.

Sega 32X

  DW FACTS by Dark Watcher

Page content, development and design by Marriott_Guy
Developer Manufacturer Release Date Country(s) Initial Price Model Number Game Releases Overall Rating
Sega of America Sega Enterprises Nov-94 North America,
Japan, Europe
$159 USD MK-84000 39 NA
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Media Specs\Manuals Games\Emulation Models Clones Links
Sega 32X box contents (image from an eBay auction)
Ratings
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release.  Ratings based upon a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).
Console Design (appearance, functionality) N\A
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile) N\A
Controllers (design, response, feel, use) N\A
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation) N\A
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects) N\A
Media (game media format, design, durability) N\A
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging) N\A
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library) N\A
Innovations (technological industrial strides) N\A
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?) N\A
Collector Value (good collector investment?) N\A
Games Rarity (general availability of games) N\A
Console Rarity (general availability of a system) N\A
Go To Top
Reviews

Sega 32X with Box

  DW FACTS
 
- by Dark Watcher

It was the winter of 1994, and new more powerful consoles were entering the videogame market. Gamers were enjoying new 3D arcade games, and the 16-bit Genesis / Mega Drive seemed to be feeling its age. It was January 8th 1994 when Sega CEO Hayao Nakayama directed his company to produce a 32-bit cartridge-based console to be in stores by Christmas 1994. The project was dubbed Jupiter. The project was given to 'Sega of America' while their Japan sector worked on a CD-Based console. Not happy with the idea of developing a simple console that had a 32-bit processor and more colors, Joe Miller of Sega of America chose to make the project an add on for the Genesis / Mega Drive. Sega of America began development on the add on called project Mars without any knowledge of the 32-bit CD console being developed by their Japanese counterparts.

Sega began their marketing campaign for project Mars and called the device Sega 32X to emphasis its 32-bit capabilities. The device, which connected through the Genesis / Mega Drive cartridge port, combined its 32-bit processor with the consoles existing processor. Gamers could play 32-bit cartridge games, use the 32X slot as a pass through to play Genesis / Mega Drive games and even play enhanced 32-bit CD games if the Sega CD was attached. The 32X was released in mid-November 1994 in America for the US. Japan got the console in December (Super 32X) and Europe and Australia received it in January 1995 (Mega 32X). With the added power, Sega was able to port their 3D arcade titles for console users and other third party developers began jumping aboard.

All was not good with planet Mars. The 32X was off to a bad start from the beginning. The 32X was launched with no games initially available. Although it was marketed at a decent price it was not packaged with a pack in game, but came with 10 coupons toward the purchase of 32X software (coupons....meh!). Retailers submitted a demand for over 1 million units, but only half of the amount was made available. In there efforts to meet demand, Sega produced 32X units with various defects. Customers reported incompatibilities with their Genesis / Mega Drive models or TVs. Once again Sega began to scramble to create adapters to alleviate the compatibility problems. They also began to develop an all in one unit combining both the Genesis / Mega Drive and the 32X and dubbed it project 'Neptune'.
 

 
By 1995 news of a 32-bit CD-based Sega Saturn began stirring from Japan. Developers lost interest in 32X and abandoned development for 32X carts for a more favorable 32-bit CD format. Gamers also caught wind of the news and quickly began losing interest in the Sega 32X.

By 1996 the 32X saw a total of 31 cart based games and five 32X enhanced Sega CD games. Most of the games were developed by Sega themselves or were color enhanced versions of existing Genesis titles. Sega ceased all support for 32X that year in order to focus on the Sega Saturn. It would seem that the 32X was merely meant to fill the time gap for its CD based counterpart. 32X would also be Sega's final attempt at add on enhancing devices.

FACT: The 32X appeared to be the downturn of Sega. The lack of developer support, device incompatibilities and defects, and the sheer abandonment of support for 32X owners was enough to damage Sega's reputation. This mistake could possibly have contributed to problems in Sega's later years.

A year prior, Sega fell into issues with congress over a game called "Night Trap". The game that stirred up the hornets nest over videogame violence was pulled off retail shelves. This prompted much curiosity and interest in gamers that never got the opportunity to play it. Sega wisely seized an opportunity to cash in by releasing a 32X enhanced version of Night Trap. A major cash in on an otherwise mediocre game.
 

Sega Genesis with Sega CD and 32X (Battleship)

Sega Genesis Model 1 with Sega CD and the 32X
 
Affectionately known as the Battleship, each one of the units required its own power supply (external brick).  Take caution when firing up this fearsome formation - you may notice the lights at your home dim a bit.


 
HANDS ON REVIEW
 

Coming soon...
 

Go To Top
Pictures & Media

Various picture\media for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.

Sega 32X - Front

Sega 32X - Front
Sega 32X - Complete Box Contents

Sega 32X - Complete Box Contents (Picture courtesy of VGMuseum.com)
Sega 32X - Back

Sega 32X - Back
Nice technical pictures of the Mega Drive 32X
Images courtesy of Charles Lee
Sega Medga Dive 32X - Top
Sega Medga Dive 32X - Box
Sega Medga Dive 32X - Bottom
Sega Medga Dive 32X - Front
Sega Medga Dive 32X - Side
Sega Medga Dive 32X - Back
Sega 32X Advertisements.  Click images to enlarge.
Sega 32X Print Advertisement
Sega 32X Print Advertisement
Sega 32X Print Advertisement
Go To Top
Specs & Manuals

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.

 Processor Type  Processor Speed  Other Processor Information RAM \ Video RAM
Twin Hitachi (SH2) 32-bit
RISC processors
23 MHz at 40MIPS (in addition to
the Genesis \ Mega Drive CPU)
Genesis 68000, Z80,
Genesis 32X VDP
512 KB (in addition to the
Genesis \ Mega Drive RAM)

Screen Resolution

Color Palette

Polygons \ Sprites

Audio
320 x 224 32,768 on screen 50,000 texture-mapped polygons\sec Stereo PCM chip (two channel)
(combines with the existing 12)

Media Format

Media Capacity

Games Released

Other Supported Formats

Cartridge \ CD *
(* if CD add-on is present)
32 MB \ 240 MB 39 Sega Genesis, Sega CD
(if CD add-on is present)

Internal Storage

External \ Removable Storage

Game Controllers

Other Game \ Peripheral Devices

Same as the Sega Genesis (cart) None Not applicable None
Controller Ports Network Ports

Other Ports

Audio \ Video

Not applicable None None Composite (9-pin DIN connector)

Power Supply - External

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes

Input: AC 120V, 60 Hz
Output: DC 10V
None Compatible with the Sega Genesis \ Mega Drive Model 1\2, JVC X'Eye,
Victor Wondermega, Sega Multi-Mega, Sega CDX.  This add-on is
not compatible with the Majesco Genesis or the Sega Mega Jet.
Manuals
Sega 32X Owners Manual (PDF) - 0.94 MB
Go To Top
Games & Emulation

Games, media format, emulators and screen shots for titles released on this system.

Sega 32X - Night Trap - Box

Sega 32X - Night Trap - Disc 
Software for the Sega 32X was primarily distributed in the ROM cartridge format, with a small number of titles released on CD. 

The cartridges are the same exact size as those utilized with the Sega Genesis.  This was necessary since the 32X acted as a pass-through for existing games within the Genesis library.  Most titles were distributed in tall, cardboard that were prone to being crushed.  The 32X logo is vertically displayed on the front cover.

There were only five (5) 32X CD games that were released in North America, with a sixth title being an exclusive to the Brazil market (Surgical Strike).  These are identified accordingly on the front of the box (Sega CD 32X).  As the name implies, these games require the optional Sega CD in addition to the 32X for game play.  These CD titles are pretty much FMV affairs that were popular in the early 1990s.

One of the best Sega 32X games is Blackthorne, an upgraded version of the classic platformer previously released for the PC and Super Nintendo.

Sega 32X Game Boxes

Sega 32X Game Screenshots

After Burner

Blackthorne

Corpse Killer

Doom

FIFA 96

Golf Magazine's 36 Greatest Holes

Golf Magazine's 36 Greatest Holes Screenshot
Knuckles Chaotix

Knuckles Chaotix Screenshot
Kolibri

Kolibri Screenshot
Mortal Kombat 2

Mortal Kombat 2 Screenshot
Motocross Championship

Motocross Championship Screenshot
NBA Jam Tournament Edition

NBA Jam Tournament Edition Screenshot
NFL Quarterback Club

NFL Quarterback Club Screenshot
Pitfall - The Mayan Adventure

Pitfall - The Mayan Adventure Screenshot
Primal Rage

Primal Rage Screenshot
Spiderman: Web of Fire

Spiderman: Web of Fire Screenshot
Star Wars Arcade

Star Wars Arcade Screenshot
Virtua Fighter

Virtua Fighter Screenshot
Virtua Racing Deluxe

Virtua Racing Screenshot
World Series Baseball

World Series Baseball Screenshot
WWF Wrestle Mania

WWF Wrestle Mania Screenshot
Zaxxon's Motherbase 2000

Zaxxon's Motherbase 2000 Screenshot
Third Party Emulators
Program Website Description

GENS

http://gens.consolemul.com/screenshots.shtml

This is an amazing emulator for Windows. It requires
Direct X 8.0. There are other emulators available for
other platforms, but this one is one of our favorites.
Go To Top
Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.

Sega 32X - North America Release

Sega 32X - North America Release

Sega Super 32X - Japanese Release

Sega Super 32X

Sega Mega Drive 32X - European Release

Sega Mega Drive 32X

Go To Top
Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).

No clones were released for this system.
Go To Top
Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.

Name Website Description
SegaFans http://www.segafans.com/  Great site for everything Sega
Go To Top

 

counter hit make
visitors since 01-Apr-2008
Page last updated 11-Dec-2011

Copyright 2008-2011 The Video Game Console Library.  This website and the information contained within it is protected by copyright. Reproduction of part or all of the
website contents in any form is prohibited unless expressed written consent of the author has been obtained in advance. Content of this website may not be copied
to any other publication (including electronic, hard copy or others). Interior deep linking or framing of this website is prohibited without permission of the author.