After its delay, on one very different May 11th, the Sega Saturn was launched in Japan, with a cost of 25,500 yen (around 300 USD). While an earlier version of the Saturn used 2 Hitachi SH-2 CPUs @ around 28 MHz along with 2 different GPUs, the current version of the Saturn uses a SH-3 CPU running @ 45 MHz, along with one unified GPU that handles the functions of the two original GPUs. Making the system easier to develop for and much more attractive to third parties. Major launch titles include Clockwork Knight, Daytona USA, Virtua Fighter, Space Harrier, Tempo, Shadow Squadron, Metal Head, and Darkstalkers. The Saturn sold 210,000 units on its first day in Japan - becoming SEGA’s most successful console launch yet. The beginning of summer also brought titles such as Panzer Dragoon and Knuckles’ Chaotix.
Famicom Tsūshin: 28/40
While the Japanese launch was strong, some argue that the American launch was stronger. On September 2nd “Saturnday”, 1995 - the Saturn launched in America. Notable launch titles in America include of Clockwork Knight, Daytona USA, Panzer Dragoon, Bug!, Knuckles’ Chaotix, Fahrenheit, Virtual Fighter, Kolibri, Ratchet & Bolt, and Doom (also released on the SNES this day). The Saturn sold 100,000 units in its first day in America.
Next Generation: 4/5
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On October 5, 1995, Nintendo released Star Fox 2 on the SNES to decent sales and better reception.
“EGM” said:
Star Fox 2 expands on its predecessor, expanding its cast with two new charming additions, new fighters, walking with the Arwing, and so much more. We give this star a 32/40.
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November 24, 1995 Shoshinkai #7
Showtime.
This was the day the N32 was revealed - Nintendo’s next console (the thing Panasonic is helping out with), scheduled to be released in August for Japan, October for America. Panasonic was only one of the couple companies Nintendo collaborated with in order to develop it - others include NEC (helping out with the CPU, which runs @ ~60 MHz), SGI (stolen out of SEGA’s reaches, made the Reality Coprocessor - the system’s GPU, which runs @ ~41.5 MHz), and Phillips (coordinating a sound chip, its first in a while). Trailers were shown for the first couple of games - the first 3D Mario: Super Mario 32, a jet ski racing game (a sequel to the original Wave Race): Wave Race 3D, a new Pilotwings: Pilotwings USA, footage from Mortal Kombat, and a port of Killer Instinct 2.
The N32 attracted audiences and created hype among fans. Even stealing some of the attention and spotlight from the already popular PS1 and Sega Saturn.
Following the release of the Saturn, many people started to see a triad. This only supported it. What became clear over time was that the duo became the trio - Nintendo, Sega, AND Sony. The former began to see the latter as a threat/competitor and vice versa. A New Age of the Console Wars would start to unfold - while the Age of 2 was over, the Age of 3 began.
Where others have failed Sony will succeed, in their eyes - they have to.