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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Wrestle War - 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!	WWF Raw - Sega Megadrive (PAL) WWF Raw slams into your senses with twenty-four of the most ruthless mat mayhem ever! The hottest WWF Superstars, all new superhuman mega moves and more in-and-out-if-the-ring action stand between you and the championship belt. This is WWF Raw and RAW IS WAR! Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
WWF Royal Rumble - Sega Megadrive (PAL) In the ring. out of the ring. out of control! Royal rumble: six in the ring at once! No Holds Barred Brawl! No referee and no rules. Choke holds, eye gouges and back breaking chair slams! More superstars than ever before - each with his own trademark moves. Tournament mania: Win the championship belt! Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	WWF Super Wrestlemania - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Charge down the ringside! Never before have the WWF Superstars looked so real! They're bigger, mightier and tougher than ever before! Whether its One-on-One, Tag Team, gruelling Four-on-Four Survivor series or the Ultimate Tournament Match, you're in command of special moves that give you the power to rock the ring. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
WWF Wrestlemania - The Arcade Game - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Take WWF wrestling to the extreme with intense action straight from the arcade smash! It's in-your-face mayhem with punishing head-to-head and team match ups. No pain, no game! Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	X-Men - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Wolverine, Gambit, Cyclops and Nightcrawler join Storm, iceman, Archangel, Jean Grey and Rogue to stop Magneto from carrying out a diabolical plan. Lying in ambush are murderous arch-villains Juggernaut, Sabretooth, Mojo and Deathbird with their armies Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
X-Men 2 Clone Wars - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Mutantkind is racing to the edge of oblivion at the hands of the Phalanx cloning organism. Only the X-Men's special powers can save the world now! Play as Wolverine, Psylocke and first the first time as Magneto! Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	XDR - 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!
Xenon 2 - Megablast - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Xenon 2: Hard, fast coin-op quality destructive action with a hot soundtrack to match. Xenon 2: It's out of this world. Xenon 2: Its a Megablast! Featuring a wicked soundtrack from Bomb the Bass. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Yogi Bear Cartoon Capers - Sega Megadrive (PAL) In this vast multi-level platform game, Yogi is awoken from his winter sleep to discover that work has started on a chemical plant in the heart of Jellystone Park. Yogi's mission to alert Ranger Smith of the danger, turns into a true fast paced hilarious adventure through five different terrains of Jellystone Park. Box: yes Manual: yes Price: £14
Zan - Yasha Enbukyoku - 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!	Zany Golf - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Miniature golf beyond your wildest imagination! Chase moving holes and avoid devastating laser blasts. Nine crazy holes, each like a separate arcade game! Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Zero - The Kamikaze Squirrel - Sega Megadrive (PAL) It's Zero hour! The evil Jacques Le Sheets has a twisted plot to create counterfeit money. And to make the paper, he's ravaging the wooded homeland of Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel! Can you save the forest and turn Jacques into pulp? Master Zero's full arsenal of Ninja techniques and weapons - you'll need them in later levels! Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Zero Tolerance - Sega Megadrive (PAL) You have zero tolerance out there against you. They're in yer face and they have to die. The first person perspective gives you no time to prepare - its kill or be killed. Pick your weapon of destruction from lasers, bazookas, grenades or shotguns and go kick some aliens. This is a 3D, adrenaline pumping, 360-degree total combat experience. You... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Zero Wing - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Cats, the leader of a band of swashbuckling space pirates, is terrorising the Galaxy. You must pilot the only remaining Milky Way attack draft into combat and stops Cats and his buccaneers. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Zero Wing - Sega Megadrive (NTSC-J) This is a Japanese Sega Megadrive game that will only work on a Japanese console or Modified Sega Megadrive This game is missing its manual Box: yes Manual: no Sold Out!
Zombies - Sega Megadrive (PAL) The neighbours are just dying to meet you in the most hilarious, freak filled, horror show ever! See zombies hunting humans! See aliens kidnapping cheerleaders! See mummies maiming tourists. And see it right on your TV screen in Zombies! This game is missing its instruction book Box: yes Manual: no Sold Out!	Zool - Ninja of the Nth Dimension - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Once every year, the games world is rocked by a game so stunning, so fast, so colourful, so bid, so demanding, so mega, so awesome, so varied, so incredible, and so full of fabulous features and unexpected treats that everybody just looks at it and says "That's It!" This year, Zool, The ninja from the "Nth" Dimension is... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Zoom - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Did you ever get punched by a banana? Tussle with a mushroom? Tumble into a black hole? You will now! Zoom into space and race around the play grids, out-running the funny critters who pop up in the strangest places. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Zoom - 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 Price: £14
Zoop - Sega Megadrive (PAL) Why are you wasting your time reading this when you could be playing the game? Right inside that little box is the excitement you crave, the challenge you need. Level after level of brain burning action coming at you from all sides, faster and faster until your thumbs are numb, your eyes are aching and your mind is molten. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!