While Sega is no longer actively involved in creating video game hardware, there was a time when it was one of the most important console makers in the world. In its epic '90s battle with Nintendo, Sega created some of the most exciting pieces of software the industry had ever seen, and its systems were viewed as the choice of the 'hardcore' for many years – right up to 2001 when it announced it was exciting the hardware sector to become a third-party publisher.
We recently set you the rather fiendish task of picking your favourite Sega console of all time, and the results are now in. Loads of votes were cast in this poll, and we've presented the ranking below. Rather than base this on our own opinion, we thought it would be fairer for the list to be decided by public vote.
With that out of the way, let's get stuck in, shall we?
9. SG-1000 / SC-3000 / SG-1000 II
Sega's first home console was released on the very same day as Nintendo's Family Computer in Japan but sadly wasn't anywhere near as successful, despite getting two revisions (the computer-like SC-3000 and the cosmetically redesigned SG-1000 II).
Limited releases in Australia and New Zealand didn't do much to move the needle, but the console laid the foundations for the Mark III / Master System – a platform which would fare far better in both critical and commercial terms.
We're not massively shocked to see the SG-1000 so far down this list; its limited distribution and tiny library mean that it simply didn't get the chance to make that much of an impact – but it's an interesting footnote in Sega's history, nonetheless.
Notable Games
- Wonder Boy
- Girl's Garden
- Flicky
8. Sega Pico
Released in 1993 as an "edutainment" platform, the Pico uses the same core tech as the Mega Drive / Genesis and offers players the ability to 'draw' on the screen using its Magic Pen accessory (it still needs to be connected to a TV, though).
With games such as Sonic Gameworld and Tails and the Music Maker, the Pico is naturally going to be of interest for hardcore Sega fans and historians, but ultimately, its focus on educational gaming and storytelling means it was never going to rank all that high in this list.
Even so, it was a moderate commercial success for the company, selling 3.4 million units and 11.2 million cartridges. It would be succeeded by the Advanced Pico Beena, a Japanese exclusive released in 2005.
Notable Games
- Sonic Gameworld
- Tails and the Music Maker
- Mickey's Blast into the Past
7. 32X
A disastrous attempt to bridge the gap between the 16 and 32-bit markets, the 32X was Sega's effort to keep its huge Mega Drive / Genesis market share by creating a bolt-on device capable of playing titles similar to that on the Saturn, its 'true' 32-bit system which launched at the same time.
The result was pretty predictable; developers picked the newer platform instead, and the 32X was swiftly discounted at retail and largely forgotten about; only 40 games were ever released for it.
While it does have some good games – Star Wars Arcade and Virtua Racing Deluxe being two notable examples – the 32X has gone down in history as one of Sega's more bone-headed moves.
Notable Games
- Knuckles Choatix
- Star Wars Arcade
- Virtua Racing Deluxe
6. Game Gear
When Nintendo launched its Game Boy in 1989, it was obvious that its rivals would follow suit – and Sega caused quite the stir when it announced the Game Gear, a full-colour handheld based on its 8-bit Master System hardware.
Like fellow rivals such as the Atari Lynx and PC Engine GT, the Game Gear's biggest downfall was the fact that it consumed AA batteries with a ferocious appetite, severely curtaining its appeal as a portable system.
Still, it outlasted both the Lynx and PC Engine GT and was still getting software well into the '90s. Sega recently released a pint-sized version of the system called the Game Gear Micro.
Notable Games
5. Mega / Sega-CD / Multi-Mega
It's easy to forget the incredible promise of the humble Compact Disc today, but back in the early '90s, these shiny pieces of plastic were set to totally revolutionise the world of gaming.
ROM-based cartridges were expensive, and companies like Sega, Nintendo and NEC were constantly on the lookout for alternative ways of delivering their games. NEC jumped first, releasing a CD-ROM attachment for its PC Engine system in 1988. Although Nintendo eventually decided against releasing a similar gadget for its SNES, Sega released the Mega CD in 1991.
Offering CD-quality music, seemingly endless storage and even limited scaling and rotation capabilities, the system became the must-have item for Sega fans – until it became clear that it was being used for little more than fancy introduction sequences and better music.
Sega would release two variants – the Mega CD II and the all-in-one Multi-Mega / CD-X – but sales of just 2.24 million cannot be seen as anything but a disappointment, especially considering the huge size of the Mega Drive userbase at that time.
Notable Games
- Final Fight CD
- Snatcher
- Lunar: The Silver Star
4. Master System / Mark III
While Sega was famous during the '80s for its stunning arcade titles, it wouldn't be until the release of the Master System in the west that it became beloved in the home, too.
While the console was only a minor success in Japan and North America (it initially appeared as the Mark III in the former region), the Master System gained a massive foothold in Europe, effortlessly eclipsing the home computers that were all the rage at the time. Later, it would find even more success in Brazil, where it was distributed by Tec Toy.
The Master System may sit in the shadow of the NES in minds of many gamers, but it was an important stepping stone towards the Mega Drive / Genesis, the company's next domestic platform – and its most notable commercial triumph.
Notable Games
3. Saturn
When Sega announced the Saturn, it could be forgiven for feeling pretty confident about its chances – until Sony's PlayStation turned up.
Despite boasting Sega's best arcade titles and some key exclusives such as Panzer Dragoon and NiGHTS, Saturn was soon left in the dust, at least in the west. Sony's console was a 3D powerhouse and quickly attracted the attention of pretty much every third-party publisher, while Sega's 32-bit system was seen as difficult to develop for due to its complex internals (a side-effect of Sega revising the specs when it got wind of the PlayStation's astonishing 3D prowess).
It would be easy to write off the Saturn as yet another flop, but as its position in this ranking suggests, it's home to some of the best games of the period. It was also markedly more popular in Japan than in the west and has loads of fantastic Japanese exclusives that are well worth a look.
Notable Games
2. Dreamcast
Sega's final throw of the dice in the hardware arena is a rather curious beast; in terms of pure hardware sales, Dreamcast couldn't even push past the 10 million units sold mark, which means it is eclipsed by the Mega Drive, Saturn and even the Master System – yet its reputation endures, and it is viewed as one of Sega's most popular pieces of hardware – as you can clearly see from its position in this list.
Blessed with arcade-perfect ports of some of the best coin-ops of the period – as well as titles like Shenmue and Skies Of Arcadia – it's easy to see why the Dreamcast is so beloved today, and somewhat harder to fathom quite why it didn't make a more significant impact commercially.
Notable Games
1. Mega Drive / Genesis / Nomad
With over 30 million units sold worldwide, the Mega Drive (or Genesis, if you're from North America) is effortlessly Sega's most commercially successful home console.
Released in Japan in 1988, it quickly gained a reputation for hosting amazing conversions of arcade hits, and when the likes of Sonic, Streets of Rage and Gunstar Heroes came along, it had secured millions of fans and even managed to bloody the nose of Nintendo in the US, something that was unthinkable during the height of the NES era.
Alongside the SNES, this console helped the video game industry grow at an alarming rate, and between the two of them, they're home to some of the best video games of all time. We can't say we're massively shocked to see the Mega Drive top this list, but one thing is for sure – it deserves it.
Comments 30
well of course thats the ranking. good article.
i personally voted dreamcast, but my list would go
1) dreamcast
2) saturn
3) sega cd + mega drive
4) 32x
5) gamegear
Eh, the Nomad isn't exactly a "Genesis/Mega Drive" console. Yes, it plays those games/cartridges, but it's really its own thing and a proper standalone portable. I mean, I wouldn't call the TurboExpress a "PC Engine" either, not just because it directly plays PC Engine games. You don't just lump these separate devices together. But, anyway, yeah, I'd probably put the Genesis/Mega Drive or maybe the Saturn at the top personally.
I love the Master System but I wouldn’t say it ‘eclipsed’ home computers in the 80s (at least here in the UK). You were still far more likely to encounter a ZX Spectrum or C64 for example, as the games were a fraction of the price. I definitely knew people who had Master Systems, but it wasn’t until the Mega Drive/SNES that the tide really started turning. Even then, the Amiga was very popular as well.
The Master System is better than the Saturn and Dreamcast.
Come at me bro
This is like asking me to choose between my children (although admittedly little 32X is forced to live in the attic out of shame).
@RetroGames The Nomad is literally a portable Mega Drive, it even uses the same cartridges. I think it's fair to lump it in with the MD is this case.
Master System II was my first console, so got my vote, but Saturn was my favourite, shame that SONY came in and bought out all the good developers.
Also Saturn wasn't just a 32 bit console, its had two 32 bit processors running simultaneously.
It was more powerful that the Playstation, but the buying power destroyed SEGA
The Master System lost to the Pico? That just shows how many people missed out on it than anything or it was never good enough as they played one of the better Sega systems.
@Bunkerneath Yeah, that's why I find it kind of funny how Sony is now complaining about someone else coming in and buying up developers, it's how they established their brand and dominance lol.
@Zenszulu The Master System wasn't last, that's the SG-1000
@Damo I'm sleep deprived and i'm sticking too that answer while some how trying to hide my shame
@Damo Well, like I said, I wouldn't call the TurboExpress the "PC Engine", just as I wouldn't call the Nomad the "Genesis/Mega Drive". I would call them their own portable consoles in the portable console category, which just happen to play the same cards/cartridges as the home consoles.
You know, some people even think Sega CD/Mega CD games count as "Genesis/Mega Drive" games too. I would disagree with them also. But, hey, some people would disagree with me on that.
There's people who even count the Nomad, Sega CD/Mega CD and even 32X as part of the "Genesis/Mega Drives" sales figures as well. I think you can guess where I sit on that.
The Nomad being considered a "Genesis/Mega Drive" is arguably the least silly example of those imo, but . . .
I never knew anyone with either a NES or Master System. Kids I knew had drifted from their computers to playing outside (it was the 80’s) and didn’t come back into gaming until Sonic released.
I would argue that the Master System was the only Sega console better than its Nintendo counterpart.
The Sega Genesis is my pick for one of the top consoles of all time (along with the NES and PS1 as the top 3, no order)
Move Dreamcast to number one and Saturn to number two, and you've got an accurate list, though I understand this order as well. I do wonder who voted for Pico. As an educational toy, it is pretty cool. And since it only has 20 or so released games in the US, it's an easy platform to get a complete collection.
of course we all know the true best SEGA console is the Tiger Electronics Sonic 3, but given it's universal acclaim and legendary status I can see why it wasn't even worth mentioning- simply too unfair to the other consoles
Fun list, and pretty spot-on I think.
I really need to look into getting a Saturn (or at least finding a good way to play its games). I was just heading off to college as the 5th gen got rolling, and was lured away from consoles by PC games. Well... PC games and parties.
The Dreamcast is what eventually sucked me back in a few years later. What an amazing and forward-thinking little box. Sega's hardware division certainly went out in a blaze of glory.
4th Master System
3rd Dreamcast
2nd MD
1st Saturn
The Dreamcast is clearly the best thing Sega ever produced the mega drive is awesome but come on even the build quality is far above anything that Sega produced and then you have the amazing library of games various ways to output the Dreamcast vmu all the different peripherals the mega drive has some great games and can even be emulated on DC if you were to look at it from a perspective of someone just starting out collecting retro consoles the Dreamcast is much more of an exiting prospect
Master System boy here. Still remember the day I saw that big box with thin blue lines and squares. One of my favourite box designs of all time, if not my favourite. I’m now buying games at a second hand app. Just received a copy of the Master System Encyclopedia in Spanish and can’t wait to read it.
After that changed to Nintendo.
Don’t know much about the Saturn era. The mega drive era was interesenting but marketing was kinda… wrong (those vhs videos with direct attacks to Nintendo for example).
A friend had a Dreamcast and it was truly something else. So spectacular, like watching the future (or the present at the arcades) at home. What a pity that piracy error.
@Gamecuber Yeah I agree, C64 games were much more affordable though I had both. The Master System looked really nice, but the C64 still sounded way better for me.
It's difficult to rank the 4 main consoles for me, Mega Drive is the one I still play most, but probably as its the easiest to play on modern Systems. My actual consoles including Master System, Game Gear, Mega Drive, Saturn and Dreamcast are stored away.
Pico was definitely a bigger success in Japan, I don't think it lasted beyond 1998 in western territories.
Maybe Korea. I know just from watching one group in the game preservation scene that had in particular set its target on the preschool edutainment consoles (Pico, Leapster, V-Smile), buying, dumping and scanning the software. Have to appreciate them for going after something probably nobody else was going to.
@Damo I thought calling the 32X "boneheaded" was calling it lightly.
Even the people who created the device at Sega of America thought it had been obsoleted before it was released.
I thought we had mostly determined it got released because of "boneheads" at Sega Japan who were jealous of Tom Kalinkski and wanted to take him down. If the physical abuse stories were real, that's certainly not a funny matter, but shows a bigger problem not being handled in a professional manner (and one conductive to a successful business).
The most successful was obviously the Mega Drive, but my number one will always be the Saturn.
The Saturn had an amazing software library. People talk ***** on the PAL experience, but I had many, many games I adored... I had more than enough to play during its life-time. Then when I was a little bit older, I got myself a Japanese Saturn and got educated on the Japanese library.
Also, you rarely find it mentioned much these days, but the Redbook CD soundtracks you found on the discs were GOLD. That was as much a part of the experience for me. Making mix-tapes, then mix CDs and finally building MP3 libraries was a whole heap of fun. I'd listen to many of them in my Discman while I was going to sleep. I ripped all my Saturn soundtracks years ago now, and have a huge collection of amazing music. I've even contributed some of them to KH Insider
@-wc- same!
@Arcata
cheers 😊✌️
dreamcast was really something special, wasnt it?
one of the most "you had to be there" eras in the gaming zeitgeist and im so glad i was 👍
@-wc- well tbh I wish I was but I only got a dreamcast in 2009 lol. I just love the game library though. Dreamcast and Gamecube are my favorite systems. But I also love the Genesis and Saturn as well.
Im a big nintendo fan but I love sega almost even more.
@Arcata
well you've got excellent taste, if i do say so myself! we have alot in common. 👍
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