Most Memorable E3 Reveals of All Time

These E3 reveals certainly left a lasting impression.

Sega Reveals Saturn Launch During E3 1995 Keynote

By Chris Buffa

Although this move backfired on Sega, the company’s decision to surprise launch its Saturn console ahead of schedule is without question one of the biggest E3 shockers in history. Initially, the system was set to launch on September 2, 1995, a day that Sega affectionately dubbed Saturnday.  But during the E3 keynote, Sega of America CEO Tom Kalinske wowed the audience when he said that units were already available at places like Toys R Us and Electronics Boutique, a few months early!

Fans were excited, at least initially. The problem? Third parties were not yet ready to support the system out of the gate, some retailers were pissed (the ones that didn’t receive shipments were seemingly caught off guard) and Sony trumped Sega at its E3 keynote, where SCEA President Steve Race did the ultimate mic drop when he hit the stage, said $299 (the launch price for the original PlayStation, $100 less than the Saturn) and walked off. 

This lack of preparation, among other things, doomed the Saturn, but all that aside, people in attendance had to be in awe when Sega revealed the big news. Hard to top that one!

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