Doom (Saturn)

From Sega Retro

For the Sega 32X release, see Doom (32X).

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Doom
System(s): Sega Saturn
Publisher: GT Interactive (US/EU), Soft Bank (JP)
Developer:
Developer(s) of original games: id Software
Sound driver: SCSP/CD-DA (17 tracks)
Peripherals supported: Taisen Cable
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Saturn
JP
¥5,8005,800 T-18610G
Sega Saturn
US
T-25405H
Sega Saturn
EU
T-25406H-50
Sega Saturn
EU
(IT/ES)
T-25406H-51
Sega Saturn
BR
191x35

Doom (ドゥーム) for the Sega Saturn is a set of first person shooters originally released for IBM PC compatibles running DOS in the early 1990s. Despite its name, the package consists of two games; The Ultimate Doom (a 1995 update of the 1993 game, Doom) and its sequel Doom II: Hell on Earth (1994), alongside a few extra levels seen in a previous PlayStation version of this package.

Differences from PC version

The Sega Saturn version of Doom derives from the 1995 PlayStation version, which itself derives from the Atari Jaguar port of the game (as do most home versions of the era). On the Jaguar, several levels from the original Doom were visibly altered for performance reasons - this, and several minor changes carry through to the Saturn.

For the PlayStation version, significant changes were made to create a more "atmospheric" tone, including a different lighting system and the omission of the original MIDI soundtrack. Intermission scenes were dropped and some secret levels (notably the Wolfenstein 3D-inspired levels of Doom II) were dropped and replaced with new maps. Enemy placement is at times very different, and Doom II's super shotgun can be used in The Ultimate Doom levels.

The Saturn port(s) builds on this, however it is thought to have been rushed, originally hitting North America in March 1997. A combination of poor frame rates, slower enemies (yet curiously faster reload times) and numerous missing visual and audio effects led it to be panned by critics, as did a missing multiplayer mode, despite being advertised on the box (along with 60 levels, when in reality there are 59). Also notable is the use of Final Doom screenshots from a completely different release not included here. This is despite intervention from id Software and John Carmack himself[2].

When brought to Europe, support for the Taisen Cable was added (despite the accessory not being officially released in the region), and when released in Japan in July, the speed was increased to help it try and match the PlayStation version (though it is still slower in comparison). The Japanese version also adjusts the soundtrack to bring it more in-line with Sony's version.

Production credits

(US manual)
Programmers: John Carmack, John Romero, David Taylor, Michael John Cash
Artist: Adrian Carmack, Kevin Cloud
Level Designers: John Romero, Sandy Peterson, American McGee, Shawn Green
Development Support: Shawn Green
Biz: Jay Wilbur, Mike Wilson
Biz Assistant: Donna Jackson
Developed By: Rage Software
Programming: Jim Bagley, Alan Webb
Graphics: Simon Street, Ian Rickard
Sound: Steve Lord, Kev Bruce
Producer: John Heap


Promotional material

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
20 №183, p80[1]
70
77 №52, p65
39 №53, p66-68[3]
56 №16, p72/73[4]
57 №1997-24, p171[5]
70
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Sega Saturn
Expression error: Unexpected < operator.
Based on
8 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
0
[1]
Gambler (PL)
70
[7]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
41
[8]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
65
[9]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
89
[10]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
39
[3]
Player One (FR)
85
[11]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
61
[12]
Secret Service (PL)
0
[13]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
85
[14]
Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL
56
[15]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
57
[16]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
70
[6]
Super Juegos (ES)
79
[17]
Total Saturn (UK) PAL
49
[18]
Sega Saturn
56
Based on
15 reviews

Doom (Saturn)

Saturn, US
Doom Saturn US Box Back.jpgDoom Saturn US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Doom sat us disc.jpg
Disc
Doom sat us manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, EU
Doom Saturn EU Box.jpg
Cover
Doom Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc
DoomSaturnEUManual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, JP
Doom Saturn JP Box Back.jpgDoom Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
Doom Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard
Doom Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, Italy/Spain
Doom Sat IT-ES cover.jpg
Cover
Saturn, BR
Doom Sat BR cover.jpg
Cover

References

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NEC Retro has more information related to Doom II