Can you use a Sega Cd without a Genesis?

[Einhander]

I never knew anything about the Sega CD, but since joining the site I have seen people collect it. It seems interesting, there are some games I find interesting. But the problem is that I have limited space for my Genesis and it would be tricky fitting in that accessory. Do they absolutely have to be attached to each other? I'll never quite understand why they didn't just make a new console instead of making an add on.

[KalessinDB]

No, you cannot.  It's an attachment, period.

They did it because it was ideally going to be a cheap addon to extend the life of the Genesis.  The TurboCD did decently well increasing the lifespan of the TurboGrafx16... The Sega CD, not so much.

[TDIRunner]

What KalessinDB said is correct.  

However, they made a few special Sega CD's that did not require a Genesis because the Genesis was built in.  The CDX will be the smallest unit that has the built in Genesis and CD, but it's super expensive if you're lucky enough to even find one.

Do you not have space to go wider or taller?  If you get a model 1 Sega CD, it goes underneath and therefore it isn't much wider but it will be taller.  If you get a model 2 Sega CD, it goes next to the Genesis, so it's a lot wider, but not very much taller.  

[Einhander]

What KalessinDB said is correct.  

However, they made a few special Sega CD's that did not require a Genesis because the Genesis was built in.  The CDX will be the smallest unit that has the built in Genesis and CD, but it's super expensive if you're lucky enough to even find one.

Do you not have space to go wider or taller?  If you get a model 1 Sega CD, it goes underneath and therefore it isn't much wider but it will be taller.  If you get a model 2 Sega CD, it goes next to the Genesis, so it's a lot wider, but not very much taller.  

Oh is that right? If it just needs to be taller, I might be able to do it. btw, how tall is it?

[KalessinDB]

If we're including variants, you can get a Wondermega or an X'Eye, which will be slightly smaller than a Genny 2 w/CD2.

And if you do lay your hands on a CDX, it can't use a 32x without mods IIRC (Maybe it can, but it's not stable physically)

Also, be warned the model 1 SCDs are a bit more likely to break because of the belt that ejects the tray.

[TDIRunner]

A model 1 should add about 3" to the height and about 1/2" to the width.  Keep in mind that if you add a 32x later it will be even taller.  And don't forget using Sonic and Knuckles with "lock on technology" with a copy of Sonic 2 or Sonic 3 on top.  Throw in a Game Genie and you can have a pretty tall contraption there.  

[KalessinDB]

A model 1 should add about 3" to the height and about 1/2" to the width.  Keep in mind that if you add a 32x later it will be even taller.  And don't forget using Sonic and Knuckles with "lock on technology" with a copy of Sonic 2 or Sonic 3 on top.  Through in a Game Genie and you can have a pretty tall contraption there. 

The term I kick around is "Death Star Genesis" and it browns out the city when you power it on.

Though I picked up a couple different 3-in-1 power adapters (one handmade by a guy on Atariage, one made semi-commercially... can't decide which I like more, though obviously the commercial one looks neater) so I don't have to use 3 different power bricks aka an entire power strip.

Though to be fair, there's no reason to use the entire thing together.  Game Genie/S&K/lock-on-Sonic can't benefit from the sega cd (you could make a case for it benefiting from the 32x -- better composite through the 32x vs stock genny) and the handful of Sega CD/32x combo games can't use Game Genie/S&K/etc

Although, can Pier Solar use a game genie?  That might be the new Biggest Thing You Can Legitimately Need...

[TDIRunner]

I agree that the Sega CD isn't needed for Sonic & Knuckles, but my line of thinking is that I don't plan to remove my Sega CD just to play another game.  I prefer to keep my Sega CD and 32 hooked up at all times.

It turns out that I have enough room to use a Game Genie or Sonic & Knuckles with lock on, but not both at the same time. 



The picture sucks, but it's late.  I need sleep.

[segamer]

You can also get an X'Eye.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-XEye-Sega-Genesis-and-Sega-CD-Combo-unit-/291391136965?pt=Video_Games&hash=item43d843e4c5

[TDIRunner]

Don't forget the Laser Active.......although that's probably the biggest of them all, plus it makes the CDX look cheap.

[bender3455]

I can vouch for the X-Eye, and you can put a 32X on it, albeit it looks a little odd.  Like most people here, I gave away most of my old gear when I was young (and stupid).  Tis a shame, that X-Eye was pretty cool.