Sega Genesis
Also known as Sega Genesis
- Manufacturer
- Sega
- Type
- Home console
- Generation
- 4th generation
- Released (North America)
- Aug 14, 1989
- Released (Japan)
- Oct 29, 1988
- Released (Europe)
- Nov 30, 1990
- Launch price
- $189.99
- Discontinued
- 1997
- Units sold
- about 30.75 million
About the Sega Genesis
The Genesis (Mega Drive outside North America) reached the US two years before the SNES and fought it to a near draw, mostly on the strength of Sonic the Hedgehog, sports games from EA and aggressive "Genesis does what Nintendon't" advertising. It was the first console where Sega led Nintendo in the American market for a stretch.
Sonic 1–3 and Sonic & Knuckles, Streets of Rage 2, Gunstar Heroes, Phantasy Star IV, Shining Force, Ecco the Dolphin and the Madden and NHL series all sold well, so loose copies are inexpensive. Values climb with late releases and small publishers: Pulseman (Japan), Crusader of Centy, Sparkster, Phantasy Star IV complete and anything from the later years of the system.
Most games came in plastic clamshell cases, while early EA titles used cardboard. Model 1 consoles are preferred for sound quality, and the Sega CD and 32X add-ons plug into both Model 1 and Model 2.
Sega Genesis games by the numbers
Loose prices across 732 priced games
Most valuable Sega Genesis games
Most valuable sealed Sega Genesis games
Top rated Sega Genesis games
Most listed on eBay right now
Sega Genesis games by release year
By each game's original release year, so ports count under the year the game first came out.
Hardware specs
- CPU
- 16/32-bit Motorola 68000
- Graphics
- 64 kB of video RAM
- Memory
- 72kB of RAM
- Sound
- Stereo
- Online
- Sega Meganet (Japan)
Models & revisions
Mega PC
The Amstrad Mega PC is a special Amstrad computer with the added features of a Sega Mega Drive. It was initially released in 1993 in PAL regions for the expensive price of £999.99 (later £599.99). It is unrelated to the Sega Teradrive, though the two machines share similar specifications as the computer portion is also powered by an Intel 386SX processor.
Though a rare collector's item now, at the time of release the machine was unsuccessful due to its high retail price (made worse by the fact in 1993 a 386 processor was considered outdated).
- Media
- Cartridge
EZ Games Video Game System
The EZ Games Video Game System is a Mega Drive unit that was available in some hotel rooms in the United States. Its unique feature was a built-in credit card slot for payment for usage.
- Media
- Cartridge
Sega Nomad
The Sega Nomad, codenamed Venus, is a handheld video game console manufactured by Sega. It is a portable Sega Mega Drive (Genesis), and Sega's second handheld system after the Sega Game Gear. The Nomad shares a similar concept with the semi-portable Sega Mega Jet, and only saw release in North America.
- Media
- Cartridge
TLV-K981G Game VCD Player
A Chinese VCD player which had a built-in Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. The games were released in VCD compilations.
- Media
- VCD
Teradrive
The Teradrive (テラドライブ) is a hybrid computer system developed by Sega and IBM containing both an IBM PC and Sega Mega Drive. It was released exclusively in Asia in May 1991.
- Media
- Cartridge
Sega Mega Drive 2/Genesis
Second model of the Sega Mega Drive. It retains the same name in North America (Sega Genesis).
- Media
- Cartridge
Sega Mega Jet
The Sega Mega Jet (メガ ジェット) was a handheld game console that was a portable version of the Sega Mega Drive that was rented for use aboard Japan Air Lines flights and later made available at retail in 1994. It was only released in Japan.
At the time of its release, many planes in the Japan Air Lines (JAL) fleet had small LCD televisions installed into the armrests of each seat to entertain passengers; the Mega Jet was designed to help pass the time during long air flights. Users were able to bring their own Mega Drive cartridges, however it is reported that JAL stocked a limited selection of four titles on each flight. Two of the titles known to have been in JAL's rotation include Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II and the original Sonic the Hedgehog.
There was also an Alpine branded version for use with Alpine's in car color monitors. Model numbers "TVE-M005" and "TVE-M015" are listed as compatible monitors on the Alpine Mega Jet box. These models came bundled with Sonic 3, the Car Adaptor (originally compatible with the Game Gear), and an A/V cable compatible with Alpine's monitors. An additional Alpine manual and documents were also included.
The Mega Jet is a semi-portable system, meaning that the system and controller are integrated in a single unit, but it requires an external power supply and does not have its own screen.
- Media
- Cartridge
Console family
More Sega consoles
Game values from PriceCharting market data. Hardware specs and revisions from IGDB.