【SEGA MarkIII】Released on October 20, 1985! Graphic functions significantly strengthened by equipping custom chips! Representative works of SEGA MarkIII are here!

On October 20, 1985 (Showa 60), a game console marking a new page in the history of home games appeared. Its name was “SEGA Mark III”. It was an era when Famicom was gathering overwhelming popularity, but SEGA was not losing either. Rather, pursuing funs slightly different from other game consoles was this SEGA Mark III. Being able to play impressive works seen in arcades as much as you like in your own room. It was an existence that brought such dreams closer to reality. Nowadays it is known as a retro game console, but for game fans of those days, wasn't it a notable hardware letting them feel possibilities of future home games?

When talking about the true capability of SEGA Mark III, what wants attention drawn first is image expression. Compared to conventional SG-1000, its improved model SG-1000II, and further compatible home computers SC-3000, drawing performance made great progress. That secret lies in custom chips independently developed by SEGA. Types of colors usable on screens increased, and sprite functions displaying characters etc. were strengthened as well, realizing more vivid and expression-rich game screens. Being accustomed to present high-definition games it might be hard to imagine, but enjoying this much image at home in the mid-1980s had a major significance. Not simply screens becoming beautiful, but game worlds themselves look even more lively. It was a game console where such evolutions could be felt.

In mechanisms of main units as well, SEGA-like ingenuity is packed. In SEGA Mark III, in addition to insertion slots for general ROM cartridges, slots for using thin card-type software “SEGA My Card” were prepared. Moreover, possessing pleasing compatibility where compatible software released for previous SC/SG series could be enjoyed as well. For people who were already collecting SEGA games, being able to continue utilizing owned works even when purchasing new main units is appreciative, isn't it? By the way, Mark III exclusive titles appeared in card formats in early stages as well. However, as game contents became enriched, constraints of recording capacities came to stand out, eventually large-capacity ROM cartridges becoming central. From such changes in software as well, trends of eras where games were evolving rapidly are transmitted.

What made this game console a special existence would after all be lineups of recorded works. In arcades of those days, experience games using SEGA's large cabinets were calling major topics. Senses of speed in “Space Harrier”, fierce dogfights in “After Burner”, and exhilarating drives in “Out Run”. All were works wanting to try playing at least once, but people gathered at popular cabinets, and waiting for turns was not rare. However, with SEGA Mark III, such longed-for titles could be enjoyed thoroughly at home. Of course not completely the same expressions as commercial ones, but in ingenuity trying to reproduce original charms within limited performance, there are interesting things even looking today. Ideas bringing arcade heat in front of TV precisely would be real pleasures unique to this hardware.

Charming things are not large arcade works alone. “Fantasy Zone” with impressive colorful worldviews, “Shinobi” capable of enjoying ninja action, “My Hero” possessing unique atmospheres etc., titles stimulating playfulness gathered. Furthermore, other than SEGA works, ported works like “Final Bubble Bobble” appeared as well, expanding choices of games. Because operation feels and productions differing for each work can be tasted, expectations as to what kind of games can be met next inflate as well. For action lovers, arcade game fans, and people wanting to play thoroughly, there were funs finding respective favorites.

SEGA Mark III is not a mere past game console. It is a single unit packed with progress in video technology, compatibility cherishing past software, and passions trying to deliver popular arcade works to homes. While there are no gorgeous productions like latest games, in works pursuing funs making use of limited performance, there are unique flavors. Not to mention people who want to know 1980s game culture, even for people who want to enjoy titles crazy about in those days once more, it is a game console wanting attention paid by all means. Looking back at SEGA Mark III is also rediscovering exciting feelings of eras where home games leaped greatly.