Is the Sega Saturn overrated?

[Weekend_Warrior]

Well, ok.... let me clarify.

If you weren't an RPG fan, THEN the North American Saturn library was a giant bag of douche.

[final fight cd]

In North America: North American reception of the Saturn is one of indifference--a resounding "Meh." We rejected, ignored, and forgot about it, hence the system's abysmal failure. To state that the Saturn was overrated in North America is to suggest that the platform deserved worse than our indifference and rejection. This was a system that, while expensive, had exceptionally high quality hardware. It had a library that, while weak, still had a number of unique, high-quality, overlooked titles. It had the very best arcade ports during a time when that was still worth something. Why you would want to suggest that we should actively hate the system (what else is lower than indifference?) I can't fathom.

The Saturn had an EXTREMELY BAD library of games in North America when compared to the mighty PS1. Then when you add in the initial high price of the console, you have an overrated/over-priced piece of shit. Of course, it can be had for $20 to $20 used these days. But the U.S. library is still shit next to the PS1... maybe even the N64's library as well. So unless everyone who claims that the Sega Saturn was an awesome machine has a mod chip or 5-in-1 region adapter, then I'm saying the system was overrated in this part of the world.

It didn't have a terrible library here though, it just wasn't as extensive as it was in Japan. We got most of the high profile releases and there are more than enough localized games to justify it's stance among Sega fans today.

what are some good US saturn games outside of RPGs?

[Croooow!]

Among die-hard Sega and retro fans: This is a group of people that has an unusual and relatively specific idea of what it wants from their games and hardware. The fact of the matter is that the Saturn meets the criteria of this group exceptionally well. There are few platforms, if any, that you could suggest to these gamers that has a more perfect library of arcade games and quirky Sega properties, or hardware more perfectly tuned for high-octane 2D gaming. It's not an inflated opinion, it's just that the platform meets a very specific need almost perfectly. These people certainly rate the Saturn more highly than most other people would have any reason to do, but among these fans the Saturn cannot possibly be overrated. Outside of this small group, their opinion is not an appropriate basis for judging what is or is not overrated, as it relates to them only.

Well said. That kind of explains my lack of enthusiam for the Saturn as growing up I had almost zero exposure to arcades or Sega games (Nintendo dominated the console wars in my town through the N64 era). Given different gaming exposures I can certainly see how the Saturn would perfectly fit someones gaming needs.

[flamepanther]

@WW: Disregarding that I feel you are wrong about even the North American library, the fact is, it doesn't matter for this discussion whether the Saturn has any good games at all. The assessment you gave of the Saturn's North American presence on the previous page--regardless of accuracy--is the general public opinion of the Saturn in this region to a tee. "Overrated" doesn't mean some guy out there likes it more than you think it deserves. It means everybody does. Since public opinion in general is already as low as yours, to say it is overrated is to say that public opinion of the console should be EVEN WORSE than you've described. Arguing about how accurate your opinion or the public's might be serves no purpose. General perception matches what you believe to be accurate, therefore the Saturn is not overrated.

[dunpeal2064]

I think the OPs question has been answered in just about every possible way.

[CD AGES]

what are some good US saturn games outside of RPGs?

Alien Trilogy
Astal
Baku Baku
Bubble bobble
Burning Rangers
Bust-A-Move 2
Bust-A-Move 3
Darius Gaiden
Daytona USA
Die Hard Arcade
Earthworm Jim 2
F1 Challenge
Fighters Megamix
Fighting Vipers
Galaxy Fight
Golden Axe the Duel
Herc's Adventure
House of The Dead
In The Hunt
Last Bronx
Mega Man 8
Mega Man X4
Night warriors
Nights
Panzer Dragoon
Panzer Dragoon 2
Primal Rage
Rayman
Resident Evil
Saturn Bomberman
Sega Ages
Sega Rally
Sega Touring Car Championship
Sonic Jam
spot Goes to Hollywood
Street Fighter Alpha
Street Fighter Alpha 2
Street Fighter Alpha Collection
Super Puzzle Fighter 2
Tetris Plus
Three dirty Dwarves
UMK3
Virtua Cop
Virtua Cop 2
Virtual Fighter 2
Virtual On
Wipeout
X-men COTA

And I'm sure i missed a few other goodies but this is what i personally own!

[RyaNtheSlayA]

And I'm sure i missed a few other goodies but this is what i personally own!

Thanks for that, I'm on my phone and that would've been a pita typing.

[CD AGES]

Lol! I know exactly what you mean. And you're welcome
Now back to Virtual On with my new twin stick XD

[final fight cd]

laundry list

some i agree with, some i don't. but thanks for making a list.

it seems a lot of those games are multiplatform, which is okay. bust-a-move is a good game that i enjoy, but i don't have to buy a saturn to play it.

[dunpeal2064]

A good list CD Ages, but you forgot Galactic Attack!

And Guardian Heroes!