Key facts
- Also known as
- Mega-CD (most regions outside North America and Brazil)
- Developer
- Sega
- Manufacturer
- Sega
- Type
- Video game console add-on
- Generation
- Fourth
- Released
- JP : December 12, 1991 NA : October 15, 1992 AU : March 1993 UK : April 2, 1993 EU : April 1993 BR : October 1993
- Lifespan
- 1991–1996
- Introductory price
- JP¥ 49,800 US$ 299 £ 270
- Discontinued
- January 1, 1996
- Units sold
- 2.24 million
- Media
- CD-ROM , CD+G
- Cpu
- Motorola 68000 @ 12.5 MHz
- Storage
- 6.5 Mbit RAM (programs, pictures, and sounds), 128 kbit RAM (CD-ROM cache), 64 kbit RAM (backup memory)
- Graphics
- custom ASIC
- Sound
- Ricoh RF5C164
- Best selling game
- Sonic CD , 1.5 million
- Related
- 32X
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Image
- Sega-CD-Base-Mk2-Bare-Front.jpg
Show 5 more facts
- title
- Mega Shī Dī
- units sold
- 6000000
- discontinuation date
- 1996-00-00
- publication date
- 1993-09-01
- Commons category
- Sega CD
Sources (3)
via Wikidata · CC0
~23 min read
Article
The Sega CD, known as Mega-CD in most regions outside North America and Brazil, is a CD-ROM peripheral and format for the Sega Genesis produced by Sega as part of the fourth generation of video game consoles. Originally released in Japan on December 12, 1991, it came to North America on October 15, 1992, and the rest of the world in 1993. The Sega CD plays CD-based games and adds hardware functionality such as a faster CPU and a custom graphics chip for enhanced sprite scaling and rotation. It can also play audio CDs and CD+G discs.
Sega sought to match the capabilities of the competing PC Engine CD-ROM² System, and partnered with JVC to design the Sega CD. Sega refused to consult with their American division until the project was complete, fearful of leaks. The Sega CD was redesigned several times by Sega and was also licensed to third parties, including Pioneer and Aiwa who released home audio products with Sega CD gaming capability. The main benefit of CD technology at the time was greater storage; CDs offered approximately 160 times more space than Genesis/Mega Drive cartridges. This benefit manifested as full-motion video (FMV) games such as the controversial Night Trap.