The fourth generation of video game consoles saw the introduction of the 16-bit models with the launch of the Japanese PC Engine in 1987. Other innovations of this era included the first games systems that used discs instead of cartridges, with the Commodore Amiga CDTV, Philips CD-i and the Pioneer LaserActive.
However, the period was dominated by by commercial rivalry between Sega Nintendo and with their consoles, the Sega Mega Drive (known as the Sega Genesis in the US) and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which retained the majority market share until 1996.
In this section, you'll find a guide to the popular (and not so popular) 16-bit game consoles that released during this period, including the SNK NeoGeo, the SuperGrafix and the TurboDuo.
To find out more about the fourth generation handheld consoles, select an item from the menu below.
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