Difference between revisions of "Sega Mega-CD"

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[[Image:SegaCD.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Sega Genesis with Sega CD console]]The '''Sega Mega CD''' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]: '''メガCD''') is an add-on device for the [[Sega Megadrive]] released in Europe, Australia and Japan. The North American version is called the '''Sega CD'''. The device allowed the user to both play CD audio discs and specially designed game CDs. It can also play [[CD plus G|CD+G]] discs.
+
{{ConsoleBob
 +
| | logo=Mega CD Japanese logo.png|180px]]
 +
| consoleimage=MegaCD JP 2.jpg
 +
| consoleimage2=MegaCD2 JP 2.jpg
 +
| name=
 +
| maker=[[Sega]]
 +
| add-ons=
 +
| processor=
 +
| releases={{releasesMCD
 +
| 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=49,800e{{magref|bemega|1991-12|3}}{{magref|mdfan|25|2}}
 +
| mcd_code_jp=HAA-2910
 +
| 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_rrp_us=299.95{{magref|sv|9|6}}
 +
| 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_code_it=1690-18
 +
| mcd_date_au=1993
 +
| mcd_rrp_au=699
 +
| mcd_code_au=1690-18
 +
| mcd_date_se=1993-05-27
 +
| mcd_rrp_se=3,495
 +
| mcd_code_se=1690-18
 +
| mcd_date_br=1993-10<!-- first week -->{{magref|vg|31|6}}
 +
| mcd_date_kr=1993-03
 +
| mcd_code_kr=SPC200CR
 +
| mcd_rrp_kr=398,000
 +
| mcd_date_de=1993-09{{magref|megafun|1993-09|30}}
 +
| mcd_rrp_de=529.00{{magref|megafun|1993-09|30}}
 +
| mcd_code_de=MK-4102-50
 +
| mcd_date_es=1993-09
 +
| mcd_code_es=MK-4102-50
 +
| mcd_date_fr=1993-09
 +
| mcd_rrp_fr=1,990{{magref|playerone|34|53}}
 +
| mcd_code_fr=MK-4102-50
 +
| 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}}
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
<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]].
  
−
The development of the Mega CD was top secret; game programmers didn't know what they were designing for until the Mega CD was finally revealed at Tokyo Toy Show in Japan. The Sega Mega CD in Japan was designed to compete with the PC Engine, which had a separate CD-ROM drive. The Sega Mega CD was not meant to compete with the Super Famicom ([[Super Nintendo]] outside Japan).
+
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 />
  
−
At first, the Mega CD was a CD tray unit that sat under the console. The Sega Mega CD 2 model had a smaller, cheaper top loading drive that would attach beside the Sega Mega Drive.
+
==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.
  
−
==Markets==
+
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.
−
===Japan===
 
−
The Sega Mega CD was released first in Japan on December 1st 1991. Its retail price was about &yen;49,800. Initially, it was a great success because of the inherent advantages of CDs (high storage capacibility and the low cost of media). The fact that it had a nice RPG catalog also helped.  
 
  
−
The system sold 100,000 units during the first year of release in Japan. However, cost issues prevented more units from being sold.  
+
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.
  
−
===United States===
+
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.
−
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 Sega CD was announced at the Chicago CES on November 1992.
 
  
−
In the end, the Sega CD failed to convince American gamers, mostly due to the cost of the console. There just was not enough value for the price. Moreover, the game experience was little improved.  
+
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}}.
  
−
Sound was likely to be better if it included some CD audio tracks, but on the average, conventional games looked the same. Sega wanted to showcase the power of the Sega CD, and so focused on the "FMV" games rather than importing "extended" games that only expanded ordinary games by taking advantage of the extra storage space of the CD media. Sega insisted on licensing and producing primarily "full motion video" games similar to earlier laserdisc games, that were universally panned by game reviewers. The single speed CD drive added load times to all games, and the 64-color graphics and underpowered processor (for video rendering) made these full-motion games look terrible.
+
===Models===
 +
{{MainArticle|Mega-CD consoles}}
  
−
===Europe===
+
Like the Mega Drive, there were two major revisions of the add-on by Sega and several special combination units.
−
In Europe the Mega CD was highly overpriced. It was released in April 1993 in the United Kingdom for £270. It's userbase was small as only 4% of European Mega Drive owners bought a Mega CD. Unlike the [[Mega Drive]], which was a very successful console in Europe, only 60,000 of the 70,000 Mega CDs shipped to Europe were sold by August 1993.
 
  
−
Some European countries (Spain for instance), wouldn't get the original Mega CD at all, but instead would get the upgraded Mega CD 2, which also slowed sales.  
+
====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.
  
−
===Australia===
+
<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px">
−
The Australian release for the Mega CD was April 19, 1993.
+
MCD JP.jpg|Japanese model
 +
MegaCD US 1.jpg|North American model
 +
MCD EU.jpg|European/Australian model
 +
CD AlladinBoy KR.jpg|South Korean model
 +
</gallery>
 +
<gallery widths="105px" heights="80px">
 +
MegaCD JP 2.jpg|JP (Mega Drive)
 +
MCD JP MD2.jpg|JP (Mega Drive 2)
 +
MegaCD US 2.jpg|US (Genesis)
 +
MCD US MD2.jpg|US (Genesis (2))
 +
SegaCD.jpg|EU (Mega Drive)
 +
Notavailable.svg|EU (Mega Drive II)
 +
CDAladdinBoy.jpg|KR (Super Aladdin Boy)
 +
Notavailable.svg|KR (Super Aladdin Boy II)
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
====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{{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}}.
  
−
==Models==
+
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.
−
The following models were released:
 
−
*Sega Mega CD I (Sega CD I in North America)
 
−
*Sega Mega CD II (Sega CD II in North America). Redesigned to accomadate the Mega Drive/Genesis II and reduce manufacturing costs.
 
−
*JVC Wondermega ([[X'eye]] in North American release, never released in Europe), this was a all-in one Genesis /Sega CD unit.
 
−
*Sega Multimega (called [[Sega CDX]] in North America). A portable CD player that plays both Mega Drive and Mega CD games. It's identical internally to the Mega Drive model II.
 
−
*Pioneer LaserActive Sega CD module, an add-on device you could add to a Laseractive Pioneer Laserdisc player.
 
  
−
==Technical Specifications==
+
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).
  
−
===CPU===
+
<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px">
−
Main CPU: Motorola [[68000]] 16 bit processor running at 12.5 MHz
+
MCD2 JP.jpg|Japanese/Asian model
 +
MegaCD2 US 1.jpg|North American/Brazilian model
 +
MegaCD2 EU 1.jpg|European/Australian model
 +
CDAladdinBoyII KR.jpg|South Korean model
 +
</gallery>
 +
<gallery widths="105px" heights="80px">
 +
MCD2 JP MD1.jpg|JP (Mega Drive)
 +
MegaCD2 JP 2.jpg|JP (Mega Drive 2)
 +
MCD2 US MD1.jpg|US (Genesis)
 +
MegaCD2 US 2.jpg|US (Genesis (2))
 +
MCD2 EU MD1.jpg|EU (Mega Drive)
 +
MegaCD2 EU 2.jpg|EU (Mega Drive II)
 +
CDAladdinBoyII.jpg|KR (Super Aladdin Boy)
 +
Notavailable.svg|KR (Super Aladdin Boy II)
 +
</gallery>
  
−
''(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))''
+
====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.
  
−
===Graphics===
+
===Technical specifications===
−
* Graphics Processor: Custom ASIC
+
{{mainArticle|Sega Mega-CD/Technical specifications}}
−
* Number of simultaneous [[palette|colours]] on screen: 64 (Using programming tricks, this limit is increased to 128 colours via raster effects)
+
:''See also [[Sega Mega Drive/Technical specifications]].''
−
* Colours available in Cinepak and TruVideo modes: 128 to 256 colours
 
−
* Video size from 1/4 to full screen
 
−
* Advanced compression scheme
 
−
* Software-based upgrade
 
  
−
===RAM===
+
==History==
−
* Main [[RAM]]: 6 Mbit
+
{{MainArticle|History of the Sega Mega-CD}}
−
* PCM samples: 512 Kbit
 
−
* CD-ROM data cache: 128 Kbit
 
−
* 64 Kbit Internal Backup RAM
 
−
* 1 MBit Memory Card [[CD BackUp RAM Cart]]
 
  
−
The Mega CD also features sprite enhancement effects such as scaling and rotation, similar to that of the [[Super Nintendo|Super Famicom/SNES]] Mode 7.
+
==Games==
 +
{{MainArticle|Mega-CD games}}
 +
{{BulletPointGameList|MCD}}
  
−
===Storage===
+
==Production credits==
−
* 500 MB CD-ROM discs (equivalent to 62 min of audio data)
+
{{creditstable|
−
* 1/4 screen B/W footage video: 1.5 to 4 hours
+
*'''Designer:''' Mega Master{{magref|mdfan|19|114}}
−
* 1/4 screen color footage: 45 minutes
+
*[[Taku Matsubara]]{{magref|harmony|130|18}}
−
* CD-ROM drive transfer rate: 150 Kbytes/s (1x)
+
*[[Hiroyuki Ohtaka]]{{ref|https://www.facebook.com/hiroyuki.ohtaka/about_work_and_education}}
−
''(Above specs prior to compression)''
+
*[[Masaki Kawahori]]{{ref|1=https://jglobal.jst.go.jp/detail?JGLOBAL_ID=201103088763400954}}
 +
*'''BIOS Screen Programmer:''' [[Dehehe]]{{magref|mdfan|24|93}}
 +
*'''BIOS Screen Music Composer:''' [[Masafumi Ogata]]{{intref|Sega Archives - M2 Music Memorial -}}
 +
| source=Various sources
 +
| console=MCD
 +
}}
  
−
===[[BIOS]]===
+
==Magazine articles==
−
* Size: 1 Mb
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
−
* Used for games, CD player, CD+G viewing, karaoke (limited to Japanese systems) and regional lockout
 
−
* Access time: 800 ms
 
  
−
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
+
==Promotional material==
−
|+ BIOS Revisions
+
{{mainArticle|Sega Mega-CD/Promotional material}}
 +
 
 +
==Logos by regions==
 +
{|class="prettytable sortable" style="background: #f2f2f2;"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! BIOS Version
+
! style="width:100px;" style="text-align: center;" |'''Logo'''
−
! Machine
+
! style="width:100px;" style="text-align: center;" |'''Region'''
−
! Download
+
|- style="background: silver;"
 
|-
 
|-
−
| rowspan="2"| 0.98
+
|<gallery>Mega CD Japanese logo.png</gallery>
−
| rowspan="2"| Pioneer LaserActive
+
|Used in Japan, Asia and parts of Eastern Europe
−
| [[Media:Us lsr 930329.zip|0.98(NA Version)]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[Media:Jp lsr 930329.zip|0.98(Asian Version)]]
+
|<gallery>Sega CD logo USA.png</gallery>
 +
|Used in North and South America
 
|-
 
|-
−
| rowspan="3"| 1.00
+
|<gallery>Mega CD logo EU.png</gallery>
−
| rowspan="3"| Original Mega CD
+
|Used in Western and Eastern Europe, Asia,<br> Africa, Australasia
−
| [[Media:Jp mcd1 911217.zip|1.00p(Asian NTSC Bios)]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[Media:Jp mcd1 911228.zip|1.00s(Asian PAL Bios)]]
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[Media:Eu mcd1 921027.zip|1.00(European PAL Bios)]]
 
−
|-
 
−
| 1.10
 
−
| Original Sega CD
 
−
| [[Media:Us scd1 921011.zip|1.10(North American)]]
 
−
|-
 
−
| rowspan="6"| 2.00
 
−
| rowspan="6"| Sega/Mega CD 2, Victor WonderMega (Japan & Europe), JVC X'eye (North America)
 
−
| [[Media:Us scd2 930314(Corrupt).zip|2.00(1st NA Version (Corrupt))]]
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[Media:Us scd2 930601.zip|2.00w(2nd NA Version)]]
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[Media:Jp mcd2 921222.zip|2.00c(Asian Version)]]
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[Media:Eu mcd2 930330.zip|2.00(1st European Version)]]
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[Media:Eu mcd2 930601.zip|2.00w(2nd European Version)]]
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[Media:Us xeye 931227.zip|2.00x(X'eye)]]
 
−
|-
 
−
| 2.11
 
−
| Sega/Mega CD 2
 
−
| [[Media:Us scd2 930621.zip|2.11w(NA Version)]]
 
−
|-
 
−
| 2.21
 
−
| Sega Mega LD (Japan), Sega Multimega (Europe), CDX (North America)
 
−
| [[Media:Us cdx 930907.zip|2.21x(CDX)]]
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
===Audio===
+
==Patents==
−
''The Mega CD adds 10 extra sound channels to the existing Mega Drive [[Z80]] [[SPU]].''
 
−
 
 
−
* Sound format: Stereo PCM
 
−
* Sound channels: 8
 
−
* Maximum sample rate: 32 KHz (44.1 KHz for CD-DA)
 
−
* 16 bit DAC
 
−
* 8x internal over-sampling digital filter
 
−
* Frequency Range: 20 Hz - 20 KHz
 
−
* Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 900 dB @ 1K
 
−
* Channel Separation: > 900 dB
 
−
* Output: [[RCA jack|RCA]] stereo Pin Jack x2 (L/R) / [[SCART]] cable
 
−
 
 
−
===Other===
 
−
Dimensions: 301mm x 212.5 x 112.5</br>
 
−
Weight: 1.4 kg (3.1 lbs)
 
−
 
 
−
==Box Scans==
 
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
Image:mcd console jp box front.jpg|JP retail box (front)
+
Patent USD351385.pdf|USD351385
−
Image:mcd console jp box back.jpg|JP retail box (back)
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
==Sonic-related games released for the Mega CD==
+
==External links==
−
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD]]'' (1993)
+
* [https://sega.jp/history/hard/mega-cd/index.html Sega of Japan catalogue page (Japanese)]
 +
* [http://www.retrodev.com/segacd.html Sega CD Development Guide]
  
−
==Pre-release Sonic-related games released for the Mega CD==
+
==References==
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD (prototype 510)]]''
+
<references />
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD (prototype 712)]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD (prototype 806)]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD (prototype 920)]]''
 
  
−
==External Links==
+
{{MegaCD}}
−
*[http://www.consoledatabase.com/consoleinfo/segamegacd/index.html Console Database] - Sega Mega CD/Sega CD
+
{{MegaDrive}}
−
*[http://www.segacd.org/expression/site_3/segabase/CD/SegaBase-SegaCDGames.html SegaCD.org complete game listing]
+
{{Sega Consoles}}
−
*[http://www.retrodev.com/segacd.html Sega CD Development Guide] By [[Mask of Destiny]].
 
  
−
{{MegaDrive}}
+
[[Category:Sega Mega-CD| ]]
−
{{Sega_Consoles}}
 
−
[[Category:Mega Drive Hardware]]
 

Latest revision as of 16:13, 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 | LaserActive | Mega Jet | Mega PC | Mega Play | Mega-Tech System | 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 | Cleaning System | Control Pad Extension Cord | Genesis Speakers | Headset | HeartBeat Catalyst | Microphone | Region converter cartridges | Mega Terminal | Nomad PowerBack | RF Unit (Mega Drive 2) | SCART Cable (Mega Drive 2) | Stereo Audio Video Cable | Team Player | Video Monitor Cable | 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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