The Model 1 is the Genesis Sega launched in North America in 1989, the black console with a headphone jack and volume slider on the front. Inside are a Motorola 68000 and a Yamaha YM2612 FM chip, and that front jack is the only place it puts out stereo. Sega kept changing the board. Early units carry "High Definition Graphics" on top and a 9-pin EXT port on the back, and RetroRGB calls this version the best-sounding Genesis. From 1991 Sega added TMSS, a check that flashes its license text at power-on, and the last VA7 boards are close to a Model 2 inside. The clues sit on the top, the back and the bottom sticker, so a few photos tell you which one you're buying.
Before you plug it in
Should come with it
Check the listing photos against this list, and ask the seller about anything you can’t see. A missing piece should come off the price.
A power switch that works only some of the time and noisy, buzzy sound are common questions on iFixit's Genesis page. In RGB every Genesis shows faint jailbars, which RetroRGB says a lifted video chip pin greatly reduces.
New to retro hardware? How to check a used retro console covers testing, yellowed plastic and opened shells, and regions and video out explains what will run on what, and on which TV.
Buying guide
We'd buy the Model 1601 titled tested and working with two controllers and its cables at $75 delivered, the bottom of the $75 to $150 band that most complete kits ask. There are at least 76 for sale, console-only units start at $49 delivered, and the boxed kits and mod builds sit above the band. A console sold alone needs Sega's Model 1 adapter (the 5.5 mm plug, which isn't interchangeable with the Model 2's) and an RF switch or an A/V cable for the 8-pin port on the back, so pick a kit with both or budget for them. High Definition Graphics printed on top marks the early version with the EXT port, and a flaky power switch or buzzy sound are the usual faults, so ask for a short power-on video with sound. Skip the boxed kit from a 96.3% seller, and pass on the $395 RGB-modded VA3 unless that exact mod is what you're after.
$49.02est. delivered
The lowest delivered Model 1 here at $49, titled tested and working, but the photo shows the console alone. Add Sega's Model 1 adapter, a control pad and an RF or A/V cable before it'll play.
Sega Genesis Model 1 Console - Tested And Working
$74.79est. delivered
Titled tested and working with two controllers and its cables for $75 delivered, the bottom of the band and $25 under the median. Ask the seller to confirm the cables are the Model 1 adapter plus an RF or A/V lead.
Sega Genesis 1601 16-Bit Video Game Console Tested Working, Cables 2 Controllers
$92.42est. delivered
A Model 1 MK-1601 titled tested with a controller, a game and its cords, so there's nothing to hunt down. It asks $92 delivered, a little under the $100 median.
Sega Genesis Model 1 MK-1601 Console Bundle w/ Game + Cords + Controller TESTED
$145.91est. delivered
Titled cleaned and tested, and the photos show an HDG console with a pad, the power adapter, an RF switch and four games. At $146 delivered it's near the top of the band, so it's the one for paying more to plug straight in.
SEGA Genesis Model 1 Console Bundle High-Def Version (MK-1601) Cleaned & Tested
$63.94est. delivered
Sold as is, but the photo shows an MK-1601 with a pad, the adapter and its cables for $64 delivered, about $36 under the median. Buy it if you're happy to sort out a flaky power switch or a sound fault yourself.
Sega Genesis Console Model MK-1601 w/ Controller & Accessories AS IS
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 15, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 15, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$49.02est. delivered
$41.99 + $7.03 shipping
Buy It Now$41.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Console only in the photo, titled tested. Needs the Model 1 adapter, a pad and an RF or A/V cable.
Seller: electronics_cash_exchange
100% positive
Used$74.79est. delivered
$54.99 + $19.80 shipping
Buy It Now$54.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled tested with two controllers and cables.
Seller: charlelivingsto_9
100% positive
Used$92.42est. delivered
$79.99 + $12.43 shipping
Buy It Now$79.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled tested with a game, a controller and cords.
Seller: blaze.hyatt
99.8% positive
Used$145.91est. delivered
$129.99 + $15.92 shipping
Buy It Now$129.99
Good buy
HDG console titled cleaned and tested. Photos show a pad, the adapter, an RF switch and four games.
Seller: thecomicbooklab
99.8% positive
For parts$63.94est. delivered
$56.95 + $6.99 shipping
Buy It Now$56.95
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Project piece
Sold as is. The photo shows a pad, the adapter and cables.
Seller: curatedoutpost
100% positive
Used$103.14est. delivered
$85.99 + $17.15 shipping
Buy It Now$85.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
HDG bundle titled tested, and a photo shows it running a game on a TV. Ask what's in the bundle.
Seller: mikesmusthaves
100% positive
Used$175.00est. delivered
$155.00 + $20.00 shipping
Buy It Now$155.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Boxed with the manual, controller and cables, but the seller's feedback is 96.3%.
Seller: wilbu_3
96.3% positive
Used$394.95est. delivered
$379.95 + $15.00 shipping
Buy It Now$379.95
Priced high
Titled RGB triple bypass, recapped, non-TMSS VA3. A mod build at about four times the median.
Seller: porkchopexpress85
99.9% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 15, 2026.
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