PSA: Sega 32X Freezing Issues on VA0 Model 2 Genesis Consoles
The Sega 32X is an interesting piece of hardware. Opening it up reveals an unimaginable host of components crammed into a tiny plastic shell: Multiple PCBs, various forms of metal shielding, dual ribbon cables, a bunch of capacitors, hand-soldered wires connecting various points on the PCBs, not to mention processing units housed inside the cartridge end of the unit itself. Love it or hate it, there’s something impressive about smashing so much tech into such a small amount of space.
Unfortunately, over the years the 32X hasn’t garnered the greatest reputation, particularly in regards to its reliability. It’s not uncommon to hear end user reports of black screen issues, inconsistent video, noisy sound output and wavy video, to name a few problems. I’m not entirely sure if this is due to its crammed design, or simply the result of aging parts, but either way it doesn’t bode well for owners of the add-on.
This isn’t even taking into consideration issues new users might run into by simply not understanding what is needed to get a 32X to work to begin with. For instance, the A/V link cable that allows both the Genesis and 32X-produced visuals to appear on screen properly. Or, the metal clips that mount in the cartridge slot for shielding purposes (and to help keep the unit from shaking around in the Genesis cart slot, preventing unintentional bumps from freezing your games). These are examples of things that may not appear in system bundles for sale online, causing extra confusion for new buyers.
Some of these issues 32X users should be wary of are far better documented than others. One interesting problem that falls into the later category is 32X games freezing on VA0 revision Model 2 Sega Genesis consoles. Basically, any 32X game that is paired with this Genesis revision will result in a hard crash just moments into the game.
The 32X Extension Unit
While this issue isn’t particularly well documented online, it
is something Sega was aware of when the 32X was current. The “Extension Unit” (according to Sega’s Official Service Manual, which can be seen here at Sega Retro), is a part meant specifically for VA0 Model 2 Genesis consoles. It slots into the Genesis expansion port, correcting some sort of conflict between it and the 32X, fixing the crashing issue in the process. Those with a VA0 model Genesis 2 along with both the 32X and Sega CD attachments will never experience this issue, as the Sega CD populating the expansion slot corrects the problem entirely.
I experienced (and learned from) this issue the hard way after I received Analogue’s excellent Mega SG FPGA console in 2019. I migrated my Sega CD to that, freeing up my still-32X-populated Genesis Model 2’s expansion slot in the process. For those unaware, without Analogue’s DAC device, the Mega SG is not compatible with the 32X out of the box.
When my 32X games began crashing seemingly out of no where, I did just about everything I could to troubleshoot it. I first opened it up and re-seated the ribbon cables (something I had already done once with this specific unit many years ago). I then thoroughly cleaned the cart contacts on both ends of the 32X, along with my Genesis 2. I swapped A/C adapters, ordered a new A/V link cable that runs between the Genesis and 32X, and even purchased a new Model 2 RGB cable (the old one had been acting up, giving signal drops, so it was worth a shot).
I was about ready to send the system off to a repair shop to have a capacitor replacement done as a last resort, until I stumbled upon this video that demonstrated my problem exactly. The video creator showed a 32X game working with his Sega CD attached, but then showed what happened when he disconnected the Genesis from it. Just a few moments in, full-on game crash. He then showed where to find the console revision number, demonstrating it being a VA0 revision.
It was at that moment I opened up my Genesis system to verify my revision, and sure enough it was a VA0. Instead of moving my Sega CD back to my Model 2 Genesis, I dug out my 32X system box where I keep extra connectors and attachments I don’t use, such as the fabled Extension Unit (previously known to me as “the part in my 32X box that doesn’t do anything”).
This Extension Unit was bundled with various 32X system packages due to the VA0 incompatibility. Until now I had no use for it, nor had any idea what the part actually did. With the Extension Unit in place, my Genesis 2 and 32X combo has been working perfectly. No more games freezing!
The Extension Unit sits flush with the underside of the Model 2 Genesis console
On a side note, it is known that VA0 Model 2 consoles aren’t generally the best way to experience the Sega Genesis. These revisions are notorious for having a different sound chip, resulting in tinny audio. The video may also be iffy compared to other models depending on what video encoder it is using (you won’t know until opening it up).
For anyone curious on how to identify the various versions of the Sega Genesis, Sega-16 has a very useful guide on how to do just that. Another option is to physically open your console, which is the route I took. With Model 2 Genesis systems, there are only a handful of screws underneath the console. It comes apart easily and after that you will need to remove the metal shielding (this has significantly more screws). The revision will be listed on the motherboard itself.
An easy way around this for some is to simply buy another Genesis system. However, 32X users might not be able to justify investing extra money into another model console when they already have one. As long as one has the Extension Unit or a Sega CD attached, they can bypass this crashing issue completely. I do feel as more 32X owners begin migrating their Sega CD units over to the Mega SG (or users begin consolidating their Genesis and CD collections down into something like a MiSTer), VA0 + 32X incompatibilities are likely to become more common as time moves on.
