Victor Japan- Wondermega 1 / 2                           RG-M1 RG-M2 [beauty and rarity] Image used with permission. Not a free image. Please do not copy.      Victor (JVC) Japan-Wondermega     Ver.1, 1a, 2. Version 1 (silver Sega brand) Version 1a (grey) Version 2 (Form 2,blackish blue) Sega also made a Wondermega which has a white ring around the rim of the cd area. Jump to this page to see it. Update: (I cannot confirm yet, but I have been told from a good source) "The Victor Wondermega also came with a special "in-one" CD that had various games on it. This CD is specific to wondermega."   The Wondermega combined the Sega Megadrive and MegaCD into a compact unit with additional features that were  supposed to add function and value to the unit.(that would justify its cost Y59,800=$598.00)   The RG-M1 was marketed as a high tech machine that went beyond the capabilities of the standard MD+CD setup.  The wondermega added features like external CD controls, and Karaoke, which eliminated the need for the MD Karaoke unit. However, Wondermega is special because it has the ability to do midi. This feature was  highly touted. While these features never really sold the public on the wondermega, the RG-M1 is without a doubt the most beautifully designed game machine, ever,  in my opinion. The first model  has a quality and feel to it that can only be compared to driving an econo-box, and then driving a BMW Z8. Wood, Leather, finely tuned, truely worth the cost.   The 1 /1a debate: How many silver machines were made? Unknown.The display models were of a black base plastic with a silver  overcoat. This later changed to grey. Update 01/01/02 : These are in fact a SEGA brand of the Wondemega.   Why was there a model 2?: Costs. A cheaper design. The model 1 was an expensive item to produce. The second was cheaper,  without the CD controls and the picky CD lid. Focus no longer on the multimedia, instead going directly for the gamer. UPDATE: See below. The model 2 has a mere shadow of the previous model in it.   Rarity: One must remember that the Megadrive was almost spectacularly unpopular in it's first few years in Japan.  Mega CD 1 sold less than 100,000 units the first year. Figure into that the wondermega, which cost nearly $100 more, without much visible benefit. You can imagine the sales numbers. It is still possible to  find a new in box, first run MD for about $30 in Japan. What does it mean? Even in Japan, the Wondermega is a prized and valued machine. All models are considered rare, but RG-M1 is the most valuable.   The X'eye: The Wondermega 2 was sold in the USA under the moronic product killing name : X'eye. Try calling a store to ask for  it. Try by name. Released as a "multimedia" machine with an "interactive" encyclopedia, it was almost a full $200 above the US market price for a Genesis+CD within a month. Then add in  incredibly bad distribution. East coast USA was at "Wiz" stores and guitar shops (Midi, get it?) I personally consider the US X'eye far more rare than the Japanese model 2. This update in from Barry hitchings who e-mailed me, but I cannot confirm this data. "Wondermega - Not sure what you mean by 'Silver' version, a Sega Wondermega (as opposed to Victor Wondermega) was available which has a white circle around the CD player and has black / grey buttons instead of blue and white. But exactly the same otherwise." "Wondermega 2 - Its Navy Blue and not black (although you can only tell that in strong light...) Differences between the WM1 and WM2 are Motorised CD player on 1, Spring loaded on 2 3.5mm Mic Jacks on 1, 1/4 inch on 2 Digital Effect Buttons on 1, not on 2 (although has Delay line echo control on 2 for microphones) MIDI on 1, not on 2 Dual microphone volume on 1, Single (for both mics) on 2 Poor Composite output on 1, Good on 2 6 PCBs in 1 (you don't want the machine to break it's a bastard to take apart. The Battery in my machine is dead, no way am I unplugging the 9 or so leads on the machine...), 2 PCBs in 2 Mega CD front end (graphic?) on 1, New (and ugly looking) front end on 2 Switch on/off on 1, Electronic on/off on 2 Reset button on 1 resets the machine, Reset button on 2 may not reset machine correctly.   Collector's Pros and Cons: Pro: The most affordable quality MD setup for your money. Excellent  sound.                  Cons: Expect to shell out a bit. And don't drop it. Ever. Try a local guitar/music store.  You might find a new $100 X'eye sitting somewhere.   Page Two: Pictures

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