Sega has produced a number of iconic consoles across the decades, though no two Sega consoles were ever made equal. Some consoles like the Sega Genesis sold millions of units. However, other consoles, like the Sega Saturn, failed to draw inthe crowds that Sega expected.
However, despite not being the most successful console, there are many people who still hold cherished memories of their time with the Sega Saturn. Released in North America in 1995, the Saturn offered games in a wide variety of genres. The console had a number of amazing titles, so let’s take a look at the best of them.
10The House Of The Dead
This series did not technically debut on the Sega Saturn, having originally been released as an Arcade machine game. Still,The House Of The Deadis one of the most iconic titles that was available on Sega’s console.
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The House Of The Deadtakes the form of a rail shooter, which tasks players with gunning down countless hordes of zombies in order to progress. Once a horde is vanquished, the player can move further into the game. To attain a high score, players had to conserve their ammo, make accurate shots, and avoid taking damage themselves. This created an addictive gameplay loop that players loved.
9Virtua Fighter 2
Though the firstVirtua Fighter, released in 1994, might have been the origin of Sega’s flagship fighting franchise, it wasVirtua Fighter 2that solidified the franchise as an all-timer. Released on the Sega Saturn in North America in 1995,Virtua Fighter 2blew players away withits stunning graphics. The game also pioneered the use of motion capture to render its combat, which made it a visual spectacle for its time.
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Players were drawn by the intuitive combat that was easy to get to grips with, but tough to master. This helped incentivize players to develop their skills with specific characters. And of course,Virtua Fighter 2was even more fun when played with friends.
8X-Men Vs. Street Fighter
Capcom’sMarvel Vs. Capcomfranchise is now a total juggernaut within the world of competitive 2D fighters, but many people find themselves overlooking the humble origins of the franchise. Before Capcom’s array of characters fought against Marvel’s equally diverse cast,X-Men Vs. Street Fighterpitted two iconic 90s franchises against one another in an addictive 2D brawler.
Though most Western players would become more familiar with its 1998 Playstation 1 release, the game was first released on the Sega Saturn in 1997, becoming a firm favorite of those who owned the platform. The gameplay consisted of flashy tag team battles that would soon become a staple in theMarvel Vs. Capcomseries.
7Shining Force 3
Many consoles of the fifth generation were defined by the JRPGs that dropped on them. The Sony PlayStation hadFinal Fantasy VII, the Nintendo 64 hadPaper Mario, and the Sega Saturn hadShining Force 3. This immense JRPG featured tactical elements requiring players to move their characters around on a square-based grid, and was one of the console’s best titles.
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However, many players in the West only ever experienced the first chapter of the story, known as ‘Scenario 1.’ ‘Scenario 2’ and ‘Scenario 3’ werenever released outside Japan. Despite this, the game still cemented itself as an all-time classic.
6Saturn Bomberman
Bomberman is one of the most iconic characters in gaming, thanks to how many games have been released in the franchise. However, of all of the many Bomberman titles, perhaps none is more revered thanSaturn Bomberman.
This incredible title became a fan favorite thanks to its colorful graphics and the ways it updated the Bomberman formula for a new generation. Most popular of all was the option to play with up to ten players through the use of a controller adapter, making it a perfect title for parties.
5Burning Rangers
One of the reasons the Sega Saturn failed to sell as many units as expected was that the platform lacked atruly killerSonic The Hedgehogtitle. Sonic Team, the team responsible for developing the Blue Blur’s titles, was having trouble finding a way to adapt the character to the brand-new third dimension. However, the team still had time to produce easily one of the console’s best games:Burning Rangers.
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The game retained much of the speed of theSonictitles, as it focused on a group of elite firefighters in a near-future society in which fires run rampant. Players controlled this elite squadron, as they navigated treacherous terrain to rescue as many people as possible.
4Astal
Sega as a company is identified with its platformers. Iconic platformers likeSonic The HedgehogandRistarare the first to pop up in the minds of many when they think of iconic Sega games. However, one platforming Sega franchise that may not be as recognizable isAstal. Despite not being a blockbuster success likeSonic,Astalhas remained one of the best games released for the Sega Saturn.
Astalis still revered among gamers as one of the most visually stunning platformers of all time, and one of the best-looking games available for the Sega Saturn. Those looking to experience the best that the classic system has to offer should not miss out on this title.
3Sega Rally Championship
The Sega Saturn console is home to a number of ports of beloved Sega arcade games. One of the best of these isSega Rally Championship. The game is considered one of the best arcade ports on the system, and playing it makes it obvious why this is the case.
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The game is buttery-smooth,boasting not only great performancebut also some of the best handling in a racing game of its time. And the immense 3D graphics blew away Sega Saturn fans of the time.
2NiGHTS Into Dreams
Sonic Team has always prided itself on producing titles that offer unique control schemes that emphasize momentum and speed. The team’s commitment to motion was perfected with the release ofNiGHTS Into Dreamsin July 1996.
The game featured an unconventional movement scheme. It required players to fly around 2.5D environments, collecting points to progress to the next stage, before the time limit elapsed. The game receiveda 2007 Wii sequel, known asNiGHTS Journey of Dreams.
1Panzer Dragoon Saga
No other title could belong in the top position on this list.Panzer Dragoon Sagais actually the third game in a larger franchise,Panzer Dragoon, and is the best entry that the Sega Saturn ever received.
The game set itself apart from the rest of the series by swapping out the on-rails shooter gameplay for a more traditional RPG format. It featured partially turn-based combat, andcomplete free-roam gameplay. This allowed players to immerse themselves in the rich world that thePanzer Dragoonseries presented.
