HeartBeat Catalyst
From Sega Retro
HeartBeat Catalyst | ||||||||||
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Made for: Sega Mega Drive | ||||||||||
Manufacturer: HeartBeat Corporation | ||||||||||
Type: Fitness | ||||||||||
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The HeartBeat Catalyst is a third-party Sega Mega Drive exercise peripheral with included body-mounted fitness sensor hardware which reads the user's heart rate, motion, and skin salinity levels for in-game feedback. Manufactured by American video game hardware developer HeartBeat Corporation and primarily sold alongside the HeartBeat Personal Trainer, it was released exclusively in the United States in November 1993, and is notable for having a production run of only 1000 units. Sold with the included pack-in game Outback Joey (which was specifically developed to utilize the peripheral's fitness sensors, and not available for purchase separately), both are considered some of the rarest pieces of Mega Drive history in existence.[2]
Contents
Hardware
The HeartBeat Catalyst is a body-mounted fitness sensor hardware system which reads the user's heart rate, motion, and skin salinity levels for in-game feedback, and is compatible with any Sega Mega Drive system (contrary to popular belief, it does not require the HeartBeat Personal Trainer to operate.[1]) The only game developed to utilize this hardware, Outback Joey, uses this feeback to control the running speed of its player character, and encourages maintaining a consistent heart rate through exercise. Though not a requirement, the Catalyst is intended for use with fitness machines such as exercise bikes and treadmills.
Technical specifications
- Main article: HeartBeat Catalyst/Technical specifications.
History
- Main article: History of the HeartBeat Catalyst.
List of games
The hardware's manufacturer, HeartBeat Corporation, claimed that a number of upcoming Sega Mega Drive games were planned to be compatible with the Heartbeat Catalyst. However, the only title which ever utilized the hardware's unique capabilities was the HeartBeat Corporation-produced Outback Joey (and its pack-in game.)
- Outback Joey (1993)
- It's Serious Fun (unreleased)
- Outworld 2375 AD (unreleased)
History
- Main article: History of the HeartBeat Catalyst.
Images
- OJHPT 5.jpg
The RF and video adapters.
Physical scans
Magazine articles
- Main article: HeartBeat Catalyst/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
- Main article: HeartBeat Catalyst/Promotional material.
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://videogamekraken.com/heartbeat-personal-trainer-catalyst (Wayback Machine: 2021-04-14 05:43)
- ↑ https://www.sega-16.com/2004/08/genesis-accessory-peripheral-guide/
HeartBeat Catalyst | |
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Topics | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Personal Trainer | HeartBeat Corporation |
Games | NHLPA Hockey | Outback Joey | Outworld 2375 AD | PGA Tour Golf II |