Sega Genesis
Release: August 1989
aka: Megadrive (Japan)
Sega had lost to Nintendo with the Sega Master System, and they didn't want it to happen again. They built the Genesis, the first true 16-bit system. The Genesis boasted the same processor as the first Apple Macintosh, as well as a 16-bit graphics card.
Unlike NEC, whom released the TurboGrafx-16 the same year, Sega had learned from Nintendo. They got as many third-party developers to sign up for Genesis games as they could. The Genesis came with one controller, power & connection cables and Sega's coin-op game, Altered Beast
The Genesis also used lock-out technology. Unauthorized games, or games from Japan couldn't be played on an American Genesis, and vice versa. This type of security was becoming common in game consoles.
In 1991, when the Super Nintendo was released, Sega met its first competition in the 16-bit generation. Sega released its game: Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic was huge. In fact, it raised the sales of the Genesis Console from 1.6 million in 1990 to 7.5 million in 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog selling the same. Sega then made a package and sold the Genesis with Sonic The Hedgehog included.
Ultimately the Genesis did very well on the gaming market, even against Nintendo who had toppled their original system. With the Sega CD and 32X attatchments, the Genesis held up until the next generation of consoles, when the Sony PlayStation was released and the Nintendo64 was just around the corner.
Upgrades & Accessories
Power Base Converter
This attatchment allows Sega Master System games to be played on the Sega Genesis.
Menacer
A wireless light gun that interacts with the images on the TV.
Activator
This large black ring would be placed on the floor and shoot infared beams upwards. The player in the center would use their hands (or feet if they wanted to) to break the beams and send a signal to the Genesis. It never quite caught on.
Sega CD
A CD-ROM drive that attatched to the Genesis and enhanced CD performance. (see SegaCD section)
Sega 32X
An attatchment to the Sega Genesis that plays enhanced, 32 bit games. (see Sega 32X section)
Top Games
- Sonic The Hedgehog series
- Earthworm Jim 2
- Alladin
- Altered Beast