Sega Saturn

The Sega Saturn was released by Sega in 1994 in Japan and in 1995 in North America and Europe. Designed to succeed the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, the Saturn was created to compete with the Sony PlayStation and the Nintendo 64. The console stood out for its advanced hardware architecture, focusing on both 2D and 3D games. However, its complex internal structure, which included two main processors and eight auxiliary processors, made game development difficult, negatively impacting its commercial performance.

Technical Information

  • Main Processor: Dual 32-bit Hitachi SH-2 processors at 28.6 MHz
  • RAM: 2 MB
  • Video Memory: 1.54 MB
  • Resolution: 320×224 up to 704×480
  • Sound: Yamaha FH1 DSP chip with 32 channels
  • Media: CD-ROM
  • Storage: 512 KB internal memory and support for expansion cartridges
  • Connectivity: Communication port for local network (via optional accessories)

General Information

  • Console Names: Sega Saturn
  • Release Date: November 22, 1994 (Japan), May 11, 1995 (USA), July 8, 1995 (Europe), 1995 (Brazil)
  • Original Price: US$ 399 (USA); R$ 999 (Brazil, official price at the time)
  • Country of Origin: Japan
  • Manufacturer: Sega
  • Main Media: CD-ROM
  • Units Sold: Approximately 9.26 million units
  • Successor: Sega Dreamcast
  • Predecessor: Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
  • Backward Compatibility: Not backward compatible

Accessories and Special Controllers

  • Standard Controller: 6-button controller with improved ergonomics over the Sega Genesis
  • 3D Control Pad: Designed for 3D games like Nights into Dreams.
  • Expansion Cartridges: For increasing RAM, required for some games, especially 2D fighting games.
  • NetLink Modem: Optional accessory that allowed online gaming and internet browsing.
  • Stunner Light Gun: Light gun for shooting games such as Virtua Cop.
  • Arcade Racer Controller: Steering wheel designed for racing games like Daytona USA.

Impact and Legacy

Although it did not achieve the expected commercial success, the Sega Saturn has a significant legacy. It pioneered 3D polygonal graphics in games and served as a platform for classics such as Panzer Dragoon Saga, Virtua Fighter 2, and Sega Rally Championship. Its commercial failure, largely due to its complex architecture and competition with the PlayStation, contributed to the early launch of the Sega Dreamcast.

Curiosities

  • The early release of the Saturn in the United States caught many developers by surprise, harming the initial game lineup.
  • Nights into Dreams was one of the first games to use the 3D Control Pad, influencing the design of future analog controllers.
  • Although it was not officially released in China, Saturn clones were sold in the Chinese market.

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