with password protection. The device also features a scheduler, calendar, calculator, currency converter, alarm, memo pad, World map, and 10 language settings.
The IR 7000 has much in common with the Casio Secret Sender 6000 (JD-6000) and the Casio My Super Magic Diary JD-6500, including similar button placements, shells, and modes. While not designated with a JD model number, it is likely that the IR 7000 is the successor to the JD-6500. While the IR 7000 has a battle mode, the JD-6000 has a universal television remote and the JD-6500 has a virtual pet. The IR 7000 does not feature Casio branding, however the default name for the owner of the device is “Casio”.
-Sega Retro
This news is not game related, however cartoons were a big part of my weekend as a child, as most were during the early 90s. If you played Nintendo or Sega, odds are that you also watched Saturday morning cartoons. Even before I started playing video games on Saturday, it was cartoons that I watched first. Some of them were video game related like Sonic the Hedgehog, Pokémon and Earthworm Jim. The news posting on Gizmodo goes into more depth.
http://gizmodo.com/this-is-the-first-weekend-in-america-with-no-saturday-m-1642441646/+Fahey
Nostalgia Gamer 