All-In-One Sega FPGA console “SuperSega” in development; shows world’s first Dreamcast FPGA footage

There’s been talk lately of an all-in-one Sega FPGA console in the works called the SuperSega. Lots of people are excited by the reveal of this indie project, while others are skeptical about its chances of fulfilling its promises or even coming out at all. We’ve waited a bit for more concrete info about the SuperSega before reporting, so now we’re ready to talk about it at last.

The SuperSega is an FPGA console currently in development that can play games from every single console Sega has ever released (Except the Game Gear, for some reason, at least for now). We’re talking about SG-1000, Mark III, Master System, Genesis/Mega-Drive, Sega CD, 32X, Saturn, and Dreamcast games. Currently, the only Sega FPGA console ever released commercially was Analogue’s now decommissioned Mega SG, which was designed to play Genesis games, as well as SG-1000, Mark III, Master System, and Game Gear games via separately available cartridge adaptors. The SuperSega, on the other hand, only needs an original 32X unit for 32X cartridges. It has built-in cartridge slots and a disc drive for everything else. 

It sounds impressive so far, but as of this writing, no hardware prototype has yet been produced. Work has been done on the software, and a hardware prototype is planned to be produced this September. The SuperSega team has put together test videos, including one of Dreamcast games running on their targeted hardware. At least this way, we know it’s unlikely to be fake. Stop in past the break to see these videos and to learn more.

The plans right now for the SuperSega hardware is to build it with the newly developed Ultrascale+ FPGA chipset. It will include an SD card slot, WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity (presumably for Bluetooth controllers), and four D-sub 9-pin connectors for using original Genesis or Master System controllers. On its side is a CD/DVD read/write drive meant for loading games from discs. We’re curious to see how they plan to make this compatible with Dreamcast GD-Rom discs, since they state that Dreamcast game discs are supposed to be supported. The whole system is planned to be housed in a shell resembling the shape of the Master System. Prototype shells are planned to be produced in October.

Speaking of Dreamcast, here is SuperSega’s test footage video for Dreamcast games on SuperSega below. So far, the test footage looks quite promising, at least.

Dreamcast is a notable inclusion, as currently available FPGA gaming hardware, such as the DE-10 Nano used in the ever popular and open source MiSTer project, are not yet powerful enough to run games from Dreamcast or other similarly powered consoles of its time. The new Ultrascale+ hardware was chosen for SuperSega due to it generally having enough power to run Dreamcast games on a respectable level and still have hope to be affordable enough for gamers looking to pick up their own SuperSega.

Here is an earlier test video they uploaded of Master System games in action. Needless to say, if this can run Dreamcast, then Master System should be a walk in the park for Ultrascale+ hardware.

As for the name SuperSega, this is based on a Spanish Sega fansite of the same name, of which the developers were members of. That website was set up in 2002, just after Sega committed themselves to third party game development. SuperSega had fans sharing roms of Sega games among its users through FTP and rating and commenting on them. The SuperSega team not only wants to stick with the name, but is even contacting Sega to ask for their official blessing on the name and even to secure some officially licensed Sega game roms to be built into the console.

Much of this info comes from an interview that Time Extension did with SuperSega PR spokesperson Cristina Burgués. You can read that entire write-up here. Of course, Time Extension later reported on an interview with Numskull and Quarter Arcades head Ben Grant which shows why you probably shouldn’t bet money on the name SuperSega sticking.

You can also check out the official website for the SuperSega project here. There, you can sign up for email updates and check out their official timeline for the console’s progress. As of this writing, they plan to release the console to the public and investors this December, at the earliest. Here’s hoping for a Christmas miracle, then.

For now, we at SegaBits wish the SuperSega team the best of luck with development and leave it to you readers to give us your thoughts in the comments below. Do you think this console looks promising, or more like a load of hot air? Would you buy one if it turns out to be commercially available next year?

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