Just got a Japanese Saturn. Which game should I focus on?

[Neith]

There are so many options when it comes to Saturn shmups, it is hard to decide which game to put a lot of time into. I'm looking for something with a rewarding experience, a game that you can really see your progress as you gradually master it. I want to get good at this one particular game before I move on to another.
Which would you recommend?

[Jockel]

Battle Garegga.

[chempop]

Layer Section
Soukyugurentai (yoko)
Batsugun

[8 1/2]

Battle Garegga.

I've burned out a Saturn playing BG. The system has a hell of a list, but this is the one game I'd go for to start things off right.

[Van_Artic]

as above, Battle Garegga and Batsugun
then:

Thunderforce V
Metal Black

[drunkninja24]

Nobody's mentioned DoDonPachi yet?

[mesh control]

Gunbird
Strikers 1945
Sengoku Blade
Layer Section

[clp]

Garegga , soukyugurentai , batsugun .

[BrianC]

Parodius Deluxe Pack
Gradius Deluxe Pack
Twinbee Deluxe Pack

[ROBOTRON]

Layer Section
Radiant Silvergun
Thunderforce 5
Soukyugerentai
Metal Black
Blast Wind
Darius Gaiden

[Obiwanshinobi]

First things first. Go for something that isn't well emulated or isn't emulated at all. Battle Garegga for example is pretty laggy in MAME even with the sprite buffer hacked out. Makes me want a Saturn.
DoDonPachi, on the other hand, you can play on MAME (or PSX/PS2) with flying colours. Garegga, although playable, still isn't quite up there.

[sven666]

battle garegga

oh and you should have bought an xbox360

[neorichieb1971]

Layer Section
Batsugun
Garegga

And for cosmetics i'd give a thumbs up to Game paradise and Sexy paradious.

For serious kicks you can't go wrong with the top 3.

[andsuchisdeath]

The saturn mode of Hyper Duel justifies the purchase.

You can't go wrong with Batsugun, Battle Garegga and Soukyugurentai though.

[Neith]

I appreciate all of the responses thanks.

Seems like Battle Garegga is the favourite among you guys so I will get on that.

I have a couple questions,
Are specific settings (difficulty/ number of ships/ credits) required to qualify to make it on the score board? This applies to a bunch of games.

Do you recommend I start on Normal/Arcade or easy difficulty? I'm not sure how I should configure the options for Battle Garegga so if you have any suggestions...

[Plasmo]

Normal/Arcade is the only way to go. You won't feel any accomplishment after getting far in easy mode plus you can't öpost your score anywhere.

Another vote for Battle Garegga, Batsugun and Radiant Silvergun

[D]

Garegga
Do Don pachi
Don Pachi
Sonic Wings Special
Gunbird

[Neith]

Gunbird just came in the mail today and looks brand new. Awesome.

Question:
What are your opinions on mod chips and back ups?

[Subterranean Sun]

Radiant Silvergun.

[Drum]

Subterranean Sun

This is the best username.

On topic: I like Cotton Boomerang.

[Obiwanshinobi]

What are your opinions on mod chips and back ups?

They are FANTASTIC. Apparently on a properly modded Saturn you can even play PAL games at full speed.

[Neith]

While I much prefer to have the actual game boxed w/ manual and extras, I'm not always willing to pay the going rate on ebay.
Since they were a good deal I've only bought Sexy Parodius and Gunbird.

I installed a mod chip and have been exploring the Saturn library and having loads of fun along the way. I'm sure some of you look down on that which is why I hesitated to say.
I figure as long as I'm not depriving the developers of money by doing this it isn't wrong.

I made this topic because I have access to all of the games and was overwelmed.

Looks like I'll be playing the 2 games I purchased on ebay and Battle Garegga for a while.

[gray117]

Question:
What are your opinions on mod chips and back ups?

Old console-wise where the creators aren't making money off the old games/hardware AND if you own originals - do what you will with the thing.

As for other situations my own advice is to exercise some moral caution even in areas where you're pretty sure no one will care legally - it will increase your enjoyment of a product. Perhaps, for the original creators - buy their new game [or re-release] or merchandise off them; even if they're now a different company.

Much the same as emulation...

[Van_Artic]

Apparently on a properly modded Saturn you can even play PAL games at full speed.

that's what i did when i first got the saturn, 50/60hz switch

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/saturn5060.htm

The saturn mode of Hyper Duel justifies the purchase.

add my agreement on this one, Hyper Duel is the 3rd best hori shmup on Saturn

[chempop]

Hyper Duel is the 3rd best hori shmup on Saturn

The first two being Thunderforce V and Sengoku Blaede? Salamander Deluxe Pack, Sexy Parodius, Thunderforce Gold 1+2, Cotton 2, and Cotton Boomerang all get thumbs up too. I sadly don't own any of these games, my hori collection is pathetic.

Did TC mention if price was an issue? There are so many great games that only cost $20-30, a bunch that will run closer to $50, and only a handful that will run closer to the $100 mark. I'm tempted to make a price chart, but I'm sure there is one out there somewhere.

Any Shienryu fans out there? I've always been tempted to pick up a copy but it rarely gets talked about.

[Matsunaga]

Shienryu isn't very good, it looks nice and all but it's not very fun. As everyone else said, get Garegga and Batsugun.

[Limbrooke]

Normal/Arcade is the only way to go. You won't feel any accomplishment after getting far in easy mode plus you can't öpost your score anywhere.

Another vote for Battle Garegga, Batsugun and Radiant Silvergun

Listen to this guy.

My lone entry would be Thunder Force 5. It's a decent length (24 minutes for the clear) and has good challenge and some scoring opportunities. Plus it should be cheaper than most Saturn shooters out there, at least it was for me. In the end it depends on what you like in a game as even though I like all 3 mentioned by Plasmo, they all aren't perhaps what I would select if I could do it again since they were within my first 5 imports for Saturn. I will say this much each of the 3 mentioned have a lot of replayability (depth) and potential enjoyment so if you were to choose one of those (or TF5) you probably won't be without work to do for a while.

[Dragoforce]

Any Shienryu fans out there? I've always been tempted to pick up a copy but it rarely gets talked about.

I like Raiden, thus I like Shienryu. Breaks your balls on the last stages though. Defintly worth buying if you like old-school gameplay. Apart from that Metal Black, Garegga, Batsugun and Darius Gaiden are awesome and must be played.

[Kollision]

Shienryu has probably the most aggresive rank I have ever seen (PS1 port).
It impressed me to the point I'm scared to get back to it (it's like a wall if you reach the 5th stage on one life ).

[apple arcade]

Battle Garegga


This question really only has one answer.