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Sega Mega-CD5555555
[[Image:Segacd.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Three versions of Sega CD: the japanese, the american and the special [[CDX]] audio cd portable edition]]
The '''Sega Mega''' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]: '''&#12513;&#12460;CD''') is an add-on device for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] released in [[Europe]], [[Australia]] and [[Japan]]. The [[North America|North American]] version is called the '''Sega CD'''. The device allow the user to both play CD audio discs and specially designed game CDs. It can also play [[CD plus G|CD+G]] discs.

The development of the Mega-CD was top secret; game programmers didn't know what they were designing for until the Mega-CD was finally revealed at Tokyo Toy Show in Japan. The Sega Mega-CD in Japan was designed to compete with the [[PC Engine]], which had a separate CD-ROM drive.

The Sega Mega-CD was not meant to compete with the [[Super Famicom]] ([[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] outside Japan).

At first, the Mega-CD was a CD tray unit that sat under the console. The Sega Mega-CD 2 was a smaller, cheaper top loading drive that plugged next to the Sega Mega Drive.

==Markets==

===Japan===
[[Image:Aiwasegacd.jpg|thumb|right|Hybrid Sega CD/Sound Minisystem manufactured by [[Aiwa]]]]⏎
The Sega Mega-CD was released first in Japan in [[1st December]] [[1991]]. Its retail price was about &yen;49,800. Initially, it was a great success because of the inherent advantages of CDs (high storage capacibility and the low cost of media). The fact that it had a nice [[Role-playing game|RPG]] catalog also helped. 

The system sold 100,000 units during the first year of release in Japan. However, cost issues prevented more units from being sold. 

===North America===
(contracted; show full)
Some European countries ([[Spain]] for instance), wouldn't get the original Mega-CD, but the Mega-CD 2, which also slowed sales. 

===Australia===
The [[Australia|Australians]] got their Mega-CD on [[19 April]], [[1993]].

==Models==

[[Image:Aiwasegacd.jpg|thumb|right|Hybrid Sega CD/Sound Minisystem manufactured by [[Aiwa]]]]⏎
The following models were released:
*Sega Mega-CD I (Sega CD I in North America)
*Sega Mega-CD II (Sega CD II in North America). Designed for the Mega Drive/Genesis II and to reduce manufacturing costs
*JVC Wondermega ([[Xeye]] in North American release, never released in Europe), was a all-in one Genesis /Sega CD unit
*Sega Multimega (called Sega CDX in North America). A portable CD player that plays both Mega Drive and Mega-CD games
(contracted; show full)[[Category:Video game consoles]]

[[Category:Sega hardware]]
[[Category:Forth-generation video game consoles]]

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