What is this thing plugged into my Genesis?

[0xero0 | 4]

In the Sega CD port. Anyone that can help me out? I can't figure it out and it's bothering me.

[a3quit4s | 4,106]

Looks like some kind of odd aftermarket port cover or something like that?

[0xero0 | 4]

That's what I thought for years but there is more to it. Here I took it apart

[Ulrizza | 133]

I found this answer: https://atariage.com/forums/topic/233532-can-someone-tell-me-what-this-is/?do=findComment&comment=3147999

Really interesting

[a3quit4s | 4,106]

I think that's why it doesn't quite fit right, it's for model 2 genesis. It's in the link @Ulrizza provided. 

 

[0xero0 | 4]

So it came with a 32X and may or may not serve a purpose.

Hmm. It really doesn't fit any better on a model 2 fwiw.

Edited August 1, 2021 by 0xero0
Edit to add

[a3quit4s | 4,106]

32 minutes ago, 0xero0 said:

So it came with a 32X and may or may not serve a purpose.

Hmm. It really doesn't fit any better on a model 2 fwiw.

The article specifically mentions this one but that's probably just a board revision so who knows. VA0 Genesis model 2

[darkchylde28 | 1,546]

3 hours ago, 0xero0 said:

That's what I thought for years but there is more to it. Here I took it apart

[twiztor | 851]

great. now i feel like i need to get one of these. my Genesis isn't Transformer-y enough yet.

[monsterG | 17]

On 8/1/2021 at 2:01 PM, 0xero0 said:

So it came with a 32X and may or may not serve a purpose.

Hmm. It really doesn't fit any better on a model 2 fwiw.

 

Oh, it serves a purpose, alright! It improves stability with some games, using certain revisions of Sega Genesis motherboards, such as Model 1 VA7, Model 2 VA0, etc.. 

If a game crashes, freezes, or just won't boot, try plugging that extension unit into the side. The game may actually work.