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Atari Jaguar

1993–1996 · console

Specifications

Cpu: Motorola 68000, 13.3 MHz (used mainly for I/O and sound coordination); marketed as "64-bit" on the strength of its 64-bit-wide data bus between the custom Tom and Jerry chips
Gpu: custom "Tom" chip (32-bit RISC GPU plus object processor and blitter) paired with the "Jerry" chip (32-bit DSP for sound)
Ram: max: 2 MB (fixed, not expandable) · base: 2 MB
Media: ROM cartridge
Output: composite video, RF, S-Video; single controller port on the console front (daisy-chained pads)
Display: up to 720x576 interlaced or 320x240 typical in-game, composite/RF/S-Video output
Release Price: $249.99

Variants

Models

Jaguar CD1995 add-on that clips onto the cartridge slot, adding a CD-ROM drive; notoriously unreliable ring-of-light hang bug on many units.

Upgrade paths

storage

Jaguar CD add-on for CD-ROM based games and Video CD playback · Clips onto the front cartridge port; games still needed a cartridge "key" inserted into the CD unit to boot, and long-term reliability is poor.

~$150 at launch

MODERATE

other

Team Tap adapter for up to 4 controllers, or a Voice Modem Unit for the ill-fated CatBox online service · Both were low-volume official peripherals, now scarce and pricier than the console itself on the collector market.

~$20-40 used

EASY

CPU

none, locked · Tom and Jerry are fixed custom silicon; the 68000 is a coprocessor, not user-serviceable. Homebrew developers instead learned to bypass the buggy GPU/DSP documentation rather than modify hardware.

n/a

LOCKED