Majesco Game Gears

I just picked up a Majesco Game Gear from Amazon.com, and since a few people have been talking about them later, I thought I would give my impressions.

First of all, my initial reaction was that it felt cheap as hell. I don't know how to describe it, maybe it's just the plastic, but it feels like it's cheaper than the old Sega one I have. It's also a bit lighter. For some reason, my glass screen wasn't centered properly either, but that is easily remedied. Also, the brightness knob is a little harder to move than on the Sega, but it's a minor gripe. I also had to clean the screen right out of the box, oddly enough. On the plus side, the buttons and control pad feel great, my I bought my old unit used many moons ago, and I never realized how worn it was.

On the sound side, the volume control button is fine, unlike the brightness control, and the system gets just as loud as the old Game Gear, if not louder. The speaker isn't quite as good, it sounds kind of like you were listening in a large hallway. Of course, Game Gear sound effects and music aren't that great, and the speaker in the original Game Gear, although better, isn't that good either. Pick up some ear buds.

The good news.... the screen on this is fucking awesome. It reminds me of the screen on the Nomad, it's a bit clearer, with none of the distortions that are on my old one. Of course, like I said earlier my old one was used when I got it, I've never seen a new Sega Game Gear.

Overall, considering that this unit is a measly 30 bucks, I am quite pleased. If you're considering getting a Game Gear, I think that having the crisp controls of a new D-Pad and a nice screen is a great tradeoff from getting worn controls but better sound.

However, I seriously doubt this thing is compatible with the TV Tuner, and because of that I'll probably sell this to a friend since I have another unit with a TV Tuner on its way (thanks 007!)

I got one a while back, and I think it says on the box that it's not compatible with the TV Tuner. There may also be an issue with the Master Gear Convertor, but I'm less sure on that one. I should test it.

Please do. I've got a Master Gear with AfterBurner, Outrun and Space Harrier on the way too. It's no big deal if it doesn't, though, like I said soon I'll have 3 units :p

Plus I got a Master System off of ebay today for a measly 6 bucks.

6 bucks?!
...I hate you now.






...okay, not REALLY...
...lucky bastard.

Well, it might not work... it had no controllers or plugs so the seller couldn't test it. It uses all the same stuff as the Genesis 1, though, so I hope for the best when it gets here.