Saturn Saturn Recommendations?

[longhairedboy]

Unpopular one here. Sonic 3D Blast

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24]

It's been a few months here, OP. How's it going on the Saturn front?

I do not own one, but I know for a fact that it's kind of a console where imports are a MUST because US prices are so high and JP got more/better support. By a lot.

 

[Sakaiza]

Yes , US and PAL games have crazy prices now but some japanese released in too few copies have unhinged price also like Final Fight Revenge (not even a good game) , Street Fighter Zero 3, Shinrei Jusatsushi Taroumaru...
I've some official games but a flash cart like Saroo seems the reasonable choice nowadays.
You can even play fan translated games.

​

 

[Senor Raiden]

My main recommendation is to try playing the Saturn equivalent of multi-platform games that you've already played on PS1. I've found that the Saturn version of those always seem to be better in some way.

If you're emulating, I'd highly recommend doing the Retro Achievements list for Baroque. I normally avoid achievements, since I play for fun and use FPGA, but they aren't too hard compared to other achievement lists and it provides good goals and additional hints on how to progress the game. The Saturn version is the definitive version when it comes to atmosphere and aesthetics compared to the Wii/PS2 or PS1 version.

Three Dirty Dwarves is a great Beat 'em Up with a comical graphics style that's reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons as much as Comix Zone nailed the comic book vibes. It also does a lot of interesting stuff with sprite scaling and transforming that you wouldn't expect on any other console but Saturn.

Then of course there's Tactics Ogre - Let Us Cling Together. It's just a solid TRPG(which isn't uncommon on Saturn) with solid aesthetics and a good story.

Post automatically merged: Feb 11, 2025

Yes , US and PAL games have crazy prices now but some japanese released in too few copies have unhinged price also like Final Fight Revenge (not even a good game) , Street Fighter Zero 3, Shinrei Jusatsushi Taroumaru...
I've some official games but a flash cart like Saroo seems the reasonable choice nowadays.
You can even play fan translated games.

I also highly recommend looking into MiSTer FPGA if original hardware prices are too restrictive. The Saturn core is still being developed, but it pretty much supports most retro games 4th gen consoles and back in addition to a lot of 5th gen consoles.

Getting a DE10 Nano is pricey, but budget alternatives are out there like MiSTer Pi, which is what I got, that have the same exact capabilities.

That said, snatching up a Saturn you can get a deal on in favor of getting a Saroo is probably the best for Saturn specifically.

 

[Jeanfranc]

Play Cotton 2, amazing shmup, probably my favorite on the system

Post automatically merged: Feb 11, 2025

Then of course there's Tactics Ogre - Let Us Cling Together. It's just a solid TRPG(which isn't uncommon on Saturn) with solid aesthetics and a good story.

Post automatically merged: Feb 11, 2025

I wouldn't really recommend the Saturn version unless you like voice acting, if you like that version of Tactics just play the sfc version.
The Saturn does have the best version of Ogre Battle though.

I also highly recommend looking into MiSTer FPGA if original hardware prices are too restrictive. The Saturn core is still being developed, but it pretty much supports most retro games 4th gen consoles and back in addition to a lot of 5th gen consoles.


Getting a DE10 Nano is pricey, but budget alternatives are out there like MiSTer Pi, which is what I got, that have the same exact capabilities.

Is it really better than Mednafen on a pc?

 

[Egg (McMuffin) Man]

Godzilla. It plays kind of like Advance Wars and has clips from the movies as cutscenes.

 

[MoonlightSword]

Baroque if you're looking for a creepy atmosphere with engaging gameplay and obscure storytelling. It's got a very fun combat system and controls really well with the 3D pad. It's also one of the more graphically impressive games on the Saturn in certain areas, with possibly the best texture work and lighting on the system. It's probably my most played Sega Saturn game, but be warned - you'll be using a walkthrough the entire way. There's no other game like it.

Battle Garegga for the best 2D shooter to play. There are certainly many other incredible shoot em' ups worth trying out (Dodonpachi, Layer Section, etc.), but to be honest I can't understand why I get drawn to this one more. Maybe it's the adjustable difficulty, or the god-tier soundtrack. Honestly, just play every shooter on this system not named Terra Cresta 3D.

Sega Rally Championship is the best racer on the system. Near arcade perfect port. Special mention to High Velocity (Togue King)

Shinrei Jusatsushi Taroumaru for an awesome Japanese mythology themed platformer. The whole game is practically a boss rush but it's loads of fun. Graphically and audio-wise a show piece for the system's library. Like a mix of Shinobi and Contra, as well as Panzer Dragoon with it's lock-on mechanics. Speaking of...

Panzer Dragoon Saga and its predecessors are slam dunks, but Saga is probably the best RPG on the system. You'll probably need a cheat patch to play on a real Saturn if you're using a cartridge since the game has built in cheat protection. I don't think I really need to say anything about this game that hasn't been said. Find a way to play it.

Just a handful of suggestions.

 

[Senor Raiden]

Is it really better than Mednafen on a pc?

It depends on what you want out of the games. I gravitate towards MiSTer because I primarily game on a CRT TV and it has native RGB Analog output that can be easily converted to S-Video with no lag. The appeal is basically the pros of original hardware with flashcarts combined with emulation. The best option is whatever any given person likes the best.

 

[Gin]

I was thinking of doing a post about this very thing. Thanks for getting ahead of me.

 

[thanonyx]

How on Earth has no one said The House of the Dead yet?!

Well, I'm saying it now! The House of the Dead!

 

[Jeff]

Sonic R
Sonic Jam
Sonic 3D Blast
Bulk Slash (both English Dub and Japanese Dub)
Mega Man 8
Saturn Bomberman
Saturn Bomberman Fight
Virtual On
Sakura Wars
Princess Crown
Virual Cop
Sega Rally

 

[Kamako]

Gotta echo dropsmegamega and recommend Clockwork Knight 1 & 2.
Both are wonderful, having just the right level of jank and also containing very unique boss designs and overworld maps...seriously, even though the way you move between levels is automatic, I'd wager that it inspired some contemporary games...(Cuphead, for instance).

 

[Ezri_Muldoon]

[Fun fact, the first Tomb Raider game was developed for the Saturn, the PSX port came 6 months later and they had to disable water effects and downgrade the lighting to get it running smoothly.]

Panzer Dragoon Trilogy

Grandia (Has fan translation)

Burning Rangers

Enemy Zero

Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge

If you haven't already buy yourself a Pseudo Saturn Kai, then you can just burn games.
It's the best entry level way to gain access to its library, optical drive replacements (so you can use SD Cards) are pricey.

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

Everything I would've thought of got mentioned here already, proud of y'all. Except Metal Black, Fighting Vipers, Batsugun, Donpachi, DoDonpachi, Rad Mobile (aka Gale Racer), and Darius Gaiden so go pick those up

 

[VidiyaGaemer]

Definitely Willy Wombat.

It definitely feels like a game made for me, one of those gems out of time. Didn't take long for me to get good :] Only 2 levels in and I got a Perfect for finding all of the blue gems in a stage rating :3 For the levels I beat so far and re visiting the first level to acquire the Perfects there....an immaculate feeling I haven't felt from a game new to me in a while

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24]

After owning my system for a couple days, my standouts are NiGHTS and Fighters Megamix. I would prioritize Megamix unless you are just that opposed to fighting games because that game is super sick and is ONLY on Saturn. Still. It is well and truly trapped on that console.

 

[nattybohman]

I don't see it mentioned yet, Bulk Slash is a really creative little mech action title.

I second the Bulk Slash recommendation. I just started playing the fan translated version. The gameplay is great. I can't believe they added English voice acting too. Whoever made this was a crack team!

 

[Toppis]

Sakura wars

 

[Zyla Nation]

Haven't seen it mentioned, but I am a big fan of Mystaria: Realms of Lore/Blazing Heroes. It's a great appetizer SRPG to play before you delve into Shining Force 3. Music slaps, the magic system is fun, and the character designs are wild. Definitely worth a look!

Check out Dark Saviour as well. It changed video games forever, for better or worse.

Also yeah the Panzer Dragoons and the Shining games all own!

 

[werewolfgimmick]

I recommend Ogre Battle March Of The Black Queen. It's in other consoles, but the Saturn version is probably the best, with new maps and voice acting.
Also, can you all recommend me some good begginer shmups on the Saturn? You know, something approachable and not too hard. The genre never clicked with me but now that i've bought this console with so many on it's catalogue i definetily feel compelled to give them another shot.

 

[Comster]

Here are some Sega Saturn games that I had fun playing that I would recommend.

Saturn Bomberman: One of the two Bomberman games for the Sega Saturn. This game becomes very chaotic when you have more than 2 people playing this game on the same console at the same time. I have played this game with at least 3 other people on the same console at the same time. You can have up to 10 people playing this game on the same console at the same time.

Sonic R: A 3D Sonic The Hedgehog racing game featuring Sonic The Hedgehog characters. The soundtrack goes well with the courses, in my opinion.

Space Jam: A basketball game based off of the movie Space Jam.

Sonic Jam: This game has a compilation of Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Sonic The Hedgehog 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, and Knuckles The Echidna in Sonic The Hedgehog 2. Also includes Sonic World, a 3D world for the player to explore.

Sonic 3D Blast: An isometric 3D Sonic The Hedgehog game. This game has an amazing soundtrack, in my opinion.

 

[_-_AceDragon_-_]

Panzer Dragoon Saga

Albert Odyssey

Virtua Cop 2

Die Hard Arcade

Guardian Heroes

Magic Knight Rayearth

Astal

Pandemonium

Sonic Jam

Al exclusives except pandemonium and Guardian Heroes

Post automatically merged: Thursday at 12:59 AM

& Sonic R

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Panzer Dragoon Saga

Albert Odyssey

Virtua Cop 2

Die Hard Arcade

Guardian Heroes

Magic Knight Rayearth

Astal

Pandemonium

Sonic Jam

Al exclusives except pandemonium and Guardian Heroes

Post automatically merged: Thursday at 12:59 AM

& Sonic R

Of those, I currently have Astal, Sonic R, Sonic Jam, and Virtua Cop 2.

I HIGHLY recommend Astal, since it’s still a true Saturn exclusive and it’s one of the most fun and beautiful platformers of that generation. Criminally underrated by folks outside the dedicated Saturn community.

 

[_-_AceDragon_-_]

Of those, I currently have Astal, Sonic R, Sonic Jam, and Virtua Cop 2.

I HIGHLY recommend Astal, since it’s still a true Saturn exclusive and it’s one of the most fun and beautiful platformers of that generation. Criminally underrated by folks outside the dedicated Saturn community.

Those are great games. Check out the rest of the list if you can, panzer Dragoon Saga is also a very unique experience.

Another game I forgot about but enjoyed
Linkle liver story which has been translated to English

Linkle Liver Story (English Patched) Saturn ISO - CDRomance

Download Linkle Liver Story (English Patched) Saturn ISO/ROM for SEGA Saturn. Genre: Action RPG. Direct Download Link. Published and developed by Nextech, SEGA. Play using an emulator for PC or Android.

cdromance.org