Handheld Classics: Sega Genesis Nomad

It’s almost a given that portable gaming devices should have a certain degree of mobility to them: the clue is in the name, after all.

However, during the rock and roll years of the mid ‘90s, when limits were untested and mobile tech was only just finding its feet, this underlying creed was broken several times by several different companies, one of which was Sega.

The bulky Game Gear console had been released in 1990, and while it offered a technological leap over its direct rival the Nintendo Game Boy, it was hampered by poor stamina, distinctly un-portable dimensions, and a horrendously blurry screen.

Despite these issues it went on to be one of the more successful Game Boy opponents, although it sold pitifully when compared to the worldwide domination achieved by Nintendo’s legendary monochrome handheld system.

However, Sega wasn’t going to be put off by one measly hardware failure. The company had vast reserves of cash thanks to the muscular western performance of its 16-bit Mega Drive console, and as a result millions of dollars were poured into the almost bottomless pit of hardware development.

The Mega CD, Sega 32X, Multi-Mega and Mega Jet all appeared on the market, but their commercial fortunes were mixed, to say the least.

Another ill-fated venture was Sega’s second portable console (not counting the aforementioned Mega Jet, which was a screen-less Mega Drive used in conjunction with the in-flight entertainment systems on Japanese passenger airlines) known as the Nomad.

Although the moniker gave the impression of slick portability, the reality was very different.

Before we address the negatives let’s look at the positives: the Nomad allows Mega Drive owners to play their games on the move - albeit in the loosest possible sense. The 3.5 inch backlit LCD display may look primitive by today’s standards, but back in 1995 it was considered cutting-edge.

Fast-paced games blur like crazy, but it’s definitely a step up from the Game Gear’s screen: colours can look a little washed-out, but the adjustable contrast means you with a bit of tinkering you can get a decent picture.

What’s more, the machine can be hooked up to a television for the authentic Mega Drive experience. You can even plug in an additional controller for some top-notch two-player action.

Sadly, the good stuff stops there. The most pressing concern with the Nomad is battery life: it sucks dry six AA batteries in around an hour.

Astonishingly, despite the machine’s impressive girth it doesn’t actually have a battery compartment: you have to bolt-on a plastic caddy which contains the power cells, further increasing the proportions of the device. To put it bluntly, this thing isn’t going anywhere near your pocket.

Another issue is region-locking. From around 1992 onwards, Sega started to put measures in place that would ensure that Japanese games couldn’t be played on European or American consoles (and vice versa).

Because the Nomad was only released in the US (where the Mega Drive was renamed the Genesis), it will only play US region-locked Genesis games. Thankfully, all of the titles released prior to this date function fine, and many other games launched after 1992 don’t contain the region-lock, either.

When you consider the issues surrounding the Nomad – in addition to the fact that 1995 is widely regarded as the year in which Sega ditched 16-bit in favour of the 32-bit Saturn – it’s no surprise that the device bombed at retail.

With a launch price of around $160 it was reasonably positioned in the marketplace, but the last thing your average gamer wanted in the mid ‘90s was yet another revision of the ageing Mega Drive hardware. Stores were soon selling the machines for less than fifty bucks just to shift them.

As always, failed hardware has a certain allure to collectors and the Nomad’s value has increased over the past decade. You can expect to part with at least £70 to get an unboxed specimen in decent condition. If you wanted to take the fully-boxed route then you’re looking at around £150-£200, possibly more if the machine is in brand new nick.

When purchasing a second-hand Nomad, you need to be aware of several key points. Firstly, you will most definitely need an external power supply. Although modern high-capacity rechargeable batteries allow you to get a few hours out of the machine, you won’t want to rely on them entirely.

The chances of seeing a Nomad in your local pawn brokers is slim, so you’re going to want to check out the net for potential purchases. Make sure the seller gives you as much information as possible before agreeing a sale. The Nomad is 15 years old now, and like all hardware it wasn’t designed to last forever.

Many units suffer from dead pixels or dodgy screens, and some have weak sound or ropey cartridge connections. Don’t be afraid to ask probing questions about the condition of the unit you’re intending to buy.

Although the Nomad is a US console, it thankfully works just fine with the European Mega Drive II power supply. These can be obtained fairly cheaply from well known online auction sites. Don’t pay more than a tenner for one - including postage - as they’re quite common.

Finally, you may wish to find a way of circumventing the region lock-out system. It’s possible to mod the machine to play games from all territories, but unless you’re especially gifted with a soldiering iron we’d recommend you leave it to the professionals. There are a few specialist companies in the UK that will happily mod your Nomad for around £30, making it truly multi-region.

One little adjustment you can make yourself is widening the cartridge slot so it will accept the differently-shaped Japanese games with less hassle. It's possible to insert import games into the machine, but the fit is tight and removing the cartridge afterwards is a delicate business. A pair of wire-cutters and a steady hand will ensure your machine is a little more accommodating.

Even though the Nomad has been surpassed by modern machines – including the Sega-endorsed GenMobile – it still remains a highly sought-after item amongst fans. Why any right-minded person would pick this bulky monstrosity over a the sleek and pocket-sized GenMobile may appear to be a mystery, but the Nomad is superior in many key aspects.

Firstly, it’s a Sega-designed and Sega-produced unit, whereas the GenMobile is merely a cheap Chinese clone which has been given the official stamp of approval by the Sega of today – a Sega which is completely uninterested in the hardware market.

In terms of build quality there's no contest – you could quite literally bludgeon a man senseless with this massive hunk of plastic (not that we’re suggesting you do, of course). The D-pad and buttons are also a world apart from those on the GenMobile. In fact, we'd even go as far as to say the D-pad is the best we've ever used on any handheld device.

Additionally, the Nomad offers a better experience because it’s essentially a down-sized Mega Drive, whereas the GenMobile is emulating the console through software. That means you’re not getting the 100 per cent authentic experience.

Clearly buying a Nomad is something only hardcore retro fans and Sega devotees should even begin to consider - with phones like the Motorola DEXT capable of emulating the machine, purchasing such an expensive and bulky piece of hardware doesn't make much sense.

However, if you're a sucker for owning vintage tech and have piles of Mega Drive carts lying around, then the Nomad isn't a big a turkey as its dismal commercial fortunes might suggest.