Unlicensed Mega Drive clones

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.

Mega Drive

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

Mega Drive clone made in China by Shenzhen Jichang Elec. Co.

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  DrSUPER Star Drive

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  Back label

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  Internals

Mega 16 Plus

Mega Drive with a different label.

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  Mega 16 Plus

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  PCB

Mega Drive (Argevision)

Argevision made knock-off video game consoles and accessories for Argentina. This is their stab at the Mega Drive.

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Mega Drive (Kinyo)

Bog standard Mega Drive clone by Kinyo. Found in South America.

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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.

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Pro 16 Bit

Mega Drive clone found in Russia. This one was distributed by Steepler, who were responsible for the hugely successful Dendy Famiclone in the region. Suffice to say the Pro 16 Bit did not match that success.

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Saga

We have no clue about this one. 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.

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Siga

Mega Drive with a different label.

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  Siga

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".

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Macro Drive

Originates from Taiwan.

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Mega Drive 2 (16 Bits; The Alien System)

Relatively common Mega Drive 2 clone from South America.

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Mega Drive 2 (Argevision)

Argevision's attempt at a Mega Drive 2. Not uncommon.

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Mega Drive 2 (Kontorland)

Asian born clone found in South America. Shipped with PlayStation-style controllers.

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  Mega Drive 2 clone by Kontorland

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Mega Drive 2 (unknown)

This is perhaps the mother of all Mega Drive 2 clones. Not only is it fairly common, it sticks as closely as possible to the original Mega Drive 2 design so is very difficult to spot. Although build quality (and weight) are an obvious giveaway to its illegitimacy, the main clue is the box, which shows a Japanese Mega Drive 2 while mimicking the European packaging. Nevertheless it is still frequently misrepresented as the real thing and is possibly the best attempt of the bunch at looking "real".

• MD2Clone9 Box Front.jpg

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.

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Mega Drive 2 (unknown)

Similar to the above. Copied European packaging showing a Japanese-style system, however here all Sega branding is removed. Common in Russia.

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Mega Drive 2 (unknown)

Possibly related to the Mega Drive One and Mega Drive III, this clone turns up from time to time in Russia.

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Mega Drive 2 (unknown)

Another unnamed Russian clone.

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Mega Drive 2 (unknown)

...and another...

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Mega Drive 2 (unknown)

...and another...

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Mega Drive 2 (Unknown)

This one is from South America and it's very telling of the state of the unlicensed game market in the region - this one is labeled "NEW 2009" so there must still be a demand for these things.

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Mega Drive 2 (Unknown)

In Arabic countries Mega Drive 2s are still produced (without a license) to this day. One company seems to be responsible for stocking the region with revisions - it is presumed that the consoles are more-or-less the same, but distributed with different multicarts. "Black" boxes similar to the official European Mega Drive 2 packaging are the most common, however the consoles were also sold in copies of the green "Asian-style" boxes in a variety of colours.

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  2008 model

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  2010 model

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  2011 model

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  2012 model

http://img07.prodavalnik.com/images_prodavalnikcom/15307303_1_585x461.jpg http://static.weloveshopping.com/shop/client/000063/sira-music/Console-091.jpg

Mega Nan II

One of the more entertaining clones. Once again it's from Russia.

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Sedaa

Spotted in South America although likely originates from Taiwan or China.

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Star Drive 2

A clone from Asia. Two variants exist - whether they were produced by the same company has not been determined.

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  Star Drive 2

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  Star Drive 2 by Dolphin

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Mega Drive 2 (StarGame)

This may have been the company responsible for the yearly Mega Drive revisions mentioned above. This is a Sega-less PAL clone from 2011.

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Super Drive 2

Clone manufactured in Argentina by Songa.

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  Songa Super Drive

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  Underside of console

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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.

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16 Bit 3 (Apevtech)

Relatively modern Genesis 3 from South America.

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16 Bits("The Alien System")

A Genesis 3 without any Genesis 3 branding, also sold in South America.

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Century Japan

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Genesis 3 (16-Bit")

Genesis 3 minus Sega branding, sold in South America.

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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.

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Genesis 3 (Fun Time)

Relatively modern Genesis 3 from South America.

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Genesis 3 (unknown)

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Mega Drive 3

Another modern Genesis 3 from South America. These ones add a dash of red to the console and control pads.

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Pego

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Others

"16 Bit Game"

Dodgy looking Mega Drive clone from China, complete with crazy light gun.

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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.

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  GA-16B1

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  GA-16B2

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.

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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.

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GamBrothers+ (FBH-888)

An enhanced version of the above, released in July 2004 for the same price. This one has 33 games.

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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.

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  Front of box

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  Console in packaging

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  Control Pad

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.

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Megagame

Developed by the South Korean company "Phillko", it was sold for W195,000 and is heavily based on a Mega Drive I.

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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.

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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.

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Mega Drive III

Sega Mega Drive clone with custom body shape

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  Mega Drive III

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  Control buttons

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  Mega Drive III top

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  Mega Drive III bottom

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  Mega Drive III Mainboard PCB

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  Mega Drive III with cartridge