The Wondermega is one of the nicest ways to run Mega-CD games: Sega and JVC's 1991 Japan-only deck that combines a Mega Drive and a Mega-CD in one unit, with a motorised CD lid instead of the usual flip-top or sliding tray. This is my second HWM-5010.

It reached the bench with leaking capacitors and a CD tray that would only open aided by hand. The fix was a full recap of all five internal boards, a clean and lube of the laser assembly, and a new CD drive belt. The CD side got particular attention: the laser pickup PCB, which carries the JVC Optima-5 pickup, was recapped, the CD-ROM/servo board too, and the traverse gears were greased with Molykote DX paste.

The result is that both sides work and, with the new belt, the motorised tray opens and closes on its own again. I ran Silpheed off a real Mega-CD disc to prove the CD side, and Contra Hard Corps on the cart side.

If you have serviced a Wondermega or a Mega-CD drive, did a new belt sort your tray problems on its own, or did it take more than that?

I want to start getting into sega cd imports. What’s the easiest way to get started. Is there anyway to play them on a US system that isn’t a huge pain in the ass. Or is getting a Japanese sega cd the easiest option? With that would I need a mega drive then if I use a Japanese sega cd?