Sega Games from the 90s: A Guide Across Its Systems

Sega ran four very different systems through the 90s: a mid-decade dominant console, a handheld competitor to the Game Boy, a commercially troubled but well-regarded successor, and a final console that only just crosses into our decade.

Genesis and Mega Drive

The Genesis (called the Mega Drive outside North America) launched in the US in 1989 and carried Sega through its most commercially successful era, driven heavily by Sonic the Hedgehog starting in 1991.

Game Gear

Sega's handheld launched in Japan in October 1990 and North America in April 1991, competing directly with Nintendo's Game Boy with a backlit color screen at the cost of battery life.

Saturn

The Saturn reached Japan in November 1994 and North America in May 1995. It excelled at 2D graphics and arcade conversions of Sega's own arcade hits, particularly early 3D fighting games, but struggled commercially against the PlayStation.

Dreamcast's decade boundary

The Dreamcast launched in Japan in November 1998 and in North America on September 9, 1999, meaning its first wave of games technically arrived right at the end of our 1990 to 1999 scope. We cover that opening wave separately rather than the console's full library, most of which came out in 2000 and later.

Where to begin

• Want the biggest 90s library? Start with our Sega Genesis games guide.
• Curious about the Saturn's cult following? See our Sega Saturn games guide.
• Following one franchise? See our Sonic games guide.