The Sega Pico, also known as Kids Computer Pico, is an educational video game console by Sega Toys. The Pico was released in June 1993 in Japan and November 1994 in North America and Europe. Sales in South Korea and China began in 1995 and 2002 respectively.
Marketed as “edutainment”, the main focus of the Pico was educational video games for children between 3 and 7 years old. Releases for the Pico were focused on education for children and included titles supported by licensed franchised animated characters, including Sega’s own Sonic the Hedgehog series.
Though the Pico was sold continuously in Japan through the release of the Beena, in North America and Europe the Pico was less successful and was discontinued in early 1998, later being re-released by Majesco Entertainment. Overall, Sega claims sales of 3.4 million Pico consoles and 11.2 million game cartridges, and over 350,000 Beena consoles and 800,000 cartridges. It was succeeded by the Advanced Pico Beena, released in Japan in 2005. The ePico, the successor to the Pico and Beena, was also released in Japan in 2024.
At a price of ¥16,000, the Pico was released in Japan in June 1993. In North America, Sega unveiled the Pico at the 1994 American International Toy Fair, showcasing its drawing and display abilities ahead of its release in November. The console was advertised at a price of approximately US$160, but was eventually released at a price of US$139. “Storyware” cartridges sold for US$39.99 to 49.99. The Pico’s slogan was “The computer that thinks it’s a toy.” The Sega Pico won a few awards, including the “National Parenting Seal of Approval”, a “Platinum Seal Award”, and a gold medal from the “National Association of Parenting Publications Awards”.
After a lack of success, Sega discontinued the Pico in North America in early 1998. Later, in August 1999, a remake of the Pico made by Majesco Entertainment was released in North America at a price of US$49.99, with Storyware titles selling at US$19.99. The Pico would later be released in China in 2002, priced at CN¥690.
