• Home console developed by Sega and released in Europe in November 1990.
• The 16-bit successor to the Master System; sold over 40 million units worldwide.
• Top titles include the Sonic the Hedgehog series, Altered Beast, and NBA Jam.
• The console was later re-designed and released as the Mega Drive II in 1993.
• Also spawned two add-on consoles with their own games: Mega-CD and 32X.

Mega Drive console. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/MD_ConsoleI_lg._V344383332_.jpg ) Welcome to the next level ------------------------- The Sega Mega Drive – known in North America as the Sega Genesis – was released in Europe in November 1990. The 16-bit successor to the Master System, the Mega Drive treated gamers to bold graphics, fast gameplay, and synthesised stereo sound. Supported by top games such as the Sonic the Hedgehog series and a wide range of third-party titles, the Mega Drive sold over 40 million units worldwide, making it one of the most successful video game consoles of all time. Boasting an experience akin to that enjoyed in arcades, the Mega Drive appealed mainly to older gamers, with more mature titles than other consoles of the time. With an FM synthesiser, the system produced high-quality stereo music and sound effects; it contained 72 KB of RAM and 64 KB of video RAM, and could display up to 64 colours at once from a palette of 512. The Mega Drive collection ------------------------- Initially sold with arcade beat 'em up classic Altered Beast, the Mega Drive became synonymous with its most popular series, Sonic the Hedgehog. Throughout the console's lifecycle, Sonic games remained the back of the library, from the eponymous first entry through to the revolutionary 3D title Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island. Aside from Sonic the Hedgehog, the Mega Drive enjoyed a large library of games from many different genres – Disney tie-ins Aladdin and The Lion King enticed young players; fighting games and beat 'em ups such as Mortal Kombat and Streets of Rage catered to the more mature market; and titles like Battletoads, Ecco the Dolphin, and Michael Jackson's Moonwalker had something for everyone. Multi-Mega. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/MD_MultiMega_lg._V344389447_.jpg ) Mega-CD and Multi-Mega ---------------------- In 1993, Sega released the Mega-CD, the first add-on for the Mega Drive. The Mega-CD plays CD ROM-based games, includes a faster central processing unit, and can also play audio CDs. Supported by the well-received Sonic CD, the Mega-CD was later combined with the Mega Drive and released as one system, the Multi-Mega. Mega Drive 32X. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/MD_MegaDrive32X_lg._V344388202_.jpg ) Mega Drive 32X -------------- The second add-on for the Mega Drive, the Mega Drive 32X was designed to enhance the power of the 16-bit console, bringing it into the 32-bit era. Fitting into the cartridge slot of the Mega Drive, it had its own library of ROM cartridge games, including Star Wars Arcade and the exclusive Knuckles' Chaotix. Master System Converter. Master System Converter ----------------------- For gamers who had previously enjoyed the 8-bit fun of the Sega Master System, the Master System Converter turned the Mega Drive into a system compatible with every title released for Sega's previous console. Phantasy Star, Alex Kidd in Miracle World, and Land of Illusion, all on your Mega Drive. The Menacer. Peripherals ----------- The Mega Drive spawned a number of peripherals, including the Menacer light , the Mega Mouse, the Sega Activator movement-based controller, and the Team Player multitap. In addition, the Mega Modem provided access to the online Sega Meganet service, although this was never made available in Europe. Sonic the Hedgehog 2. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/MD_Sonic2_lg._V344382617_.jpg ) Disney's Aladdin. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/MD_DisneysAladdin_lg._V344382612_.jpg ) Sonic the Hedgehog. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/MD_Sonic1_lg._V344382623_.jpg ) NBA Jam. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/MD_NBAJam_lg._V344382612_.jpg ) Mortal Kombat II. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/MD_MortalKombat2_lg._V344382618_.jpg ) Earthworm Jim. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/MD_EarthwormJim_lg._V344382616_.jpg ) Altered Beast. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/MD_AlteredBeast_lg._V344382623_.jpg ) Streets of Rage. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/MD_StreetsOfRage_lg._V344382616_.jpg )