Atari Jaguar

Also known as Jaguar, Jaguar 64, Jaguar64

Fifth-generation home video game console by Atari

Key facts

Developer: Atari Corporation
Manufacturer: IBM
Type: Home video game console
Generation: Fifth
Released: NA : November 23, 1993 EU : June 27, 1994 DE : September 1994 JP : December 8, 1994 ESP : April 1995
Units sold: < 150,000
Media: ROM cartridge
Cpu: Motorola 68000 @ 13.295 MHz, 2 custom RISC processors @ 26.591 MHz each
Memory: 2 MB RAM
Storage: Internal RAM , cartridge
Display: Composite, S-Video, RGB, or RF TV out
Graphics: Tom chip @ 26.591 MHz (32-bit RISC architecture, 4 KB internal RAM)

Article

The Atari Jaguar is a home video game console developed by Atari Corporation and released in North America in November 1993. Atari marketed it as the world's first 64-bit game system, drawing controversy as some argued that this configuration did not meet the definition of a 64-bit system. The Jaguar launched with Cybermorph as the pack-in game. A total of 63 licensed games (50 on cartridge, 13 on CD-ROM) were released for the system prior to its discontinuation in 1996.

Development started in the early 1990s by Flare Technology, which focused on the system after cancellation of the Panther console. The Jaguar became a more important system for Atari after discontinuing Atari ST computers in favor of video games. However, game development was complicated by the complex multi-chip architecture, hardware bugs, and poor programming tools. Underwhelming sales further eroded third-party support.