Saturned

[Esrever]

For years it has been the hole in my Sega collection, arriving in the uncomfortable period between when my parents would still buy me game consoles and when I could afford to buy my own. But today, I finally own a working Sega Saturn. I am almost completely ignorant about this console, so please fill me in. What titles are worth getting? I've already got an analog controller and a copy of Nights, but that's it.

Please keep in mind that this is a North American Saturn. Though, if there is a way to make it play import titles I'm happy to hear about any that are worth playing.

[plasticwingsband]

Sonic Jam
Burning Rangers
Virtua Fighter 2
Fighting Vipers
Panzer Dragoon or its' sequels
Astal
Guardian Heroes
Dragon Force
Shining Force III
Sonic R

[Dark Crow]

Some other games worth considering...

Fighters Megamix
Sega Rally Championship
Christmas NiGHTS
Virtual On
King of Fighters
Saturn Bomberman
Metal Slug
Grandia
Marvel Super Heroes/ X-Men vs. Street Fighter etc.
The legendary Radiant Silvergun (if you can fork out the cash for it)

...and that's all that I can currently think of that hasn’t been said.

[Popcorn]

I absolutely beg you to play Panzer Dragoon Saga. Sure it'll cost you about a billion smackers, but whatever.

[Delphine]

I like how <i>Christmas NiGHTS</i> has been mentioned but <i>NiGHTS: Into Dreams...</i> hasn't. Heathens.

[chriscaffee]

What titles are worth getting? I've already got an analog controller <B>and a copy of Nights,</B> but that's it.

[Knuckles Dawson]

Well, on Del's behalf, Esrever didn't capitalize NiGHTS properly. So the mistake could easily be made by anyone skimming through posts.

[CE]

Sonic 3D Blast has a highly improved version of the Sonic 2 special stages. It's too bad the rest of the game sucks so much.

[j-man]

It has funky tunes. That's the only other upshot.

[Knuckles Dawson]

One time, on the first stage of Sonic 3D Blast (Genesis), I actually found this giant gold ring on a NE Wall, jumped through it and got to the Level Select. I was never able to recreate it, although it was the same as doing the BARACUDA code, it had a screen that said "Congratulations, you have found the Level Select mode" or something.

[Green Gibbon!]

I like to unofficially take credit for figuring out the BARACUDA code. Years ago on the Sega Threads, Jon Burton hinted at the code being the name of a fish. I think it was the following day that I figured it out, while digging through some groceries my mom had just bought and tossing aside some cans of tuna.

I believe I am quite responsible for spreading the Sonic Spinball Game Gear codes.


ANYWAY. In addition to the games already recommended, I suggest picking up Silhouette Mirage, Clockwork Knight II (don't bother with the original unless you can get it dirt cheap), and Willy Wombat.

[Knuckles Dawson]

After doing some digging myself, you apparently unlock Level Select if you beat the game with all the chaos emeralds. I did this once, then may have initiated it in the first level immediately after beating it. But I don't know, all I remember doing is not turning off my Genesis for another couple days.

I also remember the first time I heard Heart's song of the same name on the radio, which took place after reading about the code.

[Esrever]

Thanks guys. But unless I'm crazy, wasn't Silhouette Mirage only released in Japan? I'd love to play it though, (and some other imports too) so is there a way I can still play it on my US Saturn? I've heard of something called a region "converter cartridge," but I don't really know what that is or how reliably it works.

Also, how easy is it to play burned games on the Saturn? The collector in me is going to do his best to track down actual copies of these games on ebay, (and hell, most of them are pretty cheap) but for titles like Panzer Dragoon Saga or Radiant Silvergun it obviously isn't going to be an option.

[Crazy Penguin]

I heard a while back that simply slightly knocking the Sonic 3D cartridge or looking at it funny causes the level select mode to activate.

[big_smile]

According to fandom legend, the Sonic 3D code had a few bugs that caused the game to crash and display a blue screen. Not wanting to frustrate players, Travellers Tales apparently replaced the blue screen with the level select menu.

Although this is the same fandom that believes that Tails was originally a girl.

I've heard of something called a region "converter cartridge," but I don't really know what that is or how reliably it works.

Also, how easy is it to play burned games on the Saturn? The collector in me is going to do his best to track down actual copies of these games on ebay, (and hell, most of them are pretty cheap) but for titles like Panzer Dragoon Saga or Radiant Silvergun it obviously isn't going to be an option.

Burned games require a special chip, which varies depending on the Saturn model you own. I think it is also possible to use a disc swap method. I haven’t tried either method so I can’t vouch for them.

I have, however, tried using a converter cartridge for import games and haven’t had any problems with it (although I was using a PAL Saturn).

[Delphine]

What titles are worth getting? I've already got an analog controller <B>and a copy of Nights,</B> but that's it.

Oh.

I'm obviously retarded.

[Green Gibbon!]

I used to use a converter cart, but it stopped working after a while. I can't say whether that was the fault of the cart or the Saturn's shitty-ass cartridge port.

Either way, it's probably a better idea to simply modify your system. Supposedly it isn't that difficult.

[Knuckles Dawson]

No, but what happened was there was a Giant "special stage" style ring, or something. and I jumped into it. Or it was just spinning stars like invincibility. It was a long time ago, I hardly believe it was was a bug cover up.

[Segata]

For imports and data storage, I'd recommend getting one of these. I haven't used one myself (yet), but I've heard that they're pretty reliable.

[Knuckles Dawson]

You mean you haven't.

[Double-S-]

The swap works for burned games, although it's a pain in the ass to set up and then get to work. And I don't think the constant resetting while trying to get it right can be too good for your Saturn.

[Segata]

You mean you haven't.

God damn it. Apparently my thinking out-runs my typing.

Sometimes I skip entire words without realizing it. Whole phrases even.

[Knuckles Dawson]

Is it a timing thing while resetting or something, D-S-?

[Spazz]

I heard a while back that simply slightly knocking the Sonic 3D cartridge or looking at it funny causes the level select mode to activate.

Yeah, I don't think I've ever used the code. For years I've just flicked or hit the cart until that screen came up. I actually discovered that by purposely hitting the cartridge as a joke while a friend was in the middle of playing.

[Locit]

Panzer Dragoon Saga will indeed satisfy your innate need to find meaning in life, if you're into that sort of thing. And remember, after awhile the power to the Saturn's memory will run out, so get a cartridge or try not to get too attatched to your save files.