Mega Drive 2
メガドライブ2
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A redesign of Sega’s 16‑bit console. It kept the same core hardware as the original but altered the casing, audio circuitry, and connectors. This a NTSC-J domestic Japanese model.
Bundled Items
Description
The Mega Drive II condensed the original two‑board architecture into a single, simplified PCB, integrating more functions into Sega’s custom ASIC. This redesign removed the headphone jack and volume slider found on the Model 1, and replaced the large 8‑pin DIN A/V port with a smaller 9‑pin mini‑DIN connector. The audio path was also changed: instead of the discrete YM2612 FM chip, the Model 2 used an integrated YM3438 core inside the ASIC. This produced slightly cleaner FM synthesis but altered the DAC ladder, giving the Model 2 its distinctive “tinny” sound compared to the warmer audio of the Model 1.
Internally, the console retained the Motorola 68000 CPU running at 7.67 MHz (NTSC) or 7.61 MHz (PAL), alongside the Z80 coprocessor for sound and backward compatibility with Master System games. Memory consisted of 64 KB work RAM, 64 KB video RAM, and 8 KB Z80 RAM. The system supported cartridges up to 40 Mbit, and remained compatible with the Mega CD and 32X add‑ons. Video output included composite and RGB signals through the mini‑DIN port, while audio was mixed to stereo but lacked the headphone amplifier of the earlier model. To access stereo however, you needed to purchase the Stereo DIN Plug, as Sega included a mono cable by default.
Physically, the Mega Drive II was smaller and lighter than its predecessor. It was bundled in Japan with Sonic CD coupons and in the US with Sonic the Hedgehog 2, retailing at a lower launch price of US$99. The redesign was intended to cut manufacturing costs and streamline production, and it quickly replaced the Model 1 as Sega’s primary 16‑bit SKU until the late 1990s. For many, the Mega Drive II design was a nice looking upgrade but enthusiasts often note its altered audio quality compared to the Model 1.
