10 Unreleased Video Game Consoles You Never Knew Existed

10. Sega Neptune

At the end of 1994, Sega released the 32X, a mushroom-like add-on that they had developed to try and prolong the life of the then six year-old Sega Mega Drive. By plugging it into the cartridge slot you upgraded your Mega Drive to a 32-bit system, opening it up to conversions of hot 3D arcade games such as Virtua Fighter, Star Wars and T-Mek.

The original plan was for Sega to follow it up around six months later again, this time with an all-in-one Mega Drive/32X console called the Neptune. This new 32-bit hybrid system was shown to the press and a small run of prototype systems were also produced to impress retailers and developers.

Unfortunately, the 32X was a dismal failure, probably the worst move that Sega has ever made, and certainly the start of their rapid decline. The 32-bit market was crowded with systems including the Jaguar, 3DO, CD32, PlayStation and even Sega’s own Saturn, leaving the 32X as a confusing option for anyone wanting to move up to the next generation.

The Neptune was therefore delayed three times, before being quietly cancelled altogether along with the 32X, to focus on the Saturn.