From a Tokyo photo-booth and import business to the console rival that gave the world Sonic the Hedgehog
QUICK FACTS
Est. 1960 — best known for arcade and home video games, creator of Sonic the Hedgehog.
HISTORY
Sega's roots go back to 1960, when Nihon Goraku Bussan was founded in Tokyo, taking over the assets of an earlier importer called Service Games — the source of the 'Sega' name. In 1965 the company merged with Rosen Enterprises, the Tokyo-based import and photo-booth business of American entrepreneur David Rosen, becoming Sega Enterprises, Ltd., with Rosen as president. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Sega built a strong arcade-game business in Japan.
Sega entered home consoles with the Master System (1985) and challenged Nintendo directly with the Genesis/Mega Drive (1988). In 1991 it launched Sonic the Hedgehog as a faster, edgier mascot to rival Mario, fueling the era's console wars. After its final console, the Dreamcast, was discontinued in 2001, Sega exited hardware to focus on software, arcade operations, and franchises like Sonic and Like a Dragon (Yakuza).
PRODUCTS
Mascot platformer franchise launched in 1991 to rival Mario
16-bit console (1988–1998) that fueled the Sega–Nintendo console wars
Sega's final home console, discontinued in 2001
TIMELINE
This page is compiled from publicly available company history and is provided for general reference only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult the brand's official website.