Sega CD

The Sega Mega-CD (Japanese: メガCD) is an add-on device for the Sega Mega Drive released in Europe, Australia, and Japan. The North American version is called the Sega CD. The device allow the user to both play CD audio discs and specially designed game CDs. It can also play CD+G discs.

Related Topics:
Japanese - Sega Mega Drive - Europe - Australia - Japan - North American - CD+G

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The development of the Sega CD was top secret; game programmers didn't know what they were designing for until the Mega-CD was finally revealed at Tokyo Toy Show in Japan. The Sega Mega-CD in Japan was designed to compete with the PC Engine, which had a separate CD-ROM drive.

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The Sega Mega-CD was not meant to compete with the Super Famicom (Super Nintendo Entertainment System outside Japan).

Related Topics:
Super Famicom - Super Nintendo Entertainment System

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At first, the Sega CD was a CD tray unit that sat under the console. The Sega CD 2 was a smaller, cheaper top loading drive that plugged next to the Sega Mega Drive.

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In the United States, the Sega CD was considered a failure due to its high price, low sales and general confusion with the 32X, another Genesis peripheral offered. Due to Sega of America's lack of support for the Sega CD and 32X, many consumers lost their trust in Sega and it can be said that Sega never recovered from this, as the Saturn sold poorly and the Dreamcast, although considered a good effort on Sega's behalf, was unable to compete effectively with the PS2.

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