GamesCare's FPGA Sega Neptune clone is finally running 32X games

Brazilian hardware developer GamesCare has released a new video demonstrating its upcoming GF1 Neptune console running Sega 32X software. The brief update, sent to followers via email, shows the FPGA system successfully booting and playing Knuckles' Chaotix using a Mega Everdrive Pro flash cartridge.

The GF1 Neptune was originally planned for a 2025 release before facing delays. The new email update confirms that the hardware is now up and running with its three main planned cores: Sega Genesis (Mega Drive), Master System, and the notoriously complex 32X.

The video itself is straightforward. It is just over a minute long and features the system playing Knuckles' Chaotix on a CRT. The camera eventually pans down to show the physical GF1 hardware sitting on a desk. There are no deep technical breakdowns or release date announcements attached to the footage.

The console Sega never released

The original Sega Neptune was a prototype console designed in the mid-1990s to solve a very specific problem, cable clutter. Sega's strategy of releasing add-ons resulted in the infamous "Tower of Power," a precarious stack consisting of a Genesis, a Sega CD, and a 32X. This setup required three separate power adapters and a proprietary mixing cable just to function.

The Neptune was meant to combine the Genesis and 32X into a single, unified system. Sega ultimately cancelled the project to focus on the upcoming Saturn, leaving the Neptune as an unreleased prototype. GamesCare is attempting to revive that concept using modern FPGA technology to recreate the original silicon behavior.

Two CPUs on one board

Sorry everyone, I love the 32x. Using one right now is pretty annoying. 3 power adapters that are all different is a bit much.

Getting the 32X core functional is a massive milestone for any FPGA developer. The original 32X hardware is infamous for its convoluted architecture. It relies on two 32-bit Hitachi SH-2 processors running in tandem with the Motorola 68000 and Zilog Z80 processors inside the base Genesis hardware.

Replicating that timing accurately in an FPGA environment is difficult. The MiSTer FPGA project took years to get a fully functional 32X core. The fact that GamesCare has its custom hardware booting retail games via a Mega Everdrive Pro flash cart indicates the core logic is in a very healthy state.

The email accompanying the video highlights the team's relief at hitting this stage. "The GamesCare team has been working with total dedication over the past few months," the message reads. "Progress has been huge! Finally, our console is up and running with the main planned cores." The developers also mentioned they plan to express their gratitude to community contributors "in a very special way soon."

I still want an Analogue version

I am on record as saying I hope the Neptune is Analogue's next console. The 32X library might be small, consisting of only 40 games, but it includes fascinating oddities like Knuckles' Chaotix, Kolibri, and a surprisingly competent port of Virtua Racing Deluxe.

Having a premium, all-in-one way to play these games without dealing with failing capacitors and a mess of power cables is highly appealing. I will likely buy whichever modern Neptune is released first. For now, GamesCare is the only company actively showing a working replacement.