Difference between revisions of "Unlicensed Mega Drive clones"

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The [[Sega Mega Drive]] was a commonly cloned console during the 1990s, especially in smaller markets. There are potentially hundreds of different models, though few have been documented on the internet. This page covers some of the consoles that we know exist, but don't know much else about.
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The [[Sega Mega Drive]] is the second most often cloned console in the history of video games (first one being [[Nintendo Famicom]]) with the global market penetration of these imitations being so big, that combination of bootleg and original units sells, would exceed the [[Super Nintendo]] ones (and it's clones) many times over.
  
==Mega Drive==
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During the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and even 2020s, the console got potentially thousands of different models and many of which did not resemble the original device in design or even in functions.
In the early 1990s, Sega were unable or unwilling to release the original Sega Mega Drive in multiple markets at once. Instead the release was staggered across the globe between 1988 and 1992/1993, which meant that for many, the only short-term option was to import Mega Drive systems from countries like Japan. This was costly, and so Taiwanese firms often made their own to capitalise on this shortage. By the time this skill had been mastered, however, much of the world was supplied with the console by official vendors, so most older Mega Drive clones were only sold in regions such as South America.
 
  
===Dr Super Star Drive===
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*[[Unlicensed Mega Drive clones (Mega Drive)]]
Mega Drive clone made in China by Shenzhen Jichang Elec. Co.
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*[[Unlicensed Mega Drive clones (Mega Drive 2)]]
<gallery>
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*[[Unlicensed Mega Drive clones (Genesis 3)]]
File:drsuper_stardrive_1.jpg|DrSUPER Star Drive
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*[[Unlicensed Mega Drive clones ("mini" models)]]
File:drsuper_stardrive_2.jpg|Back label
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*[[Unlicensed Mega Drive clones ("PlayStation" models)]]
File:drsuper_stardrive_3.jpg|Internals
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*[[Unlicensed Mega Drive clones (Keyboard models)]]
</gallery>
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*[[Unlicensed Mega Drive clones (Famiclone models)]]
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*[[Unlicensed Mega Drive clones (VCD/DVD players)]]
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*[[Unlicensed Mega Drive clones (Unsorted)]]
  
===Mega 16 Plus===
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{{MDUnlicensed}}
Mega Drive with a different label.
 
<gallery>
 
File:Mega16Plus.jpg|Mega 16 Plus
 
File:Mega16Plus PCB.jpg|PCB
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Mega Drive (unknown)===
 
A fairly boring Mega Drive clone which appears from time to time. Shipped with two odd-looking six button controllers and a multicart of some description, and the colours are off.
 
<gallery>
 
File:MDClone1.jpg
 
File:MDClone1 Box Front.jpg
 
File:MDClone1 Box Back.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Saga===
 
We have no clue about this one. [http://goods.ruten.com.tw/item/show?21106041236905 This 2011 auction from seller dxghunterchen for 1,200 TWD] has the title "SAGA 16 bit 電玩 主機 整套 含 ~ 1款卡匣 兩個把手 一個搖桿" and no product description — just the three photos below. It could be just a compilation showing an official Mega Drive with unofficial peripherals in an alternate Macro Drive box, but who knows for certain. The only identifiable peripheral is the [[HonyU Explorer-I]] one. The cart shown is ''[[Ma Jiang Qing Ren: Ji Ma Jiang Zhi]]''.
 
<gallery>
 
File:SAGA16Bit_Pic1.jpg
 
File:SAGA16Bit_Pic2.jpg
 
File:SAGA16Bit_Pic3.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Siga===
 
Mega Drive with a different label.
 
<gallery>
 
File:Siga.jpg|Siga
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Others===
 
<gallery>
 
File:Kinyo.jpg|Mega Drive clone by [[Kinyo]]
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
==Mega Drive 2==
 
From the mid-to-late 90s the Mega Drive template of choice predictably became the cost-reduced Mega Drive 2. Similar to before clones of this system became popular in South America, although there was also a following in parts of Asia. The simplified design of the Mega Drive 2 makes it very easy to reproduce - the number of Mega Drive 2 clones worldwide far exceeds that of other Sega clones, and was even the basis for some Famiclones.
 
 
 
===Genesis===
 
These "hybrid" Mega Drive 2s borrowing elements from both the Japanese and North American releases of the console are relatively common in South America. They shipped in Genesis 2 boxes (based on the Canadian packaging), however the instruction manuals call the system "Mega Drive 2".
 
<gallery>
 
File:MD2Clone1.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Macro Drive===
 
Originates from Taiwan.
 
<gallery>
 
File:MacroDrive1.jpg
 
File:MacroDrive2.jpg
 
File:MacroDrive3.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Mega Drive 2 (16 Bits; The Alien System)===
 
Relatively common Mega Drive 2 clone from South America.
 
<gallery>
 
File:16BitsMD2.jpg
 
File:16BitsMD2 Pad.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Mega Drive 2 (unknown)===
 
Very common Mega Drive 2 clone built in China for the Russian market. The major difference (aside from build quality and components) is that all Sega branding has been removed.
 
<gallery>
 
File:MD2Clone2 MD RU Box Front.jpg
 
File:MD2Clone2 MD RU Box Back.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Mega Drive 2 (unknown)===
 
Similar to the above. Copied European packaging showing a Japanese-style system. All Sega branding removed. Common in Russia.
 
<gallery>
 
File:MD2Clone3 MD Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Sedaa===
 
<gallery>
 
File:Sedaa.jpg
 
File:Sedaa Pad.jpg
 
File:Sedaa MD Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Super Drive 2===
 
Clone manufactured in Argentina by [[Songa]].
 
<gallery>
 
File:SongaSuperDrive1.jpg|Songa Super Drive
 
File:SongaSuperDrive2.jpg|Underside of console
 
File:SuperDrive2 MD Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Others===
 
<gallery>
 
File:KontorlandMD.jpg|Mega Drive 2 clone by [[Kontorland]]
 
File:KontorlandMD MD Box Front.jpg
 
File:ArgevisionMD.jpg|Mega Drive 2 clone by Argevision
 
File:StarDrive2.jpg|Star Drive 2
 
File:StarDrive2 MD Box Front.jpg|
 
File:StarDrive2 Alt.jpg|Star Drive 2 by Dolphin
 
File:StarDrive2 MD Box Front Alt.jpg|
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
==Genesis 3==
 
Despite its late arrival, the redesigned and further cost-reduced [[Genesis 3]] unit became a popular item in South America... despite not being officially released there. Though some were imported from North America, many more clone consoles were manufactured on the cheap (the [[Mega 3]] for example is extremely common in Argentina). Unlicensed Genesis 3 clones were manufactured well into the 2000s and may still be in production to this day.
 
 
 
===16 Bit (NipponGame)===
 
A common Genesis 3 clone found in Argentina.
 
<gallery>
 
File:16BitNipponGames.jpg
 
File:16BitNipponGames MD Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===16 Bit 3 (Apevtech)===
 
Relatively modern Genesis 3 from South America.
 
<gallery>
 
File:Apevtech16bit3.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===16 Bits("The Alien System")===
 
A Genesis 3 without any Genesis 3 branding, also sold in South America.
 
<gallery>
 
File:TaS Console.jpg|
 
File:TaS Box.jpg|
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Century Japan===
 
<gallery>
 
File:CenturyJapan.jpg
 
File:CenturyJapan MD Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Genesis 3 (16-Bit")===
 
Genesis 3 minus Sega branding, sold in South America.
 
<gallery>
 
File:16BitGenesis3.jpg
 
File:16BitGenesis3 MD Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Genesis 3 (C&E?)===
 
A very dodgy Genesis 3 clone which despite its many claims, is not thought to be officially licensed. This one resembles the official product more than any other Genesis 3 clone out there, though its box text is translated into Spanish for markets such as Argentina. Font sizes and build quality are also slightly different on the unit.
 
<gallery>
 
File:Genesis3Clone1 MD Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Genesis 3 (Fun Time)===
 
Relatively modern Genesis 3 from South America.
 
<gallery>
 
File:FunTimeGenesis3 MD Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Mega Drive 3===
 
Another modern Genesis 3 from South America. These ones add a dash of red to the console and control pads.
 
<gallery>
 
File:MegaDrive3Clone.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Pego===
 
<gallery>
 
File:Pego.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
==Others==
 
==="16 Bit Game"===
 
Dodgy looking Mega Drive clone from China, complete with crazy light gun.
 
<gallery>
 
File:16bitgame.jpg|
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===16 Bit TV Game===
 
Also from China, two clones by a company known as "Gap International Limited". One looks like a Mega Drive 2 in white, the other is completely new. Model numbers GA-16B1 and GA-16B2 respectively.
 
<gallery>
 
File:16bittvgame.jpg|GA-16B1
 
File:16bittvgame2.JPG|GA-16B2
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Car Game (CA-111)===
 
Console manufactured by "First Game" in South Korea in July 2003. Sold for W110,000 it has 33 games integrated, and is meant for use within cars.
 
<gallery>
 
File:CarGame Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===GamBrothers (FBH-777)===
 
Also manufactured by "First Game" in South Korea  in December 2002; this was sold for W88,000 and has 20 games integrated into the console.
 
<gallery>
 
File:GamBrothers Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===GamBrothers+ (FBH-888)===
 
An enhanced version of the above, released in July 2004 for the same price. This one has 33 games.
 
<gallery>
 
File:GamBrothersPlus Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Game Dunk===
 
A Mega Drive clone from South Korea with a basketball theme. The top half seems to have been lifted from a Japanese Mega Drive model 1, but the console as a whole is more "square" in shape, similar to the Mega Drive Model 2. It shipped with two controllers similar to the standard three button pad but with an extra {{Select}} button.
 
<gallery>
 
File:GameDunk Box Front.jpg|Front of box
 
File:GameDunk 1.jpg|Console in packaging
 
File:GameDunk ControlPad.jpg|Control Pad
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Kid Box (FBH-999)===
 
Another console manufactued by "First Game" in in South Korea. This debuted in March 2003 for W93,000 and has 33 games.
 
<gallery>
 
File:KidBox Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Megagame===
 
Developed by the South Korean company "Phillko", it was sold for W195,000 and is heavily based on a Mega Drive I.
 
<gallery>
 
File:MegaGame Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Neo-16===
 
Released in 2005 by the South Korean company "Techline", the Neo-16 sold for W85,000 and has 33 games built-in. Its design is taken from a Star Trek Famiclone also from South Korea.
 
<gallery>
 
File:Neo16 Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
===Sponge===
 
Also produced by the South Korean company "Techline", this debuted in 2006 for the price of W72,000 and has 7 built-in games. It's shell is that of a [[Genesis 3]].
 
<gallery>
 
File:Sponge Box Front.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
{{clear}}
 
 
 
===Mega Drive III===
 
Sega Mega Drive clone with custom body shape
 
<gallery>
 
File:MegaDriveIII 1.jpg|Mega Drive III
 
File:MegaDriveIII 2.jpg|Control buttons
 
File:MegaDriveIII 3.jpg|Mega Drive III top
 
File:MegaDriveIII 4.jpg|Mega Drive III bottom
 
File:MegaDriveIII 5.jpg|Mega Drive III Mainboard PCB
 
File:MegaDriveIII 6.jpg|Mega Drive III with cartridge
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
 
 
{{MegaDrive}}
 
[[Category:Mega Drive hardware]]
 

Latest revision as of 15:09, 10 April 2024

The Sega Mega Drive is the second most often cloned console in the history of video games (first one being Nintendo Famicom) with the global market penetration of these imitations being so big, that combination of bootleg and original units sells, would exceed the Super Nintendo ones (and it's clones) many times over.

During the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and even 2020s, the console got potentially thousands of different models and many of which did not resemble the original device in design or even in functions.


Unlicensed Mega Drive clones
Clone consoles
Mega Drive | Mega Drive 2 | Genesis 3 | "Mini" models | "PlayStation" models | Keyboard models | Famiclone models | VCD/DVD players | Others


Mega Drive Mega Drive 2 Genesis 3 "Mini" "PlayStation" Keyboard VCD/DVD
AT-168 | FR-302 | High Quality | HK-986 | KW-500 | Mega-Ken | Pro 16 Bit | Super Drive Extreme Land Mega Drive 2 | Game Drive 2 | Liko BBG-688 | Mega Drive II (StarGame) | Mega Drive 4 | Mondial Drive II | New Star 2 | Star Drive 2 | Super Drive | Super Mega Driver | ZW-162J | ZW-165A Game Joy | Mega Drive Junior | Sponge | ZW-2000 16 Bit Compact MD HDMI | MD Compact | Minigen | Minigen HD BBG 168 | Kombat 16 | Sega Millenium | TV Pump | ZW-166A CyberShell | CyberSmart | EZcom | GS-200 | Magistr 16 Game VCD | Premier
Unique designs
1990s AX-660 | AX-990 | BBG 188 | IQ-801 | KW-501 | KW-502 | KW-503 | KW-504 | KW-505 | Megagame | Megavision | Modern Mate | New 16 Bit | Power Magicom | Super Alpha II | Super 16 Bit
2000s C-11 | Car Game | Dream X | Dual Action | e-time Game Play | GamBrothers | GN Twin | FC3 Plus | Kid Box | Neo-16 | Noritul FX-16 | Ranbo ABL AA1000 | RetroN 3 | Sega Driver | ZW-1688 | ZW-16DC | ZW-16P3 | ZW-16XB | ZW-163 | ZW-167 | ZW-169 | ZW-V21
2010s Fei Hao HD Retro Game | Hamy SD | Hamy 4 | HD Game System | MegaRetroN HD | Mega Sg | PAP1000 | RetroN 5 | Super Retro Trio | Super Retro Trio Plus
2020s 2E Game Console 16 bit | Dendy Nimbus | Dendy Retro | Dendy Smart | Hamy 5 | MixHD | Nimbus Smart | Polymega | RetroN 3 HD | SG800
Portables
Cartridge-based 16 Bit Pocket MD | Advance Digitals | DVTech Discovery | ES-2016 | HG-806 | Mega Drive Portable | MDPortable | One Station | Pocket MD | PXP Slim Station | RetroGen | ZW-16M
Emulator-based !QU | Dinax Pixel Games | eMote | EXEQ | Favorite G18 | Game King A-330 | Game Station A-320 | JXD S7300B | Sameo | SD Portable
Clone console "families"
Data Frog | Game-In | Game Box | Game Stick | Magic Drive | Magistr Drive | Maniac Drive | Orbita OT-TYG | Retro Genesis | Super Drive | Super Console X | Titan | Mega Dream | SZGV | V-Com