Customer Reviews

Sega Genesis Firecore Classic Console

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A quick Google search will result in both glowing reviews and opinions of purists that detest this product. The truth is that it can be great and it can be useless depending on the buyers expectations. The unit itself is much lighter and smaller than the original Genesis. The controllers are miniature versions of the originals as well. The controllers have a cheap feel to them and mine tended to stick a bit. I found no compatibilty issues as all the games I have work on the Firecore. A lot has been made of the inferior sound of the firecore emulating games. That hasn't been an issue for me as with the exception of the Sega CD the sounds of 16 bit gaming were pretty pathetic to begin with. Something that was already very unimpressive is even worse? Really? Anyway, I do notice some graphic degradation playing Vectorman. The characters just look better on my model 1 Sega Genesis even with an RF adapter. Which brings me to the deal breaker for the Firecore for me. You can't save games with it. If you like RPGs or strategy games that can't be played in one sitting, you're out of luck here. That is unless you want to start from the beginning everytime on a game that will take 20-30 hours to finish. So after purchasing my favorite games from the Genesis era and finding that I couldn't save my progress I went and bought a model 1 Genesis like I had back in the day.

Pros:
20 included games (including the classic Gain Ground that I had forgotten all about)
Cheap (I got mine for $25 shipped)
Easy setup (but to be honest the Genesis is not that difficult to hookup either)
Plays original Sega Genesis cartridges too
Component cables

Cons:
Cannot save games
Some graphic degradation
Cheap small controllers
Cannot add Genesis add-ons Sega CD or 32X (some may consider this a pro)

Conclusion: If you are a casual gamer looking for a quick retro fix, this may be for you. If you're a hardcore gamer into lengthy games like rpgs you'll want to get a real Genesis.

The Firecore console is a great little plug-and-play system. The 20 included games (includes Altered Beast, Golden Axe, Shinobi III, Sonic & Knuckles and 16 others) are fun, and unlike a lot of the other plug-and-play systems, it has a cartridge slot so you play all of your old Sega Genesis cartridges (it's a shame that Atari didn't implement that feature on their Flashback consoles). If you turn the system on without a cartridge inserted, you'll get the menu where you can select one of the 20 built-in games. If you turn it on with a cartridge, that game will load (played a few rounds of Mortal Kombat and it was just as I had remembered it). The controllers are nice enough, if a bit light, with the signature Sega "floating" D-Pads in place (this should be the standard D-Pad on all controllers).

If there's one disappointment it's that the unit only offers mono sound (the original Genesis had stereo sound, so this should have been included). Less of an offense, but still worth noting, is that the only video option available is composite (RCA). While that's what the original Genesis had, SD video sources (consoles included) don't always look great on HD displays. If you don't like seeing big blocky pixels, you might want to steer clear (or use it on another TV). Still, I think the Firecore is a nice, affordable way to enjoy your old Genesis carts, especially for the price. Short of the original hardware, you won't find a better option.

Plays games great. Video is alright, resembles that of the 1st gen Sega Genesis. Sound is horrible though. I feel the Sega Master System has better sound quality then this. If this is to replace a broken Genesis, GO FOR IT! worth the money. If you have a working Genesis/Nomad, DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT, NO BUENO, NO GOOD, NOT WORTH IT!

I bought this game system for my wife who grew up playing a Sega Genesis console. The included games are not that great. Don't expect anything about these games to compare to newer Playstation or Xbox games, however, some of these games are fairly addictive and this was overall a good purchase. Luckily, we still had my wife's old game cartriges so we were able to play some of our favorites on this console. Anyone who grew up on Nintento, Atari, or Sega and has Sega Genesis games but no console, should seriously consider this system. It really works if you want to play those games. Anyone who owns a Wii or Xbox 360 might want to pass. The console is surprisingly small and seems cheaply made, but it works and should hold up as well as the old Sega.

The games on this system are fun and take me back to my childhood. However if you aren't as nostalgic as I am over 8 & 16 bit games, I would not recommend this. I also do not recommend this is you have a Sega Genesis already or another console because 1. it is very cheaply built 2. the controllers stick 3. it does not last. I'm already having issues with mine like the controllers sticking, and the console freezing, and sometimes when I start it up, nothing happens. Some days are better than others. Personally I wish I saved up for an Xbox or PS and bought the Sega Genesis games collection pack. I guess if you buy cheap you get cheap & get burned.

Well, this has brought hours of entertainment to our household. Don't have high expectations of the graphics, though! LOL If you want a better controller you can use the original Sega controllers with it. We liked the pre-loaded games some (Flicky!) but it's great to buy used games at the store fro $2 or $3.

IF YOU OR SOMEOME ELSE IS LOOKING TO PURCHASE THIS GAME..."PLEASE!DO SO!" MY MOM ORDERED ONE OF THESE AS A X-MAS PRESENT,ORDERED ONE FOR ME AND THEN ONE FOR HERSELF! SHE SAYS SHE LOVES THE DR.ROBOTINIK'S MEAN BEAN MACHINE! SHE TALKED ABOUT HOW SHE USED TO PLAY IT AND BEAT IT! SHE SAYS TO HER THAT IT'S WORTH IT JUST TO BE ABLE TO PLAY THIS GAME ON IT ALONE! AND THAT'S NOT TO EVEN MENTION THE FACT THAT IT HAS 19 OTHER GAMES BUILT IN IT AS WELL! SO LET'S SAY FOR INSTANCE SOMEONE DIDN'T HAVE ANY SEGA GAMES TO PLAY, WELL WITH THE FACT THAT THERE ARE 20 GAMES BUILT RIGHT IN IT, THEN THAT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM! AND IF SOMEONE NEVER HAD A SEGA, WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH IT AND GAMES FOR IT AS WELL, BUT WANTED TO TRY THIS, THEN THIS WOULD BE A GREAT INTRODUCTION!

This thing runs games with inaccurate sounds and has slowdown issues and isn't compatible with all genesis games. For the SAME PRICE you can get a real Sega Genesis and not have any issues with compatibility and have it run like it's supposed to.

I've had my Sega Genesis since 1991 it still works and has had no problems and required no service.