Sega's Secret Weapon Lies in the Cart

Hayden Gilbert

As most know, rumors are flying around the internet about Saturn 2, 64x, upgrades, and double versions of games on disc, almost as fast as Sega's 3-pack promotion! You may ask, why? Well, there is one reason and one reason only, and that is Virtua Fighter 3. Just about the most amazing game to grace the earth, VF3 is the most graphically wonderful, superb piece of gameplay any current piece of hardware can handle. And this is only a first generation game. Yes, there is talk of other baords on the horizon featuring more polygons, but that is in the extreme future, especially for the home market. From the newest rumor today on the net, it seems that there will be a graphics upgrade cartridge for Saturn that should be able to display VF3 in all its glory. If this is true, and Sega can get VF3 and the cart out for $80, then there could quite possibly be a shifting of the video games race as we know it.

First of all like the rumor states, Sega has to release VF3 in one version, and it must be with the upgrade. Without it, VF3 will be VF2 with more moves. Essentially Fighters Megamix with just VF chracters. (another reason why there will only be one version of VF3) Saturn will not sell with a clone to VF2. If Sega wants results, then VF3 must be a major upgrade. This brings me to my main point, the cartridge.

Sega's secret weapon lies in the graphics upgrade cartridge. Without this, VF3 is nothing, and niether is any of other of Sega's upcoming model 3 conversions. With all of Sega's model 3 games starting to hit arcades, and the need for Sega to translate arcade ports to Saturn, it is too late for a new system. Everbody knows (including Sega) and agrees this would be a huge mistake. However, from the rumors, it seems the Saturn is close to model 3 games, but just needs that 3D kick in the ass. It's got 2D, Sound and a couple dual processors, and gameplay, so a new system is pointless. However, the upgrade cart would have to make the game a perfect translation or again Sega would suffer a negative puble/media backlash like it always seems to do. On top of this the cartridge must be included with VF3 and stay to $100 or under. (even a trade in your Playstation or N64 promotion wouldn't hurt) Packaging them together will save confusion, annd bad feelings for those that may not have understood.

In conclusion, If Sega could pull the VF3/cart, the game war could swing heavily in Sega's favor. And that is an understatement. VF3, is not just a Mario killer, its a system killer. If Sega can let the experts work on this one and give us a near perfect VF3 (plus all the other model 3 games like Super car), then all those who bought N64 and PSX would be slapping themselves silly and Saturn could catch up if not over take the system wars. This is the chance for Saturn to fight back. Hopefully Sega will pull out all the stops. And the cart.

If you have any comments, please email me at

hagi2799@resnet.ucsb.edu