On June 27, 1993, Atari released the Jaguar console in the EU. It was Atari's sixth-generation console and the company's last home video game console. The Jaguar was marketed as the world's first 64-bit console, although its actual performance and architecture were a subject of debate among gamers and industry professionals.
The Jaguar featured a unique design with a sleek, black casing and a distinctive "jaguar paw" button layout on the controller. It utilized a combination of 32-bit and 64-bit technology, using multiple processors including the Motorola 68000 and the Atari custom-designed Jaguar Graphics Processor (Jaguar GPU).
One of the console's selling points was its supposed superior processing power, which Atari claimed would result in more advanced and visually impressive games compared to its competitors. However, due to various factors such as the console's complex architecture and difficulties faced by developers in harnessing its full potential, the Jaguar failed to deliver on its promises.
The game library for the Atari Jaguar was relatively small, with around 60 titles released during its lifespan. Some notable games for the console include "Alien vs Predator," "Tempest 2000," and "Rayman." However, the lack of third-party support and the console's commercial failure ultimately led to its discontinuation in 1996.
Despite its commercial shortcomings, the Atari Jaguar retains a small but dedicated fanbase, and it is often remembered as an interesting and unique console in gaming history.
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