Sega CD Commercial 1993

The Sega CD, known as Mega-CD in most regions outside North America and Brazil, is a CD-ROM accessory and format for the Sega Genesis, released as part of the fourth generation of video game consoles.
It was originally launched in Japan on December 12, 1991, followed by North America on October 15, 1992, and other regions throughout 1993.
The device was designed to enhance the Genesis by adding a faster 12.5 MHz Motorola 68000 CPU, a custom graphics chip for sprite scaling and rotation, and the ability to play audio CDs and CD+G discs.
Sega aimed to compete with the PC Engine CD-ROM² System and partnered with JVC to develop the hardware.

Despite its advanced features, the Sega CD faced significant challenges. The system was initially developed in secrecy, with Sega of America not informed until mid-1991, leading to frustration among the American team.
Technical issues, including overheating drives caused by certain games seeking multiple disc tracks, led to safety concerns and production problems.
The high launch price—JP¥49,800 in Japan, US$299 in North America, and £270 in the UK—was a major barrier to adoption.
Sales were disappointing, with only 2.24 million units sold worldwide before Sega discontinued the system on January 1, 1996, to focus on the Sega Saturn.

The Sega CD's game library was mixed. It featured acclaimed titles like Sonic CD, which sold 1.5 million copies and is praised for its innovative stage design and CD-quality audio
, as well as cult classics such as Lunar: The Silver Star, Lunar: Eternal Blue, Popful Mail, and Snatcher, the latter being a cyberpunk adventure designed by Hideo Kojima.
However, the system was also criticized for its reliance on full-motion video (FMV) games like Night Trap, which were often panned for poor acting, cheesy concepts, and limited gameplay.
Many games were considered shovelware—porting Genesis titles with minimal changes, such as adding CD audio or video sequences.
Despite these shortcomings, the Sega CD introduced several notable franchises and remains a collector's item.

The system had multiple models: the original Sega CD I, the redesigned Sega CD II with a top-loading drive, and various third-party units like the JVC Wondermega and Pioneer LaserActive module.
For emulation, the Sega CD requires specific BIOS files—bios_CD_E.bin (Europe), bios_CD_U.bin (US), and bios_CD_J.bin (Japan)—and is supported by emulators like RetroArch Genesis Plus GX.