Genesis Architecture

by Brad Corrupts

Genesis Architecture, a Practical Analysis

Genesis memory map

Genesis ROM Header, including vector tables

CPU

The Sega Genesis uses a Motorola 68000 as its main processor.

M68000 Microprocessor User's Manual

Motorola 68000 CPU Opcode Table (Good reference for creating instruction lists)

68000 ASM-to-Hex Code Reference (Good reference for hacking machine code by hand)

APU

The Sega Genesis uses a Zilog Z80 as a coprocessor, mainly for driving the Yamaha YM2612 and Texas Instruments SN76489.

Genesis Z80 memory map (among other technical information)

Z80 Microprocessor User's Manual

Z80 Opcode Tables (Good reference for creating instruction lists)

Yamaha YM2612 technical documentation

Texas Instruments SN76489 technical documentation

GPU

The Sega Genesis uses a proprietary Yamaha YM7101 Visual Display Processor (VDP).

Sega Genesis Software Manual (See section II)