zxpiesqrd starts a new weekly feature off where he and JMB22 look back into the realms of gaming gone by. This week it’s a console you’ll all remember, the Sega MegaDrive (anyone calling this the Genesis in the UK gets shot)

Back when I was a young lad not taller than mummy’s knee. I loved my trips to my grandparents house, for one major reason; the MegaDrive there. Better tell you some quick history of the console before I start reminiscing too much of my childhood. In the 1980s new, more powerful, PC’s were causing a decline in sales of 8-Bit home consoles and as such Sega decided to create a 16-Bit console before their rivals, Nintendo. Released in 1988 (1989 in America and 1990 in Europe) the console faired badly for the first couple of years, especially in America where Nintendo’s NES still sold well, until the release of Sonic the Hedgehog. Sales skyrocketed causing Nintendo to rush the SNES into the market. 10 years after its launch when the console was discontinued, the MegaDrive was still popular especially in Europe and Brazil (even outselling their next console the Saturn). This made it one of SEGA’s most best selling consoles ever.

» Read more: [Retrocity] SEGA MegaDrive – 10 Years of Greatness