# SEGA Genesis > The Sega Genesis, known as the Mega Drive outside North America, is Sega's 16-bit console, with a library of over 900 games including Sonic the Hedgehog. Web page: https://emulationking.com/sega/genesis/ Page updated: 2026-09-30 - Developer: Sega - Released: 1988 - Processor: Motorola 68000 - Processor Speed: 7.61 MHz - Co-Processor: Zilog Z80 - Co-Processor Speed: 4 MHz - RAM: 64 KByte - Available Colors: 512 Palatte - Max Colors on Screen: 64 - Planes: 3 (2 Scrolling playfields, 1 Sprite Plane) - Resolution: 320 x 224 Pixels The Sega Genesis, known as the Mega Drive outside North America, is a 16-bit console developed and sold by Sega. It is the successor to the Master System. In Japan it struggled against Nintendo and NEC's PC Engine, but it was much more successful in North America and Europe, helped by its large game library. The Genesis has a library of over 900 games from Sega and a wide range of third-party publishers, all on ROM cartridges. It includes classics such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Disney's Aladdin and Mortal Kombat. A number of peripherals were released for the console, including a light gun, a mouse and a foam-covered baseball bat. When the new 32-bit consoles arrived at the end of 1994, the Genesis quickly became outdated. By the time it was discontinued it had sold an estimated 40 million units. The Genesis still has a strong fan base, with people collecting the original consoles and games, and many use emulators to replay the classics they grew up with. ## Sega Genesis Emulators - [ares](https://emulationking.com/nintendo/snes/emulator/ares/index.md): ares is an open source multi-system emulator focused on accuracy and preservation, covering the NES, SNES, N64, Sega consoles and more. The successor to higan. - [Genesis Plus GX](https://emulationking.com/sega/genesis/emulator/genesisplusgx/index.md): Genesis Plus GX is an accurate Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Master System, Game Gear and SG-1000 emulator by Eke-Eke, mostly used as a RetroArch core. - [Kega Fusion](https://emulationking.com/sega/sg-1000/emulator/kegafusion/index.md): Kega Fusion is a Sega multi-system emulator by Steve Snake for the SG-1000, Master System, Game Gear, Genesis, Sega CD and 32X. It was last updated in 2010. - [Mednafen](https://emulationking.com/sega/saturn/emulator/mednafen/index.md): Mednafen is an open source multi-system emulator, controlled from the command line, known for accurate Sega Saturn and PlayStation emulation. - [PicoDrive](https://emulationking.com/sega/32x/emulator/picodrive/index.md): PicoDrive is a fast SEGA emulator for the Genesis, SEGA CD, 32X, Pico, Master System and Game Gear, first written for ARM handhelds. - [BlastEM](https://emulationking.com/sega/genesis/emulator/blastem/index.md): BlastEm is a highly accurate Sega Genesis emulator for Windows, Linux and macOS, optimised well enough to run at full speed even on low-end hardware. - [Exodus](https://emulationking.com/sega/genesis/emulator/exodus/index.md): Exodus is a highly accurate Sega Genesis emulator designed as a debugging tool for developers. It can play games, but it is not intended for everyday play. - [Genesis Plus](https://emulationking.com/sega/genesis/emulator/genesisplus/index.md): Genesis Plus is an accurate Sega Genesis emulator by Charles MacDonald. Its maintained successor, Genesis Plus GX, is one of the most accurate available. - [Gens32 Surreal](https://emulationking.com/sega/genesis/emulator/gens32surreal/index.md): Gens32 Surreal is a Sega Genesis emulator based on Gens. It adds Kaillera netplay, tools for translating and captioning games, and music replacement. ## Genesis Games - [Sonic & Knuckles](https://emulationking.com/sega/genesis/games/sonicandknuckles/index.md): Sonic & Knuckles is the 1994 second half of Sonic 3, with Knuckles playable and a lock-on cartridge that joins it to Sonic 3 and Sonic 2. - [Sonic 3 & Knuckles](https://emulationking.com/sega/genesis/games/sonic3andknuckles/index.md): Sonic 3 & Knuckles is the complete 1994 game formed by locking Sonic 3 onto Sonic & Knuckles, with every zone, all characters and Super Emeralds. - [Sonic the Hedgehog](https://emulationking.com/sega/genesis/games/sonicthehedgehog/index.md): Sonic the Hedgehog is Sega's 1991 Mega Drive platformer that introduced its fast blue mascot, racing through loops and slopes to stop Dr. Robotnik. - [Sonic the Hedgehog 2](https://emulationking.com/sega/genesis/games/sonicthehedgehog2/index.md): Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the 1992 Mega Drive sequel that added Tails, the spin dash, a two-player race mode and the 3D half-pipe special stages. - [Sonic the Hedgehog 3](https://emulationking.com/sega/genesis/games/sonicthehedgehog3/index.md): Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the 1994 Mega Drive game that brought Knuckles into the series, with larger zones, elemental shields and a save system.