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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True Lies - Sega Megadrive (PAL) It's not like he's saving the world or anything. Oh, yes it is! As special agent Harry Tasker, it's up to you to prevent a nuclear holocaust and stop the Crimson Jihad! Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Truxton - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Power on! All systems go! Takeoff! Meet the alien attack head on in your Super Fighter! Before the Gidans overrun your planet, destroy them in an explosive scramble in space! You are the one pilot alive with the guts to do it! And save the planet! This game is missing its instruction book Box: yes Manual: yes Price: £60
Turbo Outrun - Sega Megadrive (PAL) A wild ride across the US from New York to Los Angeles. To make it to LA you must overcome extreme climate and terrain changes, the police and your racing rival. Are you up to the challenge? Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Turbo Outrun - Sega Megadrive (NTSC-J) This is a Japanese Sega Megadrive game that will only work on a Japanese console or Modified Sega Megadrive Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Turrican - Sega Megadrive (PAL) You are Turrican - the cockiest, coolest Chromidium Warrior since Robocop and Terminator. Your mission? Explore and reclaim the deep space colony of Alterra from blood-draining, bio-mutated killers. It's a big job, but no big deal when you're bad and bullet proof. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Twin Hawk - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Tanks, ships and mad war machines are everywhere, and they're all gunning for you! Fire, dodge, and fire again! If the fighting gets too intense, call on one support squadrons and increase your fire-power! There's no half speed in this battle - it's all or nothing! Box: yes Manual: yes Price: £34
Two Crude Dudes - Sega Megadrive (PAL) The once-grand city of New York, levelled twenty years earlier by a nuclear strike, in once again under siege - this time by a twisted scientist and his mass of mutations. Only Two Crude Dudes can stop the invasion. This game is missing its instruction book Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Two Crude Dudes - Sega Megadrive (PAL) The once-grand city of New York, levelled twenty years earlier by a nuclear strike, in once again under siege - this time by a twisted scientist and his mass of mutations. Only Two Crude Dudes can stop the invasion. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Two Tribes - Populous 2 - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Life itself becomes a game in which Good and Bad Gods attempt to settle their differences. People and land are carefully created in minutes and then destroyed in seconds by all manner of natural and unnatural events such as plagues, tidal waves, lightening, storms, earthquakes and volcanoes. Tackle a series of one thousand increasingly challenging... Box: yes Manual: yes Price: £12	Ultimate Mortal Kombat - Sega Megadrive (PAL) The fight of your life. Enter the world of Mortal Kombat 3 and discover what awaits you. dazzling graphics and incredible sound, twenty-three playable fighters, all new combos, fatalities, brutalities and babalities, hidden characters and an eight fighter tournament mode. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Ultimate Soccer - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Take on the world's best in single-player competition! Go head-to-head with a friend or use Sega's four-player adapter to blow away the opposition with up to seven team-mates playing at the same time. So - do you think you have the talent it takes to become the ultimate world soccer championship. Box: yes Manual: yes Price: £6	Universal Soldier - Sega Megadrive (PAL) You are a perfectly engineered Universal Soldier with extraordinary skills and powers - locked in Mortal combat against your old Vietnam foe, the villainous Sergeant Scott. You are both 'Ultimate Fighting Machines', but only one of you can survive! Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Urban Strike - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Band Save the cities of the United States from Armageddon in ten spectacular multiple-stage missions. Leave your copter and fight on foot. New choppers and ground assault vehicles. New timed sequences, power-ups and interactive control panels. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Vectorman - Sega Megadrive (PAL) The year is 2043 - earth has become a toxic dump being cleaned up by robots. When their leader, Raster, goes haywire and threatens to destroy what is left of the planet, only Vectorman, with his amazing morphing abilities can stop him. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Venom vs Spiderman - Sepearation Anxiety - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Parting is such sweet sorrow! Venom has been violently split from his living costume, spawning five deadly alien symbiotes. In fierce two-player action, Venom joins forces with his arch enemy Spiderman, fo face the new strain of evil brought to life by chilling, computer rendered graphics. Between the merciless Jury and awesome aliens like Ghost... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Vermilon - Sega Megadrive (NTSC-J) This is a Japanese Sega Megadrive game that will only work on a Japanese console or Modified Sega Megadrive Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Verytex - Sega Megadrive (NTSC-J) This is a Japanese Sega Megadrive game that will only work on a Japanese console or Modified Sega Megadrive Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Virtua Fighter 2 - Sega Megadrive (PAL) The arcade smash hit explodes onto the Megadrive! Select one of eight fighters, then pummel the opposition, either a computer or friend, who stand in the way of a showdown with the mysterious Dural. This game is missing its instruction book Box: yes Manual: no Sold Out!
Virtua Fighter 2 - Sega Megadrive (PAL) The arcade smash hit explodes onto the Megadrive! Select one of eight fighters, then pummel the opposition, either a computer or friend, who stand in the way of a showdown with the mysterious Dural. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Virtua Racing - Sega Megadrive (NTSC-J) This is a Japanese Sega Megadrive game that will only work on a Japanese console or Modified Sega Megadrive Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Virtua Racing - Sega Megadrive (PAL) From the arcade to the armchair! Sega's revolutionary SVP chip puts you in the driving seat of the most technically advanced game ever. Stunning polygon graphics, four selectable viewpoints and high speed action combine to make this the greatest ride of y Box: yes Manual: no Price: £14	Virtual Bart - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Bart is in a heap of technical trouble - he's stuck in a virtual reality machine! Enter the Jurassic era a Dino Bart and stomp through stone age mayhem. Battle Nelson and the gang in a post apocalyptic Springfield as Doomsday Bart. Deploy your diaper-chute as Baby Bart and hog the spotlight s Pork Factory Pig Bart. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Virtual Pinball - Sega Megadrive (PAL) There are twenty-nine pre-made games to play instantly or you can build your own: there are six game templates to choose from, ten different backdrops to play against and thirty-eight different game parts to construct with. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	VR Troopers - Sega Megadrive (PAL) The three heroes from the top rated TV series are storming onto the Megadrive and taking no prisoners. This adventure sees the VR Troopers trapped in a fiendish virtual reality video game built by the evil genius Grimlod. The VR Troopers go head to head against hordes of skugs and bosses as they try and escape Grimlords grisly game. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Wani Wani World - Sega Megadrive (NTSC-J) This is a Japanese Sega Megadrive game that will only work on a Japanese console or Modified Sega Megadrive Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Wardner Special - Sega Megadrive (NTSC-J) This is a Japanese Sega Megadrive game that will only work on a Japanese console or Modified Sega Megadrive Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!