Customer Reviews

Sega Nomad System

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although the Nomad debuted at close to $200, I remember picking up this system at the local Toys R Us around 1998 for only $50.

The Nomad is a portable version of the Sega Genesis, which came out in 1989. Having had the Genesis since 89, I had a large library of games for that system. All my Genesis games worked fine for the Nomad.

What made the Nomad unique among portable systems was that you could plug in an extra controller for 2-player action AND you could also connect the system to a TV set and use it as a home console.

The screen is bright and relatively clear and you've got a large library of compatible Genesis games to play. The plastic casing, d-pad, and buttons feel durable. Also, I like the look of the system.

There are several major drawbacks to consider. First and foremost, this damn thing is a complete and total battery guzzler. The system requires six AA batteries which seems to get drained quicker than a keg of beer at a tailgate party. And unlike other portables where the battery compartment is built-in, you place the batteries in a seperate adapter which attaches to the back of the already large/heavy Nomad which makes it feel almost non-portable.

There is a rechargable pack but it is sold seperately and can be pricey. You can power the system with an AC adapter which makes it non-portable. Also, the screen is easily damaged and the system overall is pretty bulky.

Still, the Nomad is a unique piece of hardware that gives you access to a large library of classic Genesis games and a decent level of portability along the way.

I picked up my nomad in unused condition for 5 bucks at a thrift store. there were only a million of these sold in the U.S according to wikipedia. so what if you're not a collector? well it probably isnt for you. The batteries get used up quickly but I brought the ac adapter with me on a flight, found a plug at the airport and played road rash while waiting for my plane. Batteries arent really an option here is what I mean so is it a portable genesis? yeah but more so if you will be near by a plug for a while. Is it cool that you can hook up a genesis 2 av cord to your tv and game as if it were a real genesis? yes. However with the price that comes attached to it-it might be cheaper to get a genesis deck if you want your 16-bits of goodness. yeah all in all this one is more for collectors unless you can score it for an absurdly low price like I did.

The Sega Genesis Nomad is a pretty awesome portable home console! I say that because its a portable Sega Genesis! Not to mention it can hook up to a TV and you can plug in a second controller to play with your friends! While i didn't grow up with a Genesis, i did have a Super Nintendo and I'd always go to a friend's house to play Sonic 2 or what other games he had. I thought it was awesome with it's "Blast Processing." But it didn't really ever cross my mind to have a portable Genesis until i got my first Gameboy Advance and played Sonic on it. It wasn't until a year ago that i found out they made a portable Genesis that played all your favorite Genesis games on the go. So i searched Ebay and found one for a decent price and bought it.

This thing is a beast. Not just because its a portable 16-bit machine, but because its quite large for a portable console. You can tell they really tried taking the latest home gaming technology and condensing it down and making it efficient enough to make it portable. They did it! Barely. The Nomad takes 6 AA batteries and sucks them dry in about 3 hours! The Nomad can either run off the 6 batteries in the battery pack or you can get an AC adapter and plug it into the wall for power (which is good if your plugging this into a TV). But the best part is now i can play Sonic 1, 2, 3, Street Fighter II, Vectorman, Streets of Rage II, Mortal Kombat and a ton of other classics in their original form on the go! The Nomad has all 6 buttons so it comes prepared for any fighting games your wanting to play, along with an awesome d-pad that's easy to do circles with (like with fighting games), and a shape that makes it sturdy, easy, and comfortable to grasp!

The Sega Genesis Nomad is not the perfect portable system due its inefficient use of batteries and its form factor, but its Sega Genesis at its best in a portable package! If you're planning to buy one, be sure you get one that's in good condition and comes with a source of power (either the battery pack or an AC adapter).

The coolest thing about this product is the fact that it is a handheld Genesis!!! It uses the same adapter and the same RF (Radio Frequency)/Composite (RCA jacks) output. I use the composite output. I think with my 6 Energizer 2500 MiliAmp I got about 2 hours of gaming time. It might be longer then that. But I had sadly noticed that the life of my batteries are getting shorter (not due to using the Nomad). There is another type of battery that sells on Amazon for cheaper.Tenergy High capacity NiMH Rechargeable battery package: 8 AA 2600 mAh + 8 AAA 1000 mAh But this one comes with AAA and the Nomad only uses AA. It has a contrast selector which allows you to use it in any type of lighting. But I have not seen anyone try to make a Portable Genesis this is the only one I found, it has a second controller port for 2 players, and when plugged into an External TV...the first player uses the Nomad to play. I am very happy with this product. Just make sure it includes a Battery pack otherwise it will be kinda expensive to buy on separate.

-Thanks

Don't miss out on these. They are so sweet! They have controller inputs, and you can plug into a TV and use it as a console!!