Did the Sega Neptune ever come out?

[Anthony1]

I was reading a old issue of Next Generation magazine, and it was talking about the Sega Neptune. The Neptune was a Genesis with a 32X built in, all in one unit.

At the time, the thought was that it would compete with the Jaguar, and hold Sega's customers over, until the Saturn was more affordable.

I don't think that it ever was released, but I'm not sure about that.

Does anybody know what ever happened to the Neptune?

[Bratwurst]

The Neptune probably exists as a lone functional prototype residing in some business guy's office cabinet in Japan amongst his other corporate trophies.

[IGotTheDot]

They never came out, but they do exist. I was at Disney World and in Inoventions they had Sega as a huge sponsor. They had machines that looked just like the Genesis playing 32X carts. I know there are at least 12 in the world because I counted.

[RetroYoungen]

I saw in I think EGM that Sega made a lot of them before both systems ceased to be, overproduced. There were somewhere around 10,000 in a werehouse that they cleared out (or tried to, I could never get one) a few years back.

[TheRedEye]

Oh MAN, I wish I could find the link. There was a forum I saw once where a guy took apart this video writer thing he bought in Japan. The thing's made by Sega, and the parts inside seem to be...a Neptune!

I'll try to track it down. Shit, I shoulda saved it.

[Bunnibear]

RetroYoungen wrote:
"I saw in I think EGM that Sega made a lot of them before both systems ceased to be, overproduced. There were somewhere around 10,000 in a werehouse that they cleared out (or tried to, I could never get one) a few years back."

That was in the April 2001 issue of EGM. Here is the text from the article:


Sega's Neptune Finally Surfaces

Sega Corp. recently discovered approximately 10,000 already-manufactured Sega Neptune systems in a soon-to-be closed warehouse. If you remember, the Neptune was the all-in-one Genesis/32X system (pictured here) that was originally to be released in 1995. Sega pulled the plug on it, but not before 10,000 units were already manufactured. They are available for sale (limit one per customer) for $199.99 at www.seganeptune.com. The system bundle also includes two unreleased 32x games- X-Men 2 and Virtua Hamster.


The article also had a small picture of the Neptune (I would post it, but I don't have a scanner :( ) It was revealed in the next issue of EGM that it had been an April Fool's joke LOL

[Oobgarm]

I remember that joke. I even knew a few folks who went to the website in hopes of getting one!

A true classic as far as EGM jokes go. That, and the Sonic/Tales Smash Bros. joke.

[zemmix]

Hey I was one of the suckers! I even had my credit card out. Bastards.

[rbudrick]

Wow! I remember the EGM joke, but they really did exist?

Hmmm...anybody got scans of any and all articles on this (besides the EGM one)?

-Rob

[SoulBlazer]

According to several sources I've read, the Neptune does exist as a prototype, at least several.

And it's April Fool's Days jokes like that that make me hate all jokes. >:(

[RetroYoungen]

Dammit, how come everything I hear isn't real? Next I'd expect you to tell me Satna Claus isn't real. I'm having lunch with him, the Tooth Fairy and Bigfoot at the Bennigan's tomorrow. Think they're just putting me on?

[Bratwurst]

http://www.retro-games.co.uk/sega/32x/nep.gif

ROLL THAT BEAUTIFUL BEAN FOOTAGE