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The Video Game Console Library - Sega CD \ Mega-CD

Sega CD logo Sega CD \ Mega-CD Sega CD 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 12-Dec-91 North America,
Japan, Europe		 $199 USD 1690 Approx. 150 NA
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Video Specs 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
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Reviews

 

Sega CD \ Mega-CD
 

 

Sega CD \ Mega-CD

  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...
 

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Pictures & Video

Various picture\video media for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Sega CD User Review - Part 1
Video courtesy of jedite1.		 Sega CD - Version 1 - Front

 
Sega CD - Version 1 - Back
 Sega CD User Review - Part 2
Video courtesy of jedite1.
Sega Mega-CD - Sample Boot Up screen (ver 1.00)
Video courtesy of TechGeek16. 		Sega CD - Sample Boot Up screen (ver 1.10)
Video courtesy of TechGeek16. 		Sega CD - Sample Boot Up screen (ver 2.00)
Video courtesy of TechGeek16.
Sega Mega-CD Commercial - Japan
Video courtesy of c0ew42e70. 		Sega CD - Version 2 - Front

 
Sega CD - Version 2 - Back
 Sega CD Commercial - USA
Video courtesy of Brilliant2meNu.
Sega Mega-CD - Hardware Commercial
Video courtesy of SonicDreamcaster. 		 Sega CD - Store Promo Video
Video courtesy of psychomofo. 		Sega Mega-CD - Hardware Commercial (Italy)
Video courtesy of DevilMaster.
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Specss

(the following specs are for the original release of the Sega CD \ Mega-CD))

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

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes
120V 60Hz 17W Mixer RAM and CPU processing power are added to the existing
output of the attached Genesis \ Mega Drive main console.
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Games & Emulation

Game screen shots and\or videos released for this system.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Sega CD - Sewer Shark Intro
Video courtesy of MysteryMan2K6. 		Sega CD - Game Box Sample 1

 

Sega CD - Game Box Sample 2

 Sega CD - Final Fight
Video courtesy of warrengonline.
Sega CD - Joe Montana's NFL Football
Video courtesy of TeamAndromeda. 		Sega Mega-CD - Jaguar XJ 220
Video courtesy of TeamAndromeda.
Sega CD - Wing Commander
Video courtesy of TeamAndromeda. 		Sega Mega-CD - SoulStar
Video courtesy of TeamAndromeda.
Third Party Emulatorss
Program Website Description

GENS

http://gens.consolemul.com/screenshots.shtml

 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.
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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 CD (North America)
Sega Mega-CD II (Japan \ Europe)

Sega Mega-CD II (Japan \ Europe)
 Sega CD 2 (North America)

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 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 to the right), was 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).

Sega CD logo

 Aiwa Mega-CD
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Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).  Click pictures to enlarge.
No clones were released for this system.
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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!
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