SegaGeneration 4
Sega Mega Drive
1988
AU Release
1 July 1990
AU Launch Price
$399 AUD
~$920 today
Units Sold
31M
Technical Specifications
Processor
16-bit Motorola 68000 (7.67 MHz)
Memory
64 KB main + 64 KB video
Storage
Battery-backed cartridge save
Media
ROM Cartridge
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Global lifetime sales
Cultural Impact
The Sega Mega Drive (known as the Genesis in North America) waged the fiercest console war in gaming history against the Super Nintendo. Sega's 'Blast Processing' marketing and Sonic the Hedgehog gave the Mega Drive an edgy, cool image that resonated with older teens. In Australia, the Mega Drive was sold at Kmart and Big W and became a genuine household brand. While it ultimately lost the console war, its legacy is enormous — Sonic remains one of gaming's most recognisable icons, and the Mega Drive library includes timeless titles like Mortal Kombat (with real blood!), Streets of Rage, and Thunder Force IV.
Did You Know?
Sega's 'Blast Processing' marketing claim was largely fictional — the Mega Drive had no such technology
Mortal Kombat on Mega Drive retained the blood and fatalities that Nintendo censored on the SNES, dramatically boosting Sega's 'edgy' image
Sonic the Hedgehog was specifically designed to be a 'cool' mascot to counter Nintendo's Mario — he was originally going to wear sunglasses
Original Launch Commercial
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