The Sega Genesis, released in 1988 in Japan as the Mega Drive and in 1989 in North America, is a 16-bit home video game console developed by Sega. Ren... The Sega Genesis, released in 1988 in Japan as the Mega Drive and in 1989 in North America, is a 16-bit home video game console developed by Sega. Renowned for its fast-paced gameplay and edgy marketing, it became famous for iconic titles like Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, and Phantasy Star. The Genesis played a pivotal role in the 16-bit console wars, competing directly with the Super Nintendo, and left a lasting impact on gaming culture. Expand