Thanks to the collective efforts of the Video Game History Foundation along with Michael Shorrock and Sega Channel Guy – 142 (!) new Sega Channel and Sega Genesis prototype ROMs have been preserved! You can read all about the details here. The VGHF have kindly given the ROMs to us to release on our site.
To quote from the Video Game History Foundation’s own article:
“This collection includes nearly 100 unique system ROMs, covering almost every version of the [Sega Channel] system that was distributed to consumers from 1994 to mid-1997. This batch also includes system ROM prototypes and some truly unusual experiments, like a Sega Genesis web browser that would’ve delivered compressed, static websites over television cable.
Of great interest to fans, this collection of ROMs also includes dozens of previously undumped game variants and Sega Channel exclusives. This batch includes Garfield: Caught in the Act – The Lost Levels and The Flintstones, two games that were previously believed to be permanently lost and unrecoverable. […]
Also included are the previously unpreserved limited editions of Sega Genesis games. These versions have been cut down to fit within Sega Channel’s filesize limit, sometimes omitting content or splitting the game into multiple parts. We’re not sure anyone is especially eager to play a version of Super Street Fighter II missing half the characters, but we’re glad to have it documented.
With a few exceptions, this recovery project has accounted for almost all outstanding Sega Channel games. We believe this also means there are now digital backup copies of every unique Sega Genesis game released in the United States.”
We’re pleased as always to partner with the VGHF! Without further ado, here are the links to the ROMs and information:
Combined ROM Pack
Sega Channel ROMs – Torrent (This contains everything in the individual links below)
Individual ROM Packs
Sega Channel ROMs – Data Differences from Retail
Non-Sega Channel Received Prototype ROMs
Sega Channel Exclusive ROMs
This is an absolute dream come true. I own both the General Instrument and Scientific Atlanta adapters but of course no way to actually use them. Well, in a way, now I can! Huge thanks to everyone involved, especially Michael Shorrock and Sega Channel Guy!
Thank you all for the time and effort you gave towards completing this project.
MERCI DE LA DIFFUSION DE CE PATRIMOINE A TOUS ET AUX PATIONNÉS QUI ON DUMPER LES ROMS
Thank you very much for sharing this amazing (almost lost) part of the videogame history!! It’s a Christmas gift for every Sega fan!!