Sega SG-1000

The SG-1000 was Sega's first attempt at a home gaming console. It met with limited success in its home market of Japan, as while it was technically impressive for its time, it had the misfortune of being launched on the same day as the hugely successful Nintendo Famicom. In addition to the basic console, it was also available as a home computer which had considerably more success than the console in Europe and Oceania.

The core of the SG-1000 was based around a NEC clone of the 8-bit Z80, and a 16-color 256x192 video processor from Texas Instruments, who also provided its 4 channel mono sound chip. The same three chips were also used to power the ColecoVision and even by the mid 80s, clone makers began to produce 2-in-1 systems that could play games for both systems. Initially the SG-1000 played cartridges, but beginning in 1985 games were produced on game cards that slid into the "Card Catcher" cartridge. The SG-1000 II was a variant design which had two detachable controllers.

Sega originally intended the SG-1000 to be an open platform like MSX upon which other companies could produce clones. The only known complete clone was Tsukuda's Othello Multivision, although Pioneer made an attachment for its televisions called the Pioneer TV Video Game Pack SD-G5 which could play SG-1000 cartridges.

In addition to the base console, the basic architecture of the SG-1000 was also sold as a home computer, the SC-3000. It met with modest success in markets with less established home computer penetration, such as Australia and New Zealand. In the latter it was licensed to Grandstand who put their name on the nameplate alongside Sega. The computer had a keyboard, and ports to add peripherals like a cassette deck. Later expansion would also add a 3" floppy disk drive.

Sale of both the SG-1000 consoles and the SC-3000 came to an end worldwide in 1986. Sega had begun to focus its efforts on the Sega Mark III which had been introduced in October 1985. Game titles continued to be released by Sega up until early 1987.