1994-1996: The jump to 3D

After the success of the early 90s 16-Bit consoles, video game companies had their eyes on the next milestone: making the leap from flat, 2D games to 3D!

2D games are graphics made up of colored pixels. Shifting to 3D, games could now have depth. Characters can move in any direction, not just left or right!

Instead of pixels, 3D games are made up of polygonal graphics.

Virtua Fighter (1993)

These games look crude and simple now, but it was very impressive at the time!

There was now a race between game companies to release a new console with better hardware, and the ability to handle 3D, polygon-based games.

1994

Sega was the first, with their follow-up to the Genesis: the highly anticipated Sega Saturn.

Sega Saturn

In their rush to be the first system in stores before the 1994 holiday season, the announced a surprise release date of November 22. They had initially announced a later release date, so this confused consumers and hurt the console's sales. Some speculate that this fumble was the beginning of Sega's decline in popularity and eventual exit from producing consoles.

1995

In 1995, consumer electronics company Sony released their first ever console, the PlayStation.

PlayStation

The kids who grew up with Nintendo and Sega were now entering high school and college. Sony marketed their console as a more "mature" alternative, and it worked. the PlayStation was the new hot thing, and Sega was left behind in popularity.

1996

Anticipation had been building for Nintendo's follow-up to the Super Nintendo since its announcement in 1994. The Nintendo 64 was finally released in 1996.

Nintendo 64

While the PlayStation was aimed at teens and young adults, the Nintendo 64 had a broader appeal. Ultimately, the Sega Saturn flopped and the market centered its focus around Sega and Nintendo.