Sega’s 16-bit console was called Mega Drive in Japan before it was renamed Genesis in North America.
Sega released the Mega Drive in Japan in 1988 as the successor to the 8-bit Master System. Its Motorola 68000 processor, colorful graphics, and distinctive sound hardware positioned it against Nintendo’s Family Computer and later Super Famicom. The console reached North America in 1989 under the name Sega Genesis.
Sega used the Mega Drive name in Japan, Europe, and many other markets, while “Genesis” became the standard name in North America. The two names refer to the same hardware family, although regional versions differ in design, video output, software releases, and accessories.
The console’s success was strongly associated with Sonic the Hedgehog, which debuted on the Mega Drive in 1991. That game helped Sega compete directly with Nintendo during the 16-bit era and became one of the company’s best-known series.