Mega Drive consoles in South Korea

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During the late 1980s and early 1990s (with some ideals lasting to this day), it was almost illegal for Japanese companies to market their products in South Korea. Though slightly more relaxed now, the troubles date back hundreds of years, and an influx of Japanese companies reaching South Korean shores would not have been taken lightly by the South Korean public. This meant that when the Sega Mega Drive was distributed in South Korea, Sega had to go through Samsung to get their product onto market.

Samsung Mega Drives are not known officially as "Mega Drives", but rather the "Super Gam*Boy" and later "(Super) Aladdin Boy", however the text "MEGA DRIVE" is still printed on the system. Little is currently known about the details these systems, but it is assumed that they are compatible with their Japanese counterparts.

Super Gam*Boy

The oldest version of the Mega Drive in South Korea seems to be the Super Gam*Boy, a successor to the Gam*Boy (Sega Master System). The Super Gam*Boy is based off a standard Japanese Sega Mega Drive Model 1 system, complete with a similar colour scheme. All that differs is a few stickers.

Super Gam*Boy, KR
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Console Control Pad

Super Aladdin Boy

For unknown reasons the console was rebranded, but appears to be mostly identical to the Super Gam*Boy.

Super Aladdin Boy, KR
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Console Control Pad

Super Aladdin Boy II

The Model 2 variation. Again, aside from branding it is very similar to the Japanese model, but like the international versions uses a power button rather than a switch.

Super Aladdin Boy II, KR
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Console Control Pad

Super Aladdin Boy II (Newer)

In 1993 Samsung changed their logo. Newer Super Aladdin Boy IIs were changed to reflect this, but otherwise it is identical to the above.

Super Aladdin Boy II, KR
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Console Control Pad

Mega Drive 2

At some point, Sega began distributing products in South Korea by themselves. Gone was Samsung's branding, and for the first time the name "Mega Drive" was used to describe the console. This Mega Drive 2 is virtually identical to the Japanese model, though the box is in Korean and presumably, so are the labels. Also, similar to the Super Aladdin Boy II, the console has a power button rather than a switch like its Japanese counterpart. It is expected that this console arrived sometime in the late 1990s - after the Sega Saturn reached South Korea at least.

Mega Drive 2, KR
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Console Control Pad

New Mega Drive

South Korea also received the New Mega Drive.