Difference between revisions of "Sega Saturn games"
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The prospects of 3D gaming meant that the Saturn is home to many different genres. Sega spent much of its time converting its [[Sega Model 2]] arcade library to the platform, leading in a number of arcade-style 3D fighting (''[[Virtua Fighter]]'', ''[[Last Bronx]]'') and racing games (''[[Daytona USA]]'', ''[[Sega Rally Championship]]'') to stand as major first-party releases, plus a couple of light-gun shooters in the form of ''[[Virtua Cop]]'' and ''[[The House of the Dead]]''. Some home-grown titles such as ''[[Panzer Dragoon]]'' borrow elements from arcade games, giving the system the reputation as an arcade in the home. | The prospects of 3D gaming meant that the Saturn is home to many different genres. Sega spent much of its time converting its [[Sega Model 2]] arcade library to the platform, leading in a number of arcade-style 3D fighting (''[[Virtua Fighter]]'', ''[[Last Bronx]]'') and racing games (''[[Daytona USA]]'', ''[[Sega Rally Championship]]'') to stand as major first-party releases, plus a couple of light-gun shooters in the form of ''[[Virtua Cop]]'' and ''[[The House of the Dead]]''. Some home-grown titles such as ''[[Panzer Dragoon]]'' borrow elements from arcade games, giving the system the reputation as an arcade in the home. | ||
− | However, more immersive 3D games were rare on the Saturn, owing not only to Sega's renewed focus on arcade conversions, but the limited hardware which was not as well equipped to deal with 3D gaming as its rival, the [[PlayStation]]. Many Saturn-exclusive titles are in many ways souped-up 2D titles, starting with ''[[Clockwork Knight]]'' and ''[[Bug!]]'', and perhaps peaking with the likes of ''[[NiGHTS into Dreams]]'' and ''[[Pandemonium!]]'' in 1996/1997. | + | However, more immersive 3D games were rare on the Saturn, owing not only to Sega's renewed focus on arcade conversions, but the limited hardware which was not as well equipped to deal with 3D gaming as its rival, the [[PlayStation]]. Many Saturn-exclusive titles are in many ways souped-up 2D titles, starting with ''[[Clockwork Knight]]'' and ''[[Bug!]]'', and perhaps peaking with the likes of ''[[NiGHTS into Dreams]]'' and ''[[Pandemonium!]]'' in 1996/1997. The same was initially true of the PlayStation, but the release of ''Metal Gear Solid'' in 1998 combined competition from the Nintendo 64 and sequels to franchises such as ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' led to many more elaborate 3D titles were where never seen on Sega's console. |
− | + | In fact, as 3D games became ever more complex, Sega changed tack entirely and began creating RPGs. ''[[Panzer Dragoon Saga]]'' and ''[[Shining Force III]]'', possibly inspired by the unexpected success of ''Final Fantasy VII'' on the PlayStation, are now highly sought after titles, and alongside the likes of the superior Saturn version of ''[[Grandia]]'', made the Saturn an attractive system for this style previously-neglected style of video game (in the West at least - Japan was never quite as enthralled with 3D titles as North America and Europe were). | |
In more recent years, the Saturn has become synonomous with accurate ports of 2D arcade games, such as [[Capcom]]'s selection of fighting games, and many 2D scrolling shoot-'em-up titles. Powerful 2D rendering hardware makes the Saturn a better fit for these styles of games than the PlayStation, though many of these titles were derided by the gaming press in the mid-90s for being too similar to "last generation" Mega Drive releases. | In more recent years, the Saturn has become synonomous with accurate ports of 2D arcade games, such as [[Capcom]]'s selection of fighting games, and many 2D scrolling shoot-'em-up titles. Powerful 2D rendering hardware makes the Saturn a better fit for these styles of games than the PlayStation, though many of these titles were derided by the gaming press in the mid-90s for being too similar to "last generation" Mega Drive releases. | ||
In Japan, the console became a hotbed for adventure games and dating simulators, which again were usually rendered in two dimensions. | In Japan, the console became a hotbed for adventure games and dating simulators, which again were usually rendered in two dimensions. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Conversions=== | ||
==Marketing== | ==Marketing== |
Revision as of 16:38, 8 June 2017
Between November 1994 and December 2000, roughly 1100 video games were released for the Sega Saturn. Though not typically viewed as such in the West, from a development and publishing perspective, this makes the Saturn the most popular video game console produced by Sega, peaking at roughly 360 titles per year in 1996 and 1997.
Saturn games were distributed exclusively on Saturn-formated CD-ROM discs, though some require further components such as Twin Advanced ROM System cartridges or Extended RAM Cartridges.
Contents
Content
While not arguably engineered as such, the Saturn was sold to Western developers and consumers as a video game console designed with real-time 3D games in mind - a noticeable generational leap over the 16-bit Sega Mega Drive and Super NES. In Japan, no such expectations were applied to the system, so content varies considerably between software intended for Japan, and those for the West. The Saturn is one of the first consoles to highlight an East-West divide in its library, as the vast majority of titles were exclusive to Japan, with many catering solely to Japanese audiences.
The prospects of 3D gaming meant that the Saturn is home to many different genres. Sega spent much of its time converting its Sega Model 2 arcade library to the platform, leading in a number of arcade-style 3D fighting (Virtua Fighter, Last Bronx) and racing games (Daytona USA, Sega Rally Championship) to stand as major first-party releases, plus a couple of light-gun shooters in the form of Virtua Cop and The House of the Dead. Some home-grown titles such as Panzer Dragoon borrow elements from arcade games, giving the system the reputation as an arcade in the home.
However, more immersive 3D games were rare on the Saturn, owing not only to Sega's renewed focus on arcade conversions, but the limited hardware which was not as well equipped to deal with 3D gaming as its rival, the PlayStation. Many Saturn-exclusive titles are in many ways souped-up 2D titles, starting with Clockwork Knight and Bug!, and perhaps peaking with the likes of NiGHTS into Dreams and Pandemonium! in 1996/1997. The same was initially true of the PlayStation, but the release of Metal Gear Solid in 1998 combined competition from the Nintendo 64 and sequels to franchises such as Tomb Raider led to many more elaborate 3D titles were where never seen on Sega's console.
In fact, as 3D games became ever more complex, Sega changed tack entirely and began creating RPGs. Panzer Dragoon Saga and Shining Force III, possibly inspired by the unexpected success of Final Fantasy VII on the PlayStation, are now highly sought after titles, and alongside the likes of the superior Saturn version of Grandia, made the Saturn an attractive system for this style previously-neglected style of video game (in the West at least - Japan was never quite as enthralled with 3D titles as North America and Europe were).
In more recent years, the Saturn has become synonomous with accurate ports of 2D arcade games, such as Capcom's selection of fighting games, and many 2D scrolling shoot-'em-up titles. Powerful 2D rendering hardware makes the Saturn a better fit for these styles of games than the PlayStation, though many of these titles were derided by the gaming press in the mid-90s for being too similar to "last generation" Mega Drive releases.
In Japan, the console became a hotbed for adventure games and dating simulators, which again were usually rendered in two dimensions.
Conversions
Marketing
Pricing
One of the major benefits of moving to disc-based media was cost - a disc being significantly cheaper to manufacture than the ROM cartridges seen in the Mega Drive and its rivals. However despite widespread reports of this benefit in the media, the end consumer did not see significant price reductions for video games in the mid-1990s.
Saturn games were priced at roughly the same as their PlayStation counterparts in most regions of the world - less than some of the larger Mega Drive and Super NES games which appeared between 1994 and 1996 (particularly those with added processors or battery-powered save systems), but more than earlier 16-bit cartridges from the turn of the decade. In the West, pricing was roughly on par with the older Mega-CD range, though this was more expensive in Japan.
Typical prices for new Saturn games were ¥5,000-¥7,000 in Japan, $50-$60 USD in the US and £40-£50 in the United Kingdom (though plenty of exceptions exist in all regions for smaller titles, compilations and multi-disc titles). In all regions this works out as roughly $10 USD less than the average Mega Drive game, though a big chunk of that cost was down to the manufacturing process of cartridges.
Japan launched its own Satakore budget label which brought selected games down to ¥2,800.
Packaging
Japan
Japanese Saturn software usually came packaged in standard jewel cases, much like music CDs. They also came with spinecards - three-fold pieces of light cardboard that hug the spine of the jewel case (which have become ery valuable for collectors who wish to claim a game is "complete"). The spinecard also indicates that the CD is for use with a Sega Saturn console - specifically Japanese NTSC systems. There were also jewel case quad CD cases, and a variant of the single case which was slightly thicker and hard to replace.
Game manuals were included with the cover seen through the front of the jewel case. The left side of the manual will usually have a bar similar in design to the spinecard. The Japanese SEGA rating, if there is one, will be included on the manual front (usually on one of the corners). There is also the insert on the back which may feature artwork or screenshots from the game. A black bar on the bottom of the insert contains information much like the spinecard, licensing information, et cetera.
The Japanese packaging was adopted in smaller Asian markets such as South Korea and China.
North America
![](/images/thumb/c/cf/Clockworkknight_sat_us_cover.jpg/200px-Clockworkknight_sat_us_cover.jpg)
The US used much larger jewel cases identical to the US Sega Mega-CD jewel cases, since many of these were in fact leftover Sega CD jewel cases. The US case has a white spine containing a 30 degree stripe pattern in gray, with white outlined lettering displaying the words "Sega Saturn". Oddly some US packaging seems to have taken a step backwards in terms of aesthetics - with minimal front artwork almost akin to the Sega Master System.
There are many flaws with the US packaging:
- Their sheer size made them more vulnerable to cracking.
- The mechanism that keeps the cover closed wears out quickly if the cover is opened and closed too much
- There is too much empty space inside the case. If the CD ever came off the case's spindle on its own (caused by rough handling of the case), the CD ends up being tossed around the inside of the case, causing either scratches on the disc, or in worst-case scenarios, the disc being shattered if the case is handled roughly.
Unlike the North American PlayStation which originally opted for similar-sized boxes in its early years, Sega never switched to the compact jewel case design, although many of its pack-in titles were distributed in cardboard sleeves to save costs.
Europe
European cases come in two variants, both designed and engineered by Sega. One has a strong plastic design similar to the cases used with the Mega Drive and Master System (but taller, thinner and slightly more secure). The other feels far cheaper, being literally two pieces of plastic held together by a cardboard cover. Though the former was more preferred by the consumer, the latter was more common as it was cheaper to produce, and was the only option until 1997 when the switch was made.
Both European cases has a solid black spine, with white lettering displaying the words "Sega Saturn". The manual slides in the case just like a normal jewel case and there is a back insert with information about the game. Like the American cases they are still too big and can lead to discs moving about and becoming scratched, though this may be to compensate for large multi-language manuals.
Some European boxes were wrapped in a transparent plastic shell after manufacture for extra security.
Brazil
Brazilian games were packaged in cardboard boxes similar to Mega-CD titles in the region, with a CD sleeve inside to keep the disc secure.
Lists
- List of Saturn games
- List of Saturn games in Japan
- List of Saturn games in the United States
- List of Saturn games in the United Kingdom
- List of Saturn games in France
- List of Saturn games in Germany
- List of Saturn games in Spain
- List of Saturn games in Australia
- List of Saturn games in Brazil
- List of Saturn games in South Korea
Launch titles
Japan
North America
- Clockwork Knight
- Daytona USA
- Panzer Dragoon
- Worldwide Soccer: Sega International Victory Goal Edition
- Virtua Fighter
Europe
Brazil
- Clockwork Knight
- Daytona USA
- Panzer Dragoon
- Virtua Fighter
- Worldwide Soccer: Sega International Victory Goal Edition
References