Saturn vs. N64 FIGHT!

[dedalusdedalus]

Both are fine systems in their own right, but this one goes to Saturn.

The only genres where N64 truly shines are 3D adventure platformers / collect-a-thons and perhaps FPS. Saturn has much greater genre diversity; if you also consider the Japan-exclusive Saturn games--consider that a knockout punch.

[Breetai]

Nintendo 64, simply because of it's strong First-Party games, and excellent third-party gems that top off the library. Also, that controller......@_@

You could say EXACTLY the same thing about the Saturn.

The Saturn has some amazing first party games. NiGHTS, VF2, Burning Rangers, Daytona USA (who cares if it's not the best graphically... it is FUN), Panzar Dragoon games, etc.

The Saturn has absolutely incredible 3rd party games, and way more of them than the N64 does. Saturn Bomberman is the best party games ever, still now. It's shooter line up is better than possibly any system out there. It's 2D line-up is perhaps only second best to the SNES. Of course, this is a matter of taste, as it the 1st party games.

The controller... on the N64? Seriously? The Saturn is easily the best 2D controller ever created, and the analogue one is better than the N64 in my opinion (my personal taste!). I don't really like either analogue controller, though... I hate to say it, but I prefer NiGHTS on the PS2.

Overall, it is about the games. I love stuff like Mario 64, Wave Race, F-Zero X, Zeldas, Smash Bros., the AKI Wrestling games, etc., but there are MORE games on the Saturn that I love. That is what it comes down to.

[Pabstblueribbon]

i grew up with the n64, and didnt even play a saturn untill about 3 years ago when i gave someone 5 dollars for a system they had dug out of their attic that was sitting very sadly in a pile with a ton of games covered in dust.

now owning both systems and having played most of the titles that most would consider "the best" on both systems (talking american only) I would have to say double KO. It feels like comparing apples and oranges for me. Although, i really think that if the saturn had the chance that the n64 had with marketing in the US, it wouldve been the superior system, the potential it had at the time was great, but poor marketing, the surprise release, etc. the saturn was essentially doomed from the beginning. with the n64 having such a longer lifespan, its kind of hard to compare the two, for me anyways.

if we're talking performance though...saturn all the way.

[benderx]

There wasn't any street fighter games available for n 64 which would have been great.

[SuperAnthony64]

lol. Ive been going back and forth to 64 and Saturn all week. Im going with N64. the Saturn is cool and all but I can see why it failed. Nintendo 64 just had amazing games that to this day live up well. Zelda or shining wisdom? Star Fox or Panzer Dragoon? Nights or Super Mario? It comes down to preference but the 64 beats every game (IMO) hands down. Well Saturn had a better Bomberman but 64 got the better Resident evil. Both consoles are their own beast but if I was stranded on an island forever I think Id rather have the 64 and its library of games. Then I might be able to beat Turok 2 lol

[Flake]

Saturn, hands down.

A decent Zelda, a 3rd Party FPS, and a bare bones Mario Kart just aren't enough.

[Betamax001]

Double KO! Like others said both have different niches that can only be filled with either or. A better comparison should be PS1 vs Saturn or PS1 vs N64.

[flamepanther]

Saturn, hands down.

A decent Zelda, a 3rd Party FPS, and a bare bones Mario Kart just aren't enough.

It may not change the outcome for you, but aren't you selling the N64 just a little bit short there? You didn't like Star Fox, Kirby, F-Zero X, Smash Bros, Paper Mario, or Mischief Makers at all? Only one of the Zelda games? Which of Rare's two FPS games are you counting? Hybrid Heaven wasn't any good? The next best console version of Rayman 2 after the Dreamcast edition (and the best before that came out)? No props for import titles like Sin & Punishment or the original Bangaioh? None at all, really?

And Mario Kart 64 was hardly bare bones compared to its predecessor on the SNES. It only seems plain compared to the sequels that have come out years later, and that's because it sets the standard for all of them. It's OK if you like Saturn better, but let's at least be fair. Just sayin'.

[gennss]

The domestic saturn is kinda weak sauce, but I voted saturn because the import saturn has the fighters and shmups which are my primary genre.

The n64 has incredible games though, its is a tough matchup =D

[Flake]

It's OK if you like Saturn better, but let's at least be fair. Just sayin'.

Okay, I'll be fair -

The N64's library was just way too limited. The Big N went it alone (thanks to driving almost all of their 3rd party developers into Sony's open arms) and it really shows. Almost all of Nintendo's successful titles on the 64 had to come from their own studios and as a result the entire library felt derivative.

The net result: Nothing on the N64 was new. It was the same ol' same ol' but with annoying camera problems, unresponsive controls, and really fuzzy graphics. But it was in 3D so it all got a pass back in the day.