Because 16-bit arcades, Sega produced were very popular Hayao Nakayama, decided that their new home console will be 16-bit. СThe system came out fully compatible with the system and arcade games portirovalis with machines quickly and fully.
Working title system was MK - 1601, but Sega has decided that the name of the new console will be Sega Mega Drive."Mega-mean superiority, and" Drive "meant the combination of speed and power. This brand used in the Japanese, European, Australian, Asian and Brazilian markets. The version in the United States went under the name of Genesis, because of the conflict of trademarks.
Megadrive appeared in Japan on October 29, 1988 at a price of 22,000 yen, almost a year after its first 16-bit console NEC PC Engine. While this affected the slow start sales soon Megadrive overshadowed early model, but after the release of PC Engine CD supplement and Super Nintendo, Megadrive lost power again.
In Europe console appeared on November 30, 1990 in the UK. In North America Megadrive was unveiled in 1987, becoming the second 16-bit consoles (before being dominated Mattel Intellivision). Sales in the United States began on January 9, 1989 in New York and Los Angeles to start the recommended price of $ 200. Sept. 15 started selling decks in the rest of North America a little more low-cost $ 190.
Genesis completely overwhelm NES, as well as having better graphics and sound.The major competitor Genesis was SNES, which it had an advantage-many already released games. Genesis continues to gather around sports fan and RPG.
Production of Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991 caused blow to the position of Nintendo and Genesis started in the first place in the United States.By 1992, Sega naslazhdalas success, with a 55% market share in North America. Faced with declining sales and growing SNES, Sega once again to Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Nintendo sound like thunder in a clear sky, accompanied by the release of the game is very aggressive advertising company, is to combat Nintendo and Sega for long cemented staggering 65% of the North American market. In those times in North America was currently marketing war between two giants of the video game market.
Less than a year later, in 1993, Sega released a console with a new layout and reduced prices. Consoles architecture has been streamlined, thereby reducing its cost.
Later developed add-s 32X and Sega CD. Their release has failed because of weak, ineffective advertising and the differences between America and Sega Sega Japan.
By 1994, Sega share of the North American market fell from 65% to 35%. Announcing the new prefixes : Saturn, Sony Playstation and Nintendo 64 marked the demise of 16 bit era. In 1996, less than a year after Sega Saturn, the company ceases to support Genesis, ending production of attachments and accessories. This rousing buyers who purchased Sega CD and 32 H, as well as their support too has been discontinued. This could not affect the reduction credibility as a manufacturer Sega consoles.
In subsequent years there has been a slight recovery Megadrive. This is enhanced grey market unlicensed cartridges and the emergence of candidates who can run through emulators such as Kega Fusion, or Gens Genecyst.
