Difference between revisions of "Sega Mega-CD"

From Sega Retro
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{{ConsoleBob
 
{{ConsoleBob
−
| logos=[[File:Mega CD Japanese logo.png|180px]]
+
| | logo=Mega CD Japanese logo.png|180px]]
 
| consoleimage=MegaCD JP 2.jpg
 
| consoleimage=MegaCD JP 2.jpg
−
| imgwidth=140px
 
 
| consoleimage2=MegaCD2 JP 2.jpg
 
| consoleimage2=MegaCD2 JP 2.jpg
−
| imgwidth2=180px
 
 
| name=
 
| name=
 
| maker=[[Sega]]
 
| maker=[[Sega]]
Line 10: Line 8:
 
| processor=
 
| processor=
 
| releases={{releasesMCD
 
| releases={{releasesMCD
−
| mcd_date_jp=1991-12-12
+
| mcd_date_jp=1991-12-12{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20181116043414/https://sega.jp/history/hard/mega-cd/index.html}}
−
| mcd_rrp_jp=49,800
+
| mcd_rrp_jp=49,800e{{magref|bemega|1991-12|3}}{{magref|mdfan|25|2}}
−
| mcd_date_us=1992-10-15
+
| mcd_code_jp=HAA-2910
−
| mcd_rrp_us=299.99
+
| mcd_date_us=1992-11-11{{ref|StarTribune_US_1992-11-12_page_6D.jpg}}{{ref|https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/XvPwfE1474Q/m/jq2meR-ZaokJ}}
−
| mcd_date_uk=1993-04-02 {{fileref|CVG UK 138.pdf|page=8}}
+
| mcd_rrp_us=299.95{{magref|sv|9|6}}
−
| mcd_rrp_uk=269.99 {{fileref|CVG UK 138.pdf|page=8}}
+
| mcd_code_us=1690
 +
| mcd_date_as=199x
 +
| mcd_code_as=1690-11
 +
| mcd_date_uk=1993-04-02{{magref|cvg|138|8}}<!--1993-04-03{{magref|megatech|16|6}}-->
 +
| mcd_rrp_uk=269.99{{magref|cvg|138|8}}
 +
| mcd_code_uk=1690-18
 
| mcd_date_it=1993-04
 
| mcd_date_it=1993-04
−
| mcd_date_au=1993-04-19
+
| mcd_code_it=1690-18
−
| mcd_rrp_au=
+
| mcd_date_au=1993
 +
| mcd_rrp_au=699
 +
| mcd_code_au=1690-18
 
| mcd_date_se=1993-05-27
 
| mcd_date_se=1993-05-27
 
| mcd_rrp_se=3,495
 
| mcd_rrp_se=3,495
−
| mcd_date_br=199x
+
| mcd_code_se=1690-18
 +
| mcd_date_br=1993-10<!-- first week -->{{magref|vg|31|6}}
 
| mcd_date_kr=1993-03
 
| mcd_date_kr=1993-03
 
| mcd_code_kr=SPC200CR
 
| mcd_code_kr=SPC200CR
 
| mcd_rrp_kr=398,000
 
| mcd_rrp_kr=398,000
−
| mcd_date_de=1993-09
+
| mcd_date_de=1993-09{{magref|megafun|1993-09|30}}
−
| mcd_rrp_de=530
+
| mcd_rrp_de=529.00{{magref|megafun|1993-09|30}}
 +
| mcd_code_de=MK-4102-50
 
| mcd_date_es=1993-09
 
| mcd_date_es=1993-09
 +
| mcd_code_es=MK-4102-50
 
| mcd_date_fr=1993-09
 
| mcd_date_fr=1993-09
−
| mcd_rrp_fr=1,990
+
| mcd_rrp_fr=1,990{{magref|playerone|34|53}}
 +
| mcd_code_fr=MK-4102-50
 
| mcd_date_tw=199x
 
| mcd_date_tw=199x
 +
| mcd_date_ru=1994
 +
| mcd_date_si=1993-11
 +
| mcd_date_sa=199x{{magref|alaabalc|1|12}}
 +
| mcd_rrp_sa=900{{magref|alaabalc|1|12}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
The '''Sega Mega-CD''' (メガＣＤ), known as the '''Sega CD''' in North America and Brazil, and '''CD Aladdin Boy''' (CD 알라딘 보이) in South Korea, is a hardware add-on developed by [[Sega]] for the [[Sega Mega Drive]]. As the names suggest, it allows a Mega Drive to run compact discs, be it proprietary Mega CD software, audio CDs or [[CD plus G|CD+G]] discs. It also acts as an upgrade to the Mega Drive hardware, sporting an extra processor and extra RAM. The Mega CD was first released in 1991 and was supported alongside regular Mega Drive cartridges.
+
<section begin=intro />The '''Mega-CD''' (メガＣＤ), known as the '''Sega CD''' in North America and Brazil, and '''CD Aladdin Boy''' (CD 알라딘 보이) in South Korea, is a hardware add-on developed by [[Sega]] for the [[Mega Drive]].
 +
 
 +
As the names suggest, it allows a Mega Drive to run compact discs, be it proprietary Mega-CD software, audio CDs or [[CD plus G|CD+G]] discs. It also acts as an upgrade to the Mega Drive hardware, sporting an extra processor and extra RAM. The Mega-CD was first released in 1991 and was supported alongside regular Mega Drive cartridges.<section end=intro />
  
 
==Hardware==
 
==Hardware==
−
The Mega CD comes in many forms, but in all cases the hardware adds the capability of reading compact discs, technology which in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was becoming a more affordable storage option than the traditional video game ROM cartridge of previous console generations.
+
The Mega-CD comes in many forms, but in all cases the hardware adds the capability of reading compact discs, technology which in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was becoming a more affordable storage option than the traditional video game ROM cartridge of previous console generations.
  
−
A traditional Mega CD does not act as a stand-alone unit, and needs to be hooked up to a Mega Drive via the expansion port located on the right hand side of the console. Mega CDs do, however, require their own [[AC adaptor]], meaning that in order to play Mega CD games, two sockets will be occupied by the upgraded console.
+
A traditional Mega-CD does not act as a stand-alone unit, and needs to be hooked up to a Mega Drive via the expansion port located on the right hand side of the console. Mega-CDs do, however, require their own [[AC adaptor]], meaning that in order to play Mega-CD games, two sockets will be occupied by the upgraded console.
  
−
Though one would expect the Mega CD to simply give the Mega Drive access to compact discs, it in fact adds extra processors, memory and audio features as well, all of which can only be utilised by CD software. The Mega CD does not, however, solve the issue of graphics, which aside from the ability to scale and rotate sprites on the fly, remain identical to the standard Mega Drive system.
+
Though one would expect the Mega-CD to simply give the Mega Drive access to compact discs, it in fact adds extra processors, memory and audio features as well, all of which can only be utilised by CD software. The Mega-CD does not, however, solve the issue of graphics, which aside from the ability to scale and rotate sprites on the fly, remain identical to the standard Mega Drive system.
  
−
The Mega CD also offers stereo sound RCA connectors. The Mega Drive on its own will output a monaural audio signal to the television, with stereo only being available through the headphone port located at the front of the console. An external connection from the Mega Drive to the Mega CD will allow all games to play through the television in stereo.
+
The Mega-CD also offers stereo sound RCA connectors. The Mega Drive on its own will output a monaural audio signal to the television, with stereo only being available through the headphone port located at the front of the console. An external connection from the Mega Drive to the Mega-CD will allow all games to play through the television in stereo.
  
−
The Mega CD can be used in conjunction with a [[Sega 32X]] to run one of the six [[Sega Mega-CD 32X]] games. Alternatively it can be used to just play regular 5-inch or 3-inch audio CDs.
+
The Mega-CD can be used in conjunction with a [[Sega 32X]] to run one of the six [[Sega Mega-CD 32X]] games. Alternatively it can be used to just play regular 5-inch or 3-inch audio CDs or [[CD+G]] discs. Strictly speaking the Mega-CD does not need a television to function as a CD player, as the audio can controlled with button combinations{{fileref|SegaCD1 US Manual.pdf|page=12}}{{fileref|SegaCD2 US Manual.pdf}}.
 +
 
 +
===Models===
 +
{{MainArticle|Mega-CD consoles}}
  
−
===Official Variants===
 
 
Like the Mega Drive, there were two major revisions of the add-on by Sega and several special combination units.
 
Like the Mega Drive, there were two major revisions of the add-on by Sega and several special combination units.
  
−
====Mega CD====
+
====Mega-CD====
−
The original Mega CD utilises a CD tray, and sits underneath the Mega Drive (or Mega Drive 2). It is a reasonably large add-on designed to be permanently attached to the console at all times.
+
The original Mega-CD utilises a CD tray, and sits underneath the Mega Drive (or Mega Drive 2). It is a reasonably large add-on designed to be permanently attached to the console at all times.
 +
 
 
<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px">
 
<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px">
−
MCD JP.jpg|Japanese
+
MCD JP.jpg|Japanese model
−
MegaCD US 1.jpg|North American
+
MegaCD US 1.jpg|North American model
−
MCD EU.jpg|European/Australian
+
MCD EU.jpg|European/Australian model
−
CD AlladinBoy KR.jpg|South Korean
+
CD AlladinBoy KR.jpg|South Korean model
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
<gallery widths="105px" heights="80px">
 
<gallery widths="105px" heights="80px">
 
MegaCD JP 2.jpg|JP (Mega Drive)
 
MegaCD JP 2.jpg|JP (Mega Drive)
−
Notavailable.svg|JP (Mega Drive 2)
+
MCD JP MD2.jpg|JP (Mega Drive 2)
 
MegaCD US 2.jpg|US (Genesis)
 
MegaCD US 2.jpg|US (Genesis)
−
Notavailable.svg|US (Genesis (2))
+
MCD US MD2.jpg|US (Genesis (2))
 
SegaCD.jpg|EU (Mega Drive)
 
SegaCD.jpg|EU (Mega Drive)
 
Notavailable.svg|EU (Mega Drive II)
 
Notavailable.svg|EU (Mega Drive II)
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
====Mega CD 2====
+
====Mega-CD 2====
−
A cost-reduced model of the Mega CD was produced and released around the same period as the cost-reduced Mega Drive 2. This version sits on the right hand side of the Mega Drive, though continues to act as a new base for the console, and is a top-loading device. Fewer mechanical parts means less is likely to go wrong with a Mega CD 2, and is designed to look sleeker and more appealing. The Mega CD 2 is designed primarily with the Mega Drive 2 in mind, however a plastic extension piece was included to add extra support with an original Mega Drive attached.
+
A cost-reduced model of the Mega-CD was produced and released around the same period as the cost-reduced Mega Drive 2. In Japan, the system debuted on the 23rd April, 1993{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233011*/http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/mcd/mcd2.html}}, with a US release around [[Summer CES 1993]] and August 1993 for Europe{{magref|sfm|5|19}}.
 +
 
 +
This version sits on the right hand side of the Mega Drive, though continues to act as a new base for the console, and is a top-loading device. Fewer mechanical parts means less is likely to go wrong with a Mega-CD 2, and is designed to look sleeker and more appealing. The Mega-CD 2 is designed primarily with the Mega Drive 2 in mind, however a plastic extension piece was included to add extra support with an original Mega Drive attached.
 +
 
 +
As part of the cost-cutting measures, only one (red) LED is used to communicate the state of the console, and the clip on the left-hand side (to keep the lead of connected headphones or speakers out of the way) has been removed (least because the redesigned Mega Drive 2 always outputs in stereo).
 +
 
 
<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px">
 
<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px">
−
MCD2 JP.jpg|Japanese/Asian
+
MCD2 JP.jpg|Japanese/Asian model
−
MegaCD2 US 1.jpg|North American/Brazillian
+
MegaCD2 US 1.jpg|North American/Brazilian model
−
MegaCD2 EU 1.jpg|European/Australian
+
MegaCD2 EU 1.jpg|European/Australian model
−
CDAladdinBoyII KR.jpg|South Korean
+
CDAladdinBoyII KR.jpg|South Korean model
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
<gallery widths="105px" heights="80px">
 
<gallery widths="105px" heights="80px">
−
Notavailable.svg|JP (Mega Drive)
+
MCD2 JP MD1.jpg|JP (Mega Drive)
 
MegaCD2 JP 2.jpg|JP (Mega Drive 2)
 
MegaCD2 JP 2.jpg|JP (Mega Drive 2)
 
MCD2 US MD1.jpg|US (Genesis)
 
MCD2 US MD1.jpg|US (Genesis)
Line 87: Line 110:
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
====Mega Drive Combos: JVC Wondermega/X'eye, Pioneer LaserActive, Sega Multi-Mega, and Aiwa Mega CD====
+
====Mega Drive combos: JVC Wondermega/X'eye, Pioneer LaserActive, Sega Multi-Mega, and Aiwa Mega CD====
−
:''Main articles: [[Wondermega]], [[LaserActive]], [[Sega Multi-Mega]], [[Aiwa Mega CD|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.
+
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.
  
−
===Development Systems===
+
===Technical specifications===
−
[[File:Devmegacd.jpg|thumb|right|A SNASM Mega CD development unit.]]
+
{{mainArticle|Sega Mega-CD/Technical specifications}}
−
====Cross Products SNASM Mega CD====
+
:''See also [[Sega Mega Drive/Technical specifications]].''
−
The SNASM Mega CD is a fully featured debugging system developed by Cross Products and officially licensed by Sega for Mega CD debugging and development. Its features include a debugging interface through a port on the rear of the system as well as CD-ROM emulation through a proprietary SCSI card. The system contains a modified boot-rom which includes all used region combinations for localized debugging.  Also available to developers are a number of controls for both the main and sub 68000 CPUs in the Mega CD. The SNASM Mega CD is used with the SNASM2 family of development programs and Cross Products's SN Server.
 
  
−
====Psygnosis PsyQ Mega CD SDK====
+
==History==
−
[[Psygnosis]], a prominent 3rd party developer, developed their own tools for use with the systems which they developed for, including the Mega CD. The PsyQ development software includes the popular ASM68K and can be used with the Cross Products Mega CD.
+
{{MainArticle|History of the Sega Mega-CD}}
  
−
===Technical Specifications===
+
==Games==
−
The following Sega CD specifications are upgrades over the [[Sega Mega Drive#Technical Specifications|Sega Mega Drive technical specifications]].
+
{{MainArticle|Mega-CD games}}
−
 
+
{{BulletPointGameList|MCD}}
−
====CPU====
 
−
{{multicol|
 
−
* Main CPU: Motorola [[68000]] 16-bit processor running at 12.5 MHz
 
−
** ''Same as the Mega Drive/Genesis. Acts as a coprocessor along with the Genesis CPU. One must note that the Genesis clock speed is slower (7.67 MHz)''
 
−
* Instruction set: 16-bit and 32-bit instructions, 16 registers
 
−
* Instruction performance:  2.19&nbsp;[[wikipedia:Instructions per second|MIPS]]
 
−
}}
 
  
−
====Graphics====
+
==Production credits==
−
{{multicol|
+
{{creditstable|
−
* Graphics Processor: Custom ASIC
+
*'''Designer:''' Mega Master{{magref|mdfan|19|114}}
−
* Number of simultaneous [[palette|colors]] on screen: 64 (Using programming tricks, this limit is increased to 128 colors via raster effects)
+
*[[Taku Matsubara]]{{magref|harmony|130|18}}
−
** 128 colors can also be displayed on screen using [[wikipedia:Hold-And-Modify|HAM]] techniques{{ref|http://tinyurl.com/p352qj9}}
+
*[[Hiroyuki Ohtaka]]{{ref|https://www.facebook.com/hiroyuki.ohtaka/about_work_and_education}}  
−
* On-screen colors available in Cinepak and TruVideo modes: 128 to 256 colors
+
*[[Masaki Kawahori]]{{ref|1=https://jglobal.jst.go.jp/detail?JGLOBAL_ID=201103088763400954}}
−
* Video size from 1/4 to full screen
+
*'''BIOS Screen Programmer:''' [[Dehehe]]{{magref|mdfan|24|93}}
−
* Advanced compression scheme
+
*'''BIOS Screen Music Composer:''' [[Masafumi Ogata]]{{intref|Sega Archives - M2 Music Memorial -}}
−
* Software-based upgrade
+
| source=Various sources
−
* [[Sprite]]s/[[wikipedia:Tile engine|Tilemaps]]: The Mega CD features enhancement effects such as scaling and rotation, similar to that of the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom "Mode 7". While Mode 7 only supports the scaling and rotation of tilemap backgrounds, the Sega CD supports the scaling and rotation of both the sprites and the tilemap backgrounds. {{ref|http://www.angelfire.com/ny/dezmoowu/Sega/progscd.txt}}
+
| console=MCD
−
* 3D polygon capabilities:
 
−
** Geometry performance: Up to 3,333&nbsp;polygons/sec
 
−
** Rendering performance: 960&nbsp;polygons/sec {{ref|https://youtu.be/Vyme7CT04cw}}
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
====Audio====
+
==Magazine articles==
−
{{multicol|
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
−
''The Mega CD adds 10 sound channels to the 10 provided by the Mega Drive's sound chips.''
 
  
−
* CD Digital Audio
+
==Promotional material==
−
** 2-channel stereo
+
{{mainArticle|Sega Mega-CD/Promotional material}}
−
** 44.1 kHz sampling rate
 
−
** 16-bit PCM audio depth
 
−
* Ricoh [[RF5C164]] PCM chip provides 8 sound channels:
 
−
** Sound format: 8-bit sign/magnitude monaural PCM (with "stereo" support by allowing each channel to have different volumes on both left and right channels)
 
−
** Maximum sample rate: 32 kHz
 
−
** PCM audio depth: 16-bit{{ref|http://www.angelfire.com/ny/dezmoowu/Sega/progscd.txt}}
 
  
−
Other specifications:
+
==Logos by regions==
−
* 16-bit DAC
+
{|class="prettytable sortable" style="background: #f2f2f2;"
−
* 8x internal over-sampling digital filter
 
−
* Frequency Range: 20 Hz - 20 KHz
 
−
* Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 90 dB @ 1K
 
−
* Channel Separation: > 90 dB
 
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* Input: Mixer cable for Genesis Model 1 compatibility.
 
−
* Output: Stereo [[RCA jack|RCA]] connectors.
 
−
}}
 
−
 
 
−
====Memory====
 
−
{{multicol|
 
−
* System [[RAM]]: 856&nbsp;KB {{ref|http://console5.com/techwiki/images/1/16/Mega-CD_Maintenance_Manual%2C_Export%2C_August%2C_1992%2C_Rev_A.pdf}}
 
−
** Main RAM: 4&nbsp;[[Bit|Mbit]] (512&nbsp;KB)
 
−
** [[VRAM]]: 2&nbsp;Mbit (256&nbsp;KB)
 
−
** PCM audio samples: 512&nbsp;[[Bit|Kbit]] (64&nbsp;KB)
 
−
** CD-ROM data cache: 128&nbsp;Kbit (16&nbsp;KB)
 
−
** Internal Backup RAM: 64&nbsp;Kbit (8&nbsp;KB)
 
−
* System [[BIOS|Boot ROM]]: 1&nbsp;Mbit (128 KB)
 
−
* External Memory Card: 1&nbsp;Mbit (128&nbsp;KB) [[CD BackUp RAM Cart]]
 
−
* System RAM bandwidth: 59.6&nbsp;MB/sec (16-bit) {{ref|http://console5.com/techwiki/images/1/16/Mega-CD_Maintenance_Manual%2C_Export%2C_August%2C_1992%2C_Rev_A.pdf}}
 
−
** Main RAM: 23.84&nbsp;MB/sec (12.5&nbsp;MHz, [[wikipedia:FPM DRAM|FPM&nbsp;DRAM]]) {{fileref|TC511664B datasheet.pdf}}
 
−
** VRAM: 11.92&nbsp;MB/sec (6.25&nbsp;MHz, [[wikipedia:PSRAM|PSRAM]]) {{fileref|TC51832 datasheet.pdf}}
 
−
** Audio RAM: 23.84&nbsp;MB/sec (12.5&nbsp;MHz, [[SRAM]]) {{ref|http://data.datasheetlib.com/pdf1/73/30/733038/mb8464a-10l_e1cb591058.pdf}}
 
−
}}
 
−
 
 
−
====Storage====
 
−
{{multicol|
 
−
* 500 MB CD-ROM discs (equivalent to 62 min of audio data)
 
−
* Access time: 800 [[wikipedia:Microsecond|ms]]
 
−
* 1/4 screen B/W footage video: 1.5 to 4 hours
 
−
* 1/4 screen color footage: 45 minutes
 
−
* CD-ROM drive transfer rate: 150 Kbytes/s (1x)
 
−
''(Above specs prior to compression)''
 
−
}}
 
−
 
 
−
====[[BIOS|Boot ROM]]====
 
−
* Size: 1 Mb (128 KB)
 
−
* Used for games, CD player, CD+G viewing, karaoke (limited to Japanese systems) and regional lockout
 
−
* Region codes: "NA" <nowiki>=</nowiki> North America (NTSC), "EU" <nowiki>=</nowiki> Europe (PAL)
 
−
 
 
−
{| class="prettytable"
 
−
|+ Boot ROM Revisions
 
−
|-
 
−
! width="50"| Boot ROM Version
 
−
! Machine
 
−
! Download
 
−
! CRC32
 
−
|-
 
−
| rowspan="2"| 0.98
 
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| rowspan="2"| Pioneer LaserActive
 
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| {{file|Us lsr 930329.zip|0.98 (NA)}}
 
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| 8c3e3945
 
−
|-
 
−
| {{file|Jp lsr 930329.zip|0.98 (Asia)}}
 
−
| 9f5771d2
 
−
|-
 
−
| rowspan="9"| 1.00
 
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| rowspan="9"| Sega/Mega CD Model 1<br/>Victor WonderMega 1 (Asia)<br/>Sega WonderMega (Asia)
 
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| {{file|BIOS Mega CD Japan 1.00g.7z|1.00g (Asia, NTSC)}}
 
−
| 3beb1ac2
 
−
|-
 
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| {{file|BIOS Mega CD Japan 1.00l.md.zip|1.00l (Asia, NTSC)}}
 
−
| f18dde5b
 
−
|-
 
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| {{file|BIOS Mega CD Japan v1.00o.7z|1.00o (Asia, NTSC)}}
 
−
| 1d9756a3
 
−
|-
 
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| {{file|Jp mcd1 911217.zip|1.00p (Asia, NTSC)}}
 
−
| 9d2da8f2
 
−
|-
 
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| {{file|BIOS Mega CD Japan 1.00S.md.zip|1.00s (Asia, NTSC)}}
 
−
| 79f85384
 
−
|-
 
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| {{file|Jp mcd1 911228.zip|1.00s (Asia, PAL)}}
 
−
| 550f30bb
 
−
|-
 
−
| {{file|Jp wmg 920206.zip|1.00w (Sega WonderMega Bios)}}
 
−
| d21fe71d
 
−
|-
 
−
| {{file|BIOS Sega CD USA 1.00.md.zip|1.00 (NA)}}
 
−
| e7e3afe2
 
−
|-
 
−
| {{file|Eu mcd1 921027.zip|1.00 (EU)}}
 
−
| 529ac15a
 
−
|-
 
−
| 1.04
 
−
| Pioneer LaserActive
 
−
| {{file|Us mld 930922.zip|1.04 (NA)}}
 
−
| 2ed602d7
 
−
|-
 
−
| 1.05
 
−
| Pioneer LaserActive
 
−
| {{file|Jp lsr 930810.zip|1.05 (Asia)}}
 
−
| b24b919d
 
−
|-
 
−
| 1.10
 
−
| Sega CD Model 1 (minor update)
 
−
| {{file|Us scd1 921011.zip|1.10 (NA)}}
 
−
| c6d10268
 
−
|-
 
−
| rowspan="7"| 2.00
 
−
| rowspan="7"| Sega/Mega CD 2<br/>Victor WonderMega 2 (Asia)<br/>JVC X'Eye (NA)
 
−
| {{file|Us scd2 930314.zip|2.00 (1<sup>st</sup> NA version)}}
 
−
| 8af65f58
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| {{file|Us scd2 930601.zip|2.00w (2<sup>nd</sup> NA version)}}
+
! style="width:100px;" style="text-align: center;" |'''Logo'''
−
| 9f6f6276
+
! style="width:100px;" style="text-align: center;" |'''Region'''
 +
|- style="background: silver;"
 
|-
 
|-
−
| {{file|Jp mcd2 921222.zip|2.00c (Asian version)}}
+
|<gallery>Mega CD Japanese logo.png</gallery>
−
| dd6cc972
+
|Used in Japan, Asia and parts of Eastern Europe
 
|-
 
|-
−
| {{file|Eu mcd2 930330.zip|2.00 (1<sup>st</sup> EU version)}}
+
|<gallery>Sega CD logo USA.png</gallery>
−
| 0507b590
+
|Used in North and South America
 
|-
 
|-
−
| {{file|Eu mcd2 930601.zip|2.00w (2<sup>nd</sup> EU version)}}
+
|<gallery>Mega CD logo EU.png</gallery>
−
| 4d5cb8da
+
|Used in Western and Eastern Europe, Asia,<br> Africa, Australasia
 
|-
 
|-
−
| {{file|Us xeye 931227.zip|2.00 (X'Eye)}}
 
−
| 290f8e33
 
−
|-
 
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| {{file|Wondermega 2.00 Bios.zip|2.00 (Wondermega)}}
 
−
| 2b19972f<sup>1</sup>
 
−
|-
 
−
| rowspan="2"| 2.11
 
−
| rowspan="2" | Sega/Mega CD 2, Aiwa CSD G1M (Japan)
 
−
| {{file|Us scd2 930621.zip|2.11w (NA)}}
 
−
| 2e49d72c
 
−
|-
 
−
| {{file|Aiwa_CSD_GM1_Bios.zip|2.11c (JP)}}
 
−
| 12154531
 
−
|-
 
−
| rowspan="2"| 2.21
 
−
| rowspan="2"| Sega Multimega (Europe & Japan), CDX (North America), Linguaphone Education Gear (Japan)
 
−
| {{file|Eu mmg 930916.zip|2.21x (MultiMega, EU)}}
 
−
| aacb851e
 
−
|-
 
−
| {{file|Us cdx 930907.zip|2.21x (CDX)}}
 
−
| d48c44b5
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
<sup>1</sup> The ZIP file contains two dumps, a "good" dump and a "bad" dump. The "bad" dump has an incorrect HINT vector, but is otherwise identical to the "good" dump. The CRC32 listed here is for the "good" dump.
+
==Patents==
−
====Other====
 
−
Dimensions: 301mm x 212.5 x 112.5<br/>
 
−
Weight: 1.4 kg (3.1 lbs)
 
−
 
 
−
==History==
 
−
===Development===
 
−
Sega's plan had always been to release add-ons for the Mega Drive, and had in fact tested this concept with the earlier [[SG-1000 II]] and [[Sega Mark III]] consoles, however in 1988 it was widely believed the console's expansion port would be used by a [[Mega Drive Floppy Disk Drive]], revealed quite late into the Mega Drive's development. Alongside it, a keyboard and tablet suggesting a similar relationship to the older [[SG-1000]] and [[SC-3000]] - if you could turn your dedicated games console into a home computer, it could win over some potential customers of 16-bit home computers.
 
−
 
 
−
Neither of these accessories were released, but the Mega Drive continued to be manufactured with an expansion slot for the future. And when [[NEC]] released its CD-ROM² add-on for its PC Engine in December 1988, the future started to resemble the idea of playing video games from optical disc. A CD-ROM could be produced with far more digital storage capacity than a ROM cartridge, and at a vastly reduced price - the only expense being longer loading times. And so, Sega embarked on a CD-ROM upgrade for their Mega Drive console, the Sega Mega-CD.
 
−
 
 
−
[[Tomio Takami]] oversaw a group tasked with producing the Mega-CD, initially as a device that could match the performance of the CD-ROM² and sell for about ¥20,000{{fileref|EGM US 029.pdf|page=115}}. It was set to have twice the memory, but looking into the CD-ROM² console further, a number of flaws were discovered that Sega hoped to rectify. A string of decisions were made - Sega wanted hardware scaling and rotation of sprites, which meant a new chip. This in-turn caused bottlenecks for the Mega Drive's [[Motorola 68000]] CPU, and so another 68000-series CPU, clocked at a higher rate, was included to handle the extra tasks{{fileref|EGM US 029.pdf|page=122}}.
 
−
 
 
−
Learning that the updated Super CD-ROM² standard being worked on for the PC Engine may have included a further 2-4 megabits (256kB-512kB) of RAM, Sega then chose to raise their amount to 6Mb (768kB). All these changes hiked up the cost considerably, but internal research suggested this might not affect sales significantly{{fileref|EGM US 029.pdf|page=122}}.
 
−
 
 
−
Internally the Mega-CD project was a closely guarded secret, to the extent that Japan refused to send development CD drives to the US on fears of the project being leaked{{fileref|UltimateHistoryofVideoGames Book US.pdf|page=465}}. It was also boasted as being almost an entirely new and more capable system than the Mega Drive, but it quickly became apparent that in reality, it was just a mass storage device with a few extras{{fileref|UltimateHistoryofVideoGames Book US.pdf|page=466}}.
 
−
 
 
−
On the first day of the [[Tokyo Toy Show 1991]] (1991-06-01), Sega showed the device to the world{{fileref|EGM US 025.pdf|page=36}}. 27 third-party companies signed up for Mega-CD development, with three titles (with vague descriptions) planned for the Japanese release - Autumn 1991.
 
−
 
 
−
Sega weren't the only company to announced CD-ROM-based consoles that day. NEC unveiled their TurboDuo system (and Super CD-ROM² add-on) and [[Nintendo]] and [[Philips]] were talking about the CD-i. Also in the air were rumours about a possible Neo Geo CD unit, all of which would end up competing with Sega's device{{fileref|EGM US 025.pdf|page=38}}. Sega may have also demonstrated the system's capability with a specifically made demo disc{{fileref|EGM US 026.pdf|page=38}} - whether it appeared at the Tokyo Toy Show is not known, but it was certainly shown not long afterwards.
 
−
 
 
−
===Release===
 
−
====Japan====
 
−
The Sega Mega-CD was released first in Japan on December 12, 1991. Its retail price was ¥49,800 and had two launch titles, both third party and both Sharp X68000 ports: [[Wolf Team]]'s ''[[Sol-Feace]]'' and [[Micronet]]'s ''[[Heavy Nova]]''.
 
−
 
 
−
Sega initially pushed the Mega-CD by calling for developers, especially X68000 and other home computer developers, to bring their games to the system. Third-party support was dominated by [[Telenet Japan]] and its web of subsidiaries during this time period, with other computer developers or developers with notable titles like Micronet, [[Sur de Wave]] (''[[Nostalgia 1907]]''), [[Kogado Studio]] (''[[Mega Schwarzschild]]''), [[Compile]], and [[Game Arts]] stepping on. Game Arts went a step further by releasing ''[[Lunar: The Silver Star]]'' as an exclusive for the system. Sega themselves tried to bring a mix of original titles (''[[Panic!]]'', ''[[Pro Yakyuu Super League CD]]'') and home computer ports (''[[SimEarth]]'', ''Mega Schwarzschild'') to the mix as well.
 
−
 
 
−
The Mega-CD was not particularly chosen as a target by arcade developers for ports, even by Sega themselves; only [[Taito]] really supported the system (and even then, only with a handful of ports, half of which were done by Wolf Team). [[Namco]] and [[Data East]], two of the biggest contributors to the Mega Drive library, hardly released anything at all on the expansion (Namco only released ''[[StarBlade]]'', Data East only had two, both by Wolf Team). Instead, more attention was given to Sega's main rival, NEC and the three CD formats of its PC Engine family, a move which saw the Mega-CD lag far behind in this early compact disc games market (a situation practically reversed in North America).
 
−
 
 
−
Victor Musical Industries turned out to be one of the most important Sega third-parties by also dedicating themselves to supporting the system hardware. They developed the [[Wondermega]] unit, which not only combined a Mega Drive with a Mega CD, but also added features such as MIDI support, as well as special software like ''[[Wonder Library]]'' and ''[[Wonder MIDI]]'' that took advantage of these features. To promote their Wonder-branded Mega-CD ecosystem, Victor created a mascot, ''Wonder Dog''. Victor also brought many overseas games to Japan, going so far as to work with British developer [[Core Design]] on a [[Wonder Dog|''Wonder Dog'' game]] for the system (which was also ported to the Amiga, Core Design's main release platform).
 
−
 
 
−
By mid-1993, however, it became clear that the Mega Drive was on its way out, and the Mega-CD's popularity started to wane with it. Telenet Japan dropped all Sega support outright, and though a proliferation of other third-party publishers followed, only Victor Musical Industries continued to release many games. Sega's own first-party support also started to wane; despite big releases like ''[[Popful Mail]]'', Sega wound up spending the last year of the system's life releasing its American FMV games en masse.
 
−
 
 
−
The system sold 100,000 units during the first year of release in Japan. However, cost issues prevented more units from being sold. Despite these, the system was supported and received games until 1996, the last being ''[[Shadowrun (Mega CD)|Shadowrun]]''.
 
−
 
 
−
====North America====
 
−
Sega of Japan did not speak to Sega of America about their Mega CD plans for that market until a few months after the Tokyo Toy Show in Japan. The renamed "Sega CD" was announced at the Chicago CES in Summer 1992, seeing a release in October of the same year.
 
−
 
 
−
Though initially a success, an expensive launch price of $299.99 (far more than a Sega Genesis console during this period) saw the Sega CD be largely ignored by American consumers over its lifespan. Contrary to the Japanese approach, Sega of America focused heavily on [[full motion video]] (FMV) games, a genre "invented" by the advent of the compact disc, which ultimately proved unpopular due to the forced restrictions on player interaction. More "traditional" games did little to justify their inflated price tags - the CD version of ''[[Ecco the Dolphin]]'' for example is almost identical to its cartridge counterpart bar an improved soundtrack.
 
−
 
 
−
The Sega CD's later-than-planned release was also met with other problems - competition from the CD-i, 3DO, Atari Jaguar CD and the Neo Geo CD all emerged during the early-to-mid 1990s, and when combined with the already trading TurboGrafx-CD and more modern IBM PCs starting to utilise CD technology, the Sega CD lacked an edge. Furthermore, the 64-colour graphics hindered the FMV craze - better versions of games could often be found elsewhere.
 
−
 
 
−
For about half a year, "model 1" Sega CD complete with disc tray was made available. To help justify its large price tag, Sega of America bundled the system with reportedly $300's worth of software - a two disc set containing ''[[Sega Classics Arcade Collection]]'' (with ''[[Golden Axe]]'', ''[[Streets of Rage]]'', ''[[Columns]]'', and ''[[The Revenge of Shinobi]]'') and ''[[Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Vol. I]]'' and a separate box for ''[[Sol-Feace]]'', totalling what Sega of America called "five games". Also included was a CD+G disc and new music sampler audio CD; ''[[Rock Paintings/Hot Hits]]'', used to merely demonstrate the CD technology.
 
−
 
 
−
As prices for the system dropped and the redesigned Sega CD "model 2" hit store shelves in mid-1993, the bundled games changed, ''[[Sewer Shark]]'' being the most common pack-in. Systems such as the [[X'Eye]] and [[CDX]] were also made available during 1993/1994.
 
−
 
 
−
CD technology as a whole was hindered in the early 90s by slow disc reading speeds, the side effect being long loading times. CD-based games did not catch on in North America until late 1995, with the advent of the [[Sega Saturn]] and Sony PlayStation.
 
−
 
 
−
The Sega CD was dropped entirely in early 1996 as efforts were diverted to the Saturn{{fileref|NextGeneration US 15.pdf|page=21}}.
 
−
 
 
−
====Europe====
 
−
Similarly to the Mega Drive, the Mega CD was delayed, arriving in Europe sixteen months after the Japanese model. In the United Kingdom the system launched in early April 1993 (having moved from a tentative "autumn 1992" release date{{fileref|MeanMachines UK 20.pdf|page=14}}), selling for a pricy £269.99 (putting it well ahead of the Mega Drive's launch, which in late 1990 went for £189.99 (and included ''[[Altered Beast]]''). In the UK, ''[[Sega Classics Arcade Collection]]'' and ''[[Sol-Feace]]/[[Cobra Command]]'' were included as pack-ins. Italy which launched around the same period, did not include ''Sega Classics Arcade Collection''.
 
−
 
 
−
The delays in both hardware and software caused numerous problems, most notably conflicting with events in Japan, where the cost-reduced Mega CD 2 was announced ''before'' the older Mega CD models hit European shores. As the Mega CD 2 (renamed the Mega CD II for Europe) was expected to be less expensive, many held out for a cheaper deal towards Christmas 1993, and as a result, out of the 70,000 Mega CDs initially shipped to Europe, only 60,000 had been sold by August 1993.
 
−
 
 
−
Further delays caused countries such as France, Germany and Spain to be given the redesigned Mega CD II during summer/autumn 1993 instead of the original Mega CD. These countries in fact received the Mega CD II ''before'' the redesigned Mega Drive II (whereas the rest of the world recieved both redesigned units at the same time). Eventually the Mega CD II became the de facto Mega CD unit, but the naming scheme and differing looks caused many problems, with users worried that software would be incompatible and that their hardware, having been out for less than six months, may already have been obsolete.
 
−
 
 
−
France's Mega-CD debuted with ''[[Road Avenger]]'' as a pack-in in the Summer 1993 for 1990F.
 
−
 
 
−
In the UK the system dropped to £99.99 at some point in 1995. In Spain there was a drop to 19,900 Pts.
 
−
 
 
−
It is estimated that only 4% of European Mega Drive owners bought a Mega CD, mostly due to price. Games were also delayed and arrived less frequently than releases for the Mega Drive, leading to the Mega CD being largely written-off by 1994.
 
−
 
 
−
Another factor for this was the launch of the Amiga CD32, which although ran into its own problems mid-way through the decade, was able to secure a large percentage of the CD games market in the UK during its run. Those desperate for CD technology opted for the Amiga system, a then tried-and-tested brand which had been succeeding in Europe since the mid-1980s. Furthermore, IBM PCs were beginning to come equipped with CD-ROM drives, so users could see the technology being put to better use elsewhere.
 
−
 
 
−
====Australia====
 
−
The Australian release for the Mega CD was April 19, 1993.
 
−
 
 
−
====Brazil====
 
−
Like other Sega consoles, the Sega Mega-CD was distributed in Brazil by [[Tectoy]]. The original Mega CD model did not reach the region (aside from imports), so theMega CD II was released in Brazil under the name "Sega CD".
 
−
 
 
−
====South Korea====
 
−
Again like other Sega consoles, both the Mega CD and Mega CD II were distributd in South Korea by [[Samsung]]. They were renamed "CD Aladdin Boy" and "CD Aladdin Boy II" and released in March and July of 1993, respectively.
 
−
 
 
−
===Legacy===
 
−
Despite its initial hype, Mega CD is not considered to have been a huge success, being held back by price, technology and in many cases, confusion as to what the system actually was. Almost every rival CD-based system was able to output higher quality full motion video, and despite adding new features, the add-on largely failed to justify its price tag.
 
−
 
 
−
Many saw the Mega CD simply as being a way to play Mega Drive games on a new format, with the important caveats being that it cost more to maintain and there were fewer games to chose from.
 
−
 
 
−
Ultimately, with news of the Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation coming out in late 1993 and throughout 1994, there appeared no reason to invest in the product. It did, however, enjoy more success than the ill-fated [[Sega 32X]], Sega's second attempt at extending the Mega Drive to meet more modern standards.
 
−
 
 
−
==Games==
 
−
===List of Games===
 
−
The five games marked with an asterisk(*) were later released in enhanced form, requiring both the Mega CD and [[Sega 32X|32X]] to be played, and taking advantage of the latter's improved graphics (see [[Sega Mega-CD 32X]]).
 
−
{{multicol|
 
−
* ''[[3 Ninjas Kick Back / Hook]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[3x3 Eyes: Seima Densetsu]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[AX-101]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[A-Rank Thunder Tanjouhen]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[The Adventures of Batman & Robin (Mega CD)|The Adventures of Batman & Robin]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[The Adventures of Willy Beamish]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[After Armageddon Gaiden]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[After Burner III]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Aisle Lord]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Alshark]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Android Assault: The Revenge of Bari-Arm]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Anetto Futatabi]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[The Animals]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Aoki Ookami to Shiroki Mejika: Genchou Hishi]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Arcus I.II.III]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Arslan Senki]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Bakuden: The Unbalanced Zone]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Batman Returns (Mega CD)|Batman Returns]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Battle Frenzy]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Battlecorps]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[BC Racers]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Bill Walsh College Football]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Black Hole Assault]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Bouncers]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Bram Stoker's Dracula (Mega CD)|Bram Stoker's Dracula]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Brutal: Paws of Fury]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Burai: Hachigyoku no Yuushi Densetsu]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Cadillacs and Dinosaurs: The Second Cataclysm]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Capcom no Quiz Tonosama no Yabou]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Captain Tsubasa]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Chuck Rock II: Son of Chuck]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Chuck Rock]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Cliffhanger]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Cobra Command]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Colors of Modern Rock]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Corpse Killer]]'' (1994)*
 
−
* ''[[Cosmic Fantasy Stories]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Crime Patrol]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Cyborg 009]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Daihoushinden]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Dark Seed]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Dark Wizard]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Death Bringer: The Knight of Darkness]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Demolition Man]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Detonator Orgun]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Devastator]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Double Switch]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Dracula Unleashed]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Dragon's Lair]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Dune]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Dungeon Explorer]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Dungeon Master II: Skullkeep]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Dynamic Country Club]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Earnest Evans]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[Earthworm Jim: Special Edition]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Ecco the Dolphin]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Ecco the Dolphin CD]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Ecco: The Tides of Time]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Egawa Suguro no Super League]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[ESPN Baseball Tonight]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[ESPN National Hockey Night]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[ESPN NBA Hangtime '95]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[ESPN Sunday Night NFL]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Eternal Champions: Challenge from the Dark Side]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Eye of the Beholder]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[F-1 Circus CD]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Fahrenheit]]'' (1995)*
 
−
* ''[[Fatal Fury Special]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Fhey Area]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[FIFA International Soccer]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Final Fight CD]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Flashback: The Quest for Identity]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Flink]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Formula One World Championship: Beyond the Limit]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Frog Feast]]'' (2005)
 
−
* ''[[Funky Horror Band]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[Gambler Jikko Chuushinha 2]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Game no Kanzume: Sega Games Can Vol. 1]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Game no Kanzume: Sega Games Can Vol. 2]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Genei Toshi: Illusion City]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Ground Zero: Texas]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Heart of the Alien]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Heavy Nova]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[Heimdall]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Hook]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[INXS]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Iron Helix]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Ishii Hisaichi no Daisekai]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Jaguar XJ220]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Jango World Cup]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Jeopardy! (Mega CD)|Jeopardy!]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Joe Montana's NFL Football]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Jurassic Park (Mega CD)|Jurassic Park]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Keio Flying Squadron]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Kids on Site]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Kris Kross]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[The Lawnmower Man (Mega CD)|The Lawnmower Man]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Lethal Enforcers]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Links: The Challenge of Golf]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Loadstar: The Legend of Tully Bodine]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Lords of Thunder]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Lunar: Eternal Blue]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Lunar: The Silver Star]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Mad Dog II: The Lost Gold]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Mad Dog McCree]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Mahou no Shoujo: Silky Lip]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Mansion of Hidden Souls]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Marko's Magic Football]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Masked Rider]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Mega Schwarzschild]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[MegaRace]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Mickey Mania: The Timeless Adventures of Mickey Mouse]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Microcosm]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Midnight Raiders]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Mighty Mighty Missile!]]'' (2005)
 
−
* ''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Mega CD)|Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Mortal Kombat]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[My Paint: The Animated Paint Program]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[NBA Jam]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[NFL Football Trivia Challenge]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[NFL's Greatest: San Francisco vs. Dallas 1978-1993]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[NHL '94]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Night Striker]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Night Trap]]'' (1992)*
 
−
* ''[[The Ninja Warriors]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Nostalgia 1907]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Novastorm]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Panic!]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Popful Mail]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Power Factory featuring C+C Music Factory]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Power Monger]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Prince of Persia]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Prize Fighter]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Pro Yakyuu Super League CD]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Psychic Dectective vol. 3: Psychic Detective Aya]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Psychic Dectective vol. 4: Psychic Detective Orgel]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Puggsy]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Quiz Scramble Special]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Racing Aces]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Radical Rex]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Ranma ½: Byakuran Aika]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[RDF Global Conflict]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Record of Lodoss War JASPAC]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Revenge of the Ninja]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Revengers of Vengeance]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Rise of the Dragon]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Road Avenger]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Road Rash]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Robo Aleste]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms III: Dragon of Destiny]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Samurai Shodown]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[The Secret of Monkey Island]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Sega Classics Arcade Collection]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Sengoku Denshou]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Sensible Soccer]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Sewer Shark]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Shadow of the Beast II]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Shadowrun (Mega CD)|Shadowrun]]'' (1996)
 
−
* ''[[Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Vol. II]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Shin Megami Tensei]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Shining Force CD]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Silpheed]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[SimEarth]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Slam City with Scottie Pippen]]'' (1992)*
 
−
* ''[[The Smurfs]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Snatcher]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Sol-Feace]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Soulstar]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Space Ace (Mega CD)|Space Ace]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[The Space Adventure]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Star Strike]]'' (2000)
 
−
* ''[[Star Wars Chess]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Star Wars: Rebel Assault]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[StarBlade]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Stellar Fire]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Supreme Warrior]]'' (1994)*
 
−
* ''[[Surgical Strike]]'' (1995)*
 
−
* ''[[Syndicate]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Tenbu: Mega CD Special]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Tenka Fubu]]'' (1991)
 
−
* ''[[The Terminator (Mega CD)|The Terminator]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Theme Park]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[The Third World War]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Thunderhawk]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Time Gal]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[Tokyo Mahjong Gakuen]]'' (1996)
 
−
* ''[[Tomcat Alley]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Trivial Pursuit]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Ultraverse Prime / Microcosm]]'' (1994}
 
−
* ''[[Urusei Yatsura: Dear My Friends]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Vay]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Warau Salesman]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Wheel of Fortune (Mega CD)|Wheel of Fortune]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Who Shot Johnny Rock?]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Wild Woody]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Wing Commander]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[Winning Post]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Wirehead]]'' (1995)
 
−
* ''[[Wolfchild]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Wonder Dog]]'' (1992)
 
−
* ''[[World Cup USA 94]]'' (1994)
 
−
* ''[[WWF Rage in the Cage]]'' (1993)
 
−
* ''[[Yumimi Mix]]'' (1993)
 
−
|cols=3}}
 
−
 
 
−
===Launch Titles===
 
−
{{multicol|
 
−
====Japan====
 
−
*''[[Heavy Nova]]''
 
−
*''[[Sol-Feace]]''
 
−
 
 
−
====North America====
 
−
*''[[Black Hole Assault]]''
 
−
*''[[Chuck Rock]]''
 
−
*''[[Cobra Command]]''
 
−
*''[[INXS]]''
 
−
*''[[Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch]]''
 
−
*''[[Night Trap]]''
 
−
*''[[Sega Classics Arcade Collection]]'' (pack-in)
 
−
*''[[Sewer Shark]]''
 
−
*''[[Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Vol. I]]'' (pack-in)
 
−
*''[[Sol-Feace]]'' (pack-in)
 
−
 
 
−
====United Kingdom====
 
−
*''[[Black Hole Assault]]''
 
−
*''[[Chuck Rock]]''
 
−
*''[[Hook]]''
 
−
*''[[Prince of Persia]]''
 
−
*''[[Road Avenger]]''
 
−
*''[[Sega Classics Arcade Collection]]'' (pack-in)
 
−
*''[[Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Vol. I]]''
 
−
*''[[Sol-Feace]]/[[Cobra Command]]'' (pack-in)
 
−
*''[[Wonder Dog]]''
 
−
 
 
−
====Germany====
 
−
*''[[After Burner III]]''
 
−
*''[[Batman Returns (Mega CD)|Batman Returns]]''
 
−
*''[[Black Hole Assault]]''
 
−
*''[[Final Fight CD]]''
 
−
*''[[INXS]]''
 
−
*''[[Jaguar XJ220]]''
 
−
*''[[Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch]]''
 
−
*''[[Prince of Persia]]''
 
−
*''[[Road Avenger]]''
 
−
*''[[Robo Aleste]]''
 
−
*''[[Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Vol. I]]''
 
−
*''[[Sol-Feace]]/[[Cobra Command]]''
 
−
*''[[Time Gal]]''
 
−
*''[[Wing Commander]]''
 
−
*''[[Wolf Child]]''
 
−
 
 
−
====Spain====
 
−
*''[[Batman Returns (Mega CD)|Batman Returns]]''
 
−
*''[[Final Fight CD]]''
 
−
*''[[Jaguar XJ220]]''
 
−
*''[[Road Avenger]]''
 
−
*''[[Thunderhawk]]''
 
−
 
 
−
====Italy====
 
−
*''[[Sol-Feace]]/[[Cobra Command]]'' (pack-in)
 
−
}}
 
−
 
 
−
==Gallery==
 
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
File:Mega CD Japanese logo.png|Japanese logo
+
Patent USD351385.pdf|USD351385
−
File:Sega CD logo USA.png|North American logo
 
−
File:Mega CD logo EU.png|European/Australian logo
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
==Promotional Material==
+
==External links==
−
===Television Advertisements===
+
* [https://sega.jp/history/hard/mega-cd/index.html Sega of Japan catalogue page (Japanese)]
−
<gallery>
+
* [http://www.retrodev.com/segacd.html Sega CD Development Guide]
−
MegaCD TVAdvert JP 1.mp4|JP
 
−
MegaCD TVAdvert US 1.mp4|US
 
−
MegaCD TVAdvert UK 1.mp4|UK or AU?
 
−
MCD UK TVAdvert Horiscope.mp4|UK (Horiscope)
 
−
</gallery>
 
−
 
 
−
===Print Advertisements===
 
−
<gallery>
 
−
File:MegaCD US PrintAdvert.jpg|US print advert
 
−
File:MegaCD US PrintAdvert 2.jpg|US print advert 2
 
−
32XMCDII UK PrintAd.jpg|UK print advert (Mega-CD II - £99.99)
 
−
MCDII9GamePack MCD UK PrintAd.jpg|UK print advert (Mega-CD II 9 Game Pack)
 
−
File:MegaCD_BR_PrintAdvert.jpg|BR print advert
 
−
File:1993_06_-_Teaser_Mega_CD.jpg|ES print teaser 1
 
−
File:1993_07_-_Teaser_Mega_CD.jpg|ES print teaser 2
 
−
File:1993_08_-_Teaser_Mega_CD.jpg|ES print teaser 3
 
−
File:MegaCD ES PrintAdvert1.jpg|ES print launch advert 1
 
−
File:MegaCD ES PrintAdvert2.jpg|ES print launch advert 2
 
−
MegaCD ES PrintAdvert3.jpg|ES print advert 1
 
−
File:1993_12_-_Mega_CD.jpg|ES print advert 2
 
−
File:1994_01_-_Mega_CD.jpg|ES print advert 3
 
−
File:1994_04_-_Mega_CD.jpg|ES print advert 4
 
−
File:1994_07_-_Mega_CD.jpg|ES print advert 5
 
−
File:1994_11_-_Mega_CD.jpg|ES print advert 5
 
−
File:1995_06_-_Mega_CD.jpg|ES print advert 6
 
−
File:1995_09_-_Mega_CD.jpg|ES print advert 7
 
−
File:1995_12_-_Mega_CD.jpg|ES print advert 8
 
−
File:Samsung megacd2.jpg|KR print advert (Mega CD 2)
 
−
</gallery>
 
−
 
 
−
==External Links==
 
−
*[http://www.retrodev.com/segacd.html Sega CD Development Guide]
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
{{multicol|
 
 
<references />
 
<references />
−
}}
+
 
 +
{{MegaCD}}
 
{{MegaDrive}}
 
{{MegaDrive}}
−
{{Sega_Consoles}}
+
{{Sega Consoles}}
 +
 
 
[[Category:Sega Mega-CD| ]]
 
[[Category:Sega Mega-CD| ]]

Revision as of 15:13, 14 February 2024

Mega CD Japanese logo.png
MegaCD JP 2.jpgMegaCD2 JP 2.jpg
Sega Mega-CD
Manufacturer: Sega
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega-CD
JP 		¥49,800 (51,294)49,800e[2][3] HAA-2910
Sega Mega-CD
US 		$299.95299.95[6] 1690
Sega Mega-CD
DE 		DM 529.00529.00[9] MK-4102-50
Sega Mega-CD
ES 		MK-4102-50
Sega Mega-CD
FR 		1,990F1,990[10] MK-4102-50
Sega Mega-CD
UK 		£269.99269.99[7] 1690-18
Sega Mega-CD
SI
Sega Mega-CD
SE 		3,495 kr3,495 1690-18
Sega Mega-CD
IT 		1690-18
Sega Mega-CD
AU 		$699699 1690-18
Sega Mega-CD
BR
Sega Mega-CD
KR 		₩398,000398,000 SPC200CR
Sega Mega-CD
RU
Sega Mega-CD
SA 		900‎﷼‎900[11]
Sega Mega-CD
TW
Sega Mega-CD
AS 		1690-11

The Mega-CD (メガＣＤ), known as the Sega CD in North America and Brazil, and CD Aladdin Boy (CD 알라딘 보이) in South Korea, is a hardware add-on developed by Sega for the Mega Drive.

As the names suggest, it allows a Mega Drive to run compact discs, be it proprietary Mega-CD software, audio CDs or CD+G discs. It also acts as an upgrade to the Mega Drive hardware, sporting an extra processor and extra RAM. The Mega-CD was first released in 1991 and was supported alongside regular Mega Drive cartridges.

Hardware

The Mega-CD comes in many forms, but in all cases the hardware adds the capability of reading compact discs, technology which in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was becoming a more affordable storage option than the traditional video game ROM cartridge of previous console generations.

A traditional Mega-CD does not act as a stand-alone unit, and needs to be hooked up to a Mega Drive via the expansion port located on the right hand side of the console. Mega-CDs do, however, require their own AC adaptor, meaning that in order to play Mega-CD games, two sockets will be occupied by the upgraded console.

Though one would expect the Mega-CD to simply give the Mega Drive access to compact discs, it in fact adds extra processors, memory and audio features as well, all of which can only be utilised by CD software. The Mega-CD does not, however, solve the issue of graphics, which aside from the ability to scale and rotate sprites on the fly, remain identical to the standard Mega Drive system.

The Mega-CD also offers stereo sound RCA connectors. The Mega Drive on its own will output a monaural audio signal to the television, with stereo only being available through the headphone port located at the front of the console. An external connection from the Mega Drive to the Mega-CD will allow all games to play through the television in stereo.

The Mega-CD can be used in conjunction with a Sega 32X to run one of the six Sega Mega-CD 32X games. Alternatively it can be used to just play regular 5-inch or 3-inch audio CDs or CD+G discs. Strictly speaking the Mega-CD does not need a television to function as a CD player, as the audio can controlled with button combinations[12][13].

Models

Main article: Mega-CD consoles.

Like the Mega Drive, there were two major revisions of the add-on by Sega and several special combination units.

Mega-CD

The original Mega-CD utilises a CD tray, and sits underneath the Mega Drive (or Mega Drive 2). It is a reasonably large add-on designed to be permanently attached to the console at all times.

  • Japanese model

  • North American model

  • European/Australian model

  • South Korean model

  • JP (Mega Drive)

  • JP (Mega Drive 2)

  • US (Genesis)

  • US (Genesis (2))

  • EU (Mega Drive)

  • EU (Mega Drive II)

  • KR (Super Aladdin Boy)

  • KR (Super Aladdin Boy II)

Mega-CD 2

A cost-reduced model of the Mega-CD was produced and released around the same period as the cost-reduced Mega Drive 2. In Japan, the system debuted on the 23rd April, 1993[14], with a US release around Summer CES 1993 and August 1993 for Europe[15].

This version sits on the right hand side of the Mega Drive, though continues to act as a new base for the console, and is a top-loading device. Fewer mechanical parts means less is likely to go wrong with a Mega-CD 2, and is designed to look sleeker and more appealing. The Mega-CD 2 is designed primarily with the Mega Drive 2 in mind, however a plastic extension piece was included to add extra support with an original Mega Drive attached.

As part of the cost-cutting measures, only one (red) LED is used to communicate the state of the console, and the clip on the left-hand side (to keep the lead of connected headphones or speakers out of the way) has been removed (least because the redesigned Mega Drive 2 always outputs in stereo).

  • Japanese/Asian model

  • North American/Brazilian model

  • European/Australian model

  • South Korean model

  • JP (Mega Drive)

  • JP (Mega Drive 2)

  • US (Genesis)

  • US (Genesis (2))

  • EU (Mega Drive)

  • EU (Mega Drive II)

  • KR (Super Aladdin Boy)

  • KR (Super Aladdin Boy II)

Mega Drive 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.

Technical specifications

Main article: Sega Mega-CD/Technical specifications.
See also Sega Mega Drive/Technical specifications.

History

Main article: History of the Sega Mega-CD.

Games

Main article: Mega-CD games.

Production credits

Source:
Various sources


Magazine articles

Main article: Sega Mega-CD/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Sega Mega-CD/Promotional material.

Logos by regions

Logo Region
  • Mega CD Japanese logo.png
 Used in Japan, Asia and parts of Eastern Europe
  • Sega CD logo USA.png
 Used in North and South America
  • Mega CD logo EU.png
 Used in Western and Eastern Europe, Asia,
Africa, Australasia

Patents

  • USD351385

External links

References

  1. ↑ https://sega.jp/history/hard/mega-cd/index.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-11-16 04:34)
  2. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "December 1991" (JP; 1991-11-08), page 3
  3. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "February 1992" (JP; 1992-01-08), page 2
  4. ↑ [StarTribune_US_1992-11-12_page_6D.jpg StarTribune_US_1992-11-12_page_6D.jpg]
  5. ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/XvPwfE1474Q/m/jq2meR-ZaokJ
  6. ↑ Sega Visions, "August/September 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 6
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Computer & Video Games, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-15), page 8
  8. ↑ Video Game, "Outubro 1993" (BR; 1993-xx-xx), page 6
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Mega Fun, "09/93" (DE; 1993-08-18), page 30
  10. ↑ Player One, "Septembre 1993" (FR; 1993-08-xx), page 53
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-06-xx), page 12
  12. ↑ Sega CD User's Manual, US; 1992, page 12
  13. ↑ Sega CD User's Guide, US; 1993
  14. ↑ http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/mcd/mcd2.html (Wayback Machine: 2016-03-03 23:30)
  15. ↑ Sega Force Mega, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-14), page 19
  16. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "August 1991" (JP; 1991-07-08), page 114
  17. ↑ Harmony, "1994 8" (JP; 1994-08-01), page 18
  18. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/hiroyuki.ohtaka/about_work_and_education
  19. ↑ https://jglobal.jst.go.jp/detail?JGLOBAL_ID=201103088763400954
  20. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "January 1992" (JP; 1991-12-07), page 93
  21. ↑ Sega Archives - M2 Music Memorial -


Sega Mega-CD
Topics Technical specifications | History | Magazine articles | Promotional material
Hardware Mega CD (Asia | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | South America | Australasia | Africa)
Sega Multi-Mega (Asia | North America | Europe | South America | Australasia)
Wondermega | LaserActive | CSD-G1M
Misc. hardware CD BackUp RAM Cart | Mega-CD Karaoke | Pro CDX
Development tools SNASM Mega-CD | PsyQ Mega-CD SDK | PSY-Q CD Emulation System (Mega-CD)
Unreleased hardware Game Genie


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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