Sega Megadrive

The Sega Megadrive was released in Japan in November 1988 and was the first 16-bit video games console. The Sega Master System (the predecessor to the Sega Megadrive) had declined in popularity due to the increase in 16-bit computers such as the Atari ST and the Commodore Amiga, and Sega had lost the battle with the Nintendo Corporation and its Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Having already enjoyed considerable success with 16-bit arcade games such as Space Harrier and Outrun, Sega decided to rush out the new Megadrive console ahead of their rivals Nintendo, and the Super Famicom (Super Nintendo) which they had been secretly developing.

Released almost one year later, in October 1989, the Sega Megadrive was known as the Sega Genesis in the USA and Canada. A further year later, just in time for Christmas the Sega Megadrive landed in Europe and the whole world had now been introduced to 16-bit console gaming. However, despite being first off the mark with its next generation console, and having reasonable sales in early 1991 Sega was still losing out to the still popular NES. That was until a Spiky haired blue hedgehog made an appearance and changed everything!

The demand for the Sega Megadrive hit the roof as everyone wanted to play the latest game - Sonic the Hedgehog. For the first time, Sega had knocked Nintendo off the number one spot in the video game markets of Europe and North America. Nintendo responded by rushing forward the release of its Super Nintendo (SNES) but it was too late and the Sega Megadrive had established itself as the number one choice of video games console. Nintendo still remained more popular in Japan - which had always been considered its stronghold, but the shake-up in the western markets was a considerable embarrassment for the video games giant.

The Sega Megadrive underwent a transformation a few years later and the Sega Megadrive 2 was released. The console was smaller, and had the headphone jack and volume control removed. In addition to this the TMSS (Trade Mark Security System) was introduced which prevented the playing of imported cartridges through a series of hardware and software checks.

The Sega Mega CD went on sale in Japan in December 1991. It had an additional processor, more RAM, a new Sound Chip and an (obvious) bonus was the ability to play normal music CD's as CD players were still relatively new at this time. As usual, one year later, the unit went on sale in the US, with a slightly better game line up which included the excellent Sewer Shark. Unfortunately for Sega, it was the price of the consoles that prevented them from gaining popularity, despite the fact that many excellent RPG's went onto Mega-CD only, compared to the Sega Megadrive the unit had very limited worldwide success.

In 1993 Sega started to fall behind Nintendo in the 3D development field. Nintendo had wowed the world with Starwing (Starfox in the US) and the SuperFX Chip. Initially Sega had developed the SVP Adapter (Super Virtua Play) with Hitachi, and this had been incorporated into many new arcade releases including the massive hit, Virtua Fighter. Virtua Racer, released in 1994, was the only 3D polygon game that made it to the Sega Megadrive and had the SVP Adapter incorporated into the game cartridge - similar to the SuperFX chip on the Nintendo.

Sega released the Sega 32X add-on in 1995 which incorporated the SVP capabilities into the new base unit via twin Hitachi processors and an overhaul of the internal architecture. The unit plugged into the existing cartridge slot, and had it own power supply and video feed. Existing games could be played in the new slot, as well as beefed up 32X games which now featured 3D processing, better graphics, better sound and faster game play. The best of the bunch were Star Wars Arcade, Knuckles Chaotix and Virtua Fighter.

Despite this last ditch attempt by Sega to save the Megadrive, its popularity dwindled - largely due to the overwhelming success of the Sony Playstation. The machine was officially discontinued in 1998, and was replaced by Sega's true 32bit machine, the Sega Saturn. Although the Sega Megadrive never matched the Super Nintendo's worldwide success, it certainly gave it a run for its money, especially in the United States and Great Britain. Boasting a ten year history and a back catalogue of more than a thousand games including the Sonic series, Ecco the Dolphin and Streets of Rage games, the Sega Megadrive is certainly a console which will not be forgotten for many years.

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Sega Megadrive 6 Button Controller Loose - Sega Megadrive The official Sega six button controller. This is the controller designed to be used with games requiring additional buttons - Street Fighter 2: Championship Edition is one of these and plays great with this controller. These controllers are particularly hard to find and I only have a couple so its first come, first served! This item is... Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!	Sega Megadrive 6 Button Wireless Controllers Loose - Sega Megadrive This is a pair of official wireless six button Sega Megadrive Pads with an Infra-Red receiver unit. How rare are these? I've got a set and they're absolutely great - no more tangled wires! They are also official Sega products, so you know they are good quality. This item is fully tested and comes loose without instructions. Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!
Sega Megadrive Action Replay 1 Boxed - Sega Megadrive This item has two uses - it firstly acts as an import adapter and allows you to play imported games, but its main use is as a cheat cartridge. You simply insert the Game Genie into your console and slot your game into the top. When you switch your machine on, a code entering screen is displayed and you can enter codes for infinite lives, ammo,... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Sega Megadrive Action Replay 2 Boxed - Sega Megadrive This item has two uses - it firstly acts as an import adapter and allows you to play imported games, but its main use is as a cheat cartridge. You simply insert the Game Genie into your console and slot your game into the top. When you switch your machine on, a code entering screen is displayed and you can enter codes for infinite lives, ammo,... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Sega Megadrive Arcade Power Stick 1 Boxed - Sega Megadrive The official arcade style controller. This is a tough, solid arcade style joypad, designed to sit on a flat surface, with all the buttons re-positioned on top of the Joypad. Absolutely fantastic for beat-em-up games, you can vent your anger on the control pad as they are very durable (trust me on this one!). This item is fully tested boxed... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Sega Megadrive Arcade Power Stick 1 Loose - Sega Megadrive The official Sega arcade style controller. This is a tough, solid arcade style joypad, designed to sit on a flat surface, with all the buttons re-positioned on top of the Joypad. Absolutely fantastic for beat-em-up games, you can vent your anger on the control pad as they are very durable (trust me on this one!). This item is fully... Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!
Sega Megadrive Arcade Power Stick 2 Boxed - Sega Megadrive The official arcade style controller with six buttons. This is a tough, solid arcade style joypad, designed to sit on a flat surface, with all the buttons re-positioned on top of the Joypad. Absolutely fantastic for beat-em-up games, you can vent your anger on the control pad as they are very durable (trust me on this one!). Six button... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Sega Megadrive ASCII Mega Stick Boxed - Sega Megadrive An arcade style controller - officially licensed and made by Ascii. This is a tough, solid arcade style joypad, designed to sit on a flat surface, with all the buttons re-positioned on top of the Joypad. Absolutely fantastic for beat-em-up games, you can vent your anger on the control pad as they are very durable (trust me on this one!). This... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Sega Megadrive ASCII Mega Stick Loose - Sega Megadrive An arcade style controller - officially licensed and made by Ascii. This is a tough, solid arcade style joypad, designed to sit on a flat surface, with all the buttons re-positioned on top of the Joypad. Absolutely fantastic for beat-em-up games, you can vent your anger on the control pad as they are very durable (trust me on this one!). This... Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!	Sega Megadrive Capcom Soldier MD Fighting Pad Loose - Sega Megadrive A rare Joystick made by game creators Capcom. The Chimera 3 is gripped in one hand like a pistol, with a D-Pad on the top along with all six buttons, so this pad is fully compatible with 6-button games like Streets of Rage 3. Reviews state that the buttons are at the perfect angle for players who prefer to use their fingers instead of their... Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!
Sega Megadrive Chimera 3 Controller Boxed - Sega Megadrive A third party Joystick from quality peripheral makers Quickshot. The Chimera 3 is gripped in one hand like a joystick, with a index finger trigger button, but there is a smaller joystick on the top along with the normal buttons. Quite unusual! This item is boxed and has been tested. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Sega Megadrive Chimera 3 Controller Loose - Sega Megadrive A third party Joystick from quality peripheral makers Quickshot. The Chimera 3 is gripped in one hand like a joystick, with a index finger trigger button, but there is a smaller joystick on the top along with the normal buttons. Quite unusual! This item is loose and has been tested. Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!
Sega Megadrive Code Buster Import Adapter Boxed - Sega Megadrive Clever adapter that allows you to play Japanese, US or Brazilian games on your PAL Sega Megadrive.? Simply slot your imported game into the top of the adapter, change the dip switches to the appropriate region and you're away! The item comes boxed and has been fully tested. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Sega Megadrive Competition Pro 6 Button Controller Loose - Sega Megadrive Third party six button controller. This is the controller designed to be used with games requiring additional buttons - Street Fighter 2: Championship Edition is one of these and plays great with this controller. These controllers also come with auto-fire and slow-motion buttons to make game play that little bit easier! These controllers... Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!
Sega Megadrive Competition Pro Controller Boxed - Sega Megadrive Third party controller. Brand new boxed controller - probably the best third party pad available. These controllers also come with auto-fire buttons to make game play that little bit easier! These controllers are particularly hard to find brand new. This item is brand new and comes boxed with instructions. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Sega Megadrive Controller Extension Cable Loose - Sega Megadrive The trouble with any console in my opinion is the controllers. Why are the cables always so short? You always have to sit so close to the TV, and if there are a number of you playing it gets even worse! Well here's the solution to your problems - a extension cable. Simply slot in onto the end of you controller and extend its length by 2 metres.... Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!
Sega Megadrive Datal Universal Adapter Boxed - Sega Megadrive Simple adapter that allows you to play Japanese & US Genesis games on your PAL Sega Megadrive as Japanese cartridges are a different shape and some have checks for region codes etc. Simply slot your Japanese game into the top of the adapter and you're away! The item comes boxed and has been fully tested. Box: yes Manual: no Price: £20	Sega Megadrive Dragon Pad Boxed - Sega Megadrive Third party six button controller. This is the controller designed to be used with games requiring additional buttons - Street Fighter 2: Championship Edition is one of these and plays great with this controller. These controllers are particularly hard to find and I only have a couple so its first come, first served! This item is fully tested and... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Sega Megadrive EA Four Way Play Boxed - Sega Megadrive So you've just got yourself a copy of Mega Bomberman and you've got two mates with controllers who want to play, but there's only two joystick ports! Well here's the solution for you - the Electronic Arts Four-Way Play. All your problems are solved! Compatible with all any four player game. This item is fully tested and is boxed. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Sega Megadrive EA Four Way Play Loose - Sega Megadrive So you've just got yourself a copy of Mega Bomberman and you've got two mates with controllers who want to play, but there's only two joystick ports! Well here's the solution for you - the Electronic Arts Four-Way Play. All your problems are solved! Compatible with any four player game. This item is fully tested and comes unboxed without... Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!
Sega Megadrive Fighter Stick MD Loose - Sega Megadrive This is a tough, solid arcade style six button arcade stick, designed to sit on a flat surface, with all the buttons re-positioned on top of the arcade stick. Absolutely fantastic for beat-em-up games, you can vent your anger on the control pad as they are very durable. This item is fully tested. Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!	Sega Megadrive Game Genie Boxed - Sega Megadrive This item has two uses - it firstly acts as an import adapter and allows you to play imported games, but its main use is as a cheat cartridge. A book is provided which contains hundreds of codes for Sega Megadrive games. You simply insert the Game Genie into your console and slot your game into the top. When you switch your machine on, a code... Complete with Box & Manual Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Sega Megadrive Game Genie Loose - Sega Megadrive This item has two uses - it firstly acts as an import adapter and allows you to play imported games, but its main use is as a cheat cartridge. A book is provided which contains hundreds of codes for Sega Megadrive games. You simply insert the Game Genie into your console and slot your game into the top. When you switch your machine on, a code... Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!	Sega Megadrive Gamester Six Button Pad Boxed - Sega Megadrive Third party six button controller. This is the controller designed to be used with games requiring additional buttons - Street Fighter 2: Championship Edition is one of these and plays great with this controller. These controllers are particularly hard to find and I only have a couple so its first come, first served! This item is fully tested and... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Sega Megadrive Gamester Six Button Pad Loose - Sega Megadrive Third party six button controller. This is the controller designed to be used with games requiring additional buttons - Street Fighter 2: Championship Edition is one of these and plays great with this controller. These controllers are particularly hard to find and I only have a couple so its first come, first served! This item is fully tested and... Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!	Sega Megadrive Honey Bee Cartridge Adapter Loose - Sega Megadrive Simple adapter that allows you to play Japanese games on your PAL Sega Megadrive as Japanese cartridges are a different shape. Simply slot your Japanese game into the top of the adapter and you're away! The item comes unboxed with its instructions and has been fully tested. Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!