Sega Saturn

[Psycho Punch]

A brief intro: in the early 3D polygon era, I only had the PSX and a brief contact with a N64 with Goldeneye. Since the PSX has a shitload of games I never got interested in other consoles, however there seems to be some people here claiming that the Saturn library is just as good as the Sony's console.

Question: Is that true? What are the must have games, the gems, etc. And is it accessible to non-japanese (both domestic software releases and imports that don't need japanese to be played)? Should I go grab a SEGAAA or should I stay with my PS?

[munchiaz]

I would say that PSX has more RPG's ,but the Saturn has more SHMUPS. I had a N64 and a PSX as a kid, and the PSX is the console that really made me a gamer. I love the games, and many of them are not to expensive, while on the Saturn, many of the U.S. games are really pricey. Good thing its so easy to either mod, or just use a action replay 4-1 cart to play imports.

The Saturn has a plethora of amazing imports. Very good arcade ports of fighters and SHMUPS. I would def pick one up. get a action replay, and a Japanese controller. The U.S. controllers are ass

[DragonmasterDan]

It depends what kind of games you like. The Playstation has a gigantic library with tons of "good" games.

As the early 3D games have become more dated despite having roughly 4X as many PSone games as Saturn games, I definitely play my Saturn more in the past decade than PSone stuff. A lot of games on the PSone are/were "good", the only game on the original Playstation that was unique to that console (at the time) that really knocked my socks off to a point where I was willing to say "This game alone is worth owning the system for" was Castlevania Symphony of the Night.

The Playstation has tons of good English RPGs, the Playstation has lots of "good" fun games. The Playstation lacks what I would consider to be "great" games. Which are in abundance on the Saturn (and IMO exist in greater numbers on the N64 than Playstation as well).

Basically the short of my opinion on it is this, the Playstation has lots of good games that are lots of fun. It has a gigantic library and is worth owning because of the sheer depth of its lineup. However, a lot of its titles emphasized early 3D and haven't aged well. The Saturn has a lot more sprite based games and as a result the library has generally aged quite a bit better than the Playstation. It doesn't have as many "good" games, but has more "great" games in my opinion, along with lots of ports.

[BlueBMW]

And the Saturn has the 60fps Outrun port.. what more can you want?!

[SuperDeadite]

Get:

Outrun
Cotton 2
Bulk Slash
Guardian Force
Astra Superstars

You'll be happy

[BlueBMW]

I also really enjoyed Nights (and xmas nights)  Although now I play the HD remake on PS3...

[DragonmasterDan]

I also really enjoyed Nights (and xmas nights)  Although now I play the HD remake on PS3...

NiGHTS is a great mood game.

My favorite Saturn game is Dragon Force if anyone wants a recommendation.

[EvilEvoIX]

Guardian hero's and in the hunt get my vote.

[jeffhlewis]

Most of the Sega fighters are good translations (Fighting Vipers, Fighter's Megamix, VF2), though most of them have since received more-perfect ports or sequels on other systems since their release. The good news though is they're DIRT cheap, especially import. You can get every Sega Arcade 3D fighter from the right sources for probably less than $40 total.

Layer Section (Galactic Attack in the U.S.) is a must-have shewty an isn't too pricey.

The Capcom fighters are also fantastic, especially the 4MB cart ones. Vampire Savior is damn near arcade perfect.

Like everyone's said, you're better off going import for Saturn. U.S. prices are getting ridiculous, especially on the RPG side of things.

[TheClash603]

Saturn Bomberman is the best game to not yet get mentioned.

I also like the Virtua Cop games and House of the Dead.

X-Men Children of the Atom and SF Alpha 2 are great fighters to go back to.

[jordan_hillman]

The Sega Saturn is definitely my favorite system from that generation and my second favorite system overall. Some of the best US games for the system (Panzer Dragoon Saga, Burning Rangers, Guardain Heroes, etc.) are starting to get really up there in price, but the Japanese versions are a lot cheaper and readily available to get for reasonable prices.

Some of my favorite games for the system are:

Pandemonium (great 2.5D platformer)
Die Hard Arcade (kick ass 3D beat-em up. Japanese version is called Dynamite Deka and is about half the price as the US version)
Night Warriors: Darkstalker's Revenge (my favorite capcom fighter on the system)
Galactic Attack (great shoot-em up and the US version can still be found pretty cheap)
Shinobi Legions (Hilarious and cheesy digitized graphics, ridiculous FMV cut scenes, but kickass gameplay and mid-90s Ninja greatness. Japanese version is about half the price as the US version as well)

[pulstar]

Shining Force 3 is also pretty good. Shame they didn't translate the other 2 parts, though. Oh, and Radiant Silvergun

[jlued686]

Check out this thread:
https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=15914.0

We covered this in pretty extensive detail, but the long and short of it is this: The Saturn is awesome!

To me - and this is especially true of the Japanese library - it captured a lot of the spirit of the PC Engine. Get it. Get two. Love it.

[HailingTheThings]

[TR0N]

Most underrated fighter ever beside a good port on the saturn.
Sega Saturn - Cyberbots: Fullmetal Madness (Gameplay)

[BlueBMW]

I seem to remember seeing that game at MGC last year in the fighting room... Awesome stuff!

[TR0N]

I seem to remember seeing that game at MGC last year in the fighting room... Awesome stuff!

If you don't have it for the ss all ready id suggest tracking it down asap.

[TheClash603]

Q:  What's is the best video game for when you REALLY have to go?

A:  Astal.

[HailingTheThings]

Q:  What's is the best video game for when you REALLY have to go?

A:  After Burner II.

Fixed.

[kentuckycc]

I feel like the Saturn is the TG16 of the 32bit era. Poor launch and marketing in america casing it to underperform, very solid library of games, great imports, and very expensive to get into now.

One of my favorite games ever is on the system: IRON STORM!

[esadajr]

You're not too far off, except it is still not too expensive to import unless off course you're only into shooters.

[Tatsujin]

what you REALLY need is OutRun!!

[HailingTheThings]

[Tatsujin]

no.. not that one, dumber.

[HailingTheThings]

no.. not that one, dumber.

I simply put that up, cuz heart attack mode girlfriendo is teh funny. And. Stuff. Jerk.
*cries*

[TheClash603]

no.. not that one, dumber.

lol

i need to get outrun, I only have it on my Ages US collection.

[TR0N]

I feel like the Saturn is the TG16 of the 32bit era. Poor launch and marketing in america casing it to underperform, very solid library of games, great imports, and very expensive to get into now.

One of my favorite games ever is on the system: IRON STORM!

You could say dejva-vu,when it comes to the saturn as how the same thing happen to the TG16.Both consoles were the underdog in the u.s and had the same fate.

[pulstar]

And a few (not as many as the PCE) hardware variations in Japan such as Hi-Saturn, V-Saturn, all the different colours etc. The libraries are pretty similar as well - lots of shooters, lots of RPGs...in Japan.

[IrishNinja]

Outrun is one of my all-time favorites, i really should get the JP AGES release since i hear the WD domestic one left stuff out...but on a related note, Chase HQ is awesome! totally glad Game Sack put me onto that one.

[warpig227]

its so easy to play imports and the fighting games are great. xmen vs street fighter is my fav.

[DragonmasterDan]

Outrun is one of my all-time favorites, i really should get the JP AGES release since i hear the WD domestic one left stuff out...but on a related note, Chase HQ is awesome! totally glad Game Sack put me onto that one.

What was left out was non-optimal redbook audio. So you're not missing much with the WD release

[jtucci31]

its so easy to play imports and the fighting games are great. xmen vs street fighter is my fav.

How do you play imports? I've heard you need to install a region mod switch of sorts?

[PCEngineHell]

A brief intro: in the early 3D polygon era, I only had the PSX and a brief contact with a N64 with Goldeneye. Since the PSX has a shitload of games I never got interested in other consoles, however there seems to be some people here claiming that the Saturn library is just as good as the Sony's console.

Question: Is that true? What are the must have games, the gems, etc. And is it accessible to non-japanese (both domestic software releases and imports that don't need japanese to be played)? Should I go grab a SEGAAA or should I stay with my PS?

You can play imports via a Pro Action Replay 4n1, or installing a region mod switch.


If you import the library is just as good in most areas, and in some areas, being that of arcade ports, it curb stomps the PS1. It mainly depends on what you like to play though. If you don't care for fighting games, action games, and shooters, then you prob wont care much for the system.

[IrishNinja]

What was left out was non-optimal redbook audio. So you're not missing much with the WD release

ah, that's not so bad then...what about the other releases on there, did they see more cuts?

[Psycho Punch]

A brief intro: in the early 3D polygon era, I only had the PSX and a brief contact with a N64 with Goldeneye. Since the PSX has a shitload of games I never got interested in other consoles, however there seems to be some people here claiming that the Saturn library is just as good as the Sony's console.

Question: Is that true? What are the must have games, the gems, etc. And is it accessible to non-japanese (both domestic software releases and imports that don't need japanese to be played)? Should I go grab a SEGAAA or should I stay with my PS?

You can play imports via a Pro Action Replay 4n1, or installing a region mod switch.


If you import the library is just as good in most areas, and in some areas, being that of arcade ports, it curb stomps the PS1. It mainly depends on what you like to play though. If you don't care for fighting games, action games, and shooters, then you prob wont care much for the system.

Yeah I'm not much of a fan of "modern" shooters... for example I really don't like ship shooters with too many flashy visuals, bullet hells or 3D games. But I do like early 3D games outside of the ship shooter genre however. My fingers are itching to buy a japanese Saturn with Dynamite Deka (Die Hard) and this thread's replies were invaluable but I'm not sure if I'll buy it or not, college eats away so many time from me, I'm having little time to enjoy gaming lately. I'd like to expand on my gaming experience someday though

Thanks for the replies

[NessFreaK]

Theres a ton of good RPGs on the Saturn ... Dragon Force, Panzer Dragoon Saga, Shining Force 3, Shining Wisdom, Shining the Holy Ark, Albert Odyssey, Magic Knight Rayearth...