List of Sega Consoles

Sega has a long and storied history in the video game industry, beginning in 1983 with the release of their first console, the SG-1000. While this console was not very successful, Sega found their first major success with the release of the Sega Master System in 1985. The Master System featured a range of popular games and was Sega’s first major success in the video game market.

However, it was the release of the Sega Genesis in 1988 that really cemented Sega’s place in the industry. The Genesis was a 16-bit console that was home to many classic games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, and Phantasy Star. It was also the first console to introduce the concept of “blast processing,” a marketing term that referred to the console’s ability to handle fast-paced action games.

Sega continued to innovate in the industry with the release of several add-ons for the Genesis, including the Sega CD and the 32X. These add-ons were designed to add enhanced graphics and processing power to the console, but they were not very successful and were quickly discontinued.

In 1994, Sega released the Saturn, their entry into the 32-bit era. While the Saturn was initially successful in Japan, it struggled in other markets due to its high price and difficult-to-program hardware. Sega’s final console, the Dreamcast, was released in 1998 and was a 128-bit console that was ahead of its time. It featured a range of innovative games like Shenmue and Jet Set Radio, but ultimately failed due to strong competition from Sony’s PlayStation 2.

List of Sega Home Game Consoles

Sega SG-1000

Sega SG-1000 (1983) – Sega’s first home video game console released in Japan. It had an 8-bit CPU and was released in three different variations. It was not very successful and was quickly overshadowed by the Nintendo Famicom, which was released around the same time.

Sega Master System

Sega Master System (1985) – Also known as the Sega Mark III in Japan, this console was Sega’s first major success in the video game market. It had an 8-bit CPU and featured a range of popular games like Sonic the Hedgehog. The Master System was released in different variations throughout its lifespan, including a handheld version called the Sega Game Gear.

Sega Genesis

Sega Genesis (1988) – The Sega Genesis, known as the Mega Drive in Japan, was a 16-bit console and Sega’s most successful console to date. It was home to many classic games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, and Phantasy Star. The Genesis was released in different variations, including the Genesis 2 and Genesis 3, as well as a handheld version called the Sega Nomad.

Sega CD

Sega CD (1991) – An add-on for the Genesis that allowed games to be played from CD-ROMs. It was popular for its enhanced graphics and full-motion video capabilities. The Sega CD was released in two different variations, the first of which was large and required the Genesis to be placed on top of it, while the second was smaller and attached to the side of the Genesis.

Sega 32X

Sega 32X (1994) – Another add-on for the Genesis, the 32X was designed to add 32-bit processing power to the console. However, it was not successful and was quickly discontinued. The 32X was criticized for its high price and lack of quality games.

Sega Saturn

Sega Saturn (1994) – Sega’s entry into the 32-bit era, the Saturn was initially successful in Japan but struggled in other markets. It featured a range of popular games like Virtua Fighter and Panzer Dragoon. The Saturn was criticized for its high price and difficult-to-program hardware, which made it less appealing to third-party developers.

Sega Nomad

Sega Nomad (1995) – A handheld console that was essentially a portable version of the Genesis. It was not successful due to its high price and short battery life. The Nomad was only released in North America.

Sega Dreamcast

Sega Dreamcast (1998) – Sega’s final console, the Dreamcast was a 128-bit console that was ahead of its time. It featured a range of innovative games like Shenmue and Jet Set Radio, but ultimately failed due to strong competition from Sony’s PlayStation 2. The Dreamcast was released in different variations, including a limited edition model with a built-in DVD player.

Other video game systems

In addition to these consoles, Sega also produced a number of other video game systems throughout its history. These include:

Sega Pico

Sega Pico (1993) – A console aimed at young children that featured educational games and interactive books. The Pico was not successful outside of Japan.

Sega Mega Jet

Sega Mega Jet (1994) – A handheld version of the Genesis that was used on airplanes in Japan. The Mega Jet was not available to consumers and was only used by airlines.

Sega Mega Play

Sega Mega Play (1993) – An arcade system that allowed players to play Genesis games in arcades. The Mega Play was not very successful and was quickly discontinued.

Sega Naomi

Sega Naomi (1998) – An arcade system that was based on the Dreamcast hardware. The Naomi was very successful in arcades and was used to power many popular arcade games like Crazy Taxi and Virtua Tennis.

Sega RingEdge

Sega RingEdge (2009) – A modern arcade system that uses PC hardware

While Sega is no longer involved in the console market, their legacy continues to live on through their classic games and consoles. The company’s impact on the industry can still be felt today, and their contributions to the world of video games will not be forgotten.