Sega CD Adjustment - Take 2

Yep, that's broken.

When last I mentioned it, my Sega CD Model 2 was as above - spindle-less.  Here is the remainder of the story... unfortunately, it does not end happily.

The first repair attempt centered around this 1990's Sony Car Discman.  As you can see, it used the same type of magnetic spindle as used in the Sega CD - in which the disc is held in place by magnets on either side. The spindles were exactly identical in size and shape, as well as magnetically compatible.  This could have been an almost-OEM solution, except...

Upon disassembly, I found just one minor issue with this plan... the spindle was not designed to be removed from the motor.  This idea had to be scrapped in favor of my next plan.

Playstation spindles: horribly fragile, but readily available and just the right size.

I ordered a Playstation replacement spindle - as it turns out, these are just the right size for the Sega CD's disc assembly.  It pushes right down in place, and away you go.

So, I removed the magnetic pieces from the drive lid and snapped this spindle in place.  It holds the disc securely above the casing, so no more scraping inside.  Brilliant, except... well, now the motor won't spin up.

I blame my cat, who won't stop climbing all over it, opening the drive door and turning it on while I sleep.  I'd guess somewhere in the time between repair attempts, it stopped spinning up.

Regardless - buying a replacement would officially push the amount spent on parts over the cost to buy a new unit.  So, for now, we're done.  Depressing, but we'll find another.

OH MY GOD - NINTENDO 64!!!1!

The glaring missing piece in my Nintendo collection, mine at last.

By the time the Nintendo 64 released, I had completely switched focus from Nintendo consoles to Sony, so I missed out on some of the best titles of the era.  The Playstation was loaded with triple-A titles, to be sure, but you'll always pine for the ones you missed out on - hence my recent obsession with Sega's consoles.

This one - though the price tag says otherwise - was purchased at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo for $10.  Something to remember - if you ever find yourself at an expo, convention or trade show and want something relatively common, wait until the last 5 minutes and make a very low offer.  They may haggle the price back up, but they'll almost always agree to knock the price down.  By that point, they're less concerned with the profits and more concerned with hauling all of their merchandise back home.  If it's super-rare and you want it, you're better off snapping it up early before someone else does.

On another note, I haven't been posting much as of late - my wife and I are in the process of moving, but I do have additional finds to talk about/brag about.  Stay tuned!

Goodwill Hunting - Sega Dreamcast

I've missed you so, little grey box.

Was it piracy that killed the Sega Dreamcast?  Was it the result of a number of terrible decisions on Sega's part?  That argument may go on unresolved forever, but the fact remains that the Dreamcast was home to a serious number of instant classics; far more than you'd think, considering its lifespan.  As it was a home version of the popular Naomi arcade hardware, it just made sense for arcade developers to release their home versions here - which is why several games appeared for the Dreamcast after it was pronounced dead by Sega.

The Dreamcast holds a great - though short - chapter in video game history, which is why I was sad to let mine go back when I needed to sell everything.

But hey, now it's back.  For $12.99, I've got a complete Dreamcast with 2 controllers.  Sadly, no VMUs or games as yet, but we'll get there.

Sega Dreamcast Console at Amazon.com