Sega SG-1000 (Mark I \ Mark II)
Type Console Developer Sega
Release Date 15-Jul-83 Region(s) Japan, Australasia, Europe, South Africa
Initial Price $129 USD Games Released 47 (unique)
  1. History & Reviews
  2. Models & Clones
  3. Games & Emulation
  4. Specs & Manuals
  5. Other Media
  6. Web Resources
DW FACTS
     by Dark Watcher
Sega's SG-1000 (Sega Game 1000) (a.k.a Mark I) was the company's first attempt at home consoles.  It was initially test marketed in 1981 and finally released to Japanese consumers in July of 1983.  It was a pretty advanced system for its time and featured impressive technical specifications.  The system would be sold in Japan until 1985 and was released in various markets throughout European and Australasia.
 
In 1984, Sega released an updated version of the console called the SG-1000 Mark II.  This remodeled version used gamepads instead of the original joysticks and had mounts to store them on each side.  It also featured a slot which allowed a keyboard attachment called SK-1100 and was compatible with software from the Sega SC-3000 computer.  Sega also sold an optional adaptor called Card Catcher.  This adaptor would allow the SG-1000 to play Sega "Game Card" software.
The SG-1000 reached minor success, but eventually could not compete against the Nintendo Famicom (NES).  Sega abandoned the SG-1000 in order to make a console that could compete against the NES, but the SG-1000 game library lived on with Sega's Mark III / Master System thanks to backwards compatibility.  The "Game Card" function would also become a built in feature.  Too bad people outside of Japan didn't know that the Sega Master System could play SG-1000 games.
 
FACT:  Othello Multivision is another clone of the SG-1000.  Released by Tsukuda Original in 1983.  It was sold for 19,800 Yen only in Japan and featured a built in Othello game.  Tsukuda Original also released 8 games for the Othello Multivision which of course are all compatible with SG-1000.
MODELS
     Officially licensed releases
Sega SG-1000 Mark I
Sega SG-1000
Sega SG-1000
Sega SG-1000 Sega SG-1000 Sega SG-1000
Sega SG-1000 Sega SG-1000 Sega SG-1000
Sega SG-1000 Sega SG-1000 Sega SG-1000
Sega SG-1000 Mark II
Sega SG-1000 Mark II
Sega SG-1000 Mark II
Sega SG-1000 Mark II Sega SG-1000 Mark II Sega SG-1000 Mark II
Sega SC-3000 Personal Computer
Sega SC-3000
Sega SC-3000
Tsukuda Original Othello Multivision
There is some question as to whether the Othello Multivision was licensed by Sega, but indications seem to support this system being an official release of the Sega SG-1000.  The manufacturer, Tsukuda Original, released 8 games under their own flag.  The system is fully compatible with the SG-1000.  Two models were released during its lifespan.
Othello Multivision
CLONES
     Non-licensed hardware releases
Dina 2 in one (2-in-1)
Bit Corporation originally release the DINA 2-in-1 console in 1986.  This odd piece of hardware was compatible with both the ColecoVision and SG-1000.  Telegames would eventually release their version, the Personal Arcade, to the US market in 1987. To read more information on these hybrid clones, please see our dedicated page here.
FORMAT, PACKAGING & GENERAL INFO
     Interesting facts on software for this system
Software for the Sega SG-1000 was distributed on two different types of the ROM format: standard game cartridges and Sega My Card.

Sega My Cards were significantly smaller than their standard sized brethren in both dimension and data capacity.  Resembling a credit card, this format was exclusive to the Japanese market and required the optional Card Catcher adapter to enable play on the SG-1000 Mark I and Mark II.  This format was introduced as a cost savings measure for developers, but was quickly phased out due to the inability to house the more advanced games of the system.

With the release of the SC-3000, a personal computer version of the SG-1000 console, most titles displayed this dual compatibility on the front cover ("Game Cartridge for SC-3000 or SG-1000").
Sample Game Play
Sega SG-1000 Game Boxes

Sega SG-1000 MY CARD Game Boxes
SCREENSHOTS
     Captured in-game images
Bank Panic
 Bomb Jack
 Borderline
Castle
 Champion Baseball
 Champion Golf
Choplifter
 Congo Bongo
 Exerion
Ghost House
 Golgo 13
 Gulkave
Hang On
 Hustle Chumy
 James Bond 00
Loderunner
 Monaco GP
 Okamoto Ayako no Match Play Golf
Orguss
 Pacar
 Pachinko II
Pitfall II
 Pro Wrestling
 Q*Bert
Safari Race
 Sega Flipper
 Sega Galaga
Star Jacker
 Wonderboy
 Zaxxon
EMULATION
     First and third party system emulators
MEKA

A great emulator for this console. This emulator is
Windows based,but there is a DOS version also available.
SPECS & MANUALS
     For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.
Processor Type  Processor Speed  Other Processor Information RAM \ Video RAM
NEC 780C 3.58 MHz Texas Instruments TMS9928A VDC 2 KB \ 16 KB
Screen Resolution Color Palette Polygons \ Sprites Audio
256 x 192 16 colors 32 sprites Texas Instruments SN76489
(4 channel mono sound)
Media Format Media Capacity Games Released Other Supported Formats
Cartridge 48 KB 47 (unique) Sega "Game Card",
Sega SC-3000 car4tridges, SC-3000 cassettes (optional peripheral required)
Internal Storage External \ Removable Storage Game Controllers Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None None Joystick, 2 Action Buttons Keyboard, FM Sound Unit
Controller Ports Network Ports Other Ports Audio \ Video
Two (2) (one hard-wired) None One (1) expansion parallel bus RF
Power Supply - External Other Outputs  Other Details \ Notes
Input: AC 100V, 60Hz
Output: DC 9V,  7.7W		 None None
Manuals
Sega SG-1000 Owners Manual (PDF) - 0.57 MB
Sega SC-3000 Owners Manual (PDF) - 3.30 MB
OTHER MEDIA
     Peripherals, Promotions, Commercials, Brochures, Etc.
Sega SG-1000 Television Commercials
WEB RESOURCES
     Highly recommended websites for this system
SMS Power

Great site for retro Sega gaming		 Sega Retro

Nice wiki-style site for all Sega consoles		 Wired Game | Life

Great review of the system and some games
DISCUSS
     Visitor insights and feedback
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