Sega CD
The Sega CD (Mega-CD in regions outside North America), released in 1991, was an add-on for the Genesis that brought CD-ROM capabilities to Sega's 16-bit powerhouse. This peripheral enabled games with CD-quality soundtracks, full-motion video sequences, and vastly expanded storage (600MB versus 4MB cartridges). The Sega CD introduced groundbreaking titles: Sonic CD featured the iconic "Sonic Boom" soundtrack and time-travel gameplay, Lunar: The Silver Star defined console JRPGs with its animated cutscenes, and Snatcher brought Hideo Kojima's cyberpunk vision to Western audiences. The system also pioneered FMV games like Night Trap and Sewer Shark, though these attracted controversy and helped establish the ESRB rating system. While the add-on sold around 2.7 million units, it struggled against the perception of being an expensive luxury. The Sega CD's legacy lives on in its influence on CD-based gaming and its cult classic library.
Sega
1991
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The Sega CD (Mega-CD in regions outside North America), released in 1991, was an add-on for the Genesis that brought CD-ROM capabilities to Sega's 16-bit powerhouse. This peripheral enabled games with CD-quality soundtracks, full-motion video sequences, and vastly expanded storage (600MB versus 4MB cartridges). The Sega CD introduced groundbreaking titles: Sonic CD featured the iconic "Sonic Boom" soundtrack and time-travel gameplay, Lunar: The Silver Star defined console JRPGs with its animated cutscenes, and Snatcher brought Hideo Kojima's cyberpunk vision to Western audiences. The system also pioneered FMV games like Night Trap and Sewer Shark, though these attracted controversy and helped establish the ESRB rating system. While the add-on sold around 2.7 million units, it struggled against the perception of being an expensive luxury. The Sega CD's legacy lives on in its influence on CD-based gaming and its cult classic library.