We're on a mission to Saturn!

If you were a gamer in the mid-to-late 90's then, statistically speaking, you probably had either a Nintendo 64 or a PlayStation. Each were fantastic systems, spawning games that helped to define how 3D games would work on home consoles, and many of their influences are felt even today. Interestingly though, when we talk about this era in video games, many individuals tend to overlook or even altogether forget about another wonderful system that would go on to make many of its own contributions to the industry. We're talking of course, about the Sega Saturn. Released early as a surprise, even to developers, and based on a complex hardware architecture, the Saturn was off to a rough go from the start. On top of this, earlier that month Sega had just released another 32-bit console in the form of the Sega 32X essentially creating fractured internal developments and consumer confusion in the process. To make matters worse, a significant portion of the system's library would never leave eastern shores.

Despite all of this, however, the Sega Saturn to-this-day retains a large number of fans. In Japan, it's often seen as Sega's most popular console, and its sizeable library overseas has led to a strong import and collector's scene over the years. Experiencing the games on the system, it's not hard to see why. Its strong 2D capabilities and unique 3D offerings give the system a flavor of its own. So today at Emuparadise, we want to look at some of the games that make a case for Sega's 32-bit powerhouse in an era dominated by Cartridges and DualShocks.

Guardian Heroes

Year: 1996

At a time when game development was steering ever-faster towards 3D titles, the 2D veterans at Treasure opted to stick with the tools they knew and created a truly special game that stands as one of the best on the console. Playing as equal parts beat 'em up, RPG, and a "choose your own adventure book", Guardian Heroes is an amazing amalgamation of several concepts you wouldn't have thought would work well together.

With each playable character having its own personality, moves, and play-style the game practically begs to be played in co-op. Add in the RPG mechanics, and the branching paths, multiple endings, and bosses unique to certain scenarios, it also drips with replay-ability. All of its various aspects together make Guardian Heroes not only an absolute classic for the system, but given the context of its release and its undeniable play-ability that remains to this day (there's an Xbox Live remaster with some upgraded art and mechanics) it's a game that makes a compelling case in an industry that was obsessed with 3D game worlds.

Fighters MegaMix

Year: 1997

In the mid 90's, one of Sega's claims to fame was 3D Fighting. Having essentially created the genre with its release of Virtua Fighter in 1993, the subsequent years and push towards 3D graphics would see Sega developing a number of titles in this vein, positioning themselves as titans of the genre for years to come. One of these titles was Fighting Vipers.

Initially, Sega was planning to port Virtua Fighter 3 to the Saturn. However, after the success of Fighting Vipers and Virtua Fighter 2 the idea came up to do a crossover fighter involving primarily these 2 fighting games but also including characters from other Sega properties like Virtua Cop and Daytona USA. (Yes, you can fight as the car!) This has led to numerous comparisons to King of Fighters and Smash Bros over the years.

What's great about MegaMix, aside from its roster, is its fighting system. It actually uses a great deal of assets from Virtua Fighter 3, while also including aspects of Fighting Vipers. Most of the Virtua Fighter cast has its roster from that title while Fighting Viper characters retain their breakable 'armor'. The game also features an evade move causing you to sidestep; something that was still unique at the time of the game's release. Interestingly, this game was never released to Arcades like the games it takes from, instead being playable only on the Saturn.

Sonic 3D Blast

Year: 1996

It's often said that one of the main reasons the Saturn performed so poorly outside of Japan is the lack of an official Sonic the Hedgehog title. In fact, you've probably heard of the infamously canceled title "Sonic Xtreme", which despite having several prototype versions leaked to the internet in recent years, was never fully realized on the console.

However, there was one Sonic game that is worth mentioning in this context; Sonic 3D Blast. While it was initially developed for the Genesis hardware, Sega felt that with the inevitable cancellation of Xtreme, a Sonic title would still need to be released for its flagship system. So a port was developed and released that same month for the Saturn.

Developed by Traveler's Tales rather than by Sonic Team, 3D Blast was a very different Sonic title. It plays from an isometric view and has a focus on exploration rather than breakneck speed. Notably, however, the music and art are very on point with what you'd expect from a Sonic title. Even more so in the Saturn version where textures and effects are greatly revamped. Another key upgrade is the special stages, which in the Saturn version are developed by Sonic Team and are presented in full 3D graphics; playing like an update to Sonic 2's half-pipe stages.

Burning Rangers

Year: 1998

A common misconception about the system is that it lacks exclusive 3D Action and/or Adventure titles; given its reputation to deliver fantastic 2D games. In response to that, we have the title "Burning Rangers". Developed by none other than Sega's own Sonic Team based on a concept proposed by Yuji Naka that involved, not killing enemies, but saving people instead. The idea paid off quite well, and one of the greatest games on the system was born.

Playing as a futuristic firefighter, you find yourself running through burning buildings with the goal to rescue civilians from their fiery demise. The game was an excellent showcase of 3D on the system, but it also made strides in the audio department as well. Featuring a "voice navigation system" that would direct you around the building in lieu of a map was not only a unique concept at the time, but one that also immersed the player further into the world as they were suddenly relying on the other game characters to progress.

Panzer Dragoon - Saga

Year: 1998

When it comes to games that pushed the Saturn's capabilities, nothing can stand up to Panzer Dragoon Saga. Most gamers have heard about the Panzer Dragoon series, sometimes seen as Sega's response to StarFox, they traditionally play as on-rails shooters. Saga, on the other hand, was a full-blown RPG that departed greatly from the standard the previous 2 games had established.

Hitting the system across 4 discs, featuring full-voice acting, and fully explore-able 3D environments, Saga seemed to be the realization of what gamers had dreamed of when the generation began. However, it wasn't all good news. Being released in 1998, there was a very limited release outside of Japan. On top of that, the localization process was under-funded which left the voice acting in Japanese, leaving gamers with only English subtitles to move the scenes along.

Its limited release also means that English copies have become quite rare, and rather expensive among collectors. This all together has left Saga as a sort of hidden gem among casual players, however, it's one that can't be recommended enough for fans of both the system and the genre.

Shining Force III

Year: 1998

Shining Force 3 is possibly the best game to embody the spirit of the Sega Saturn. It's a continuation of a beloved Sega IP started on the Genesis. It's a mix of 2D sprites and 3D graphics used to great visual effect. Most of all though, it exemplifies the disparity the Saturn experienced between Japan and the rest of the world.

If you've only ever experienced the western release of the game, then you've only ever played 1/3rd of it. Shining Force 3 was actually composed of 3 separate 'scenarios' that house an overall story-line that only concludes after all 3 games have been completed. Outside of Japan though, gamers only got scenario 1 where the ending was re-written slightly as to not let players know what they were missing out on.

If you're not familiar with the Shining Force titles, they play much like Nintendo's Fire Emblem series. You command a small army of forces in turn-based strategic battles. Though this lacks the frustrating perma-death of Nintendo's series, it features its own memorable cast of characters and excellent battle sequences. If you're interested in playing the epic that is Shining Force 3 in its entirety, but you aren't familiar enough with Japanese, you'll be pleased to know that the entire trilogy has been translated by fans in recent years. Including the 1st scenario, where the original ending and connections to the other scenarios have been restored.

We've talked about only 6 games here today, but the Saturn's library is home to a great many games. There's a staggering amount of Shmups to be found, and its library of fighting games is unmatched for its generation. There's also a veritable treasure trove of imports that just never made it out of Japan, some of which are even now receiving fan translations (like the recent translation of Policenauts).