comparing and contrasting documentation Given the material covered in Module 3 (Hardware) and Module 4 (Software), your personal experience, and our

comparing and contrasting documentation
Given the material covered in Module 3 (Hardware) and Module 4 (Software), your personal experience, and our good friendreliablesources, provide a well-formatted MS Word document (with citations) that provides a framework for comparingtwo different computing solutions for both hardware and software issues. [Hint: Such a document would most likely include an introduction paragraph, a table comparing individual characteristics, and a conclusion paragraph.]
For example, you might want to compare an iPhone X with an iPhone 7, or an iPhone X with a Galaxy 7, or a PS4 with an XBox, or an Apple Air with a Razer Blade Stealth.
Considerationsmightinclude:

# of (or importance of) exclusivesoftware products available for that system
backwards compatibility for “old” materials from previous systems
cost of the system
compatibility of the system with supporting services (such as the cell phone network, gaming community,or preferred app store)
availability of support for the system
disk space
type ofexternal media supported
Graphics Card capabilities
Processor speed
Peripherals support

Don't use plagiarized sources. Get Your Custom Assignment on
comparing and contrasting documentation Given the material covered in Module 3 (Hardware) and Module 4 (Software), your personal experience, and our
From as Little as $13/Page

…Or any other considerations youconsider important. A minimum of 2 hardware and 2 software factors must be included.

C O N S O L E W A R S : 9 0 S E D I T I O N

During the 1990s, PCs were prohibitively expensive for gaming with a limited selection of
game titles, so consoles were the product of choice for gamers of all age-groups and income
brackets. [1] How would a parent select which console to get their child for the holidays in
December 1996Nintendo 64 or Sega Saturn, with their well-known brands, or the lesser known
Sony? A few key criteria helped guide decision making, and ultimately lead to the final call.

TABLE 1. Comparison Chart of Fifth Generation Consoles [2]

Sony PlayStation Nintendo 64 Sega Saturn

Memory 2 MB RAM
1 MB VRAM

8 MB RDRAM 16 Mbit RAM
12 Mbit VRAM

CPU 33.8688 MHz 93.75 MHz 2 x 28.6 MHz

Game Library 7,918 Games 388 Games 1,019 Games

Console Price $299 $199 $399

Cost-conscious parents should of course select the Nintendo 64tried, proven technology,
beloved by all, with more games, cheaper price, and clear and evident hardware superiority to the
newcomer Sony.

WORKS CITED

[1] T. Payton, “Game Consoles Vs. personal Computers: Design, Purpose, AND Marketability
Differences,” October 2012. [Online]. Available:
https://www.cs.uaf.edu/2012/fall/cs441/students/tp_consoles.pdf. [Accessed 1 August 2018].

[2] Wikipedia, “Fifth generation of video game consoles,” 10 July 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#Comparison[21].
[Accessed 1 August 2018]. C O N S O L E W A R S : 9 0 S E D I T I O N

The big decision in console gaming in the mid 1990s was between the Sega Saturn, the
PlayStation, and the Nintendo 64.

TABLE 1. Comparison Chart of Fifth Generation Consoles [1]

Name Sega Saturn PlayStation Nintendo 64

Developer Sega Sony Nintendo

Console

Launch
price
(USD)

US$399.99 (equivalent
to $642 in 2017)

US$299.99 (equivalent to
$482 in 2017)[22]

US$199.99 (equivalent to
$312 in 2017)

Release
date

JP: November 22, 1994
NA: May 11, 1995
EU: July 8, 1995

JP: December 3, 1994
NA: September 9, 1995
EU: September 29, 1995
AU: November 15, 1995

JP: June 23, 1996
NA: September 29, 1996
EU: March 1, 1997
AU: March 1, 1997

Media

CD-ROM

Cartridge (limited,
Japan only)

CD-ROM

Cartridge

Proprietary magnetic
disk (via 64DD)

Best-
selling
game

Virtua Fighter 2,
1.7 million in Japan[26]

Gran Turismo, 10.85 million
shipped (as of April 30,
2008)[27][28]

Super Mario 64,
11.62 million (as of May 21,
2003)[29][30]

CPU
2 Hitachi SH-

2 7604 (32-bit RISC)
@ 28.63 MHz(56 MI

LSI
LR333x0 (R3000A com
patible 32-bit RISC) @

NEC VR4300 (64-bit RISC) @
93.75 MHz (125 MIPS)[36]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Saturn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_(console)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_dollar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-23

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_storage_device

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_storage

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_storage

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64DD

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_video_games

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_video_games

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_video_games

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtua_Fighter_2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-27

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gran_Turismo_(video_game)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-28

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-28

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_64

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-30

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-30

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_processing_unit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-core_processor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitachi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuperH

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuperH

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32-bit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduced_instruction_set_computing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_rate

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Million_instructions_per_second

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_technical_specifications

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_technical_specifications

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R3000

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64_technical_specifications

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64-bit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-37

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sega-Saturn-Console-Set-Mk1.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sega-Saturn-JP-Mk2-Console-Set.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PSX-Console-wController.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PSone-Console-Set-NoLCD.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:N64-Console-Set.jpg

PS[32])

Hitachi SH-1 (32-bit
RISC) @
20 MHz (12.5
MIPS)[33]

Motorola
68EC000 (16/32-bit
CISC) @
11.3 MHz[34](1.9775
MIPS[31])

SCU (32-bit Saturn
Control Unit)[35]

33.8688 MHz
(30 MIPS)

System Control
Coprocessor (Inside
CPU)

GPU

Sega VDP1 (32-bit
Video Display
Processor) @
28.63 MHz (sprites,
textures,
polygons)[37]

Sega VDP2 (32-bit
Video Display
Processor) @
28.63 MHz
(backgrounds, scrolli
ng)[38]

SCU DSP
(Inside SCU (32-bit
Saturn Control
Unit)[35]

Sony GPU[39]

Vector math unit (in
main CPU) @ 66 MIPS

Reality Co-
Processor (64-bit MIPS
R4000 based, 128-bit vector
register processor) @
62.5 MHz

Sound
chip(s)

Yamaha YMF292
SCSP[40]

Yamaha FH1 DSP
(Inside Yamaha
YMF292
SCSP[40]24-bit, 128-
step,[35] 4 parallel ins
tructions)

Sony SPU (Sound
Processing Unit)

Reality Signal
Processor (DSP)

Memory

4.5 MB RAM

2 MB SDRAM

1.5 MB VRAM
(512 KB sprite/textur
e cache,
512 KB frame
buffers, 512 KB
backgrounds)

1 MB DRAM (512 K
B sound, 512 KB
CD-ROM sub-
system buffer data
cache)

3587 KB RAM

2 MB DRAM

1026 KB VRAM (1 MB
frame buffer, 2 KB
texture cache,
64 bytes FIFO buffer)

512 KB sound RAM

1 KB non-
associative SRAM data
cache

4 MB RDRAM (8 MB
with Expansion Pak)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Million_instructions_per_second

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Million_instructions_per_second

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuperH

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megahertz

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-34

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_68000

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_68000

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-Saturn_Overview_Manual-35

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-retro-32

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_ST-V

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-consoledatabase-36

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_processing_unit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_ST-V

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-VDP1-38

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_ST-V

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrolling

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrolling

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-VDP2-39

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_ST-V

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-consoledatabase-36

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_technical_specifications

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_technical_specifications

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_processor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RCP_(chip)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RCP_(chip)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R4000

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R4000

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/128-bit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_processor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_processor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_chip

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_chip

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YMF292

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YMF292

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-SCSP-41

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YMF292

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YMF292

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YMF292

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YMF292

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YMF292

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24-bit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-consoledatabase-36

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instruction-level_parallelism

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instruction_set

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instruction_set

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_technical_specifications

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64_technical_specifications

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64_technical_specifications

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_memory

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mebibyte

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronous_dynamic_random-access_memory

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texture_memory

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texture_memory

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Framebuffer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Framebuffer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_random-access_memory

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_buffer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cache_(computing)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cache_(computing)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byte

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFO_(computing_and_electronics)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_random-access_memory

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU_cache

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU_cache

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RDRAM

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_Pak

Video

Resolution:
320224 to
720240
(progressive),
320448
to 720576 (interlac
ed)[45]

Colors: 172,800
(720240) on
screen, out of
16,777,216 (24-bit)
palette

Polygons:
90,000/sec
(textured, lighting, G
ouraud
shading)[46] to
500,000/sec (flat
shading)[47]

Sprites/textures:
16,384/frame (32
bytes each, 512 KB
memory), scaling,
rotation,
distortion, texture
mapping[37]

Backgrounds:
7[45] (3-
6 tilemap planes, 1-
4 bitmap
planes), parallax
scrolling, scaling,
rotation[38]

Resolution: 256224 to
640240 (progressive),
256448
to 640480 (interlaced)

Colors: 153,600
(640240) on screen,
out of 16,777,216
(24-bit) palette

Polygons: 90,000/sec
(textured, lighting,
Gouraud shading)[46] to
360,000/sec[48] (flat
shading)

Sprites/textures:
4,000/frame[49] (bitmap
objects[39]), scaling,
rotation, texture
mapping

Background: 1 bitmap
plane

Resolution: 320240 to
720288 (progressive),
320480 to 720576
(interlaced)

Colors: 207,360
(720288) on screen, out
of 16,777,216 (24-bit)
palette

Polygons: 150,000/sec
(textured, lighting,
Gouraud shading) to
600,000/sec (flat
shading), anti-aliasing, Z-
buffering

Sprites/textures: Scaling,
rotation, texture
mapping, mipmapping, te
xture filtering, bilinear
filtering, trilinear filtering[50]

Background: 1 bitmap
plane

Audio

Stereo audio, with:[40]

32 sound channels
on SCSP

FM synthesis on all
32 SCSP channels

16-bit PCM audio
with 44.1 kHz
sampling rate on all
32 SCSP channels

1 streaming CD-DA
channel (16-bit
PCM, 44.1 kHz)

Stereo audio, with:

24 ADPCM channels
on SPU

16-bit audio and
44.1 kHz sampling rate
on all 24 ADPCM
channels

1 streaming CD-DA
channel (16-bit PCM,
44.1 kHz)

Stereo audio, with:

Variable number of
channels (up to 100 if all
system resources are
devoted to audio)

Capable of playing back
different types of audio
(including
PCM, MP3, MIDI and trac
ker music)

16-bit audio and 44.1 kHz
sampling rate on all
channels

Accessori
es (retail)

Arcade Stick

Saturn digital
gamepad

PlayStation Multitap (up
to 8 players)

Fishing reel controllers
(Bass

Controller Pak

Memory Expansion Pak

Rumble Pak

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_graphics

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/576i

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-system16-46

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_graphics_lighting

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gouraud_shading

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gouraud_shading

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gouraud_shading

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-gamepilgrimage-47

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_shading

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_shading

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-48

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2.5D#Scaling_along_the_Z_axis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texture_mapping

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texture_mapping

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-VDP1-38

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-system16-46

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tile_engine

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax_scrolling

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax_scrolling

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-VDP2-39

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/480i

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_depth

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-gamepilgrimage-47

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-49

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-50

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitmap

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-psxgpu-40

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_depth

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatial_anti-aliasing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z-buffering

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z-buffering

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mipmap

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texture_filtering

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texture_filtering

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilinear_filtering

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilinear_filtering

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilinear_filtering

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilinear_filtering

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_music

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#cite_note-SCSP-41

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_differential_pulse-code_modulation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_tracker

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_tracker

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamepad#Saturn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamepad#Saturn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Multitap

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64_accessories#First_party_accessories

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64_accessories#First_party_accessories

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumble_Pak

3D controller

Light guns

Multitap (up to 12
players)

Keyboard

Sega
NetLink (online mod
em and keyboard)

Mouse

1.44 MB 3.5″ floppy
disk drive

DirectLink (LAN)

Memory card

MPEG cards

RAM expansion
cartridges

Landing and Reel
Fishing)

Dual Analog Controller

DualShock

GunCon

Jogcon

Konami Justifier

NeGcon

PocketStation (Japan o
nly)

PlayStation Mouse

Analog Joystick

Dance pad

LCD screen (for PSone
systems only)

Memory card

Link Cable

Fishing Reel

Transfer Pak

Nintendo
64DD (Japan only)

Microphone

TiltPak

Online
services

NetLink 28.8k
modem in North
America (1996-
present)

SegaNet and 14.4k
Modem in Japan
(1996-2000)

None

Unofficial SharkWire
Online 14.4k modem in
the U.S. (1999-2003)

Randnet in Japan
(for 64DD only) (1999-
2001)

These are all fantastic consoles. You would be happy with any of them.

WORKS CITED

[1] Wikipedia, “Fifth generation of video game consoles,” 10 July 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles#Comparison[21].
[Accessed 1 August 2018].

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_stick

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_gun

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multitap

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_keyboard

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_NetLink

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_NetLink

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_game

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modem

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modem

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floppy_disk

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floppy_disk

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Saturn#DirectLink

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_area_network

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_card

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moving_Picture_Experts_Group

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random-access_memory

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_Analog_Controller

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DualShock

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GunCon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jogcon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konami_Justifier

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NeGcon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PocketStation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Mouse

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Analog_Joystick

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_pad

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid-crystal_display

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64_accessories#First_party_accessories

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64DD

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64DD

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetLink

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SegaNet

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SharkWire_Online

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SharkWire_Online

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randnet

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64DD C O N S O L E W A R S : 9 0 S E D I T I O N

On September 9, 1995, gaming in the United States was forever altered by the introduction
of the Sony PlayStation to the market, which had previously been dominated by Nintendo and Sega
products. [1] Released between the other two primary fifth generation consolesthe Sega Saturn
having been previously released in May of that year [2] and the Nintendo 64 being released a full
year later [3]it ultimately replaced Sega as the primary Nintendo competitor in the US (the
subsequent Sega Dreamcast only being available for three years before the company stopped
manufacturing consoles). [4]

During the 1990s, PCs were prohibitively expensive for gaming with a limited selection of
game titles, so consoles were the product of choice for gamers of all age-groups and income
brackets. [5]How would a parent select which console to get their child for the holidays in
December 1996Nintendo 64 or Sega Saturn, with their well-known brands, or the lesser known
Sony? A few key criteria helped guide decision making, and ultimately lead to the final call.

TABLE 1. Comparison Chart of Fifth Generation Consoles [6]

Sony PlayStation Nintendo 64 Sega Saturn

Peripherals

Media CD-ROM Game Pak CD-ROM

Storage Memory Cards Controller Pak Internal

Controller DualShock Vibration Three-legged design Traditional form factor

Network
Connectivity

PlayStation Link SharkWire (3rd party) Sega NetLink

Hardware

Memory 2 MB RAM
1 MB VRAM

8 MB RDRAM 16 Mbit RAM
12 Mbit VRAM

CPU 33.8688 MHz 93.75 MHz 2 x 28.6 MHz

Sound 16-bit 16-bit 32-bit
Software

Major Exclusive
Franchise

Final Fantasy Mario Dragon Force

Game Library 7,918 Games 388 Games 1,019 Games
Other Considerations

Console Price $299 $199 $399

Cost-conscious parents would of course select the Nintendo 64tried, proven technology,
beloved by all, with well-known software franchises and clear and evident hardware superiority to
the newcomer Sony in both Memory and CPU specifications. Many consumers, however, would be
leery of the new Nintendo controllers design, and its proprietary storage and media system. The
Saturn had been out for longer, and the CD-ROM was emerging as a dominant media form; the
convenience of being able to play CDs on the system, with sound capabilities exceeding those of

both the Sony and the Nintendo product, made the difference. Sega also had an established history
of producing high-quality games, most of them for the arcade, and was a major household brand.

History, of course, shows that the PlayStation, with its innovative (yet familiar) controller
design, network linking, and inferior hardware performance won the console war [6], leaving many
parents dutifully making their decision on the above chart wonder how, and why. The conclusion
cannot be summarized by metrics, or methods, but rather by marketing experts and the court of
public opinion. Personally, I would have upgraded from a Nintendo Entertainment System, to the
SNES, to the PlayStation, for the simple reason that I enjoyed the Final Fantasy franchise, and Final
Fantasy VII had been announced for release on the PlayStation in January of 1997. [7] However, had
I been advising a parent, I would have strongly recommended the Sega Saturn, with its superior
sound, intuitive controller, and well-respected library of constantly developed games.

WORKS CITED

[1] Wikipedia, “PlayStation (console),” 01 August 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Saturn. [Accessed 01 August 2018].

[2] Wikipedia, “Sega Saturn,” 30 July 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Saturn. [Accessed 01 August 2018].

[3] Wikipedia, “Nintendo 64,” 27 July 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64. [Accessed 01 August 2018].

[4] K. Stuart, “Sega Saturn: how one decision destroyed PlayStation’s greatest rival,” 14 May 2015.
[Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/14/sega-saturn-
how-one-decision-destroyed-playstations-greatest-rival. [Accessed 01 August 2018].

[5] T. Payton, “Game Consoles Vs. personal Computers: Design, Purpose, AND Marketability
Differences,” October 2012. [Online]. Available:
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[7] Wikipedia, “Final Fantasy,” 1 August 2018. [Online]. Available:
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