Consoles4U is now selling Cosam’s “Neptune” Genesis + 32x PCB, with all non-proprietary parts pre-populated. While this is still an expert-only kit, advanced users now just have to transplant the Sega-specific chips from original Genesis / Mega Drive and Neptune consoles, rather than solder all the basic off-the-shelf components as well. If you’d like more info on the project, please check out Tito’s video below. The price is about $85 and they’re in stock now:
Purchase Here: https://consoles4you.ch/en/sega-neptun-diy-pcb?sPartner=RetroRGB
I think it’s absolutely awesome that Jan from C4U is providing this for us, as in my experience, ordering a bill of materials for a board with lots of components often takes more time than building the board! Plus, there’s always the chance a part is out of stock, you order the wrong one, etc. Having a board that you can just transplant chips to makes things so much easier and I hope anyone interested in the project will consider picking one up.
Here’s a list of what you’ll get with the kit and check out the video below from Tito from Macho Nacho Productions for a detailed look at what it takes to build one and how it performs:
- Prepopulated board only missing 16 ICs, controller ports and power button, as well as a few parts in the composite video circuit that can be harvested from the 32X if one wants composite signal
- New 1 to 1 reset button replacement
- 2 * 3D printed parts for cartridge slot
- Preprogrammed switchless regionfree PIC chip including support for multibios on the Sega / Mega CD 1 & 2
- DFO for true frequency and higher compatibility
- High quality Rubicon electrolytic caps
- Jumpers to allow for different donor versions
- 75 Ohm Csync on composite video Jumper
