On October 29, 1988, the Sega Mega Drive hit Japan and ushered in a new era of video games. By the time it hit America a year later (now called the Sega Genesis), gamers were amazed by the amount of colors the console could produce in comparison to the NES (16-bit!). After all, Sega did hit the ground running by fueling the early console war by using the slogan, "Genesis does what Nintendon't." In honor of this 25th anniversary, we reached out to some of our community members and gathered a handful of memories relating to the box that gave us Sonic the Hedgehog and blast processing.

Hardcore_Hector

Lost_In_Translation

I remember getting the Sega Genesis bundled with Sonic the Hedgehog for Christmas. It was either 1992 or 1993. I remember it having some weird slider on the top of the system, but I didn't know what it was. If I recall correctly, the system broke down or something, so my parents took it back in and got the Sega Mega Drive, which was like an updated version of the Sega Genesis. I mostly played the Sonic the Hedgehog series on the system with my sisters (they played as Tails). Later on we got this light gun called the Menacer, which was almost like a Wii, but many many years before it was released. It was pretty cool, but not the most responsive thing ever.The Genesis was such a great system. From Sonic to Vectorman to Tommy Lasorda's Baseball to Shining Force to Phantasy Star to Toejam & Earl, it had a library with great variety. My favorite Sega Genesis game was always the original John Madden Football though. Compared to today's standards the game is obviously outclassed, but back then I would spend hours playing Football. The Chicago Bears would always dominate.

Stylobean

frdrizzt

When I was a kid, we got two hand-me-down game systems from a neighbor who was moving. We were presented with a Sega Genesis, with an NES to come a few days later, unbeknownst to us. We were so enchanted by Sonic the Hedgehog (and Sonic 2), it wouldn't have mattered if it had come a month later.I never owned one, but playing Mortal Kombat on Genesis with the blood code, ABACABB, changed fighting games for me forever.

mr_chun

ksquall1

During the holidays, my mom is notorious for gifting the exact opposite of what you ask for. Surprises are better, she says. I'd originally asked for an NES, but instead found the Genesis under the tree. This time was a mistake, she said. And what a sweet mistake it was. SEGA helped shape not only my gaming tastes, but my childhood. If I could go back, I wouldn't dare correct my mom's mistake. I love you, mom.Two words: Blast ProcessingI had an SNES while my cousins had a Genesis. It was the classic "Why is my system better?" I admit I loved playing me Sonic 2. It wasn't until after that generation that I had a chance to play many of the games for myself.

mystery79

-Absolute-

Yep, had one growing up. One Christmas in the 90s my dad told my sister and I we could have a SNES or a Genesis. We picked the Genesis because of Sonic 2. The only time I was ever jealous of my SNES friends was was with Super Mario World.One of my favorite games on the Genesis was Road Rash - kicking people off their bikes, using chains, the shit talking, the midis...oh the nostalgia. It's too bad the ones they tried on the PlayStation and PC were a failure.My Genesis almost went out the window after I couldn't past the barrel in Sonic 3 Carnival Night Zone Act 2.THE.BARREL.

FrostedSloth

The SEGA Megadrive (as it was known here in these parts) is the machine responsible for me loving games. It was my first console, and I grew up with Castle of Illusion, Sonic, Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, Shinobi, Cool Spot and loads of other great stuff. It'll always have a fond place in my heart, but Ecco the Dolphin was an evil evil game that was far too terrifying for my 5 year old brain. That storm bit. Scary stuff.

That's just a small taste of what the IGN community remembers fondly about the Mega Drive/Genesis. What are your favorite Sega memories?