The Sega Nomad wasn't a commercial success, yet it remains one of the best ways to experience Genesis / Mega Drive games; it can be used in portable form but also connected to the TV—almost like a Nintendo Switch, but two decades ahead of time.
The big issue with the device back in 1995 was the fact that it required a whopping six AA batteries, and those would only deliver around three hours of gameplay—and they had to be placed inside an external battery pack which bolted onto the rear, making an already bulky device even larger.
Sega offered a rechargeable option in the form of the Nomad PowerBack, an accessory that is not only hard to come by today but is also operating way beyond its operational lifespan; the batteries inside these packs are often dead.
This is where Laser Bear Industries comes in; the company has produced the Nomak Pak, a replacement for the PowerBack which offers a host of enhancements over the official Sega option.
Before we get to the positives, let's address the big potential negative for some people. Unlike the PowerBack, the Nomad Pak doesn't come with batteries inside—you have to source the two 18650 cells yourself, giving you around 3500 mAh of power, which equates to around six hours of use.
The good news is that they're a standard battery type that is pretty easy to find online, although you need to be wary of cheap examples (Laser Bear recommends the Nitecore nl1835hp, which costs $23).
While it's a pain having to outlay an extra $45 on top of the cost of the Nomad Pak itself, the obvious benefit here is that you can replace the batteries over time, massively extending the longevity of the product. Heck, you may even have some suitable 18650 cells in your possession already.
The Nomad Pak comes in a 3D-printed case and features a custom charge controller chip which, in the latest iteration, offers both standard DC and USB-C charging options (you can order one which only has USB-C for $5 less).
On-packing charging means you can use your standard Nomad charger or USB cable to top up the batteries without removing them from the Nomad Pak. The Mk 1 version (which I'm reviewing here) only has DC input and has a multi-stage LED indicator that shows when the unit is charging and how much juice is left in the batteries. The Mk 2 version (which is the only one being sold now) has a single LED which which shows when the unit is charging (red) and when it's fully charged (green).
The Nomad Pak is a resounding success. It's the ideal alternative to the official Sega PowerBack, and the introduction of USB-C charging means that you don't have to rely on your ageing Sega PSU any longer. The 3D-printed case might be off-putting for some people, but I didn't mind it; I especially like how the Nomad logo is etched onto the battery cover.
The total cost of the project is another potential bone of contention—and there are mods out there which allow you to fit an internal battery, which is obviously better for portability—but the Nomad Pak is arguably the best non-invasive aftermarket option on the market when it comes to freeing your console from the wall socket.
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Comments 4
I love original hardware, but there comes a point, when I rather just use an emulator on a smaller handheld, if I'm bringing it on a trip.
That and the Lynx was so damn bulky 😂
On the one hand this is great because it preserves the original hardware. Unless you go FGPA it's the best way to enjoy games especially on physical media. But, you can't get around the bulk. Could you reduce the space from the device and slim it down? It's been done on other system with some fancy PCB hacking and such. It might not work well here since they already shrank a full console down. It might require chip replacement to go smaller, or go FPGA and a custom solution.
Still, I can appreciate the work put in here to keep this specific platform alive. I wanted that TGX tv thing since the cards were more travel friendly than a larger cart.
@Daggot Some of the appeal is the hardware itself, though. I got my first Nomad around 1999 when they were dirt cheap, so I've got a nostalgic connection with it, bulk and all. Plus the D-pad is incredible!
I actually like the chunkiness of the Nomad, I find it more comfortable to hold than the Switch, even though the right side of it is pretty square-shaped!
Unless this new battery pack is wider, it shouldn't interfere with holding the Nomad as the official battery pack doesn't get in the way when I hold it.
It would be cool of Krikkz could do a low-profile Mega Everdrive to fit the Nomad with less catridge sticking out the top.
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