List of Sega Saturn Exclusives

[sonix]

Work in progress, it's complete as far as US/Europe released games go. If you notice any inconsistencies, please let me know.

Abbreviations:
ARC - Arcade port (Daytona USA, Virtua Fighter 2)
CC - Classic collection that consists of either original or slightly reworked versions of older games (Sega Ages Vol.1, Phantasy Star Collection)
PC - Game had a PC release, which makes the Saturn version a console exclusive (Panzer Dragoon, Bug!)
RR - The game or its arcade counterpart was later re-released, or was somehow included in a different game (Guardian Heroes, Radiant Silvergun, Panzer Dragoon)

Notes:
Sonic Jam and Fighters Megamix were released for Game.com but let's be honest, that doesn't really count.
With games that were also released for the Mega Drive or SNES for example, I only left those which were visibly different on the Saturn, like World Series Baseball.
Games are listed with their European titles, unless they were released in US/Japan only. Games released in both US and Japan have US titles. For alternative titles check out Satakore.
I ignored the Brazilian, Chinese and Korean releases.
Games that had slight differences between the Saturn and, for example, PSX and were released with slightly different title (like "Plus" version or something) are not included.

Madroms, if you're reading this, perhaps you could "implement" this list on your site.

Statistics so far:
Number of Games: 349
Sega Saturn Only: 258
ARC: 47
CC: 8
PC: 40
RR: 32

Sega Saturn Exclusive Games

=All Regions=
Amok (PC)
Athlete Kings (ARC, RR)
Baku Baku (PC)
Battle Monsters
Black Fire
Bug! (PC)
Bug Too! (PC)
Burning Rangers
Clockwork Knight
Clockwork Knight 2
Crimewave
Cyber Speedway
Dark Savior
Daytona USA (ARC, RR)
Daytona USA CCE (PC)
Die Hard Arcade (ARC, RR)
Digital Pinball (RR)
Dragon Force (RR)
Enemy Zero (PC)
F-1 Challenge
Fighters Megamix
Fighting Vipers (ARC, RR)
Galactic Attack (ARC, PC, RR)
Ghen War
Golden Axe: The Duel (ARC)
Guardian Heroes (RR)
GunGriffon
Hang-On GP '96
Highway 2000
International Victory Goal
Last Bronx (ARC, PC, RR)
Manx TT Super Bike (ARC, PC)
Mr. Bones
Mystaria - The Realms of Lore
Nights Into Dreams... (PC, RR)
Panzer Dragoon (PC, RR)
Panzer Dragoon Zwei
Panzer Dragoon Saga
Robotica
Saturn Bomberman
Sega Rally (ARC, PC, RR)
Sega Touring Car Championship (ARC, PC)
Sega Worldwide Soccer '97 (PC)
Sega Worldwide Soccer '98 Club Edition
Shining Force III
Shining the Holy Ark
Shining Wisdom
Shinobi-X
Sky Target (ARC, PC)
Sonic Jam (CC)
Sonic R (PC, RR)
Steep Slope Sliders (ARC)
The House of the Dead (ARC, PC)
The Story of Thor 2
Three Dirty Dwarves (PC)
Torico
Valora Valley Golf
Victory Boxing
Virtua Cop (ARC, PC, RR)
Virtua Cop 2 (ARC, PC, RR)
Virtua Fighter Remix
Virtua Fighter 2 (ARC, PC, RR)
Virtua Fighter Kids (ARC)
Virtual Hydlide
Virtual Open Tennis
Virtual-On - Cyber Troopers (ARC, PC, RR)
Wing Arms
Winter Heat (ARC)
World Series Baseball
World Series Baseball II


=EU/JP Only Releases=
Deep Fear
Keio Flying Squadron 2
Pinball Graffiti
Sea Bass Fishing (ARC)

=EU/US Only Releases=
Sega Ages Vol. 1 (ARC, CC, RR)
NHL All-Star Hockey
NHL All-Star Hockey 98
Scorcher (PC)

=US/JP Only Releases=
Albert Odyssey
Astal
Heir of Zendor
High Velocity: Mountain Racing Challenge
Iron Storm
Magic Knight Rayheart
Virtual Casino

=Europe Only Releases=
Frankenstein (PC)
UEFA Euro 96 England

=US Only Releases=
All-Star Baseball '98
Congo the Movie: The Lost City of Zinj (PC)
NFL '97
Scud: The Disposable Assassin
World Series Baseball '98

=Japan Only Releases=
2nd Arukotoha Sando-R
2Tax Gold
6 Inch My Darling (PC)
Advanced World War Sennen Teikoku no Koubou ~The Last Milennium~
AI Igo
Ai Iijima - Good Island Cafe
Airs Adventure
Album Club (Mune Kyun) ~Saint Paulia Jogakuin~
Amagi Shien
Angel Paradise Vol.1 Sakaki Yuko
Angel Paradise Vol.2 Yoshino Kimika
Aquazone Desktop Life (PC) (+Disc Series)
Arcana Strikes
Astra Superstars (ARC)
Asuka 120% Limited: Burning Fest. Limited
Ayakashi Ninden Kunoichiban Plus
Bakuretsu Hunter
Bakuretsu Hunter R
Batsugun (ARC)
Battle Athletess Daiundoukai
Battle Garegga (ARC)
Beach de Reach! (RR)
Big Ichigeki! Pachislot Daikouryaku ~Universal Museum~
Bishoujo Hanafuda Kikou Michinoku Hitou Koi Monogatari Special
Bishoujo Variety Game
Blast Wind
Blue Seed
Body Special 264 ~Girls in Motion Puzzle Vol.2~
Bouken Katsugeki Monomono
Brain Battle Q
Break Thru!
Bubble Symphony (ARC, RR)
Bulk Slash
Can Can Bunny Premiere (PC)
Can Can Bunny Premiere 2
Chibi Maruko-chan no Taisen Pazurudama
Chisato Moritaka Watarasebashi
Choro Q Park
Code R
Columns Arcade Collection (CC)
Cotton 2 (ARC)
Cotton Boomerang (ARC)
Cross Tantei Monogatari ~Motsureta Nanatsu no Labyrinth~
Crows ~The Battle Action for SegaSaturn~
Cube Battler ~Anna Mirai-hen~
Cube Battler ~Debugger Shou-hen~
Cubic Gallery ~Edy & Disy~
Cyber Doll
D-Xhird
Daibouken ~Saint Elmo's no Kiseki~
Daina Airan
Daina Airan ~Yokoku-hen~
Daisenryaku Pack
Daisenryaku Strong Style
Daisuki
Daitoride
Death Crimson
Dejig Lassen ~Art Collection~
Dejig McKnight ~Art Collection~
Dejig Tin Toy
Desire (PC, RR)
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner ~Akuma Zensho~
Devil Summoner Soul Hackers ~Akuma Zensho Dai-ni-shuu~
Dezaemon 2
Digital Ange: Dennou Tenshi SS
Digital Dance Mix Vol.1 Namie Amuro
Digital Monster Ver.S Digimon Tamers
Digital Pinball Necronomicon
DJ Wars
Doukoku Soshite... (RR)
Doukyuusei ~if~ (PC)
Dragon Ball Z Shinbutouden
Dragon Force II
Dragon Master Silk (PC)
Dream Square Hinagata Akiko
Dungeon Master Nexus
Dungeons & Dragons Collection (ARC, RR)
Eiyuu Shigan ~Gal Act Heroism~
Elevator Action² Returns (ARC, RR)
étude Prologue ~Yureugoku Kokoro no Katachi~ (RR)
Eve Burst Error (PC, RR)
Falcom Classics (CC)
Falcom Classics Collection (CC)
Falcom Classics II (CC)
Farland Saga (PC)
Father Christmas
Final Fight Revenge (ARC)
Find Love 2
Fire Pro Gaiden Blazing Tornado (ARC)
Fire Prowrestling S ~6Men Scramble~
Fully Cowled Mini Yonku Super Factory
Funky Fantasy
Funky Head Boxers (ARC)
Funky Head Boxers Plus
Fuusui Sensei
G Vector
Gaia Breeder
Gakkou no Kaidan
Gal Jan
Gale Racer (ARC)
Gals Panic SS (ARC)
Game Basic for Sega Saturn
Game Tengoku ~The Game Paradise!~ (ARC, RR)
Game-Ware
Game-Ware Vol.2
Game-Ware Vol.3
Game-Ware Vol.4
Game-Ware Vol.5
GeGeGe no Kitarou ~Gentou Kaikitan~
Gekirindan (ARC, RR)
Gekitotsu Koushien
Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Plus
Ginga Ojousama Densetsu Yuna Remix
Ginga Ojousama Densetsu Yuna Mika Akitaka Illust Works
Ginga Ojousama Densetsu Yuna Mika Akitaka Illust Works 2
Girl Doll Toy ~Tamashii wo Kudasai~ (PC)
Go III Professional: Taikyoku Igo
Godzilla: Rettou Kaimetsu*
Goiken Muyou ~Anarchy in the Nippon~
Golden Axe The Duel (ARC)
Gotha ~Ismailia Seneki~
Grandia ~Digital Museum~
GranDread
Greatest Nine '96
Groove on Fight ~Gouketsuji Ichizoku 3~ (ARC)
GT 24
Guardian Force (ARC)
Gun Frontier Arcade Gears (ARC)
GunBlaze-S
Gungriffon II
Gyuwambler Jikochuushinha ~Tokyo Mahjongland~
Habitat II
Hankou Shashin ~Shibarareta Shoujo-tachi no Mita Mono ha?~
Hansha de Spark!
HatTrick Hero S
Haunted Casino
Heartbeat Scramble
Heisei Tensai Bakabon Susume
Heiwa Pachinko Soushingeki
Highschool Terra Story (PC)
Hissatsu!
Hiyake no Omoide + Himekuri ~Girls In Motion Puzzle Vol.1~
Honkaku Shougi Shinan Wakamatsu Shougi Juku
Hop Step Idol
Horror Tour
Houkago Renai Club ~Koi no Etude~ (PC)
Hyper 3D Taisen Battle Gebockers
Hyper Duel (ARC)
Hyper Reverthion
Hyper Securities S
I Love Mickey Mouse ~Fushigi no Oshiro Daibouken~ / I Love Donald Duck ~Georgia Ou no Hihou~ (CC, RR)
Idol Janshi Suchie-Pai Mecha Genteiban
Idol Janshi Suchie-Pai Secret Album
Idol Maajan Final Romance 4 (PC)
Idol Maajan Final Romance R
Ippatsu Gyakuten
Isto E Zico
J.League Go Go Goal!
J.League Jikkyou Honoo no Striker
J.League Pro Soccer Club wo Tsukurou!
J.League Pro Soccer Club wo Tsukurou! 2
J.League Victory Goal '96
J.League Victory Goal '97
Jantei Battle Cos-Player
Japan Super Bass Classic '96
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu S
Jissen Pachislot Hisshouhou! 3
Jissen! Pachislot Hisshouhou! 4
Jissen! Pachislot Hisshouhou! Iron Hook
Jung Rhythm
Jungle Park ~Saturn Jima~
Juusou Kihei Leynos 2
K-1 Fighting Illusion Shou
Kaitou Saint Tail
Kakyuusei (PC)
Kamen Rider ~Sakusen File 1~
Kanzen Chuukei Pro Yakyuu Greatest Nine
Kekkon Zenya
Keriotosse
Kidou Senkan Nadesico ~The Blank of 3 Years~
Kidou Senkan Nadesico ~Yappari Saigo ha [Ai ga Katsu] ?~
Kidou Senshi Gundam
Kidou Senshi Gundam Gaiden I ~Senritsu no Blue~
Kidou Senshi Gundam Gaiden II ~Ao wo Uketsugu Mono~
Kidou Senshi Gundam Gaiden III ~Sabakareshi Mono~
Kidou Senshi Gundam Gihren no Yabou
Kidou Senshi Gundam Gihren no Yabou Kouryaku Shireisho
Kidou Senshi Z Gundam ~Kouhen Sora wo Kakeru~
Kidou Senshi Z Gundam ~Zenpen Zeta no Kodou~
Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo ~Hoshimitou Kanashimi no Fukushuuki~
Kiss yori... [PC]
Kochira Katsushikaku Kameari Kouenmae Hashutsujo Nakagawa Land Dai Race! no Maki
Koden Koureijutsu Hyaku Monogatari
Koi no Summer Fantasy ~in Miyazaki Seagaia~ Okina Megumi
Konami Antiques MSX Collection Ultra Pack [CC]
Konoyo no Hate de Koi wo Utau Shoujo Yu-No [PC, RR]
Koudou Saisoku Densetsu ~Kashiramoji D (Initial D)~
Kouryuu Sangoku Engi
Kurubushi Kyoudai Gekijou
Kyuukyoku Tiger II Plus [ARC]
Langrisser III [PC, RR]
Langrisser Tribute
Legend of K-1 Grand Prix
Legend of K-1 The Best Collection
Linkle Liver Story
Lupin the 3rd ~Pyramid no Kenja~
Lupin the 3rd ~The Master File~
Lupin the 3rd Chronicles
Maajan Doukyuusei Special [ARC]
Maajan Gakuensai [ARC]
Maajan Gakuensai DX ~Zenjitsu ni Matsuwaru Funsenki~
Maajan Hyper Reaction R [ARC]
Maajan Kaigan Monogatari
Maajan Tenshi Angel Lips
Maajan Yon-Shimai ~Wakakusa Monogatari~
Maajan-kyou Jidai Cebu Island '96
Maboroshi no Black Bass
Madou Monogatari
Mahou Gakuen Lunar!
Mahou no Janshi Poe Poe Poemy
Mahou Shoujo Pretty Samy ~Heart no Kimochi~
Mahou Shoujo Pretty Samy ~Osorubeshi Shintai Sokutei! Kakubakuhatsu 5-Byou-mae!!~
Mainichi Kawaru Quiz Bangumi
Marica ~Shinjitsu no Sekai~
Media ROMancer Daisuke Asakura
Message Navi
Message Navi Vol. 2
Metal Black (ARC, RR)
Metal Fighter Miku
Mezase Idol Star!! Natsuiro Memories
Minami no Shima ni Buta ga Ita
Mizuki Shigeru no Youkai Zukan Soushuuhen
Momotarou Douchuuki
Moon Cradle
Mujintou Monogatari R ~Futari no Love Love Island~
My Best Friends ~St. Andrew Jogakuin-hen~
My Fair Lady Virtual Maajan 2 (ARC)
Nanatsu Kaze no Shima Monogatari
Nightruth Explanation of the paranormal "Futatsu dake no Shinjitsu"
Nightruth Explanation of the paranormal "Maria"
Nightruth Explanation of the paranormal Making of Nightruth II ~Voice Selection~
Nightruth Explanation of the Paranormal Nightruth Voice Selection ~Radio Drama-hen~
Nightruth Explanation of the Paranormal The Making of Nightruth
Nile-gawa no Yoake
Ninkuu ~Tsuyokina Yatsura no Daigekitotsu!~
Ninpen Manmaru
Nippon Daihyou Team no Kantoku ni Narou! Sekaihatsu Soccer RPG
Ochige Designer Tsukutte pon!
Ojousama wo Nerae!!
Okudera Yasuhiko no Sekai wo Mezase! Soccer Kids
Omakase! Savers
OoEdo Renaissance
Ousama Game
Paneltia Story ~Kerun no Daibouken~
Panic-chan
Pappara Paoon
.
.
.

[NeoGeoNinja]

AWESOME LIST SONIX...

I love stuff like this

Here are some that I *may* have noticed, but perhaps don't quite match-up with your requirements?:

Athlete Kings as (part of) Decathlete (collection) (RR) - PS2
Die Hard Arcade as Dynamite Deca (RR) - PS2
Virtua Cop 2 (RR) - PS2
Was Sonic R classed a RR or CC in the Sonic Gems Collection
Also, is HERCS adventure classed as a US only Saturn exclusive?

Keep up the good work!

[sonix]

Thanks

I fixed Athlete Kings and Die Hard Arcade, forgot that those two had the PS2 re-release. Sonic R is RR, CC is for compilations that appeared on the Saturn.

Virtua Cop 2 is also available for DC, but I guess I could count it as RR as it wasn't exactly released simultaneously with the Saturn version. Some games may be problematic to decide...

Herc's Adventure is also available for PSX, so it doesn't count.

Also - requesting sticky.

[NeoGeoNinja]

Apr 7, 2013 13:16:52 GMT sonix said:

Thanks

I fixed Athlete Kings and Die Hard Arcade, forgot that those two had the PS2 re-release. Sonic R is RR, CC is for compilations that appeared on the Saturn.

Virtua Cop 2 is also available for DC, but I guess I could count it as RR as it wasn't exactly released simultaneously with the Saturn version. Some games may be problematic to decide...

Herc's Adventure is also available for PSX, so it doesn't count.

Also - requesting sticky.

I APPRECIATE THE CLARIFICATION...
had no idea Hercs Adventure had a PS1 release. But tbh, I'd never heard of it before until recently

Regarding VC2, I think you're right in adding it as a Saturn exclusive, RR'd for DC and then PS2 as well. Also, as you mentioned, I *think* it got a SEGA PC port too, but I could be wrong...

[Deleted]

Great post! threads like this and the Import friendly rating guide is why I love this place....oh and NeoGeoNinja :3

Also I do believe Astal did get a PAL release, it was very limited though.

[NeoGeoNinja]

GOOD LUCK...
with figuring out the Japanese only Saturn exclusives Sonix! I'll probably throw:
Astra Superstars (ARC)
Groove On Fight (ARC)
All Japan Pro Wrestling Featuring Virtua (ARC)
Cotton 2 (ARC)
Cotton Boomerang (ARC)
Elan Doree (ARC)
Final Fight Revenge (ARC)
Guardian Force (ARC)
Radiant Silvergun (ARC)

...all in for good measure! Easy pickings via the SEGA ST-V line-up vs Saturn release schedule in Japan.

Apr 8, 2013 3:29:41 GMT @jahan said:

Great post! threads like this and the Import friendly rating guide is why I love this place....oh and NeoGeoNinja :3

;D

Apr 8, 2013 3:29:41 GMT @jahan said:

Also I do believe Astal did get a PAL release, it was very limited though.

DON'T THINK SO...
but any information, images etc you can provide to back this statement would be great

[Deleted]

you know you're right!

I wonder why OSSM (UK) published cheat codes for Astal back in the day. Unless the UK release got pulled last minute.

Update

My small contribution to the list: Quake was only released in PAL and NA, never for Japan.

[sonix]

One thing I find disappointing about SSM is that some of the editors actually seemed to despise 2D games. One of them actually mentioned Astal somewhere, stating that "thankfully it's not coming over here" because, you know, why need some shitty 2D game when we can have some "awesome" 3D "this is the future" games for the Saturn. Galactic Attack or Darius Gaiden were labeled as "fine" but treated sort of patronizingly, and the reviewer of SF: The Movie (to be fair, it's pretty bad) went on how he pretty much hopes the 2D Fighting genre dies because it's outdated and stale. I remember Hat Trick Hero S also being discussed in terms of "oh god, please don't bring it here, it suckssssssss!".

I also find it funny that they also always felt the duty to explain what's the deal with this whole, silly "RPG" thing. As if nobody reading this played, or even heard of Phantasy Star for example (if we keep it Sega)? Or how they ridiculed the readers when they even mentioned that some female character looks nice or something ("Get a life!") but eventually ended up putting, like, Kasumi in the bikini on the cover and leaving the last page in the few final issues to present a profile of some video game lass. Talk about hypocrisy...

We like to blame Sega of America or Sega of Europe for not allowing many Japanese old-school games to be published, but it seems that if this task was laid in the hands of journalists it could've been even worse...

My small contribution to the list: Quake was only released in PAL and NA, never for Japan.

There's no Quake on the list, since there's also the N64 version.

[Deleted]

Oh right! I totally forgot about that.

I just found it so cool (and surprising) back in the day that the PSone didn't have it..but not long after Psone got an excellent conversion of Quake 2! ha ha. Back in the day it was always this aggressive PSone versus Saturn rivalry and the N64 lived in its own world. It's even like that today actually, Sony and Microsoft are constantly at each others throats while Nintendo continues to enjoy success in its own little paradise.

Funny how some things just never change!

With regards to what you said about SSM, earlier issues were certainly ridiculing 2D and immediately taking a jab at the Mega Drive, but when Rich became the main editor the magazine got so much better. I believe early on it was Sam Hickman in charge.

Also am I bad for finding their condescending responses to Reader letters funny?

[sonix]

Apr 10, 2013 7:57:26 GMT @jahan said:

Also am I bad for finding their condescending responses to Reader letters funny?

That's pretty much universal for every gaming magazine I saw. It is entertaining (most of the time), I was just pointing out the irony.

[NeoGeoNinja]

sonix:

I think PPL are quick to forget this, that western journalism did no good to the Saturn scene at certain points by decrying the Saturn's 2D titles (something which they didn't always do re: Capcom fighters).

I think, like Muser said, it was this whole PS1 vs Saturn battle. People get so emotionally and personally invested in the situation that they start lashing out at PPL releasing decent 2D titles because they wanted the next best Sony-beating title to cover illustrate, gush, hype and exaggerate about in their upcoming issue. Titles like Astal, Galactic Attack and Darius Gaiden offered none of those possibilities.

It almost wreaks of frustration, feet stomping: "where's our PS1 beater, hey?".

The industry really hasn't changed and this is why every console becomes interesting and collectible in the future (i.e. like the Wii will be), because despite what the magazines will feed you and have you believe (i.e. their own bullshit) there is always more to a console library, it's diversity and graphics than the overblown coverage in magazines and in (TV) adverts towards specific titles/game types.

THUS...
why we're all here still discussing and enjoying the (so-called) 'failed' Saturn today NEARLY 20 years later

[sonix]

It's just I don't really get the whole "good riddance" stance towards some games, as if it hurt people if certain game was released (regardless of it's commercial success). I mean, the more the merrier... Obviously they wanted the Saturn to triumph over PSX in terms of 3D capabilities but to ridicule some games because they've dared to not follow the trend was just silly since there was (and still is) a place for both. It feels super ironic after all those years, when Saturn is regarded as 2D machine first and foremost.

On a side note, sometimes I hope something will happen (another video game crash?) that will force all publishers to decrease the cost of making games. I feel it actually may happen sooner or later, since the budgets of AAA games are getting ridiculous. And for me, funnily enough, the more expensive the games are the less impressive they seem to me.

I digress here, though this thread isn't really about anything beside the list so... I was thinking about how those almost photo-realistic games often make little to no impression on me. It's not that I'm aging, or don't like games anymore, I still play them and enjoy daily. But most of the time, when I want to discover some new games, I look to the past. Well, the age may have something to do with it, the novelty spark of video games in general is pretty much gone, and I've seen them doing lots of things, so perhaps it's hard feel surprised with some features. Though actually, it's not exactly like that, since I still find myself saying "wow" when discovering some interesting feature I didn't expect in a game. The common point? Pretty much all of those games are "old".

I think it has a lot to do with the actual graphics and art style. There's a reason 2D ages better. There's been some talk about the "uncanny valley" creeping into games, some people already found the faces of characters in Oblivion creepy for example. You know, when a character looks pretty much like an actual human, but as soon as it moves, or speaks, it is obvious that 'something's not right', and it makes our brains feel uneasy. It expected it to behave like a human, but it didn't, and it's unnerving.

That's why the new PES games had the problem with convincing some players to enjoy the game. The common complaint was that the animations look very robotic and stiff. But if you look closely it's not that they're actually that bad. The problem is that the players' models look so good, so real (almost) that it's instantly noticeable there's something missing when it comes to their moves. They would have to perfectly mimic the real footballers' movements in order to fix that. But assign these animations to a 32-bit model of a football player, and you'll rave about how beautifully realistic it looks in motion.

The brain isn't that easy to trick. As long as he sees something that looks almost nothing like real life - a cartoon, a blocky 32-bit 3D world - he will take nothing for granted, everything can happen on the screen and it won't oppose. But as soon as the picture appears to be closely resembling real life, every tiny detail that will "betray" the game and reveal the picture to be "fake" will make it shout "Busted!". And at the same time it will make assumptions, that if it looks so real, then it probably allows to do pretty much everything, but as soon you come across some limitations the immersion is broken.

At least that's how I feel. So in short, when you play an old-school game, you can be like "holy shit! I can blow up walls?! That's so cool!" whereas when you play a more sophisticated looking game you'll be like "huh? the walls there are invincible or something? shit sucks" or perhaps "You can destroy walls? that's cool, I guess...". In my view, the developers are setting up the trap for themselves, slowly getting into the situation, when achieving the technical perfection matching the game's looks will be rendered almost impossible, over-expensive and, in the end, disappointing for both players and makers.

Or maybe I'm of little faith?

[Anthaemia.]

Fighters Megamix and Sonic Jam made appearances on Tiger's short lived game.com handheld system... do these still count as Saturn exclusives?

Regarding the official Sega Saturn Magazine's stance against Astal, this was typical of the publication in its early period as the editorial staff were keen - maybe even forced? - to support Sega's every (wrong) move. The powers that be were pushed hard by their Japanese superiors to promote Virtua Fighter as the console's flagship title at launch, which even led to the production of a planned third and final chapter in the Eternal Champions franchise being cancelled outright. Hypocritically, it was SOJ that also "inflicted" the likes of Astal, Golden Axe: The Duel and Gale Racer* on early Saturn adopters, though only one of these made it to PAL territories. Later on, when SOE had given up on the Saturn, it was SSM that covered the still healthy import scene, including a wealth of 2D titles such as Elevator Action Returns, Metal Slug and too many Capcom releases to name in full. I don't honestly believe this would have been possible if Sega hadn't already started preparing for the Dreamcast's arrival, though we can't forget that SOE was in negotations with Capcom and Virgin Interactive as late as 1998 to release the 4MB RAM cartridge with X-Men VS Street Fighter over here, so maybe the disdain for all things 2D has been exaggerated slightly?

*Rather than being just a straight port of Rad Mobile, this was considered more an upgrade due to the replacement of certain sprite-based elements with polygonal alternatives. However, I still consider it a mostly 2D affair, especially when compared to the likes of Daytona USA, Sega Rally or Virtua Racing.

[sonix]

Apr 10, 2013 17:45:26 GMT Anthaemia. said:

Fighters Megamix and Sonic Jam made appearances on Tiger's short lived game.com handheld system... do these still count as Saturn exclusives?

I mentioned that it doesn't count, same with Baku Baku, which also got a Game Gear version.

Thanks for clarification about the other thing. I admit that the selective 2D hostility (Capcom games had pretty much full support from the staff) was mainly prevalent in the first few issues, although the somewhat blind faith in Sega remained for much longer, though I can't really blame them for that.

One thing I remembered from SSM which also sounded very naive from both editors and readers, the often mentioned "90% of PSX games will appear on Saturn anyway" myth. Where did it exactly come from? Was the fact, that Psygnosis ported some of the games that were lauded as killer apps for PSX the main reason, and the gossip just started from here, or was it actually based on some evidence (initial release plans etc.)?

[Anthaemia.]

In the very earliest days of the Saturn's life, there really was talk from most of the larger game companies about releasing their PlayStation software on Sega's console as well. I seem to recall Namco completing a port of CyberSled, plus Ridge Racer and Tekken were both mentioned... of course, we all know how that turned out! Psygnosis was definitely the biggest name promising to bring over its PS titles, with various publications covering this bombshell in great detail. As for companies such as Capcom or Konami to name just two examples, these have always been third parties and therefore any platform exclusivity seems unlikely. 90% might not be an accurate figure, but the majority of PS games did make their way to the Saturn eventually - many that didn't (Micro Machines V3, Metal Gear Solid, Biohazard 2, Destruction Derby 2, Adidas Power Soccer, Formula 1, etc.) were in the process of being converted. Let's not forget as well just how much of a deal virtually everybody made about the "coup" that was Sega gaining the opportunity to remix Battle Arena Toshinden, which had previously been regarded as one of Sony's greatest killer apps. *groan*