The Sega Mega Drive, also known as the Sega Genesis in North America, is a 16-bit home video game console developed and sold by Sega. It was first released in Japan in 1988 and later launched in North America in 1989.
The Mega Drive was Sega's successor to the Sega Master System and competed primarily against the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and later the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It featured a more powerful 16-bit processor, improved graphics, and a larger color palette compared to its 8-bit competitors.
One of the standout features of the Mega Drive was its extensive library of games, which included several popular and iconic titles. Some notable games for the Mega Drive include Sonic the Hedgehog series, Streets of Rage series, Golden Axe, Altered Beast, Mortal Kombat, Phantasy Star series, and many others. The console's success was largely attributed to the popularity of Sonic the Hedgehog, which became Sega's mascot and a rival to Nintendo's Mario.