Atari Jaguar

When Atari released the Jaguar in 1993, the once venerable video gaming pioneer needed a major hit.

It didn't find it with the Jaguar.

The deck was stacked against Atari, what with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis dominating the market and all. The Jaguar was supposed to bring respect back to Atari, but the company never had enough quality software to appeal to gamers. There are a handful of great games available that are unique to the system. "Tempest 2000" is a fantastic update of the arcade classic with eye-popping colors and a techno soundtrack that fits the futuristic mood of the game perfectly. "Alien v. Predator" is a fast paced shooter that does its source material justice. "NBA Jam Tournament Edition" may just be the definitive version of that over-the-top basketball franchise. Most games, however, are either inferior two-dimensional platformers that couldn't hold a candle to what Nintendo and Sega offered, primitive 3D games that played more like demos that actual polished titles are titles that were just bad ("Supercross 3D" is still the worst game I've ever purchased). Throw in some uninspired video game rehashes and you've got a system that was powered by mostly shovelware from a company that was rotting on the vine.

Truth be told, some great software could have saved this system. Titles like "Tempest 2000" proved the console was capable of some good games, but the system just never got the support it needed. The fact that the Atari Jaguar looked rather like a toilet seat was a bad omen as to what gamers could expect out of the thing. Aside from the lack of software, the hardware couldn't handle 3D graphics well at all -- a fatal flaw when the Sony Playstation 1 showed up and gaming in three-dimensions became the industry standard.

Now, the system wasn't a total loss. The controller was comfortable enough and there are some good games in the game's catalog. What is ironic is that most of the really good games for the system were developed in the homebrew scene, long after the system was dead. Many of those games, luckily, are still available for purchase and Jaguar fans can find like-minded gamers with ease on the Internet.

All in all, however, this system just wasn't that good. It's sad that this was the last console from Atari. Luckily, the company isn't remembered for this dog.

Highly under-rated.

One of those systems that failed to make it main stream. Some unique games to be had on this system and a viable option for a collector to collect all the games ever made for it. Some titles now hard to get hold off for a resonable price. But still a must have if you're after something a bit different from the norm. Therefore well recommend Atari Jaguar.

It is cheaper than the 3DO, but as far as I am aware less poweful. It is a budget video game console that was eclipsed along with the Panasonic 3DO, by the 128 bit Sega Dreamcast.

Back in December 1993, this was a GREAT system. It had never before seen graphics, and the games was actually really good for its time. 64bit!! In late 1993 came the strange add-ons. ie. the crazy CD-PLAYER and the bonkers virtual reality headset. Come on, the Atari Jaguar was one crazy games machine back in 1993! I remember playing the games, and I was amazed. The Alien vs. Predator game that everyone wanted to play, was the only game around back in 1993, that had these kind of graphics. The Tempest game was great (WOW) in your front room, with better graphics and hardcore music, but the Atari Jaguar is an old piece of history now and it deserves a medal.

There are 3 good games on the Atari Jaguar: AVP, Tempest and Doom. Everything else sucks. From the laughable cybermorph to the sub 16 bit dross like Raiden and Zoop, it was this lack of decent software that eventually killed the system off. The console is supposed to be 64 bit, but only a handful of games even hint at this, the majority being ports of mega drive and SNES games. The joypad is a ridiculous creation that looks like a cross between a phone and a tv remote and requires hands like the hulk to use. The CD add on comes with possibly the most patheic piece of software ever created - virtual light machine, a random pattern generator for you cds. Hmm, the perfect reason to rush out and try to find one at a car boot. If you do see one, walk away - it ain't worth the fiver being charged for it.