Description

"NetLink Game Pack" is a specialized compilation of games released for the Sega Saturn, predominantly notable for its utilization of the Sega NetLink, an internet modem attachment for the Sega Saturn, enabling users to play games online over a dial-up connection. This rare compilation was designed to showcase the capabilities of online play on the Sega Saturn and included five games: "Daytona USA: NetLink Edition", "Sega Rally Championship Plus", "Virtual On: NetLink Edition", "Duke Nukem 3D", and "Saturn Bomberman" — all of which were optimized for online gaming. Though basic by today’s standards, at the time, the ability to play these popular titles online was groundbreaking and provided a foundational online multiplayer experience directly from a home console.

Released exclusively in North America, the "NetLink Game Pack" is a collector's item due both to its limited production and the novelty of early console-based Internet gaming. Games such as "Virtual On" and "Daytona USA: NetLink Edition" allowed players to experience smooth and competitive gameplay with others across the network, predating the widespread adoption of broadband internet. The Sega NetLink itself was quite ahead of its time, operating without the need for a central server. This peer-to-peer direct-dial system enabled players to connect to specific IP addresses or phone numbers directly, reducing lag and bypassing the need for an external server, strategies still appreciated in modern gaming systems.