THE MIRACLE MEGA
In the early 1990s, Sega released the Mega CD, a device (CD-ROM drive) for the Sega Mega Drive.
In 1991, SEGA decided to start WONDERMEGA with a licensed company that combined the two machines in a single device with additional sound functions.
Thus the 1stis In April 1992 VICTOR released the WONDERMEGA, the “RG-M1” for 82,800 yen (currently approx. 656).
These costs were higher than those of a Mega Drive (21,000 at launch) and a Mega CD (49,800 at launch).
The “RG-M1” named by VICTOR is available in 8000 copies. VICTOR, Japanese multimedia and electronics company, is the original name of JVC and stands for “JAPAN VICTOR COMPANY”.
These WONDERMEGAs are sold in music stores by emphasizing the functions of the MIDI port and therefore allowing them to communicate with instruments such as synthesizers. It is possible to connect two microphones and vary their volume and pitch (height of the music).
In the second half of April 1992 SEGA released its version of the WONDERMEGA, the HWM-5010.
5,000 WONDERMEGA are manufactured by SEGA, with serial numbers between 21,000,000 and 21005,000.
This one sells slightly cheaper than VICTOR’s 79,800 yen (or about 632 yen at current price).
In July / August 1993, VICTOR released the second version of the WONDERMEGA, the RG-M2, with a cost reduction of 59,000 yen (or about 467 yen currently). S / N 1680xxxx, number of copies unknown, but greater than 8000. The device has been completely redesigned with rounded shapes and wireless joysticks.
The WONDER LIBRARY CD is a kind of audio book that is more instructive. The “WONDERMEGA COLLECTION” disc with the games “Quiz Scramble Special, Flicky, Pyramid Magic and Puzzle Fighter” is included with the RG-M1 (see above).
In September 1994, VICTOR (and thus SEGA) attacked the American market under the name JVC by releasing the X’EYE for $ 499.99 (about 411 at the current rate).
The ‘X’EYE is an RG-M2 with classic controller ports instead of wireless controllers. 500,000 units were produced (?).
There are of course the “running” games on the mega-CD.
This model is very popular with collectors. The first two models are the most in demand, no doubt with a penchant for the Wondermega stamp “SEGA”.
If you were interested in the Wondermega, check out this video:
