http://www.consoledatabase.com
http://www.consoledatabase.com
The Sega 32X Mars
Frequently Asked Questions
Version X.04 - December 1998
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This F.A.Q. is based on the Saturn/32x made by Gordon Craick.
Since it wasn't updated since December 1994, i said to myself "It's
time to do a real update and how !!!" Don't you agree ??
This F.A.Q. as two copyrights, one to Gordon Craick and the other to
Sylvain De Chantal. All rights reserved. This document may be copied,
in whole or in part, by any means provided the copyright and sections
remain intact and no fee is charged for the information. Contributors
retain the copyright to their individual contributions.
The data contained here in is provided for informational purposes only.
No warranty is made with regards to the accuracy of some informations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional contributions IS welcome!
Please mail additional information,
opinions, and comments to : mailto --> "slydc@hotmail.com"
or --> "slydc@videotron.ca"
Where to get this F.A.Q.:
Try - GameFaqs.Com at "http://www.gamefaqs.com/"
- my Home Page at "http://www.chez.com/slydc/"
- Digital Press "http://www.digitpress.com/"
- Sega Sages "http://www.segasages.com/"
- SegaNet "http://www.seganet.com"
or sometimes on the newsgroup "rec.games.video.classic"
and "rec.games.video.sega"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the Sega 32x Mars F.A.Q.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-------------------
0.0) New Additional Info
1.0) The 32x Mars
1.5) History of the 32X Mars
2.0) 32x specs
2.5) The 32X Neptune System
3.0) The 32x in other Countrys
3.5) CARTRIDGES & CD'S LIST
3.6) Japanese Games List
4.0) Never Released Games List
4.5) More Inputs
5.0) Credits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.0) New Additional Info
------------------------
** Jonathan Legg wrote the European cartridge list **
** Chaz Bocock for describing 2 proto games **
** A suggestion from Jon Folkers... ***
** Sean Kelly about prototypes games **
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.0) So what is the 32X?
------------------------
The 32X was released in late November 1994 in the United States, with
releases in other countries following in the coming months. What the
32X is an addon for existing Genesis/Megadrive owners, which, when
plugged into the cartridge port of the machine, provides extra proces-
sing power, graphical enhancement and other improvements over your old
machine.
The 32X is a cartridge and CD's based system, and is not be upgradeable
to the Saturn(which was first planned with the Jupiter). The 32X also
include less of the specially designed processors than the Saturn,
allowing it to be released at a very much cheaper price.
For those who own a SegaCD the 32X will take advantage of this to
provide 32X CD games. If you have a SegaCD it will use the extra capa-
bilities of the machine, in addition to that of the Genesis and itself.
The reason for this seems to be so that Sega can boost sales of the
SegaCD, while also cutting prices on the 32X by not having to include
a CD-drive.
How did this come about? Most believe that Sega initially was at work
on a cartridge only machine, however due to the market pressure of CD
becoming standard, Sega was persuaded to integrate CD storage into
their machine. Rather than waste this technology, they opted to use
some of the technology in a cheaper, less powerful console that could
remain competitive for several years, well at least for three years...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.5) History of the 32X Mars: (by Barry Cantin)
-----------------------------------------------
The Sega 32X was designed during 1993-94 by Sega of America primarily
for use in the North American and European markets. The Japanese were
about to get the Sega Saturn 32-bit system, and Sega felt (wisely) that
there wasn't enough room in the Japanese video game market for two Sega
32-bit systems. So, the system was developed in the U.S. with some
follow-up work done in Japan. The Sega 32X unit was unveiled during
"Sega Gamer's Day", June 2, 1994, at Sega's Headquarters in San Francisco.
Sega showed demos of early 32X titles, including "Doom", "Star Wars
Arcade", "Ecco the Dolphin", "Super Motocross", "Virtua Racing Deluxe",
"Super After Burner", and "Fahrenheit"(on CD). (Note that Ecco 32X was
never released)
November, 1994 - Sega of America released the 32X unit. SRP was $159.99,
and did not include a pack-in. On the day of the system's launch, no
titles were available, either. A few days later, Sega released "Doom",
"Star Wars Arcade", and "Virtua Racing Deluxe". Shortly after that two
additional titles made it to store shelves: "Cosmic Carnage" and "Metal
Head".
The Sega 32X was released in Europe as well, and in Japan as the "Super
32X" for use with the Mega Drive systems. The design was essentially the
same for all three types of machines. Although there was talk of a combo
Genesis/32X machine to be released in Japan, it never materialized.
Blockbuster Video stores also began to carry the 32X and games for rental.
Some hype was generated at these stores with a free rental of a 32X
"preview" video in the months leading up to the unit's release.
Several third-party developers were brought on board to create 32X games,
including Acclaim, Accolade, Activision, Core Design, and EA Sports.
Thirty-six games were eventually released for the system, including five
CD titles, from 1994-96. The majority of those games were from Sega.
The Sega 32X was sold initially with no pack-in, but later releases
included three different titles:
1995: Star Wars pack-in
1995: Doom pack-in
1996: Virtua Fighter pack-in
The 32X saw decent sales for a relatively brief period of time; however,
many people did not want to buy the system with Sega's upcoming Saturn
system just over the horizon. Sega insisted that they would continue
to support the 32X even after the Saturn was released in 1995. The 32X
underwent several price cuts from 1995-96, in an attempt to boost sagging
32X unit sales. Several hits were released for the 32X, including
"Mortal Kombat 2" and "Virtua Fighter"(which was preceded by the "Virtua
Fighter Training Pack", consisting of a VF T-shirt, a video tape with
some VF info/strategies, and coupons toward its purchase). Still, the
public saw the Saturn as Sega's true next-gen system, and began aban-
doning the 32X pretty quickly. The last title to be released for the
32X was "Spiderman: Web of Fire" (Sega), in spring 1996.
In 1996, Sega discontinued support for the 32X in favor of the Saturn.
This was not a great shock to anyone, since the number of titles had
slowed to a trickle earlier that year. During late 1996-1997, several
large chain stores including Toys R Us and Electronics Boutique started
discounting the 32X system as low as $19.99 (base system). Most of the
games had also been discounted to less than $20 each.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.0) The 32x Specifications:
-----------------------------
PROCESSOR: Twin Hitachi (SH2) 32 bit RISC processors
- clock speed of 23 MHZ
- 40 MIPS
CO-PROCESSOR(s): Genesis 68000, Z80, Genesis 32X VDP
Video processor
- 50,000 texture-mapped polygons/sec
- texture mapping
- hardware scaling and rotation
VIDEO: - 32,768 simultaneous colours on screen
- Genesis resolution
- Overlaying over existing Genesis/SegaCD video
MEMORY: 512k (4 MBit) additional RAM to Genesis/SegaCD memory
AUDIO: Stereo PCM chip
- audio mixing with Genesis sound
- additional 2 channels (therefore 14 all together?)
I/O: Same as Genesis
- 32X upgradable; can upgrade the 32X
STORAGE: CD-ROM if you have a SegaCD
- speed same as SegaCD
- compatible with audio CD, CD&G, SegaCD and JVC X'eye
Cartridge
- compatible with Genesis model 1 & 2, JVC X'eye
- can store save game/score information (as with many
Genesis games)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.5) The 32X Neptune System:
----------------------------
Sega's decision to lunch a mutated 32X/Genesis had almost seen the day,
but was canceled with the arrival of another 32-bit system: the Sega
Saturn! Sega had admitted that the 32X was a little too expensive at the
time so the idea of putting a 32X & a Genesis alltogether and releasing
it with a better price was their idea, well the idea vanished faster than
the speed of light.
so if somebody out there wants a Sega Neptune, you better be damn rich
since it only exist one prototype. Better yet, don't think about it...
If anybody wants to see a picture of the Neptune, please go to my web
site at: "http://slydc.encomix.es/32x.htm", Thanks!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.0) The 32x in other Countrys:
-------------------------------
The 32X was released in Japan in a low key launch, even despite the
Genesis relative lack of popularity in that country. The 32X is also
available in Europe (aka Mega 32X), Australia, and Canada in limited
numbers. It was also released in Japan (called the Super 32X) with
very few games due to lack of popularity of the Megadrive console.
Any more info anyone ???
The lockout chips/compatability for the European, North American, and
Asian machines remains incompatible with each other respectively.
These machines will a combination of hardware 'lock-key' mechanisms to
prevent uncontrolled importing. These may eventually be circumnavigated
through the use of converters, as used in the past by some companies.
Here are the 2 games European-only:
-----------------------------------
* Darxide (Shooter) [from Rocket Science]
* FIFA Soccer '96 (Sports) [from Electronics Arts]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.5) The CARTRIDGES & CD'S LIST :
---------------------------------
Name MemSize Manufacturer Type
========================================================================
After Burner 16Meg Sega Shooter
B.C. Racers 24Meg Core Design Racing
Blackthorne Meg Sega Adventure
Brutal:Paws Unleashed Meg Gametek Fighting
Corpse Killer CD ----- Digital Picture Shooter
Cosmic Carnage 24Meg Sega Fighting
Doom 24Meg ID Software Shooter
Farenheight CD (+ Sega CD) ----- Sega Action
Golf Magazine:36 Great Holes 24Meg Sega Sports
Kolibri Meg Sega Shooter
Knuckle Chaotix 24Meg Sega Action
Metal Head Meg Sega Action
Mortal Kombat 2 Meg Acclaim Fighting
Motocross Championship 16Meg Sega Racing
NBA Jam TE Meg Acclaim Sports
NFL Quaterback Club Meg Acclaim Sports
Night Trap CD ----- Digital Picture Adventure
Pitfall:the Mayan Adventure 32Meg Activision Action
Primal Rage 32Meg Sega Fighting
RBI Baseball '95 16Meg Time Warner Sports
Shadow Squadron 16Meg Sega Shooter
Slam City CD ----- Digital Picture Sports
Space Harrier 24Meg Sega Shooter
Spiderman: Web of Fire Meg Sega Action
Star Trek:Starfleet Academy Meg Sega Simulation
Star Wars Arcade 24Meg Sega Shooter
Supreme Warrior CD ----- Digital Picture Shooter
T-Mek Meg Sega Fighting
Tempo 24Meg Sega Action
Toughman Contest Boxing 32Meg Electronic Arts Sports
Virtua Fighter 32Meg Sega Fighting
Virtua Racing Deluxe 24Meg Sega Racing
World Series Baseball '95 Meg Sega Sports
WWF Raw Meg Acclaim Sports
WWF Wrestlemania Arcade Meg Acclaim Sports
Zaxxon Motherbase 2000 16Meg Sega Shooter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.6) Japanese Games List [the Super 32X]
----------------------------------------
Japanese Name [AKA in the US] Manufacturer Type Date
=========================================================================
After Burner Complete Sega Shooter '95.1.13
Chaotix[Knuckle Chaotix] Sega Action '95.4.21
Cyber Brawl[Cosmic Carnage] Sega Fighting '95.1.27
Doom ID Shooter '94.12.3
Golf Magazine:36 Great Holes Sega Sports '95.2.24
Metal Head Sega Action '95.2.24
Mortal Kombat 2 Acclaim Fighting '95.5.19
NBA Jam TE Acclaim Sports '95.9.1
NFL Quaterback Club Acclaim Sports '95.7.14
Parasquad[Zaxxon Motherbase 2000] Sega Shooter '95.7.14
Sangokushi 4[Romance of the Three Kingdoms 4] Koei Strategy '95.7.28
Stellar Assault[Shadow Squadron] Sega Shooter '95.5.26
Space Harrier Sega Shooter '94.12.3
Star Wars Arcade Sega Shooter '94.12.3
Tempo Sega Action '95.3.24
Virtua Fighter Sega Fighting '95.10.20
Virtua Racing Deluxe Sega Racing '94.12.16
WWF Raw Acclaim Sports '95.9.1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.7) European Games List [the Mega 32X]
----------------------------------------
Name Manufacturer
=========================================================================
32 Great Holes starring Fred Couples Sega
After Burner Sega
BC Racers Core
Corpse Killer [Mega CD/32X] Sega
Cosmic Carnage Sega
Darxide Sega
Doom id / Sega
FIFA 96 EA Sports
Knuckles Chaotix Sega
Kolibri Sega
Metal Head Sega
Mortal Kombat 2 Acclaim
Motocross Championship Sega
NBA Jam Tournament Edition Acclaim
NFL Quarterback Club Acclaim
Primal Rage Sega
Slam City with Scottie Pippen [Mega-CD/32X] Digital Pictures
Soul Star X [Mega CD/32X] Sega
Space Harrier Sega
Star Wars Arcade Sega
Stellar Assault Sega
Supreme Warrior [Mega CD/32X] Sega
T-Mek Sega
Toughman Contest EA Sports
Virtua Fighter Sega
Virtua Racing Deluxe Sega
WWF Raw Acclaim
Zaxxon Motherbase Sega
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.0) The Never Released Games List:
-----------------------------------
Never Released (???) Manufacturer Type
------------------------------------------------------------------------
32Xtreme Sega Sports
Alien Trilogy Acclaim Shooter
Alien vs. Predator Activision Action
Alone in the Dark Adventure
Apache Domark Action
Batman Forever Acclaim Action
Bios Fear
Clay Fighter 2:Judgement Clay Interplay Fighting
Casper Action
Castlevania Konami Action
College Basketball Sega Sports
Comix Zone Sega Action
Converve City Ball Tour Sports
Converse Hoops Virgin Sports
Cyber Brawl Sega(renamed cosmic carnage)
Cuberwar Action
Darxide (U.S. version) Sega Action
Daytona USA Sega Racing
Descent
Dracula X Konami Action
Dynamite Headdy Sega Action
Ecco the Dolphin Sega Adventure
FIFA Soccer '96 (U.S. version) Electronic Arts Sports
Flying Aces
Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball Sports
Fred Couples Golf Sega
Golf Magazine:36 Great Holes CD Sega(released as cart instead)
Heads on Soccer
Heavy Machinery
Izzy's Quest for the Olympic Rings Sports
Judge Dreed Action
Kingdom of the Far Reaches
Loadstar
Midnight Raiders CD Sega
NBA Action '96 Sega Sports
Nautilus
Outpost
Power Rangers Action
Primal Rage CD Sega(released as cart instead)
Prime Time NFL Sports
Race Drivin' Atari Racing
Rachet & Bolt
Rayman Ubi Soft Action
Revolution X Acclaim Shooter
Romance of the 3 Kingdoms IV Koei Simulation
Scottish Open Core Design Sports
Shadow of Atlantis Sega Adventure
Shell Shock
Sonic 4 Sega Action
Soulstar X Core Design Shooter
Spider-Man & Venom:Seperation Anxiety Acclaim Fighting
Spot Goes To Hollywood Virgin Action
Stellar Assault Sega Shooter
Street Fighter the Movie Capcom Fighting
Street Racer
Super After Burner Sega(renamed After Burner)
Super MotoCross (renamed Motocross Champ.)
Super Space Harrier Sega(renamed Space Harrier)
Surgical Strike CD Sega Shooter
Tee Off Core Design Sports
Thunderhawk 2 Core Design Shooter
Vara's Code
Virtua Hamster Sega Action
Virtual Golf Sega Sports
Wirehead CD Sega
Wrath Squadron Sega
X-Men: Mojo-World Sega Action
Zero Tolerance Accolade Shooter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.5) More Inputs:
-----------------
The 32X was released in the United States in late November, 1994 and
finally had been dicountinued late 1995 due to the early arrival of
the Sega Saturn in the summer of 1995.
Sega was trying to provide some type of upgrade path to the Saturn so
that it can play existing 32X games, however there is a definite
technological difference that makes this difficult. When implemented,
this will be through an optional plug-in cartridge that will allow
you to play not only 32X games, but also Genesis, and SegaCD games on
your Saturn.
Sega claimed on the 32X packaging that it will not work with the CDX,
essentially because FCC approval for this combination was never received.
However, if you connect the 32X to your CDX, it works fine. (NOTE: The
author assumes NO responsibility for any damages or losses incurred for
anything suggested here, and neither does Sega of America... if you try
this, you do so at your own risk).
Chaz Bocock wrote to me about 2 prototype games. Here's what:
Judge Dredd and Virtua Hamster. I'll tell you what I know about these games..
JUDGE DREDD : A friend of mine wrote the PC version of this game, and saw the
prototype of the 32X version. The only difference between the 32X version
and the Megadrive version, is the flying level (on the hoverbikes), the
background to this is a mode-7 type affect.
VIRTUA HAMSTER : This was going to be a 'Hamsters and other animals on
power skateboards' - 'Turtles' style. The creatures would race down a
series of 3D Tunnels/Tubes. The only work that was completed on this
games was a rendered mock-up of what the game would like, plus a small
intro. It never got further than this.
Sean Kelly (the multi-game cart maker) wrote to me if i knew any proto-
type games. I've told him that i only knew these proto games:
Judge Dredd, Virtua Hamster, Ecco & Surgical Strike CD. (2 described
above). He told me that he has these prototypes games...Virtua Hamster,
X-Men & Tempo, the lucky guy!! But many of you know that Tempo was released
but prototype games of released games can exist, like Terminator 2 for the
NES of Thunderground for the Atari 2600. Wonder if the Tempo proto is the
same thing as the released one....hummm.
Here's a suggestion from Jon Folkers (Manic Butt):
This looks like a good place to insert some of the FAQs about stereo sound
when hooking this beast up to different model Genesis machines. I know I
was pissed when I found out my sound output HAD to be mono unless I used
headphones.
Some of this is in the 32X manual, but could be excerpted for people who
bought used and didn't get instructions -- the rest is at
http://www.sega.com/support/troubleshoot/.
I agree with Jon, so since i didn't had much time to write a chapter on
how to hook-up the 32X in stereo or anything else in the instruction
manual of the 32X, i'll will make a chapter for the manual for everybody
who doesn't have or didn't get the manual. So wacth out for the next
version, thanks for your patient until then!
Are you having problems to finish a game or any trouble, please go
to this site: "http://vgstrategies.miningco.com/msub32x.htm".
Just say to Al Amaloo that i sent you !
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.0) Credits:
-------------
Not much for now...
* Chaz Bocock
* Barry Cantin
* Gordon Craick (Of Course !!!)
* Jon Folkers
* Eric Hamel
* Sean Kelly
* Jonathan Legg
* Ippei Muramatsu
* Sega Power Magazines
Thanks and see you in the next version !!!
----------------------------------------------------------
Copyright(c)1998, Sylvain De Chantal, "slydc@hotmail.com"
or come visit my homepage at "http://www.chez.com/slydc/"
Copyright © 2000 - 2024 Base Media. All Rights Reserved. Console Database is a trademark of Base Media. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Base Media User Agreement and Privacy Policy. Our other sites: Deals United - Daily Deals Aggregator and WhichPlug? - Travel Adaptor Finder.