The long-canceled Sega Neptune is finally seeing a form of release, thanks to a new FPGA-based console set to launch in December 2025.

As reported by Time Extension, the device is called the GF1 Neptune and is being developed by the Brazilian company GamesCare. Originally envisioned by Sega in the mid-1990s as a combination of the Genesis and 32X in a single unit, the Neptune never made it past prototype mockups. This upcoming system is not officially licensed by Sega but is built to replicate what the company never released, using modern hardware to bring a historical curiosity to life.

FPGA, Hold the Software Emulation

Rather than using salvaged parts or relying on software emulation, the GF1 Neptune is powered by FPGA technology, which recreates the hardware behavior of both Genesis and 32X consoles at a low level. GamesCare states that the system will be capable of playing original cartridges from both platforms and will feature HDMI output and digital audio support. The company is not using crowdfunding or pre-orders to fund the console and is instead gathering email interest through a sign-up form to help determine production needs.

Hello everyone, it’s time to show your interest in the GF1 Neptune. The release date is almost here, December 2025, as we announced at Gamecom Latam. We are on a mission to bring the console ready for delivery on this date without any kind of pre-order or collective financing.… pic.twitter.com/2EL4d0q177

— GamesCare (@MichelinFabio) July 1, 2025

According to Time Extension, while the final price is not yet announced, it is expected to fall within the same range as other premium FPGA systems, such as the Analogue Mega SG or Super NT. This puts it somewhere around the $250 to $400 range, depending on final specs and production scale. Although the 32X had a notoriously small game library, many retro fans and collectors are excited about the GF1 Neptune simply for its historical significance and its commitment to physical media support.

Retro Hardware Goin’ Up

The GF1 Neptune enters the scene at a time when FPGA and retro gaming hardware are more active than ever. The MiSTer FPGA project continues to grow in popularity and flexibility, especially with the introduction of the MiSTer Pi platform, which aims to make setup easier and more accessible.

With its focus on accuracy, cartridge support, and a clean, modern output for classic games, the GF1 Neptune is shaping up to be a compelling option for enthusiasts looking to fill a Sega-shaped hole in their FPGA collection. Time Extension’s report paints a picture of a device built by fans for fans, arriving just in time to close a nearly 30-year chapter in Sega’s hardware history.

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