Overview
The arcade 3D leap. Model 2 succeeded Sega’s flat-shaded Model 1 with texture mapping—images wrapped onto 3D polygons. The visual improvement was dramatic. Daytona USA’s cars gleamed. Virtua Fighter 2’s characters gained detail. For several years, no home console could match what Model 2 delivered in arcades.
Fast facts
- Manufacturer: Sega/Lockheed Martin.
- Years: 1993-1998.
- Innovation: Texture-mapped 3D.
- Successor: Model 3.
Technical specifications
| Component | Capability |
|---|
| GPU | Custom DSPs |
| Textures | Hardware mapping |
| Polygons | ~180,000/sec |
| Resolution | 496×384 |
Key titles
| Game | Year | Genre |
|---|
| Daytona USA | 1994 | Racing |
| Virtua Fighter 2 | 1994 | Fighting |
| Sega Rally | 1995 | Racing |
| Virtua Cop | 1994 | Shooter |
| House of the Dead | 1996 | Shooter |
Visual advancement
| Feature | Model 1 | Model 2 |
|---|
| Surfaces | Flat-shaded | Textured |
| Detail | Basic | Detailed |
| Realism | Abstract | Approaching |
| Impact | Impressive | Revolutionary |
Console gap
| Platform | Comparison |
|---|
| Saturn | Struggled to match |
| PlayStation | Different approach |
| Arcade advantage | Years ahead |
| Model 3 | Widened further |
See also