Sega NetLink
Encyclopedia
Sega NetLink was an attachment for the Sega Saturn
game console to provide Saturn users with internet access
, a web browser
, and access to email
through their console. NetLink consisted of a 28.8 kbit/s modem
that fits into the Sega Saturn cartridge port, although there was a cheaper version that only included the NetLink software. The unit sold for USD$199, or USD$400 bundled with a Sega Saturn.
(ISP) to connect. While Sega recommended that players use (Concentric), NetLink enabled players to choose any ISP that was within its technical specifications. The device was capable of connecting at a 28.8 kilobit/s connection in America and 14.4 kbit/s in Japan. The success of the NetLink was limited by factors such as high cost, the small number of Saturn owners compared to the competition, and lack of games that took advantage of NetLink capabilities.
The NetLink modem was an XBAND
device, which had previously been used in the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
and the Sega Genesis modem games. The NetLink required the use of smartcards with prepaid credits. These smartcards or "Saturn media cards" cost ¥
2,000 and one game credit was ¥20, which means that one could play about 100 games per card. The Saturn had a floppy drive and printer cable converter which could be used with the NetLink. A web browser from PlanetWeb was included and a mouse and keyboard adapter were available to simplify navigation.
While the NetLink was not made available for wide release in Europe, Sega performed a test release in Finland before deciding not to widely release the unit in the European market.
Despite the Saturn's relative lack of success in America, the NetLink had a number of users, and five games were released that supported it. Sega of America originally wanted to sell 100,000 NetLinks Sales records show that the unit only sold 15,000 to 25,000 units.
The Netlink Zone connected to a Internet Relay Chat server irc.sega.com which was changed to the server irc0.dreamcast.com on the release of Sega's Dreamcast. These servers were originally run by Sega employees but were given over to be run by Netlink chat users Leo Daniels and Mark Leatherman.
NetLink games can still be played today, as the NetLink modem can use direct-call to connect two players to each other, but the "NetLink Zone" method can no longer be used as the servers were shut down in 2001.
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
game console to provide Saturn users with internet access
Internet access
Many technologies and service plans for Internet access allow customers to connect to the Internet.Consumer use first became popular through dial-up connections in the 20th century....
, a web browser
Web browser
A web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
, and access to email
Email
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
through their console. NetLink consisted of a 28.8 kbit/s modem
Modem
A modem is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data...
that fits into the Sega Saturn cartridge port, although there was a cheaper version that only included the NetLink software. The unit sold for USD$199, or USD$400 bundled with a Sega Saturn.
Product details
While the NetLink was not the first accessory to allowed console gamers in America to play games online, it was the first to allow players to use their own Internet Service ProviderInternet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...
(ISP) to connect. While Sega recommended that players use (Concentric), NetLink enabled players to choose any ISP that was within its technical specifications. The device was capable of connecting at a 28.8 kilobit/s connection in America and 14.4 kbit/s in Japan. The success of the NetLink was limited by factors such as high cost, the small number of Saturn owners compared to the competition, and lack of games that took advantage of NetLink capabilities.
The NetLink modem was an XBAND
XBAND
XBAND was an early online console gaming network for SNES and Sega Genesis systems. It was produced by Catapult Entertainment, a Cupertino, California based software company, and made its debut in various areas of the United States in late 1994 and 1995...
device, which had previously been used in the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
and the Sega Genesis modem games. The NetLink required the use of smartcards with prepaid credits. These smartcards or "Saturn media cards" cost ¥
¥
¥ is a currency sign used by the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan currencies. The symbol resembles a Latin letter Y with a double stroke. The base unit of both currencies shared the same Chinese character pronounced yuán in Mandarin Chinese and en in Standard Japanese...
2,000 and one game credit was ¥20, which means that one could play about 100 games per card. The Saturn had a floppy drive and printer cable converter which could be used with the NetLink. A web browser from PlanetWeb was included and a mouse and keyboard adapter were available to simplify navigation.
While the NetLink was not made available for wide release in Europe, Sega performed a test release in Finland before deciding not to widely release the unit in the European market.
Despite the Saturn's relative lack of success in America, the NetLink had a number of users, and five games were released that supported it. Sega of America originally wanted to sell 100,000 NetLinks Sales records show that the unit only sold 15,000 to 25,000 units.
The Netlink Zone connected to a Internet Relay Chat server irc.sega.com which was changed to the server irc0.dreamcast.com on the release of Sega's Dreamcast. These servers were originally run by Sega employees but were given over to be run by Netlink chat users Leo Daniels and Mark Leatherman.
NetLink games can still be played today, as the NetLink modem can use direct-call to connect two players to each other, but the "NetLink Zone" method can no longer be used as the servers were shut down in 2001.
Games compatible with NetLink
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- Saturn BombermanSaturn BombermanSaturn Bomberman is a video game for the Sega Saturn. It is part of the Bomberman series.-Story:As from the instruction manual:Like most Bomberman games, Saturn Bomberman features a battle mode as well as a story mode. Along with them is a master mode in which the player races to finish a series...
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