I remember summer '89 my parents took us to a trip to Macy's and they had the Sega Genesis in a display case that said 'coming soon'. Already having the Master system,i was mesmerized. My parents must've saw my wonderment because that Christmas the Genesis was under the Xmas tree. This is why altered beast and revenge of Shinobi are 2 of my all time favorite games👍
I always find it amusing how people say Shinobi 3 is the best Shinobi on the megadrive, don't get me wrong it's a very good game but you can tell who had a Megadrive early on and who got one post Sonic. Revenge of Shinobi is an absolute masterpiece.
@@danielnicholson6174 Truth. So many people claim Shinobi 3 is better than Revenge of Shinobi only because the 'good' S3 was their first exposure to any Shinobi, whereas the rest of us had been through the gamut of the Shinobi world and know that RoS is really the foundational masterpiece. Conceptually, musically, artistically-- well, Rev00 that is. But I guess that is the same argument between the Sega CD bios v.1 vs bios v.2 crowd preferences-- the early buyers of the SEGA CD model 1 preferring bios v.1, and those who picked up the model 2 later prefer bios v.2. Both are great musically but wow how bios1's attract-mode and music makes me take a good moment every time to just sit and listen before I launch the inserted game. Nostalgia is funny that way, its Pavlovian fingers that hold on to you and make you come back for more. Both Altered Beast and Revenge of Shinobi have a special place in my heart because before I owned any game console I was already a Sega fanboy from their deep arcade library-- they truly had the best games in the arcades(Thank you Yu Suzuki-san) And my mom knew I wanted the Sega Genesis more than anything for my upcoming birthday, so she bought the Genesis at launch. I cannot tell you how difficult the wait was knowing that the purchased NEW Sega hardware was inside the house yet I had FOUR months until my birthday before I could enjoy it. When I got it I played the heck out of the included Altered Beast, discovering all the secrets until I was able to buy my 2nd game ever the Revenge of Shinobi with my own earned money, and again put so much time into that game. Funnily, I think Sega taught me to have the greatest work ethic-- I learned as a kid that the more I worked, the more games I could buy.(Ironically, Sega was the master of 'career' based games: Crazy Taxi, 18 Wheeler, Emergency Call Ambulance, Brave Firefighters, Jambo Safari, Shenmue's harbor forklift job, etc...) The benefit from working so much I ended up amassing a huge collection from every Sega console's library, buying most all as quickly as the games released. Fortunately, still have all of them, CIB. Had no idea how the values would skyrocket as soon as everyone else finally 'discovered' Sega. And yes, after putting in almost as much time in S3 as RoS, I still argue that RoS is the better of the two.
I remember 1989 like it was yesterday. I knew both the Sega Genesis and TG-16 were out...but I couldn't decide which was the right one. Every single week I flip-flopped between them. I want a Genesis for Christmas...No! I want a TG-16 for Christmas. It got so bad that my mother basically told me I'm going to get what she gives me and like it. Two weeks before Christmas of 1989 I purchased Ninja Gaiden for my Nes. It was the most incredible game I had ever played and I wanted to share it with my best friend. When I got to his house I was surprised to see that his Nes was not running...but a Sega Genesis. The first game I saw running on his Genesis was Ghouls n' Ghosts and it took my breath away. That was the night I made up my mind...I wanted a Genesis but was I too late? I told my mom and she basically said "I don't know which one we can get so late in the game, I'll try." That Christmas Eve I got my Genesis with Altered Beast (pack-in), Ghouls n' Ghosts, and Space Harrier II. What an amazing time to be a gamer!
That's amazing. I was saying to a friend of mine how lucky we were to be part of that era of gaming. Every new console was a huge leap forward. Now with the PS4 to PS5 and maybe even PS3 the wow factor has gone. Innovation is limited, and all the consoles are pretty much the same hardware.
I still remember getting the Mega Drive for Christmas 92. Bundled with Sonic 1 and Mega Games 1, mum and dad also picked up Sonic 2 upon release as well. One of the best Christmases ever.
Very fun video. As someone who got an early Genesis I believe you're correct that the Altered Beast bundle was the only Genesis option at the time. Here's a small detail about the pack-in Altered Beast: the plastic case (clamshell) was identical to the common Sega case except there was no hanging tab. It was not cut off by hand, it had a nice clean edge. This might be an interesting detail for anyone trying to complete their boxed Genesis. Regarding the Sega Master System Converter: I think the term 'Power Base' was used because the title 'Master System' was actually the name of the console bundle that included Hang On & Safari Hunt, joystick, light phaser and the 'power base' (power base was the name of the console itself). There is an uncommon Master System bundle called the Power Base and it's just the console and joystick. This explains why the adaptor is called the power base converter. Early on the Master System had an identity crisis because it didn't really have a name and was just commonly known as the Sega Master System. That unknown piece you showed with master system converter: I believe it's a shield for wires. Put the 3-D glasses wire in though this device and it will help shield other nearby signals from interfering with the signal traveling down the wire. Very similar things were common on CRT monitor cables.
Very interesting to see the different internals on the versions of the controllers, I wasn't aware that the first gen was so unconventional with the d-pad, so cheers for that!
Ive always loved the Megadrive. Its the console I have the most nostalgia for by far. I got a Japanese import with Sonic and Castle of Illusion for Christmas and I still remember it like it was yesterday. Happy times
I purchased the Genesis (pack-in game Altered Beast) in September of 1989, or about a week after it was released in my part of the USA. Compared to the eight-bit consoles the Genesis (version 1) system itself featured really nice build quality and design with both the unit and the controllers, like it really drove the idea home of getting a premium product. Since I and a small group of friends all had the system early we had the benefit of getting good coverage of all of the launch games and a few months beyond by trading back and forth. My favorite launch title was Thunder Force II and through the initial Christmas season throw Ghouls and Ghosts, Golden Axe, Super Hang On, and Revenge of Shinobi in there. Rambo III was pretty good too. Even if every game was not a top-notch title (ahem, Super Thunder Blade) the jump in audio/visual quality for a home console was more than enough to get enjoyment out of every launch game. I know that I felt disappointed with Last Battle but I still played it a whole lot in spite of its' obvious drawbacks. The biggest letdown for me was Alex Kidd since I was hoping that it would be a worthy 16-bit follow-up to Miracle World but it was a bit listless instead.
I think very few consoles have truly great games at launch. The Genesis and MD definitely had a few. I think the Vita launch lineup was one of the most impressive seen.
The Megadrive was a huge hit back in the 90’s and I was very happy to own a SEGA Genesis console as a kid, I enjoyed playing so many great game titles, especially arcade ports, I have so much nostalgia with this game, thanks for making this video mike.
This vid put a smile on my face, you took me back to launch day 1990 here in Australia I'm pretty certain it was on a Friday because I had no school the next day and played Altered beast for a few hours. It was a huge day after owning a master system for close to 3 years and hearing the speech for the first time in Altered beast is a great memory. I can't remember exactly how long Revenge of Shinobi came out after launch day but I know it wasn't long after as I had pre purchased it with the Megadrive and on launch day I remember the guy in the computer shop telling me it will be coming out soon to my disappointment as I thought I would be playing revenge of Shinobi that night.
@@RetroGamerBoy pretty much the same for me, when the SNES port of sf2 came out that was pretty much it for the arcades, the only arcade machines I remember playing or watching mates play after that were killer instinct, samurai showdown and metal slug, my mates from the 80's who were playing Shinobi or double dragon with me at the arcade were now playing stuff like Sonic 2 or Super Starwars on 16bit consoles.
Alright! Thank you for taking my request of the launch of the Sega genesis/Mega Drive unit and it's games Mike. I been waiting for this from you and so glad that you offered it for us to listen in and enjoy. Now to have my supper to have fun to hear on what you have to say. 8^) Thank you as always Mike. A pleasure to watch your videos all the time. 8^0 Anthony..
Be great to make this a series of Sega console launches or Sega mega drive marketing and revisions. For example when I got mine it came with Sonic and two controllers
It actually did not come out on launch day. Both in North America and PAL countries it came out 2 weeks later. This was and still is common practice for big third party games. It allows them to be part of the launch hype and maximize sales with a decent number of sell-in consoles. Also I think Capcom have only had a few day 1 launch titles, Dead Rising on Xbox One and I think one of the Monster Hunters. 👍
@@RetroGamerBoyInteresting… do you have a source for the Ghouls‘n Ghosts release date? Similarly, what is your source for the UK launch day titles?
I was like eight years old when the Genesis launched, but I didn't even actually know anyone with a Genesis until '91'ish, probably didn't actually get to play one until the summer of '93, and didn't actually own one myself until like 2008. Been my second most favorite console ever since (NES is still my first love), though, have like 110 carts and it's the only system I consistently purchase new-age after-market games for. And yes, there was a standalone release of Altered Beast in North America.
You're welcome Mike. Was a true pleas to see this marvelous upload from you. It was perfect the moment it started. 8^) I do have another brilliant idea for a future request for the Genesis/Mega Drive Mike. How about an upload discussing the early RPG titles that were released for the consoles during the late 80's and early 90's. So many great RPG games that are being forgotten on the unit sadly, and it would be wonderful to mentioned them to stay fresh in the minds of veteran games and newcomers alike. 8^) Anthony..
Me as a kid had My Golden Axe as the first game on SEGA too💎. I remember that I looked for a glass bottles of special shapes everywhere on the streets for atleast 2 summers in a row to redeem it and that's how I would save up money for my coveted SEGA MEGA Power Platform😍. I've never seen 3 buttons controller though. SEGA associates with 6 buttons only. Otherwise how you're gonna use all those different crucial combinations of the gameplay for some AAA games? I don't know. And I remember that I was one of the first ones on the Block in MosKva🇷🇺 who actually afforded this 16bit treasure back in those days. Because I remember that DENDY console with its games which I had had earlier gave me depression feelings mostly with its 8 bit color pallet and games on it. So after getting SEGA experience with those Animations from World Professionals like with Alladine, Earth Worm Jim it changed my perception of reality. And now I'll continue making this animated darned "The fly of a fly" for my own SEGA Game which turned out to include 100 different frames where you need to move not just its wings but legs position, shape of its eyes, a nose and even pupils on its eyes. Anyway when I get into somewhere I never know how hard and time consuming it's gonna be. But since I started I must finish it.
Amazing idea for the episode! To remember, or, in my instance, realise for the first time, the humble beginnings of the most important console of my life! ❤️ Cheers, Retro Gamer Boy!
I often grab titles from the shelf and revisit launches for consoles I have but no one does it like Mike - beautiful video Sir and you are the immortal cool bigger boy
Love the colour filter and camera you use, your videos are always sharp, vibrate and colourful. Also the sound is clear. Very high quality content and production throughout.
A friend of mine imported a Japanese Mega Drive months before the UK release date, so I was very envious to play Revenge Of Shinobi and Thunderforce III months and, in Thunderforce III's case, years before they came out over here! I was still jealous on launch day when I picked up my Pal Mega Drive and had to endure those horrible black boarders and 50hz slowdown on Pal games! ☹️ Still an amazing machine though and I run my games on a switchable 50hz/60hz these days, so the best of both worlds. 🙂👍
Glad that you like the idea Mike. I would really like to listen in on what you have to say to titles like Phantasy Star II and III, Sword of Vermillion. Sorcerian, Fatal Labyrinth, Super Hydlide, and so much more Mike. 8^) Anthony..
"Power Base Converter" Never made any sense to me. However, it was fantastic that the Sega was backwards compatible. Back then, that was damn near standard for videogame consoles. Atari had been doing it for years prior. It always made me wonder why Nintendo didn't do the same with the SNES.
It really annoys me when we don't have backwards compatibility on consoles. But I was there for PS4 development and I sat in a meeting where I requested backwards compatibility and was told that they would need to QA every PS3 game and it was not financially viable.
Watching your videos brings back so many fond memories of my self with all my Mega Drive games especially Golden Axe and Alex Kid my first two games love them both 👍 video Mike
Golden Axe was such a mind blown moment for me. I was an arcade gamer in the 80s but once the MD came out I slowly moved over to being a console gamer.
Excellent! Glad you like the idea Mike. Would love to listen in on the early RPG titles for the Genesis/Mega Drive. It would be like a follow up to this video. 8^) Anthony..
Very interesting video. I was 5 at that time and I didn't know anything about video games until a few years later... But wow, I remember very well those TV ads, they bring me back so many memories
Very informative and entertaining vid Mike...a great watch! I Missed the megadrive upon release having been a nes kid until Sonic was about on the megadrive. Strange how i dont think ive ever actually looked in to what the first release titles for the megadrive were...especially as its a fave to collect for (still just shy of 500 pal original games so far). Nice one 😉👍
I have this first version with polystyreen, but the one with Altered Beast packed in. My brother didn't quite buy it at launch though, but later with Jewel Master and Decap Attack as other pack-ins.
Impressive that you managed to keep your original, M1 Mega Drive complete with box in such good condition. I wish mine fared so well! 😔 (I've learned not to lend out my gaming consoles since those days)
This is a different kind of video for you, Mike. But I like it. It’s strange, in the early days of the genesis, and I’m talking black box era, pre red spine/Genesis model 2, but in Canada, we would get a few games that look exactly like the Europe MegaDrive packaging. Like for example my Genesis copy of Sonic 1 has the beige background, landscape manual and the 6 languages. But it still says “Genesis” on it. My Taz-Mania was the same way. And I’ve even seen friends have European “MegaDrive” branding but they worked 100%. It’s like they just printed the wrong labels or something. But I do wonder if they just used those for the multi languages to be inclusive to English and French Canadians (our official languages, that is until recent years where they’ve made First Nations languages also official languages of Canada as well) but you know what I mean
@@RetroGamerBoy as a matter of fact, I found my old genesis 1 box. It’s the same as that box, I think it would’ve had a sticker to say sonic 1 was packed in, but again, Genesis in the front, multi language in the back. Also that Christmas of 92 I would also get sonic 2 as well, and a second controller. And like you, I would have two different controllers. Red letters on one, black letters on the other. Again only difference here is the red letter controller had a two tone genesis logo. The black letter one was a one colour genesis logo That’s weird too, our 6 buttons would just say Sega
That's puzzling. I have the originals MD box with no game included but I know for a fact we got Sonic so we're talking 1992, but I have the cardboard insert which like you say makes it later. What's confusing though is that my MD was constructed in 1990. VERY early MD console. We also bought from new. Was the first time my parents could afford a console brand new. Not bought off a mate down the pub. Either hooky or used lollol.
If your console is a launch console but you box is a later version, then it's quite possible that Sega had left over consoles from their first run that made it into later runs.
Cheers and thanks for the great video! Are you sure about the 8 language box with no pack-in game being available in launch? I got the Altered Beast console back in the day, and at least I don't remember there being any other variants available then here in Finland. I also believe that the launch games all have only six languages on the backside. Only later was a Finnish translation added to the games (the last of the eight languages).
Yes it was a launch day. But obviously not every country was equal in what they got in Europe. This console was available in the UK and in Germany. I'm not sure how much further this was distributed, probably France, Spain, and Italy.
I can’t stand Altered Beast, but my pack in game was Alex Kidd. I love that game, and everyone seems to hate it… so probably there is a parallel there. I also got Columns and Sonic with it, and those lovely blue photocopy manuals we got in Australia so we could get that bootleg feeling at a premium cost. Sega Ozisoft really did us dirty 😂😂😂
😂😂 I don't like Altered Beast. I got Golden Axe as my launch game and then bought Altered Beast. What a pile of rubbish. It's a great Arcade port and has one of the best logos ever made, but that game is poo.
I think you're wrong about the MK1 ad MK2 pads. See the picture of the pad on the MD box. The dish directions might be MK1 but the other shell I wouldve thought is MK1. Notice the UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT arrows are RED, not WHITE. I could be wrong of course. Got a feeling I'm not.
So as far as I know the disc design was first. It could be that the pack in pad was the disc variation and separately sold controller was the updated version. This would make sense as the pack-in controller we need to be manufactured way in advance compared to a separate peripheral.
Great video Mike, nice to see I’ve made it to 25 months 😂 I love launch windows for console, I don’t really remember the mega drive one(3 at the time)but I very much remember the ps1 launch, I’m very tempted to go research the launch titles of the PS1 and pick all those up and have a night playing them…could be fun, could be torture 😂
I think the Mega Drive launching later in Europe helped its launch in Europe as we had a much better launch lineup although looking back most of the launch games weren’t great, but Golden Axe, Revenge of Shinobi and Ghouls n Ghosts being the true standout launch titles for the Mega Drive.
What are you using to determine which games were released on launch-day? By my reckoning, the Mega Drive version of Columns was released in the UK sometime between very late November 1990 and the middle of December 1990 (definitely out by Christmas, but not available at launch). I also think that this video is missing some UK Mega Drive launch-day titles. So I’d be super-interested to find out what you’ve used as your source.
I work with Miyake Kazutoshi, he was head of Sega Europe back then. I worked through what I thought was day one and he made a few corrections as places like Wikipedia and some Sega sites have the wrong dates.
@@RetroGamerBoy That’s awesome! You’re absolutely right: it’s difficult to trust internet sources for UK Mega Drive releases, because they’re riddled with errors (many of them unintentional, I’m sure!). I’ve been using various trade sources from the time of the Mega Drive’s release to pin-down what I believe to be the Mega Drive’s launch-day titles. I’d love to follow-up with more detail - what’s the best way to contact you?
@@RetroGamerBoyAnother point… Sega Europe didn’t formally exist at the time of the Mega Drive launch. Virgin Mastertronic (which was headed by Nick Alexander) handled Sega’s distribution back then - Mastertronic was bought-out by Sega (for around £40-45m) and renamed Sega Europe in July 1991, with Nick remaining at the helm to ensure a seamless transition. Did Miyake have direct involvement with Mastertronic during the Mega Drive launch, or did his involvement begin after the buy-out from Sega?
@@mattneilson1824 Sega's European division was up and running for launch, whist they partnered and acquired to expand their launch capabilities Sega had been in Europe since the Sega master system launch. Marketing, finance, customer service, legal, and PR were all in place from the late 80s onwards.
@@RetroGamerBoy That's contrary to what I've read... My understanding is that International Development Group (which was contracted by Sega of Japan) appointed Mastertronic to handle the Master System's UK marketing and distribution (with the deal being signed at the 1987 Chicago CES). Indeed, Mastertronic was responsible for flying the initial batch of Master System consoles and games from Japan to the UK. Mastertronic later arranged deals with major UK distributors such as Centresoft and Leisuresoft. I also understand that marketing and distribution was initially handled by Ariolasoft in Germany, and Cameron in France. Then, in September 1988, Sega appointed Virgin to handle sales and marketing of Sega's console hardware and software in the UK, Germany, and France. I believe Kunimasa Yagi was the general manager for Sega Japan's Overseas Consumer Division at the time of the Mega Drive's launch in the UK. Again, Virgin Mastertronic was the exclusive UK distributor of the Mega Drive. If Sega Europe did exist before 1991, then where (out of interest) was it based at the time of the Mega Drive launch in the UK?
I had a master system 1 and confusingly it said Master System Power Base on the console, maybe as a way to differentiate itself from add-ons for the console?
![[Limbus Company - PV] Chapter.7 - Oblivion](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VUpkXPkvoxU/mqdefault.jpg)
I remember summer '89 my parents took us to a trip to Macy's and they had the Sega Genesis in a display case that said 'coming soon'. Already having the Master system,i was mesmerized. My parents must've saw my wonderment because that Christmas the Genesis was under the Xmas tree. This is why altered beast and revenge of Shinobi are 2 of my all time favorite games👍
Revenge of Shinobi and Streets of Rage were mine… Just classics with incredible soundtracks.
I always find it amusing how people say Shinobi 3 is the best Shinobi on the megadrive, don't get me wrong it's a very good game but you can tell who had a Megadrive early on and who got one post Sonic. Revenge of Shinobi is an absolute masterpiece.
@@danielnicholson6174 I couldn't agree more.
Sega made everyday feel like Christmas.
@@danielnicholson6174 Truth.
So many people claim Shinobi 3 is better than Revenge of Shinobi only because the 'good' S3 was their first exposure to any Shinobi, whereas the rest of us had been through the gamut of the Shinobi world and know that RoS is really the foundational masterpiece. Conceptually, musically, artistically-- well, Rev00 that is.
But I guess that is the same argument between the Sega CD bios v.1 vs bios v.2 crowd preferences-- the early buyers of the SEGA CD model 1 preferring bios v.1, and those who picked up the model 2 later prefer bios v.2. Both are great musically but wow how bios1's attract-mode and music makes me take a good moment every time to just sit and listen before I launch the inserted game. Nostalgia is funny that way, its Pavlovian fingers that hold on to you and make you come back for more.
Both Altered Beast and Revenge of Shinobi have a special place in my heart because before I owned any game console I was already a Sega fanboy from their deep arcade library-- they truly had the best games in the arcades(Thank you Yu Suzuki-san) And my mom knew I wanted the Sega Genesis more than anything for my upcoming birthday, so she bought the Genesis at launch. I cannot tell you how difficult the wait was knowing that the purchased NEW Sega hardware was inside the house yet I had FOUR months until my birthday before I could enjoy it. When I got it I played the heck out of the included Altered Beast, discovering all the secrets until I was able to buy my 2nd game ever the Revenge of Shinobi with my own earned money, and again put so much time into that game.
Funnily, I think Sega taught me to have the greatest work ethic-- I learned as a kid that the more I worked, the more games I could buy.(Ironically, Sega was the master of 'career' based games: Crazy Taxi, 18 Wheeler, Emergency Call Ambulance, Brave Firefighters, Jambo Safari, Shenmue's harbor forklift job, etc...) The benefit from working so much I ended up amassing a huge collection from every Sega console's library, buying most all as quickly as the games released. Fortunately, still have all of them, CIB. Had no idea how the values would skyrocket as soon as everyone else finally 'discovered' Sega.
And yes, after putting in almost as much time in S3 as RoS, I still argue that RoS is the better of the two.
I remember 1989 like it was yesterday. I knew both the Sega Genesis and TG-16 were out...but I couldn't decide which was the right one. Every single week I flip-flopped between them. I want a Genesis for Christmas...No! I want a TG-16 for Christmas. It got so bad that my mother basically told me I'm going to get what she gives me and like it.
Two weeks before Christmas of 1989 I purchased Ninja Gaiden for my Nes. It was the most incredible game I had ever played and I wanted to share it with my best friend. When I got to his house I was surprised to see that his Nes was not running...but a Sega Genesis. The first game I saw running on his Genesis was Ghouls n' Ghosts and it took my breath away. That was the night I made up my mind...I wanted a Genesis but was I too late? I told my mom and she basically said "I don't know which one we can get so late in the game, I'll try." That Christmas Eve I got my Genesis with Altered Beast (pack-in), Ghouls n' Ghosts, and Space Harrier II. What an amazing time to be a gamer!
That's amazing. I was saying to a friend of mine how lucky we were to be part of that era of gaming. Every new console was a huge leap forward. Now with the PS4 to PS5 and maybe even PS3 the wow factor has gone. Innovation is limited, and all the consoles are pretty much the same hardware.
I loved the original Mega Drive controller, but that six button controller was something special.
It was a great evolution. Imagine it had shipped with it. We may have got some very different games.
I still remember getting the Mega Drive for Christmas 92. Bundled with Sonic 1 and Mega Games 1, mum and dad also picked up Sonic 2 upon release as well. One of the best Christmases ever.
That's awesome. Gaming and Christmas memories go well together.
My most memorable times as a kid definitely was during the Sega Genesis & Super Nintendo era.
These consoles were so influential on pop culture.
Very fun video.
As someone who got an early Genesis I believe you're correct that the Altered Beast bundle was the only Genesis option at the time.
Here's a small detail about the pack-in Altered Beast: the plastic case (clamshell) was identical to the common Sega case except there was no hanging tab. It was not cut off by hand, it had a nice clean edge. This might be an interesting detail for anyone trying to complete their boxed Genesis.
Regarding the Sega Master System Converter: I think the term 'Power Base' was used because the title 'Master System' was actually the name of the console bundle that included Hang On & Safari Hunt, joystick, light phaser and the 'power base' (power base was the name of the console itself). There is an uncommon Master System bundle called the Power Base and it's just the console and joystick. This explains why the adaptor is called the power base converter.
Early on the Master System had an identity crisis because it didn't really have a name and was just commonly known as the Sega Master System.
That unknown piece you showed with master system converter: I believe it's a shield for wires. Put the 3-D glasses wire in though this device and it will help shield other nearby signals from interfering with the signal traveling down the wire. Very similar things were common on CRT monitor cables.
That's a great piece of info on the pack-in Altered Beast, it's genuinely made my day to learn that.
Thunder Force II is an underrated gem, I adore it.
It's a lot of fun to play.
Very interesting to see the different internals on the versions of the controllers, I wasn't aware that the first gen was so unconventional with the d-pad, so cheers for that!
This is a freaking beautiful edit, dude!!! Great video.
Yeah I wonder if the pads anymore or less sensitive than the v2
Yup it's a super weird design. I've not seen this outside of a Mega Drive controller.
I remember opening this bad boy up for christmas when I was a kid. Altered beast was so much fun.
I always associate my Mega Drive with Christmas. I think it's because that's when the big hits would come out, and I'd get them under the tree.
Ive always loved the Megadrive. Its the console I have the most nostalgia for by far. I got a Japanese import with Sonic and Castle of Illusion for Christmas and I still remember it like it was yesterday. Happy times
It's such an amazing console. I love it.
What a great idea for a video. To take a look back at the launch of our beloved Mega Drive/Genesis as if the year was 1990 instead of 2024.
It's such a great console, and it's so much fun researching for shows like this.
I purchased the Genesis (pack-in game Altered Beast) in September of 1989, or about a week after it was released in my part of the USA. Compared to the eight-bit consoles the Genesis (version 1) system itself featured really nice build quality and design with both the unit and the controllers, like it really drove the idea home of getting a premium product. Since I and a small group of friends all had the system early we had the benefit of getting good coverage of all of the launch games and a few months beyond by trading back and forth. My favorite launch title was Thunder Force II and through the initial Christmas season throw Ghouls and Ghosts, Golden Axe, Super Hang On, and Revenge of Shinobi in there. Rambo III was pretty good too. Even if every game was not a top-notch title (ahem, Super Thunder Blade) the jump in audio/visual quality for a home console was more than enough to get enjoyment out of every launch game. I know that I felt disappointed with Last Battle but I still played it a whole lot in spite of its' obvious drawbacks. The biggest letdown for me was Alex Kidd since I was hoping that it would be a worthy 16-bit follow-up to Miracle World but it was a bit listless instead.
I think very few consoles have truly great games at launch. The Genesis and MD definitely had a few. I think the Vita launch lineup was one of the most impressive seen.
The Megadrive was a huge hit back in the 90’s and I was very happy to own a SEGA Genesis console as a kid, I enjoyed playing so many great game titles, especially arcade ports, I have so much nostalgia with this game, thanks for making this video mike.
It was fun to make.
This vid put a smile on my face, you took me back to launch day 1990 here in Australia I'm pretty certain it was on a Friday because I had no school the next day and played Altered beast for a few hours. It was a huge day after owning a master system for close to 3 years and hearing the speech for the first time in Altered beast is a great memory. I can't remember exactly how long Revenge of Shinobi came out after launch day but I know it wasn't long after as I had pre purchased it with the Megadrive and on launch day I remember the guy in the computer shop telling me it will be coming out soon to my disappointment as I thought I would be playing revenge of Shinobi that night.
That was an amazing game. I really felt like I had an Arcade in my room. When Street Fighter 2 came out that signalled the end of the arcade for me.
@@RetroGamerBoy pretty much the same for me, when the SNES port of sf2 came out that was pretty much it for the arcades, the only arcade machines I remember playing or watching mates play after that were killer instinct, samurai showdown and metal slug, my mates from the 80's who were playing Shinobi or double dragon with me at the arcade were now playing stuff like Sonic 2 or Super Starwars on 16bit consoles.
Alright! Thank you for taking my request of the launch of the Sega genesis/Mega Drive unit and it's games Mike. I been waiting for this from you and so glad that you offered it for us to listen in and enjoy. Now to have my supper to have fun to hear on what you have to say. 8^)
Thank you as always Mike. A pleasure to watch your videos all the time. 8^0
Anthony..
Thanks for the great ideas Anthony. It was a lot of fun researching for this show.
Still the best console ever and it continues to get better
Fact and science.
Be great to make this a series of Sega console launches or Sega mega drive marketing and revisions. For example when I got mine it came with Sonic and two controllers
I was thinking of making a show that covers all the variants for the MK1 console.
You forgot "Ghouls 'n Ghosts" it was DEFINATELY a launch title on the Megadrive in 1990
It actually did not come out on launch day. Both in North America and PAL countries it came out 2 weeks later. This was and still is common practice for big third party games. It allows them to be part of the launch hype and maximize sales with a decent number of sell-in consoles. Also I think Capcom have only had a few day 1 launch titles, Dead Rising on Xbox One and I think one of the Monster Hunters. 👍
@@RetroGamerBoyInteresting… do you have a source for the Ghouls‘n Ghosts release date? Similarly, what is your source for the UK launch day titles?
I was like eight years old when the Genesis launched, but I didn't even actually know anyone with a Genesis until '91'ish, probably didn't actually get to play one until the summer of '93, and didn't actually own one myself until like 2008. Been my second most favorite console ever since (NES is still my first love), though, have like 110 carts and it's the only system I consistently purchase new-age after-market games for.
And yes, there was a standalone release of Altered Beast in North America.
Nice. I was actually wondering if the Genesis got a release at launch without a packin game.
There is also a controller with a bearing behind the D pad, which is really nice to use 👍 Great video, nice and different
Really, I did not know that. I need to hunt it down.
You're welcome Mike. Was a true pleas to see this marvelous upload from you. It was perfect the moment it started. 8^)
I do have another brilliant idea for a future request for the Genesis/Mega Drive Mike. How about an upload discussing the early RPG titles that were released for the consoles during the late 80's and early 90's.
So many great RPG games that are being forgotten on the unit sadly, and it would be wonderful to mentioned them to stay fresh in the minds of veteran games and newcomers alike. 8^)
Anthony..
😁👍
Thanks for trying to add in all the comparisons to the Genesis US release day as well!
No problem. I find it fascinating the differences between the two regions.
Yes, I have only seen the Genesis with a Pack-in game. Everything you said matches my memory and experience.
Awesome, thanks 👍
Me as a kid had My Golden Axe as the first game on SEGA too💎. I remember that I looked for a glass bottles of special shapes everywhere on the streets for atleast 2 summers in a row to redeem it and that's how I would save up money for my coveted SEGA MEGA Power Platform😍. I've never seen 3 buttons controller though. SEGA associates with 6 buttons only. Otherwise how you're gonna use all those different crucial combinations of the gameplay for some AAA games? I don't know. And I remember that I was one of the first ones on the Block in MosKva🇷🇺 who actually afforded this 16bit treasure back in those days. Because I remember that DENDY console with its games which I had had earlier gave me depression feelings mostly with its 8 bit color pallet and games on it. So after getting SEGA experience with those Animations from World Professionals like with Alladine, Earth Worm Jim it changed my perception of reality. And now I'll continue making this animated darned "The fly of a fly" for my own SEGA Game which turned out to include 100 different frames where you need to move not just its wings but legs position, shape of its eyes, a nose and even pupils on its eyes. Anyway when I get into somewhere I never know how hard and time consuming it's gonna be. But since I started I must finish it.
Ya the 3 button controller was not a great idea. They should have gone with a 6 button from the start.
Amazing idea for the episode! To remember, or, in my instance, realise for the first time, the humble beginnings of the most important console of my life! ❤️
Cheers, Retro Gamer Boy!
It's really interesting to see how a console starts up and learning about it's hardware and software.
I often grab titles from the shelf and revisit launches for consoles I have but no one does it like Mike - beautiful video Sir and you are the immortal cool bigger boy
🤣 thank you kind Sir
Some of my favorite games of all time!
It was a decent launch lineup
Love the colour filter and camera you use, your videos are always sharp, vibrate and colourful. Also the sound is clear. Very high quality content and production throughout.
That's great to hear, thanks. 🙏
It's awesome to revisit launch history like this and I'm glad you did such a deep dive on more than just the games!
Thanks for your help on this Tom.😁👍🤘🤙🎉
@@RetroGamerBoy Help? Me? Doesn't sound right. lol Ready to hunt down some specific Genesis games, however, when the time comes!
A friend of mine imported a Japanese Mega Drive months before the UK release date, so I was very envious to play Revenge Of Shinobi and Thunderforce III months and, in Thunderforce III's case, years before they came out over here!
I was still jealous on launch day when I picked up my Pal Mega Drive and had to endure those horrible black boarders and 50hz slowdown on Pal games! ☹️
Still an amazing machine though and I run my games on a switchable 50hz/60hz these days, so the best of both worlds. 🙂👍
Yup same here. I added the switch about a year ago.
Glad that you like the idea Mike. I would really like to listen in on what you have to say to titles like Phantasy Star II and III, Sword of Vermillion. Sorcerian, Fatal Labyrinth, Super Hydlide, and so much more Mike. 8^)
Anthony..
An RPG special, I like it.
"Power Base Converter" Never made any sense to me. However, it was fantastic that the Sega was backwards compatible. Back then, that was damn near standard for videogame consoles. Atari had been doing it for years prior. It always made me wonder why Nintendo didn't do the same with the SNES.
It really annoys me when we don't have backwards compatibility on consoles. But I was there for PS4 development and I sat in a meeting where I requested backwards compatibility and was told that they would need to QA every PS3 game and it was not financially viable.
Watching your videos brings back so many fond memories of my self with all my Mega Drive games especially Golden Axe and Alex Kid my first two games love them both 👍 video Mike
Golden Axe was such a mind blown moment for me. I was an arcade gamer in the 80s but once the MD came out I slowly moved over to being a console gamer.
Excellent! Glad you like the idea Mike. Would love to listen in on the early RPG titles for the Genesis/Mega Drive. It would be like a follow up to this video. 8^)
Anthony..
👍
Very interesting video. I was 5 at that time and I didn't know anything about video games until a few years later... But wow, I remember very well those TV ads, they bring me back so many memories
The launch ads for consoles are so cool, especially back in the day. The PS1 had some great ads.
😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠
I really like that original controller. I'm old enough to remember having this when I was a kid. Great video!
It was and is a great console.
Very informative and entertaining vid Mike...a great watch!
I Missed the megadrive upon release having been a nes kid until Sonic was about on the megadrive.
Strange how i dont think ive ever actually looked in to what the first release titles for the megadrive were...especially as its a fave to collect for (still just shy of 500 pal original games so far).
Nice one 😉👍
Nice, are you getting any variants or are you just going for the core collection.
The ol' wise one dropping the knowledge bomb for us again. love this type of content
It's a fun video to make. I'll be making a few more videos like this through 2024.
I have this first version with polystyreen, but the one with Altered Beast packed in. My brother didn't quite buy it at launch though, but later with Jewel Master and Decap Attack as other pack-ins.
That's cool. I'd love to do a video on the different console pack-in variants.
I wanna play shining force iv. I missed that one
😁
the sega king strikes back
🤘😝🤘
Impressive that you managed to keep your original, M1 Mega Drive complete with box in such good condition. I wish mine fared so well! 😔
(I've learned not to lend out my gaming consoles since those days)
I feel your pain, I shared my copies of Zelda Oracle of Ages and seasons and they came back broken and without the boxes and instructions.
@@RetroGamerBoy OMG, what a heart breaker. I retrieved my Genesis from a friends house to find a gaping hole in the top of the plastic shell.
Thank you, Mike, for this amazing piece of sega history) Cool!
It was a fun video to make.
*wish sega got their confidence back and release a modern day console or make an attempt at another handheld....yo dope video mate*
That would be sooo cool.
@@RetroGamerBoy most definitely 🔥🔥🔥
This is a different kind of video for you, Mike. But I like it. It’s strange, in the early days of the genesis, and I’m talking black box era, pre red spine/Genesis model 2, but in Canada, we would get a few games that look exactly like the Europe MegaDrive packaging. Like for example my Genesis copy of Sonic 1 has the beige background, landscape manual and the 6 languages. But it still says “Genesis” on it. My Taz-Mania was the same way. And I’ve even seen friends have European “MegaDrive” branding but they worked 100%. It’s like they just printed the wrong labels or something. But I do wonder if they just used those for the multi languages to be inclusive to English and French Canadians (our official languages, that is until recent years where they’ve made First Nations languages also official languages of Canada as well) but you know what I mean
Ya it could be that they just took the European versions of those games for the languages. It would make sense.
@@RetroGamerBoy as a matter of fact, I found my old genesis 1 box. It’s the same as that box, I think it would’ve had a sticker to say sonic 1 was packed in, but again, Genesis in the front, multi language in the back.
Also that Christmas of 92 I would also get sonic 2 as well, and a second controller. And like you, I would have two different controllers. Red letters on one, black letters on the other. Again only difference here is the red letter controller had a two tone genesis logo. The black letter one was a one colour genesis logo
That’s weird too, our 6 buttons would just say Sega
That's puzzling. I have the originals MD box with no game included but I know for a fact we got Sonic so we're talking 1992, but I have the cardboard insert which like you say makes it later. What's confusing though is that my MD was constructed in 1990. VERY early MD console. We also bought from new. Was the first time my parents could afford a console brand new. Not bought off a mate down the pub. Either hooky or used lollol.
If your console is a launch console but you box is a later version, then it's quite possible that Sega had left over consoles from their first run that made it into later runs.
Love it. All interesting stuff.@@RetroGamerBoy
Gerat video! but you forgot to mention the actual launch date...
Did I?
Cheers and thanks for the great video! Are you sure about the 8 language box with no pack-in game being available in launch? I got the Altered Beast console back in the day, and at least I don't remember there being any other variants available then here in Finland. I also believe that the launch games all have only six languages on the backside. Only later was a Finnish translation added to the games (the last of the eight languages).
Yes it was a launch day. But obviously not every country was equal in what they got in Europe. This console was available in the UK and in Germany. I'm not sure how much further this was distributed, probably France, Spain, and Italy.
I can’t stand Altered Beast, but my pack in game was Alex Kidd. I love that game, and everyone seems to hate it… so probably there is a parallel there. I also got Columns and Sonic with it, and those lovely blue photocopy manuals we got in Australia so we could get that bootleg feeling at a premium cost. Sega Ozisoft really did us dirty 😂😂😂
😂😂 I don't like Altered Beast. I got Golden Axe as my launch game and then bought Altered Beast. What a pile of rubbish. It's a great Arcade port and has one of the best logos ever made, but that game is poo.
I think you're wrong about the MK1 ad MK2 pads. See the picture of the pad on the MD box. The dish directions might be MK1 but the other shell I wouldve thought is MK1. Notice the UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT arrows are RED, not WHITE. I could be wrong of course. Got a feeling I'm not.
I think the same.
So as far as I know the disc design was first. It could be that the pack in pad was the disc variation and separately sold controller was the updated version. This would make sense as the pack-in controller we need to be manufactured way in advance compared to a separate peripheral.
Awesome video as ever❤
Why thank you. 🙏
Great video Mike, nice to see I’ve made it to 25 months 😂
I love launch windows for console, I don’t really remember the mega drive one(3 at the time)but I very much remember the ps1 launch, I’m very tempted to go research the launch titles of the PS1 and pick all those up and have a night playing them…could be fun, could be torture 😂
There nice little collections to build for your consoles. The Vita launch is probably the best ever for games.
Great video dude 👊🏻
Thanks 🤘
Sou do Brasil, e gosto muito do seu canal ,parabéns muito bom segaaaaa
That's awesome. I think the UK and Brasil were two countries that loved Sega.
I think the Mega Drive launching later in Europe helped its launch in Europe as we had a much better launch lineup although looking back most of the launch games weren’t great, but Golden Axe, Revenge of Shinobi and Ghouls n Ghosts being the true standout launch titles for the Mega Drive.
Yup for sure, the launch window of games for Europe was substantial. Poor Japan only got two games at launch.
Amazing video 👌
Thank you very much 🙏
Great system
Yup it's stunning
Sega genesis is the best console ever made❤
🤘😝🤘
9:15 yellow star in other parts of Europe? That sounds historically familiar. Which part? Germany? 😂
🫣
🫣
@RetroGamerBoy and Germany is once again, firmly on the pro-genocide side of history.
Power base converter is to play Master System games
I know, I just wanted to know why we call it Master System Converter in the UK and its Power Base Converter in North America. 👍
What are you using to determine which games were released on launch-day? By my reckoning, the Mega Drive version of Columns was released in the UK sometime between very late November 1990 and the middle of December 1990 (definitely out by Christmas, but not available at launch). I also think that this video is missing some UK Mega Drive launch-day titles. So I’d be super-interested to find out what you’ve used as your source.
I work with Miyake Kazutoshi, he was head of Sega Europe back then. I worked through what I thought was day one and he made a few corrections as places like Wikipedia and some Sega sites have the wrong dates.
@@RetroGamerBoy That’s awesome! You’re absolutely right: it’s difficult to trust internet sources for UK Mega Drive releases, because they’re riddled with errors (many of them unintentional, I’m sure!). I’ve been using various trade sources from the time of the Mega Drive’s release to pin-down what I believe to be the Mega Drive’s launch-day titles. I’d love to follow-up with more detail - what’s the best way to contact you?
@@RetroGamerBoyAnother point… Sega Europe didn’t formally exist at the time of the Mega Drive launch. Virgin Mastertronic (which was headed by Nick Alexander) handled Sega’s distribution back then - Mastertronic was bought-out by Sega (for around £40-45m) and renamed Sega Europe in July 1991, with Nick remaining at the helm to ensure a seamless transition.
Did Miyake have direct involvement with Mastertronic during the Mega Drive launch, or did his involvement begin after the buy-out from Sega?
@@mattneilson1824 Sega's European division was up and running for launch, whist they partnered and acquired to expand their launch capabilities Sega had been in Europe since the Sega master system launch. Marketing, finance, customer service, legal, and PR were all in place from the late 80s onwards.
@@RetroGamerBoy That's contrary to what I've read...
My understanding is that International Development Group (which was contracted by Sega of Japan) appointed Mastertronic to handle the Master System's UK marketing and distribution (with the deal being signed at the 1987 Chicago CES). Indeed, Mastertronic was responsible for flying the initial batch of Master System consoles and games from Japan to the UK. Mastertronic later arranged deals with major UK distributors such as Centresoft and Leisuresoft.
I also understand that marketing and distribution was initially handled by Ariolasoft in Germany, and Cameron in France. Then, in September 1988, Sega appointed Virgin to handle sales and marketing of Sega's console hardware and software in the UK, Germany, and France.
I believe Kunimasa Yagi was the general manager for Sega Japan's Overseas Consumer Division at the time of the Mega Drive's launch in the UK. Again, Virgin Mastertronic was the exclusive UK distributor of the Mega Drive.
If Sega Europe did exist before 1991, then where (out of interest) was it based at the time of the Mega Drive launch in the UK?
Super bisous de la France
Merci
Controller look pretty much the same as in my mini version today, which is not that great have sticky button D-pad, that can stuck and need cleaning.
The 6 button controller is where Sega got it right I think.
I had a master system 1 and confusingly it said Master System Power Base on the console, maybe as a way to differentiate itself from add-ons for the console?
That's really interesting. Where other variants of the console called something else?
@@RetroGamerBoy i think the US and PAL ones were referred to as power base and the JP was just called the Mark III
From brazil,
Welcome
My sega mega drive came with a flying game you had to doge things coming at you
All mega drive games where variations of a platform game or overhead RPG style... Boring as hell now
A few people may disagree there😂👍
How much have you spent on that load of old junk? I bought a mega drive in 1991.... What a load of crap it is now
Well since it's the console and game I bought as a kid at launch.... The original launch prices.
Meu sonho era ganha um sega genesis autografado por você um Dia ❤ seus vídeos são ótimos ❤ parabéns pelo otimo conteudo no yutub 😊
😅 maybe I'll run a competition one day ✌️