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[Alexios]

Love this guy's anniversary & tribute videos, glad he did another for this year. Pretty much all you need to post when clowns talk about how this or that system had no games/bad 3D graphics/etc., even if it doesn't only show the best - or all of those - as plenty less than stellar games were cool.

Some less known yet grand games shown in the most recent video are GunGriffon II, Bulk Slash and Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru, but there are loads more where these came from, Stellar Assault SS, the Gundam Blue Destiny trilogy, Soukyugurentai, Groove on Fight, the Digital Pinball games, etc.

Sega's amazing & varied catalogue is at the forefront no matter what some clowns claim online but third parties offered a ton of awesome stuff, often exclusive or way better on the (more affordable than a Neo Geo) Saturn than the PS, like SNK & Capcom's games, Grandia or Silhouette Mirage.​

​

Reminder that for the last decade or so the bad emulation reputation of the Saturn doesn't apply. Emulators like SSF and Mednafen (RA Beetle core) are as accurate as any system's for the vast majority of its great library (just don't expect the enhancements other emulators like Yaba & Kronos do).

Bonus:
​

Yaba Sanshiro got updated on Windows, after being like 2 years behind the mobile versions, to mark the occasion. As I said previously I prefer other choices, though this one's good for lower spec machines like mobile phones and also does have some big features other emulators don't (yet at least) if you care for this sort of thing:​

Happy 30th birthday

development updates about uoYabause

www.uoyabause.org

​

 

[ReBurn]

I'm a lifelong Sega fan and I'm so happy that my Saturn still works. I had so much fun with this box.

 

[U n i o n 0015]

I'm a lifelong Sega fan and I'm so happy that my Saturn still works. I had so much fun with this box.

Mine worked from the day I bought it on June 3, 1995 until it was stolen in 2021.

 

[rabbity-thing]

I grew up with a Sega Saturn thanks to my older brother having one. It was a pretty great console, but I'll never forget the day that I got my Playstation. The Sega Saturn was great, no doubt about it, but the PS was such a game changer. Poor Sega didn't stand a chance.

Also.... man do I feel old.

 

[Dr. Suchong]

What a machine.
When I traded in my PlayStation towards a Saturn at Gamestation back in 96(?), the staff looked at me, stupefied.
Grabbed it with Sega rally, Panzer Dragoon, Virtua fighter 2, Shining wisdom, Guardian heroes, and Bug.
Never looked back.
Got it switched for import stuff, Capcom's output was incredible.
NiGHTS blew me away.
I was ridiculed by others for choosing one over PlayStation, but I didn't give a fuck.
Exhumed, Duke nukem 3d, and Quake were amazing Lobotomy ports.
Official Sega Saturn magazine, helmed by Rich leadbetter was written with a fevourish, (bordering on fanboyism) enthusiasm.
So many memories.

 

[skyfinch]

Stayed home "sick" from highschool that day when I found out about their surprise launch. Picked one up at Toys R Us. I remember how expensive it was, and literally spending spending my last dollar on it.

Virtua Fighter 1 was amazing, especially the music quality. I immediately knew there were downgrades from the arcade but still never seen anything like this on a home console.

But eventually it was Virtua Fighter 2 and Panzer Dragoon 2 that blew me away.

Nights into Dreams with the new controller ended up being my favorite game.

 

[Sojiro]

I posted this in the other Saturn thread from the other day, but this console is completely unexplored territory for me since I never knew anyone who had one in its prime or after. But I did pick one up recently (along with a satiator and action replay for the RAM) and have started to dabble in a few games just to check it out. So far Astal and Nights have been a couple of games I really enjoyed, and both will probably the first two I sit down and try to complete.

I also need to grab the Sega Stunner (love me some light gun action), and I am might grab the 3D controller at some point, as I have read some good things about. So far what little I have experienced with the Saturn has been extremely positive, and I look forward to doscovering all the good games I never even knew existed on this system.

 

[U n i o n 0015]

I am might grab the 3D controller at some point, as I have read some good things about.

If you've haven't played NiGHTS with the 3D controller, you're in for an amazing experience. The game was designed around it, and even modern versions of the game don't come as close to the handling of the original version with the 3D analog pad.

 

[Alexios]

This guy's play videos rule. I love the vibes and he's usually skilled as well. Although in the case of BR I don't quite get him, it plays as fine now as it did back then (which was great, I just wanted more of it really, it's quite a short game and the randomization didn't quite make it replayable for me).

Virtua Fighter Kids to me is such an example of weird Sega decisions, making barebones ports and extra releases that could have been cheats or options in the main games (even if it's apparently been rebalanced somewhat for the kiddy dimensions of the fighters here), as it is in Fighters Megamix.​

 

[Team Andromeda]

Here's to another 30 years of the best console ever, with some fine Japanese beer.

That Grey Saturn is still my launch Sega Saturn, which I bought from Lee's Dream Machines 2 (now VGI) 30 years ago.
How time flies when you're having fun, Happy Birthday you beauty !!!

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Interesting fact, Virtua Fighter Remix was ready for the western launch but instead the system launched with the ugly Japanese original



Just imagine how different the early perception of Saturn would have been with this at launch instead

 

[GymWolf]

I still remember that 24 december night when i was waiting for 3 snes games as christmas gift and my father "surprised" me with a fucking saturn without even a game but just that green demo disc with athletes kings, nights and a football game demos.

It was a sad night indeed.

Never really loved the console at all except for the matches with vf2 and megamix with the fellas.

 

[Chupanibre]

 

[RoboFu]

What could have been. The Saturns " tools " situation were way worse than the Xbox. at the end sega was working on some stellar stuff including this.


Some think this was using a helper cart. Could have been but it still would have been crazy to see.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

I still remember that 24 decembers night when i was waiting for 3 snes games as christmas gift games and my father "surprised" me with a fucking saturn without even a game but just that green demo disc with athletes kings, nights and a football game demos.

It was a sad night indeed.

Never really loved the console at all except for the matches with vf2 and megamix with the fellas.

You mean the greatest demo disc of all time?

 

[Alexios]

You mean the greatest demo disc of all time?

Yeah, what, all stellar showcase games, I loved it even though I actually got PD Zwei alongside my Sega Saturn and that's one of the big ones included in the demo. Greatest probably belongs to Christmas NiGHTS, even if it's only of one game it's jam packed with cool stuff and differs to the game.

 

[GymWolf]

You mean the greatest demo disc of all time?

I mean, it's not the one that i find in the official italian playstation magazine with re2, gex 2, rascal and other 2 famous games demos but it was great enough.

 

[U n i o n 0015]

While we're at it, let me post my favorite Sega Saturn color variant (that they sadly never made):

 

[Alexios]

Interesting fact, Virtua Fighter Remix was ready for the western launch but instead the system launched with the ugly Japanese original

I guess they banked on it being a legendary pioneer in the arcades, not realizing its time had passed with the advent of texture mapping & gouraud shading.

Imo Saturn was unfairly bashed as the game itself was outdated, it had downgrades because Model 1 was a polygon monster but other than that it was solid & Saturn quickly proved it does way more.

Now Daytona USA, that port did get bashed fair and square for its visual condition. But it still plays great and is the version to get over the later editions that fixed up the graphics and performance at the expense of the core gameplay.

The dev time for Daytona editions would have been better spent in extra content for Sega Rally. People wanted longform games over arcade, a release of a home only quasi sequel (like Namco did with Ridge Racer) with a career mode like Dreamcast's Sega Rally 2 would have been amazing.

 

[Sojiro]

If you've haven't played NiGHTS with the 3D controller, you're in for an amazing experience. The game was designed around it, and even modern versions of the game don't come as close to the handling of the original version with the 3D analog pad.

Yeah nights in particular is what I see people rave about that controller for. Do many other games take advantage of it as well? The only thing that sucks is that it is a good bit pricier than normal controllers, and I am hesitant on grabbing one if only one game really takes advantage of it.

 

[NeverYouMind]

Interesting fact, Virtua Fighter Remix was ready for the western launch but instead the system launched with the ugly Japanese original



Just imagine how different the early perception of Saturn would have been with this at launch instead

I played this version and I prefer the 32X release. Those blocky models are legendary. They had an anniversary revision in worldwide Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution release and sell them as costumes in the newest entry.

 

[U n i o n 0015]

Do many other games take advantage of it as well?

I didn't find it to be that big a deal in other games, but with NiGHTS you can make loops and change direction a LOT tighter than without it, leading to higher scores.

 

[Alexios]

People be nuts, the texturing in VF Remix is pretty ace for the time with fairly realistic results on characters. I like the style and detailing more than VF 2's though it's overall a vastly better game. It makes sense they did better textures though, as they made it after VF 2's arcade version. That game would have also benefited from the Remix treatment if you ask me (but included from start). With Remix's style characters would look even smoother and compare better vs Tekken 3's art direction where VF 2 seems cartoony and flat.

Yeah nights in particular is what I see people rave about that controller for. Do many other games take advantage of it as well? The only thing that sucks is that it is a good bit pricier than normal controllers, and I am hesitant on grabbing one if only one game really takes advantage of it.

Most racing games can make use of it so there's that, if you don't have a Saturn wheel (wheel can also feel worse in some like Sega Rally). Manx TT probably improves the most. Check the PD Zwei play video above for another use. It may not be transformative as in NiGHTS but still. You probably wouldn't play modern sequels with digital movement so why do that for the originals if they support analog. Many more games are compatible, Lobotomy's FPS, Burning Rangers, Sega Ages ports like Space Harrier & After Burner II...

 

[Tarin02543]

Interesting fact, Virtua Fighter Remix was ready for the western launch but instead the system launched with the ugly Japanese original



Just imagine how different the early perception of Saturn would have been with this at launch instead

I would have been disappointed, I wanted the arcade original. I remember seeing the remix at some videogame show around 98 and disliking it

 

[U n i o n 0015]

I would have been disappointed, I wanted the arcade original. I remember seeing the remix at some videogame show around 98 and disliking it

The texture mapping just looked kinda odd on the fairly simple models, unlike VF2. The polygon stability was the real magic of VF Remix, and VF1 could've had that sans textures if Sega had more time developing it. The 32X version is proof.

 

[snapdragon]

Mine worked from the day I bought it on June 3, 1995 until it was stolen in 2021.

who tf is stealing sega saturns lmao

 

[U n i o n 0015]

who tf is stealing sega saturns lmao

Crime of opportunity...we were doing a renovation on our house and someone walked in and stole all my systems from the basement since our contractor left a door unlocked. Got my PS4, PS3, Saturn. Only thing they didn't get was my Xbox 360 since that was hidden under a bunch of other boxes.

 

[simpatico]

Under Project 2025; the Sega Saturn will be rereleased with HDMI/SCART/VGA output, wireless controllers and all the Saturn shmups and fighting games will go back in print (region free).

 

[RoboFu]

Under Project 2025; the Sega Saturn will be rereleased with HDMI output and all the Saturn shmups and fighting games will go back in print (region free).

The saroo has all but cemented that Saturn home brew will take off. There have already been a few but this will open it open for a lot more people.

You can get a Japanese Saturn pretty cheap off eBay.

I bet Kriikzz is also working on an overdrive version.

 

[Syphon Filter]

I like the gold box of jpn boxers but the grey on the console is ugly. the black usa one is very nice.

 

[Little Chicken]

You mean the greatest demo disc of all time?

I spent so much time playing the Athlete Kings demo

 

[Alexios]

I once played Athlete Kings so intensely I somehow twisted my neck and had to wear a collar for a week

With that training the torture section of Metal Gear Solid years later was just nothing, full health all the way.

 

[Darsxx82]

I once played Athlete Kings so intensely I somehow twisted my neck and had to wear a collar for a week

Athlete King was that game where, in order to win the Athlete events, you had to endure pain in your fingers, arms and neck for several days.

I even remember playing with my brother (he 8 and I 9 years old), both using the same controller at the same time and each of us pressing different buttons or replacing the other when he got tired.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

I like the gold box of jpn boxers but the grey on the console is ugly. the black usa one is very nice.

Always preferred the European branding, Sega blue Saturn floating in black space. As did I prefer the black banner Saturn cases (especially when they ditched the cardboard ones for DVD style ones)

 

[Tarin02543]

Under Project 2025; the Sega Saturn will be rereleased with HDMI/SCART/VGA output, wireless controllers and all the Saturn shmups and fighting games will go back in print (region free).

Please elaborate, can’t find any information on this

 

[Team Andromeda]

Interesting fact, Virtua Fighter Remix was ready for the western launch but instead the system launched with the ugly Japanese original



Just imagine how different the early perception of Saturn would have been with this at launch instead

VF Saturn wasn't ugly and it was launch software made for Nov 1994. People look over and forget how poor launch software been for a lot of systems including the Mega Drive in Japan.

Had SEGA America not pushed ahead with the 32X things would have been very different and IMO SEGA would have beaten the N64 and been a decent number 2, but still miles off the PS1

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Athlete King was that game where, in order to win the Athlete events, you had to endure pain in your fingers, arms and neck for several days.

I even remember playing with my brother (he 8 and I 9 years old), both using the same controller at the same time and each of us pressing different buttons or replacing the other when he got tired.

Ha, I used to tense up and shiver, no one could get close to me at 100m dash!

Athlete Kings was a gorgeous game

 

[winjer]

 

[Brigandier]

Crime of opportunity...we were doing a renovation on our house and someone walked in and stole all my systems from the basement since our contractor left a door unlocked. Got my PS4, PS3, Saturn. Only thing they didn't get was my Xbox 360 since that was hidden under a bunch of other boxes.

I hope the contractor paid up some compensation, I'd have been fuming.

 

[Alexios]

This is all Sega did for this, lol

Ok they actually made several tweets with different media, merch (mostly from others) like albums and stuff but yeah, come on. Some of it can be seen below:
​

 

[RetroGamingUK]

This is all Sega did for this, lol

Ok they actually made several tweets with different media, merch (mostly from others) like albums and stuff but yeah, come on. Some of it can be seen below:
​

Really wasn’t a fan of those blue buttons

 

[Alexios]

Athlete Kings was a gorgeous game

And in glorious 60fps, unlike that video

Really wasn’t a fan of those blue buttons

Yeah for all the crap PAL got with 50Hz etc. in that generation we at least got the better system design. Glad I first got a model 2 without that awful controller (so glad that they quickly changed it to the now all time classic everyone thinks of about Saturn) and I like the round buttons better too tbh.

 

[Team Andromeda]

Ha, I used to tense up and shiver, no one could get close to me at 100m dash!

Athlete Kings was a gorgeous game

These were my (I'm GER) and my friend's best times and scores with no cheating back in the day where we banned use of lighters and all sorts of cheating methods to get the speed up.

The game looked Model 2 quality and is one of the multiplayer games ever made

 

[Team Andromeda]

The texture mapping just looked kinda odd on the fairly simple models, unlike VF2. The polygon stability was the real magic of VF Remix, and VF1 could've had that sans textures if Sega had more time developing it. The 32X version is proof.

VF was a rushed game and where AM#2 made no use of the VDP2 for the game. It was still a brilliant port with amazing use of the Saturn sound chip for some of the most bine crushing sound effects in a game

The real magic of Remix IMO was it was the 1st game to show off the Saturn High Res mode and use the Saturn hardware to use different screen for the backgrounds and realtime graphics (fair play to AM#1) Saturn High Res mode looked bloody awesome at the time and set the gold standard for VF2 and others to follow

Saturn High Res mode was the best ever at that time. I loved how it made the screen shimmer or where the Virtual On start screen made your eye's bleed LOL

 

[Kyo]

VF Remix did not use high res mode, it was only with VF2 that they got that running.

 

[Kyo]

Interesting fact, Virtua Fighter Remix was ready for the western launch but instead the system launched with the ugly Japanese original



Just imagine how different the early perception of Saturn would have been with this at launch instead

Yes, truly a perplexing decision and a major example of SoA and SoE being totally inept. They should've had Remix available for the Euro and US launch with an option to choose between arcade mode (flat-shaded polygons) and Saturn mode (texture-mapped).

I'll never understand why nobody thought of this instead of releasing the original VF1 first and then following that up with VF Remix and that awkward upgrade trade-in offer not much later. Such bad marketing and PR work.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Yes, truly a perplexing decision and a major example of SoA and SoE being totally inept. They should've had Remix available for the Euro and US launch with an option to choose between arcade mode (flat-shaded polygons) and Saturn mode (texture-mapped).

I'll never understand why nobody thought of this instead of releasing the original VF1 first and then following that up with VF Remix and that awkward upgrade trade-in offer not much later. Such bad marketing and PR work.

It’s even more bizarre when they released a flat shaded 32X version too.

As great a port as it was it did nothing to stem the confusion over Sega’s next gen strategy.

I don’t get the reason for the Saturn version of Virtua Racing either. Saturn’s 3D games should have all been textured to distinguish between 32X’s flat shaded look. Again, 32X Virtua Racing was an excellent port done in house.

 

[Alexios]

I'll never understand why nobody thought of this

The PC port did this, though of course it was just model versions you swapped, not the whole engine to include the original lighting etc. (and PC VF2 later had the option for higher detail arcade level models on PC). Those PC ports might be bashed for being based on Saturn instead of straight from the arcade (as if most users could hope to match Model 2) but they were neat versions. It seems they were always stretched thin and in rush mode back then, hence the various improvements noticed between different region releases or unadvertised revisions even for day 1 classics like Sega Rally.

 

[Crayon]

Saturn is sega's best system. Narrowly beating the genesis, miles ahead of the rest.

 

[U n i o n 0015]

that awkward upgrade trade-in offer not much later. Such bad marketing and PR work.

Was that a Euro thing? My VF Remix showed up in the mail one day a few months after I bought my Saturn.