The Sega Genesis (Mega Drive in Europe and Japan) is a fourth-generation home video game console released by Sega on October 29, 1988. The Sega Genesis is Sega's third console and the successor to the Sega Master System with which it has backward compatibility when the separately sold Power Base Converter is installed.
The Sega Genesis was the first platform of its generation to gain marketshare in Europe and North America, where it competed against a wide range of platforms including Nintendo's Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The competition between the two systems would dominate the 16-bit era of video gaming with sales of both machines almost neck and neck outside of Japan.
