Mega CD - What do I need to know?

[Johnny]

I've been mulling over the idea of buying a Mega CD as I never owned one. Haven't ever really looked at it's catalogue of games and the only thing that pops to mind as interesting is the Night Trap game

So, how much should I expect to pay for a PAL MCD, or should I go for a JP one?
I have a PAL MD 1 and 2 but no import one which I'm guessing I'll need if I was to get a JP Mega CD?

Any game recommendations?

[sj33]

The MegaCD's themselves can only connect to a MegaDrive of the same region (or one that's been switched), so you'll need a PAL one for a PAL MegaDrive.
Thankfully the region protection on the games is a doddle - You simply rip your games as an ISO image, patch them with a program like SCDConv, then burn to CDR (which the MegaCD reads fine), job done! Your limited to the Hz rate of your MegaDrive though.

As for software, among my faves are Sonic CD, Snatcher, Lunar: The Silver Star, Lunar: Eternal Blue, Vey, Popful Mail, Shining Force CD, Keio Flying Squadron, Silpheed, Final Fight CD.

[Johnny]

Thankfully the region protection on the games is a doddle - You simply rip your games as an ISO image, patch them with a program like SCDConv, then burn to CDR (which the MegaCD reads fine), job done! Your limited to the Hz rate of your MegaDrive though.

Sounds good (although a bit complicated )

About the Hz thing - if I burn the import games to CDR and play it on a PAL MD/MCD will it play in black and white or colour (I have a 60Hz TV and play imports on all my other consoles i.e. PS, PS2, GC, DC, Saturn, SNES etc with no trouble)?

[Kotatsu Neko]

I went for a US CDX (multi-mega), and I then added a few conversion carts to allow me to play JP carts and JP CDs. The MCD conversion carts are becomming quite rare though, especially the few that actually work with the CDX.

My fav MCD games:

Japan - Keio Yuugekitai, Final Fight CD, Popful Mail, Silpheed, Sonic CD, Time Gal, Urusei Yatsura
USA - Batman Returns, Lunar: The Silver Star, Night Trap, Snatcher,

[Johnny]

What cables should I expect to have with a MCD? I'm about to buy one off eBay but want to make sure I have everything necessary.

There's a power supply for both, right? Then I'm guessing you just use your (in my case) RF Unit from the MD to get a picture. Anything else? Like something between the MD and MCD?

[Johnny]

Just a quick question about playing imports on a UK MD/MCD 2 - does the CDX cart work or is it MCD 1 only?

If not then what's the easiest/best way to play imports?

Cheers