Lesser known Saturn games?

I've got a Japanese Saturn and nothing new to play on it. I know all about the good shooters, fighters, RPGs for the system. What's good besides these types of games? In particular I want something that I can really sink into, something that takes a good amount of time to beat. A platformer would be good, but that's not necessarily all I'm looking for. Any suggestions?

 

Platformer wise:
Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru - Expensive as all hell, but very very good. Though the odd lock-on gameplay turns a lot of people off to it, the aweomse soundtrack, well designed bosses, and generally well designed levels keep me coming back!

Keio Flying Squadron 2 - Very vibrant platformer from JVC. Pretty good game, albeit a bit difficult at first. Good sense of humor in it.

Astal - I assume you already know about it, but if not, its the best platformer on the system. Hell, I'll go so far as to say its the best platformer of the 32-bit generation. Beautiful game with really good gameplay. Challenging too.

Super Tempo - Good animation and good colors. Gameplay changes a bit pending on the level. The sense of humor is good though and overall I find it a very enjoyable game.

Assault Suit Leynos 2 is a really good one as well. Its a platformer/side-scrolling mech shooting game. You basically customize a mech and go through levels shooting stuff. Very good game though once you get the hang of it (initial learning curve is a bit high).

In so far as things to sink into... uh... well if we're excluding RPGs thats kinda hard. =P

Personally, I find Dragon Force tedious, but its definitely a game you will unknowingly sink A LOT of time into. Shining Force III is really good like that as well.

I don't know how well you know the Japanese language... but if you're good at reading it Princess Crown, the Langrisser games, Wachenroeder, and Policenauts are all very very good.

If you can't read Japanese, I'd say dig up Albert Odyssey, Legend of Oasis, Dark Saviour, Shining the Holy Ark, and Shining Wisdom if you want a really cheap Zelda clone.

 

Take a look at my site. 800 odd games for you to search through !!

Yakumo

 

I'm gonna make a really odd suggestion maybe, but if you haven't yet played it, check out the first Rayman.

 

Ninpen Manmaru is a quirky yet fun platformerish game.

 

I'm a huge fan of Deep Fear. It's got great atmosphere, a good story, good graphics. Personally I prefer it over the original Resident Evil.

 

Culdcept, it's one of the most overlooked games by people importing Japanese games and certainly a game that will keep you at it for loooong time!

 

Sweet. Thanks for all of the suggestions, guys. Some of those, like Astal, are kind of hard to find (the Japanese version anyway), but nature finds a way...

 

Do you not have a method to play US games?

 

If you're looking to play specifically JPN-region games, I can't recommend Bulk Slash enough. It's a basic 3D shooter where your plane turns into a mech, and you have to destroy the generic invaders threatening a urban landscape that looks suspiciously like a cardboard Godzilla set. I cite this game as an example of gameplay triumping over graphics, and I wish that a modern remake would happen.

 

Bug! is a great platformer I hear

 

Shoot. I was just able to say!

One of my favorite lesser known Saturn games is a puzzle game gem called "Coin Puzzle Moujiya"

 

I do and I don't. I'm in college and it's at home, and I don't want to clutter my dorm any more than necessary. Besides, I prefer to have Japanese copies of stuff - that is unless I can't understand them.

 

You might consider picking up Tryrush Deppy if you're looking for some decent relatively obscure platformers. It goes for pretty cheap, so you shouldn't have to pay an obscene amount for it.

Also, I know you mentioned having a pretty good grasp on all the Saturn shooters, but in case you've never played Bulk Slash I'd highly recommend picking that up as well. Probably one of the most underrated 3D shooters avaliable on the system.

 

I also recommend Bulk Slash. Doesn't look all that great however it's a wonderful game to play ! It can cost a pretty penny mind you if you get the original release rather than the cheaper Satakore re-released version.

Yakumo

 

Wasnt that game available in the Sega/MegaCD too?

Indeed a beautiful game, and I think it was almost at launch in japan.

In my opinion it was a glimpse at what the 32bit gen was going to be 2D-wise, too bad shortly after that everything HAD to be 3D, or else nobody cared...

 

Keio Flying Squadron is a horizontal shooter for the Mega CD. The sequel is not really a sequel as it is a platformer with only two shooting stages. I really love the concept of the last level...

Astal is nice but by far not the best of jump-'n-runs. It's too easy and too short and the level design is very simple. But it's very cute indeed.

 

If you want to learn to play Mahjong with semi clad females then the Saturn is your machine. :thumbsup:

 

My recommendations are Tenchi Wo Kurau II, D&D Collection (very hard to complete them using only 1 credit), Silhouette Mirage or Rockman games (especially X4).

 

Funny you mention that, since while I didnt play it I remember back in the day that those who did said it was way too hard...