Mega Drive consoles in North America

From Sega Retro


This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.


The Sega Mega Drive debuted in North America in August 1989, with a regionwide release in September of that year. Due to trademark issues, it was renamed the "Sega Genesis", and has always operated under this name under this region.

In the US, the console was distributed by Sega between 1989 and 1997. It was then passed to Majesco, who kept the system alive for an extra two years before it was shelved. In Canada, the Mega Drive was distributed by Irwin Toy in its early years, however Sega inevitably took back the distribution rights when the console proved successful. Many Canadian units and games were imported from the US. The Genesis 3 was also released in this region.

All North American units output an NTSC signal.

United States

Box Name Distributor Date & Price Console Label Hardware Software Documentation Comments
SgenAB US Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngSgenAB US Box Front.jpg
Genesis Sega of America
United States of America US: $200.00200.00 (1989-08-14)
Genesis HD.png
??
US MD Box Front Sega Genesis Value Pak.jpg
Genesis Value Pak Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1989)
Genesis HD.png
??
MD US Box Back Sonic Alt.jpgNospine-small.pngMD US Box Front Sonic Alt.jpg
Genesis Sega of America
United States of America US: $149.99149.99 (1991)
Genesis HD.png
??
MD US Box Front Sonic200ValuePak.jpg
Genesis up to $200 Value Pak Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1991)
Genesis HD.png
??
SGenS1 US Box Back.JPGNospine-small.pngSGenS1 US Box Front.JPG
Genesis Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1991)
Genesis NonHD.jpg
??
MD US Box Back SonicSystem.jpgNospine-small.pngSGenTSS US Box Front.JPG
Genesis Sonic System Sega of America
United States of America US: $129.99129.99[1] (1992-04-29)
Genesis NonHD.jpg
??
SGenTCS US Box Back.jpgMD US Box Spine TCS.jpgSGenTCS US Box Front.jpg
Genesis: The Core System Sega of America
United States of America US: $99.9999.99[1] (1992)
Genesis NonHD.jpg
??
MD US Box Back FightingSystem.jpgNospine-small.pngSGenFightingSystem US Box Front.jpg
Genesis Fighting System Sega of America
United States of America US: (1993)
Genesis NonHD.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back TCS.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front TCS.jpg
Genesis: The Core System Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Top Sonic2.jpg
MD2 US Box Back Sonic2.jpgMD2 US Box Spine Sonic2.jpgMD2 US Box Front Sonic2.jpgMD2 US Box Spine2 Sonic2.jpg
Genesis: Sonic 2 System Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back TCS Alt.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front TCS Alt.jpg
Genesis: The Core System Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back Sonic2System Alt2.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front Sonic2System Alt2.jpg
Genesis: Sonic 2 System
MK-1614S
Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
SGen2S2 US Box Back.JPGNospine-small.pngSGen2S2 US Box Front.JPG
Genesis: Sonic 2 System Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back XMenSystem.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front Xmen System.jpg
Genesis: X-Men System Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Top WalMartSpecialBuy.jpg
MD2 US Box Back WalMartSpecialBuy.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front WalMartGHW.jpg
Genesis: Wal-Mart Special Buy Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
Sega Genesis US Sonic Spinball Pack In Back.jpgNospine-small.pngSega Genesis US Sonic Spinball Pack In Front.jpg
Genesis Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back Sonic Spinball Alt.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front Sonic Spinball Alt.jpg
Genesis Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back EternalChampions.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front EternalChampions.jpg
Genesis Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back Sonic 2 System Free Game.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front Sonic 2 System Free Game.jpg
Genesis: Sonic 2 System Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1994)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back SegaSportsSystem.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front SegaSportsSystem.jpg
Genesis: Sega Sports System Sega of America
United States of America US: $149.99149.99[2] (1994)
Genesis2.jpg
MK-1631
SEGASportsCushion.jpg
Stadium Cushion
MD2 US Box Back NFLPack.jpgNospine-small.pngSGen2NFL US Box Front.JPG
Genesis NFL Pack Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1994)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back LionKing.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front LionKing.jpg
Genesis Lion King Pack
1945
Sega of America
United States of America US: (1994)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back LionKingAladdin.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front LionKingAladdin.jpg
Genesis Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1994)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back SubTerrania.jpgNospine-small.pngSGen2S3ST US Box Front.jpg
Genesis Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1994)
Genesis2.jpg
??
Genesis Box Taz Sonic Bundle.jpg
Genesis Sonic System Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1994)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Front College Football's National Championship.jpg
Genesis: College Football's National Championship Pack Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1994)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back 6Pak.jpgNospine-small.pngSGen26Pak US Box Front.jpg
Genesis
1969
Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1995)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back GCitA.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front GCitA.jpg
Genesis Garfield: Caught in the Act Pack Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1995)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back CollegeFootballIIPack.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front CollegeFootballIIPack.jpg
Genesis College Football's National Championship II Pack
1437
Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1995)
Genesis2.jpg
??
Genesis US Box Back Columns.jpgNospine-small.pngGenesis US Box Front Columns.jpg
Genesis
1960
Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 199x)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back Power Rangers Columns.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front Power Rangers Columns.jpg
Genesis Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 199x)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Front ComixZoneNFL95.jpg
Genesis NFL '95/Comix Zone Pack Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1995)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Front Super Sports Pack.jpg
Genesis Super Sports Pack Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1995)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back TouchdownPack.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front TouchdownPack.jpg
Genesis Touchdown Pack Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1995)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back SuperSonicSystem.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front SuperSonicSystem.jpg
Genesis: SuperSonic System Sega of America
United States of America US: $139.99139.99 (1996-04[3])
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back Homerun Pack.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front Homerun Pack.jpg
Genesis Homerun Pack Sega of America
United States of America US: $99.9999.99[3] (1996-05[3])
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back SaK.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front SaK.jpg
Genesis
1426
Sega of America
United States of America US: $99.9999.99[3] (1996-10[3])
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back Vectorman.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front Vectorman.jpg
Genesis
1427
Sega of America
United States of America US: $99.9999.99[3] (1996-10[3])
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back 6Pak Alt.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front 6Pak Alt.jpg
Genesis
1969
Sega of America
United States of America US: $129.99129.99[3] (1996-11[3])
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 US Box Back Vectorman 2.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front Vectorman 2.jpg
Genesis Sega of America
United States of America US: (≥ 1997)
Genesis2.jpg
??
SGenTCS Majesco US Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngSGenTCS Majesco US Box Front.jpg
Genesis: The Core System Majesco Sales
United States of America US: (≥ 1998)
Genesis2.jpg
??

Canada

Box Name Distributor Date & Price Console Label Hardware Software Documentation Comments
MD CA Box Back AlteredBeast.jpgNospine-small.pngMD CA Box Front AlteredBeast.jpg
Genesis Irwin Electronics
Canada CA: (≥ 1989)
Genesis1.jpg
??
MD CA Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngMD CA Box Front.jpg
Genesis Irwin Electronics
Canada CA: (≥ 1989)
Genesis1.jpg
??
MD CA Box Back Sonic1.jpgNospine-small.pngMD CA Box Front Sonic1.jpg
Genesis Irwin Electronics
Canada CA: (≥ 1991)
Genesis1.jpg
MK-1601-22
Genesis the core System Canada Back Box.jpgNospine-small.pngGenesis the core System Canada Front Box.jpg
Genesis: The Core System Irwin Electronics
Canada CA: (≥ 1992)
Genesis NonHD.jpg
??
MD CA Box Back SonicSystem.jpgNospine-small.pngMD CA Box Front SonicSystem.jpg
Genesis: The Sonic System Irwin Electronics
Canada CA: (≥ 1992)
Genesis NonHD.jpg
??
Genesis CA Box Back TCS.jpgNospine-small.pngGenesis CA Box Front TCS.jpg
Genesis: The Core System Sega of Canada
Canada CA: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 CA Box Back Sonic2System.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 CA Box Front Sonic2System.jpg
Genesis: Sonic 2 System Sega of Canada
Canada CA: (≥ 1992)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 CA Box Back CoreSystem Alt.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 CA Box Front CoreSystem Alt.jpg
Genesis: The Core System Sega of Canada
Canada CA: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 CA Box Back Sonic2System Alt.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 CA Box Front Sonic2System Alt.jpg
Genesis: Sonic 2 System Sega of Canada
Canada CA: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
Genesis: The Core System Sega of Canada
Canada CA: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 CA Box Back BonusOffer.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 CA Box Front BonusOffer.jpg
Genesis Bonus Offer Sega of Canada
Canada CA: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
MD2 CA Box Back SonicSpinball.jpg
Genesis Sega of Canada
Canada CA: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD CA Box Back MegaDeal.jpgNospine-small.pngMD CA Box Front MegaDeal.jpg
Genesis Sega of Canada
Canada CA: (≥ 1994)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 CA Box Back LionKing.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 CA Box Front LionKing.jpg
Genesis Sega of Canada
Canada CA: (≥ 1994)
Genesis2.jpg
??
MD2 CA Box Back 6Pak.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 CA Box Front 6Pak.jpg
Genesis Sega of Canada
Canada CA: (≥ 1995)
Genesis2.jpg
??
Genesis Mega Deal Sega of Canada
Canada CA: (≥ 1995)
Genesis2.jpg
??

Mexico

Box Name Distributor Date & Price Console Label Hardware Software Documentation Comments
SgenAB US Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngSgenAB US Box Front.jpg
Genesis DISAM
Mexico MX: (≥ 1991)
Genesis HD.png
??
MD US Box Back Sonic Alt.jpgNospine-small.pngMD US Box Front Sonic Alt.jpg
Genesis DISAM
Mexico MX: (≥ 1992)
Genesis HD.png
??
MD2 US Box Back TCS Alt.jpgNospine-small.pngMD2 US Box Front TCS Alt.jpg
Genesis: The Core System DISAM
Mexico MX: (≥ 1993)
Genesis2.jpg
??

References


Sega Mega Drive
Topics Technical specifications (Hardware comparison) | History | List of games | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise | Cartridges | TradeMark Security System
Hardware Japan | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | South America | Asia | South Korea | Australasia | Africa
EZ Games | LaserActive | Mega Jet | Mega PC | Mega Play | Mega-Tech System | Nomad | Teradrive | Mega Drive Mini | Mega Drive Mini 2
New Mega Drive | Tianli VCD/DVD Players | "Consoles on a chip" | Licensed clones (Magic 2 | Mega Game II | Power Pegasus | Super Bitman)
Unlicensed clones
Add-ons Game Box | Power Base Converter | Mega-CD | 32X (Mega-CD 32X) | Mega Modem | Demo System DS-16
Cases Sega Genesis Nomad Carrying Case | System Carry Case
Controllers Control Pad | Six Button Control Pad | 6 Button Arcade Pad | Arcade Power Stick 6B | Konami Justifier | MK-1470
Action Chair | Activator | Arcade Power Stick | Keyboard | MegaFire | Mouse | Mega Stick | Menacer | Remote Arcade System | Ten Key Pad
Accessories 4 Way Play | Cleaning System | Control Pad Extension Cord | Genesis Speakers | HeartBeat Catalyst | Region converter cartridges | Mega Terminal | Miracle Piano Teaching System | Nomad PowerBack | NordicQuest | RF Unit (Mega Drive 2) | SCART Cable (Mega Drive 2) | Stereo Audio Video Cable | Team Player | Video Monitor Cable
Network services Sega Channel | Sega Game Toshokan | Mega Anser | Mega Net | TeleBradesco Residência | XB∀ND
Development tools ERX 308P | ERX 318P | Sprobe | SNASM68K | SNASM2 (Mega Drive) | SNASM2 (32X) | PSY-Q Development System (Mega Drive) | PSY-Q Development System (32X) | 32X CartDev | Sega Mars Development Aid System | Sega 32X Development Target
Unreleased Edge 16 | Floppy Disk Drive | Mega Play 1010 | Sega VR | Teleplay System | Video Jukebox