The Sega Pico received a number of revisions during its 12-year lifespan, most of them only sold in Japan where the system was most popular. Most Asian, Japanese and Korean models have a yellow and red outer shell while North American and European models have a teal and purple shell. All Picos use the same AC adapter as the model 2 Genesis/Mega Drive, and all except for the European model output composite video and mono audio over RCA jacks.
HPC-0001 (1993-1994, Japan)
This is the original release of the Pico, and is the only regular Pico model that has a DE-9 connector on the left-hand side, located near the AV out and power input. A large expansion connector is also hidden under a panel at the back, next to where the pen connects to the motherboard. No accessories were ever released for either of these ports.
Yamaha Mixt Book Player Copera (1993-1994, Japan)
Only released in Japan, this special variant of the Pico was sold by Yamaha as a music education tool. To that end, Yamaha added numerous features such as stereo audio output, microphone input, an OPL3 FM audio chip, and MIDI in and out to interface the Copera with musical instruments. While the Copera is completely compatible with all Pico software, Yamaha released Copera-specific music software which is not compatible with a standard Pico. The Copera was discontinued in 1994.
HPC-0003 (1994-1996, Japan)
Very similar to the HPC-0001, but the DE-9 connector and hidden expansion port were removed.
HPC-0007 (1994-1998, Asia, Japan, Korea)
Identical to the HPC-0003, but a portion of the inner shell is molded in dark blue plastic instead of yellow. The power switch was also relocated from the bottom to the side, making it slightly more accessible.
MK-49002 (1994-1997, North America)
The initial version of the Pico sold in North America, based on the HPC-0007.
Imagineer IMC-001 (1995, Japan)
In Japan, software publisher Imagineer marketed their own version of the Pico, some of which were rebadged North American Picos with special labels.[1]
MK-49002-50 (1994-1996, Europe)
This was the only version of the Pico released in Europe, and is identical to its North American counterpart except that it has a 9-pin mini-DIN connector for AV output instead of dedicated RCA jacks. The pinout is identical to the model 2 Genesis/Mega Drive and also has RGB output.
HPC-0003A (1996, Japan)
Identical to the standard HPC-0003, but has the same teal/purple color scheme as most international models. Some units were initially manufactured for Imagineer but were rebadged and sold by Sega.[2]
HPC-0008 (1998-2001, Japan)
The first cost-reduced Pico, this model lacks the purple Pico logo on the outer top shell and instead has an embossed Pico logo. Beginning with this revision, the Pico would make use of the 315-6123 ASIC, which was also in use in some Genesis 3 consoles. It combines the 68000 and VDP into a single chip (as well as Genesis/Mega Drive-specific components), greatly reducing board size and production costs. Functionality is the same as previous Picos.
MK-49325 (1999, US)
Based on the HPC-0008, this was the last version of the Pico outside Japan and was distributed by Majesco Sales in the United States, mainly being sold at Toys 'R Us stores.
HPC-0009 Kids Communication Pico (2001-2005, Japan)
This was the first Pico to be designed by Sega Toys, and was available in both orange and white or blue and white color schemes. The bottom half is also considerably thinner than a standard Pico, but functionality remains the same. Sega Toys also released this model in special Anpanman, Hamtaro, Mushiking, Pocket Monsters, and Toy Story 2 bundles.