.

The Video Game Console Library - Sega 32X

Sega 32X logo Sega 32X Sega 32X logo

  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\Video Specs Games\Emulation Models Clones Links
Sega 32X
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
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Reviews

Sega 32X

 

 

Sega 32X - Advertisement

  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.


  HANDS ON REVIEW
 

Coming soon...
 

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Pictures & Video

Various picture\video media for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Sega 32X Tech Demo
Video courtesy of Arguro.		 Hooking Up Your Sega 32X
Video courtesy of hakemon.		 User Video of the Sega 32X
Video courtesy of MN12BIRD.
Sega 32X - Front

 Sega 32X - Front
 Sega 32X logo Sega 32X - Back

 Sega 32X - Back
Sega 32X Infomercial
Video courtesy of Pzkfw5. 		 Sega 32X Television Commercial 1
Video courtesy of NutsGum.		 Sega 32X Television Commercial 2
Video courtesy of sonicsean89.
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Specs

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
320x224 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 Component (9-pin DIN connector)

Power Supply

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes
120 V AV 60 Hz 15 W 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.
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Games & Emulation

Game screen shots and\or videos released for this system.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Virtua Racing Deluxe Game Footage
Video courtesy of bryceHUHwhat.		 Virtua Fighter Game Footage
Video courtesy of SonicX14.		 Doom Game Footage
Video courtesy of SteveBenway.
Sample 32X Game Packaging - Cartridge

 Sample 32X Game Packaging - Cartridge
 Nice Overall Sega 32X Display

 Nice Overall Sega 32X Display (picture credits unknown)
 Sample 32X Game Packaging - CD

 Sample 32X Game Packaging - CD
Golf Magazine's 36 Great Holes Game Footage
Video courtesy of gameantique.		 Star Wars Arcade Game Footage
Video courtesy of SteveBenway.		 Knuckles Chaotix Game Footage
Video courtesy of PyscheEclipsePro.
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.
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Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Sega 32X - North America Release

 Sega 32X - North America Release
 Sega Super 32X - Japan Release

 Sega Mega Drive 32X - European Release

 Sega Mega Drive 32X - European Release (picture credits unknown)
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Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).
No clones were released for this system.
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Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.
Name Website Description
     
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