Sega Meganet

Mega Modem attached to a Mega Drive

The Sega Toshokan, Sega Game Library or Sega Meganet was a network service in Japan for people using the Sega Mega Drive. Debuting in 1990, this was the first time online multiplayer console gaming was possible. However, the service was not very successful and was eventually discontinued. Plans for this service were considered in North America, with the device being renamed the Tele-Genesis,^[1] and was in fact advertised in several early product and accessory line-ups for the console, but these plans were also cancelled. ^[2] Players attached a Mega Modem (modem, with a speed of 1,600 to 2,400 bit/s) to the "EXT" DE-9 port on the back of the Mega Drive, and used it to dial up other players to play games. Later versions of the North American Genesis (with the Genesis logo printed in a single shade of gray and without the "High Definition Graphics" legend) and all units of the Genesis 2 omit the rear DE-9 connector altogether, though the provisions for it on the circuit board remained.

Games could be downloaded to the console. Among the available titles were: Phantasy Star II Text Adventures, Flicky, Fatal Labyrinth, Sonic Eraser (a Sonic the Hedgehog/Columns crossover puzzle game), Teddy Boy Blues, Penguin Land, and others.

See also

	Sega portal
	Video games portal

• XBAND - A third-party online gaming service
• Sega Channel - Sega's network service in North America and Europe

References

1. ^ "Sega's Genesis". Electronic Gaming Monthly. July 1989. "One of the Genesis machine's most interesting features is the Tele-Genesis peripheral ... will enable you to play ... with friends down the street ... or even in another state!" 
2. ^ Sega Meganet - Sonic Retro