Continuing with the promo tape theme, here are three from Tronix Multimedia / Joe Cataudella. I bought these when they were for sale in the mid-90s and digitized them a few years ago.

The physical tapes themselves have since gone to the Video Game History Foundation, where they’re now part of the E3 History collection alongside donations from other people who ran and attended early E3s. Each tape below also has a catalog entry in VGHF’s digital archive, including the accompanying notes document that shipped with the physical tape, along with a Domesday Duplicator digitization of each. Below you’ll find my much jankier captures from a standard composite capture device.

1995 Winter Consumer Electronics Show

Before E3 existed, CES was where game makers and publishers showed up, and this tape covers the Winter 1995 show, recorded January 6-9. VGHF split their copy into two parts. Part 2 is entirely Sega Saturn game footage, covering Clockwork Knight and Virtua Fighter. The tape’s accompanying notes document is also preserved by VGHF.

Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 1995

Tronix’s coverage of the very first E3, recorded May 11-13, 1995. VGHF has this cataloged here. Per their notes, the tape includes a shot of a sign listing every Sega Saturn game expected for Christmas 1995 (at 1:04:42), including a few, like Waterworld and Return to Zork, that never shipped. The tape’s accompanying notes document and a scan of the tape itself are preserved by VGHF.

Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 1996

The follow-up tape, recorded May 16-18, 1996 at E3’s second show. VGHF has this one cataloged too. Their notes list footage of various games from the show floor along with Nintendo’s press conference. VGHF also preserved the accompanying notes document and a scan of the tape itself.

And there we have it, three more decades-old trade show tapes preserved. Enjoy!

Should you feel inclined and have the means, you can donate to the VGHF.