Press release: 1995-10-02: Sega announces $299 Sega Saturn core pack

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: The Free Library

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 1995--Sega of America Monday announced that, effective immediately, it will dramatically drop the price of its high-end Sega Saturn system to $299, making it an even more outstanding next generation videogaming value for consumers.

The new Sega Saturn ``core pack'' is available today at retailers nationwide for $299, just in time for the busy holiday shopping season.

Sega also announced that ``Virtua Fighter Remix'' will now be packed in with Sega Saturn for a suggested retail price of $349.

Sega cited a much improved yen-dollar relationship, improved production capabilities and high consumer interest and demand as motivation for driving the retail price of Sega Saturn down to $299.

``Until now, the weak dollar-to-yen ratio limited us in how we set our pricing,'' said Mike Ribero, executive vice president of marketing and sales, Sega of America. ``With the strengthening dollar and improvement in hardware production and process innovations, we are now able to pass the savings on to the consumer.''

``With price parity in next-generation hardware, the real differentiator is the gaming experience -- a proven Sega strength for over 40 years,'' added Ribero.

``Sega Saturn has its exclusive arcade hits, like `Virtua Cop,' `Virtua Fighter 2,' `Sega Rally Championship,' coming to retail shelves in the next months, along with more third-party titles in development than any other gaming system. You can't beat the Sega Saturn value or experience.''

The new $299 Sega Saturn core pack includes playable samples of ``BUG!'' and ``Panzer Dragoon,'' two of the most popular Sega Saturn games on the market.

Sega also announced a new, lower priced $349 Sega Saturn ``Virtua Fighter Remix'' hardware pack. ``Virtua Fighter Remix,'' an enhanced version of the arcade smash hit, ``Virtua Fighter,'' will be included with the Sega Saturn effective Oct. 2.

The ``Virtua Fighter Remix'' bundle is the only arcade game pack-in offer available with any advanced system. Consumers will also be able to buy ``Virtua Fighter Remix'' separately at retail, starting Oct. 2 for a suggested retail price of $69.99.

More than 120,000 Sega Saturn units have been sold to consumers in the United States since its introduction in May 1995; the Japanese sell-through number has topped 1.5 million since the launch there in November 1994. Sega expects to sell more than 2 million units by the end of 1995 worldwide. There are currently 25 games available for Sega Saturn.

Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo-based Sega Enterprises Ltd. responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega videogame systems and videogames in the Americas.

Sega Enterprises Ltd. is a nearly $4 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, and is the only company that offers interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home.

Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at http://www.segaoa.com. For more information on Sega Saturn: [email protected] (e-mail); 800-SEE-SATURN; Go Sega (CompuServe Forum).

CONTACT: Sega of America

Angela Edwards, 415-802-3908

or

Manning, Selvage & Lee

Kelly Fitzsimmons, 213-782-6600, ext. 235
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