Loading a Japanese SMS BIOS allows you the ability to use a peripheral or two that remain invisible to western SMSs (such as analogue controllers for games like Alex Kidd Bike Trial and Megumi Rescue).

I’ve been wanting to buy a Mega SD for a year. I waited so long the Mega Everdrive Pro came out. I love theirs competition. Yesterday I purchased the ME Pro mainly because it’s $60 cheaper and Krikzz has a reputation for supporting and adding to his products for years to come. Both carts do things I thought impossible. It’s an exciting time to be a Genesis fan.

If you handed this to me in 1993 I’d have been totally safe in assuming it fell off the back of a flying saucer. Really nice how this exotic-AF FPGA hardware doesn’t need any more power than the cartridge port provides

This the best “retro-channel “. Thanks for you great work.

Love the incredibly detailed review thanks for this. I already use a MegaSD so it’s cool to see how it compares. I especially loved the MDFourier section at the end as I’d love to be able to do this one day for my SSDS3 vs a real Duo and compare the audio output. I hadn’t used this software before and now I’m eager to try it out. I was resorting to recording onto a mic live and using RTA to compare, but that means results are specific to the room it’s recorded in. Looking forward to checking out this tool. And great review it’s the reason you’re one of the only tech channels I follow.

Just a quick note from a speedrunner here, about an issue usually not mentioned by non-speedrunner reviews: The original Everdrives supported multiple savestates, and they were named. You could duplicate one SRM file and rename it according to say, levels for example, and then save over each file with the correct position. It required a little more work, and swapping from one state to the next wasn't as fast, but it was reliable and it meant you got named save states. It's not like speedrun practice generally requires fast save swapping either. So I wanted to point this out because while 99 save states seems like an advantage, the implementation is a downgrade in some ways. It's not an absolute dealbreaker, but folks may want to be aware of this detail. (Authorblues has a very good video on using save states on the original N8 for speedrun practice.)

Wow, great analysis by Artemio :O

I love my original Mega CD, had it since release day. But I'm really tempted to get one of these just to give it a rest! Awesome review.

Thanks for the great review. I'm really looking forward to you video & views on MiSTer FPGA. I recently got one and there is no looking back!

Thanks for another great video! I would have still liked to have heard comparisons of real Sega CD vs Mega SD vs EverDrive Pro, even though it was great to see the quantitative comparisons with MDFourier. Even more than that, I would have liked to see a comparison with FM audio on SMS games, since the different implementations can vary noticeably. It also would have been nice to see a list at the end with every plus/minor nitpick for each cartridge, and I hope to see something like that in your future MiSTer video. But those comments aside, wonderful video, very informative and entertaining!

I have been waiting for this moment. I do not really want a CD addon connected to my genny. This is great.

Truly appreciate the in depth analysis. And wow, did nor realize how simple it was to get the games on micro SD card

now this is what I call a REVIEW. Amazing!

I wonder if there's a way to add a switch to a Sega CD that'd disconnect it from the bus? Would be handy for some people if they want to keep it hooked up and not have to unplug it. Would be really handy on the Xeye and CDX when using the Everdrive Pro and Mega SD.

Hehe, thanks to artemio for that audio deep dive! Always heard about md fourier and it's audio testing, but didn't really know what it was all about. But now i kinda got a glimpse at it. 🙂

Thanks for these reviews! They help us learn about the products and buy what we think is best! Thanks for your great work!

Amazing review, I'm glad to see everything is on the up and up as my Mega Everdrive Pro is currently in shipping. Can't wait!

that flying v in the back ground is awesome m8!

I've been waiting for this moment (really like the past month) for all my life, hold on!

My birthday is coming up and I had the Mega SD and the X7 on my list. The Mega SD, although a rather big step up in price, was going to be my choice. At the time, the Mega SD was out of stock and just when it came time to order (a couple months before my birthday) this showed up on Krikzz's site and I immediately switched my comparison from the X7 to the Pro. The main differences I found from other earlier comparisons were the CD audio option for genesis roms, the slightly more user friendliness of the SD in terms of installing roms for use and, possibly of greatest importance, the cost. In Canada (Noca Scotia), the difference after taxes is about $100 CAD. For these differences and knowing about Krikzz and his history with updates, I felt pretty comfortable choosing the Pro. From this review/comparison it already looks like some of these differences are getting covered (such as the CD audio) and there are even more pros to the Pro (sorry) that I didn't know before. I've ordered this about a month ago and, although either choice was going to be a clear win, I'm glad I was able to save a few dollars doing so. It's going to be a very good birthday!

It's annoying that it wont work loading CD images with a 32x or Mega CD connected considering I Finally have both, I hope someone comes up with a mod that bypasses these bus conflicts and allows loading.

Great video as usual and Artemio's analysis was very professional. Thank you. Regarding Mega Everdrive Pro: Wouldn't it be possible to have a Sega Game Gear core instead of the NES core? For me that would be a killer app.

As a music producer, sound designer and Genesis fan, I found Artemio's analysis very interesting!

It's a pity you can't buy these pre loaded and setup ready to go with the whole library already on there cuz I've never been that good with computers.

Are there music hacks for the two Lotus games? Would be neat to enjoy music and sound effects simultaneously rather than having to select either one or the other. And as a fun alternative to the current Outrun hack, I'd love to see the original Genesis music running as a CD audio track, freeing resources to patch in engine sounds for your Ferrari so it's not silent.

I have an x5 I just dusted out of storage after moving last year, I dont care much for the Sega CD, but it's cool to see it get the support. I may upgrade, but I'm leaning on not doing so.

Glad to see another review of the Mega Everdrive Pro - GameSack did a fantastic review focusing on several of the quirks with different games (like CD audio not playing on Pier Solar), and I like that he mentions the firmware revision he was testing with. I think that's an important detail. In the case of the GameSack review, I do wonder how many of the mentioned issues are already obsolete. Which firmware were you running? It occurs to me that the sound tests would be good against the SMS FM sound, SMS PCM audio, and the NES core!

awesome work Bob!

The only thing I'm interesting in knowing is, will the in-game menu and such work through a 32x? Or is it disabled like it is on the Mege EverDrive X7? If it is, it's probably not worth upgrading for me.

Artemio is clearly a genius, if you look in the background to the right you can see he has successfully combined a SNES with a MegaCD! Let the FMV SNES games commence! 😉

Just ordered one. Can’t wait to try it.

Thanks for all the hard work, RetroRGB!

Based on the small differences, I give the nod to Terraonion since they have such a nice interface

I don't fully understand the second portion of the video. Is one device better than the other in terms of SEGA CD audio? I didn't understand the results.

My MegaSD has beveled edges, so I think you just got unlucky. :(

Just want to mention that my Everdrive X5 has the direct boot option for playing real Sega CD games.

Great video! Thanks for the hard work I really want to buy one of these

Well, you could maybe do a rom cart that'd do Sega 32x... but it'd still require video passthrough so it'd be a whole lot of hassle for those sweet sweet 32x /s Just like on Joe's video there's this really high pitched whining noise when it's playing a NES game, I wonder what's up with that. Sounds like it's around 15khz or higher so probably a lot of people th at can't hear it.

Thanks for this video! Which version of Sega CD Bios is the best to use on Mega EverDrive Pro, 1.00, 1.10, 2.00 or 2.21?

Excellent video. Many thanks.

This runs on the Retroad S Plus SNES handheld with the Retroad MD adapter in HD but doesn't run CD on Retroad MD series 2 home console from Ali-Express. Just use a green dot and not a major credit card.

I would of bought this. But i got the MiSTer now that does everything I wanted but savestats. I got the old MEGA everdrive. Surved me good before the MiSTer days. Im wondering should i bother just grabbing this just to have in my collection or just save my money. It would be extra money thou if i end up getting some.

lol i'm rewatching this and thinking about that tweet krikzz posted talking about working on a 32x core.

Hi. I've been doing this since before the R4 was cloned... Flash Carts or Flash Kits. Cheers! Enjoyed the review.

Looks really amazing, just a question will it work on sega Mega Drive II as these seem to be quite cheap at the moment, and I saw a Maga Drive with HDMI output or is this a emulation version instead of a hardware version. Thanks or any help.

with the original SMS bios, is the option something to do with giving players a way to access the built-in snail maze game?

I was honestly pretty sold on the idea of getting a Mega Everdrive Pro simply so I could sell my CD model 2 and free up some space on my shelf (got a Model 1 Genesis, so the whole setup is pretty long and takes a ton of space). However, the one flaw I found to be a dealbreaker was that you couldn't load SCD games when a 32X is attached. I'm not saying the MEDP is bad, far from it actually. However, since I have a model 1 Genesis which uses different AV cables then the Model 2, the problem I have is that the 32X shares the same connector as the Model 2 meaning I'd also have to swap my video cables and use Model 1 style ones or just buy a completely different Genesis altogether. That and it would be annoying to constantly have to remove the 32X+patch cable then plug the cable into the Genesis instead just to load a CD game. The 32X is not an essential piece of Sega hardware, but I do enjoy much of its library so this roadblock on the MEDP would be pretty tough for me to overcome. Do you know if this can ever be fixed or is it impossible due to 32X design? I'd really like to know because I can't justify buying a $200 flashcart if I have to constantly disconnect the 32X to use it's main feature.

Squared edges easily fixed with a bit of careful dremeling / filing etc, but yes it's nice to not have to!

I'm curious about whether there is a way to disable the 32x via an external switch to make it pass-through data. So that you can have FULL functionality without having to remove the 32x to play SMS or Sega CD games. That's my only real hang up on these. I want one immensely but I know I wouldn't use the functions that truly interest me strictly out of the pain of removing my 32x.

The variation in sound between individual consoles is interesting, though I suppose not fully unexpected. Vintage synthesizers also can sound pretty different from one another, even if they're the same model, because manufacturing tolerances were just looser in the 70s and 80s and then when those instruments get out and spend a few decades in different parts of the world, they all age differently. This rears it's head in VST software emulations of classic instruments because you have to make some allowances for the fact that Company A's reference unit is different from Company B's and Company C's. For instance, there are half a dozen modern software recreations of the Minimoog, and they all sound different.

@RetroRGB: Regarding Sega CD audio: Yes, great technical observation, thank you... but which audio do you think does effectively sound better, Mega SD or Mega Everdrive Pro? :)

Yeah... I think it’s worth £/$260. Definitely

Sweet I want one I'm a SEGA kid I love SEGA

Really great review Bob, but during your comparison you didn't mention price.... And considering how much cheaper the ED Pro is, I can't see a reason other then the menu itself to not reccomend it over the mega sd?

CD Quality audio on my Genesis games?! *gasp* How dare you insult FM Syth that way.. I prefer my "robots farting" audio quality.. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! :P

I was gonna upgrade to this from my Mega Everdrive X5 but the fact i would have to remove my Sega CD to be able to run the isos on the Pro made it kinda pointless for me. I'll just stick to getting reproductions for my Sega CD since the games are way too expensive.

@RetroRGB Hi, thank you for your video’s! I really enjoy them :) Anyway I can contact you directly regarding a specific question? Keep up the good work!

I didnt know where else to post this question but is there an in game reset button combo whilst playing Sega CD? I've just played through Terminator CD and quenched a thirst I had had since I was 12. This cart is amazing.

Full size SD are easier to swop for adding rom hacks wish it was standard & still used

how much storage would just sega genesis and master system game library tAKE?

What does it need in order to play Sega CD and 32x games without the peripherals?

Nice video!

I'm really torn. The Everdrive Pro seems like a better product overall. But... I'm a total sucker for wanting to browse a library with the nicer UI, background and thumbnails on the MegaSD

So, with the updates does anyone think this is at the least equal to the Mega SD (bar slightly slower load times) I ask because of a still reason I have the Mega SD but its too big when installed to fit my tv stand, the Everdrive fits with room to spare. Already cracked the Mega SD shell sliding the cart it, it only fit once I "wiggled it aroud"

I was wondering can Everdrive Pro and Mega SD play Codemasters Master System games? Those games have trouble working even with a Power Base Converter.

I can't wait for mine to arrive! Mega CD is a bonus, I want it because of the ability to save cheats which my Mega Everdrive V1 doesn't do.

Hey, nice vid. If i have an older firmware version, do I just overwrite the old files with the new ones, is there a firmware flash i need to run ? TIA

Pinche Artemio eres chingon wey 👍👍👍👍

Audio on the Retroad S Plus may need some notepad ++ work for movie scenes.

Would multitap games work correctly? Say, if I wanted to play WWF RAW with 4 players (especially the 32x version)

Regarding Terraonion's MD+ vs. Krikzz's MD-MSU audio hacking solutions..as someone with no plans to upgrade from a Mega Everdrive X5 and likes using a real Mega CD, it was a pleasure burning an MD+ audio pack to a CD-R and having an MD-MSU-patched ROM just work with it. Krikzz's solution working with everything that supports Mode 1 (rather than a single premium romcart) makes it the natural choice for the community to support IMO.

You are awesome 🤙🏼

Does anyone know if this works on a retrogen genesis to snes adapter? I don't own a genesis but want to play sega cd.

Wasn’t there a certain way the games had to be named/filed for Sega cd? I think MLIG mentioned the ED was pickier in regards to what type of files had to be used for sega CD.

I am just curious about loading times of sega cd games. Since there is no X1 CD ROM involved are loading times improved or stayed the same.

How do multidisc games for Sega cd work?

So the Everdrive Pro and the Mega SD you can play sega cd games with out the sega cd console attached?

cant save state on sega cd games, is that feature coming in an update?

I need to get a Jaguar cart. Anyone know of anywhere that has them instock ?

Could you do a video just like this but for the FXPAK Pro?

Mine is on his way since saturday

When I was a kid I would of done anything for a sega cd and 32x and the exclusive games. I had no idea how bad they were and that there was only 6 but 10 year old me thought this was the pinacle of gaming.

stoneage still doesn't have the pro up for sale....waiting

I watched the entire bit on MDFourier and I'll be honest I have no idea what those lines mean XD So is it accurate or not? Is it more accurate than a Mega SD? The guy explained a lot, but I'm afraid the technicals lost me completely, just not geared to understand it.

I wonder if they made a Mega SD that plugs into the Sega CD port if that would enable 32X compatibility.

Out of curiosity, did you just run dune because St1ka was making it video on it

I’m having trouble setting up the files on my computer to play sega cd roms can anyone give me walkthrough?

do you need the CD attached to run sega cd iso/roms? or does this run 100% off the cart?

Is price not considered a meaningful factor in the Mega-SD vs. Mega ED Pro comparison? The ED seemed to come on top in every aspect, except arguably having a less fancy user menu, but the price is lower... seems pretty easy to call the real winner here.

Just to be clear, neither of these two flash carts (Mega SD or Mega EverDrive Pro) are able to run Sega CD games on a Genesis CDX, correct?

Wait... How is the Genesis library 256GB?

I don't understand, isn't the CD needed hardware? All that in the friggin flash cartridge?

I hear that ever drives and repros can damage your console can your share your thoughts on this.

Do this has support for de sega MD+ music roms?

I already own a Mega SD, but the smaller cart size makes me want a MegaED Pro. Maybe someone would consider a 1:1 trade.

is this mister vid still in the works?

Sorry if I missed this..but can this cartridge fit in a Japanese MegaDrive? That my primary.

I wonder if we will ever see something similar for the Turbo Everdrive?

Do you know if it works on a mega SG?

wait, so we can play NES Somari on Genesis now...