Versions and variants of the Sega Mega Drive

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In the life cycle of the Sega Mega Drive , there were a number of different versions and variants . From the removal of the EXT port on the back to the new design known as Mega Drive 2 to independent third-party developments such as the Mega PC from Amstrad, there is a relatively large range of products. In addition, otherwise identical devices differ a little in the different markets.

Mega drive

Japan

Mega Drive, original Japanese model
  • Japanese setting options.
  • Stereo headphone output.
  • DIN AUX port with NTSC signal (60 Hz) and mono sound.
  • 9-pin EXT connector on early models.
  • Cartridge safety lock - the differently shaped game modules have an extra slot on the left side (modules from Electronic-Arts are generally narrower and therefore fit worldwide).
  • The text “High Grade Multi Purpose Intelligent Terminal” is engraved on the housing.
  • “Sega Mega Drive” is printed in white on the bottom right of the console.
  • The Reset buttons on the console and Start on the joypad are blue.
  • Support of the Sega Mega-CD and Sega Super 32X .
  • Compatible with the Mega Adapter for Japanese master system games (different module shape).

Europe, Australia and New Zealand

Mega Drive, PAL model
  • DIN AUX port with PAL signal (50 Hz) and mono sound.
  • Stereo headphone output.
  • English language settings.
  • 9-pin EXT connector on early models.
  • Hardware incompatible with Japanese Mega Drive games due to the shape of the cartridge and module bay on the console (suitable adapters are available).
  • Cartridge blockage removed.
  • The text "High Definition Graphics · Stereo Sound" behind the plug-in module slot.
  • The Reset buttons on the console and Start on the joypad are white.
  • Support of the Sega Mega-CD and Sega 32X .
  • Compatible with the original Master System Converter.

North America

Sega Genesis, the North American Mega Drive
  • "Sega Genesis" is written in white letters on the device below the module slot.
  • Stereo headphone output.
  • DIN AUX port with NTSC signal (60 Hz) and mono sound.
  • 9-pin EXT connector on early models.
  • English language settings.
  • Hardware incompatible with Japanese Mega Drive games due to the shape of the cartridge and module bay on the console (suitable adapters are available).
  • Cartridge blockage removed.
  • The Reset buttons on the console and Start on the joypad are gray.
  • Support of the Sega CD and Sega 32X .
  • Compatible with the Power-Base-Converter for master system games.

Asia

Asian PAL mega-drive, very similar to the Japanese model
  • Sega Mega Drive 1 in Asia (variant of the European Mega Drive and often mistaken for a Japanese Mega Drive).
  • DIN AUX port with mono sound.
  • Stereo headphone output.
  • Larger 16-bit logo.
  • The Reset buttons on the console and Start on the joypad are blue.
  • Cartridge safety lock - the differently shaped game modules have an extra slot on the left side (modules from Electronic-Arts are generally narrower and therefore fit worldwide).
  • Support of the Sega Mega-CD and Sega 32X .
  • Compatible with the original Master System Converter.

Brazil

  • DIN AUX port with PAL-M signal (60 Hz) and mono sound.
  • Stereo headphone output.
  • English language settings.
  • Hardware incompatible with Japanese Mega Drive games due to the shape of the cartridge and cartridge slot on the console.
  • Cartridge blockage removed.
  • The text "High Definition Graphics · Stereo Sound" behind the cartridge slot.
  • The reset and start buttons on the joypad are white.
  • Support of the Sega Mega-CD and Sega 32X .
  • manufactured and distributed by Sega's licensee Tec Toy.
  • Compatible with the Adaptador Para os Jogos Master System.

Mega Drive 2

Japanese mega-drive 2
SegaMegadrive2.jpg
Sega Genesis second model.jpg


Mega Drive II, PAL version (left) and second model of the Sega Genesis, here with antistatic clips in the module slot, which are required for connecting the 32X .

Japan

  • New form
  • No headphone output
  • Mini-DIN multi output with NTSC signal (60 Hz) and stereo sound.
  • The text High Grade Multi Purpose Intelligent Terminal behind the cartridge slot.
  • Including standard 6-button pad.
  • In contrast to the European and North American versions, the power switch is still a slide switch, which means that the power LED can be omitted.
  • Support of the Sega Mega-CD and Sega 32X .
  • Incompatible with the Mega Adapter for Japanese master system games.

Europe

  • In contrast to the Japanese Mega Drive 2, the 2 is given in Roman numerals.
  • New form
  • No headphone output
  • other AC adapter
  • Mini-DIN multi output with PAL signal in 50 Hz and stereo sound as well as RF adapter.
  • Support of the Sega Mega-CD and Sega 32X .
  • Hardware incompatible with Japanese Mega Drive games due to the shape of the cartridge and module bay on the console (suitable adapters are available).
  • original Power-Base converter does not fit on the console due to its shape. The Power-Base-II converter is required to play master system games.

North America

  • The official name is still "Genesis", not "Genesis 2".
  • New form.
  • No headphone output.
  • other AC adapter.
  • Mini-DIN multi output with NTSC signal (60 Hz) and stereo sound.
  • "Genesis" stands in a square shape above the module bay.
  • Support of the Sega CD and Sega 32X .
  • Hardware incompatible with Japanese Mega Drive games due to the shape of the cartridge and module bay on the console (suitable adapters are available).
  • original Power-Base converter does not fit on the console due to its shape. The Power-Base-II converter is required to play master system games.

Third party manufacturer

Majescos Genesis 3

Sega Genesis 3

  • Manufactured under license by Majesco Sales in Mexico and sold in North America.
  • again reduced form (hardly larger than a module cover).
  • different AC adapter than the very first Sega Genesis.
  • Mini-DIN multi output with NTSC signal (60 Hz) and, depending on the model, mono or stereo sound.
  • incompatible with 32X and Sega CD as well as with both master system adapters.
  • Compatible with Japanese Mega Drive games due to the shape of the enlarged module bay on the console.

Wondermega / X'eye

Console-wondermega.jpg
Victor-WonderMega-RG-M2-Console-Set.jpg


Victor Wondermega RG-M1 (left) and Victor Wondermega RG-M2 (X'Eye)
  • Mega Drive combined with a Mega-CD made by SEGA Japan, the first version was only offered as Wondermega in Japan and later the Wondermega RG-M1 made by Victor, the second version was sold in Japan and as Wondermega RG-M2 made by Victor Manufactured by JVC and sold in North America as X'eye .
  • Improved sound.
  • MIDI support for the Wondermega RG-M1.
  • 2 microphone inputs.
  • S-Video Connector (except X'Eye) with 60 HZ Ntsc signal.
  • Chinch audio stereo outputs.
  • Incompatible with Sega 32X due to lack of RGB signal .
  • Released including a CD called Game Garden with the games Flicky (quiz) and Pyramid (puzzle). The CD is compatible with CD + G (CD and Graphics) supporting CD players.
  • The later Japanese version RG-M2 came with a platform game from Core called Wonderdog .
  • Support of the 'Wonder CD' peripherals for creating music and connecting to MIDI devices on the Wondermega RG-M1.
  • Support of the 'Piano Player' keyboard for creating music and learning to play the keyboard.
  • Later appeared in a new design with a softer look than RG-M2. Some additional features such as the self-opening CD cover have been removed, but an infrared 6-button pad with an integrated joypad port for a second pad has been included - the two regular joypad connections are on the back of the device.
  • With the X'Eye, the two joypad connections have been attached again in the front center, as there is no longer a wireless controller on this device, and the S-Video connection is missing.

Megatech

  • Arcade device with 10 interchangeable Mega Drive games.
  • Released in 1989 with some of the best titles of its time such as Thunder Force II, Altered Beast, Tetris, Last Battle, Space Harrier 2 and Golden Ax.
  • Games interchangeable at any time, and more titles like Sonic the Hedgehog were coming soon. The games were identical to their role models.
  • Although the modules of the Megatech look similar to those of the Japanese Mega Drive, they are not compatible with each other.
  • A second, smaller 9-inch monitor is at the top. It displayed instructions for each game. The player pays for a certain period of time. As the time elapsed, the screen would blink green to prompt the player to insert more coins in order to continue playing.

Laseractive

Pioneer LaserActive CLD-A100 with expanded mega-drive (left) and PC engine (right) modules
  • Laserdisc player from Pioneer with a special module slot on the front of the housing at the bottom left. Two different modules (PAC-S1 / PAC-S10) allow you to play Japanese Mega-Drive and Mega-CD games or North American Genesis and Sega-CD games.
  • The Mega LD format only had a handful of games.
  • 3D glasses available for compatible games (GOL-1)
  • Other modules support PC Engine games (PAC-N1 / PAC-N10) and karaoke (PAC-K1 / PAC-K10). A module (PAC-PC1) with an RS-232 interface was also offered for use with personal computers .
  • The only mega-drive variant with a digital audio output.
  • The operation of master system converters is theoretically possible.
  • Incompatible with 32X due to lack of RGB signal .
  • Only chinch connections in NTSC 60 Hz for graphics and stereo sound output available.

MSX

  • A name for two devices released only in Arab countries by a company called Universal. The devices played mega drive cartridges.
  • The A330 MSX had a cartridge slot on top. Programs called Painting , Calendar , Arabic Writing , and English Writing were included.
  • The AX990 had 50 programs.

ATGames Firecore

  • is compatible with original Genesis cardridges and already contains integrated games in the internal memory

Handheld consoles

Mega jet

  • a display-less handheld designed for use on airplanes
  • was only sold in Japan
  • is connected to a screen
  • 6 buttons
  • Joypadport available for second player.
  • other AC adapter connection.
    • Mini-DIN multi output with NTSC signal (60 Hz) and stereo sound.
  • Stereo headphone output.
  • Worldwide module compatible due to the shape of the enlarged module bay on the console.

Multi-Mega / CDX

European version of the Multi-Mega
  • sold as Multi-Mega in Europe and as CDX in North America
  • limited to 5,000 pieces and therefore very rare
  • Mega Drive and Mega CD with the capabilities of a portable CD player.
  • other AC adapter
  • Mini-DIN multi output with PAL signal (50 Hz) or NTSC signal (60 Hz) and stereo sound.
  • Connection of 32X and the master system adapter possible but not officially intended.
  • Published for £ 350.00 in England, the introductory price in Germany was 999 DM, around 510 euros.
  • Hardware incompatible with Japanese Mega Drive games due to the shape of the plug-in module and module slot on the console (suitable adapters are available).
  • No built-in screen.
  • Can be used as a CD player. CD control buttons (play, stop etc.) on top of the console. Backlit LC display for title display. A separate line-out port is included for stereo support.
  • The 2 AA batteries can only operate the CD player, a socket is required to play.

Sega Nomad

Nomad
  • A portable variant of the Mega Drive that appeared in the USA in 1995 and was about the size of a Sega Game Gear .
  • 6 buttons.
  • For operation on the go, either a battery pack for six AA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack must be connected to the rear.
  • Joypadport available for second player.
  • other AC adapter connection.
  • Mini-DIN multi output with NTSC signal (60 Hz) and stereo sound.
  • Stereo headphone output.
  • Hardware incompatible with Japanese Mega Drive games due to the shape of the plug-in module and module slot on the console (suitable adapters are available).

MegaDrive Portable

In December 2007 a portable version was released with the MegaDrive Portable . This version has 20 games permanently integrated, a module slot is missing. However, there is a slot for SD cards that can be used to emulate ROMs from Mega Drive games. This handheld has a 2.4 "LC display, alternatively it can be connected to a television set (AV cable is included).

The device is marketed by Sega's Brazilian licensee Tectoy. In Germany, the device is sold by Millennium.

computer

TeraDrive

Sega TeraDrive
  • An IBM personal computer for playing Mega Drive games and computer applications.
  • The TeraDrive appeared in Japan with development tools. The price of the equivalent of $ 3000 made the system rather unattractive for the Japanese market. A total of 3 models appeared in which only the PC part differed. The processor was an 80286 with 10 MHz, the RAM equipment was between 640 KB and 2.5 MB and there were up to two 3.5 "floppy drives and in the 3rd model a 30 MB hard disk.

Mega PC

Amstrad Mega PC
  • The Mega PC was released by Amstrad in Europe, it was an AMD 386 with 25 MHz and had 1 MB RAM and a 40 MB IBM compatible hard drive.
  • It was released in England in 1993 and the color was changed from dark gray to cream.
  • A horizontally sliding front cover is used to switch between the two operating modes.
  • Hardware incompatible with Japanese Mega Drive games due to the shape of the plug-in module and module slot on the console (suitable adapters are available).
  • The TeraDrive / Mega PC can also be used with the Mega-CD, however the Mega PC needs a special connection cable and a separate module with the Boot Bios for the Mega CD, with the TeraDrive the Mega CD is available in 2 of 3 versions already built in.
  • The Mega Plus was an extended version with a Mega CD. It was a 486 with 33 MHz and 4 MB of RAM.
  • Proprietary VGA socket and stereo headphone output.