The SG-1000 runs all SC-3000 games and applications, with the exception of Music and Basic Cartridges. The machine could be used just like the SG-3000, provided one had the keyboard attachment ready. The console also had a game card reader add-on that allowed for the use of Sega cards.
The Sega card reader would become built into the SG-1000 Mark III, as well as the first version of the Sega Master System.
The SG-1000 never did as well as the Nintendo Family Computer did.