SEGA Pluto prototype found

[c2000]

Basically a Saturn with built-in Netlink modem. I can't believe this was found after all these years!
http://mobile.segadatabase.net/?p=1627

[Daltone]

Basically a Saturn with built-in Netlink modem. I can't this was found after all these years!
http://mobile.segadatabase.net/?p=1627

How cool is that? a) that it has been found, b) that design is pretty sexy!

[Tanooki]

Thanks for sharing, it's a total reminder of the past that never was. First thing to come to mind is like a bridge of saturn to dreamcast in connectivity design because it like the DC has the dailup jack built into it.

[RCM]

Wow, that's beautiful. There are now two Saturn units I'd pay thousands for.

[wiggyx]

Is there anything cooler than prototype hardware in the gaming world? Man, nothing gets me more amped up than stuff like this!

Makes me wanna model a shell up and print in out

[PreZZ]

Is there anything cooler than prototype hardware in the gaming world? Man, nothing gets me more amped up than stuff like this!

Makes me wanna model a shell up and print in out

Go ahead DO IT! and dont forget the neptune too... this prototype is badass but netlink is now pointless. Id still bid a grand or two if it shows up on ebay!

[Greg2600]

Thanks for sharing, it's a total reminder of the past that never was. First thing to come to mind is like a bridge of saturn to dreamcast in connectivity design because it like the DC has the dailup jack built into it.

http://www.rashly3dfx.com/products/blackbelt.html

Link mentioned on sega-16, that this is basically the same case design of the Dreamcast system being developed with 3Dfx.

[BricatSegaFan]

Pluto no longer a planet.

SEGA no longer a console manufacturer.

Ouch low blow

[slapdash]

And weirder yet, the Pluto *01* has shown up for auction! http://www.gamegavel.com/item.cgi?show_item=0000752122

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Odd that both have non-functional drive door latch mechanisms.

[TonyTheTiger]

What was with Sega and their "let's smush things together" phase? It's like they pulled every one of the permutations. Just wait. I bet someone will find a prototype for a Genesis/32X/SCD/Saturn console. The Sega Betelgeuse.

[Parodius Duh!]

Awesome to see, but whatever. Not like you can get on the net with it.... Its just a saturn in a cool shell at this point.

[wiggyx]

Odd that both have non-functional drive door latch mechanisms.

Considering that they are prototypes, it's entirely possible that the latch mechanism is something that just hadn't been sorted out yet. Based on the pics I've seen, the shell design is still in a pretty rough state, and there is no way that those parts came out of a tool intended for retail/production units.


That, or the same jerkoff at Sega didn't know the strength in his index finger and busted em both :P

[BricatSegaFan]

What I want to know is how its dimensions really stack up to a regular Saturn - it looks about the same as a Saturn with an extra sidecar tacked on. Gotta admit I'm kind of a sucker for the '90s Mac style design though.

Kind of surprised the modem took up that much space but that's the '90s for ya.

It wasn't really "found" so much as the member deciding to finally release some information about it (or maybe he finally took the time to cobble them together...who knows? ) Makes you wonder what other stuff is out there that people aren't telling us about.

Apparently one was "found" at a garage sale years before.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/ru...a-garage-sale/

[Ed Oscuro]

Actually, re-reading the Assembler page, this is something that landed in somebody's desk some time later. Oh boy, how I wouldn't mind coming across a piece of hardware that way!

[Greg2600]

Apparently one was "found" at a garage sale years before.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/ru...a-garage-sale/

He paid a DOLLAR for it!!! SOB.

[BricatSegaFan]

He paid a DOLLAR for it!!! SOB.

Somehow I doubt it was a dollar.....suspicious

[wiggyx]

Yeah, there's a shot with a CD inside. I'm not super familiar with the Saturn (despite having two of 'em) so it's hard to place for me.

The shell, despite some rough edges, looks like a pretty much finished design. What you say could be true though.

I don't think the unit was opened (yet) but it could also be that part of that space is taken up by an MPEG decompression card as well.

Retro-engineering has sort of become a staple of what I do lately, and I've become pretty adept at "eyeballing" it

I agree. It's a clean design, no doubt. The shell was likely cast from hand-built parts or CNC'd from a block of ABS or something else. I expect the former based on the imperfections in the form. I'm SURE there would have been tweaks to it before production, but the form factor seems pretty well fleshed out.

I wonder if the guy with the $1 unit ever opened his up. Anyone have a clue how to contact him? I know the guys at Assemble would literally kill to see the gutty-wuts.

[Greg2600]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sega-Pluto-/...item3a80d01f0f

One of two Pluto owners is trying to sell on ebay. Bidding at $10G's but not at reserve yet.

[Buyatari]

Current bid:US $9,999.99 reserve not met.

Nothing funny going on here. I wonder what the reserve price could possibly be.