Legacy & History
Released in 1994 (Japan) and 1995 (NA). Its complex dual-CPU architecture made it hard to program for, leading to a library drought in the West.
Cultural Impact
A failure in the US but a massive success in Japan. It has arguably the best fighting game library of its generation.
Modern Legacy
Its controller is considered the best for 2D fighting games.
Under the Hood
Used two SH-2 CPUs and two VDP GPUs. It rendered quads (four-sided polygons) instead of triangles, which creates distinct visual artifacts compared to the PS1.
CPUDual Hitachi SH-2 (32-bit)
MEMORY2 MB RAM + 1.5 MB VRAM
DISPLAYUp to 704 x 480
AUDIOYamaha FH1 DSP
Defining Titles
Nights into DreamsAction • 1996
Panzer Dragoon SagaRPG • 1998
Guardian HeroesBeat 'em up • 1996
Radiant SilvergunShooter • 1998
Sega Rally ChampionshipRacing • 1995
Best Selling Title
Virtua Fighter 2