<P> The Sega Genesis , known as the Mega Drive in regions outside of North America , is a 16 - bit home video game console developed and sold by Sega . The Genesis was Sega 's third console and the successor to the Master System . Sega released the console as the Mega Drive in Japan in 1988 , followed by North America as the Genesis in 1989 . In 1990 , the console was distributed as the Mega Drive by Virgin Mastertronic in Europe , Ozisoft in Australasia , and Tectoy in Brazil . In South Korea , the systems were distributed by Samsung as the Super Gam * Boy and later the Super Aladdin Boy . </P>
<P> The Sega Genesis , known as the Mega Drive in regions outside of North America , is a 16 - bit home video game console developed and sold by Sega . The Genesis was Sega 's third console and the successor to the Master System . Sega released the console as the Mega Drive in Japan in 1988 , followed by North America as the Genesis in 1989 . In 1990 , the console was distributed as the Mega Drive by Virgin Mastertronic in Europe , Ozisoft in Australasia , and Tectoy in Brazil . In South Korea , the systems were distributed by Samsung as the Super Gam * Boy and later the Super Aladdin Boy . </P>
when did the sega mega drive come out
when did the sega mega drive come out
1988
1988