Why has the Saturn been forgotten among modern gamers?

[fastbilly1]

Fighter's Megamix was released on the Game.Com, and Panzer Dragoon Zwei does appear to have a PC release.

Its crazy how few exclusives the Saturn has now.

Why on Earth would anyone remotely care about the Game.com version, which is practically a completely different, 8-bit, black and white game..

And Panzer Dragoon Zwei is exclusive to the system, the only other release was on a obscure service called Gametap, on which the game hasn't been available anymore, for a long time now.

Id say the Game.com port doesnt count since it is a different game, but the Gametap one does. Gametap was heavily marketed for a long time, and rumor is that they have the rights to PDS.

It is not like I am going to sell my Saturn's or games, but the list of games for me to keep it out of storage is getting smaller and smaller.

[anonymous1980]

Id say the Game.com port doesnt count since it is a different game, but the Gametap one does. Gametap was heavily marketed for a long time, and rumor is that they have the rights to PDS.

It is not like I am going to sell my Saturn's or games, but the list of games for me to keep it out of storage is getting smaller and smaller.

Yeah, but the Gametap one does not exist anymore.

For me, it's all about accessibility and price, that's how i value the worth of owning a game on a X system over on another Y system, obviously besides exclusivity and exclusive content.

For example, Cyberbots-Full Metal Madness is a great 2D mecha fighting game (i love this game, it's so simple to get into, and has a ton of replay value/content) exclusive to the 5th generation (Saturn/PS1, never released anywere els). The Saturn version is superior (more frames on the sprites, etc.), and is cheaper than the PS1 version. So obviously i'm going with the Saturn version.

[fastbilly1]

Id say the Game.com port doesnt count since it is a different game, but the Gametap one does. Gametap was heavily marketed for a long time, and rumor is that they have the rights to PDS.

It is not like I am going to sell my Saturn's or games, but the list of games for me to keep it out of storage is getting smaller and smaller.

Yeah, but the Gametap one does not exist anymore.

For me, it's all about accessibility and price, that's how i value the worth of owning a game on a X system over on another Y system, obviously besides exclusivity and exclusive content.

For example, Cyberbots-Full Metal Madness is a great 2D mecha fighting game (i love this game, it's so simple to get into, and has a ton of replay value/content) exclusive to the 5th generation (Saturn/PS1, never released anywere els). The Saturn version is superior (more frames on the sprites, etc.), and is cheaper than the PS1 version. So obviously i'm going with the Saturn version.

Fair enough on the Gametap front, I was under the impression it was still available. I havent messed with Gametap since 07 when it was in beta.

Typically I look at games a very similar way that you do. However with the level of arcade emulation continuing a trend to bigger and better, it makes me wary of playing a title such as Cyberbots on my console, when I can just run it in MAME in its arcade form. Same is true with titles like Dynamite Deka and Baku Baku. Now dont get me wrong, I spent most of 2000-2004 buying Saturn games and have something like 200 of them. But as I looked through my list (since my collection is a ways away), there are just so few good exclusives, and so many ports. And even though they are excellent ports, MAME and various other emulators, will give me the same level of satisfaction.

[dunpeal2064]

I agree with you fastbilly, especially when it comes to the advancements of MAME. The Saturn is awesome when you can't (or won't) emulate arcade games, but once you can, it does make the library less impressive, especially when it coes to the Saturn's shmup library. Stuff like Battle Garegga, Batsugun, Dodonpachi, etc, all run better in mame than they do ported to the Saturn, and when you start only looking at the shooters that aren't available in Mame, the Saturn just isn't the same shmup machine.

[anonymous1980]

I completely understand that logic. But at the end of the day, if you take that logic one step further, and really think about it, there is no reason to own any console pre-7th generation, because each one of these systems can be emulated on a decent PC. SNES, Genesis, PS1, N64, Gamecube (and Wii aswell, these two are incredibly well emulated with Dolphin), PS2, etc. (with the exception of the Xbox)

And that includes the Saturn. SSF 0.12 is practically perfect, hell, even back in '07 the emulator was great with a high list of compatible games that worked flawlessly.

But, i feel more enjoyment and more commitment wile playing, if i'm on the original system. And there's no way to explain it for me.

[fastbilly1]

Also a fair assessment. And while I too prefer to play on original hardware, the Saturn exclusive list is alot smaller than I thought it would be. If SSF could support Anti Aliasing (which I know is very difficult based on how the Saturn did 3d), I would put my Saturns in the storage and not look back for a long time.

[Raiiban]

It's interesting to read the stances some people take with emulation versus the original hardware and about the original system versus ports.

I've always valued classic consoles and the games I play on them more than emulators because of the buy-in factor, the simple fact that I put in a bit of effort and money to getting all the parts necessary to play the game.

However, there's a point where emulation can become superior to the original though, so much so that buy-in is no longer a factor when comparing raw quality. I don't think I'll ever prefer an emulator on my LED TV to the original hardware on a CRT when it comes to 2D games, the Saturn's specialty. But I have a hard time looking at PS1-2 and Gamecube/Wii games when PCSX and Dolphin are around that let me play those (primarily) 3d games in 1080p with AA on my PC. There's no S-video or Component cable for 2D that will give me a quality boost like that.

I sure would love to see how Panzer Dragoon series or Shining the Holy Ark would look rendered at 1080p though. Maybe it'll be possible in the future with SSF, but all it can offer me is an experience that's lesser to or on par with the original but not greater. So I'll go with the original in this situation.

[TheRev]

Because loving the Dreamcast is what the cool kids do.

[Duane Dibbley]

Because loving the Dreamcast is what the cool kids do.

That's what Bernie Stolar wants you to think.

[elmagicochrisg]

Because loving the Dreamcast is what the cool kids do.

That's what Bernie Stolar wants you to think.

You mean this Bernie Stolar?...