Which Sega Saturn Game Used the Modem for Online Play

This article provides a concise overview of the Sega Saturn’s online capabilities, specifically focusing on the modem peripheral and the Sega Netlink service. It identifies the primary software titles that supported dial-up connectivity, highlighting the most prominent game known for utilizing this hardware for multiplayer experiences during the mid-1990s.

The Sega Saturn, released in 1994, was one of the first consoles to attempt mainstream online gaming through additional hardware. To facilitate this, Sega released the Sega Saturn Modem, a 28.8k baud rate peripheral that plugged into the console’s expansion port. This hardware was required to access the Sega Netlink service, which allowed players to connect to the internet for browsing, email, and online gaming. While the service was available in both Japan and North America, the library of compatible games was relatively small compared to modern standards.

Several titles were designed to work with the modem peripheral, including Daytona USA: Circuit Edition, Sega Rally Championship, and Virtual On. However, the game most frequently associated with the modem for direct online multiplayer play is Saturn Bomberman. Released in 1997, this title is legendary among collectors and fans not only for its ten-player multiplayer mode using the multitap but also for its support of the modem peripheral. In Japan, where the Netlink service was more robust, Saturn Bomberman allowed users to engage in dial-up battles against opponents over phone lines, making it the standout title for online functionality on the system.

In North America, the implementation was more limited due to the shutdown of the Sega Netlink service shortly after its launch. Consequently, while the hardware existed and Saturn Bomberman supported it, the active online community was short-lived. Despite this, the combination of the Sega Saturn Modem and Saturn Bomberman remains a significant historical footnote in the evolution of console online gaming. It represented an early attempt to bring connected play to home consoles before the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 popularized the feature in the following generation.