


     UNRELEASED SEGA CD TITLES THAT SAW SOME SORT OF DEVELOPMENT:
     ------------------------------------------------------------

        *****  NOTE:  This list is by NO means complete!  *****

        Battle Frenzy (Core)
           (NOT the same as "Battle Corps", this one may have been
            released on cartridge instead)
        Battletech: Grey Death Legion (Extreme/Absolute)
        Braindead 13 (Readysoft)
        Citizen X (Sega/Digital Pictures)
        Clue (Parker Brothers)
        Crime Patrol 2: Drug Wars (American Laser Games)
        Dai Bing
        Darkseed (Vic Tokai)
        Dragon's Lair 2 (Readysoft)
        Exterminators (Sony Imagesoft)
        Flying Nightmares (Domark)
        Hammer's Soulfire (GTE Interactive)
        Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
        Kingdom: The Far Reaches (CapDisc)
        Myst (Broderbund)
        No Escape (Sony Imagesoft)
        Penn & Teller's Smoke and Mirrors (Accolade)
        Power Drift
        Prince VVCR (Sega) ("Prince", as in "SymbolMan")
        Side Pocket: Special Edition (Data East)
        Space Pirates (American Laser Games)
        Star Strike (Sony Imagesoft)
        Time Slip (ASG Technologies)
        Young Indiana Jones (Sega)


VI.  Conversion

   Q:  Is it possible to play foreign CDs on my Sega CD/Mega CD?
   A:  Yes, but...

If you insert a foreign CD into your Sega CD (remember, there are three
nationalities of Sega CDs here: European, Japanese, and U.S.), you will
not be able to load it.  The reason for this is that a "nationality"
lockout code is on each Sega CD and Mega CD unit.  This assures (without
outside help) that a particular CD will only be playable on its
particular system.
   There is a way around this lock-out code.  There are cartridges
available that plug directly into the Genesis slot that allow foreign
CDs to be used by any system by "undoing" this lockout code.

[The Lockout Chip]

The Sega CD unit had a specially designed BIOS chip/security program
that prevented the unit from reading CD games intended for other markets
(US, Japanese, European), such as Japanese or European CDs on a U.S.
machine, and vice-versa.  This Lockout chip or BIOS information
instructed the CD unit to read the CD and look for a certain
file/security identifier that indicated that the CD was authorized for
use on the system.

To work around this, Datel designed the Pro CD-X and Pro CD-X Plus.

Pro CD-X (and Pro CD-X Plus)

This is a special cartridge that plugs into the Genesis in the cart slot
and overrides the security commands of the Sega CD.  This allows you to
play any Sega CD or Mega CD title on any Sega CD or Mega CD system of a
different origin.  However, it wasn't 100% effective - not all games
were compatible with this unit, making its appeal very limited.

During Sega's redesign of the Genesis and CD system, they updated the
Bios to prevent this cartridge from working.

Also, the Pro-CDX is NOT compatible with the 32X.

CD+Plus

   This cartridge looks like a regular Genesis cartridge and has better
success with compatibility than its predecessors.  When the Sega CD is
powered up with this cart in place, it's possible to run the Sega CD via
the options screen (select "CD-ROM").  The reset button does NOT open
the Sega CD tray (first model), you have to do that via the options
screen as well.

Version 3.0B of the CD+PLUS works with the 32X unit, but earlier
versions (2.8 for example) are incompatible.  The version number
is visible when the Genesis/Sega CD is powered up with the CD+PLUS cart,
look in the right-hand corner of the screen.

   Foreign CDs known to work successfully with CD+PLUS (version 2.8d):

       Japanese:
           Aisle Lord
           AlShark
           Annet Again (Annet Fukatabi)
           Burai
           Earnest Evans
           F-1 Circus CD
           Fhey Area
           Final Fight CD
           Funky Horror Band
           Heavenly Symphony
           Lunar
           Night Striker
           Prince of Persia
           Ranma 1/2 (Byakuranaika)
           Salesman
           Sega Classics Arcade Collection (4-in-1)
           Side Story of After Armageddon
           Silky Lip
           Silpheed
           Sol Feace
           Super League CD
           Tenkafubu
           Thunder Storm

       European:
           Demo CDs included with magazines such as Mega Power and Sega
Pro

   Known NOT to work with CD+PLUS (Version 2.8d):

       Japanese:
           Black Hole Assault
           Heavy Nova


   Known to work successfully with Pro CD-X Version 1.04:

       Japanese:
           Aisle Lord
           AlShark
           Annet Again (Annet Fukatabi)
           Burai
           Earnest Evans
           Fhey Area
           F-1 Circus CD
           Final Fight CD
           Lunar
           Night Striker
           Prince of Persia
           Salesman
           Sega Classics Arcade Collection (4-in-1)
           Side Story of After Armageddon
           Silky Lip
           Sol-Feace
           Super League CD
           Tenkafubu

       European:
           Demo CDs included with magazines such as Mega Power and Sega
Pro

   Known NOT to work with Pro CD-X (version 1.04):

       Japanese:
           Black Hole Assault
           Funky Horror Band (F.H.B.)
           Heavenly Symphony
           Heavy Nova
           Ranma 1/2 (Byakuranaika)

A foreign CD is known not to work with a particular cart when the system
freezes completely during its loading.

Note:  The above compatibility lists were compiled from my personal
collection of Mega CDs.  Anyone with more info on which Mega CD titles
work with which cart, please E-mail me (BCantin@aol.com)... thanks
in advance.

Secondary security lockout bypass

   This is the option to using one of the above carts.  It is possible
   to build your own switch onto the back of the Sega CD.  It requires
   rewiring two transistors, indicating US or Japan (no idea how
   European Sega CDs would work with this).  No details are available in
   this FAQ.


VII.  Sega CD Backup RAM Cart

This is an ordinary-looking Genesis cart which allows you to copy
individual files to and from the Sega CD internal RAM.  It allows 16
times the storage of the Sega CD's internal RAM.  One nice advantage is
that many games (particularly the memory-hogging RPGs) will allow you to
play directly from the backup RAM cart.

The cart allows you to copy individual files or the entire directory to
it from the RAM, and allows individual files to be copied over (space
permitting) to the Sega CD Internal RAM.

It behaves very much like a floppy disk, in that it must be formatted
before use, then files can be copied to/from it.  Individual files can
also be deleted.  Known shelf life is probably on the order of several
years, maybe longer.

The RAM cart has capacity for 1 Mbit of data storage (which translates
to 2000 blocks), or sixteen times the storage capacity of the internal
Sega CD RAM (125 blocks).

It is also required to perform certain things, such as access the third
"hidden" battle stages in Shining Force CD.  Since each Shining Force CD
saved game takes up almost all the internal Sega CD RAM and you have to
have saved games from both parts 1 and 2, you must have at least one of
them stored on the RAM cart.  Also, some games such as "Shining Force
CD", "Third World War", and "Eye of the Beholder" take up all 125 blocks
with a save game, so if you want to save anything else (or have multiple
saves) the backup RAM cart is essential.

One note: the External RAM cart instructions do not mention how long the
cart will keep the files but more than likely will keep them
approximately 3-5 years, assuming that the player occasionally plugs it
into the Sega Genesis WITH the Sega CD attached to recharge it and keep
power at optimum levels.  Later versions of the FAQ will have an index
of the savegame filenames.  This way, you will know what those "mystery
files" are that have been there for a long time, that you were afraid to
delete...

The RAM cart retailed for $59.99, although as of December 1996 they have
been seen priced as low as $9.90 at Toys R Us.  VERY highly recommended
for RPGs. (No, I don't work for Toys R Us...)  %^)

   Q:  Can I play Sega CD games while the RAM cart is inside the machine?
   A:  Yes, it's actually more convenient this way because you have
       the option of saving directly TO the cart if you wish.

   Q:  Can I use the RAM cart with foreign CDs?
   A:  Not exactly.  Since you need a translator cart such as Datel's
       Pro-CDX or CD+PLUS, the cart slot will already be occupied.
       However, you *can* still save to the Sega CD's internal RAM
       and later move the file(s) over to a RAM cart.


VIII.  Miscellaneous Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Do any Sega CD titles use the "Mega Mouse"?

A:  Yes, they are:

       Eye of the Beholder
       Mansion of the Hidden Souls
       My Paint
       Panic!

       (and possibly some of the American Laser Games such as "Who Shot
       Johnny Rock?", "Mad Dog McCree", etc.)

    These titles are MUCH easier to use with the Mega Mouse instead of
    a standard joypad.

Q:  Is there an emulator that will let me play Sega CDs on my Mac/PC?

A:  No.  There has been extensive discussion on the Internet over such
    an emulator but no evidence of one has been brought forward.  It has
    been rumored that such an emulator did exist for the Macintosh since
    the Genesis and Mac are both 68000-based machines, and that the
    "emulator" was based on the development kit used by programmers to
    make Sega CD-based games.  With the appearance of NES, ColecoVision,
    and other game system emulators within the last couple years,
    chances are that a Sega CD emulator for Mac/PC/Unix might appear
    someday.

Q:  Is there a Game Genie for the Sega CD system?

A:  No.  There never was a "game enhancing" device for the Sega CD.
    Neither Galoob nor Datel ever brought one on the market.  At one
    point in time, approximately mid-1993 when the Sega CD was in its
    heyday, Galoob announced that they were working on a Game Genie for
    the Sega CD.  Based on comments from Galoob officials, the device
    would fit between the Genesis and the Sega CD.  However, due to
    market conditions (i.e. the system wasn't a booming success) and the
    inherent change invoked by Sega from the original Sega CD style to
    the newer Sega CD2 style made it not feasible for Galoob to develop
    such a device and thus it was shelved.  Reasons for this being, the
    change in system design by Sega made it harder for Galoob to make a
    "universal" style adapter that would work with both units (Sega CD 1
    and CD2) along with relatively few games and wavering public 
    support.  (Side note: on review of the design of the original and
    newer Genesis and Sega CD systems, it is theoretically possible to
    have made it work.  It might have looked a little weird, but it was
    possible.)

Q:  What is the advantage of a CD title over the equivalent cart title
    (Example: Pitfall)?

A:  The CD version usually has better music (and more of it) since it
    comes directly from the CD.  Ecco the Dolphin is a good example of
    this.  In some titles, as in the case with Pitfall CD and Earthworm
    Jim CD, extra levels are included.  Some titles also have FMV
    cinemas between levels.  Also, in some cases (such as Jurassic Park)
    it's an entirely different game.

Q:  Where can I find a list of cheats for Sega CD games?

A:  There are two places on the net you can look.  First, try the Sega
    Sages' page:
       http://www.segasages.com
    This site is a veritable encyclopedia of gaming info, from the NES
    to the N64.  There's a great section in there on the Sega CD, too.

    Also, Steve Wargo has a cheats list that is as complete as any I've
    seen (also includes some strategies).  Check here:

        http://www.phoenixat.com/~swargo/         - OR -
        http://athos.phoenixat.com:80/~swargo

    Steve's database has been very well kept-up and includes hints as
    well as codes.

    Some individual game FAQs for the Sega CD can be found at

        http://www.gamefaqs.com

    Off the net, you can look for a book called "Sega CD Official Game
    Secrets", by Rusel DeMaria and Tom Stratton Jr.  (Prima Publishing,
    1994).  It's got EXCELLENT tips and walkthroughs on 27 Sega CD
    titles, including a few cheats here and there.  Very highly
    recommended for the library if you collect Sega CDs.

    There have also been some top-notch, wonderfully detailed books from
    Sandwich Islands Publishing on specific game titles.  Solution books
    were released for the following Sega CD titles:

         Dungeon Master II: Skullkeep (INCREDIBLE maps!!)
         Heimdall
         Lunar: The Silver Star
         Lunar 2: Eternal Blue
         Popful Mail
         Vay

    Also, some of the "Awesome Sega Genesis Secrets" series contain hints
    on various Sega CD titles.  (Sandwich Islands Publishing, P.O. Box
10669,
    Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761; FAX (808) 661-2715)  One last interesting
note
    about the above books - they contain interviews with the game's
creators
    or publishers.  Incredibly thorough and must-haves for any fan of any
of
    those titles.  VERY highly recommended (no, I don't work for those
guys;
    I just love their books!).

    The magazine "Tips and Tricks" at one time kept a list of Sega CD
cheats
    and Easter eggs, but it is rarely published any more.

Q:  Which magazines cover the Sega CD?

A:  Nowadays, nobody covers it.  But back in its heyday (1994-6) just
about
    everyone did.  EGM, Gamepro, DHGF, etc. all had reviews, news, etc.
for
    the Sega CD during that time.

Q:  Are there any other sources on the Internet for Sega CD information?

A:  The Usenet newsgroup rec.games.video.sega is a good place to look.
    Another newsgroup to check, although it's less busy, is
    alt.sega.genesis.  Generally, if you have a Sega CD-related
    question, post it there and someone will probably post an answer.
    Unfortunately, the Sega of America webpage:
       http://www.sega.com
    no longer carries information about the Sega CD system or its games.

Q:  What is "QSound"?

A:  From the Sonic CD manual: "QSound Virtual Audio is a revolutionary,
    multi-dimensional sound placement technology.  If your Sega CD is
    connected to stereo sound, you can submerge yourself in the magic of
    state-of-the-art QSound.  This amazing sound technology gives you
    180 degrees of audio in a greatly expanded sound field.  You'll be
    surrounded in waves of 3-D sound!"  Sega CD titles which utilize
    QSound include:

       Ecco the Dolphin
       Ecco: The Tides of Time
       Jurassic Park CD
       Sonic CD
       Spiderman vs. Kingpin

Q:  What are the RPGs available for the Sega CD?

A:  First, there's the Working Designs games:
       Lunar: The Silver Star  (most popular)
       Lunar: Eternal Blue
       Popful Mail (more of a platformer but lots of RPG-type elements
          to it)
       Vay (very good)

    There are a couple good ones from Sega:
       Dark Wizard (hex-grid battle-sim RPG)
       Shining Force CD (completely different stories from the cart-
          based games, and the stories here are VERY linear (ie no town
          exploration, just battle after battle)

    There are a few others, which are ports from computer games:
       Eye of the Beholder
       Dungeon Master II
       Heimdall (more like a puzzle game)
    And then the misc. RPG-like category
       Dungeon Explorer II  (a Gauntlet clone, it's based on the Dungeon
          Explorer games for the TurboGrafx-16/Duo/PC Engine, although
          it's different from those two titles)

NOTE: There are more available for the Mega-CD (Japanese) and generally
   require the player to read Japanese in order to play them.  See the
   List (Section V) above for specific titles.

Miscellaneous tidbits...

   * Majority of Sega CD/CD2 design based on JVC CD technology
   * All original Sega CD game CD-ROMs were pressed by JVC for Sega
   * Many games can be reset with the joypad by simultaneously pressing
     A,B,C, then <start>
   * Mega CD (Japanese) version of Sonic CD has different music than the
     US version and features a rap-based intro (!)
   * The most popular rental outlet of Sega CD units and games was
     Blockbuster Video.  They were discontinued from most stores 
     during 1995-1996.



