Sega Saturn

Sega Saturn

Western and Eastern logos
Top: Model 1 from North America Bottom: Model 2 from Japan
Manufacturer	Sega
Type	Home video game console
Generation	Fifth
Release date	JP: November 22, 1994 NA: May 11, 1995 EU: July 8, 1995
Lifespan	1994–2000
Introductory price	JP: ¥44,800 (equivalent to ¥46,526 in 2019) U.S.: US$399 (equivalent to $797.83 in 2023) UK: £399.99 (equivalent to £971.23 in 2023)
Discontinued	EU: 1998 NA: March 1998[1] JP: 2000
Units sold	9.26 million
Media	CD-ROM, CD+G, CD+EG, Video CD, Mini CD, Photo CD, e-book[2]
CPU	2× Hitachi SH-2 @ 28.6 MHz
Memory	2 MB RAM, 1.5 MB VRAM, 512 KB sound RAM, expandable with Extended RAM Cartridge
Storage	Internal RAM, cartridge
Graphics	VDP1 & VDP2 video display processors
Sound	Yamaha YMF292
Online services	Sega NetLink
Predecessor	Sega Genesis
Successor	Dreamcast

The Sega Saturn^[a][b] is a home video game console developed by Sega and released on November 22, 1994, in Japan, May 11, 1995, in North America, and July 8, 1995, in Europe. Part of the fifth generation of video game consoles, it is the successor to the successful Genesis. The Saturn has a dual-CPU architecture and eight processors. Its games are in CD-ROM format, including several ports of arcade games and original games.

Development of the Saturn began in 1992, the same year Sega's groundbreaking 3D Model 1 arcade hardware debuted. The Saturn was designed around a new CPU from the Japanese electronics company Hitachi. Another video display processor was added in early 1994 to better compete with the 3D graphics of Sony's forthcoming PlayStation.

The Saturn was initially successful in Japan but not in the United States, where it was hindered by a surprise May 1995 launch, four months before its scheduled release date. After the debut of the Nintendo 64 in late 1996, the Saturn rapidly lost market share in the U.S., where it was discontinued in 1998. At 9.26 million units sold worldwide, the Saturn is considered a commercial failure; this was affected by the cancellation of Sonic X-treme, planned as the first 3D entry in Sega's popular Sonic the Hedgehog series. The Saturn was succeeded in 1998 by the Dreamcast.

Although the Saturn has several well-regarded games, including Nights into Dreams, the Panzer Dragoon series, and the Virtua Fighter series, its reception is mixed due to its complex hardware design and limited third-party support. Sega's management has been criticized for its decisions during the Saturn's development and discontinuation.

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