Difference between revisions of "Sega Mega Drive"

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[[Image:Megadrive1.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Sega Megadrive 1, Japanese model]]The year 1987 found [[Sega]] in a curious position.  The world was awash in 16-bit technology, and personal computers such as the Commodore Amiga and Atari ST were making large inroads on the 8-bit home videogame market. Sega's own 8-bit system, the [[Sega Master System]] (SMS), had not fared as well as had been hoped due to the dominance of the Nintendo Entertainment System ([[NES]]), but even that revered 8-bit console was losing out to these newer, high-end computers and their impressive array of videogames.  Sega had already enjoyed considerable success with 16-bit arcade videogames such as Space Harrier and OutRun - it seemed like the ideal time had come to bring 16-bit technology to the home videogame console market, and Sega quickly decided to be the first to make the move.  If 16-bit personal computers were being accepted so rapidly, they reasoned, then why not 16-bit videogame consoles?  Nintendo, their chief competition, already had a 16-bit console in the design pipeline (the Super Famicom, aka the Super Nintendo), but they were in no hurry to market it. They were content to rest on the laurels of 8-bit sales, and thus left themselves wide open to the one-two marketing punch that Sega was about to pull.
+
{{ConsoleBob
 +
| logo=Mega Drive Japanese logo.png
 +
| consoleimage=MD1 JP console set.jpg
 +
| maker=[[Sega Enterprises, Ltd.]]
 +
| variants=Mega Drive 2, [[Genesis 3]], [[Mega Jet]], [[Nomad]], [[Mega Tech]], [[Mega Play]], [[Amstrad Mega PC]]
 +
| add-ons=[[Mega-CD]], [[Sega 32X]], [[Mega Modem]], [[Power Base Converter]]
 +
| releases={{releasesMD
 +
| md_date_jp=1988-10-29{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20180322225726/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/}}
 +
| md_rrp_jp=21,000
 +
| md_code_jp=HAA-2510
  
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==Development==
+
| md_date_us_1=1989-08-14
−
In the mid-to-late-1980s, Nintendo at the time had 95% of the North American market, and 92% of Japan's, and Sega's Master System was failing in North America and Japan. It is interesting to note that the opposite was true in European markets; as the Master System was released earlier than the NES due to Nintendo's horrendous licensing policies and distribution tactics (something one could argue continues to this day), the NES never enjoyed the popularity of the Master System did, particularly in Britain and France.
+
| md_rrp_us_1=200.00
 +
| md_code_us_1=MK-1601
 +
| md_type_us_1=NY/LA
 +
| md_date_us_2=1989-08
 +
| md_rrp_us_2=200.00
 +
| md_code_us_2=MK-1601
 +
| md_type_us_2=Nationwide
  
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Since the [[System 16]] arcade games that Sega were producing were popular worldwide, [[Hayao Nakayama]], Sega's CEO at the time, decided their new home system would be a 16-bit one. The final design worked well and tied in with Sega's three new arcade boards produced alongside this new console; the [[MegaTech]], [[MegaPlay]], and the [[System C]]. Any arcade game made for these systems could easily, and thus rapidly, be made to work on the new console (a process known as [[porting]]). In this sense, the Mega Drive was one of, if not the first machines to truly bring the arcade experience home - a fact played up during their advertisements prior to the system's launch.
+
| md_date_uk=1990-09-14
 +
| md_rrp_uk=189.99{{magref|cvg|106|13}}{{magref|ace|37|51}}
 +
| md_code_uk=1600-05
 +
| md_date_fr=1990-09
 +
| md_rrp_fr=1890
 +
| md_code_fr=1600-09
 +
| md_date_de=1990
 +
| md_code_de=1600-18
 +
| md_date_es=1990
 +
| md_rrp_es=38,900{{magref|micromania2|29|63}}
 +
| md_code_es=1600-06
 +
| md_date_nl=1991
 +
| md_rrp_nl=399
 +
| md_code_nl=1600-20
 +
| md_date_it=1990-11{{magref|k|22|21}}
 +
| md_rrp_it=399,000{{magref|k|22|21}}
 +
| md_code_it=1600-13
 +
| md_date_se=1990-09-27
 +
| md_rrp_se=1995
 +
| md_code_se=1600-24
 +
| md_date_pt=1991
 +
| md_date_gr=1991
 +
| md_date_si=1993
 +
| md_rrp_si=24,990
 +
| md_date_ru=1994-04
 +
| md_date_pl=1992<ref>Video Club #20 page 23</ref>
 +
| md_date_cz=1992-10
 +
| md_rrp_cz=4,579{{magref|abc|37-16|31}}
  
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The first name Sega considered using for its 16-bit machine was '''"MK-1601"''', but later decided upon '''Sega Mega Drive'''. The name was designed to imply superiority, speed, and power. However, "Mega Drive" was trademarked in the United States, so Sega chose the name '''Genesis''' for that region, a name meant to mark the beginning of a new age in videogames.
+
| md_date_au=1990-09{{magref|mz|6|50}}
 +
| md_rrp_au=349.00{{magref|mz|10|25}}
 +
| md_code_au=1600-03
 +
| md_date_nz=1990
 +
| md_rrp_nz=
 +
| md_code_nz=
 +
| md_date_cn=1993-10<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20210622072008/https://techmonitor.ai/technology/sega_starts_test_marketing_new_machine</ref>
 +
| md_date_br=1990-12
 +
| md_rrp_br=70,000,00Cr${{ref|https://acervo.estadao.com.br/publicados/1990/11/22/g/19901122-35513-nac-0081-eco-9-not-aaweass.jpg}}
 +
| md_code_br=010300
 +
| md_date_kr=1990-05
 +
| md_rrp_kr=154,000
 +
| md_date_in=1994-04{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200621193514/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19940430-shaw-wallace-to-manufacture-market-sega-tv-games-in-india-810502-1994-04-30}}
 +
| md_rrp_in=18,000
 +
| md_date_za=199x
 +
| md_date_mx=1991
 +
| md_date_tr=1992
 +
| md_date_ar=1992-06
 +
| md_rrp_ar=
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
<section begin=intro />The '''Mega Drive''' (メガドライブ), called the '''Sega Genesis''' in North America and '''Super Gam*Boy''' (수퍼겜보이), later '''Super Aladdin Boy''' (수퍼알라딘 보이) in South Korea, is a [[cartridge]]-based video game console developed by [[Sega]] in 1988.
  
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==Release==
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Codenamed the '''Sega Mark V''' during development<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqdN_L4YaDE#t=7m45</ref> it is Sega's fifth video game console (following the [[SG-1000]], [[SG-1000 II]], [[Sega Mark III]] and [[Sega Master System]]) to be released, but only the second substantial hardware upgrade. The Mega Drive's selling point was its 16-bit main processor, which in adddition to superior graphics capabilities, allowed for a more advanced gaming experience previously limited to the arcades.
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In 1987, Sega announced their North American release date and stated that their own console was the first true 16-bit console (a dig at NEC's TurboGrafx-16, which was being marketed as 16-bit, despite being an 8-bit machine with a powerful graphics processor - a fact which is contended to this day).
 
  
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Sega's new console was introduced to the Japanese market in November 1988 under the name Mega Drive (US$350).  
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The Mega Drive is Sega's most successful video game console, with 40 million hardware units sold worldwide,{{intref|Interview: Joe Miller (2013-02-07) by Sega-16}} including more than 20 million in the United States, over 9 million in Western Europe, 3.58 million in Japan, and 3 million in Brazil.{{ref|[[wikia:w:c:vgsales:Fourth generation of video games|Fourth generation of video games]]}} It has a [[List of Mega Drive games|software library]] consisting of more than one thousand games; more than previous generations of Sega hardware combined.<section end=intro />
  
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The Genesis was released in the United States in January 9, 1989 in New York City and Los Angeles only. It sold for around $200 at launch and was to become Sega's most popular console. It was released in the rest of North America on September 15 at a reduced price of $190.
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As well as competing with [[Nintendo]]'s [[Famicom]] (NES) and later [[Super Famicom]] (SNES), Sega also found itself fighting against [[NEC]]'s [[nec:PC Engine|PC Engine]] ([[nec:TurboGrafx-16|TurboGrafx-16]]), [[SNK]]'s Neo Geo, the Atari Jaguar, and numerous home computers, driving the term "console war" as it attempted to acheive market dominance. While the Super NES ended up surpassing the Mega Drive in worldwide hardware sales (49 million), more software was sold for Sega's console, and its 16:1 attach ratio was double that of the SNES.{{intref|Press release: 1997-06-04: Sega Lowers Price on Hardware, Software}}
  
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It made it to Europe and Brazil under the Japanese Mega Drive label (due to no such American copyright) in time for the 1990 Christmas period.
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The Mega Drive saw two major expansions to extend its shelf life, first with [[Sega Mega-CD]] in 1991 and later the [[Sega 32X]] in 1994. The Mega Drive would be succeeded by the [[Sega Saturn]] (also released in 1994), though was still receiving officially licensed games as late as 2000.
  
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An initial criticism of the system was that there were too many shallow arcade ports in the Genesis's library - Michael Jackson's Moonwalker and Altered Beast being prime suspects - and that there was no killer app - however, powerful third party companies such as Electronic Arts (''The Immortal''), and Capcom (''Strider'') kept the console and software selling.
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==Hardware==
 +
The Mega Drive was envisioned at the next technological step over other video game consoles available at the time. It is a "16-bit" machine, named after its use of a 16-bit CPU (in this case, the [[Motorola 68000]]), and was marketed as being superior to the "8-bit" consoles dominating the market at the time, including the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) and the Sega Master System. 16-bit CPUs had been gaining popularity since the mid-80s, were widely used in [[arcade]] machines, and were almost expected to be found in new home computers - it was therefore considered logical that the next "generation" of dedicated video game consoles should follow suit.
  
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Even with these massively popular titles, Sega's system
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The Mega Drive builds on technology found in the Master System (and with adaptors, is fully backwards compatible), though as well as upping the technical specifications for more demanding gameplay, sound and graphics, makes a number of crucial changes to the design of consoles which continue to this day. Firstly it added a third face button, {{C}}, to the (now ergonomically designed) [[Control Pad (Mega Drive)|control pad]]. The Mega Drive outputs sound in stereo, and makes an attempt to region lock games through software. Also, when utilising the right cables, the Mega Drive is natively able to produce a clearer image than its rivals (on top of its already higher resolution 320x240 display).
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floundered for about two years against the popular NES in the States, until a
 
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Japanese game appeared in July 1991 about a feisty blue hedgehog created by
 
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artist [[Naoto Ohshima]] and developed by programmer [[Yuji Naka]].  Sonic was released to replace former mascot [[Alex Kidd]] (who had been 'killed off' during the system's early life - see the 'Alex' and 'Stella' gravestones in Altered Beast's first level, for example), and to provide the killer app that was desperately needed to showcase the superior capabilities of Sega's console. The rest, as
 
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they say, is history.  Nintendo had no choice but to rush the Super
 
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Nintendo (SNES) to the North American market due to the sudden and massive
 
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popularity of Sega's system and the veritable flood of sales that the new
 
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game had sparked. This started what was arguably the greatest console war in North American video gaming history, at least up until that point. By 1992, Sega had a 55% market share in the North American video game market.
 
  
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July of 1992 saw the addition of the [[TradeMark Security System]] (TMSS) to newly-produced Mega Drive and Genesis systems.  This altered the boot-up sequence in two important respects.  First, it would not display the message "PRODUCED OR LICENSED BY SEGA ENTERPRISES" unless a specific string of microcode (SEGA) was found in the header of any cartridge plugged into the unit (referred to in development manuals as 'boot-up code').  This was in an attempt to prevent the production of unlicensed Genesis and MegaDrive games, and was the subject of a [[SEGA vs. Accolade|famous lawsuit]] between Sega and videogame vendor Accolade.  The TMSS also checked the language and video output signals that the inserted cart required and would refuse to boot the cartridge unless they matched those that were hard-wired into the newer consoles.  This was an attempt to prevent games made in one market from working in another, but enterprising users quickly discerned how to come up with various hardware hacks that bypassed this feature of the TMSS, and a similar conversion was later incorporated into newer cross-market cartridge adapters. However, it should not be assumed that, as early models of the Mega Drive and Genesis have no TMSS, that they are 'universal' - that is, region-free - the TMSS only prevented the game from running if it differed from the built-in 'English/Japanese' setting in the console. It is the software present in a cartridge that usually checks the frequency of the console's hardware video output (the 'PAL/NTSC' check), and will lock out based on this no matter what model of console it is running on. It is only at this period in the console's life that region lockouts became popular, due to importing becoming a fast-growing business - at one point after the Mega Drive's launch, one in five games sold in English gaming stores were imported. Another software check incorporated into most games was the [[checksum]] check, aimed at preventing unauthorized changes to game code or data.
+
All Mega Drives ultilise a top-loading design (as opposed to the cumbersome VCR-style cartridge loading of the Western NES), while having removable controllers (unlike the Famicom). It was designed from day one to allow hardware expansions, and its use of dark plastic means that the "yellowing" of older systems (from bromine-based flame retardants reacting with oxygen) is less of an issue.
  
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Due to a lack of third-party support, especially once Nintendo unleashed
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===Models===
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the SNES to worldwide distribution, the Sega Genesis never became as
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{{MainArticle|Mega Drive consoles}}
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successful as Nintendo's 16-bit console.  Nevertheless, about 28.5 million
 
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consoles were sold worldwide during its lifetime, compared to about 48
 
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million SNES consoles.  It took a long time for Nintendo to eventually
 
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regain the number one spot on the market from Sega, and the only reason
 
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that the SNES finally overtook the Genesis in 1996 was that Sega's console
 
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was already declining in popularity.  32-bit videogame systems had been
 
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introduced in the last half of 1995 (the Sony PlayStation and the Sega
 
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Saturn), and suddenly 16-bit technology didn't look as appealing anymore.
 
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Nintendo, having decided to skip the 32-bit wave altogether, helped the
 
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underpowered SNES limp along via cartridges fitted with special enhancement
 
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chips, but Sega was not content to rest on its laurels.  The Sega Genesis
 
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was allowed to slowly wither away, and was officially discontinued in
 
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all markets in 1998.
 
  
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In retrospect, it was definitely no mistake to invest in Sega's 16-bit
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====Mega Drive====
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videogame console. Among the 1,031 titles that were released during
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The original Mega Drive measures 28 cm×21.2 cm×7 cm. The top of the unit is split into two components: a circular emboss with the cartridge slot and a tagline (which was omitted on later versions), and a control panel containing the power and reset buttons and the volume slider for the headphones jack. Audio output through the original model was mono through the A/V port, while the headphone jack was used  for stereo sound. A third [[DE-9]] port on the back of the unit provided additional peripheral support, though was removed from later revisions.
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its lifespan, which lasted about 10 years (1988 - 1998), are some excellent
 
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games that are unique to the system itself and many other evergreens that
 
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deserve to be played even today.
 
  
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== Types of Mega Drive Consoles ==
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Asian, Japanese and South Korean models have a cartridge locking mechanism which prevents cartridges from being removed when the power is on (which is why "Eastern" cartridges, as well as the ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'' cartridge and various others, have a cut-out on their left sides). Later runs included the [[TradeMark Security System]], missing in early builds causing small compatibility issues, despite the feature having been planned early on.
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=== Standard Mega Drive===
 
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There were three main revisions of the standard Mega Drive console produced during the console's lifespan. Arranged in order of territorial release:
 
  
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====Japanese Sega Mega Drive 1====
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<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px">
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[[Image:Megadrive1.jpg|thumb|right|120px]]
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MD1 Japan early version.jpg|Japanese model
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The model 1 console is
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Genesis1.jpg|North American model
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a somewhat rectangular affair with an offset raised circle, originally released in 1988.
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Megadrive1e.jpg|European model
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* Set internally as Japanese, 60Hz
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Mega Drive Model 1 BR Tectoy.jpg|Brazilian model
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* A/V out port (supports mono audio only)
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Mega Drive 2 Model 1 BR Tectoy.jpg|Brazilian model (Mega Drive II)
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* RF-Out port
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MD JP NonHD.jpg|Asian model
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* Headphone jack and volume control
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SuperGamBoy.jpg|South Korean model
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* AUX Port (located beyond cartridge slot across from power and video connection)
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</gallery>
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* Supports Sega Mega-CD and Sega Super 32X
 
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* Mechanial cartridge lock activates when power is turned on
 
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* Gloss black finish
 
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* On the circular molding is the text 'High Grade Multi Purpose Intelligent Terminal'. At the bottom of the circle, surrounding the power LED, is a purple square section.
 
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* Cooling vents are located on the left-hand side.
 
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* 'Sega Mega Drive' is printed in white on the lower right-hand side of the console.
 
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* The reset button and start button on the joypad are blue.
 
  
 +
====Mega Drive 2====
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1993 saw this cost-reduced redesign (known as the Mega Drive II in Europe, and sold simply as "Genesis" in North America without the Sega prefix), at 22 cm×21.2 cm×5.9 cm, being introduced internationally. One of the major revisions from the original model was the removal of the headphones jack in favor of stereo output through a redesigned 9-pin A/V port. The Mega Drive 2 also used an external RF modulator (all non-Japanese Mega Drive models had an internal modulator), which was packed in with Western systems. American and European models also used a push-button toggle switch for power while non-Western models used a slide switch like the original model. Furthermore, the audio mixing circuitry was modified, resulting in noticeably different quality audio output — [https://web.archive.org/web/20210829001203/http://milkcrate.com.au/_other/sega_comparisons/ here is a page with audio samples, provided by little-scale].
  
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====American Genesis model 1====
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Contrary to popular belief, this model does indeed have a '''[[Zilog]]''' [[Z80]] — albeit in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_flat_package QFP-44 form factor]. This version of the Z80 is not immediately recognizable compared to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_in-line_package DIP] Z80, which is used in all revisions of the original Mega Drive. Had the Z80 been missing, most games would often have little to no sound. Beginning with the VA4 board revision, the Z80 was integrated into a custom ASIC which also incorporated major chips of the system.
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[[Image:Genesis1.jpg|thumb|right|120px]]
 
  
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* Set internally as Overseas, 60Hz
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<gallery widths="250px" heights="160px">
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* A/V out port (supports mono audio only)
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Megadrive2.jpg|Japanese/Asian model
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* RF-Out port
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Genesis2.jpg|North American model
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* Cannot play Japanese Mega Drive games, due to shape of cartridge and console (though adaptaders were sold to bypass the cartridge slot shape).
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Megadrive2e.jpg|European model
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* Headphone jack and volume control
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MD Super Aladdin Boy II KR New.jpg|South Korean model
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* Cartridge lock removed
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</gallery>
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* EXT port
 
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* Support for [[Sega CD]] and [[Sega 32X]]
 
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* Larger "16-Bit" logo and a large "Genesis" logo is printed in front of cartridge port
 
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* Reset button and Start button on Joypad are now cream-grey
 
  
 +
====Genesis 3====
 +
{{MainArticle|Genesis 3}}
 +
[[File:Genesis3.jpg|right|thumb|A Genesis 3.]]The Genesis 3 was a small version manufactured by Majesco in 1998 for the US market, which they had been manufacturing for until then. It is much smaller than its predecessors and lacks all expansions and fixes memory controller bugs — both rendering some games unplayable and the Sega CD and 32X unusable.
  
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====European & Australian Sega Mega Drive model 1 (also released in New Zealand)====
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====Portables: Mega Jet and Nomad====
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[[Image:Megadrive1e.jpg|thumb|right|120px]]
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:''Main articles: [[Sega Mega Jet]] and [[Sega Nomad]].''
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* Set internally as Overseas, 50Hz
+
The Mega Jet and Nomad were portable Mega Drive systems released near the middle/end of the system's lifetime. The Mega Jet, released in 1994, was originally designed for use on JAL airliners but was later released for Japanese consumers. The Mega Jet is a semi-portable system; the system has a built-in controller but requires an external power supply and a TV. The Nomad was a full portable in its own right, having an integrated screen and sound capabilities, in addition to a battery pack.
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* A/V out port (supports mono audio only)
 
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* RF-Out port
 
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* Cannot play Japanese Mega Drive games, due to shape of cartridge and console (though adapters were sold to bypass the cartridge slot shape).
 
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* Cartridge lock removed
 
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* AUX Port
 
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* The text 'High Definition Graphics·Stereo Sound' located behind cartridge port.
 
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* The reset button and the start button are cream-grey.
 
  
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====Asian Sega Mega Drive model 1====
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====Arcade hardware: Mega Tech, Mega Play, and the System C====
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This is a variant to the European Mega Drive 1, and is often mistaken for a Japanese Mega Drive 1.
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:''Main articles: [[Mega Tech]], [[Mega Play]], [[System C]].''
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* Set internally as Overseas, 50Hz 
+
The Mega Drive hardware was adapted for arcade use several times over the course of its life. The Mega Tech and Mega Play allowed arcade operators to provide somewhat modified versions of popular Mega Drive games for arcade play — these systems use special cartridges containing games and players can choose from the games plugged into the system. The System C is a different board built from modified Mega Drive hardware, boasting improved color abilities and (in later revisions known collectively as the System C2) improved sample playback. The System C was primarily home to puzzle games — ''[[:Category:Columns|Columns]]'' and ''[[:Category:Puyo Puyo|Puyo Puyo]]'' were released on this hardware.
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* A/V out port (supports mono audio only)
 
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* RF-Out port
 
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* No text printed around circle
 
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* Larger '16-Bit' logo used
 
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* 'Start' and 'Reset' button are blue
 
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* Identical to European Mega Drive with NTSC Output
 
  
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=== American Genesis model 2 ===
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[[Data East]] is also known to have licensed Mega Drive hardware for an arcade version of ''[[High Seas Havoc]]''; not much is known about this board.
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[[Image:Genesis2.jpg|thumb|right|120px]]
 
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The Genesis 2 console is the now-familiar square low-profile affair first released in 1993, with a streamlined case design and no
 
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headphone jack. This was the first version of the console to have the TMSS system built-in from the start, breaking compatability with a tiny number of early releases (due to the lack of the 'SEGA' text in the ROM header - particularly early Codemasters releases). Due to its changed footprint, a new version of the [[Sega CD]], the Sega CD 2, was made to accommodate this. It should also be noted that this model of the console was released almost simultaneously worldwide, and remained in production until 1998. Features include:
 
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* A/V port is now one custom multi-out port for picture and sound. This port had stereo sound capability built-in, unlike the model 1 digital port's support for mono sound only - stereo sound coming from the headphone jack.
 
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* RF-Out port removed
 
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* Headphone jack removed
 
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* Push-toggle power switch
 
  
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====Sega Mega Drive 2 in Japan====
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====Mega-CD combos: JVC Wondermega/X'eye, Pioneer LaserActive, Sega Multi-Mega, and Aiwa Mega CD====
−
[[Image:Megadrive2.jpg|thumb|right|120px]]
+
:''Main articles: [[Wondermega]], [[LaserActive]], [[Sega Multi-Mega]], [[Aiwa Mega CD]].''
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* RF-Out port removed in favour of A/V port
+
Combination Mega Drive/Mega-CD units were developed over the course of the Mega-CD's lifetime. The Wondermega and LaserActive are standalone consoles; the LaserActive also plays LaserDiscs. The Multi-Mega is a portable audio CD player that can play Mega Drive and Mega-CD games when plugged in to wall power and a TV. The Aiwa Mega CD is a Mega Drive/Mega-CD packed into Aiwa's consumer-level portable CD stereos.
−
* Headphone jack removed
 
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* Red Coloured flaps on cartridge port
 
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* The text 'High Grade Multi Purpose Intelligent Terminal' located behind cartridge port.
 
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* Packaged with 6-button controller as standard.
 
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* Power LED removed
 
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* Sliding power switch kept from model 1
 
  
−
====Sega Mega Drive 2 in Europe====
+
====Computer combinations: Sega Teradrive, Amstrad Mega PC, al-Alamiah units====
−
[[Image:Megadrive2e.jpg|thumb|right|120px]]
+
:''Main articles: [[Sega Teradrive]], [[Amstrad Mega PC]], [[Al-Alamiah AX-660]], [[Al-Alamiah AX-990]].''
−
* RF-Out port removed in favour of A/V port
+
The Teradrive and Mega PC are combination Mega Drive/IBM-compatible PCs made for the Japanese and UK markets, respectively. The three Al-Alamiah computers are combination Mega Drive/MSX computers for the Arabic market.
−
* Headphone jack removed
 
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* Push-toggle power switch
 
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* Auto-switching RF lead included
 
  
−
===Other Variants===
+
====Modern System-on-a-Chip compilations====
−
*[[Genesis 3]]
+
A variety of companies now make licensed system-on-a-chip units in a variety of fashions that contain single-chip Mega Drive implementations and several licensed ROM images. [[TecToy]]-made SoaCs also contain several "new" MD games, however these are believed to be — and likely are — Java 2 Mobile Edition games running on additional hardware. For a full list of SoaCs, see the template at the bottom of the page.
−
*[[X'eye]] (WonderMega)
 
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*[[Sega CDX]]/ Sega Mega LD/ Multimega
 
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*[[LaserActive]]
 
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*[[MegaPlay]]
 
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*[[Sega Nomad]]
 
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*[[Sega Teradrive]]
 
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*[[Aiwa Mega CD]]
 
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*[[Play TV Legends]]
 
  
−
== Specifications ==
+
====Hardware revisions====
−
===CPU===
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Hardware revisions}}
−
* '''Main processor''': 16-bit [[Motorola]] [[68000]] (or equivalent)
 
−
** runs at 7.61MHz in PAL consoles, 7.67MHz in NTSC consoles
 
−
** 16-bit data bus, 24-bit address bus
 
−
* '''Sub processor''': 8-bit [[Zilog]] [[Zilog Z80|Z80a]] (or equivalent)
 
−
** runs at 3.55MHz in PAL consoles, 3.58MHz in NTSC consoles
 
−
** generally controls PSG (Programmable Sound Generator) & FM Chips
 
−
**8 KBytes of dedicated RAM, often used for FM data and DAC samples
 
−
** used as main CPU in Master System compatibility mode
 
  
−
===Memory===
+
===Cartridges===
−
* '''Boot [[ROM]]''': 2 KBytes
+
{{mainArticle|Sega Mega Drive cartridges}}
−
** runs when console is first switched on.........
 
−
** contains 'copyright check' code for locking out unlicensed games
 
−
** displays message 'Produced by or under license from Sega Enterprises Ltd.' when a licensed game is detected
 
−
** Boot ROM is not present on earlier versions of the Mega Drive 1
 
−
** The name Sega gave this boot ROM was the TMSS (TradeMark Security System)
 
−
* '''Main [[RAM]]''': 64 KBytes
 
−
** part of MC68000 address space
 
−
* '''[[VRAM|Video RAM]]''': 64 KBytes
 
−
** cannot be accessed directly by CPU, must be read and written via VDP (Video Display Processor - see below)
 
−
* '''Sound RAM''': 8 KBytes
 
−
** part of Z80 address space
 
−
** used as main RAM in Master System compatibility mode (the Z80 is the main processor present in the Master System)
 
−
* '''Cartridge memory area''': up to 4 MBytes (32 Megabits)
 
−
** part of MC68000 address space
 
−
** Game cartridges larger than 4 MBytes must use [[bank switching]]
 
−
*ROM: 1 MBytes (8-MBIT)
 
  
−
===Graphics===
+
===Technical specifications===
 +
{{mainArticle|Sega Mega Drive/Technical specifications}}
  
−
The Mega Drive has a dedicated VDP (Video Display Processor) for playfield and sprite control. This is an improved version of the [[Sega Master System]] VDP, which in turn is derived from the [[Texas Instruments]] [[TMS9918]].
+
===Comparison===
−
* '''Planes''': 4 (2 scrolling playfields, 1 sprite plane, 1 'window' plane)
+
:''Main article: [[Sega Mega Drive/Hardware comparison]]''
−
* '''[[Sprites]]''': up to 80 onscreen, depending on display mode
 
−
* '''[[Palette]]''': 512 colours
 
−
* '''Onscreen colours''': 64 x 9-bit words of colour RAM, allowing 61 onscreen colours (up to 1536 using raster effects and Shadow/Highlight mode)
 
−
* '''Pixel resolution''': depends on display mode
 
−
** up to 320x240 (40x30 cells) for PAL
 
−
** up to 320x224 (40x28 cells) for NTSC
 
−
** interlaced modes can provide double the vertical resolution (i.e. 320x448 for NTSC). Used in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2|Sonic 2]]'' for 2-player split screen
 
  
−
===Sound===
+
It was the most powerful console at the time of its release in 1988, surpassing the [http://necretro.org/PC_Engine PC Engine] ([http://necretro.org/TurboGrafx-16 TurboGrafx-16]), and it was not surpassed in power until the [[wikipedia:Neo Geo (system)|Neo Geo]] in 1990. The Mega Drive is roughly comparable to its main rival, the SNES, released in 1990, with the Mega Drive having more raw processing power whereas the SNES has a larger color [[palette]] (see ''[[Sega Mega Drive/Hardware comparison (Super NES)]]'' article for a detailed technical comparison between the Mega Drive and SNES).
−
* '''Main sound chip''': [[Yamaha|Yamaha]] [[YM-2612]] six-channel FM synthesiser chip
 
−
* Six FM channels, four operators each
 
−
* Programmable low-frequency oscillator and stereo panning
 
−
* Sixth optionally used for 8-bit digital audio
 
−
* '''Additional sound chip''': [[Texas Instruments]] [[SN76489]] 4-channel PSG (Programmable Sound Generator)
 
−
**PC format name: .[[GYM]], .[[VGM]]
 
−
**Sound RAM: 8 KBytes
 
−
** 3 sound generators, 4 octaves each, 1 white noise generator
 
  
−
===Inputs and outputs===
+
Compared to home computers at the time, it was not as powerful as the Japan-exclusive [[X68000]] (released 1987) or [[wikipedia:FM Towns|FM Towns]] (released 1989). However, the Mega Drive was more powerful than Western home computers in the late '80s, including the [[wikipedia:Amiga|Amiga]].
  
−
* '''RF output''': connects to TV aerial input
+
==History==
−
** exists on European and Asian Mega Drive 1 only
+
{{MainArticle|History of the Sega Mega Drive}}
−
** other models must use external RF modulator which plugs into A/V output
 
−
* '''A/V output''': DIN connector with composite video, RGB, and audio outputs
 
−
** Mega Drive 1 has 8-pin socket (same as Master System), supports mono audio only
 
−
** Mega Drive 2, Multimega, and other models have 9-pin mini DIN socket with both mono and stereo audio
 
−
* '''Power input''': requires 9-10 volts DC, 0.85-1.2 A depending on model
 
−
* '''Headphone output''': 3.5 mm stereo jack on front of console (Mega Drive 1 only)
 
−
* '''"EXT" port''': 9-pin D socket for [[Sega Meganet|Meganet]] modem connection
 
−
** exists on all Japanese and Asian Mega Drive 1 units, and on early European Mega Drive 1 units
 
−
* '''Control pad inputs''': 2 x 9-pin D connectors on front of console
 
−
* '''Expansion port''': [[Edge connector]] on bottom right hand side of console for [[Sega Mega-CD]] connection
 
  
−
===Miscellaneous===
+
===Localised names===
 +
{{aka
 +
|us_name=Sega Genesis
 +
|uk_name=Sega Mega Drive
 +
|jp_name=メガドライブ
 +
|jp_trans=Mega Drive
 +
|kr_name=수퍼겜보이, 수퍼알라딘 보이
 +
|kr_trans=Super Gam*Boy, Super Aladdin Boy
 +
|il_name=מגה דרייב
 +
|cn_name=劲锋壹號
 +
}}
  
−
* '''Signal/Noise Ratio''': 14 db
+
==Games==
−
* '''Storage medium''': [[Cartridge]]
+
{{mainArticle|Sega Mega Drive games}}
−
*The maximum size for any Genesis [[ROM]] is 4MB. However, back in 1991-1994, it cost a lot to manufacture even a 2MB ROM. This explains why the earlier games were so small, and, since music occupies a relatively large part of the ROM, why [[Sonic 1]] and [[Sonic 2]] only had 1 music per zone.
+
[[File:MDAdd-ons.jpg|thumb|right|A Japanese Sega Mega Drive (Model 1) overloaded with add-ons including the [[Sega Mega-CD]] (Model 1), [[Sega 32X]], [[Remote Arcade System]] and [[Mega-CD Karaoke]].]]
−
*The EXT port on the original Genesis/Mega Drive console is used with a modem peripheral that was only released in the Japanese market. The port operates identically to the two joystick ports, but has a female DB9 connector instead of a male DB9 one. The lines to this port also appear to have been used for game selection on arcade adaptations of the MegaDrive/Genesis hardware.
 
−
*The Stereo Headphone port on the front of the first model was either used for stereo headphones or speakers and/or used for mixing stereo sound for the [[Sega CD]].
 
−
*The Expansion port most often used with the [[Sega CD]] was also used for the Sega Genesis 7 Cart Demo Unit in stores.
 
−
*Some emulation software can save game music to a format known as [[GYM]]. It works by recording the operation of the sound system to a destination file (the .gym file). The internal state of the emulator's sound chip code is sampled 60 times per second, and dumped to the file. While initially popular due to the lack of any serious competition the format does not offer a high fidelity reproduction of the original sound output, tends to produce very large files and was difficult to produce for PAL titles given the simplifications necessary for emulators at the time. The more-complete [[VGM]] format has now grown to replace it, which is capable of logging changes at up to 44100Hz, meaning that most sound may be accurately reproduced.
 
  
−
===Input Devices===
+
==Production credits==
−
*'''Connectors''': (2 [[DB-9]] ports)
+
===Japanese version===
−
**Standard 3-button gamepad
+
{{creditstable|
−
**Enhanced 6-button gamepad
+
*'''Team Leader:''' [[Masami Ishikawa]]
−
**[[Menacer|Sega Menacer]] lightgun
+
*'''Outer Casing:''' [[Mitsushige Shiraiwa]]{{ref|1=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darrenwall/sega-mega-drive-genesis-collected-works-reprint}}
−
**[[Mega Mouse|Sega Mega Mouse]]
+
*[[Hideki Sato]]
−
**[[Multitap]] (two different types are available)
+
*[[Taku Matsubara]]
−
**[[Sega Activator]]
+
*[[Hiroyuki Ohtaka]]
−
*Output Devices:  
+
*'''Spec Design of OPN2 / Sound Driver:''' [[Kazuhiko Nagai]]
−
**Separate R.F aerial and R.G.B outputs
+
| source=Developer mentions{{ref|https://www.famitsu.com/news/201308/12038274.html}}{{fileref|Sega_Consumer_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book.pdf|page=23}}{{magref|harmony|130|18}}{{ref|https://www.facebook.com/hiroyuki.ohtaka/about_work_and_education}}{{ref|https://sbtransr02.wixsite.com/kazuhiko-nagai/my-works-1}}
−
**(AUX connector - Genesis 1 only)
+
| console=MD
−
**Stereo headphone jack (Original Model only)
+
}}
−
**9 pin EXT port (Early original model only)
 
  
−
===Hardware Add-ons===
+
==Magazine articles==
−
*Sega Mega Modem
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
−
*[[Sega CD]] (Expansion port on the bottom right hand side)
 
−
*[[Sega 32X]]
 
−
*[[XBAND]]
 
−
*[[Sega Mega Anser]]
 
  
−
==Emulators for the Sega Genesis==
+
==Promotional material==
−
Please see [[Comparison of Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Emulators]] for more information.
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Promotional material}}
  
−
== Sonic Games ==
+
==Logos by regions==
−
===Normal Sonic games on the Sega Genesis===
+
{|class="prettytable sortable" style="background: #f2f2f2;"
−
<gallery>
+
|-
−
Image:Sonic1 title.png|''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''
+
! style="width:100px;" style="text-align: center;" |'''Logo'''
−
Image:Sonic2 title.png|''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
+
! style="width:100px;" style="text-align: center;" |'''Region'''
−
Image:Sonic3 title.png|''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''
+
|- style="background: silver;"
−
Image:Sonic & Knuckles title.png|''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]''
+
|-
−
Image:S3d title.png|''[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]'' (''Sonic 3D Blast'' in North America)
+
|<gallery>Mega Drive Japanese logo.svg</gallery><gallery>File-Mega Drive Japanese Logo.svg</gallery>
−
Image:Spinball title.png|''[[Sonic Spinball]]''
+
|Used in Japan, Asia, Africa,<br> parts of Eastern Europe and<br> South Korea (from 1997)
−
Image:Mean Bean title.png|''[[Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine]]''
+
|-
 +
|<gallery>Genesis logo.png
 +
Genesis logo alt.png
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
|Used in North America<br>and parts of South America
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>MegaDrive BR logo.png</gallery>
 +
|Used in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay<br>and Uruguay
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>Megadrive EU Logo.png
 +
Megadrive EU Logo alt.png
 +
</gallery>
 +
|Used in Western and Eastern Europe,<br> Asia, Africa and Australasia
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>MegaDrive AS logo.png</gallery>
 +
|Used in Asia
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>Mega Drive SE logo.png</gallery>
 +
|Used in Scandinavia
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>Notavailable.svg</gallery>
 +
|Used in South Korea (Super Gam*Boy)
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>Notavailable.svg</gallery>
 +
|Used in South Korea (Super Aladdin Boy)
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
The first three games can combine with ''Sonic & Knuckles'' to form ''[[Sonic 3 & Knuckles]]'', ''[[Knuckles in Sonic 2]]'', and ''[[Blue Sphere]]''.
+
==External links==
−
 
+
* [https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive Sega of Japan catalogue page (Japanese)]
−
===Prerelease Sonic games found for the Sega Genesis===
 
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Nick Arcade Prototype]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic 2 Beta]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Beta 4]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Beta 5]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Beta 6]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Beta 7]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Beta 8]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3C Prototype 0408]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3C Prototype 0517]]''
 
−
* ''[[Knuckles in Sonic 2 Prototype 0524]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic & Knuckles Prototype 0525]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic & Knuckles Prototype 0606]]''
 
−
** ''[[Knuckles in Sonic 2 Prototype 0606]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic & Knuckles Prototype 0608]]''
 
−
** ''[[Knuckles in Sonic 2 Prototype 0608]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic & Knuckles Prototype 0610]]''
 
−
** ''[[Knuckles in Sonic 2 Prototype 0610]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic & Knuckles Prototype 0612]]''
 
−
** ''[[Knuckles in Sonic 2 Prototype 0612]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic & Knuckles Prototype 0618]]''
 
−
** ''[[Knuckles in Sonic 2 Prototype 0618]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic & Knuckles Prototype 0619]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic Spinball Beta]]''
 
−
* ''[[Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine Beta]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic Crackers]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic 3D Beta]]''
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===Sonic Cameos on the Sega Genesis===
 
−
*''[[Art Alive]]''
 
−
*''Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP 2''
 
−
*''Crusader of Centry'' (a.k.a. ''Soleil'')
 
−
*''Shining Force 2''
 
−
*''[[Wacky Worlds]]''
 
−
 
 
−
==Miscellaneous==
 
−
 
 
−
* Any game designed for either the Genesis or MegaDrive will work with its foreign counterparts (to a varying degree), but the unit will have to be set for the specific region the game was produced for (American 60Hz, European 50Hz or Japanese 60Hz). This involves a well-documented hardware modification to the unit in question.  The Nomad will work with region-free releases, but suffers from the same incompatabilities as the Genesis model 2, as they share the same internal architecture.
 
−
* Contrary to popular belief, the model 2 console '''is not missing the Z80 chip''' - a belief born of the fact that the first official Master System converter released for the system (which was specifically shaped to fit the model 1) did not fit the different shape of the model 2 console's deck. Depending on the board revision, the model 2 system has either a Zilog Z84C00 or a Custom Sega 315-5676 or similar. Since the Z80 is used for sound production by many games it is a necessary component. As also shown in the case of the official Master System Converter 2 and the third-party Datel Pro-MegaMaster (released only in Europe and Australia), the model 2 can in fact play Master System games perfectly well.
 
−
* Looking at the different regions of the world, the Mega Drive was most successful in the United States in its total sales. It was stronger in Europe for the sales-to-population ratio, however; the Mega Drive attained greater market penetration than the SNES in European markets - in particular Great Britain, which is famous for being the European Sega stronghold. By contrast, it never achieved popularity in Japan, which was 'Nintendo country'. Ironically, titles released in Japan are now the hardest to find for the system.
 
−
* One of the most interesting accessories to find nowadays is the once-popular Super Key from Action. This allowed you to play games on your own console regardless of intended market or console version. It also worked with the Sega CD and the CD-X, as well as the JVC X-Eye. Its popularity waned, however, after users learned how to modify their own consoles to be universal.
 
−
* Three announced Sega peripherals that were never released were the MegaPad (a graphics tablet along the lines of the venerable KoalaPad), the MegaKeyboard, and an external 3.5" floppy disk drive along the lines of the Nintendo unit for the NES. They were never released due to the poor market performance of the Mega Modem, also the reason why the Mega Modem (i.e. Telegames Modem as it was advertised in the States) was never released in any market other than Japan, the home of quirky peripherals. As for the MegaPad, it eventually evolved into the graphics pad used for the [[Sega Pico]] educational computer system.
 
−
* [[AM2]]'s Arcade Racer analog steering wheel for the [[Sega Saturn]] was originally produced for use on the Mega Drive and 32X versions of Virtua Racing. It was advertised for the Genesis in the States but was never released due to high production costs.
 
−
* MSX was an attempt by several Japanese computer companies at setting a unified standard for personal computers, much in the same fashion that the IBM PC set the standard in American markets (which eventually supplanted MSX). At least two of the MSX-2 AX series computers (the AX-330 and the AX-990) included Mega Drive hardware and had a Mega Drive cartridge port near the top edge of the case. These were released in the Middle East by Universal (the Japanese vending company, not the movie studio). There is rumor that the AX-990 came with an unofficial 50-game multicart in Arabic of already available titles, but this has not been confirmed.
 
  
−
== Special Thanks ==
+
==References==
−
*Sam Pettus (aka The Scribe's) [http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/genesis/file/genesis_game_list.txt Genesis Game List]
+
<references/>
−
*Hivebrain's [http://sonicology.fateback.com Sonicology]
 
  
 
{{MegaDrive}}
 
{{MegaDrive}}
−
{{Sega_Consoles}}
+
{{Sega Consoles}}
−
[[Category:Hardware]]
+
[[Category:Sega Mega Drive| ]]

Latest revision as of 08:03, 16 November 2024

Mega Drive Japanese logo.png
MD1 JP console set.jpg
Sega Mega Drive
Manufacturer: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Variants: Mega Drive 2, Genesis 3, Mega Jet, Nomad, Mega Tech, Mega Play, Amstrad Mega PC
Add-ons: Mega-CD, Sega 32X, Mega Modem, Power Base Converter
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥21,00021,000 HAA-2510
Sega Mega Drive
US
(NY/LA) 		$200.00200.00 MK-1601
Sega Mega Drive
US
(Nationwide) 		$200.00200.00 MK-1601
Sega Mega Drive
DE 		1600-18
Sega Mega Drive
ES 		38,900Ptas38,900[4] 1600-06
Sega Mega Drive
FR 		1890F1890 1600-09
Sega Mega Drive
NL 		ƒ399399 1600-20
Sega Mega Drive
PT
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£189.99189.99[2][3] 1600-05
Sega Mega Drive
SI 		24,990 tolarjev24,990
Sega Mega Drive
SE 		1995 kr1995 1600-24
Sega Mega Drive
GR
Sega Mega Drive
IT 		399,000£399,000[5] 1600-13
Sega Mega Drive
TR
Sega Mega Drive
CZ 		4,579 Kč4,579[7]
Sega Mega Drive
PL
Sega Mega Drive
AU 		$349.00349.00[9] 1600-03
Sega Mega Drive
NZ
Sega Mega Drive
MX
Sega Mega Drive
AR
Sega Mega Drive
BR 		R$70,000,00Cr$70,000,00Cr$[11] 010300
Sega Mega Drive
CN
Sega Mega Drive
KR 		₩154,000154,000
Sega Mega Drive
RU
Sega Mega Drive
ZA
Sega Mega Drive
IN 		₹18,00018,000

The Mega Drive (メガドライブ), called the Sega Genesis in North America and Super Gam*Boy (수퍼겜보이), later Super Aladdin Boy (수퍼알라딘 보이) in South Korea, is a cartridge-based video game console developed by Sega in 1988.

Codenamed the Sega Mark V during development[13] it is Sega's fifth video game console (following the SG-1000, SG-1000 II, Sega Mark III and Sega Master System) to be released, but only the second substantial hardware upgrade. The Mega Drive's selling point was its 16-bit main processor, which in adddition to superior graphics capabilities, allowed for a more advanced gaming experience previously limited to the arcades.

The Mega Drive is Sega's most successful video game console, with 40 million hardware units sold worldwide,[14] including more than 20 million in the United States, over 9 million in Western Europe, 3.58 million in Japan, and 3 million in Brazil.[15] It has a software library consisting of more than one thousand games; more than previous generations of Sega hardware combined.

As well as competing with Nintendo's Famicom (NES) and later Super Famicom (SNES), Sega also found itself fighting against NEC's PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16), SNK's Neo Geo, the Atari Jaguar, and numerous home computers, driving the term "console war" as it attempted to acheive market dominance. While the Super NES ended up surpassing the Mega Drive in worldwide hardware sales (49 million), more software was sold for Sega's console, and its 16:1 attach ratio was double that of the SNES.[16]

The Mega Drive saw two major expansions to extend its shelf life, first with Sega Mega-CD in 1991 and later the Sega 32X in 1994. The Mega Drive would be succeeded by the Sega Saturn (also released in 1994), though was still receiving officially licensed games as late as 2000.

Hardware

The Mega Drive was envisioned at the next technological step over other video game consoles available at the time. It is a "16-bit" machine, named after its use of a 16-bit CPU (in this case, the Motorola 68000), and was marketed as being superior to the "8-bit" consoles dominating the market at the time, including the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and the Sega Master System. 16-bit CPUs had been gaining popularity since the mid-80s, were widely used in arcade machines, and were almost expected to be found in new home computers - it was therefore considered logical that the next "generation" of dedicated video game consoles should follow suit.

The Mega Drive builds on technology found in the Master System (and with adaptors, is fully backwards compatible), though as well as upping the technical specifications for more demanding gameplay, sound and graphics, makes a number of crucial changes to the design of consoles which continue to this day. Firstly it added a third face button, C, to the (now ergonomically designed) control pad. The Mega Drive outputs sound in stereo, and makes an attempt to region lock games through software. Also, when utilising the right cables, the Mega Drive is natively able to produce a clearer image than its rivals (on top of its already higher resolution 320x240 display).

All Mega Drives ultilise a top-loading design (as opposed to the cumbersome VCR-style cartridge loading of the Western NES), while having removable controllers (unlike the Famicom). It was designed from day one to allow hardware expansions, and its use of dark plastic means that the "yellowing" of older systems (from bromine-based flame retardants reacting with oxygen) is less of an issue.

Models

Main article: Mega Drive consoles.

Mega Drive

The original Mega Drive measures 28 cm×21.2 cm×7 cm. The top of the unit is split into two components: a circular emboss with the cartridge slot and a tagline (which was omitted on later versions), and a control panel containing the power and reset buttons and the volume slider for the headphones jack. Audio output through the original model was mono through the A/V port, while the headphone jack was used for stereo sound. A third DE-9 port on the back of the unit provided additional peripheral support, though was removed from later revisions.

Asian, Japanese and South Korean models have a cartridge locking mechanism which prevents cartridges from being removed when the power is on (which is why "Eastern" cartridges, as well as the Sonic & Knuckles cartridge and various others, have a cut-out on their left sides). Later runs included the TradeMark Security System, missing in early builds causing small compatibility issues, despite the feature having been planned early on.

  • Japanese model

  • North American model

  • European model

  • Brazilian model

  • Brazilian model (Mega Drive II)

  • Asian model

  • South Korean model

Mega Drive 2

1993 saw this cost-reduced redesign (known as the Mega Drive II in Europe, and sold simply as "Genesis" in North America without the Sega prefix), at 22 cm×21.2 cm×5.9 cm, being introduced internationally. One of the major revisions from the original model was the removal of the headphones jack in favor of stereo output through a redesigned 9-pin A/V port. The Mega Drive 2 also used an external RF modulator (all non-Japanese Mega Drive models had an internal modulator), which was packed in with Western systems. American and European models also used a push-button toggle switch for power while non-Western models used a slide switch like the original model. Furthermore, the audio mixing circuitry was modified, resulting in noticeably different quality audio output — here is a page with audio samples, provided by little-scale.

Contrary to popular belief, this model does indeed have a Zilog Z80 — albeit in a QFP-44 form factor. This version of the Z80 is not immediately recognizable compared to the DIP Z80, which is used in all revisions of the original Mega Drive. Had the Z80 been missing, most games would often have little to no sound. Beginning with the VA4 board revision, the Z80 was integrated into a custom ASIC which also incorporated major chips of the system.

  • Japanese/Asian model

  • North American model

  • European model

  • South Korean model

Genesis 3

Main article: Genesis 3.
A Genesis 3.

The Genesis 3 was a small version manufactured by Majesco in 1998 for the US market, which they had been manufacturing for until then. It is much smaller than its predecessors and lacks all expansions and fixes memory controller bugs — both rendering some games unplayable and the Sega CD and 32X unusable.

Portables: Mega Jet and Nomad

Main articles: Sega Mega Jet and Sega Nomad.

The Mega Jet and Nomad were portable Mega Drive systems released near the middle/end of the system's lifetime. The Mega Jet, released in 1994, was originally designed for use on JAL airliners but was later released for Japanese consumers. The Mega Jet is a semi-portable system; the system has a built-in controller but requires an external power supply and a TV. The Nomad was a full portable in its own right, having an integrated screen and sound capabilities, in addition to a battery pack.

Arcade hardware: Mega Tech, Mega Play, and the System C

Main articles: Mega Tech, Mega Play, System C.

The Mega Drive hardware was adapted for arcade use several times over the course of its life. The Mega Tech and Mega Play allowed arcade operators to provide somewhat modified versions of popular Mega Drive games for arcade play — these systems use special cartridges containing games and players can choose from the games plugged into the system. The System C is a different board built from modified Mega Drive hardware, boasting improved color abilities and (in later revisions known collectively as the System C2) improved sample playback. The System C was primarily home to puzzle games — Columns and Puyo Puyo were released on this hardware.

Data East is also known to have licensed Mega Drive hardware for an arcade version of High Seas Havoc; not much is known about this board.

Mega-CD combos: JVC Wondermega/X'eye, Pioneer LaserActive, Sega Multi-Mega, and Aiwa Mega CD

Main articles: Wondermega, LaserActive, Sega Multi-Mega, Aiwa Mega CD.

Combination Mega Drive/Mega-CD units were developed over the course of the Mega-CD's lifetime. The Wondermega and LaserActive are standalone consoles; the LaserActive also plays LaserDiscs. The Multi-Mega is a portable audio CD player that can play Mega Drive and Mega-CD games when plugged in to wall power and a TV. The Aiwa Mega CD is a Mega Drive/Mega-CD packed into Aiwa's consumer-level portable CD stereos.

Computer combinations: Sega Teradrive, Amstrad Mega PC, al-Alamiah units

Main articles: Sega Teradrive, Amstrad Mega PC, Al-Alamiah AX-660, Al-Alamiah AX-990.

The Teradrive and Mega PC are combination Mega Drive/IBM-compatible PCs made for the Japanese and UK markets, respectively. The three Al-Alamiah computers are combination Mega Drive/MSX computers for the Arabic market.

Modern System-on-a-Chip compilations

A variety of companies now make licensed system-on-a-chip units in a variety of fashions that contain single-chip Mega Drive implementations and several licensed ROM images. TecToy-made SoaCs also contain several "new" MD games, however these are believed to be — and likely are — Java 2 Mobile Edition games running on additional hardware. For a full list of SoaCs, see the template at the bottom of the page.

Hardware revisions

Main article: Sega Mega Drive/Hardware revisions.

Cartridges

Main article: Sega Mega Drive cartridges.

Technical specifications

Main article: Sega Mega Drive/Technical specifications.

Comparison

Main article: Sega Mega Drive/Hardware comparison

It was the most powerful console at the time of its release in 1988, surpassing the PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16), and it was not surpassed in power until the Neo Geo in 1990. The Mega Drive is roughly comparable to its main rival, the SNES, released in 1990, with the Mega Drive having more raw processing power whereas the SNES has a larger color palette (see Sega Mega Drive/Hardware comparison (Super NES) article for a detailed technical comparison between the Mega Drive and SNES).

Compared to home computers at the time, it was not as powerful as the Japan-exclusive X68000 (released 1987) or FM Towns (released 1989). However, the Mega Drive was more powerful than Western home computers in the late '80s, including the Amiga.

History

Main article: History of the Sega Mega Drive.

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English (UK) Sega Mega Drive Sega Mega Drive
English (US) Sega Genesis Sega Genesis
Japanese メガドライブ Mega Drive
Korean 수퍼겜보이, 수퍼알라딘 보이 Super Gam*Boy, Super Aladdin Boy
Chinese (Simplified) 劲锋壹號
Hebrew מגה דרייב

Games

Main article: Sega Mega Drive games.
A Japanese Sega Mega Drive (Model 1) overloaded with add-ons including the Sega Mega-CD (Model 1), Sega 32X, Remote Arcade System and Mega-CD Karaoke.

Production credits

Japanese version

Source:
Developer mentions[18][19][20][21][22]


Magazine articles

Main article: Sega Mega Drive/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Sega Mega Drive/Promotional material.

Logos by regions

Logo Region
  • Mega Drive Japanese logo.svg
  • File-Mega Drive Japanese Logo.svg
 Used in Japan, Asia, Africa,
parts of Eastern Europe and
South Korea (from 1997)
  • Genesis logo.png
  • Genesis logo alt.png
 Used in North America
and parts of South America
  • MegaDrive BR logo.png
 Used in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
and Uruguay
  • Megadrive EU Logo.png
  • Megadrive EU Logo alt.png
 Used in Western and Eastern Europe,
Asia, Africa and Australasia
  • MegaDrive AS logo.png
 Used in Asia
  • Mega Drive SE logo.png
 Used in Scandinavia
  • Notavailable.svg
 Used in South Korea (Super Gam*Boy)
  • Notavailable.svg
 Used in South Korea (Super Aladdin Boy)

External links

References

  1. ↑ https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/ (Wayback Machine: 2018-03-22 22:57)
  2. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-16), page 13
  3. ↑ ACE, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-xx), page 51
  4. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Octubre 1990" (ES; 1990-xx-xx), page 63
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 K, "Novembre 1990" (IT; 1990-xx-xx), page 21
  6. ↑ Video Club #20 page 23
  7. ↑ ABC, "Ročník 37, 16" (CZ; 1993-04-24), page 31
  8. ↑ Megazone, "August 1990" (AU; 1990-0x-xx), page 50
  9. ↑ Megazone, "November 1990" (AU; 1990-11-xx), page 25
  10. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20210622072008/https://techmonitor.ai/technology/sega_starts_test_marketing_new_machine
  11. ↑ https://acervo.estadao.com.br/publicados/1990/11/22/g/19901122-35513-nac-0081-eco-9-not-aaweass.jpg
  12. ↑ https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19940430-shaw-wallace-to-manufacture-market-sega-tv-games-in-india-810502-1994-04-30 (Wayback Machine: 2020-06-21 19:35)
  13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqdN_L4YaDE#t=7m45
  14. ↑ Interview: Joe Miller (2013-02-07) by Sega-16
  15. ↑ Fourth generation of video games
  16. ↑ Press release: 1997-06-04: Sega Lowers Price on Hardware, Software
  17. ↑ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darrenwall/sega-mega-drive-genesis-collected-works-reprint
  18. ↑ https://www.famitsu.com/news/201308/12038274.html
  19. ↑ File:Sega_Consumer_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book.pdf, page 23
  20. ↑ Harmony, "1994 8" (JP; 1994-08-01), page 18
  21. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/hiroyuki.ohtaka/about_work_and_education
  22. ↑ https://sbtransr02.wixsite.com/kazuhiko-nagai/my-works-1


Sega Mega Drive
Topics Technical specifications (Hardware comparison) | History | List of games | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise | Cartridges | TradeMark Security System
Hardware Japan | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | South America | Asia | South Korea | Australasia | Africa
EZ Games | Genesis 3 | LaserActive | Mega Jet | Mega PC | Mega Play | Mega-Tech System | Mega 6 | Nomad | Teradrive | Mega Drive Mini | Mega Drive Mini 2
New Mega Drive | Tianli VCD/DVD Players | "Consoles on a chip" | Licensed clones (Magic 2 | Mega Game II | Power Pegasus | Super Bitman)
Unlicensed clones
Add-ons Game Box | Power Base Converter | Mega-CD | 32X (Mega-CD 32X) | Mega Modem | Demo System DS-16
Cases Sega Genesis Nomad Carrying Case | System Carry Case
Controllers Control Pad | Six Button Control Pad | 6 Button Arcade Pad | Arcade Power Stick 6B | Konami Justifier | MK-1470
Action Chair | Activator | Arcade Power Stick | Keyboard | MegaFire | Mouse | Mega Stick | Menacer | Remote Arcade System | Ten Key Pad | Third Party Controllers
Accessories 4 Way Play | AC adaptor | Cleaning System | Control Pad Extension Cord | Game Factory | Genesis Speakers | Headset | HeartBeat Catalyst | Microphone | Region converter cartridges | Mega Terminal | Nomad PowerBack | RF Unit | SCART Cable | Stereo Audio Video Cable | Team Player | Video Monitor Cable | Third-party AC adaptors | Third Party Accessories
Network services Sega Channel | Sega Game Toshokan | Mega Anser | Mega Net | TeleBradesco Residência | XB∀ND
Development tools ERX 308P | ERX 318P | Sprobe | SNASM68K | SNASM2 (Mega Drive) | SNASM2 (32X) | PSY-Q Development System (Mega Drive) | PSY-Q Development System (32X) | 32X CartDev | Sega Mars Development Aid System | Sega 32X Development Target
Unreleased Edge 16 | Floppy Disk Drive | Mega Play 1010 | Sega VR | Teleplay System | Video Jukebox
Sega Home Video Game Systems
83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
SG-1000 SG-1000 II Mega Drive Mega Drive II
SC-3000 Mega-CD Mega-CD II Genesis 3
Sega Mark III 32X Dreamcast
Master System Master System II
AI Computer Game Gear
Saturn
Pico Beena
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