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Sega Saturn

ID: SEGA-SATURN
RELEASED 1994
PRICE
DISCONTINUED 2000
UNITS SOLD 9.5 Million

I/O PORTS

Cartridge SlotInternal BatteryCD

System Analysis

The 2D powerhouse. Twin SH-2 CPUs made it incredibly powerful but notoriously difficult to program. Dominated in Japan, failed elsewhere.

Processor

28.6 MHz each
Hitachi SH-2 (x2)

Dual 32-bit RISC CPUs. A nightmare to program effectively.

Audio Subsystem

32 PCM Channels
Yamaha SCSP

CD-quality audio with built-in DSP effects.

Memory

SDRAM
2 MB RAM + 1.5 MB VRAM

Expandable to 4 MB (with RAM cart)

Storage

650 MB
CD-ROM (2x)

Graphics Architecture

VDP1 + VDP2
Palette: 16.7 Million
  • 320x224
  • 704x480
Hardware Tricks
  • ▹ Sprite-based 3D
  • ▹ Hardware rotation/scaling
  • ▹ 8 simultaneous scrolling backgrounds

Did You Know?

  • ? The surprise US launch at $399 made Sony announce "$299" for PlayStation immediately.
  • ? Best 2D console ever made - games like Radiant Silvergun shine.
  • ? Used quadrilaterals instead of triangles, making 3D ports difficult.