RetroGamingUK
Member
Today marks the 30th anniversary of Sega Saturn's launch in the UK
As with many console launches back then, each region was different and the UK was no exception
www.segasaturnshiro.com
Some differences between the UK and US launch experience
- Saturn released on 8th July 1995
- Release date was announced in official Sega Magazine 3 weeks prior
- Only 4 games at launch (Virtua Fighter, Daytona USA, Victory Goal, Clockwork Knight)
- Panzer Dragoon wouldn't launch until 30th August
- We got the same terrible controller at launch
- Games initially came in cardboard/plastic cases that would fall apart (these would later be replaced by DVD style cases)
- Official Sega Saturn Magazine was one of the best aspects of being a Saturn owner in the UK, edited by none other than Digital Foundry's Richard Leadbetter
- Two of the "big three" (Sega Rally and Virtua Fighter 2) would miss the Christmas shopping period and launch in late January 1996
- Unlike America and Japan, Europe didn't get Netlink
- Final release was Sega's Deep Fear, a Resident Evil style game, on 18th September 1998
As with many console launches back then, each region was different and the UK was no exception

The Sega Saturn Celebrates 30 Years in Europe
While it celebrated its 30th birthday in Japan last November and the 30th anniversary of its surprise American launch in May, today marks another significant three-decade milestone in the Saturn’s …

Some differences between the UK and US launch experience
- Saturn released on 8th July 1995
- Release date was announced in official Sega Magazine 3 weeks prior
- Only 4 games at launch (Virtua Fighter, Daytona USA, Victory Goal, Clockwork Knight)
- Panzer Dragoon wouldn't launch until 30th August
- We got the same terrible controller at launch
- Games initially came in cardboard/plastic cases that would fall apart (these would later be replaced by DVD style cases)
- Official Sega Saturn Magazine was one of the best aspects of being a Saturn owner in the UK, edited by none other than Digital Foundry's Richard Leadbetter
- Two of the "big three" (Sega Rally and Virtua Fighter 2) would miss the Christmas shopping period and launch in late January 1996
- Unlike America and Japan, Europe didn't get Netlink
- Final release was Sega's Deep Fear, a Resident Evil style game, on 18th September 1998
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