In 1988, the home video game console “Mega Drive” released by Sega was not just a new console. True to its catchphrase, “The 16-bit era demanded,” it brought specifications, visuals, and a sound experience that broke with conventional wisdom into the home. The message “VISUAL SHOCK! SPEED SHOCK! SOUND SHOCK!”, which fully emphasized the impact of sound and visuals, was not just a slogan, but became a reality for the players who actually experienced it.

The innovation of the Mega Drive also lay in its internal secrets. A policy was adopted to make it compatible in development with the “System 16” motherboard, which was active in arcades at the time, and surprisingly, its design was packed with quality close to that of commercial arcade games. Under the guidance of Masami Ishikawa, the extent to which arcade-level performance could be incorporated was thoroughly examined, and as a result, an environment that was like a dream at the time was established, allowing people to enjoy arcade-grade games at home.

What is even more interesting is that the Mega Drive was not just a “new game console.” A request was raised internally to also make it possible to play games from the legacy of the past, namely the Sega Mark III, and repeated consideration was given to its realization. The design philosophy was one that knew no compromise, aiming to keep the price suitable for home use while being mindful of commercial use in terms of performance, and even pursuing backward compatibility. The Mega Drive is not merely something to play with; it is an existence in which Sega's technology and passion are concentrated.

In 1993, the “Mega Drive 2,” an improved version of the Mega Drive, appeared. The exterior changed to a slimmer and more refined design, and in terms of usability, user-friendly improvements such as standard support for stereo AV cables shone through. Although the volume slider and headphone jack, which were symbolic of the original console, were omitted, the basic performance remained the same, evolving into a model that allowed users to more easily enjoy high-quality sound and beautiful visuals.

The name “Mega Drive” leapt beyond Japan and spread throughout the world. It was known as “Genesis” in the United States and made its name heard in Europe, Asia, and South America. While sometimes competing with powerful rivals like the Super Famicom and PC Engine, the Mega Drive continued to captivate many fans with its unique sense of speed and operability, as well as a lineup of titles that even adults would rave about.