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://slydc.encomix.es/index.htm"