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SG-1000
Developer(s) Sega
Release Date(s) Japan
July 15, 1983
Australia
1983
New Zealand
1983
SG-1000 II
Japan
July, 1984
Price(s) SG-1000
JP¥10,500
SG-1000 II
JP¥15,000
SC-3000
JP¥29,800
SC-3000H
¥33,800
Colors Grey

The Sega Game 1000, (エスジー・セン Esujī Sen) abbreviated SG-1000, is the first video game console released by the Sega Corporation. The system was released in only Japan, New Zealand, and several west-European countries such as France, Italy, and Spain. Several sequel varients of the console were developed as well, the final version being Sega's Master System.[1]

History[]

Iniitally released for Japanese retail on July 15, 1983, the SG-1000 was released the same day as Nintendo's Family Computer system. Since, the system was launched in several other nations throughout the next two years, however, was never launched in North America. The system was most prominent in Taiwan's market, selling well into 1986.

Technical specifications[]

  • CPU: NEC 780C (clone of Zilog Z80)
    • 3.579545 MHz for NTSC, 3.546893 MHz for PAL
  • Main RAM: 16 kbit (2 kB)
  • Video RAM: 128 kbit (16 kB)
  • Video processor: Texas Instruments TMS9928A
    • 256×192 resolution
    • 32 sprites
    • 16 colors
  • Sound: Texas Instruments SN76489
    • 4-channel mono sound
    • 3 sound generators, 4 octaves each, 1 white noise generator
  • Ports:
    • 1 cartridge
    • 1 DIN composite video/audio (SC-3000 only)
    • 1 RF out
    • 1-2 joystick (1 port for SG-1000, 2 for SG-1000 II and SC-3000)
    • 1 expansion parallel bus (used for SK-1100 keyboard and FM Sound Unit; (SK-1100)SG-1000 and SG-1000 II and Sega MarkIII / (FM Sound Unit)Sega MarkIII only )
    • 1 cassette (SC-3000 and SK-1100 keyboard)
    • 1 printer (SC-3000 and SK-1100 keyboard)

Redesigns and remodels[]

SG-1000 II[]

Sega's third console, the SG-1000 II, was released in the summer of 1984, one year after the initial release of the SG-1000. Though cartridge based games were released for all regions of its release, the SG-1000's card based software was exclusive to Japan.

SC-3000[]

The SC-3000 was the computer equivalent of the SG-1000. The system has backward compatibility with the SG-1000 II and its games as well as featured use of its applications. Using BASIC, players were able to create their own programs and games on the machine.

SC-3000H[]

The SC-3000H was essentially an upgraded version of the SC-3000. This version of the system The system sported more RAM as well as an upgraded keyboard. An upgrade to the system, the SF-7000, added several new features to SC-3000H including: 64KB of RAM and 8KB ROM, a 3-inch floppy disk drive, a Centronics parallel port, and an RS232 serial port.

Sega Mark III[]

The Sega Mark III was an advanced version of the SC-3000 featuring new hardware and output. The device never saw the markets, though; instead, Sega released the Sega Mark III in an enhanced and redesigned version under the name Sega Master System.

References[]

  1. "Playing the SG-1000, Sega's First Game Machine". "Wired Magazine"'s online site.
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