While reading the Up Down Left Right retro magazine, I learned of another system that Sega had released called the Sega Nomad.� The Nomad is a portable version of the Genesis/Mega Drive that is capable of playing all its games.� It has a port to allow the player to insert any standard Genesis/Mega Drive cartridge.� Here is some information on the system from the Sega Retro Page:

The Sega Nomad, codenamed Venus, is a handheld video game console manufactured by Sega. It is a portable Sega Mega Drive, and Sega's second handheld system after the Sega Game Gear. The Nomad was based on the semi-portable Sega Mega Jet, and only saw release in North America.

The Sega Nomad was designed by Sega of America, likely another attempt to extend the shelf life of the already successful Sega Mega Drive (Genesis in that region). At the time of release, home consumers were geared up for a new generation of video game consoles, namely the Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation, but with an established game library of over 600 titles at this point and vastly improved hardware over the competition (mainly Nintendo's Game Boy), it was presumed that there was a place for the Nomad.

Sega were also backing their first handheld, the Sega Game Gear at this time, however sales were comparitively slow when compared to Nintendo. It is rumoured that at one stage, the Nomad was due to be a successor to the Game Gear sporting a touch-screen interface, a couple of years before the concept was pioneered with the Tiger Game.com. However, in 1995 it was rumoured that a system utilising this technology would cost roughly $289 to manufacture, and so the idea was scrapped for a handheld Mega Drive instead.

The Nomad debuted on North American store shelves in October 1995 for an asking price of US$180. Though the handheld received praise from critics, sales were sluggish, even after a US$100 price drop in the months which followed. It was discontinued shortly after. The Nomad never made it to other regions of the world, however it appears at one stage plans were made to bring it to Europe.

It is estimated that in total, roughly one million Nomad units were sold - ten million less than the Game Gear (but 600,000 more than the Game.com).[/font:9f6j94ma]

The full article can be found here: Sega Nomad at Sega Retro.

Has anyone used one of these? What is your opinion of it? Here is a review of this portable system from Classic Game Room:

Classic Game Room - SEGA NOMAD review