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Genesis
GenesisLogo
SegaGenesis1
Basic Information
Type(s)
Home Console
Generation
Fourth
SEGA
Master System
Saturn
TurboGrafx 16, Neo Geo, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Sonic the Hedgehog
(15 million, bundled)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
(6 million, non-bundled)
Technical Information
Variant(s)
Genesis Model 2
Supported Media
Genesis Cartridge
Input(s)
2 x Genesis Controller, Power Switch, Reset Button, Expansion Port, R/F Input
Output(s)
A/V Output
CanadaUnited StatesMexico North American Release
August 141989
Awards | Covers | Credits | Gallery | Help
Patches | Reviews | Screenshots | Videos

Overview[ | ]

The Genesis was the first of its generation to achieve notable market share in North America, where it competed against a wide range of platforms, including both dedicated gaming consoles and home computer systems. Two years later, Nintendo released the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and the competition between the two would dominate the 16-bit era of video gaming. The console began production in Japan in 1988 and ended with the last new licensed game being released in 2002 in Brazil.[1] The Genesis was SEGA's most successful console; though SEGA has never released a total sales figure quote.[sn 1]

Launch[ | ]

SEGA initially attempted to partner with Atari Corporation for distribution of the Genesis in the United States, but the two could not agree to terms and SEGA decided to launch the console themselves.[10] SEGA was not able to meet the initial release date and US sales began on August 14, 1989 in New York City and Los Angeles. The Genesis was released in the rest of North America later that year[11] on September 15, 1989 with the suggested retail price of $189.99, $10 less than originally planned, and also $10 less than the competing TurboGrafx-16[12]

Gallery[ | ]

See Also[ | ]

References[ | ]

  1. Guardiana, the Mega Drive Kingdom :: Game Informations :: Mega Drive :: Show do Milhão:. [1]. Retrieved on 2008-08-29
  2. Stephanie Strom (1998-03-14). "SEGA Enterprises Pulls Its Saturn Video Console From the U.S. Market". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/14/business/international-business-sega-enterprises-pulls-its-saturn-video-console-us-market.html?pagewanted=1. Retrieved 2010-01-02. 
  3. Hisey, Pete (1991-11-04). New technology fans video war - 16-bit video games. Discount Store News. Retrieved on 2011-01-17
  4. Elrich, David (1992-01-24). "Nintendo and SEGA face off on game market at WCES". Video Business. "SEGA's 1991 sales figure of 1.6 million" 
  5. Reuters (1993-01-10). SEGA Vows 1993 Will Be The Year It Overtakes Nintendo. Buffalo News. Retrieved on 2011-01-17
  6. Greenstein, Jane (1994-06-17). "SEGA values 16-bit blitz at $500 million". Video Business. "SEGA expects Genesis hardware sales in 1994 to be the same as last year, 5.5 million units." 
  7. SEGA threepeat as video game leader for Christmas sales; second annual victory; SEGA takes No. 1 position for entire digital interactive entertainment industry. Business Wire (1995-01-06). Retrieved on 2011-01-17
  8. Game-System Sales. Newsweek (1996-01-14). Retrieved on 2011-12-02
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Matthew T. Clements & Hiroshi Ohashi (October 2004). Indirect Network Effects and the Product Cycle: Video Games in the U.S., 1994-2002. NET Institute 12, 24. Retrieved on 2011-09-21
  10. Kent, Steven L. (2001). The Ultimate History of Video Games: The Story Behind the Craze that Touched our Lives and Changed the World. Roseville, California: Prima Publishing. p. 401. ISBN 0-7615-3643-4. 
  11. Kent, Steven L. (2001). The Ultimate History of Video Games. Roseville, California: Prima Publishing. pp. 404–405. ISBN 0-7615-3643-4. 
  12. Pettus, Sam (2004-07-07). Genesis: A New Beginning. SEGA-16. Retrieved on 2008-03-06

Notes[ | ]

Sales numbers[ | ]

Sales notes[ | ]

  1. SEGA has never released a total sales figure for the Genesis. However, there is a detailed history of SEGA's first party North American sales through 1998 totaling over 20.998 million, a number confirmed by the New York Times' statement "some 20 million 16-bit Genesis consoles in the United States alone" in 1998;[2] total North American sales had reached over 22.144 million by 2001.

    North American sales history
    1989-1990: 1.5 million [2] [3]
    1991: 1.6 million[4] [3]
    1992: 4.5 million[5]
    1993: 5.5 million[6]
    1994: over 4 million[7]
    1995: 2.1 million[8]
    1996: 1.32 million[9]
    1997: 477,920[9]
    1998: 658,971[9]
    1999: 431,013[9]
    2000: 54,337[9]
    2001: 1,316[9]
    Total: over 22.144 million

External Links[ | ]

  • Genesis at the Open Directory Project
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