How much was Sega in 1994?

In 1994, Sega was actively promoting and selling its Sega Genesis (also known as the Mega Drive in some regions), which was originally released in 1988 but still very popular in the early '90s. However, in 1994, Sega's new flagship console was the Sega Saturn, which was released in Japan in 1994 and later in North America in 1995.

Sega Genesis Price in 1994 (U.S.)

By 1994, the Sega Genesis was around $99 in the U.S. This was after the price had dropped from its original retail price of around $199 when it launched in 1989. The price drop came after the console had established itself as a dominant force in the market, and the Sega Genesis was often bundled with popular games like Sonic the Hedgehog to make it even more appealing.

Sega Saturn Price in 1994 (Japan)

When the Sega Saturn launched in Japan in 1994, it had a launch price of ¥44,800, which was roughly equivalent to $400 USD at the time. This was a significant price point for a new 32-bit console. It came with advanced graphics, but the high price and its competition with Sony's PlayStation in the upcoming years would eventually affect its success.

Sega Saturn Launch Price in 1995 (U.S.)

The Sega Saturn was released in North America in May 1995 with an unexpected early launch, and it retailed for $399 at launch. The price was considered high, especially given the upcoming competition from Sony's PlayStation, which launched later that year at a more competitive price of $299.

Sega's Legacy in 1994

In 1994, Sega was at a crossroads. While the Sega Genesis had been a major success and maintained a strong library of games, the company faced increasing competition from Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). The Sega Saturn was released with hopes of solidifying Sega’s position in the next-generation console wars, but it was ultimately overshadowed by the PlayStation, which was more affordable and had a better marketing campaign.

In Summary:

• Sega Genesis (1994): Approximately $99 (after price drop)
• Sega Saturn (1994, Japan): ¥44,800 (around $400 USD)
• Sega Saturn (1995, U.S.): $399

The Sega Genesis remained a well-loved console throughout the '90s, while the Sega Saturn’s early struggles with its high price point and limited third-party support contributed to Sega's eventual shift away from the console market in favor of software and later efforts like the Sega Dreamcast in 1999.