Essential Japanese Saturn games

[Galactus]

Hi, I've recently invested in a Japanese, white Saturn, so far I've got Virtua Fighter 2 & NIGHTS and I'm looking to get some more games for it very soon.

What essential, cannot-do-without games should I be looking for?
I'm into all genres.

Also, will UK/USA games work on a Japanese Saturn, is there the usual region lock out?

Did all Japanese releases come with spine cards?

Thanks

[gingerj]

What essential, cannot-do-without games should I be looking for?

Been done a million times do a search on the retro forum to find your answer.

[sj33]

Also, will UK/USA games work on a Japanese Saturn, is there the usual region lock out?

Simple enough. The games have region protection, but this can be by-passed by using cartridges. These range from the bog-standard ones like the ST-Key which simply let you use games from any region, to better ones like the Action Replay Plus 4M Auto, which has features such as 4M/1M RAM expansion (for later Capcom/SNK games), cheat functionality and the like. I'd go with the latter if you've got even a vauge interest in Capcom or SNK fighters.

The only tricky part is Hz rate, as this is dictated by the hardware, not the software - a Japanese Saturn will always be 60Hz unless you fit an internal switch. Not really an issue, just means those PAL-optomised games will overscan/run too fast.

[Kubrick]

Did all Japanese releases come with spine cards?

As a rule, yes. There are a few that didn't though (RAM cart boxsets and the like)

[muse hunter]

Been done a million times do a search on the retro forum to find your answer.

and the point is? the guy just wants us to reccommend him some jap sat games. I hate it when people moan that this topic has been done before, if we never repeated a topic then there will nothing to talk about. Under your logic the retro forum would probably only consist of a 'pc engine fx appreciation thread', and maybe a 'atari 2600 must buys' thread.

Back on topic i would highly advise:

pocket fighters
xmen v street fighter
puzzle fighter
saturn bomberman
street fighter alpha 3
vampire saviour
sexy parodius
game paradise
metal slug

[buster_broon]

read me

[wheelaa]

5 titles you must must must must must have

SFZ3
Metal Slug
Radiant Sivergun
Battle Garegga
Tenchi wu Kurau 2

[Kizzycrew]

If you're into RPG's theres the Langrisser series, and also scenario 2 and 3 of Shining Force 3 that were JP only.

Panzer Saga is a must also, any region.

Dead or Alive is worth a shot, too, that was JP only!

[mcarocks2003]

Dragon Force
Sega Rally (Best Arcade Racer ever released)
Burning Rangers
Winter Heat
Pandemonium (Best Platformer on the Saturn)
Deep Fear (A very good resident evil clone)

Of course the best game on the Saturn is Panzer Saga but good luck in geting a copy.

[sj33]

Panzer Dragoon Saga isn't hard to find, but you can be paying silly money to get an English language copy.

Then again, it's one of the few games well worth the silly price it tends to go for.

[moonwhistle]

Some of my current favourates:

Layer Section ( the best bang for your buck on the system imo)
Darius Gaiden
Kyukyoku Tiger 2
Xmen Children of the Atom

I wouldn't agree about Pandemonium being the best Saturn platformer, there are loads of better ones, any of the Megaman games eat it for breakfast.

[buster_broon]

radiant silvergun isnt hard to find either - you has have to pay over the odds for it

dont buy in the hunt, why? because i doubt it will work - now thats cheap and its a great shooter

my favourites are:

elevator action returns
battle garegga
soukyi
metal slug
marvel vs streetfighter

had mine for about 6 months now and i actually play it - which is gonna be surprising to most

[sj33]

Guardian Heroes is a must own for anyone. Worth getting a Saturn for just that game... but try and get the US version. There is some text which, while not essential, is nice to read... but the PAL game is optomised so not recommended for NTSC machines. So go US.

[lurch996]

Some of my current favourates:

Layer Section ( the best bang for your buck on the system imo)
Darius Gaiden
Kyukyoku Tiger 2
Xmen Children of the Atom

I wouldn't agree about Pandemonium being the best Saturn platformer, there are loads of better ones, any of the Megaman games eat it for breakfast.

So Kyukyoku Tiger 2 is good then? Whats it like?


Buy metal slug if you dont have the other versions. Its brilliant! I also really enjoyed the salamander pack.

I've just ordered parodius deluxe pack. Any good? Its been described as Gradius on acid! Sounds good to me

[Sane]

Parodius is great, if you never played any parodius games before the Deluxe pack is a great way to start. It's indeed Gradius on acid, with loads of jokes and overall wackyness . If you like it, be sure to look out for Sexy Parodius as well.

I still need to buy the Salamander Deluxe Pack myself, Salamander has always been on of my favourite shooting games. Can't wait for my GP2X to arrive for some mobile salamander goodness .