Got japanese Sega Saturn, recommend me games!

[MJR]

Apologies if this has been discussed before, I tried to search for related topics but could not find.

I just got modded japanese saturn that can play games from any region. I already got Radiant Silvergun (of course), Dungeons & Dragons Collection, and X-men Vs. Streetfighter (and 4mb cartridge of course)

I trust quite a bit the gaming taste you weirdos have displayed in this forum, so I would be happy to hear if you have any recommendations what to get next. Thaaankss!

[BIL]

So many of its greats are ports, some enhanced (Hyper Duel), some straight-on (Strikers 1945, the entire STV set), so I'll name a few originals.

Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru is a legit sidescrolling action classic, on par with anything from the more bountiful 8/16bit glory days. Sadly, its excellence has historically been drowned out by goobers cry-wanking over its rarity/price, often evincing zero knowledge of how to play it. A true idiosyncrasy of killing without contact, whose nearest relative may be Alisia Dragoon, but even that's a huge stretch (and Taro is a far better game - no slight on Alisia, but girl got control issues :3). Solid, inventive, topped off by a vast weird/dark atmosphere.

I wrote a quickstart primer which shouldn't spoil anything. It's a genuinely odd juxtaposition of wispy evasion and screen-obliterating overkills which can seem clunky, at first - but once it clicks, you will be enslaving meat puppets and racking up "BAKANAAA!"s at furied pace.

Assault Suits Leynos 2 is perhaps the apotheosis of heavy machine sidescrolling, seamlessly integrating a quasi-sim level of control, HUD, and customisation. Doesn't have the masterpiece aesthetic of its predecessor AS Valken (nothing does) - though the zooming POV is supremely cool, and profoundly useful. It's truly AS Leynos's sequel, returning to its wild open battlefields and arcade/sim customisation, with perhaps the best controls and interface of any mecha sidescroller. Having a button for each weapon is hard to leave behind... you can sock one chump, shotgun another, and loose an Itano Circus on their air support while boosting and strafing, all in the same digital heartbeat - tracking a dozen targets and their projectiles via HUD all the while.

Biggest caveat is the heavy use of JP language and text, but it's surprisingly simple to muddle through the equipment menus with a bit of trial and error, and objectives are generally pretty simple. Controls and HUD are totally intuitive. Worth taking a punt at just for the sense of raging open battle and absolute control, still impressive to this day.

Bulk Slash: Don't be fooled by still shots of tatty polygons and pre-rendered sprites! This is rollicking pickup n' play arcade quality, straight from ex-Tecno Softs at Computer Artist Productions. A 3D arena time attack/seek-and-destroy, featuring seamless ground-to-air Macross action. ala Leynos 2, while there's a lot of text and speech, the objectives tend to boil down to "destroy all X" and occasionally "escort Y." Could've gone into a cab with only minimal adjustments; in hindsight, it reminds me of a 3D take on Namco's phenomenal Metal Hawk.

While the in-game models are strictly functional, it's a more characterful game than stills suggest, perhaps to its detriment if you find overexcited waifu copilots annoying. Great fiery rock/metal OST, as expected of TS alumni.

[MJR]

So many of its greats are ports, some enhanced (Hyper Duel), some straight-on (Strikers 1945, the entire STV set), so I'll name a few originals.

Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru is a legit sidescrolling action classic, on par with anything from the more bountiful 8/16bit glory days. Sadly, its excellence has historically been drowned out by goobers cry-wanking over its rarity/price, often evincing zero knowledge of how to play it. A true idiosyncrasy of killing without contact, whose nearest relative may be Alisia Dragoon, but even that's a huge stretch (and Taro is a far better game - no slight on Alisia, but girl got control issues :3). Solid, inventive, topped off by a vast weird/dark atmosphere.

I wrote a quickstart primer which shouldn't spoil anything. It's a genuinely odd juxtaposition of wispy evasion and screen-obliterating overkills which can seem clunky, at first - but once it clicks you will be racking up "BAKANAAA!"s at furied pace.

Assault Suits Leynos 2 is perhaps the apotheosis of heavy machine sidescrolling, seamlessly integrating a quasi-sim level of control, HUD, and customisation. Biggest caveat is the heavy use of JP language and text, but it's surprisingly simple to muddle through the equipment menus with a bit of trial and error, and objectives are generally pretty simple. Worth taking a punt at just for the sense of raging open battle, still impressive to this day.

Bulk Slash: Don't be fooled by still shots of tatty polygons and pre-rendered sprites! This is rollicking pickup n' play arcade quality, straight from ex-Tecno Softs at Computer Artist Productions). A 3D arena time attack/seek-and-destroy, featuring seamless ground-to-air Macross action. ala Leynos 2, while there's a lot of text and speech, the objectives tend to boil down to "destroy all X" and occasionally "escort Y." Great fiery rock/metal OST, as expected of TS alumni.

ooooh!!! I didn't know Ninja Gaiden was available for Saturn <3 sweety lovely! Thanks BIL!

I would be quite jolly happy to receive *any* arcade port recommendations too; especially if it's something that does not exist in similar or better form in PS1 already, like Parodius / Gradius deluxepacks. I was always so focused on getting everything on my PS1 that I neglected Saturn completely, and now I feel it's time to fix it

[Steven]

How is your Japanese?

[MJR]

How is your Japanese?

It's fine as long as I can outsource it to the google lens app! Meaning, I probably wouldn't want to try to read all of berserk with it, but I wouldn't mind occasional text prompt.

[BIL]

I would be quite jolly happy to receive *any* arcade port recommendations too; especially if it's something that does not exist in similar or better form in PS1 already, like Parodius / Gradius deluxepacks. I was always so focused on getting everything on my PS1 that I neglected Saturn completely, and now I feel it's time to fix it

Steven recently mentioned Soukyuugurentai's director naming the Saturn version as definitive, and the game is superb besides, so that definitely warrants mention.

It's a very solid lineup, famously so, with Garegga the typical star pick, and a very close Darius Gaiden, both only recently retired by M2's ShotTriggers/Cozmic Collection.

It's probably easier to point out Saturn arcade ports you might want to avoid. Gun Frontier comes to mind; lovingly hand-translated by Fujino of Triangle Service, off his own PCB, even, because Taito didn't care. The atmosphere is there, and counts for a lot, but it inevitably misses the board's fiendish Rank mechanics; so ACA is the better pick nowadays... though having said this, perhaps the Saturn port has its own niche, as an Easy Arrange of sorts, for a tough game whose inimitable air of wistful fury is entirely worth the price of admission.

And Strikers 1945 II; a weirdly struggling port with way more slowdown than its PS1 counterpart, never mind the PCB; generally not recommended. BulletMagnet's Racketboy article is still very much worth a read, here!

The STV ports - RSG, Cotton 2 + Boomerang, Shienryu, Guardian Force, and Souky - are all gold. Guardian Force is especially notable for a rare, spirited entry in the ground-based tank STG subgenre. And Dynamite Deka / Dynamite Cop is always a good time. A sort of Virtua Fighter-modeled brawler, great sense of humour... make 'em sneeze with a handful of black pepper, kick 'em in the nuts, finish off with a LAW rocket to the grill.

Virtually all of VING's Taito ports - Elevator Action Returns, Mizubaku Daibouken, Bubble Symphony, Metal Black, Rayforce - are superb, too. Just straight conversions, PCB on a disc. The only possible exception I can think of is Night Striker S, which IIRC isn't to the same accuracy. But as with Gun Frontier, I found it such an experience on its own merits, I didn't regret picking it up at all. Here's hoping something shakes out in current gen, with the recent interest from Taito.

Finally, among batch recs, all of Rutubo's Sega AGES work - OutRun, Space Harrier, and AfterBurner II - are great. Sadly, other devs (Appaloosa, IIRC?) handled Galaxy Force II and Power Drift, which IIRC run at 30fps... not as good, at any rate. Rutubo's OutRun even includes a 60fps mode! There's some weirdness with OR and SH's first print runs not working on certain Saturn revs, so if either acts up, that's probably why.

For enhanced stuff, Hyper Duel's an easy rec; its Saturn Arrange Mode makes the vital addition of a strafe lock button, which really completes the Macross-styled action. You can actually map [shot] and [lock] to the same button, for Shock Troopers/Wolf Fang-styled strafing. It spruces up the graphics quite a bit too, while making some nice balance tweaks (the third boss's attack is no longer trivially cancelled). Opinions vary on OST vs AST quality - I like both - but it's classic Tsukumo either way, electrifying stuff.

Game itself is superb imo, I'd call it neck and neck with TFIV for their best hori. The scoring system is very silly - a number of conflicting goals, like the infamous "stay still for tick points" - but also easily ignored with so much rad shit blowing up all the time; nobody cares about TFIV's infinite milk either right?

Blast Wind was allegedly an arcade title re-fitted to Saturn; regardless, it's more of Tecno Soft's distinctly console-attuned excellence. Feelgood foot-to-the-floorboards overkill with a neat tactical wrinkle via its IREMesque satellite shield. Interestingly, walls don't kill, though it's never as terrain-packed as their earlier Elemental Master. As so often the case with TS, the OST is absolutely worth checking the game out for, bloodening anthemic synth-metal.

It's a bizarre game I've never truly understood, but Raizing's racing STG Shippu Mahou Daisakusen / Kingdom Grandprix includes an exclusive non-racing mode on Saturn; worth a mention imo.

An outside rec - I never did get around to trying it out - but JoshF always mentioned the Saturn version of Tenchi wo Kurau II[ (aka Warriors Of Fate) having a crazy optional Arrange, that enables juggling and air combos ala Capcom's later CPS-2 brawlers. In any case, it's decidedly superior to the PS1 port, which is saddled with mid-stage loadtimes, so I went with SS. One of those things I've always meant to try on a rainy day.

[ryu]

You only need to play Virtual Hydlide. Forget about the rest.

[Sima Tuna]

Get Gungriffon and Gungriffon 2.

[MJR]

You only need to play Virtual Hydlide. Forget about the rest.

Forget even all the Saturn games on your collection?

Thanks for the tips and keep them coming if anything comes to mind!

[Bassa-Bassa]

All the Arcade Gears games are better avoided if you're after accuracy, but Ving's ports are superb, as mentioned. Though be aware that Layer Section has some differentiations including a new soundtrack. Gekirindan is another to avoid. Shippuu Mahou Daisakusen is a port at least as good as Garegga, but it has a no-racing mode which I believe you can't find on the PCB and many prefer. Sengoku Blade has an extra (secret?) character from Gunbird, much like the Twinkle Star Sprites version. Sando R is great and rarely mentioned. And if you really like the Parodiuses, you want the Saturn versions over the Playstation ones, though they're not perfect ports, still.

For home exclusives, Zoku Gussun Oyoyo is likely the best game in the series, and I'd at least check Astal, Shin Shinobi Den, Crows, Nekketsu Oyako, Keiou 2, Thor, Dark Savior and, if you're familiar with the company, the Falcom Classics. All of them have something unique and cool to offer.

[BIL]

Shin Shinobi Den

I always forget SSD, good rec! Absolutely worth it for fans of the MD Super duo; The Super Shinobi III in all but name. Continues the logical expansion of Joe's moveset. I particularly like the emphasis on the katana, with kunai as side-arms. Player and enemies alike being able to lethally deflect projectiles is ninja AF. The flexible chaining of stomps and aerial attacks is great, too.

Would surely be lauded today, had it enjoyed the MD duo's timeless pixel art and iconic ninja techno. I actually find SSD's look kinda charming, nowadays. Very Tokusatsu, safely transcending the Mortal Kombat craze. I don't think I've ever watched more than five seconds of the live-action cinemas, though.

[MJR]

All the Arcade Gears games are better avoided if you're after accuracy, but Ving's ports are superb, as mentioned. Though be aware that Layer Section has some differentiations including a new soundtrack. Gekirindan is another to avoid. Shippuu Mahou Daisakusen is a port at least as good as Garegga, but it has a no-racing mode which I believe you can't find on the PCB and many prefer. Sengoku Blade has an extra (secret?) character from Gunbird, much like the Twinkle Star Sprites version. Sando R is great and rarely mentioned. And if you really like the Parodiuses, you want the Saturn versions over the Playstation ones, though they're not perfect ports, still.

For home exclusives, Zoku Gussun Oyoyo is likely the best game in the series, and I'd at least check Astal, Shin Shinobi Den, Crows, Nekketsu Oyako, Keiou 2, Thor, Dark Savior and, if you're familiar with the company, the Falcom Classics. All of them have something unique and cool to offer.

Now you has us mighty interested, how is Saturn version of Parodius better than PS1 version? I've been quite happy with the PS1 deluxepack of Parodius / Gradius for a very long time now, never even considered getting them for Saturn as I thought they would be identical. But if they are better.. wah hey

Ooh, Shinobi for Saturn. Shiny! Lots of interesting stuff to consider..!

[ryu]

You only need to play Virtual Hydlide. Forget about the rest.

Forget even all the Saturn games on your collection?

Kyuutenkai is difficult but fun if you like pinball. Strange it doesn't get mentioned much anymore (Technosoft developed this one I think).

[RZM]

My favorite game back in the day was probably Dragon Force, awesome tactical RPG with great OST.I think japanese version costs ten times less than Euro/US.

[ryu]

Steven recently mentioned Soukyuugurentai's director naming the Saturn version as definitive, and the game is superb besides, so that definitely warrants mention.

Did he mention what mode the director was referring to (normal vs arcade)?

[BIL]

Steven recently mentioned Soukyuugurentai's director naming the Saturn version as definitive, and the game is superb besides, so that definitely warrants mention.

Did he mention what mode the director was referring to (normal vs arcade)?

I think it was more to do with a glitch, but will let Steven elaborate. That's an interesting point about the difficulty; I always assumed they'd bumped the Saturn port down by one as a player service, and Arcade was the real deal, but I've never seen any actual commentary on it.

Related, I could swear I read an interview with Toyama and co, long ago (ca.2005), where they referred to "the refreshing feeling of making something explode." I recall it being on Gamengai, but I never seem to find it. I'll have to look it up again sometime, it was such a perfect encapsulation of STGs' raw universal appeal. TANK BUSTIN makes everybody feel good!

Plus you don't have stuff like this happen!

[ryu]

Thanks for the link. Too bad he didn't elaborate on the glitches they fixed. All I know is the saturn's normal mode adjusts the rank system to make the normal shot viable. However the scoring system discourages using it anyways so that can hardly be it.

[Bassa-Bassa]

All the Arcade Gears games are better avoided if you're after accuracy, but Ving's ports are superb, as mentioned. Though be aware that Layer Section has some differentiations including a new soundtrack. Gekirindan is another to avoid. Shippuu Mahou Daisakusen is a port at least as good as Garegga, but it has a no-racing mode which I believe you can't find on the PCB and many prefer. Sengoku Blade has an extra (secret?) character from Gunbird, much like the Twinkle Star Sprites version. Sando R is great and rarely mentioned. And if you really like the Parodiuses, you want the Saturn versions over the Playstation ones, though they're not perfect ports, still.

For home exclusives, Zoku Gussun Oyoyo is likely the best game in the series, and I'd at least check Astal, Shin Shinobi Den, Crows, Nekketsu Oyako, Keiou 2, Thor, Dark Savior and, if you're familiar with the company, the Falcom Classics. All of them have something unique and cool to offer.

Now you has us mighty interested, how is Saturn version of Parodius better than PS1 version? I've been quite happy with the PS1 deluxepack of Parodius / Gradius for a very long time now, never even considered getting them for Saturn as I thought they would be identical. But if they are better.. wah hey

Gradius Deluxe Pack is likely slightly better (both) on PS1 for display (resolution) reasons, but Gokujou Parodius is a joke (a bad one) on this system. It was the first Konami game and it shows. Da!, I'm not sure, mind, but SAT is a safer bet. Neither is arcade accurate, anyway. Sexy, even the SAT port isn't perfectly accurate graphics-wise, so the PS1 version has to be even worse. Oshaberi, I never really knew. The version was specifically made for the 32bit consoles and both were released simultaneously, so my guess is they worked to get them basically the very same for once.

All I know is the saturn's normal mode adjusts the rank system to make the normal shot viable.

Wait, you mean you don't get that as well if you put the difficulty level one step below on the STV version?

[guigui]

I can mention Baku Baku Animal for your frantic original puzzle game.

[BIL]

I can mention Baku Baku Animal for your frantic original puzzle game.

Another great STV port; I'll throw in Purikura / Prikura Daisakusen, too. The isometric perspective isn't for everyone, but that allowed, it's a rollicking good hybrid of run/gun and brawler.

I'm not sure if there even was a STV-to-Saturn port that didn't turn out superbly? Regardless, the prestige of direct arcade-to-home porting never goes away.

I'll also tentatively mention Stellar Assault SS; only "tentatively" since I've only put a few hours on it. But a Saturn sequel to the 32X's super-cool Stellar Assault was too tempting to pass up. Seemed superb, and most definitely worth checking out for fans of quasi-arcade dogfighter sims. Another rainy day treat.

Typing that, I realise I've never actually played the somewhat infamous Saturn Virtua Racing. Got slated by magazines BITD, if I recall. But I don't remember it getting much good buzz from discerning sorts, either. And it's impossible not to wish AM2 hadn't simply redone the already brilliant Virtua Racing Deluxe. There's this old 32X promo video, of pre-production VRDX running at what looks like a smooth 30fps, in Lou Rawls' house... just gimme that pls, with Lou Rawls on announcer duties too. But this thread has me curious again.

At any rate, a surefire rec: Sega Rally, preferably the re-release with analogue control, if you're on NTSCJ. But honestly, just like 32X VR Deluxe, even the digital pad controls are astonishingly fine. Legendary home conversion. Virtua Fighter 2 can go in this bracket, too.

Will mention Panzer Dragon Zwei in the corresponding home-original staples. The original remains a fantastic experience too, imo, despite its sometimes struggling performance; but I'll caveat that by saying I unironically like SFC Starfox, too. But as with SF64, Zwei's a technical quantum leap, and an impressively creative sequel, too. Classic rail shooter, brilliant Moebius-inspired style. Going a bit OT, Panzer Dragon Orta (Xbox) is an easy rec if you dig these games. Remarkably consistent trilogy. I never played Azel but I'm sure I'd have dug it too, just on its world and character designs.

[Bassa-Bassa]

I'm not sure if there even was a STV-to-Saturn port that didn't turn out superbly?

The vs fighters aside of Astra Superstars, sadly. The Golden Axe, Suiko Enbu, Groove on Fight trio has them all losing not few animation frames, even adding slowdowns in the second case, and the disc loading was always too annoying, being vs games.

I also dislike how they solved the opening sequences on Purikura Daisakusen with cheap-looking FMVs, it goes against the arcade feel, but worse things have happened.

[BrianC]

At any rate, a surefire rec: Sega Rally, preferably the re-release with analogue control, if you're on NTSCJ. But honestly, just like 32X VR Deluxe, even the digital pad controls are astonishingly fine. Legendary home conversion.

While the re-release is recommended, the original actually has analog controls with the Steering Wheel and 3-D Pad (only the pad, not the triggers). 3D Pad has a better layout and analog trigger support for the plus versions.

Suiko Enbu

Didn't this one get a second Saturn version? How does that one fare?

[BIL]

I'm not sure if there even was a STV-to-Saturn port that didn't turn out superbly?

The vs fighters aside of Astra Superstars, sadly. The Golden Axe, Suiko Enbu, Groove on Fight trio has them all losing not few animation frames, even adding slowdowns in the second case, and the disc loading was always too annoying, being vs games.

Ah yeah, I remember hearing about those, now; particularly Groove On Fight. Fighters are a blind spot of mine, tbh. Lots of affection for the genre, but it's not one I explore beyond the usual Capcom/SNK (or Sega/Namco) staples.

Dynamite Deka's loadtimes are a slight annoyance too; they're brief, but dint the STV cart's rollicking pace slightly. The PS2 AGES port is a great fix here, though the Saturn disc is more than decent enough to keep around.

EDIT: God I love this game.

At any rate, a surefire rec: Sega Rally, preferably the re-release with analogue control, if you're on NTSCJ. But honestly, just like 32X VR Deluxe, even the digital pad controls are astonishingly fine. Legendary home conversion.

While the re-release is recommended, the original actually has analog controls with the Steering Wheel and 3-D Pad (only the pad, not the triggers). 3D Pad has a better layout and analog trigger support for the plus versions.

Interesting, I'd always thought it was total either/or situation there!

[Bassa-Bassa]

Suiko Enbu

Didn't this one get a second Saturn version? How does that one fare?

It basically speeds-up the game, and adds two characters from Fighter's History which are misplaced at best. Not really closer to the original game, but better than the first SAT game, I guess.

Sexy, even the SAT port isn't perfectly accurate graphics-wise, so the PS1 version has to be even worse.

This is terribly phrased, in case. Never meant to suggest that SAT Sexy is a bad port as it is an awesome port (of an awesome game), which just had some negligible graphic alterations/omissions which I don't even remember with clarity.

[SuperDeadite]

I never understood why so many people don't understand how to play Kingdom Grandprix. It's really simple: HOLD THE FUCKING BUTTON!

Seriously, hold the shot button down to accelerate. Watch the little red speedo hit max, pass other ships and win the race.

The whole point is to balence speed with shooting as you can't do both at the same time. You need to know when to shoot and when to floor it. All about carving the perfect line through each stage.

As for me, I'll give a shout out to Shining the Holy Ark. The battle music alone will make you hard.

Do yourself a favor and get a Fenrir ODE.

[it290]

Digital Pinball: Necronomicon and Last Gladiators are mandatory.

[BIL]

I never understood why so many people don't understand how to play Kingdom Grandprix. It's really simple: HOLD THE FUCKING BUTTON!

Seriously, hold the shot button down to accelerate. Watch the little red speedo hit max, pass other ships and win the race.

The whole point is to balence speed with shooting as you can't do both at the same time. You need to know when to shoot and when to floor it. All about carving the perfect line through each stage.

I have a great time with the 1ALL, but I get buttfucked into a corner by the second loop, to the point I'm unsure if they actually intended you to place first anymore.

I like it a lot regardless, having a soft spot for hybrid STG/racers ala Battle Formula and Cloudphobia. There's always a bit more of a learning curve, both genres being all about gradual course mastery. The marvelous fantasy/horror aesthetic and galloping Sakimoto-Iwata BGM would already justify it.

I should give it a revisit sometime... last time I played it seriously was forever ago. Couldn't find much in the way of WR-level replays back then, which would surely clear things up.

[BrianC]

Digital Pinball: Necronomicon and Last Gladiators ver 9.7 are mandatory.

fixed

[neorichieb1971]

This is my modest collection - Of varying degrees of quality.

After Burner II (Sega Ages)
Astal
Baku Baku Animal
Batsugun
Bubble Symphony
Capcom Generations 1
Capcom Generations 2
Capcom Generations 3
Capcom Generations 4
Capcom Generations 5
Christmas Nights
Clockwork Knight
Columns
Darius Gaiden
Earthworm Jim 2
Elevator Action Returns
Fantasy Zone
Game Paradise (The)
Gokujyo Parodius-Da! Deluxe Pack
Gradius Deluxe Pack
Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius
Marvel Super Heroes
Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter
Outrun (P1K version, needed for Mk2 Saturn)
Panzer Dragoon
Panzer Dragoon Zwei
Power Drift (Sega Ages)
Puzzle Bobble 2x
Radiant Silvergun
Saturn Bomberman
Sexy Parodius
Soukyugurentai
Street Fighter Zero
Street Fighter Zero 2
Street Fighter Zero 3 + 4MB ram cartridge
Super Dimension Fortress Macross (The)
Super Puzzle Fighter 2
Vampire Saviour + 4MB Ram
Virtua Cop
Virtua Cop 2
Xmen Children of the Atom
Xmen vs Street Fighter + 4MB ram cartridge

[ryu]

All I know is the saturn's normal mode adjusts the rank system to make the normal shot viable.

Wait, you mean you don't get that as well if you put the difficulty level one step below on the STV version?

No idea to be honest. Does anyone play on non-default difficulties anyways?