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The Video Game Console Library - Sega SG-1000 (Mark I \ Mark II)

Sega logo Sega SG-1000 (Mark I \ Mark II) Sega logo

  DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
Page content, development and design by Marriott_Guy
Developer Manufacturer Release Date Country(s) Initial Price Model Number Game Releases Overall Rating
Sega Sega 15-Jul-83 Japan, Europe,
New Zealand		 $129 USD SG-1000 47 Unique NA
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Video Specs Games\Emulation Models Clones Links
Sega SG-1000 (Mark I \ Mark II)
Ratings
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release.  Ratings based upon a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).
Console Design (appearance, functionality) N\A
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile) N\A
Controllers (design, response, feel, use) N\A
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation) N\A
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects) N\A
Media (game media format, design, durability) N\A
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging) N\A
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library) N\A
Innovations (technological industrial strides) N\A
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?) N\A
Collector Value (good collector investment?) N\A
Games Rarity (general availability of games) N\A
Console Rarity (general availability of a system) N\A
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Reviews

Sega SG-1000 (Mark I \ Mark II)

Sega SG-1000 (Mark I \ Mark II) Card Catcher

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 June 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 did make it in two overseas markets, Australia & New Zealand.

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 / Sega 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: It was believed that the SG-1000 never made it to American or European shores. The console itself didn't. However thanks to a company named Telegames, a clone of the SG-1000 made it. The Telegames Personal Arcade could play SG-1000 carts, but unfortunately no one knew it could.

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.

The SG-1000, believe it or not, was suppose to be a hybrid 3D system. Its most popular game was Zaxxon, but the 1980s world wasn't quite ready for 3D because it seemed too confusing.


  HANDS ON REVIEW
 

Coming soon....
 

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Pictures & Video

Various picture\video media for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Sega SG-1000 Commercials
Video courtesy of callfromthepast.		 Sega SG-1000 User Demonstration
Video courtesy of lukemorse1.		 More Sega SG-1000 Commercials
Video courtesy of itshongkongfollowt.
Sega SG-1000 - Hardware

 Sega SG-1000 - Hardware
 Sega SG-1000 - General

 Sega SG-1000 - General
 Sega SG-1000 - Box Front

 Sega SG-1000 - Box Front
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Specs

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 None 16 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 Cartridge, Sega "Game Card",
Sega SC-3000 cassettes
(optional peripherals required)

Internal Storage

External \ Removable Storage

Game Controllers

Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None None Joystick Keyboard,
Controller Ports Network Ports

Other Ports

Audio \ Video
Two (2) (one hard-wired) None One (1) expansion parallel bus  Composite

Power Supply

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes
DC 9V \ 7.7W External None Cassette and printer can be connected
to the optional keyboard for the SG-1000
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Games & Emulation

Game screen shots and\or videos released for this system.
Sega SG-1000 - Zaxxon Game Footage
Video courtesy of segaxxon.		 Sega SG-1000 - Monaco GP Game Footage
Video courtesy of JMCDS45.		 Sega SG-1000  - Hang On II Game Footage
Video courtesy of segaxxon.
Sega SG-1000 - Golgo 13 Game Footage
Video courtesy of segaxxon.		 Sega SG-1000 - Hustle Chumy Game Footage
Video courtesy of segaxxon.		 Sega SG-1000 - Zoom 909 Game Footage
Video courtesy of segaxxon.
Third Party Emulators
Program Website Description

MEKA

http://www.smspower.org/meka/

 A great emulator for this console. This emulator is Windows based, but there is a DOS version also available.
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Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Sega SG-1000 (Mark I)

 Sega SG-1000 (Mark I)
 Sega logo - black Sega SG-1000 (Mark II)

 Sega SG-1000 (Mark II) (picture credits unknown)
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Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).
Othello Multivision - Hardware

 Othello Multivision
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Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.
Name Website Description
     
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