As incredible as it may seem, the first console with internet access was launched in the 90s

With the constant evolution of technology, today it is almost unthinkable to play a video game without internet access. But there was a time when this was something new.

The Mega Drive, one of the most remembered consoles of the 90s, was the first to offer its users something other than memorable games.

It was a gateway to the digital world through Mega Net, a pioneering device that allowed connection to the Internet.

Find out how Mega Net worked

The curious cartridge, a novelty at the time, made it possible to send and receive e-mails and faxes, as well as access to digital content, such as an electronic magazine specializing in games.

Developed by Tec-Toy, Mega Net connected to old telephone lines and acted as a modem, surprising for its unprecedented nature in an era where the internet was still in its infancy.

It was not just a technological advance, but a vision of the future that Sega brought to the Brazilian market.

The connection, however, was not free. After two months of complimentary use, players needed to pay a fee to continue accessing the service, something that also involved additional costs for long-distance calls outside of São Paulo, where Tec-Toy’s servers were located.

Launched in 1995, Mega Net did not support online games, but Tec-Toy didn’t stop there.

Later, Mega Net 2 was introduced, an updated version that offered the opportunity to play against other subscribers to the service.

This was a significant addition, considering that the possibility of playing online was an almost revolutionary novelty at the time.

In addition to entertainment, Tec-Toy and Mega Drive ventured into the financial sector with a special cartridge in partnership with the bank Bradesco.

This innovation allowed users to access banking information directly from the consolea feature that anticipated the concept of internet banking, which would only become popular years later.