Got a Genesis VA5/VA6...

So I ordered a Genesis with HD Graphics written on it, ext port on the back, and a non-TMSS FCC ID from eBay hoping to get a VA2. When I got it, I was confused, as I was seeing TMSS on my screen. I opened it up and the motherboard says both VA5 and VA6 next to each other.

I am quite new to the Genesis, so I'm unsure how special these are.

 

My Genesis model 1 is the same way, as far as I can remember. Don't know about its rarity.

 

If it's a Genesis, it will beVA6 (The 160 pins IC is 315-5402 on VA5 and 315-5433 on VA6. That's the sole difference between then and it is even marked on the board).

The difference between them is that VA5 can have no TMSS (early VA5 units have no TMSS at all) or have TMSS when on export mode (late VA5 units have TMSS only when on export mode).

SEGA did that because very early Japan releases of Juuoki (Altered Beast) and Space Harrier2 had no header on the rom cartridge to satisfy the TMSS check. I even owned one of those cartridges at some point. It didn't boot on TMSS systems even though it was a original cart. Eventually SEGA gave up from those carts and by the time SONIC the Hedgehog started selling all they had to sell was VA6 TMSS Mega Drives (I happen to own one of those from 1991).