See also: Saturn

The Saturn is a video Game console of Sega left in 1994 (1995 in Europe). The name of the 32 bit S of Sega comes owing to the fact that it is the sixth console of the manufacturer who was sold officially on all planet (what was not the case of the very first consoles of the firm, marketed only in Japan), like sixth planet of the Solar system. By this name, Sega wanted to evoke for the player a new universe, completely different from that which he knew as regards video games. The arrival of the consoles 32 bits marks also the beginning of the plays in 3D, a true revolution for the time.

History

Centered very arcade (plays in 2D), it has three-dimensional chart capacities. She is hastily considered to be less powerful than the PlayStation first of the name. This judgment coming from its not very conventional architecture which a priori makes easier its programming: to exploit the potential of the machine is not a small matter. If the domination of Playstation in returned 3D is not any more to show (cf Toshinden left on the two supports, or Ridge Racer vis-a-vis Sega Rally), the superiority of Saturn in the field of the 2D is not any doubt, just as the higher quality of sound sound Processeur.

With the Japan, the launching of Saturn, the November 22nd 1994, is true a succès : 500  000 consoles are sold to Christmas. Saturn plays especially the chart of conversions of arcade with possibilities 3D being added to it.

It leaves in July 1995 in Europe with the first play combat in 3D ever left on console living room, Virtua Fighter , at the price of 3.299 frankly S (either approximately 500 €). Sony, benefitting from its higher notoriety near the general public (grace in particular to its audio-visual products), and having an adequate price policy near this target (the PlayStation is sold 2.090 francs, that is to say approximately 300 €), imposes its console. Quickly the combat is gained, and in spite of price drops to align itself on the machine of Sony, as well as conversions arcades of the last hits Sega, Virtua Fighter 2 and Sega Rally inter alia, quite higher than the first plays of PlayStation, Sega is dominated by the power marketing of Sony. Saturn, which however enjoys a better situation in Japan, does not see its best Japanese titles adapted in American and European versions.

In 1997, Square leaves Final Fantasy VII on PlayStation, doping the sales of this console and giving the blow of thanks to Saturn. Starting from this date, Saturn starts a long fall in Japan, to the exit of its last play in December 2000.

Technical specifications

  • 8 processors :

    • Two Hitachi SH-2, 32 bits of the type RISC with 28,6 MHz, 25 MIPS each one
    • Hitachi SH-1, 32 bits of the type RISC
    • VDP 1 and VDP 2, 32 bits, for video posting
    • Saturn Control Links (SCU)
    • Motorola 68EC000, for the sound effects
    • DSP, for the sound effects
  • graphic Contrôleur 32 bits : VDP 1
  • Controller CD-ROM and decompression : VDP 2
  • Controller his : Motorola 68EC000 with 11.3 MHz (Old main frame of the Genesis/Megadrive)
  • DSP sound: Yamaha FH1 24bits to 22,6 MHz
  • main Memory: 2 Mo (16 Mb)
  • video Memory: 1,54 Mo
  • video Mask of the CD-ROM: 540 KB
  • Read-only memory (BIOS): 512 KB
  • Graphic Plug : 2×256Ko of frame buffer and 512 KB of mask textures.
  • graphic Capacity : 320×240, 640×240 and 720×576 (still images MPEG) in 16 million colors, up to 60 images a second. The console can generate until 200  000 Polygon S textured a second and 500  000 polygons shades full face a second.
  • audio Memory : 540 KB
  • Support media : CD-ROM 2× (dry transfer of 320 kilooctets/), port service 32 bits, Compatible CD+G, CD+EG, Individual CD (8 cm), Photo CD, Video CD, EBook and DIGITAL Karaoke.
  • Inputs/outputs : Port series of communication high-speed, port interns expansion 32 bits, port interns Multi AV for a video adapter optional CD (for the MPEG), entered Vidéo/Stéréo (Standard), S-Video Compatible (optional), RGB Compatible (optional), HDTV Compatible (optional) and two ports for analogical controllers.
  • Peripheral : cartridge of safeguard of 512 Kbits and up to 4 Mo, cartridge RAM from 1 to 4 Mo, joypads analogical, flying, chart of decompression MPEG-1, lever for the horse-race, twin stick (for the play Virtual One), fishing, mouse…
  • Dimensions : 260mmX230mmX83mm

See too

  • List of plays Saturn
  • List of plays to the launching of video game consoles

Simple: Sega Saturn

Random links:Paul Bremer | Price Victor-Barbel | Crawford forwarding | In deferment | Paune | Etymology of Saturn