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Sega 32X

1994 - 5th generation system


The Sega 32X is a 32-bit add-on peripheral for the Sega Genesis (also known as the Sega Mega Drive in other regions) home video game console. It was released by Sega in 1994, with the intention of extending the life of the Genesis by offering more advanced graphics and gameplay.The 32X was designed to be an affordable alternative to the then-upcoming Sega Saturn, which was set to release the same year. It was meant to bridge the gap between the Genesis and the Saturn by providing more advanced graphics and gameplay, while still being compatible with the existing Genesis library. The 32X has its own CPU and GPU, which allowed it to run games with more detailed graphics and smoother animation than the Genesis was capable of. The system also featured a built-in sprite scaler, which allowed for games with a more 3D-like appearance. The 32X had its own library of games which were released in 1994 and 1995, but the library was relatively small and most of the games were ports of arcade games. Some notable games for the 32X include "Virtua Racing Deluxe," "Kolibri," "Star Wars Arcade," "Knuckles' Chaotix" and "Doom." The 32X was not as successful as Sega had hoped, due in part to the release of the Saturn and the high price point of the 32X and the Sega CD, another add-on for the Genesis. The 32X was discontinued in 1996, and the Sega Saturn became Sega's main console. Overall, the Sega 32X was a unique but short-lived console that provided a glimpse of what was possible with 32-bit technology, but ultimately was not successful in the market. Some popular games for the Sega 32X include: "Virtua Racing Deluxe": A racing game that was an enhanced version of the arcade classic "Virtua Racing." It was praised for its smooth graphics and challenging gameplay. "Kolibri": A side-scrolling shooter game that was praised for its inventive gameplay and colorful visuals. "Star Wars Arcade": A first-person shooter game based on the Star Wars franchise. It was praised for its accurate recreation of the Star Wars universe and its intense gameplay. "Knuckles' Chaotix": A 2D platformer game that was praised for its inventive gameplay and challenging difficulty. "Doom": A first-person shooter game that was a port of the popular PC game of the same name. It was praised for its accurate recreation of the PC version and its intense gameplay. "Tempo": A side-scrolling platformer game that was praised for its colorful visuals and challenging difficulty. "Shadow Squadron": A 3D flight simulator game that was praised for its detailed graphics and realistic gameplay. These are some of the most notable games for the Sega 32X, but there are other games available for the system that are worth checking out.