Sega Mega Drive/Genesis: Ultimate Works

The new expanded, definitive edition of the cult-classic book on Sega’s legendary videogame console, available as two exclusive editions

Overview

Sega Mega Drive/Genesis: Ultimate Works is the expanded and enhanced retrospective of the world conquering ’90s videogame console, featuring original artworks, concept illustrations, game development materials, pixel graphics, developer interviews and a complete guide to first party hardware. First published in 2014 as Collected Works, this new edition adds 48 pages of newly-discovered visual material from the Mega Drive/Genesis era. Ahead of general release from Thames & Hudson in September 2025, Read-Only Memory presents two high-production online-only editions featuring the iconic Japanese console branding, both shipping in Spring 2025.

New to this expanded 2025 edition are a raft of newly discovered box art paintings, including Alien Soldier, Kid Chameleon, The Super Shinobi II, Sonic The Hedgehog, Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium and many more. Also new to Ultimate Works are the original design documents for iconic brawler Bare Knuckle II/Streets of Rage 2 and Treasure’s unique platformer Dynamite Headdy.

The book’s 80 page developer interview directory now features full-colour illustrations throughout and the encyclopaedic pixel art gallery has been extended to include pixel typefaces and explosion animations. With several other visual upgrades and additions to be found throughout, Ultimate Works is an essential item for Mega Drive/Genesis completists or those who missed out the 2014 edition.

Due to changes in IP ownership since the creation of the first edition, Ultimate Works does not contain visual content related to Ecco the Dolphin or Wonder Boy.

Specification

267 × 216mm
384pp (includes 48 pages of new content)
Hardcover

8 × gatefold pages

Standard Edition
Book case screen-printed in 3 colours
Bound in pre-dyed black paper
Custom mailer box

Deluxe Edition
Acrylic slipcase screen-printed in 2 colours
Book case printing in silver ink on white paper
261 × 187mm Phantasy Star IV archival print signed by Hitoshi Yoneda
Custom mailer box

Welcome to the progress area for Sega Mega Drive/Genesis: Ultimate Works. Check back soon for development updates.

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Standard Edition

£60.00

Screen-printed case
Online-only edition
Exclusive development updates

Unlimited pre-order edition 131 backers

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Deluxe Edition

£125.00

Screen-printed acrylic slipcase
Includes Phantasy Star IV print signed by Hitoshi Yoneda
Online-only edition
Exclusive development updates

Limited pre-order edition
356 of 500 remaining

How it works

This book will be on general release in Autumn 2025. These editions are available only from Read-Only Memory/Volume and will ship alongside the publication of the general release version.

Estimated delivery

Spring 2025

Shipping

Tracked worldwide

The Deluxe Edition

Designed to echo the timeless Japanese packaging for the Sega Mega Drive, the Deluxe Edition of Ultimate Works – limited to 500 copies – is printed in a silver ink gridded pattern and housed in a screen-printed acrylic slipcase featuring the geometric ‘M’ of the console’s logo in red and green inks. This edition is accompanied by a 187 × 261mm giclée print of Hitoshi Yoneda’s Phantasy Star IV Japanese box artwork, signed by the artist. This highly-collectable edition will ship in a custom protective mailer via a tracked courier service.

The name Mega Drive was intended to symbolise power and speed ... I wanted to create a design that would also represent the console’s ability to entertain, thrill and excite.

Mitsushige Shiraiwa, product designer

The Standard Edition

Mega Drive product designer Mitsushige Shiraiwa comments in Ultimate Works ‘we knew that Sega’s followers sought coolness, so we went with black’. Following Shiraiwa-san’s styling, the Read-Only Memory Standard Edition is bound in a deep black uncoated paper and screen-printed in red, green and silver inks. This open edition is only available online and will ship in a Mega Drive-branded custom protective mailer via a tracked courier service.

I remember one of the executives saying, “Finally, we know that Sega has become a first-class console manufacturer – our games are being counterfeited and sold illegally.”

Hayao Nakayama, former president and CEO of Sega Enterprises

Hitoshi Yoneda Print (Deluxe Edition only)

A jewel amongst the the newly discovered visual materials in Ultimate Works is the Japanese box art for Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium created by famed series artist Hitoshi Yoneda. Printed on 300gsm Munken Lynx Smooth Natural White with an inline satin sealer, this 187 × 261 mm reproduction is limited to just 500 copies, included only with the Deluxe Edition of Sega Mega Drive/Genesis: Ultimate Works.

Meet the author

Keith Stuart is a veteran technology, arts and media writer with over 20 years experience covering videogames and game culture. He started out on industry bible Edge magazine as features editor, covering the dawn of the PlayStation era; he has since written for GamesMaster, PC Gamer, T3, Official PlayStation Magazine, Eurogamer and Official Xbox Magazine.

He still harbours a lifelong love of Sega, having owned a Mega Drive, a Game Gear and a Saturn, and edited the Dreamcast magazine DC-UK for two eventful years.

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