Sega Channel (Asia)
From Sega Retro
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| Sega Channel | |||||||||||||||
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| Made for: Sega Mega Drive | |||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer: Sega Digital Communications | |||||||||||||||
| Type: Network tool | |||||||||||||||
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The Asian version of the Sega Channel (セガチャンネル) was a service which allowed Sega Mega Drive software to be delivered through cable television. The version of the Sega Channel is similar to its Western counterpart but uses different software and hardware, created through a project led by Sega Digital Communications in Japan.
This version of the Sega Channel was initially made available in Japan and Taiwan, followed by Hong Kong and South Korea and maybe others.
Contents
History
Japan
Japan's Sega Channel initially launched in Tokyo, Yokkaichi, and Suwa with a fee of ¥3,000 for 30 games a month, with a promotional offer of a two month free trial. Only one adaptor was created with styling similar to the Japanese Mega Drive 2.
In Japan, the Sega Channel had a unique BIOS screen featuring Sonic the Hedgehog, and some exclusive content made for that region, including Dyna Brothers 2 Special. This game was eventually released on the Wii's Virtual Console. Another game that is seemingly connected to the Sega Chanel, Game no Kanzume Otokuyou, was discovered in the Sega Dreamcast online disc, Dream Passport 3.
List of games
- Dyna Brothers 2 (?)
- Earthworm Jim (1995)
- Earthworm Jim 2 (1996)
- Ecco Jr. (1995)
- Game no Kanzume Otokuyou (1995)
- LaSalle Ishii no Quiz! Kyoiku Iinkai (1995)
- Nyuushi Chokuzen Check Nanmon Kimon Kiki Kaikai (1995)
- Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure (1995)
- Planet Message Quiz (?)
- Bahamut Senki
- Bare Knuckle II
- Bare Knuckle III
- Battle Golfer Yui
- Battle Mania
- Bonanza Bros.
- Chelnov
- Columns
- Columns III: Taiketsu! Columns World
- Crack Down
- Crying: Aseimei Sensou
- Cyber Police: ESWAT
- Dyna Brothers 2
- Dyna Brothers 2: Sega Channel Special[1]
- Earthworm Jim[2]*
- Earthworm Jim 2[3]**
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Ecco Jr.[4]**
- Ex-Ranza
- G-LOC
- Gain Ground
- Gambler Jiko Chuushinha: Katayama Masayuki no Mahjong Doujou
- Game no Kanzume Otokuyou
- Golden Axe
- Gunstar Heroes
- Juuouki
- Kyuukai Douchuuki
- Langrisser
- LaSalle Ishii no Quiz! Kyoiku Iinkai
- Mahjong Cop Ryuu: Hakurou no Yabou
- Nyuushi Chokuzen Check Nanmon Kimon Kiki Kaikai
- OutRun
- Party Quiz Mega Q
- Phantasy Star II
- Phantasy Star III
- Phantasy Star IV
- Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure[5]*
- Planet Message Quiz
- Puyo Puyo
- Rent A Hero
- Rocket Knight Adventures
- Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi
- Shining Force
- Side Pocket
- Sonic Spinball
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3
- Space Harrier II
- Super Fantasy Zone
- Super Hang-On
- Super League
- Super Monaco GP
- The Super Shinobi II
- Super Thunder Blade
- Super Volley Ball
- Wimbledon
- World Cup Soccer
* Link is to Sega of Japan's Virtual Console page for the game, which says "本作はメガドライブ版でのパッケージ販売は日本ではされておりませんでしたが、ケーブルテレビ・ゲーム配信サービス「セガチャンネル」で楽しむことができました。" (The Megadrive package for the original game wasn't sold in Japan, but it could be played on the cable TV game broadcast service "Sega Channel")
** Same as *, but without "Mega Drive version" (本作は日本でのパッケージ販売はされておりませんでしたが、ケーブルテレビ・ゲーム配信サービス「セガチャンネル」で楽しむことができました。)
Taiwan
Taiwan was the first country outside of Japan and the U.S. to receive the Sega Channel. In July 1995, Sega Digital Communications announced a deal with Fuzhi International Communication to distribute service in Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, all in Chinese. The service probably started around September/October of 1995 and was the same as the Japanese one with 30 games a month. Sega Channel cost 300 NT$/month and adapter called here "Super Card" was available for 7200 NT$[6].
Hong Kong
Wharf Holdings announced an agreement with Sega Digital Communications in October of 1995 to broadcast the service in Hong Kong. As with Japan the service was said to have 30 games a month, which would cost each user US$90 deposit plus US$6.50 installation and US$13/y. Nick Fiore, Sega Channel vice president and managing director of international Sega Channels reported that in Hong Kong, the channel was likely to have only partial carriage until the fiber optic system there was more fully constructed and channel space opens up.
South Korea
Sega Digital Communications announced in August of 1994 that the service would launch in Taiwan and South Korea within the year. It's currently unknown whether or not the channel actually ended up launching in South Korea.
Magazine articles
- Main article: Sega Channel (Asia)/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
Television advertisements
Photo gallery
Adaptor
TW promo disc including Japanese and Taiwanese commercials
Physical scans
| Mega Drive, JP |
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 Cover
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| Mega Drive, TW |
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 Cover
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Technical information
ROM dump status
| System | Hash | Size | Build Date | Source | Comments | |||||||||
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512kB | 1994-07 | Cartridge (JP) | v2.11 | |||||||||
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512kB | 1994-07 | Cartridge (JP) | v2.11 (Earlier) |
References
| Sega Channel (Asia) | |
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