Development of the handheld began under the codename “Venus” with the vision that was similar in nature to the semi-portable Mega Jet system.  Using the identical feature set as the model 2 Genesis paired with a six-button controller the development team created a prototype unit that included a built-in LCD screen as a proof of concept.  The Venus prototype contained much more advance hardware than that of Sega’s competitors’ handheld devices.

The prototype proved to be viable and the development team continued to revise the hardware design of the system for mass market appeal and manufacturing.  The final product was branded the “Nomad” to emphasize the system’s portability as the definition of the word means a person with no fixed residence or an individual who roams about.  By the time the console debuted in October of 1995, the system had an established game library of over 500 existing titles which were released over the course of the Sega Genesis’ 6-year lifecycle.

The handheld system featured the same audio/video out port as the Genesis allowing it to be connected to a television set.  On top of being able to connect to a TV, the system had a DE-9 port on the bottom of the unit to allow for a second controller to be connected for a multiplayer experience.  Player 1 would use the handheld unit itself to play games on the television set, while player 2 could use a standard Genesis controller connected to the bottom of the Nomad.

The system was first released in October 1995 to test markets across North America for $179 and slowly rolled out in limited quantities until its wilder release in early 1996.  Though the handheld system received praise from critics it never became a commercial success.  Even after massive price cuts due to sluggish sales the console failed to compete for the handheld market that was dominated by Nintendo and their Game Boy product line.