The Video Game Console Library

	Sega CD \ Mega-CD
	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	12-Dec-91	North America, Japan, Europe	$199 USD	1690	Approx. 150	NA
Ratings	Reviews	Pictures\Media	Specs\Manuals	Games\Emulation	Models	Clones	Links

$Sega CD \ Mega-CD$

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

Reviews

$Sega CD \ Mega-CD$

$Sega CD \ Mega-CD Advert$

DW FACTS
- by Dark Watcher

In 1991 at the Tokyo Toy show in Japan, Sega unveiled its secret project to compete against NEC's PC Engine CD-ROM add on.

The Mega-CD like its rival was capable of utilizing the enormous storage capacity of CD media to produce quality games. The Mega-CD however was designed with its own processor and memory that worked in conjunction with the Mega Drive's (Genesis) processor and memory via an interface port.

The unit was capable of adding 10 extra sound channels to the Mega Drive and provide sprite enhancement features such as scaling and rotation, similar to that of the Super NES's Mode 7. Like other CD-based consoles, the Mega-CD could also run Audio CDs and CD+G (CD plus Graphics). With the massive amount of storage space on CDs, game producers also saw the capability of using Full Motion Video (FMV) in their games. Unfortunately, when shown on a 16-bit console, the graphics turned out very pixilated and grainy, but that didn't stop them making such games.

The Mega-CD was released in Japan in the winter of 1991 and competed well against NEC's add on. In 1992 Sega began to lose its dominance in the United States due to the release of the Super NES. Their CD add-on renamed Sega CD was released in October of that year to retake their sales position. However, the initial price tag of $399 and the initial lack of quality titles kept the add-on from taking off.

In 1993 the Sega CD was redesigned with a top loading CD tray. The redesign made the add-on cheaper and sleeker to connect to the remodeled Mega Drive II \ Genesis 2. It was finally released in Europe in April and garnered a larger following.

In March of 1994 the Sega CD was redesigned yet again, but was no longer an add-on. The Sega CDX was a single unit that combined both the Genesis and the Sega CD into a single unit. The sleek design was slightly larger then a normal CD player and retailed for $399 USD.

The Sega CD was an innovative creation, but was not considered a total success. A number of factors prevented the Sega CD from attaining a dominant position in the videogame market at the time. The initial high price prevented the add-on from selling well. Another contributor was the delay of third party software support. This was because Sega was slow to distribute the development kits needed to create Sega CD games.

The result caused some rushed low quality games. Other developers abused the add-on's ability to create FMV and games seemed more a cheap movie then an actual game. Other games still were simple slightly enhanced versions of their existing Genesis \ Mega Drive carts.

In 1993, an issue of violence and videogames began surfacing. Fingers began pointing at Sega due to a game called "Night Trap". Stores began removing Sega CD games from their shelves in fear of protest.

Approximately 149 Sega CD titles were released in the United States. Sega finally pulled the plug on the Sega CD in 1996.

Sega Mega-CD logo

FACT: As a result of their involvement in protests about videogames and violence, Sega was the first to develop video game ratings on their Sega CD titles.

Another interesting fact is that the Sega CD had another capability not exploited by more developers. The console had limited 3D polygon capability. The only Sega CD title that took advantage of this capability was Silpheed, released in 1993.

HANDS ON REVIEW

Coming soon...

Pictures & Media

Various picture\video media for this console. Click pictures to enlarge.

Sega CD - Model 1

Various Sega CD Advertisements

Sega CD - Model 2

Sega CD Start Up - Bios 1.10

Sega CD Start Up - Bios 2.00

Specs & Manuals

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.

Processor Type	Processor Speed	Other Processor Information	RAM \ Video RAM
16-bit Motorola 68000	12.5 MHz	None	768 KB Main RAM
Screen Resolution	Color Palette	Polygons \ Sprites	Audio
320 x 224	512 (64 on screen)	80 sprites	PCM Sound Stereo, 8 channels, 32 KHz maximum sampling, 8X internal over-sampling digital filter
Media Format	Media Capacity	Games Released	Other Supported Formats
CD-ROM (1x)	500 MB	Approx. 150	Audio CD, CD+G
Internal Storage	External \ Removable Storage	Game Controllers	Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
64 KB Internal Backup RAM	CD Backup RAM Cart (optional)	N\A	Light Gun, CD Backup Ram Cart
Controller Ports	Network Ports	Other Ports	Audio \ Video
N\A	None	None	RCA Line Out for Stereo (Video runs through the attached Genesis\Mega Drive main system)
Power Supply - External	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
Input: 120V, 60Hz, 18W Output: DC 9V, 1.2A, 600mA	Mixer	RAM and CPU processing power are added to the existing output of the attached Genesis \ Mega Drive main console.
Manuals
Sega CD (Model 2) Owners Manual (PDF) - 1.95 MB

Games & Emulation

Games, media format, emulators and screen shots for titles released on this system.

Sega CD Launch titles Software for the Sega CD was initially distributed in large cardboard boxes which included the instruction manual and the game CD in a standard jewel case. In 1993, Sega changed the default packaging to the oversized plastic casing that most gamers are familiar with. This casing would also be utilized for Sega Saturn games.

The first production run of the Sega CD included a rather impressive assortment of pack-in titles which highlighted the technical capabilities of the system. The included titles:
     o Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective (FMV Interactive Adventure)
     o Sol-Feace (2D horizontal shooter)
     o Sega Classics 4-in1 CD (Shinobi, Streets of Rage, Columns and Golden Axe)
     o Rock Paintings (CD+G affair that demonstrated graphical capabilities)
     o Hot Hits: Adventurous New Music Sampler (Music sampler to showcase audio tech)

An additional seven (7) titles were available at launch which included Sewer Shark, Night Trap, Marky Mark Make Your Own Video, INXS Make Your Own Video, Cobra Command, Chuck Rock and Black Hole Assault. This lineup was less than stellar, but overall these selections did provide a nice variety to those looking to grab a game at launch.

Sega CD Game Boxes

Sega CD Game Screenshots
Courtesy of Sega CD Universe

Afterburner III

Afterburner III Screenshot

Android Assault

Android Assault Screenshot

Battlecorps

Battlecorps Screenshot

Battletech: Grey Death Legion

Burning Fists: Force Striker

Burning Fists: Force Striker Screenshot

Citizen X

Citizen X Screenshot

Dark Wizard

Dark Wizard Screenshot

Dune

Earthworm Jim

Earthworm Jim Screenshot

Ecco the Dolphin: Tides of Time

Final Fight CD

Final Fight CD Screenshot

Formula One Racing

Formula One Racing Screenshot

Hook

Lords of Thunder

Lords of Thunder Screenshot

Lunar Silver Star

Lunar Silver Star Screenshot

Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat Screenshot

NBA Jam

NBA Jam Screenshot

NHL 94

NHL 94 Screenshot

Night Trap

Night Trap Screenshot

Popful Mail

Popful Mail Screenshot

Shining Force CD

Shining Force CD Screenshot

Slipheed

Slipheed Screenshot

Sol-Feace

Sol-Feace Screenshot

Sonic the Hedgehog CD

Sonic the Hedgehog CD Screenshot

Star Wars Rebel Assault

Star Wars Rebel Assault Screenshot

Tomcat Alley

Tomcat Alley Screenshot

Vay

Wing Commander

Wing Commander Screenshot

World Cup USA 94

World Cup USA 94 Screenshot

Third Party Emulatorss
Program	Website	Description
GENS	http://www.gens.me	This is an amazing emulator for Windows. It requires Direct X 8.0. There are other emulators available for other platforms, but this one is one of our favorites.

Models

Additional authorized releases for this console. Click pictures to enlarge.

Sega Mega-CD (Japan \ Europe)

$Sega Mega-CD (Japan \ Europe)$

Sega CD Advertisment (picture credits unknown)

Sega CD (North America)

Sega Mega-CD II (Japan \ Europe)

$Sega Mega-CD II (Japan \ Europe)$

Sega CD 2 (North America)

Additional notes on authorized distributors of Sega CD technology:

TecToy was the authorized manufacturer\distributor of the Sega CD in Brazil. TecToy also released a number of versions of the Sega Mega Drive system in Brazil and continue to peddle these systems on their website.

Sega CD technology was also included in a number of other systems, all combination-type units. These include the JVC X'Eye, Victor Wondermega, Sega CDX \ Multi-Mega, and the Pioneer LaserActive (with the PAC-S1 module). Click their respective page links for more information on these combo systems.

The Aiwa Mega-CD (pictured below) is one of these such machines. The system consists of two parts - the top CD player and the bottom docking station that provided the Sega Mega Drive\CD interface\capabilities (except sound). This rare bird was a Japanese exclusive and will lighten your pocketbook quite a bit (if you can find one).

Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones). Click pictures to enlarge.

No clones were released for this system.

Sega CD logo

Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.

Name	Website	Description
Sega CD 101: A Beginner's Guide	http://www.racketboy.com/.../sega-cd...guide.html	Nice article on the Sega CD
Sega-16.com	http://www.sega-16.com/	Excellent site for everything Sega. A must-see site!
Sega CD Universe	http://www.angelfire.com/ny/dezmoowu/segamain.html	Great resource for Sega CD gaming!!

visitors since 01-Apr-2008
Page last updated 26-Dec-2011

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