Difference between revisions of "Sega Nomad"
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| − | + | {{ConsoleBob | |
| + | |logos=[[File:Nomad logo.svg|320px]] | ||
| + | | consoleimage=Nomad.jpg | ||
| + | | imgwidth=320px | ||
| + | | name= | ||
| + | | maker=[[Sega]] | ||
| + | | variants= | ||
| + | | add-ons= | ||
| + | | processor= | ||
| + | | usa=1995 | ||
| + | | japan=1995 | ||
| + | | australia= | ||
| + | | benelux= | ||
| + | | brazil= | ||
| + | | germany= | ||
| + | | scandinavia= | ||
| + | | southkorea= | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | The '''Sega Nomad''', known during production as the '''Sega Venus''', is a [[Handheld game console|handheld game console]] manufactured by [[Sega]] which debuted in 1995. It is a handheld [[Sega Mega Drive]], and Sega's second console to enter the handheld market after the [[Sega Game Gear]]. The Nomad was inspired by the [[Sega Mega Jet]], and was designed primarily for use within Japan Air Lines (JAL) aircraft (hence the name "Nomad"), but also saw a retail release in North America. The system was not released in Europe in any form. | ||
| − | + | The Nomad is built very similarly to the Game Gear and also shares several design flaws. It has a built in high-quality backlit 3" passive-matrix LCD screen, a D-Pad and six face buttons and can be hooked up to a television (using identical leads to the Sega Mega Drive II). Also included is an extra [[DE-9]] port for an extra player, though player 1 must always use the controls built into the Nomad unit. The Nomad accepts any Sega Mega Drive cartridge (though is still region locked), though its design means it is not compatible with add-ons such as the [[Power Base Converter]], [[Sega Mega CD]] or [[Sega 32X]]. | |
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| − | |||
| − | + | At the time of release, many planes in the Japan Air Lines (JAL) fleet had small LCD televisions installed into the armrests of each seat to entertain passengers. The Nomad, like the Mega Jet was designed to help pass the time during long air flights. Users were able to bring their own Mega Drive cartridges, however it is reported that JAL is reported to have stocked a limited selection of four titles on each flight. Two of the titles known to have been in JAL's rotation include ''[[Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II]]'' and the original ''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''. | |
| − | The Nomad | + | The Japanese release was exclusive to airlines and was replaced within several years with more advanced systems. In North America, however, it debuted on store shelves in October 1995 for an asking price of $180 USD. The Nomad was unsuccessful in this region for a variety of reasons, the most prominent being that by this period of time, the Sega Mega Drive was being phased out in favour of the [[Sega Saturn]]. Rumours state a European PAL release was on the table, but was scrapped after failures in the US. |
| − | + | The Nomad also suffered from other issues. There are minor incompatibilities with some Mega Drive games, and though the LCD screen was of a higher resolution than other handhelds at the time, the technology means that fast action scenes suffer from "ghosting" (i.e. blurry graphics). Like the Game Gear before it, the backlit screen rapidly depleats battery life, giving approximately three to five hours of play. Furthermore the system is powered by six AA batteries, meaning it is expensive to maintain, however the [[Nomad PowerBack]], which is charged via an AC adapter, can extend the life of the battery by a couple of hours. | |
| − | + | ||
| + | Mega Drive games with small text are also difficult to read on a Sega Nomad. Similar problems occurred when attempting to play [[Sega Master System]] games on the Game Gear via the [[Master Gear Converter]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A combination of all of these issues meant the Nomad failed to see widespread adoption. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Game Issues== | ||
| + | The following Mega Drive titles are known to have difficulty with or not to work at all on the Nomad: | ||
| + | *''[[Bonkers]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Chakan]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Decap Attack]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Forgotten Worlds]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Golden Axe II]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[King of the Monsters]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Phantasy Star|Phantasy Star MD]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Pit-Fighter]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Outback Joey]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Shadowrun]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Streets of Rage]]'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Note that ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' and ''Streets of Rage''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s incompatibility issues can be worked around by running their ''[[6-Pak]]'' counterparts. | ||
==Box Scans== | ==Box Scans== | ||
Revision as of 15:29, 10 March 2011
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| Sega Nomad |
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| Manufacturer: Sega |
The Sega Nomad, known during production as the Sega Venus, is a handheld game console manufactured by Sega which debuted in 1995. It is a handheld Sega Mega Drive, and Sega's second console to enter the handheld market after the Sega Game Gear. The Nomad was inspired by the Sega Mega Jet, and was designed primarily for use within Japan Air Lines (JAL) aircraft (hence the name "Nomad"), but also saw a retail release in North America. The system was not released in Europe in any form.
The Nomad is built very similarly to the Game Gear and also shares several design flaws. It has a built in high-quality backlit 3" passive-matrix LCD screen, a D-Pad and six face buttons and can be hooked up to a television (using identical leads to the Sega Mega Drive II). Also included is an extra DE-9 port for an extra player, though player 1 must always use the controls built into the Nomad unit. The Nomad accepts any Sega Mega Drive cartridge (though is still region locked), though its design means it is not compatible with add-ons such as the Power Base Converter, Sega Mega CD or Sega 32X.
At the time of release, many planes in the Japan Air Lines (JAL) fleet had small LCD televisions installed into the armrests of each seat to entertain passengers. The Nomad, like the Mega Jet was designed to help pass the time during long air flights. Users were able to bring their own Mega Drive cartridges, however it is reported that JAL is reported to have stocked a limited selection of four titles on each flight. Two of the titles known to have been in JAL's rotation include Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II and the original Sonic the Hedgehog.
The Japanese release was exclusive to airlines and was replaced within several years with more advanced systems. In North America, however, it debuted on store shelves in October 1995 for an asking price of $180 USD. The Nomad was unsuccessful in this region for a variety of reasons, the most prominent being that by this period of time, the Sega Mega Drive was being phased out in favour of the Sega Saturn. Rumours state a European PAL release was on the table, but was scrapped after failures in the US.
The Nomad also suffered from other issues. There are minor incompatibilities with some Mega Drive games, and though the LCD screen was of a higher resolution than other handhelds at the time, the technology means that fast action scenes suffer from "ghosting" (i.e. blurry graphics). Like the Game Gear before it, the backlit screen rapidly depleats battery life, giving approximately three to five hours of play. Furthermore the system is powered by six AA batteries, meaning it is expensive to maintain, however the Nomad PowerBack, which is charged via an AC adapter, can extend the life of the battery by a couple of hours.
Mega Drive games with small text are also difficult to read on a Sega Nomad. Similar problems occurred when attempting to play Sega Master System games on the Game Gear via the Master Gear Converter.
A combination of all of these issues meant the Nomad failed to see widespread adoption.
Game Issues
The following Mega Drive titles are known to have difficulty with or not to work at all on the Nomad:
- Bonkers
- Chakan
- Decap Attack
- Forgotten Worlds
- Golden Axe II
- King of the Monsters
- Phantasy Star MD
- Pit-Fighter
- Outback Joey
- Shadowrun
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Streets of Rage
Note that Sonic the Hedgehog and Streets of Rage's incompatibility issues can be worked around by running their 6-Pak counterparts.
Box Scans
Sega Nomad box (front)
Sega Nomad box (back)
