I love the Sega Saturn
Posted: March 31st, 2019, 2:24 pm
I recently picked up a modded Hi Saturn (Japanese exclusive Hitachi-manufactured variant) that plays games from all regions as well as - most importantly - burned CD-ROMs.
The Saturn is arguably the best 2D gaming console ever made. If only Sega of America had leaned into the Saturn's strengths rather than trying to beat Sony at their own game, Sega - as a platform - might be alive and well today. With so many successful 2D games on the market today, history has proven that 3D was not the (only) future.
Having access to all 1000 or so titles from every region really opens your eyes to how great a library this relatively forgotten console has. I especially love the Konami shmup collections and practically arcade-perfect ports. There's even a small but mostly essential collection of RPGs (Shining Force III, Panzer Dragoon Saga).
The Saturn 3D controller is likely the most comfortable I have ever used. How did they mess up so badly when they adapted the design for Dreamcast? The sharp edges of the latter controller assault your hands while playing fast-paced action titles.
One of the charms of the Dreamcast was how easy it was to burn copies of games and share them with your friends. But the Dreamcast does not have as extensive a library as a Saturn, which excelled overseas despite its destined failure in the West.
What games do you think of when you think of the Saturn? Any recommendations for hidden gems I should seek out?
The Saturn is arguably the best 2D gaming console ever made. If only Sega of America had leaned into the Saturn's strengths rather than trying to beat Sony at their own game, Sega - as a platform - might be alive and well today. With so many successful 2D games on the market today, history has proven that 3D was not the (only) future.
Having access to all 1000 or so titles from every region really opens your eyes to how great a library this relatively forgotten console has. I especially love the Konami shmup collections and practically arcade-perfect ports. There's even a small but mostly essential collection of RPGs (Shining Force III, Panzer Dragoon Saga).
The Saturn 3D controller is likely the most comfortable I have ever used. How did they mess up so badly when they adapted the design for Dreamcast? The sharp edges of the latter controller assault your hands while playing fast-paced action titles.
One of the charms of the Dreamcast was how easy it was to burn copies of games and share them with your friends. But the Dreamcast does not have as extensive a library as a Saturn, which excelled overseas despite its destined failure in the West.
What games do you think of when you think of the Saturn? Any recommendations for hidden gems I should seek out?