After weeks big on promises and small on delivery, the SuperSega FPGA team look like they have been given the perfect exit strategy. Rather than following through on the commitment to delivering the console – supposedly able to play SEGA Master System, Mark III, Mega Drive, Saturn, and Dreamcast titles – the group behind the designs, photos, and dreadful videos have been contacted by SEGA.
So, is the SuperSega FPGA legit?
Well, SEGA certainly doesn’t think so.
What is the SuperSega FPGA console?
Big questions surrounded the existence – or otherwise – of the SuperSega FPGA console, whose “creator” has been begging for backers.
While it might have looked functional to begin with, the system – which uses field-programmable gate array (FPGA) chips – has been through some iterations, demonstrated via a series of… unsatisfactory videos.
(We’re assured no hostages are involved.)
Oh, and this classic.
(Seriously, gimbals are pennies these days, even if you can’t find a millennial with video skillz.)
Retro gaming fans have been the target of scams and broken dreams for a few years. If it’s not a collection of 1000 classic games on a £20 handheld that turn out to be ripoffs that don’t work with the controllers, it’s the crowdfunder’s biggest nightmare:
Vapourware.
Initial news of the SuperSega FPGA console was encouraging, but the project – which promises to play original SEGA cartridges and quickly garnered 200 backers- – seems to be about to come crashing down.
A lack of credibility and poor promotional materials have inspired some serious chin rubbing.
SEGA vs SuperSega
The latest in a series of increasingly desperate emails from the SuperSega group, they report that SEGA has requested they close the project. Titled “SEGA asking for us to close the project and destroy all units being producing” the latest communique claims
Documents are confidential, but many people still thinks that we are scam, and that the request from sega is fake, this is why we sent to a few people the entire request, including details of SEGA advocates.
To clarify: there is no evidence SEGA has actually got in touch (aside from an easily fabricated screenshot, below), and SuperSega’s defence appears to be based on “you all think we’re a scam.”
In summary, SEGA is apparently demanding (according to SuperSega):
SEGA, are request for us to:
I. To not use any more supersega name
II. To destroy all prototypes and units being manufacturing, first batch to be delivered by Feb./March 2025 (200-300 units).
III. To close the web
IV. To let they know our providers and hardware used, units sold, money charged, etc..
SuperSega
SuperSega Team’s response to SEGA
The group’s response is baffling. If SEGA did request an end to the project (well within its rights), sharing the document is not going to look good.
But that’s the least of their problems:
We will consider to change the name but not to stop production, unless thay pay all our costs, expenses and what consumers paid, if SEGA does not agree, we think we will continue.
Seriously, if you have been thinking about supporting the SuperSega FPGA project, put your wallet away, and go buy an Analogue or anything else, really. Whether the SEGA intervention is genuine, or a sneaky get-out clause from the SuperSega FPGA guys, I can’t say.
But I can say that this whole thing has stunk like a bankrupt fishmongers from day one.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.