Years ago, during a Christmas gift exchange with the gang, they surprised me with a wonderful gift -- the Sailor Moon game cartridge for the Sega Mega Drive.  They knew I had a passthrough that would enable me to plug the game into my Sega Genesis and play it.

Unfortunately, it wasn't to be.  The Sega Genesis/Mega Drive had a regional lockout to keep people from playing games from any country other than the one they were in.

Only ONE MD/Genny game used it.

Yup. Sailor Moon.

I assured them all I appreciated the gesture.  I still have the cartridge to this day, in fact.  I understand it isn't the best game in the world, but it was a gift from friends who did their best.  It's the thought that counts.

So, why am I bringing this up?  Especially here, where I know they read what I write and are probably wondering what the point of this trip down memory lane is.

With the patent on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive expired, companies are making clone consoles for people who still enjoy the games but whose original Gennys have bit the dust.

I have just found out that the $50 Retron 3 DOES NOT USE THE REGION LOCKOUT.

Guess what I just ordered?

Guess what I'll be playing in just a few weeks?



Merry Christmas, indeed.