{"id":26924,"date":"2024-07-11T13:37:57","date_gmt":"2024-07-11T12:37:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geimers.com\/?p=26924"},"modified":"2025-03-22T16:03:16","modified_gmt":"2025-03-22T15:03:16","slug":"two-new-sega-consoles-are-being-developed-by-third-parties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/geimers.com\/en\/two-new-sega-consoles-are-being-developed-by-third-parties\/","title":{"rendered":"Two new SEGA consoles are being developed by third parties"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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[Article edited on 12\/03\/2024]<\/strong><\/p>

SEGA<\/strong><\/a> fans are celebrating! Over the past few weeks, two new projects have been revealed that will allow us to enjoy our favorite games in their original format once more. Both initiatives rely on a type of circuit that has become quite popular lately, especially in the retro video game scene. Of course, we\u2019re talking about FPGA<\/strong><\/a> (Field Programmable Gate Array). But before we get into the specifics of these two FPGA consoles currently in development, it\u2019s best to briefly explain some basic concepts.<\/p>

What Is an FPGA and How Does It Work?<\/h2>

An FPGA is a type of integrated circuit that can be programmed by the user after manufacturing and can be reprogrammed for various uses, even after deployment, which gives it unique versatility. These circuits use a matrix of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) and a hierarchy of reconfigurable interconnects to link these blocks together. The internal components of these CLBs enable them to execute complex logical functions, much like a CPU, GPU, or RAM, among others. This allows FPGAs to emulate the hardware of any console with near-perfect accuracy, faithfully replicating the logic of circuits from old consoles.<\/p>

What Are the Main Advantages of FPGA Consoles?<\/h2>

These systems offer superior precision as they replicate the original gaming experience as faithfully as possible by emulating all internal components and their functions. They are also compatible with the formats and accessories of these systems. Another significant advantage is their ability to be updated, as they can be reprogrammed to add support for other formats or improve existing emulation for specific games. This is especially helpful for titles that rely on specific hardware, such as SNES games that use the Super FX chip. Lastly, FPGA consoles offer a smooth gaming experience thanks to hardware emulation’s low latency compared to software emulation.<\/p>

GF1 Neptune, the Console SEGA Never Released<\/h2>

We all remember how, at the start of the new millennium, SEGA said goodbye to console manufacturing. On January 31, 2001, they officially announced the end of production for their last console, the Dreamcast. After several difficult years and numerous projects that either fell through or never materialized, the economic situation became unsustainable, forcing them to permanently exit the hardware market.<\/p>

One project that never came to fruition was a console codenamed \u201cNeptune.\u201d This hybrid between the Mega Drive and 32X was meant to bridge the gap between the fourth and fifth console generations. During the 1990s, SEGA often used planet names for their projects. For instance, the internal name for Game Gear was \u201cMercury,\u201d the handheld Mega Drive version was \u201cVenus,\u201d the 32X was called \u201cMars,\u201d and, of course, the Saturn retained its codename as its commercial name.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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