Original Launch Price for Saturn? $400?
 

I have a bet with a friend. I told him there was at least one system that had a launch price of $400, I think it was the Saturn but not sure. Can somebody verify this for me?

I can verify it because I paid it.

My first credit card purchase. It was all downhill from there.

Yes the Sega Saturn lauched at a retail price of $399.99.

there have been other consoles that cost more than that even.

Bet your friend that the Panasonic 3DO first sold for $700.00, if I remember correctly.

I bought my Saturn for $400 as well. I think 3DO debuted at $700.... not sure what Trip Hawkins was thinking (or not) hehe.

The CD-I also launched at a really high price? Anyone remember that system?

I remember but don't know the launch price as I wasn't interested.

How much was the Neo-Geo at launch? I remember the cartridges were extremely expensive.

I'm fairly certain that the Neo-Geo AES (home system) was originally $649. Games varied in price from $199-$399. They're still releasing games for it, too.

Well, if we're taking a trip down memory lane... Intellivision was in such short supply after Christmas of 1980 that the price actually went up in the first half of '81 from $350 to $370, which is what I paid that spring.

Now, to put all these prices in perspective, factor in inflation {http://www.westegg.com/inflation/infl.cgi}.

That Intellivision was $763.39 in 2001 dollars. :eek: Saturn only costs the equivalent of $458.89.

And 3DO claims the top spot for outrageously priced hardware; its $700 price tag from 1993 equals $848.65. "Speech, Trip! Speech!"

That's why no one remembers these systems.

Hey, give Intellivision its due. It should be "...most of these systems", although I read recently that Intellivision only sold 2 million consoles and 10 million cartridges in its lifetime.

It's amazing that that success looks so pitiful, in retrospect.

I paid $399.99 for my Saturn and was pissed because it was a limited-release surprise launch..the thing was only available at like EB, Software ETc. and TRU. Then after the first 5 games or whatever, it took MONTHS for a new game...finally they released BUG! and I had to go buy it the first day just because id been playing clockwork night and daytona for the past few months. Then they released Street fighter the movie and games finally started trickling out since it was officially launched by the. I think the price went down to $349 or $299 on the nationwide launch. And I still think Saturn was much betetr than the PS. Better controller and superior 2d fighters, too bad it died so early :(

I bought the 3DO when they lowered the price to $399 so I could play the best version of SSF2: Turbo... besides that, samurai showdown, Road Rash, gex, need for speed, Way of the warrior and scoccer kid, i dont think i played too many games for that thing.

Actually it cost me 779 EACH for saturn and Playstation when it launched, but that was Japanese launch, which was much earlier :)
Oh glory days when I could justify a purchase like that, and more importantly, had cash to do it. Oh those glorious late teen years when you still lived with your parents. he

I believe the Neo Geo with 2 games (the GOLD system) debuted at $599.99 That isn't such a bad price for 2 arcade games, the problem is each subsequent (and the initial games are all pretty shallow) for $199.99 -$229.99 each.

I can confirm that it was that much, because I had to do a LOT of finangling in order to convince my parents to get me an early birthday present (I also chipped in $200, which is an insane amount for a 10 year old). After that I wasn't able to afford any games, or another controller... still was the greatest investment I ever made

I remember the 3DO and the CD-i. Actually I still have both systems and they both still work great. (take that Sony and your disposable PS2)

I only paid about $50 each for the consoles though. I bought them and their software up when they were dirt cheap.

I really hope the XBox 2 doesn't launch with an extravagant launch price. With all the specs on it, it may be that way.

Anybody remember how much the Atari Jaguar cost at launch?

Jaguar was limited, like Babbages, Software Etc for quite a bit. I think I paid 249.99 at launch, surely no more.

What year did the Saturn launch?

mid '95 IIRC.

the CD-I at launch was only available through very select retailers and directly from the manufacturer. It was over $1000, but it came with modules that allowed you to play Turbo Duo (remember that?) and Sega CD games on it. All the other games for the system sucked, but considering what the Duo and Sega CD cost at the time (over $400 each), it was an OK deal.

Yes, Atari Jaguar debuted at $249.99. Yikes, it is sad I know all these prices b/c I paid that much for most of them (Saturn, Jaguar, 3DO when it had a 'price-drop' to 400, etc)

Oh well, lessons learned I suppose.

The Saturn was a fine deal.... ;)

Good system though.

Bought my Saturn when it went down to $199.99 with 3 free games. Still have it and a lot of games for it. Got all the Sega fighters including the Japanese Fighting Vipers and Panzer Dragoon Saga. I still love playing WSB '98.

Damn, now i want a 3DO again...anyone know where to get one cheap?

Try ebay or any other gaming forums that has a Trading/For Sale section for its members. I see cheapie 3DO under $75 all the time with games. It is a *good* system, not great, but good.

You are confusing the CD-i with the Laseractive player from Pioneer. I owned both at one time.

The Laseractive was a full laserdisc player that excepted modules. One module was for Sega Genesis carts or Sega CD games. Another one was for Turbografix or Duo games. They also made a limited number of Laserdisc games that worked with the modules.

The CD-i only works with software made for it by Phillips. With the digital video module you can also play standard VCDs if they are written to support the CD-i.

Check this out:

>"Shacknews' jason bergman has written an article that looks at some of
>the biggest failures in console gaming. It's a great read, and
spotlights stuff like the Halcyon, a $2500 (!) laserdisc system with only two games and Nintendo's Virtual Boy, a stereoptic system that had
red-on-black simulated 3D graphics."

http://www.shacknews.com/extras/lncex/lncex7.x


-Maneesh

saturn wasnt worth 150 bucks even it was only around for like 1 or 2 years i remmeber that little mascot he was cool nothing sega ever released except genesis did well.

Saturn was a great system. We have 2 of them here.. and they still get lots of play from time to time. The best lsat gen 2D games came out on the Saturn and there was a plethora of awesome import games.

Radient Silvergun has still yet to be dethroned from God of all shooting games.

Cornholio obviously PS1 OR N64 fanboy LOL.

Sega put out some great systems Saturn and Dreamcast.To bad everyone was brainwashed by all those N64 and PS1 commercials.

For the record own N64,Super
Nintendo,PS2,Saturn,Dreamcast,Genesis, and X-Box.Old school Colecovision.

hmm how much was a turbographx 16

what!? what!? what!?
surely you jest sir.
The saturn was a mighty fine system. Games like Fighting Vipers, Panzer Dragoon, Radiant Silvergun, Virtua Fighter made it one of my more beloved systems.

please do not say anymore. You cut me to core sir, you cut me!

I was on the fence between the Saturn and a Playstation. And I picked the Saturn. HAHA. Great system though. Dragon Force was one of the best games ever made. Sold it at a garage sale for 70 bucks. Big mistake.

I always wished I bought a Saturn.

I remember my buddy paying $399.99 for his PS1 many years ago. I thought he was nuts.

Who's releasing games for it now? SNK folded last year.

Tuan Jim

My parents bought me and my brother a Saturn when it dropped to $299, right around the PSX launch. I remember getting Virtua Fighter 2 for $79 at Babbages when it came out - the price gouging on those games back then was ridiculous!

I got a second Saturn for myself when it was $199 and came with a free Sega Rally. I have to say Saturn was the best system I've ever owned. Being an anime fan and fan of Japanese pop-culture, it was so cool to see most of the games with that slant. I think I went import crazy on that system, plus it was one of the last systems that Working Designs actively (i.e., more than one release per year) supported. Even most of the US releases were from Japanese developers.

I can't wait to have a gameroom of my own where I can hook up my old systems, especially the Saturn. There are a few games I'm itching to get back to playing.

Jeremy