The Sega Mega Drive is
a 16-bit video game console released by Sega in Japan in 1988,
North America in 1989, and the PAL region in 1990. It was
sold under the name Sega Genesis in North
America as Sega was unable to secure legal rights to the Mega
Drive name in that region. The Mega Drive was Sega's fifth
home console and the successor to the Master System. With
a lifespan of fourteen years and 29 million units sold, it
became Sega's most successful console.