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Thanks for viewing this page! After answering this question a couple hundred times, I decided to setup a webpage to explain the differences between the Merit games! And here it is. As far as I can tell, this is the most comprehensive page anywhere that explains the differences between all the different games.
There are 3 things that I'm going to try and explain. Those are the hardware platform, the software version, and cabinet.
First,
there are three
different hardware lines. They are XL, Maxx, and Force.
Each of these hardware versions will only run the software that was
designed to run on it (ie, you cannot load the Titanium software onto
the Force hardware). Subsequently, you can only upgrade to
software versions on your current hardware platform. If you have
a Titanium and you want to upgrade it, you will have to install Maxx
boards. If you have a Maxx and you want to go to a Force, you can
install Force Boards.
That
being said, I wouldn't recommend doing any of these things. If
you want Chip Away, buy a Maxx Emerald or newer, so that you already
have it. Buying an XL and trying to convert it will cost a lot
more money than just buying what you want. This is usually true
across the board. Most of the time, you are not going to get
ahead by buying then upgrading your machine. Just buy what you
want initially!
Next, there is software. The following is a diagram of when each software version was released (as well as the hardware that it runs on). Also, the new software releases coincide with each other. Like, the games that were new to the Platinum software were also the new ones on the Diamond software, which was released the same year. Same thing with the Titanium/Emerald/Force 2002.
| Software Year | XL |
Maxx |
Force |
| 1997 |
XL |
||
| 1998 |
XL5000/XL
Super 5000 |
||
| 1999 |
XL
6000 |
Maxx |
|
| 2000 |
Gold |
Maxx
2k / Maxx 2k Plus |
|
| 2001 |
Platinum
/ Double Platinum |
Diamond
/ Diamond 2 |
|
| 2002 |
Titanium
/ Titanium 2 |
Emerald
/ Emerald 2 |
2002
/ 2002.5 |
| 2003 |
Ruby
/ Ruby 2 |
2003
/ 2003.5 |
|
| 2004 |
Sapphire
/ Sapphire 2 |
2004
/ 2004.5 |
|
| 2005 |
Jade
/ Jade 2 |
2005
/ 2005.5 |
|
| 2006 |
Crown |
2006
/ 2006.5 |
|
| 2007 |
2007
/ 2007.5 |
||
| 2008 |
2008
/ 2008.5 |
||
And Finally, there is the cabinet. A Force EVO 2007(Flat Screen) and the Force Radion 2007 (CRT) have exactly the same games! There is no difference in the amount of games, or the way they play. Same thing goes with a Classic Maxx Sapphire (The Silver sided Maxx) and a Select Maxx Sapphire (the metal cabinet Maxx). Below is a complete listing of (with all the links to) the different cabinets used with each of the different hardware versions
Now, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each...
|
Megatouch XL |
Megatouch Maxx |
Megatouch Force |
|
Advantages
|
Advantages
|
Advantages
|
|
Disadvantages
|
Disadvantages
|
Disadvantages
|
First off, let me say that many of the advantages/disadvantages that I talk about do not affect anyone who purchases a game from me. I give a LIFETIME WARRANTY on the hard drive and power supply on any game that is purchased from me. So if I mention that one is expensive, hard to get, or fails, it doesn't matter! Buy your machine from me, and you won't ever have to worry about it.
Until recently, I've always hesitated to sell the Force
games.
The main reason for this was that the most common Force game, the
Radion, had some issues. The picture tubes used in those games
are dead in about 3 years. Also, the hard drives in all the
Force games had to be purchased directly from Merit, and they charged
quite a premium for them. Recently, fixes for both of these
issues have been resolved. Starting with the 2005.5 Force
software, Merit removed the encryption that required that replacement
hard drives
be purchased from them. And, a 20+ year monitor tech helped
to diagnose the problem with the Radion monitors, and subsequently, a
fix for it. Soo, I've decided to start selling the Radion games,
and I've had GREAT success! The applied monitor fix seems to be
working out very well, and with the hard drives lacking firmware
protection (what kept them from being copied before), I can stand
behind a game that originally, I didn't feel I could. Every
Radion I sell gets a brand new picture tube, hard drive, and power
supply. These are the 3 things that most commonly fail, and this
should result in a game that lasts for a very long time.
Now, some of you Merit Aficionados are saying, "What about
the original Megatouches, or the IONs ?".
Those are 2 lines that I didn't feel the need to addres here.
First, there is the original Megatouch. While they look similar,
the original Megatouch games share virtually no parts with the XL,
Maxx, and Force games. And while you may find one cheap, don't be
tempted. The originals have very few games, are not upgradeable,
and are at an age where they are very unreliable. So save your
money, and buy an XL. As for the ION, it's so new and expensive
that it will be out of the price range of most people looking for one
for their home. Also, you can buy a new one for not much more
than a used one.
The last thing I want to address is the question of "What
should I buy?". I get that question quite frequently, and it's
moderately tough to answer. If you are looking for a particular
game, you are going to be much better off buying a machine that already
has that game. Buying one and upgrading can end up being a
headache and/or more expensive than just buying what you want in the
first place. If all you are looking for is Photo Hunt or Run 21,
buy a less expensive XL or Maxx. If you want Texas Hold 'Em, or
one of the newer games, you'll have to have a Force
machine. However, the added cost gives you the added
benefits of new updates every year, and for a few more years to come
(I've heard that Force software will run through 2011, at least).
If you are looking for the best refurbished Megatouch that
you can buy, check out
or
