The Sega Genesis was a 16-bit console released in 1989, known as the Mega Drive outside of North America. The Genesis put Sega in the limelight, where they belonged, and would sell 20 million units in North America.

With a two year head start over the Super Nintendo and a sizable game library, including ports of Sega’s arcade titles, the Genesis saw considerable success. For a brief moment in time, Sonic and Mario were neck and neck in the console wars.