Difference between revisions of "Sega Mega Drive"

From Sega Retro

m (Text replacement - "{{fileref\|ACE UK ([1-9][0-9]+)\.pdf\|page=(.*)}}" to "{{magref|ace|$1|$2}}")
m (Text replacement - "maker=Sega" to "maker=Sega Enterprises, Ltd.")
 
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{{ConsoleBob
 
{{ConsoleBob
−
| logos=[[File:Mega Drive Japanese logo.png|140px]]
+
| logo=Mega Drive Japanese logo.png
 
| consoleimage=MD1 JP console set.jpg
 
| consoleimage=MD1 JP console set.jpg
−
| imgwidth=320px
+
| maker=[[Sega Enterprises, Ltd.]]
−
| maker=[[Sega]]
 
 
| variants=Mega Drive 2, [[Genesis 3]], [[Mega Jet]], [[Nomad]], [[Mega Tech]], [[Mega Play]], [[Amstrad Mega PC]]
 
| variants=Mega Drive 2, [[Genesis 3]], [[Mega Jet]], [[Nomad]], [[Mega Tech]], [[Mega Play]], [[Amstrad Mega PC]]
−
| add-ons=[[Sega Mega-CD]], [[Sega 32X]], [[Mega Modem]], [[Power Base Converter]]
+
| add-ons=[[Mega-CD]], [[Sega 32X]], [[Mega Modem]], [[Power Base Converter]]
 
| releases={{releasesMD
 
| releases={{releasesMD
−
| md_date_jp=1988-10-29
+
| 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_rrp_jp=21,000
 
| md_code_jp=HAA-2510
 
| md_code_jp=HAA-2510
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| md_date_us_1=1989-08-14
 
| md_date_us_1=1989-08-14
 
| md_rrp_us_1=200.00
 
| md_rrp_us_1=200.00
−
| md_code_us_1=MK-1600
+
| md_code_us_1=MK-1601
 
| md_type_us_1=NY/LA
 
| md_type_us_1=NY/LA
 
| md_date_us_2=1989-08
 
| md_date_us_2=1989-08
 
| md_rrp_us_2=200.00
 
| md_rrp_us_2=200.00
−
| md_code_us_2=MK-1600
+
| md_code_us_2=MK-1601
 
| md_type_us_2=Nationwide
 
| md_type_us_2=Nationwide
  
 
| md_date_uk=1990-09-14
 
| md_date_uk=1990-09-14
−
| md_rrp_uk=189.99{{fileref|CVG UK 106.pdf|page=13}}{{magref|ace|37|51}}
+
| md_rrp_uk=189.99{{magref|cvg|106|13}}{{magref|ace|37|51}}
 
| md_code_uk=1600-05
 
| md_code_uk=1600-05
 
| md_date_fr=1990-09
 
| md_date_fr=1990-09
Line 29: Line 28:
 
| md_code_de=1600-18
 
| md_code_de=1600-18
 
| md_date_es=1990
 
| md_date_es=1990
 +
| md_rrp_es=38,900{{magref|micromania2|29|63}}
 
| md_code_es=1600-06
 
| md_code_es=1600-06
 
| md_date_nl=1991
 
| md_date_nl=1991
 
| md_rrp_nl=399
 
| md_rrp_nl=399
 
| md_code_nl=1600-20
 
| md_code_nl=1600-20
−
| md_date_it=1990-11{{fileref|K IT 22.pdf|page=21}}
+
| md_date_it=1990-11{{magref|k|22|21}}
−
| md_rrp_it=399.000{{fileref|K IT 22.pdf|page=21}}
+
| md_rrp_it=399,000{{magref|k|22|21}}
 
| md_code_it=1600-13
 
| md_code_it=1600-13
−
| md_date_se=1990
+
| md_date_se=1990-09-27
−
| md_rrp_se=
+
| md_rrp_se=1995
 
| md_code_se=1600-24
 
| md_code_se=1600-24
−
| md_date_pt=199x
+
| md_date_pt=1991
 
| md_date_gr=1991
 
| md_date_gr=1991
 
| md_date_si=1993
 
| md_date_si=1993
−
| md_date_ru=1994
+
| md_rrp_si=24,990
−
| md_date_pl=1994
+
| 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}}
  
−
| md_date_au=199x
+
| md_date_au=1990-09{{magref|mz|6|50}}
−
| md_rrp_au=
+
| md_rrp_au=349.00{{magref|mz|10|25}}
 
| md_code_au=1600-03
 
| md_code_au=1600-03
−
| md_date_nz=199x
+
| md_date_nz=1990
 
| md_rrp_nz=
 
| md_rrp_nz=
 
| md_code_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_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_code_br=010300
 
| md_date_kr=1990-05
 
| md_date_kr=1990-05
 
| md_rrp_kr=154,000
 
| md_rrp_kr=154,000
−
| md_date_in=1995
+
| 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_rrp_in=18,000
−
| md_date_th=199x
+
| md_date_za=199x
−
| md_date_mx=19xx
+
| md_date_mx=1991
 +
| md_date_tr=1992
 +
| md_date_ar=1992-06
 +
| md_rrp_ar=
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
<section begin=intro />The '''Sega 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.
+
<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.
  
−
The Mega Drive is [[Sega]]'s third home console, following the [[SG-1000]] (including [[SG-1000 II]]) and the [[Sega Master System]] ([[Sega Mark III|Mark III]]). It was codenamed the '''Sega Mark V''' during development and is part of what is now known as the fourth generation of video game consoles or the "16-bit era". It has a [[List of Mega Drive games|software library]] consisting of more than one thousand games released for the system in total.
+
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.
  
−
The Mega Drive is Sega's most successful video game console. It sold over 40 million hardware units 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]]}} In addition, the Mega Drive sold the most software in its generation, achieving a software-to-hardware attach ratio of 16 games sold per console, the highest ever recorded for a game console.{{intref|Press release: 1997-06-04: Sega Lowers Price on Hardware, Software}}
+
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 />
  
−
As well as competing with [[Nintendo]]'s [[Famicom]] (NES) and later [[Super Famicom]] (Super NES) for market control, Sega also found itself fighting against [[NEC]]'s TurboGrafx-16 (PC Engine in Japan), [[SNK]]'s Neo Geo, the Atari Jaguar, and numerous home computers, in one of the biggest "console wars" of all time. The Super NES ended up surpassing the Mega Drive in worldwide hardware sales (49 million), whereas the Mega Drive had higher software sales (its 16:1 attach ratio was double that of the SNES).{{intref|Press release: 1997-06-04: Sega Lowers Price on Hardware, Software}}
+
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}}
  
−
It had a [[cartridge]] enhancement chip, the [[Sega Virtua Processor]] (SVP), and two add-on consoles, the [[Sega CD]] and [[32X]]. The Mega Drive would be succeeded by the [[Sega Saturn]] (released in 1994), and then the [[Sega Dreamcast]] (released in 1998).<section end=intro />
+
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==
 
==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 popular "8-bit" consoles dominating the market at the time, usually the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) but sometimes its immediate predecessor, 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 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 (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).
 
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).
Line 93: Line 100:
 
Mega Drive Model 1 BR Tectoy.jpg|Brazilian model
 
Mega Drive Model 1 BR Tectoy.jpg|Brazilian model
 
Mega Drive 2 Model 1 BR Tectoy.jpg|Brazilian model (Mega Drive II)
 
Mega Drive 2 Model 1 BR Tectoy.jpg|Brazilian model (Mega Drive II)
−
Sega Mega Drive (pal asia).jpg|Asian model
+
MD JP NonHD.jpg|Asian model
 
SuperGamBoy.jpg|South Korean model
 
SuperGamBoy.jpg|South Korean model
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
====Mega Drive 2====
 
====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. American and European models used a momentary switch for power while non-western models used a left-right switch. Furthermore, the audio mixing circuitry was modified, resulting in noticeably different quality audio output — [http://milkcrate.com.au/_other/sega_comparisons/ here is a page with audio samples, provided by little-scale].
+
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].
  
−
A common myth is that the Mega Drive 2 lacks a [[Z80]] — the truth is that it lacks a '''[[Zilog]]''' Z80. During the Mega Drive's lifetime, Sega received various off-the-shelf chips from different manufacturers, and sometimes would rebrand chips as their own or make them themselves, which is what happened here (and which is why each Mega Drive has a different manufacturer for its [[68000]]). If the Z80 was missing, most games would have no sound (or not all sound). In later revisions, the Z80 was integrated into a custom ASIC which also incorporated the major chips of the system.
+
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.
  
 
<gallery widths="250px" heights="160px">
 
<gallery widths="250px" heights="160px">
−
Megadrive2.jpg|Japanese model
+
Megadrive2.jpg|Japanese/Asian model
 
Genesis2.jpg|North American model
 
Genesis2.jpg|North American model
 
Megadrive2e.jpg|European model
 
Megadrive2e.jpg|European model
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==History==
 
==History==
 
{{MainArticle|History of the Sega Mega Drive}}
 
{{MainArticle|History of the Sega Mega Drive}}
 +
 +
===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
 +
}}
  
 
==Games==
 
==Games==
 
{{mainArticle|Sega Mega Drive games}}
 
{{mainArticle|Sega Mega Drive games}}
 
[[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]].]]
 
[[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]].]]
 +
 +
==Production credits==
 +
===Japanese version===
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
*'''Team Leader:''' [[Masami Ishikawa]]
 +
*'''Outer Casing:''' [[Mitsushige Shiraiwa]]{{ref|1=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darrenwall/sega-mega-drive-genesis-collected-works-reprint}}
 +
*[[Hideki Sato]]
 +
*[[Taku Matsubara]]
 +
*[[Hiroyuki Ohtaka]]
 +
*'''Spec Design of OPN2 / Sound Driver:''' [[Kazuhiko Nagai]]
 +
| 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}}
 +
| console=MD
 +
}}
  
 
==Magazine articles==
 
==Magazine articles==
Line 163: Line 195:
 
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Promotional material}}
 
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Promotional material}}
  
−
==Artwork==
+
==Logos by regions==
−
<gallery>
+
{|class="prettytable sortable" style="background: #f2f2f2;"
−
Mega Drive Japanese logo.png|Japanese logo
+
|-
−
Genesis logo.png|North American logo
+
! style="width:100px;" style="text-align: center;" |'''Logo'''
−
Megadrive EU Logo.png|European/Australian logo
+
! style="width:100px;" style="text-align: center;" |'''Region'''
−
MegaDrive BR logo.png|Brazillian logo
+
|- style="background: silver;"
−
MegaDrive AS logo.png|Asian logo
+
|-
 +
|<gallery>Mega Drive Japanese logo.svg</gallery><gallery>File-Mega Drive Japanese Logo.svg</gallery>
 +
|Used in Japan, Asia, Africa,<br> parts of Eastern Europe and<br> South Korea (from 1997)
 +
|-
 +
|<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)
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 +
==External links==
 +
* [https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive Sega of Japan catalogue page (Japanese)]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
{{multicol|
+
<references/>
−
<references />
 
−
|cols=3}}
 
  
 
{{MegaDrive}}
 
{{MegaDrive}}
 
{{Sega Consoles}}
 
{{Sega Consoles}}
 
[[Category:Sega Mega Drive| ]]
 
[[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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