Difference between revisions of "Mega Drive consoles in North America"
From Sega Retro
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| − | The [[Sega Mega Drive]] debuted in North America | + | The [[Sega Mega Drive]] debuted in North America in August 1989, with a regionwide release in September of that year. Due to trademark issues, it was renamed the "Sega Genesis", and has always operated under this name under this region. |
| − | In the US, the console was distributed by Sega between 1989 and | + | In the US, the console was distributed by Sega between 1989 and 1997. It was then passed to [[Majesco]], who kept the system alive for an extra two years before it was shelved. In Canada, the Mega Drive was distributed by [[Irwin Toy]] in its early years, however Sega inevitably took back the distribution rights when the console proved successful. Many Canadian units and games were imported from the US. |
All North American units output an NTSC signal. | All North American units output an NTSC signal. | ||
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=United States= | =United States= | ||
==Genesis (with ''[[Altered Beast]]'')== | ==Genesis (with ''[[Altered Beast]]'')== | ||
| − | The first release of the Genesis console | + | The first release of the Genesis console, which was bundled with the arcade conversion of ''[[Altered Beast]]'', one of the more popular arcade titles of the time. |
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:SgenAB US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | File:SgenAB US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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==Genesis (with ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'')== | ==Genesis (with ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'')== | ||
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File:SGenTSS US Box Front.JPG|Front of box | File:SGenTSS US Box Front.JPG|Front of box | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Genesis: The Core System== | ||
| + | During 1991, Sega released a bare-bones bundle after the ''Altered Beast'' package. "The Core System" contains nothing but the console, cables and a controller. | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | File:SGenTCS US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | ||
| + | File:SGenTCS US Box Back.jpg|Back of box | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
==Genesis: Fighting System== | ==Genesis: Fighting System== | ||
| − | A bundle containing ''[[Streets of Rage 2]]'' | + | A bundle containing ''[[Streets of Rage 2]]'', which was released in early 1993. |
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:SGenFightingSystem US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | File:SGenFightingSystem US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| − | ==Genesis | + | |
| − | When the redesigned Genesis | + | ==Genesis 2: The Core System== |
| + | When the redesigned Genesis 2 came into production, packaging for both consoles and games adopted the new red/black color scheme. As with the model 1, "The Core System" contains nothing but the console, cables and one controller. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:SGen2TCS US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | File:SGen2TCS US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| − | ==Genesis | + | |
| − | A Genesis | + | ==Genesis 2 (with ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'')== |
| + | A Genesis 2 bundle containing ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:SGen2S2 US Box Front.JPG|Front of box | File:SGen2S2 US Box Front.JPG|Front of box | ||
| Line 51: | Line 55: | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| − | ==Genesis | + | ==Genesis 2: NFL Pack== |
| − | A Genesis | + | A Genesis 2 bundle containing ''[[NFL '95]]''. For many of these bundles, the standard core system box was used with added stickers. |
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:SGen2NFL US Box Front.JPG|Front of box | File:SGen2NFL US Box Front.JPG|Front of box | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| − | ==Genesis | + | ==Genesis 2 (with ''[[The Lion King]]'')== |
| − | A Genesis | + | A Genesis 2 bundle containing ''[[The Lion King]]''. |
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| − | ==Genesis | + | ==Genesis 2 (with ''[[Sub-Terrania]]'' and ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'')== |
| − | Both ''[[Sub-Terrania]]'' and ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' were included in this Genesis | + | Both ''[[Sub-Terrania]]'' and ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' were included in this Genesis 2 package. |
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:SGen2S3ST US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | File:SGen2S3ST US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| − | ==Genesis | + | ==Genesis 2 (with ''[[6-Pak]]'')== |
| − | + | A bundle containing the ''[[6-Pak]]'' compilation was released in 1995, during the latter part of the system's lifetime. | |
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:SGen26Pak US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | File:SGen26Pak US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| − | ==Genesis | + | ==Genesis 2: The Core System (Majesco re-release)== |
| − | After [[Majesco]] obtained the rights to distribute older Sega consoles in the US, they re-released this Core System bundle. It is almost identical to Sega's, though the back of the box talks about more recent games. The front of the box can be identified as one of Majesco's if the text reads "Great Games Available!". Original Core | + | After [[Majesco]] obtained the rights to distribute older Sega consoles in the US during 1997, they re-released this Core System bundle. It is almost identical to Sega's, though the back of the box talks about more recent games. The front of the box can be identified as one of Majesco's if the text reads "Great Games Available!". Original Core System bundles read "500+ Games Available!". It may have been foolish to claim 500+ Genesis games were still coming out of Sega's factories as late as 1997, although over 500 had been released up to that point. |
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:SGenTCS Majesco US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | File:SGenTCS Majesco US Box Front.jpg|Front of box | ||
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==Genesis 3== | ==Genesis 3== | ||
:''Main Article: [[Genesis 3]]'' | :''Main Article: [[Genesis 3]]'' | ||
| − | [[Majesco]] also | + | [[Majesco]] also released a cut-down version of the console in 1998, titled the Genesis 3. Removal of certain lines on the cartridge port and the removal of the expansion port made it incompatible with many of the add-ons and as it was released so late, it failed to sell well. |
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Revision as of 05:23, 29 November 2011
This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.
The Sega Mega Drive debuted in North America in August 1989, with a regionwide release in September of that year. Due to trademark issues, it was renamed the "Sega Genesis", and has always operated under this name under this region.
In the US, the console was distributed by Sega between 1989 and 1997. It was then passed to Majesco, who kept the system alive for an extra two years before it was shelved. In Canada, the Mega Drive was distributed by Irwin Toy in its early years, however Sega inevitably took back the distribution rights when the console proved successful. Many Canadian units and games were imported from the US.
All North American units output an NTSC signal.
Contents
- 1 United States
- 1.1 Genesis (with Altered Beast)
- 1.2 Genesis (with Sonic the Hedgehog)
- 1.3 Genesis: Sonic System
- 1.4 Genesis: The Core System
- 1.5 Genesis: Fighting System
- 1.6 Genesis 2: The Core System
- 1.7 Genesis 2 (with Sonic the Hedgehog 2)
- 1.8 Genesis 2: NFL Pack
- 1.9 Genesis 2 (with The Lion King)
- 1.10 Genesis 2 (with Sub-Terrania and Sonic the Hedgehog 3)
- 1.11 Genesis 2 (with 6-Pak)
- 1.12 Genesis 2: The Core System (Majesco re-release)
- 1.13 Genesis 3
United States
Genesis (with Altered Beast)
The first release of the Genesis console, which was bundled with the arcade conversion of Altered Beast, one of the more popular arcade titles of the time.
Front of box
Back of box
Genesis (with Sonic the Hedgehog)
Like other regions, the Genesis was bundled with the first Sonic the Hedgehog game.
Front of box
Back of box
Genesis: Sonic System
The above Sonic bundle must have been a success for Sega, as they decided to repackage the product under the name "Sonic System". It is currently unknown if there are any other changes.
Front of box
Genesis: The Core System
During 1991, Sega released a bare-bones bundle after the Altered Beast package. "The Core System" contains nothing but the console, cables and a controller.
Front of box
Back of box
Genesis: Fighting System
A bundle containing Streets of Rage 2, which was released in early 1993.
Front of box
Genesis 2: The Core System
When the redesigned Genesis 2 came into production, packaging for both consoles and games adopted the new red/black color scheme. As with the model 1, "The Core System" contains nothing but the console, cables and one controller.
- SGen2TCS US Box Front.jpg
Front of box
Genesis 2 (with Sonic the Hedgehog 2)
A Genesis 2 bundle containing Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Front of box
Back of box
Genesis 2: NFL Pack
A Genesis 2 bundle containing NFL '95. For many of these bundles, the standard core system box was used with added stickers.
Front of box
Genesis 2 (with The Lion King)
A Genesis 2 bundle containing The Lion King.
Genesis 2 (with Sub-Terrania and Sonic the Hedgehog 3)
Both Sub-Terrania and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 were included in this Genesis 2 package.
Front of box
Genesis 2 (with 6-Pak)
A bundle containing the 6-Pak compilation was released in 1995, during the latter part of the system's lifetime.
Front of box
Genesis 2: The Core System (Majesco re-release)
After Majesco obtained the rights to distribute older Sega consoles in the US during 1997, they re-released this Core System bundle. It is almost identical to Sega's, though the back of the box talks about more recent games. The front of the box can be identified as one of Majesco's if the text reads "Great Games Available!". Original Core System bundles read "500+ Games Available!". It may have been foolish to claim 500+ Genesis games were still coming out of Sega's factories as late as 1997, although over 500 had been released up to that point.
Front of box
Back of box
Genesis 3
- Main Article: Genesis 3
Majesco also released a cut-down version of the console in 1998, titled the Genesis 3. Removal of certain lines on the cartridge port and the removal of the expansion port made it incompatible with many of the add-ons and as it was released so late, it failed to sell well.