We've managed to restore 99% of our file loss earlier in the year, but it's now THE FINAL COUNTDOWN. Visit the wiki file request topic to help make Sonic Retro better than ever.

From Sonic Retro

Sega Meganet in the box

The Sega Meganet was a network service in Japan for use with the Sega Mega Drive. To use the network service, a modem needed to be attached to the Mega Drive via the EXT port located at the back of the machine. It could then be used to go online to play games with other players in Japan. There were also small games that could be downloaded to the console. This included Phantasy Star II text adventures, Sonic Eraser (a Sonic the Hedgehog puzzle game), and a Mahjong title.

According to promotional materials, the MegaNet modem would have been renamed the TeleGenesis Modem if it were released in the US. The unit would have been a launch peripheral. However, due to many factors - speed issues which limited the types of games playable via the modem, lack of promotion, lack of interest in online console gaming at a time when personal computers were seen as more viable for World Wide Web access, and the poor performance of Japanese market - the unit was deemed unworthy by Sega of America for Western release.

Interestingly, the MegaNet modem was not the only attempt to allow online play via the Mega Drive. The XBAND modem, only released in America, also allowed players to compete against each other via a telephone line; however, it too failed to capture the audience that PC-based online play was gaining.

In 1995, the service was also started in Brazil. The selection of games was increased and included many popular titles such as Mortal Kombat II and FIFA Soccer '95.