Editing Sega 32X (section)

==Technical aspects==
The Sega 32X is used in conjunction with a [[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive]] system, as it is inserted like a standard game cartridge, although it does require its own separate power supply and a cable to link the two. Without this link to the Mega Drive, the sprite layer is invisible. Besides playing its own cartridges, it also acts as a pass through for standard Mega Drive games, therefore being able to be used as a permanent attachment to enhance games, despite rumors that the cartridges for the Genesis could be damaged when played on the 32X. Unfortunately, Sega's Power Base Converter, which allows one to play [[Sega Master System]] games on a Mega Drive, could not be used with the 32X attached. This is because the Power Base Converter uses all of the connection pins in the Mega Drive itself, but the 32X only passes through those connections that are necessary to play games.

The Sega 32X was marketed as a add-on to bridge the gap between the Mega Drive and Saturn, being a cost effective solution to gamers who didn't want to upgrade. The 32X uses the same two 32-bit processors as the Sega Saturn, just clocked at a lower speed. This would lead to shortages in components as both consoles required them.

Upon the release of the Mega Drive II, the Sega 32X came with a spacer so it could fit properly on top of the new shaped console. Without the use of the spacer, some of the 32X hardware was left exposed and vulnerable.<ref name="Vidgame.net">{{Cite web|title=32X hardware pack-ins|publisher=vidgame.net|url=http://www.vidgame.net/SEGA/32X.html|accessdate=22 June 2007}}</ref> The add-on could also be used with the Sega CDX system (a combined Mega Drive and [[Sega CD]]), but the spacer would not accommodate the CDX. Although the 32X's included instructions depicted a new adapter piece being used in-between the two consoles, said adapter was ultimately never released due to a risk of electric shock.<ref name="cdx">{{Cite web|last=Marriott|first=Scott Alan|title=Sega Genesis CDX|url=http://www.allgame.com/platform.php?id=17675|publisher=AllGame|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114094412/http://www.allgame.com/platform.php?id=17675|archivedate=14 November 2014}}</ref> The combined unit was quite tall and consequently prone to falling over backwards, causing damage to both the unit and game cartridges. In addition to the physical problems, there was also an issue with FCC approval. The 32X is also compatible with JVC's WonderMega, but this combination will obstruct the console's CD door from opening.

In addition to regular cartridge-based 32X games, there were also a very small number of CD-ROM games made for the 32X. These games were labeled with '''Sega Mega-CD 32X''', or '''Sega CD 32X''' in North America. As the name suggests, these required both the 32X and Sega CD addons. The lack of a significant userbase due to the high cost of purchasing all three necessary components saw only six games released, with only one of these being developed by [[Sega]].<ref name="Good Deal Games">{{Cite web|title=North American 32X/CD 32X releases|publisher=Good Deal Games|url=http://www.gooddealgames.com/Release_Lists/RL_Sega_32X.html|accessdate=22 June 2007}}</ref> The most notable of these games was a new version of the infamous ''Night Trap'', which featured a grand 32768 onscreen colors instead of the 64 found on the regular Sega CD version.