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Mega Drive
SEGA's 16-bit cartridge console, with a Motorola 68000 CPU and FM sound, for collectors and anyone comparing it with the SNES, Master System or Saturn.
Model history · 2 models, 1987–1990
- 1987Master SystemCompare
- 1990Mega Drive
- Type
- Home console
- Output
- –
- Memory
- 128 KB
- Storage
- –
- Weight
- –
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specPerformance
- Type
- Home console
- CPU
- Motorola 68000, 7.6 MHz, plus Zilog Z80
- GPU
- SEGA VDP (custom LSI)
- Memory
- 128 KB
- Disc drive
- No
- CPU
- Motorola 68000 at 7.60 MHz on PAL consoles and Zilog Z80A for sound (SEGA technical overview)
- GPU
- 64 of 512 colours at once; 80 sprites and 2 scroll planes
- Memory detail
- 64 KB RAM for the 68000 plus 64 KB VRAM; 8 KB for the Z80
- Storage detail
- Cartridges; some save on the cartridge
- Storage expansion
- Expansion slot (Mega-CD); extension control port
Display and video
- Built-in screen
- No built-in screen
- Video output
- A/V out; 320 × 224 or 256 × 224, with 240-line PAL and interlaced modes (SEGA technical overview)
- Audio
- 6 FM channels (one usable for PCM) plus 3 PSG channels and 1 noise; stereo headphone jack
Connections
- Ports
- 2 × control ports, headphone jack with volume, A/V out, AC adaptor input, cartridge slot, expansion slot
- Controller
- Control Pad with D-pad, three action buttons and Start
- Backward compatibility
- Master System games with the separately sold Master System Converter; some titles do not work (SEGA)
Pros and cons
Pros
- Motorola 68000 main CPU plus a Z80 for sound
- FM synthesis sound (six FM channels plus PSG)
- Plays Master System games with the Master System Converter
Cons
- 64 colours on screen from a 512-colour palette
- 64 KB of RAM and 64 KB of VRAM
- External AC adaptor
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Output | Memory | Storage | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home console | – | 192 KB | – | – | Apr 1992 | |
| Home console | – | 24 KB | – | – | Aug 1987 | |
| Handheld | – | 16 KB | – | 220 g | Sept 1990 |
Previous model: Master System. Newer model: Saturn.
Sources
- sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive
- manualzz.com/doc/13948468/sega-genesis-technical-overview
- sega.jp/fb/segahard/md/adapter.html
- consolemods.org/wiki/images/6/6b/PAL_Mega_Drive_Model_1_Service_Manual.pdf
- North American Sega Genesis with controller, front three-quarter view: Sega official hardware-history photograph; North American Sega Genesis with controller, front three-quarter view, regional configuration explicitly pictured; complete supplied canvas retained.
