The arrival of the Sega CD was announced in the U.S. in September 1991, an entire year in advance of its actual release date. Nintendo had just released the Super NES and Sega was proclaiming the superiority of the Genesis console to consumers. Sega contended that with the introduction of the Sega CD, the Genesis would become the system of the future.
The original pack-in titles included: Shinobi, Streets of Rage, Columns, Golden Axe, Sherlock Holmes, Sol Feace, a music sampler and a karaoke CD+G (Compact Disc + Graphics) sampler. Sega sold 200,000 units in 1992.
In September 1994, JVC released the X'Eye system in the United States. Called the Wondermega in Japan, the X'Eye was a Sega CD and Genesis combined into one console. It sold for $499.99 and was packaged with both Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia and Prize Fighter, and a CD+G disc. Sega's utimate strategy in working with JVC was to introduce its system to a more adult crowd. Sega wanted the X'Eye to be placed on shelves alongside laser disc players or computers, while the Genesis would be found near the Super NES in the toy department.
With the CD format's huge storage capacity, Sega of America chose to explore new territory with its game development. Sega put a heavy emphasis on the design of interactive movies and games based on full motion video. While this idea may have seemed groundbreaking at the time, it never generated overwhelming consumer interest.
In 1995, Sega changed its focus to the release of the 32-bit CD-ROM based Saturn system. It discontinued all advertising for the Sega CD, and in early 1996 Sega announced its discontinuation.
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3 Ninjas Kick Back |
Minimal Scenes | 1994 | |
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Bram Stoker's Dracula |
Licensed Footage | 1993 | |
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Cliffhanger |
Licensed Footage | 1993 | |
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Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia |
Archival Scenes | 1994 | |
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Demolition Man |
Licensed Footage | 1995 | |
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Jeopardy! |
Clips | 1994 | |
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Jurassic Park |
Cutscenes | 1993 | |
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Lawnmower Man |
Licensed Footage | 1993 | |
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NFL Football Challenge |
Licensed Footage | 1993 | |
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Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure |
Intro | 1994 | |
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RDF Global Conflict |
Cutscenes | 1995 | |
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Stellar-Fire |
Cutscenes | 1993 | |
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Terminator |
Licensed Footage | 1993 | |
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Trivial Pursuit Interactive |
Archival Scenes | 1994 | |
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Virtual VCR: The Colors of Modern Rock |
Video CD | 1993 | |
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Wheel of Fortune |
Clips | 1994 | |
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WWF Rage in the Cage |
Licensed Footage | 1994 |