The number that sunk Sega and kickstarted the PlayStation's success in 1995.
At E3 in 1995, Sega announced that their new
Saturn console would be $399 as they surprise-launched it. Both the Saturn and the PlayStation were already out in
Japan, and the PlayStation had more impressive-looking games, so it was natural to expect that it would be at least $399, right?
Then the Sony president walked up to the lectern and
said that fateful number...
"Hmmm, I'm looking forward to this Sega
Saturn, but it's a little expensive and the PlayStation's games look at least as
good. Get a
Saturn now or wait until September to get a PlayStation?
"299."
"That's it, I'm getting a PlayStation."