Was the Saturn really bad?

[Mr.bomb]

Yes, the Sega Saturn. Some have forgotten it. but was it really the waste of time people said it was? Some believe that it was used the wrong way and can do so much more.


Yes, many found the saturn a dissapointment. At first, the Saturn was the rival of Nintendos N64. But after the defeat of the genesis, the fact the saturn didn't start out in 3d, and the appearance of the PS1, Sega was forgotten. it's best sellling games don't even involve Sonic. Which is another reason for failure. they depended to much on Sonic.



This above picture is Sonic jam. One of a few 3D games for the Saturn. Let's do a comparison with a random N64, Jaguar and PS1 games:

Sega

PS1

N64

Atari jaguar

Now here is another Saturn game:

nights. Oh, NiGHTS. (ignore the Wiimote)

So from a person who see's the comparisons may say that the Saturn can out take the Atari in graphics, even though the jaguar is a "64 bit" system. Then conclude the Ps1 and N64 are superior. However, the Saturn can do more than what is seen. but the problem is Devs underestimated what the Saturn can do.

Sega PS1

As you can see, the Sega Saturn can make 2D games with less Pixelation then PS1 games. Although I'm notsure that the Saturn beats the PS1 in sound, but picture it does. In fact, with some games, some say you can do more with the Saturn then the PS1. For example, the above game is Megaman 8. in the Ps1 version, you collect bolts on the ground to make parts. In the Saturn version, two of the bolts are guarded by 2 boss'. the Sega can add extra things with its games then the PS1. Another thing is in the PS1 version of megaman 8 water is transparent. In the saturn version megaman ripples when going into water.

Another is comparing the other Sega Saturn pictures with this:


This is Airs Adventure. A most good looking game for the sega saturn. the Saturn can curve out some if nt most pixelation unlike when the N64 and Ps1. Especially since the N64 has more blocky games.

So, was the Saturn really bad? Shouldn't have more people brought it? Prehaps, only another dimension has the answer.

Personally, i think the PS1 and Saturn should have been neck and neck for awhile before the PS1 zoomed ahead. In fact, as mentioned above, the Saturn can handle quite a few things more than the PS1.

[PirateThom]

I hated the Saturn. Worst (mainstream) console ever.

[Mr.bomb]

Well, it wasn't really mainstream for a most of its lifespan.

[E6600]

If only Sega got the Saturn right :\
It was too hard to develop for, too expensive to make and was pulled outta the market too soon.

It wasn't bad, no worse than the PS3, but Sega of 1990s isn't Sony of today, where it can throw money at a failing system until it sticks.

[Mr.bomb]

I was just rushed a bit to much to get to the release date. However, it is still Segas fault. But as a system that could beat the dreamcast at its time.

[Me>you]

The Saturn was my favorite just based on games
Biohazard(resident evil), Dragon Force, Shining Force 3, Panzer Dragoon, ...

"Many of the games that made the Saturn popular in Japan, such as the Sakura Taisen series and various console role-playing games, or even most Japanese games in general, were never released in foreign territories as it was assumed at Sega of America and Sega of Europe that they were not appealing to a Western audience."

[E6600]

Very retarded of them, because I always wanted Sakura Taisen.

[Mr.bomb]

Originally Posted by Me>you

The Saturn was my favorite just based on games
Biohazard(resident evil), Dragon Force, Shining Force 3, Panzer Dragoon, ...

"Many of the games that made the Saturn popular in Japan, such as the Sakura Taisen series and various console role-playing games, or even most Japanese games in general, were never released in foreign territories as it was assumed at Sega of America and Sega of Europe that they were not appealing to a Western audience."

Actually they were right. The RPGS on the Sega were not serious enough. In America, someone must die or have a black guy. Therefor FF7.

guardian heroes

[downphoenix]

Here's the answer to your question:

YouTube - Shenmue Saturn

And keep in mind, this wasnt even a finished build. The game was ~40% complete before Sega decided to make it a Dreamcast game, it was originally planned for a 1999 Saturn release.

Can't say I've seen a PS1 game look this good (note how the faces actually looks like... FACES) and how some of the environments almost looked like the prerendered backgrounds from games like Resident Evil). Hell, looks better than nearly every N64 game (Which had much smoother looks in terms of textures and polygons, but most N64 games suffer from having virtually no texture detail).

Part of the reason a lot of WELL DONE Saturn games dont look blocky is because the Saturn didnt use Polygons, it used quadrilaterals. It made work for developers a pain, but the Saturn is clearly capable of better graphics than the Playstation, and we would have seen become an apparent fact that if the Saturn had been more popular.

Also to note, the Saturn has the only 3D version of Duke Nukem 3D. Well, the environments at least, enemies and such are still sprites. The Build engine is a 2.5D engine like Doom, but the Saturn wasn't really capable of doing that. So they had to make a 3D engine for the saturn version, and one of the benefits was also the addition of complex lighting. The game overall is inferior to the PS1 or PC versions though, although IMO the graphics are better except for playing the PC version in SVGA, but better than the terrible N64 version.

YouTube - Duke Nukem 3D -- Sega Saturn -- E1L2