Thinking of buying a Sega Saturn soon...

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

Before I do though, I just want to know a few things about the games I'm interested in first:
1: Is the Saturn version of In The Hunt as bad as I hear? should I just track down the PSX long box instead?
2: Which version of Cotton 2 is better? are they both worth owning?
3: Is DonPachi still worth picking up? everyone's saying that DoDonPachi is THE shmup everyone should play at least once, but I don't hear much about the original, which naturally makes it all the more intriguing to me.
4: If I didn't like any of the previous Thunder Force games, will 5 be any different? I feel somewhat obligated to show some appreciation towards the series, what with how well-loved it is and all, but I don't feel anything other than apathy...

[whoozwah]

I can't answer any of your questions except about DonPachi. The hitbox is bigger. The death explosion kinda stalls the pace of the game compared to DDP but it's not that big a deal. imo the announcer is the best one in the series. It takes some getting used to but it's definitely fun. I think as far as gameplay goes, DDP beats it but as far as presentation goes, the original is better. YMMV.

[Sandlegs]

you need DDP and on saturn it is good. also get sokyugurentai if you can. it is amazing.

[Guardians Knight]

I prefe the first pachi I think its the best in the series, but I guess its personal preference. Cotton boomerang has nicer gfx due to it using the 4 mb cart but both play nice.

BTW both the pachi games r considered better on the ps1 due to shorter loading times and the sound being waaay better.

[BPzeBanshee]

Thunder Force V is a lot more approachable in some regards than the earlier games. Definitely worth a go, and also note that OKing the stage selection list with certain buttons will get you different-colored ships with different speeds and stuff much like Yagawa's games. I didn't realise this for a while there myself.
II was hardcore, III was quite the easy joker, IV was hardcore again and IMO the best of the series. You can get the earlier titles through the Thunder Force Gold Packs for the Saturn I believe.

[battlegorge]

Donpachi for saturn has scratchy sounds and in the hunt too much slowdown.
But both are good games.

I recommend you get a multinorm saturn with soukyugurentai and a konami game, maybe gradius, salamander, paradius or darius gaiden.

If you want to tate get battle garegga, dodonpachi, layer section or gunbird.

[BIL]

3: Is DonPachi still worth picking up? everyone's saying that DoDonPachi is THE shmup everyone should play at least once, but I don't hear much about the original, which naturally makes it all the more intriguing to me.

Donpachi itself is certainly worth a look. It plays very differently compared to its sequels - rather than stage-long chaining, it's about short but very tricky burst chains.

However the Saturn port isn't good - lots of slowdown. The PS1 port is virtually arcade-perfect, definitely the better option.

4: If I didn't like any of the previous Thunder Force games, will 5 be any different? I feel somewhat obligated to show some appreciation towards the series, what with how well-loved it is and all, but I don't feel anything other than apathy...

I love TFIV, but don't really care for the rest of the series - TFV in particular has really boring level designs compared to the earlier games. I'd suggest giving TFIV another look. Much tougher and faster-paced than either the previous or subsequent games, and the Saturn version on Maniac mode is seriously intense. It's on Thunder Force Gold Pack 2 and runs without any of the MD original's heavy slowdown, making it feel almost 32-bit (it certainly destroys TFV graphically).

Also, try Hyper Duel in MAME if you haven't already - it's another Tecno Soft hori I'd say is better than all TFs but IV, which I put it level with. The Saturn version has a perfect port of the AC version, and a much prettier arrange mode with enhanced audiovisuals and more importantly the ability to lock aim in mech mode. It's among the rarest and most expensive shooters on the system, though, so try before you buy.

Just ignore the silly "stay still for points" mechanic... and the annoying "babysit suicidal wingmen"... and the "don't use your super weapons while going for 100% kills..." and you've got one badass Macross-style game! I don't think Tecno Soft ever really got scoring systems down. TFIV can be infinitely milked on the first stage. Just go for the no-miss bonus and 100% destruction.

[ave]

1: Is the Saturn version of In The Hunt as bad as I hear? should I just track down the PSX long box instead?

It's good. Some copies refuse to boot and are known to be false pressings. You might be careful and ask a seller beforehand so be on the safe side.

2: Which version of Cotton 2 is better? are they both worth owning?

Cotton Boomerang is just an enhanced version of Cotton 2 and makes use of the RAM-addon (it's only optional though). It's more expensive but also a bit better than Cotton 2.

3: Is DonPachi still worth picking up? everyone's saying that DoDonPachi is THE shmup everyone should play at least once, but I don't hear much about the original, which naturally makes it all the more intriguing to me.

DonPachi hasn't aged too well. While DDP plays mostly like DDP Daioujou, DP feels more like V-V or Raiden. You're pretty slow and the hitbox feels rather large. I'd recommend it if you like shooters that are more on the classic side. Don't expect another DDP or a modern shooter at all, DP is quite traditional and hard as nails.

4: If I didn't like any of the previous Thunder Force games, will 5 be any different? I feel somewhat obligated to show some appreciation towards the series, what with how well-loved it is and all, but I don't feel anything other than apathy...

TFV is great in terms of graphics and sound, also the bosses have quite a bit of variety. I felt it was better than IV and III, but I'd rather not say that too loud. I am generally no fan of the series (having played II, III, IV, V and VI) but V is my favourite.

[Zeether]

Just to clarify, I think only the PSX port of TFV has the color changing ships, and they're not really worth it from what I can tell (one can have more CRAWs but is slower or something like that)

[Mortificator]

Why not try out Donpachi and Dodonpachi in MAME before deciding to buy them? You can't really predict if a game will appeal to you just by the prevailing opinion on a forum. Personal taste is a funny thing... I never liked either of those titles at all, yet ended up enjoying the hell out of Dodonpachi Dai-ou-jou.

[evil_ash_xero]

The Saturn version of DDP is kinda wonky. Has pixelated explosions. PS1 is the way to go.

[chempop]

Make sure you don't forget about

Layer Section
Battle Garegga
Soukyugurentai
Batsugun
Darius Gaiden
Strikers 1945 part 2

I've heard great things about Salamander Deluxe too.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

In the Hunt was re-released in a traditional smaller PSX CD jewel case beside the usual 1st-print edition with long box jewel CD case. Btw, there are some more cool options to explore with the PSX version of ItH compared to the original PCB version of the same name.

The only minor gripe is that you have to manually save and load your high scores/high score initials every time (since there isn't an automatic saving/loading option whatsoever with the PSX port of ItH). Other than that minor issue, it's a pretty accurate port of the arcade PCB indeed. IIRC, the PSX port of ItH plays a tad bit faster than the arcade PCB (in terms of scrolling) so you might want to take that into consideration.

The PSX port of Donpachi is based on the original JPN region arcade DP PCB whereas on the USA region arcade DP PCB, there are some slight changes in terms of additional voiceovers, etc.

Donpachi PCB Factoid: It was Atlus USA whom handled the distribution and sales of the USA region Donpachi arcade PCB kits for the USA arcade market complete with full-sized marquee (that could be backlit for that extra coolness factor) back in 1995. Atlus USA did not distribute the sequel of Dodonpachi PCB kits to the USA for reasons only known to themselves back in 1997-1998 when they could've easily done so (despite Cave Co. Ltd. releasing both JPN & International versions of Dodonpachi PCB kits worldwide in 1997).

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[apple arcade]

Wait, you're buying a saturn but not for battle garegga?

[Deca]

If you're used to playing DoDonPachi, either in the arcade, mame, or on psx, avoid the Saturn version. For some reason the game runs fast in addition to there being way less slowdown. If you've never played it before I'd imagine learning on the saturn version would make all the others a lot easier

[BulletMagnet]

For a semi-brief rundown of the Saturn's shmups go here.

[Blackbird]

1 - In The Hunt has crippling slowdown whenever too much is on screen. I wouldn't put up with it, myself.
2 - No idea.
3 - DonPachi has a hilarious announcer.
4 - Thunder Force V is accessible and fun. The music is fairly good if you like electronic music.

[Treasurance]

RSG & Steam Hearts
all you need

[mesh control]

Strikers 1945 part 2

From my understanding, the saturn port is plagued by slowdown.

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

To those who have been able to answer my questions: thank you very much. Your help is very much appreciated, as I am on a fairly limited budget.

To those who have been suggesting me games to play: thanks, but no thanks. Sorry for not specifying in my original post but I am indeed more of an old school shmup player, so I don't plan on trying out most of the games recommended here when I get more money. DonPachi does indeed sound like the perfect Cave game for me, so I'll be sure to pick that up. After I get Batsugun. And Twin Cobra II.

Big thanks to BulletMagnet, as that link was especially helpful.

Also, goddamn is Guardian Force ever expensive. And here I was hoping I'd finally get a chance to play a shmup as a kickass tank rather than a paper aircraft.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Sonic Wings Special for the Saturn tends to be a bit cheaper than the PSX version and has got plenty of content: 26 fighters (some of them must be unlocked), more Fun Weapons™ than pretty much any shmup not developed by Compile that isn't Shikigami no Shiro II, sort of a Caravan mode on top of the usual arcade course and is one of the very few games developed exclusively for home platforms sporting tate mode. I suggest playing it on Hard (makes the first boss all the more awesome).
You can buy it from the US PlayStation Store, but reportedly nothing can be done about the PS3's input lag.
As for DonPachi, try out the Hong Kong version on shmupMAME. It's the most difficult one (originally two first levels used to be quite easy for a coin-op game). Also, not sure about the Saturn port, but the PSX one does not deliver aural blow the way MAME does. DP's sound effects on MAME are up there with the explosions from the first Raiden - neither DDP nor DOJ does it for me. Play it on MAME at least once with good speakers or headphones.

[Thunderprince]

I would say that using the words "collecting Saturn shmups" and "on a budget" in the same sentence is pretty contradictory. If you are looking to start off on the cheap, get Galactic Attack or Darius Gaiden. Thats what I did before I got enough to purchase a few more hard to find/popular games.

[BIL]

Cotton Boomerang is just an enhanced version of Cotton 2 and makes use of the RAM-addon (it's only optional though). It's more expensive but also a bit better than Cotton 2.

Boomerang is more of a Raiden DX-style revision. Very similar on a basic level (same graphics, sounds, engine) but it has new level designs, altered weapons and more complicated scoring due to the new team mechanic. It's actually Cotton 2 that supports the 4mb RAM cart - according to EOJ the back cover says it actually increases the amount of sampled speech, but I've never tested it myself.

I'd recommend Cotton 2 here, since Chainsaw says he's into oldschool and it's less unconventional. The most oldschool Cotton of all is the first, but its only 1:1 port (Cotton Original / PS) is a bit flawed. Too easy on defaults, completely different suicide bullet-fest on Hard. Worth picking up if you're not a stickler for arcade defaults.

Also, not sure about the Saturn port, but the PSX one does not deliver aural blow the way MAME does. DP's sound effects on MAME are up there with the explosions from the first Raiden

The PS version's explosion sfx aren't as good, but it makes up for that by replacing the PCB's infamously muffled BGM with redbook audio. The Saturn port just blows. Long load times and slowdown aren't worth it when the PS port has neither.

The first two stages are easy for survival, but far more involved if you're trying to score. The scoring is really the only reason to play Donpachi with Batsugun Special around, but it's a compelling one if you're into setting up and executing highly technical burst chains.

[legendnthamaking]

Batsugun

[Obiwanshinobi]

Whoa, even Gun Frontier is more expensive than Sonic Wings Special. Is the former actually that rare, or is it the fame of proto-Garegga working here? Also, I see Gradius and Parodius Deluxe Packs at relatively low prices. Doubt you'll find worthwile Saturn shmups cheaper on eBay.

[louisg]

Rayforce is the best $5 I ever spent. I'm also not sure TFV will make you like the series; I think it's half-assed, but it does play a lot differently from the earlier games.

[Deca]

If you don't like Thunder Force 4 you're probably not going to like any of them.

[Tetsuo]

Back in the day i had all the shooters for the saturn, a fantastic machine for 2d goodness all round imo, grab one

[Marurun]

Before I do though, I just want to know a few things about the games I'm interested in first:
2: Which version of Cotton 2 is better? are they both worth owning?

I liked Cotton Boomerang better. It was prettier and smoother.

3: Is DonPachi still worth picking up? everyone's saying that DoDonPachi is THE shmup everyone should play at least once, but I don't hear much about the original, which naturally makes it all the more intriguing to me.

I never played it on the Saturn so I can't comment on how great it is on there. The arcade one was definitely very retro feeling in comparison to DDP.

4: If I didn't like any of the previous Thunder Force games, will 5 be any different? I feel somewhat obligated to show some appreciation towards the series, what with how well-loved it is and all, but I don't feel anything other than apathy...

Visually, 5 is the ugliest to me, but I'm biased because I like 4 and back. If you're not a fan of the earlier games you'll probably feel even worse playing 5. That's just my opinion though.

A lot of these games and other ones mentioned can be played in an emulator, so you could see if you REALLY like them before getting the Saturn version[Granted, Saturn ports are sometimes different]. I'm also surprised nobody has mentioned Radiant Silvergun. That definitely isn't a budget title for Saturn though.

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

If you don't like Thunder Force 4 you're probably not going to like any of them.

I think my big issue with this game is how arbitrarily set up it is. Stage select is pointless given how little difference it makes in replay value, some levels are friggen' huge for seemingly no other reason but to make you miss out on power-ups and enemies to shoot, half the weapons feel like throwaways, enemies give hardly any signal as to whether you're damaging them or not... Oh yeah, and the pacing feels really weird too. BUT I WON'T GIVE UP ON IT JUST YET.