SegaGeneration 5
Sega Saturn
1994
AU Release
8 July 1995
AU Launch Price
$699 AUD
~$1490 today
Units Sold
10M
Technical Specifications
Processor
Dual Hitachi SH-2 @ 28.6 MHz
Memory
2 MB RAM, 1.5 MB VRAM
Storage
Internal battery backup + cartridge slot
Media
CD-ROM
Best-Selling Sega Saturn Games
Global lifetime sales
Cultural Impact
The Sega Saturn is one of gaming's great 'what ifs' — a console with genuinely superior 2D hardware to the PlayStation that failed commercially due to a series of catastrophic missteps. Sega launched the Saturn four months early in the United States at $399, surprising retailers who weren't ready for it and hadn't been given stock, creating widespread anger across the industry. Its complex dual-processor architecture baffled developers, and the PlayStation quickly became the preferred development platform. Yet the Saturn's library in Japan was extraordinary — Panzer Dragoon Saga, NiGHTS into Dreams, and Radiant Silvergun are among the finest games ever made. Panzer Dragoon Saga now sells for over $1,000 AUD complete — a testament to its rarity and cult status. The Saturn deserved better.
Did You Know?
Sega surprised retailers by launching the Saturn four months ahead of schedule in the US — stores that weren't in the initial shipment were publicly embarrassed at Sega's E3 1995 press conference, permanently damaging key retail relationships
Panzer Dragoon Saga, the Saturn's greatest RPG, was produced in such limited quantities that a complete copy now sells for over AU$1,000 — one of the most valuable retro games in existence
The Saturn had superior 2D graphics hardware to the PlayStation, making it the preferred platform for SNK fighting games and 2D shooters — its Japanese library is considered one of the strongest in gaming history
From the Same Generation (Gen 5)
More from Sega
Looking for classic Sega Saturn games?
Browse Sega Saturn titles available for trade on Greatest GOAT Australia — stop paying EB Games prices.
Browse Sega Saturn Games