The Sega AI Computer (AIセガコンピュータ) is a home computer launched by Sega in 1986. It was released in Japan only, with plans to be released in North America under the name Sega DI 8300. Its purpose was to be used in schools, and thus featured only edutainment software. The computer used a large rectangular touchpad that was customizable via custom overlays bundled with most of its programs.
Technical specifications
- CPU: 16-bit NEC V20 at 5 MHz
- ROM: 512 KB total (as actually found in system)
- 2x64 KB system ROM ("Operating System, Prolog")
- 1x128 KB character ROM
- 2x128 KB speech ROM
- RAM: 128 KB
- Software on Sega My Cards (128 KB to 256 KB).
- Software on audio cassettes.
- Video : Yamaha V9938 (Resolution 256x212) with 64 KB VRAM.
- Sound: SN76489 PSG
- Inputs: Touch surface with overlays, 8-directions pad + 3 buttons.
- Inputs: Microphone input.
- Inputs/Outputs: a RS232 Centronics port
- Cassette drive : 9.6 kb/s.
- Optional keyboard peripheral.
- Optional Sound Box peripheral with a YM2151 FM chip.
Emulation
It was emulated in 2024 by the M.E.S.S. emulator.
Software
There are 22 known releases.3
| Title | Release year |
|---|---|
| AI Enikki | 1986 |
| Alice World | 1988 |
| Andersen Dream | 1988 |
| Arabian Night | 1988 |
| Cinderella Labyrinth | 1988 |
| Columbus Map | 1988 |
| Cosmic Train | 1988 |
| English Wonder School: Eigo de Game - Popo's Adventure | 1989 |
| English Wonder School: Eigo de Ohanashi - Folk & Fairy Tales | 1989 |
| Gulliver Pocket | 1988 |
| Mozart Academy | 1988 |
| Ocean Fantasy | 1988 |
| Pinpon Pasokon: Pinpon Music Melody | 1987 |
| Pinpon Pasokon: Pinpon Music Rhythm | 1987 |
| Pinpon Pasokon: Pinpon Numbers | 1987 |
| Ranran Melody | 1988 |
| Robinson Land | 1988 |
| Runrun Music | 1988 |
| Surasura Moji Wonder School: Henshin Kanji | 1988 |
| Surasura Moji Wonder School: Okeiko Hanamaru Aiueo | 1988 |
| Surasura Moji Wonder School: WakuWaku ABC to 123 | 1988 |
| Tantan Rhythm | 1988 |
External links
References
"Sega AI Computer". Sega Retro. February 3, 2024. https://segaretro.org/Sega_AI_Computer ↩
Orland, Kyle (February 2, 2024). "Fans preserve and emulate Sega's extremely rare '80s "AI computer"". Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/02/fans-preserve-and-emulate-segas-extremely-rare-80s-ai-computer/ ↩
"The coin-op and global gaming database". www.arcade-history.com. https://www.arcade-history.com/index.php?page=database&listtypes=981&position=1&pirate=0&demo=0&export=1&reissue=1&mamed=1&nongame=0 ↩