Since Sega announced that the Katana will be launching in Japan sometime this fall, Segaholics here in North America have discussed what Sega needs to do when they bring Katana over here. I’m no different. So, without any further ado, here are the Top 10 Things Sega Needs to do When they Launch Katana in North America

1. Marketing
Why did Sony succeed and Sega fail? Sony inundated the public with slick looking commercials of a bunch of 3-D games. If you look at Sega’s last few consoles, that’s where they failed.  Master System-No advertising (well, that and the fact that Nintendo monopolized the American game market).    Genesis-Great marketing. It succeeded. Saturn-Poor marketing at launch. Failed. It appears that Sega fails in marketing its odd numbered consoles.

2.  Fighting Game
A Sonic game at launch would be fun, but the fighting game genre is what will help move a lot of systems at launch. People love to beat the snot out of their friends. This is another area where the Saturn fell down. Sony delivered Tohshinden, MK3, and Tekken in its first 3 months. Saturn offered up Virtua Fighter and VF Remix. If Virtua Fighter 3 and Street Fighter 3: Second Impact are available, then that will be a good start.

3. Sonic
‘Nuff said. To climb back into the race, you need the company mascot.

4. Sports Games
You need to hook the sports junkies. An NFL or NBA licensed game will attract a lot of attention.

5. Marketing
That one is so important, it needs 2 entries.

6. Built-in Memory
You know what’s annoying? To have to buy a memory card/cartridge. I could spend that money on another game instead!

7. A pack-in game
If Sega could keep the system around the $200-$250 price point and include a game, that would be awesome. I loved the old days where systems came with a pack in game. True, customers may balk at a $250 system, but hey, if the system is $200, you’re gonna have to pick up a game for 50 bucks anyway. And, along those lines...

8. An extra controller
You know what’s annoying? To have a 2-player game, but no second controller. Most people I know play their video games with their friends. Especially since numbers 2 and 4 would be 2 player.

9. A good RPG
While not as necessary as the other games, many of the early adopters will appreciate that, especially since the American audience had to wait a few months before we saw one for the Saturn.