Non-Shmup Saturn Games

HeWhoGoverns · Post by **HeWhoGoverns** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 10:07 am

What non-shmup Saturn games are worth buying out there(any region)? I didn't have much exposure to the Saturn when it was popular way back when.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 10:42 am

The first that come to mind:

Dracula X
Purikura Daisakusen
Elevator Action Returns
Taroumaru
Panzer Dragoon Saga
Guardian Heroes
Deep Fear

Diabollokus · Post by **Diabollokus** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:48 am

I think Jp used to have a huge list somewhere

But heres some essential ones

Shining Force 3 my fav game
Dragon Force, overated
Virtua Fighter 2 (see below)
Fighting Vipers (or just buy the NTSC-J version of fighters megamix)
Xmen Children of the Atom or any of the Marvel 2D fighters, pretty good.
Nights into Dreams
Virtua Cop 2 was a real highlight back in the day

I agree totally with ceph above. Be prepared to shell out serious cash for Taromaru and an english language version of Panzer Dragoon saga.

Klatrymadon · Post by **Klatrymadon** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:24 pm

Assault Suit Leynos 2

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:08 pm

Diabollokus wrote: Xmen Children of the Atom or any of the Marvel 2D fighters, pretty good.

I think you only mean X-Men vs. Street Fighter and MSH vs. Street Fighter, which are seemingly perfect ports of the last major revisions of both games. X-Men and MSH were mediocre ports with dropped frames and slowdown.

Anyway, for a taste of genres:

RPG: Langrisser I-V (best versions)
Fighting: Street Fighter Zero 3 (arguably the best port)
Beat-em-up: Guardian Heroes (only version)
Sidescroller: Silhouette Mirage (better version)

GaijinPunch · Post by **GaijinPunch** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:49 pm

I pride the saturn section of gamengai has somewhat honest... I will mention if games suck.

My personal favorites are
Keio Yuugekitai
Taroumaru
Bubble Symphony
Bulk Slash
Elevator Action Returns
D&D Collection
...a lot more.

JBC · Post by **JBC** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:11 pm

Shinobi and the Bug! games are pretty fun ^__^

Ooh, get Astal - excellent little action platformer.

jp · Post by jp » Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:32 pm

Cheap Domestic:
Panzer Dragoon (rail-shooter)
Panzer Dragoon II Zwei (rail-shooter)
Bug! (2.5D platformer)
Bug Too! (2.5D platformer)
Astal (2D platformer)
Saturn Bomberman (the greatest Bomberman ever made)
NiGHTS (its own genre)
Christmas NiGHTS (yes, even though its a demo its totally worth getting)
Clockwork Knight (2.5D platformer)
Clockwork Knight 2 (2.5D platformer)
Shining the the Holy Ark (RPG)
Shining Wisdom (Action RPG)
Fighters Megamix (the most awesome 3D fighter ever made)
Fighting Vipers (3D fighting game)
Virtua Fighter (3D fighting game)
Virtua Fighter 2 (3D fighting game)
Last Bronx (3D fighting game)
Virtua Cop (lightgun game)
Virtua Cop 2 (lightgun game)
Daytona USA (racing game)
Virtual On (mech fighting game)
Sega Rally (racing game)
Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Island (classic 2D platformer)
Bust-A-Move 2 or 3 (puzzle game)
Baku Baku (puzzle game)
Dark Savior (3D platformer/RPG)
Legend of Oasis (action RPG)
Gungriffon (mech game that suppots twin sticks)
Iron Storm (WWII strategy game)
Mega Man 8 (uh... Mega Man game)
Mega Man X4 (Mega Man game)
Marvel Super Heroes (2D fighting game) (uses MB cart)
Street Fighter Collection (2D fighting game)
Street Fighter Alpha (2D fighting game)
Super Puzzle Fighter II (Puzzle game)
Nightwarriors
Columns (puzzle games)
Sega Ages (classic Sega games
Powerslave (FPS)
Rayman (2D platformer)
Shinobi Legions (2D action game)
Sonic Jam (collection of Sonic games)
Sonic R (3D Racing game, and dammit I enjoy it)
Sonic 3D Blast (best version of it ever)
Tempest 2000 (arcade shooting)
Enemy Zero (Horror game)
D (horror game)

Domestic Expensive Games:
Guardian Heroes (Side-scrolling beat 'em up)
Burning Rangers (3D action game about putting out fires)
Panzer Dragoon Saga (the greatest RPG ever made)
House of the Dead (lightgun game)
Shining Force III (Strategy/RPG)
Dragon Force (Strategy/RPG)
Albert Odyssey (RPG)
Magic Knight Rayearth (RPG)
(If you like horse racing sims then Winning Post could go here too... but I've never played my copy so I don't know how good it is.

)

Import Cheap (I'm skipping over RPGs since I assume you don't speak Nihongo):
Assault Suit Leynos 2 (2D mech shooter)
Popoitto Hebereke (puzzle)
Puyo Puyo Sun (puzzle)
Necronomicon Digital Pinball (pinball)
King of Fighters Best Collection (2D fighting) (uses MB cart)
Jung Rhythm (rhythm game)
Marvel vs. Street Fighter (2D fighter) (uses 4MB cart)
X-Men vs. Street Fighter (2D fighter) (uses 4MB cart)
Vampire Savior (2D fighter) (uses 4MB cart)
Real Bout Fatal Fury Collection (2D fighters) (uses 1MB cart)
Tukai!! Shooting Slots (neat little shooting puzzle game)
Tetris S (puzzle game)
Bomberman Fight! (3D Bomberman game that uses 4players, pretty fun)
Capcom Generation 2 (Ghosts n Goblins games)
Gungriffon 2 (mech game)
Willy Wombat (isometric adventure game)
Whizz (isometric platformer) (has a PAL version)
Magical Drop 2 and 3 (puzzle games)
Pocket Fighter (2D fighting game)
Mega Man X3 (Mega Man game) (PAL) (might be expensive... I don't recall)
Bulk Slash (3D mech fighting game)
Silhouette Mirage (2D platformer/action game)
Samurai Spirits Collection (2D fighting games)(uses MB cart)
Super Tempo (2D platformer)

Expensive imports:
Deep Fear (survival horror game) (PAL)
Disc World I and II (point and click adventures, fun though) (PAL)
Swagman (top down adventure game) (PAL)
Street Fighter Zero 3 (2D fighting game) (uses 4MB cart)
Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru (2D action game)
Crows: The Battle Action for Sega Saturn (Side-scrolling beat 'em up. A lot of people will argue with me about this, but its a fairly neat game).
Astra Superstars (2D fighting game) (uses 4MB cart)
Dungeons and Dragons Collection (side-scrolling beat'em up) (uses 4MB cart)
Metal Slug (Run'n'Gun)
Stellar Assault (nice 3D space shooting sim)
Prikura Daisasuken (isometric shooting game)
Tryrush Deppy (2D platformer)
Keio Flying Squadron 2 (2D action game) (PAL)
Elevator Action Returns (2D action game)
Bubble Symphony (2D platformer)
Mizabuka Adventure (2D platformer)
Cleopatra's Fortune (puzzle)

I'm sure I'm missing some stuff. But my mind has about gone blank. So... I may come back and add some more stuff later. In the meantime, I'm doing reviews of the more rare Saturn stuff chea:
http://www.angelfire.com/al2/jp/reviews.html

Granted, what with school being super hard this semester, I probably won't do anymore until my little break between Spring/Summer classes.

Or you can just go to the main site ( http://www.angelfire.com/al2/jp ) and see brief reviews of a bunch of shmups. Though not all of them since I quit updating it awhile ago (need to fix that...).

Edit: Heh, I quit bolding things once I hit the imports. Oh well, I'll fix it later.

junkeR · Post by **junkeR** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:09 pm

Isn't Super Tempo an expensive Saturn Import? I could've swore it was extremely rare and worth around 200 dollars.

Kiken · Post by **Kiken** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:11 pm

jp wrote: Vampire Savior (2D fighter)
Vampire Savior (2D fighter)

Do really like VS that much?

I assume you mean:
Vampire Hunter
Vampire Saviour (4-Meg RAM required)

And guys, when pointing out specific games to Saturn noobs, do make sure to list RAM-cart requirements.

jp wrote: Deep Fear (survival horror game) (PAL)

For HeWhoGovern's reference, it should be noted that the Japanese version features English voice-acting (with Japanese subtitles), and there's very little Japanese-only text portions of the game.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:40 pm

junkeR wrote:Isn't Super Tempo and expensive Saturn Import? I could've swore it was extremely rare and worth around 200 dollars.

Nope. You can get it new for around $70. Used copies are cheaper.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:14 pm

Ganelon wrote:
Diabollokus wrote: Xmen Children of the Atom or any of the Marvel 2D fighters, pretty good.
I think you only mean X-Men vs. Street Fighter and MSH vs. Street Fighter, which are seemingly perfect ports of the last major revisions of both games. X-Men and MSH were mediocre ports with dropped frames and slowdown.

Marvel Superheroes supports the 4 Meg cart (though it only uses 1 MB of it) to restore those missing frames and doesn't have as much slowdown as the PS1 version, even without the cart. I'd say it's the better version of the two. Highly recommended.

JoshF · Post by **JoshF** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:29 pm

My specialty.

ACTION:
2do Arukoto wa Sando-R
Assault Suit Leynos 2
Bio Hazard
Bubble Symphony
Bulk Slash
Burning Rangers
Capcom Generation 2 (Makaimura, Dai Makaimura, Chou Makaimura)
Capcom Generation 4 (Senjou no Ookami, Senjou no Ookami II, Gun.Smoke)
Clockwork Knight: Pepperouchau no Fukubukuro
Dynamite Deka
Elevator Action Returns
Guardian Heroes
Gungriffon: The Eurasian Conflict
Gungriffon II
Ki Suishou Densetsu Astal
Lost Vikings 2: Norse by Norsewest
Magical Hoppers (Pandemonium)
Mass Destruction
Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story 1
Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story 2
Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story 3
Night Striker S
NiGHTS Into Dreams...
Rayman
Rockman 8
Rockman X3
Rockman X4
Rouka ni Ichidant R (Sega Ages)
Saturn Bomberman
Sega Memorial Selection vol. 1
Sega Memorial Selection vol. 2
Shin Shinobi Den
Shukudai ga Tanto-R (Sega Ages)
Silhouette Mirage
Sonic Jam
Taito Chase H.Q. Plus S.C.I.
Wonder 3 (Arcade Gears)

ADVENTURE
Jewels of the Oracle (Bilingual)
Kindaichi Shounen No Jikenbo
Kuro No Danshou: The Literary Fragment
Nanatsu Kaze No Shima Monogatari
Machi
Policenauts
Snatcher
Tantei Saburo Jinguji: Mikan No Rupo (w/ artwork by Katsuya Terada!!!)
Tantei Saburo Jinguji: Yume no Owarini
Virus

FIGHTING
Cyberbots: Fullmetal Madness
Fighters History Dynamite
Fighting Vipers
King of Fighter 96 (Boss Team!!!)
King of Fighters 97
Last Bronx
Real Bout Garou Densetsu Special
Street Fighter Collection
Street Fighter Zero 3
Vampire Savior
Virtua Fighter 2
Waku Waku 7

FIRST PERSON SHOOTER
Duke Nukem 3D
Seireki 1999: Pharaoh no Fukkatsu (Exhumed/Powerslave)
Quake

INTERACTIVE MOVIE:
Enemy Zero
Interactive Movie Action: Thunder Storm LX-3 & Road Blaster
Interactive Movie Action: Time Gal & Ninja Hayate
Strahl: Himerareshi Nanatsu no Hikari

PUZZLE
Baku Baku Animal
Gussun Oyoyo S
Puyo Puyo Sun
Puzzle Bobble 2X
Puzzle Bobble 3
Super Puzzle Fighter IIX
Tetris Plus
Zoku Gussun Oyoyo

ROLE PLAYING
Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG
Baroque
Blue Seed
Dark Savior
Densetsu no Ogre Battle
Dragon Force
Dragon Force II
Falcom Classics
Falcom Classics II
Feda Remake!
Grandia
Gulliver Boy
Langrisser III
Langrisser IV
Langrisser V
Phantasy Star Collection (Sega Ages)
Princess Crown
Ronde
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner
Shining the Holy Ark
Slayers Royal 2
Soul Hackers: Devil Summoner
Tactics Ogre
Tengai Makkyou IV: The Apocalypse
Terra Phantastica
Thor: Seireiokiden
Quovadis 2
Wachenroder
Wizardry: Llylgamyn Saga (Bilingual)

SPORTS/TABLE:
Daytona USA
DecAthlete
Digital Pinball: Last Gladiators
Digital Pinball: Necronomicon
Hattrick Hero S
Manx TT Superbike
Out Run (Sega Ages)
Power Drift (Sega Ages)
Pro Yakyuu Greatest Nine '98: Summer Action
Sega Rally Championship Plus
Sega Worldwide Soccer '98
Shutokou Battle '97: Drift King

jp · Post by jp » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:36 pm

Kiken wrote:
Do really like VS that much?
I assume you mean:
Vampire Hunter
Vampire Saviour (4-Meg RAM required)

And guys, when pointing out specific games to Saturn noobs, do make sure to list RAM-cart requirements.

Haha, yeah well, I was doing it off the top of my head, so :p

Fixed! And added the MB cart stuff. Though I may have been off on some of it. If someone wants to verify, be my guest.

For HeWhoGovern's reference, it should be noted that the Japanese version features English voice-acting (with Japanese subtitles), and there's very little Japanese-only text portions of the game.

Is it? I have the JP version but just assumed it was all in JP, so I just played the PAL version. Hmmm... I'll have to look into that.

And to whoever asked, no, Super Tempo isn't super expensive. I think it was at some point, but it isn't anymore.

For that matter. Tryrush Deppy may no longer be super expensive either. Its been awhile since I've checked.

jp · Post by jp » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:36 pm

Specineff wrote:
Ganelon wrote:
Diabollokus wrote: Xmen Children of the Atom or any of the Marvel 2D fighters, pretty good.
I think you only mean X-Men vs. Street Fighter and MSH vs. Street Fighter, which are seemingly perfect ports of the last major revisions of both games. X-Men and MSH were mediocre ports with dropped frames and slowdown.
Marvel Superheroes supports the 4 Meg cart (though it only uses 1 MB of it) to restore those missing frames and doesn't have as much slowdown as the PS1 version, even without the cart. I'd say it's the better version of the two. Highly recommended.

Yes indeed. Even the US version support the MB cart.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:43 pm

I remember seeing the Jap version of Deep Fear once, and while the videos were in English there was definitely some Japanese text in the game. I think the item names were in Japanese, too. Unless you can read Japanese, my recommendation would be the PAL version.

jp · Post by jp » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:45 pm

Ceph wrote:I remember seeing the Jap version of Deep Fear once, and while the videos were in English there was definitely some Japanese text in the game. I think the item names were in Japanese, too. Unless you can read Japanese, my recommendation would be the PAL version.

Thats what I was thinking... I knew it had english voices... but I thought all the text was in Japanese.

Kiken · Post by **Kiken** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:18 pm

Ceph wrote:I remember seeing the Jap version of Deep Fear once, and while the videos were in English there was definitely some Japanese text in the game. I think the item names were in Japanese, too. Unless you can read Japanese, my recommendation would be the PAL version.

The text really isn't an issue when playing. And considering the price difference between the two, I'd recommend the Japanese version.

Also, this needs to said... KOF 95 uses its own proprietary ROM cart (so does one of the UltraMan games, but I doubt anyone is going to mention that one). It is not compatible with either of the RAM expansion carts.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:19 pm

@Junker: Maybe you were thinking about Mizubaku Daibouken? That's one of the rarest Saturn games and goes for $200+

jp · Post by jp » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:23 pm

Ceph wrote:@Junker: Maybe you were thinking about Mizubaku Daibouken? That's one of the rarest Saturn games and goes for $200+

What? Since when was that worth $200+

Jesus, it wasn't even a triple digit game a year ago.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:26 pm

Apparently people realized how rare it was. At least on ebay it's much harder to find than Taromaru.
There's currently only one. Overpriced, though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Saturn-SS-LIQUID-KI ... 0091707389

If you are lucky you can still get it for $100-150.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:38 pm

Specineff wrote: Marvel Superheroes supports the 4 Meg cart (though it only uses 1 MB of it) to restore those missing frames and doesn't have as much slowdown as the PS1 version, even without the cart. I'd say it's the better version of the two. Highly recommended.

Restore <i>some</i> of those missing frames. But it's still not smooth, and staring at the infamous "loading wall" at the start of every match is a bit annoying. Of course, it's way better than the PS versions (warning to all: do not play the PS version of XMVSF) but it's not something I would recommend.

Anyway, keep in mind that certain great SS games at the time have been superseded by superior ports like VF2, Sega Rally, SFA, SF Collection (well, the PS version was actually more accurate even at the time, even though it had fewer frames in SFA2G), Sonic R, and any KOF.

And just to clear up jp's list with additional RAM cart clarifications:
Pocket Fighter can use 4MB
Astra Superstars can use either 1MB, 4MB, or no RAM cart at all
D&D Tower of Doom does not require the RAM cart (only D&D2 does)
Metal Slug requires 1MB

jp · Post by jp » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:51 pm

Ceph wrote:Apparently people realized how rare it was. At least on ebay it's much harder to find than Taromaru.
There's currently only one. Overpriced, though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Saturn-SS-LIQUID-KI ... 0091707389

If you are lucky you can still get it for $100-150.

Damn... I remember when it was $75. Craziness!
Granted, I guess ole' Blast Wind has sky rocketed in price as well. I wonder if my excessive praise of it on every forum I go to has anything to do with that.

Astra Superstars can use either 1MB, 4MB, or no RAM cart at all

That alone is a testament to the Saturn's 2D power. Astra Superstars is nuts. Oh, and the fact that Princess Crown runs without any carts.

Granted, I don't think I would want to see Astra Superstars without a MB cart.

Honestly, I didn't even know AS could be played without a cart though.

Kiken · Post by **Kiken** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:08 pm

jp wrote:Granted, I don't think I would want to see Astra Superstars without a MB cart. Honestly, I didn't even know AS could be played without a cart though.

Yep. Check the back of the case... every "system requirement" has a circle (Saturn Base Memory, 1 Meg RAM, 4 Meg RAM).

jp · Post by jp » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:10 pm

I believe ya!

In fact, once I get back from the comic book shop, I'm going to see what cartless AS looks like!!!

Limbrooke · Post by **Limbrooke** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:29 pm

I'm surprised I didn't catch this sooner as I would've tossed in my 2 cents, but it appears all bases have been covered.

I guess I can list my personal picks:

Elevator Action Returns
Bubble Symphony
Shining Force 3
Taito Chase H.Q. Plus S.C.I (short but sweet)
Tenchi wo Kurau 2
Saturn Bomberman (outside mutliplayer it still has it moments)
Vampire Savior (fantastic port)
Fighter's History Dynamite
Dungeons & Dragons Collection

Ceph wrote:Apparently people realized how rare it was. At least on ebay it's much harder to find than Taromaru.
There's currently only one. Overpriced, though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Saturn-SS-LIQUID-KI ... 0091707389

If you are lucky you can still get it for $100-150.

As I've heard regarding print runs:
Shinrei Jusatsushi Taroumaru = 7,500 copies (1 run)
Mizubaku Daibouken = 3,500 copies (assumed 1 run)

Although that copy on eBay is clearly marked up to the extreme, I still paid three figures for my copy about 1.5 years ago. It can be had for under a bill but you need to wait and watch... for a while. In the past year I saw an auction for MD go around $60.
Not a bad game either, just a little slow for my likes, a la The New Zealand Story. I'll take Rainbow Islands/Bubble Bobble canon over this... just not Parasol Stars.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 10:26 pm

Limbrooke wrote: As I've heard regarding print runs:
Shinrei Jusatsushi Taroumaru = 7,500 copies (1 run)
Mizubaku Daibouken = 3,500 copies (assumed 1 run)

Ok, 3500 is an insanely small print run. That explains it. So this is the rarest official Saturn game then?

Diabollokus · Post by **Diabollokus** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 10:54 pm

looking back at this list makes me think the dreamcast really was inferior to the saturn in terms of quality titles.

jp · Post by jp » Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:19 pm

Ceph wrote:
Limbrooke wrote: As I've heard regarding print runs:
Shinrei Jusatsushi Taroumaru = 7,500 copies (1 run)
Mizubaku Daibouken = 3,500 copies (assumed 1 run)
Ok, 3500 is an insanely small print run. That explains it. So this is the rarest official Saturn game then?

I don't know man... I know Taromaru is 7500 (actually, its one pressing was the last thing Time Warner Interactive of Japan did) but... hmmm... I dunno. Mizabuka the official rarest Saturn game? I'd think Crows and Blast Wind are both just as difficult to come across. Granted, I don't know how many pressings either of those got (I've always assumed 5000 or less) so if Mizabuka had a 3500 pressing then it could very well be the rarest.

Unless you count special editions and stuff.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:48 pm

I know that Crows rare, but Blast Wind? There are always a couple for sale.