Sega SG-1000

The SG-1000, also known as the Sega Game 1000 or Sega Mark I, is a home video game console manufactured by Sega. It was Sega's first gaming machine, and that’s what makes it legendary. It was released on July 15, 1983, on the same day as Nintendo’s Family Computer in Japan. The SG-1000 was available in several forms, including the SC-3000 computer and the redesigned SG-1000 II, in 1984. In addition, there was a third iteration of the console, the Sega Mark III.

The SG-1000 is powered by an 8-bit Zilog Z80 central processing unit running at 3.58 MHz for the SG-1000 and SG-1000 II, and at 4 MHz for the SC-3000. Its video processor is a Texas Instruments TMS9918, capable of displaying up to 16 colors, and its sound processor is a Texas Instruments SN76489. The system includes 8 kbit (1 KB) of random access memory (RAM) The controller is hardwired to the system in the original model and detachable in the SG-1000 II. Video and audio output are supplied through an RF switch. Power is supplied through a 9 V DC connector connected to an AC adapter. Its odd shape and aesthetics give the impression that it is a taller system than it actually is. The console was heavily criticized for its stiff, unresponsive, and inconvenient controllers and that’s why all future Sega consoles allow all both controllers to be removed.

SG-1000 had a small impact on the gaming community and it was forgotten fast. Very few people have heard of it, and even fewer have played on it. Sega was not experienced at creating consoles at the time, since the company was focusing on creating videogames. However, even the games for SG-1000 were not that great either. Plus, the fact that it was released the same day as Family Computer, a console that took the industry by storm, contributed to its failure.