Sega SG-1000 (Mark I \ Mark II) Type Console Developer Sega Release Date 1983-Jul-15 Region(s) Japan, Australasia, Europe, South Africa Initial Price $129 USD Games Released 47 (unique) History & Reviews Models & Clones Games & Emulation Specs & Manuals Other Media Web Resources DW FACTS

by Dark Watcher Sega's SG-1000 (Sega Game 1000) (a.k.a Mark I) was the company's first attempt at home consoles. It was initially test marketed in 1981 and finally released to Japanese consumers in July of 1983. It was a pretty advanced system for its time and featured impressive technical specifications. The system would be sold in Japan until 1985 and was released in various markets throughout European and Australasia.



In 1984, Sega released an updated version of the console called the SG-1000 Mark II. This remodeled version used gamepads instead of the original joysticks and had mounts to store them on each side. It also featured a slot which allowed a keyboard attachment called SK-1100 and was compatible with software from the Sega SC-3000 computer. Sega also sold an optional adaptor called Card Catcher. This adaptor would allow the SG-1000 to play Sega "Game Card" software. The SG-1000 reached minor success, but eventually could not compete against the Nintendo Famicom (NES). Sega abandoned the SG-1000 in order to make a console that could compete against the NES, but the SG-1000 game library lived on with Sega's Mark III / Master System thanks to backwards compatibility. The "Game Card" function would also become a built in feature.



FACT: Othello Multivision is another clone of the SG-1000. Released by Tsukuda Original in 1983. It was sold for 19,800 Yen only in Japan and featured a built in Othello game. Tsukuda Original also released 8 games for the Othello Multivision which of course are all compatible with SG-1000.

MODELS

Officially licensed releases Sega SG-1000 Mark I Sega SG-1000 Mark II Sega SC-3000 Personal Computer Tsukuda Original Othello Multivision

There is some question as to whether the Othello Multivision was licensed by Sega, but indications seem to support this system being an official release of the Sega SG-1000. The manufacturer, Tsukuda Original, released 8 games under their own flag. The system is fully compatible with the SG-1000. Two models were released during its lifespan.

CLONES

Non-licensed hardware releases Dina 2 in one (2-in-1)

Bit Corporation originally release the DINA 2-in-1 console in 1986. This odd piece of hardware was compatible with both the ColecoVision and SG-1000. Telegames would eventually release their version, the Personal Arcade, to the US market in 1987. To read more information on these hybrid clones, please see our dedicated page here. Fullwis FR-II Video Game

Rare clone of the Sega SG-1000 that was reportedly released in 1986 in Taiwan. Other than that, not much else is known about this oddity.

FORMAT, PACKAGING & GENERAL INFO

Interesting facts on software for this system Software for the Sega SG-1000 was distributed on two different types of the ROM format: standard game cartridges and Sega My Card.



Sega My Cards were significantly smaller than their standard sized brethren in both dimension and data capacity. Resembling a credit card, this format was exclusive to the Japanese market and required the optional Card Catcher adapter to enable play on the SG-1000 Mark I and Mark II. This format was introduced as a cost savings measure for developers, but was quickly phased out due to the inability to house the more advanced games of the system.



With the release of the SC-3000, a personal computer version of the SG-1000 console, most titles displayed this dual compatibility on the front cover ("Game Cartridge for SC-3000 or SG-1000").

applemctom's Games that Defined Compiliation Sega SG-1000 Game Boxes



Sega SG-1000 MY CARD Game Boxes



SCREENSHOTS

Captured in-game images Bank Panic

Bomb Jack

Borderline

Castle

Champion Baseball

Champion Golf

Choplifter

Congo Bongo

Exerion

Ghost House

Golgo 13

Gulkave

Hang On

Hustle Chumy

James Bond 00

Loderunner

Monaco GP

Okamoto Ayako no Match Play Golf

Orguss

Pacar

Pachinko II

Pitfall II

Pro Wrestling

Q*Bert

Safari Race

Sega Flipper

Sega Galaga

Star Jacker

Wonderboy

Zaxxon



EMULATION

First and third party system emulators MEKA



A great emulator for this console. This emulator is

Windows based,but there is a DOS version also available.

SPECS & MANUALS

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love. Processor Type Processor Speed Other Processor Information RAM \ Video RAM NEC 780C 3.58 MHz Texas Instruments TMS9928A VDC 2 KB \ 16 KB Screen Resolution Color Palette Polygons \ Sprites Audio 256 x 192 16 colors 32 sprites Texas Instruments SN76489

(4 channel mono sound) Media Format Media Capacity Games Released Other Supported Formats Cartridge 48 KB 47 (unique) Sega "Game Card",

Sega SC-3000 cartridges, SC-3000 cassettes (optional peripheral required) Internal Storage External \ Removable Storage Game Controllers Other Game \ Peripheral Devices None None Joystick, 2 Action Buttons Keyboard, FM Sound Unit Controller Ports Network Ports Other Ports Audio \ Video Two (2) (one hard-wired) None One (1) expansion parallel bus RF Power Supply - External Other Outputs Other Details \ Notes Input: AC 100V, 60Hz

Output: DC 9V, 7.7W None None Manuals Sega SG-1000 Mark I Owners Manual (PDF) - 0.57 MB

Sega SG-1000 Mark II Owners Manual (PDF) - 1.13 MB

Sega SC-3000 Owners Manual (PDF) - 3.30 MB

OTHER MEDIA

Peripherals, Promotions, Commercials, Brochures, Etc. Sega SG-1000 Television Commercials

