【MEGA DRIVE】 Released on October 29, 1988! Loved overseas under the name of GENESIS, let's look back on the history of MEGA DRIVE, a famous hardware machine engraving its name in game history!

On October 29, 1988, a single machine that stirred the hearts of game-loving boys appeared. Its name was “Mega Drive.” It is a home game console sent out to the world by Sega Enterprises. Speaking of those days, it was an era when the Family Computer radiated an overwhelming presence. Into such a market, Sega challenged holding up new possibilities. What's more, Japan was not the only place where this machine showed its true worth. In North America, it was sold under the name “GENESIS,” achieving great success to the extent of standing at the top of market share for a time. Realizing the largest scale of popularization among Sega's successive game consoles, it was truly hardware active with the world as its stage.

What cannot be left out when speaking of Mega Drive would be the golden characters “16-BIT” shining on the main body. Looking at it now, it might seem like a simple decoration, but for children of those days, it held a special meaning. Because it symbolized having evolved to the next generation at once from 8-bit game consoles familiarized up to then. The catchphrase “The 16-bit demanded by the era” used in TV commercials was also truly impressive. Even without understanding difficult technology stories, you would expect saying “Somehow an incredible game console came out!” It held such persuasiveness. The unique design based on black was also attractive, drifting even an atmosphere like high-class audio equipment while being a game console.

“While staying at home, that arcade game can be played!”. Precisely this was likely a major reason making one want a Mega Drive, wasn't it? Sega works gathering popularity in game centers of those days appeared one after another as home software. Powerful directions of “Super Thunder Blade,” hearty action of “Altered Beast,” exhilarating combat of “Golden Axe,” and sense of speed of “Super Hang-On” and “Super Monaco GP.” Furthermore, because you could enjoy down to the falling block puzzle “Columns,” one is surprised even by the richness of genres. Of course, it is not completely the same as the commercial arcade version. Even so, the experience of being able to play works you were absorbed in at game centers as much as you like in your own room must have been an irreplaceable joy for fans of those days.

What supported Mega Drive's true ability was not Sega's own works alone. Through various game makers participating, the world of software enriched further. What we want to pay attention to particularly is Capcom's “Ghouls 'n Ghosts” and “Strider.” Both were popular works obtaining high evaluations in game centers, and becoming able to play them at home was a major topic. There were also works that could be enjoyed ahead of other home game consoles, and there was an era when owning a Mega Drive itself became a bit of a boast. Not merely high performance, in the point that titles one wanted to play were firmly lined up, the strength of this hardware can be felt.

Attention tends to gather on ported works from arcades, but numerous unique masterpieces exist in Mega Drive as well. “Phantasy Star II” where grand stories can be enjoyed, “Shining and the Darkness” with impressive three-dimensional dungeon exploration, “Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Gods” where strategic qualities shine, “Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole” stimulating sense of adventure, etc., works making one want to play thoroughly were fulfilled. Furthermore, approachable action games like “Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse” also appeared. And what must not be forgotten is “Sonic the Hedgehog.” The figure of the blue hedgehog running through the screen at high speed became a symbol letting the world know Mega Drive's individuality.

Even after long years have passed since the release, Mega Drive's presence has not faded. Partly because Kazlaser enthusiastically took it up in the TV show “Shikujiri Sensei,” its charm was conveyed even to generations who do not know those days. Furthermore, through the appearance of reprint versions such as “Mega Drive Mini” and “Mega Drive Mini 2,” opportunities to touch nostalgic masterpieces are born too. Mega Drive is not a mere old game console. Longing for new technology, passion for game centers, and Sega's challenging spirit trying to give birth to original works are packed into this single machine. Looking back anew now, in that black body, it feels as if the hot era itself trying to carve out the future of games was engraved.