Ushering in the next generation with a demographic-centralized branding campaign focused around edginess and cocksure pomposity, the Sega Genesis (dubbed Mega Drive in every region outside of North America) left its mark as the first true contender to the stranglehold Nintendo had on the home console market during the video game renaissance period experienced in the mid-to-late 80's. Blending perfectly with the American youth culture at the time, the Genesis backed up its boastfulness with an incredibly deep roster of titles that looked and sounded superior to what the NES could do, effectively putting the Mario company on notice that a new challenger had stepped up to claim supremacy. SEGA!!!

Release Date (USA)	August 14, 1989
# Of Licensed Releases	878
Default Cartridge Design (USA)
Popular Exclusive's	Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Streets Of Rage 2, Revenge Of Shinobi, Gunstar Heroes, Phantasy Star IV

Popular Accessories (USA)

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  Ingratiating itself with Sega's incumbent fanbase through the magic of backwards compatibility, the Power Base Converter opens up an extensive library of 8-bit Master System games that only works with the Genesis model 1. 

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  Radicalizing the Genesis with increased mega power, the Sega CD paired with its patriarchal playmate like a Harley Davidson with The Terminator, offering an exclusive array of CD-ROM titles that pushed the medium into a hyperbole-filled frenzy.

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  Much like its Sega CD cousin, the 32X supplies a unique library of releases at double the bit count of its nucleus Genesis console though the fact that only a staggering low 34 games were designed for it says all it needs to about its quality in the grand scheme.

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  Intentionally appearing more like something you'd see flying around in Star Trek than an actual firearm, the Sega Menacer was the perennial light-gun for the Genesis, increasing the payload of arcade-style shooters for team Sonic.

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  Increasing its influence into the next generation, the Genesis version of the Game Genie granted random gaming wishes in cheat form all over Sega's vast collection of 16-bit titles. 

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  One of the earliest examples of streaming, the Sega Channel connected to a content server via coaxial allowing for players to download available games to the peripheral's on-board RAM for a monthly fee.

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  A precursor to later innovations like the Wii and Xbox Kinect, the Sega Activator used infrared beams to sense player's movements standing inside its center though its poor execution is much more memorable than anything it
  actually delivered to the video game lexicon.