Sega Genesis Model 3chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Owners recall buying the Model 3 for very little money at yard sales, thrift stores, and retail clearance in the late 90s, often just a few dollars. This affordability made it an accessible first console for many.

@andywoodburn4555

Got mine in 2005 for 30 bucks off eBay. I've been playing it and collecting for it for over 20 years and I've been through a lot of good times with it. Just this last Christmas my wife got me a multicart with most of the entire library on it or at least the popular games and I still have about 60 regular games. And then just a week and a half ago I ordered my first and probably only repro cart, the English translation of the Japanese version of Streets of Rage 3. Cannot wait to get it and play not to mention I can finally say I'm done collecting unless I find something else I want.launch

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February 4, 2026

@MrBigDaddyCsp

Long time ago I have buy my only for $4.00 bucks at thrift store and it's still works of today yup I still got it. 🤓🎮📺launch

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October 22, 2018

@BPhillips3688

I bought mine at a yard sale for $3, of course this is the same guy who sold me a Link to the Past, contra 3 and gradius 3 for $1 a piece! hahalaunch

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September 24, 2015

@MITHYKA

I remember buying the model 3 at Toys R Us for 25 dollars in 1999. I thought I hit the the deal of the century by scoring a console for much less than a retail PS1 game lollaunch

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June 1, 2015

Many long-time owners describe strong emotional attachment, having owned the console since childhood or as their first gaming system, and continue to use or keep it decades later.

@andywoodburn4555

Got mine in 2005 for 30 bucks off eBay. I've been playing it and collecting for it for over 20 years and I've been through a lot of good times with it. Just this last Christmas my wife got me a multicart with most of the entire library on it or at least the popular games and I still have about 60 regular games. And then just a week and a half ago I ordered my first and probably only repro cart, the English translation of the Japanese version of Streets of Rage 3. Cannot wait to get it and play not to mention I can finally say I'm done collecting unless I find something else I want.launch

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February 4, 2026

@spartansfan1026

My uncle bought one of these to play World Series Baseball 96, Madden 97, and Road Rash II with my cousin and me. Regardless of how relatively cheaply it was made, it holds a special place in my memory.launch

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December 7, 2021

@jordandupuis1249

I got my model 3 Genesis 6 and a half year's ago from a yard sale and I still have it to this daylaunch

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November 10, 2018

@crimsonxxspawn8613

Back in 1998, my mom bought me this Sega Gen 3 when I was 8 years old. It was my very first console and I still treasure it to this very day. That 6 button controller is a game changer. I'd always have leverage over my older bro when we would play together. I have all the SG controllers and the majesco controller is the best. Ever since I've owned this console, I get the same reaction from others: \"wow! Is that really a Sega Genesis?\" Why yes, it sure is and it kicks ass!\n\n\nOf course, I have modern consoles and a pc rig, but nothing beats owning your first console. #nostalgialaunch

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November 1, 2016

Multiple users highlight how small the console is, making it easy to fit on crowded shelves alongside other systems. This is cited as a main reason some prefer using it over other Genesis models.

@scpnoobers

A few pros to the sega genesis model 3. \n\n1. It has one of the best mono audio output \n2. It’s small and compact\n3. It’s a genesis\n4. That’s about itlaunch

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April 18, 2024

@TwistedIdentity

Going against the grain here but I prefer the 3 to the 2. No it doesn't play SCD or 32X but the video output is a bit better, even on a CRT you can notice. I also like the teeny tiny footprint it has on my shelf with all my other consoles that are hooked up at once. (I'm limited on space) that and...welp the 32X is garbage and I've got no desire to have one. The SCD is okay but I can play that via other means. Model 1 though is king.launch

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April 2, 2024

@GothicGamerGoddess

I just got a Genesis 3 a few days ago. It’s a cute little system. I like the fact I can use my HDMI converter and play it on my computer and it doesn’t take up a lot of space at my desk! I didn’t know if it’s existence until right before I bought it. I’m on a bit of a mission to collect most, if not all, Sega consoles, since Sega was my fave growing up.launch

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May 3, 2023

@jheffwithah612

Controversial opinion, but I think the Genesis 3 is the most visually appealing Genesis of all the revisions. There's something about the size, the rounded shape & the lines that just come together in a way that pleases me. Plus for whatever reason I always thought the big 3 looked cool. I use it as my main Genesis in my gaming setup because it saves space and plays everything I want it to.launch

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December 9, 2021

Several commenters note the Model 3's video and mono audio quality is on par with or better than earlier Genesis models, without the rainbow banding or jail bars seen on other revisions. It's called one of the cleanest AV outputs in the Genesis lineup.

@dwightdixon8508

Actually the Model 3 was designed & engineered by Sega. Majesco licensed it from there with distribution & support with budget game rereleases. Model 3 gets a lot of negativity due to lacking Sega CD & 32X connectivity but by the time of its release no games were being released for 32X or Sega CD. TBPH there’s only a handful of 32X & Sega CD games that were really any good. Model 3 came with 6 button controller plus an AV cable standard, both of which most other Genesis models didn’t come with. Did you know the video encoder & sound chips were on par with Model 1? Yep, model 3 has excellent sound (albeit mono) and picture/video without the “rainbow banding or jail bars” that is common with many model 1 & 2 variants. Today you can mod Genesis 3 with triple bypass allowing for stereo sound and games like Virtua Racing to play plus Sega CD & 32X (Roms/ISOs) via an Mega Everdrive Pro! Yes, almost everything is compatible now with the exception of Sega Master systemlaunch

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July 30, 2024

@TwistedIdentity

Going against the grain here but I prefer the 3 to the 2. No it doesn't play SCD or 32X but the video output is a bit better, even on a CRT you can notice. I also like the teeny tiny footprint it has on my shelf with all my other consoles that are hooked up at once. (I'm limited on space) that and...welp the 32X is garbage and I've got no desire to have one. The SCD is okay but I can play that via other means. Model 1 though is king.launch

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April 2, 2024

@ZonicMirage

I have a Genesis 3. I dare say it isn't a bad little console. AV outputs are probably the cleanest of any MD/Genesis I've come across. Too bad it has to be modded for a lot of function restoration.\nCleaning mine out, an entire screw post broke off during reassembly. Thankfully it turned out to be one for the RF shielding, so I decided to leave it out altogether. I quickly discovered a whole three screws were only for the shielding. It was wild.launch

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December 8, 2021

@dwightdixon8508

Yeah I believe Sega licensed this to Majesco along with a slew of Sega published games that they still had licensing for that were also advertised on the back of the Genesis 3 box. If memory serves me the carts were Acclaim shells with a black sticker applied over the back where Acclaim is molded into the shell. I'm not 100% about this and will verify and edit if I'm wrong. Btw the Genesis 3 video/audio out (although mono) are quite good quality. Nice vidlaunch

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December 7, 2021

Owners note that with the right mods (triple bypass, resistors, Everdrive), the Model 3 can gain stereo sound and even Sega CD/32X compatibility, turning a stripped-down system into a capable one.

@dwightdixon8508

Actually the Model 3 was designed & engineered by Sega. Majesco licensed it from there with distribution & support with budget game rereleases. Model 3 gets a lot of negativity due to lacking Sega CD & 32X connectivity but by the time of its release no games were being released for 32X or Sega CD. TBPH there’s only a handful of 32X & Sega CD games that were really any good. Model 3 came with 6 button controller plus an AV cable standard, both of which most other Genesis models didn’t come with. Did you know the video encoder & sound chips were on par with Model 1? Yep, model 3 has excellent sound (albeit mono) and picture/video without the “rainbow banding or jail bars” that is common with many model 1 & 2 variants. Today you can mod Genesis 3 with triple bypass allowing for stereo sound and games like Virtua Racing to play plus Sega CD & 32X (Roms/ISOs) via an Mega Everdrive Pro! Yes, almost everything is compatible now with the exception of Sega Master systemlaunch

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July 30, 2024

@RetroFuzz93

Does sega cd audio work with these mods? Wanting to use the mega everdrive pro, and hopefully play everything through that, as well as use original hardware.launch

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May 31, 2021

@ericochoa4034

Model 3 gets a bad rap but with the proper mods it can be a great little system!launch

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May 8, 2021

Unlike most other Genesis models, the Model 3 included a 6-button controller and AV cable out of the box, which owners appreciated as a value-add.

@dwightdixon8508

Actually the Model 3 was designed & engineered by Sega. Majesco licensed it from there with distribution & support with budget game rereleases. Model 3 gets a lot of negativity due to lacking Sega CD & 32X connectivity but by the time of its release no games were being released for 32X or Sega CD. TBPH there’s only a handful of 32X & Sega CD games that were really any good. Model 3 came with 6 button controller plus an AV cable standard, both of which most other Genesis models didn’t come with. Did you know the video encoder & sound chips were on par with Model 1? Yep, model 3 has excellent sound (albeit mono) and picture/video without the “rainbow banding or jail bars” that is common with many model 1 & 2 variants. Today you can mod Genesis 3 with triple bypass allowing for stereo sound and games like Virtua Racing to play plus Sega CD & 32X (Roms/ISOs) via an Mega Everdrive Pro! Yes, almost everything is compatible now with the exception of Sega Master systemlaunch

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July 30, 2024

@crimsonxxspawn8613

Back in 1998, my mom bought me this Sega Gen 3 when I was 8 years old. It was my very first console and I still treasure it to this very day. That 6 button controller is a game changer. I'd always have leverage over my older bro when we would play together. I have all the SG controllers and the majesco controller is the best. Ever since I've owned this console, I get the same reaction from others: \"wow! Is that really a Sega Genesis?\" Why yes, it sure is and it kicks ass!\n\n\nOf course, I have modern consoles and a pc rig, but nothing beats owning your first console. #nostalgialaunch

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November 1, 2016

A few users note the Model 3's cartridge slot design allows Japanese Mega Drive games to fit without adapters or cutting, unlike other Genesis models.

@Jkoziol72577

There is one perk with the model 3. That's the cartridge slot you can use Japanese games on the model 3 unless there is a specific region lock in the cartridge itself which I think there's only a few games that have it where is every other model of the Genesis you do need some kind of adapter if you want to play Japanese games on the American systemlaunch

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August 22, 2026

@cpu64

I had a used, shrink-wrapped Gen3 I saved from my gamestop days. Only reason why I took it out of the plastic wrap, and hooked it up in place of the Gen2, is because the slot is big enough for my newly acquired Japanese games without the need for any cutting or modding to the console :3launch

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October 11, 2012