Neptune, the main character of the Hyperdimension Neptunia franchise, was based on the Sega Neptune.
The Sega Neptune was a two-in-one Genesis and 32X console which Sega planned to release in fall 1995, with the retail price planned to be something less than 200 US dollars. Sega cancelled the Neptune in October 1995, citing fears that it would dilute their marketing for the Saturn while being priced too close to the Saturn to be a viable competitor. Electronic Gaming Monthly used the Sega Neptune as an April Fools' Day prank in its April 2001 issue. The issue included a small article in which the writers announced that Sega had found a warehouse full of old Sega Neptunes, and were selling them on a website for only $50.
The Neptune has remained a subject of interest among enthusiasts, leading to various fan-made recreations that integrate original Genesis and 32X hardware into a single chassis. These projects include custom electronic boards such as the Cosam Neptune, as well as highly accurate 3D-printed enclosure replicas based on the original 1995 mock-up, notably the version produced by Dvizix. These community-led efforts aim to approximate the appearance and functionality of the cancelled system without implying any official continuation of the product.
Specs[]
The system re-used the same specs from both the Sega Genesis and Sega 32x. It was planned to be a stand alone 32x
Planned titles[]
It is unknown if the system had any planned titles, or if any Sega Genesis titles were going to be ported to the Sega Neptune.
Why it was cancelled[]
Sega had admitted how expensive and problematic the 32X was, and so decided to make a combined version of the Mega Drive and 32X, which they felt was a better idea. However, by the time a prototype came out, the Sega Saturn was ready for release. Sega felt that gamers would now not be interested in the Sega Neptune, if it had been released, so the project was scrapped. Plans for the system supposedly included the ability to play Sega Mega-CD titles too.
Result[]
- Although often described as a prototype, the unit shown publicly was actually a non-functional mock-up made of wood and plastic, created solely to represent the intended industrial design of the system. At least one of these mock-ups, identifiable by distinct surface abrasions, has been exhibited by the Videogame History Museum at events such as the National Videogame Museum, E3, the Game Developers Conference, and the Classic Gaming Expo.
- The console's greatest legacy is that it was the inspiration for the titular character of the Hyperdimension Neptunia franchise.