Sega Release the Saturn in Europe
8th July 1995 Surprise Launch of Their Third Console
Very unusual time period to release a console, in the middle of summer, Sega had brought forward the release of the console to try and get a jump on the Sony PlayStation.
It was not an altogether successful launch, the machine was expensive at £399.99, no pack in game and one joypad. The only game of note at launch was Virtua Fighter. Others were Daytona Racer, which did not seem finished, Clockwork Knight and Sega international Victory Goal.
Sega of America had already released the 32X Mega Drive add on, which had confused Sega fans enough, then unexpectedly the Saturn appeared, not giving the gaming press any warning of it's arrival, or indeed Sega UK any time to promote it, sales were slightly disappointing. Also people were saving up for their summer holidays at this time, so did not have 400 pounds around for a new console.
Although the Saturn was outselling the PlayStation in Japan at this time, after the US and European launch of Sony's machine, with their far superior marketing budget, the Saturn would fall well behind by the end of 1995.
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