Thanks for the info. I am definitely going to be getting a console Saturn. Time to start research. Actually this is exciting as I know that the Saturn will add an exciting dynamic to my gaming experience.
I emulated for a year before I got the real deal. I don't regret it for a second. If I do regret anything it's that I didn't get a Japanese Saturn. Oddly though the more research I've done the more I'm seeing the PS1 was just as good a system for Shmups as the Saturn was. I'm going to have to get a Breaker Pro now. At the very least I want Harmful Park.
This is true. I do love me some Battle Garegga. But there are those PS1 shmups the Saturn never got. (Harmful Park)
There is a huge correlation between Saturn and PS1 titles plus maybe 10-15 outstanding exclusives for each. What's the point arguing? lol
It's just that Battle Garegga may be the best shmup ever made, certainly none of the PS1 exclusives are even a thousandth as good :tongue:
Both are amazing systems no doubt. Even on the Mutliplatform games I see reasons to have both. If we want to be OCD about it Here's a list of all shmups for both http://www.racketboy.com/retro/phenominal-playstation-ps1-2d-shooters-shmups-library http://www.racketboy.com/retro/sega/saturn/sega-saturn-shmups-2d-shooters Battle Garegga's choice of music always struck me as odd though, House Varient music sounds weird in games where plans are blowing shit up. For me at least from the one's I've played Einhander is the PS1's Crowning achivement in the world of Shmups. I still can't believe Square pulled that game out of their ass. and if you can get it running on a Dreamcast it's Sex in game form.
Thanks for that Racketboy Saturn Shmup link. While not as sexy as the console system releases, I went ahead and grabbed most if not all of the Saturn Shmup titles on Mame. Kingdom grand prix.... This game surprised me. Sol Divide...I had heard bad things about the console releases but the coin op is interesting. Almost like a very primitive Deathsmiles with rpg elements. Battle Garegga. I had this already but hadn't gotten into it. This is the problem with having so many games, especially downloadable roms, it's easy to overlook when having so many titles available with a mouse click. Playing it now and liking it. I don't know how different from the Saturn release, but it's good. Once I get some disposable income set aside, I am definitely hunting down a Saturn either modded or to mod. Thanks again.
The Saturn version of Kingdom Grand Prix confuses the hell out of me. But there's a code that lets you turn the racing off and then it's a much MUCH better game.
Just played through Battle Garegga up to level 6. Yes. The music is smashing. As Ave stated, Detroit sci-fi jazz techno with Devo type instrumentals. I got nice and lost in the game play. Wicked. Also, I noticed that Giga Wing 2 drew heavy inspiration in it's level designs. For example, stage 4 in Battle Garegga, the background is a clouded canyon with lightening arcing between both walls. In Giga Wing 2, there is a end boss fight where the background is exactly the same motif. Not to mention the massive airship type designs with the many propeller covered wing spans. Overall, Battle Garegga is nice and athletic with killer tunes and the level designs are pure art. Yeah, I only started playing kingdom grand prix but from what I played, the race element gave way to standard vertical shooting and the other racers disappeared. I guess if I play it longer the racers return. Off to go play this one next. Yeah, Kingdom grand prix is confusing. I don't understand how you can get ahead of the others to not find oneself last. Anyhow, beyond this strange gameplay mechanic, the game itself is a little flaky. It has borrowed very heavily from dimahoo and gunbird 2. I kept getting flashbacks to the other games, in fact, I will play them instead.
I apologize for posting without actually contributing to the thread but I would like to chime in and show my extreme support for Battle Garegga.
Interesting. I have much learning to do as a shmup neophyte. Well, I have just scoured the internet and have found these as the next batch of shmups to download tonight. Battle Bakraid black heart air blade chariot dogyuun Gokujyou Parodius! gigandes twin cobra lightening fighters trigon Mahou Daisakusen mystic riders tatsutin2 vasara varth vapor trail
The Saturn has some of the best 2D games ever. Ill admit the PS1 had it in the 3D dept. but if you love 2D games as I do the Saturn will be a super addition to any gamers setup. The shmups are amazing and from all that I have played better then the PSX counterparts. In the VS street Fighter series you are forced to get the RAM carts but when compared to the PS1 games it is well worth every cent. There is also a really great game that allows you to build your own SHMUP on the Saturn very similar to how the PS1 got the RPG Maker series. But back on topic the links for the SHMUP's on each is really nice. I vaguely recall seeing it before but long since forgotten and a good read.
Mahou Daisakusen is the first game in the trilogy of Kingdom Grand Prix/Dimahoo. Decent for what it is. You can't go wrong with anything in the Strikers 1945 series. (also on PS1/Saturn) they were amongst the first shmups I played on keyboard way back in the day when I used to play MAME with a Keyboard.
I owned a Saturn when I was younger but the game selection was dismal where I lived. I had Daytona USA and some other games, but it seemed that domestically, the Saturn was under marketed and the titles available were weak while the Japanese market apparently had great variety in titles. Getting a Saturn now, with the technology available will complete my love affair with the Saturn which was undernourished and paltry when I was younger. The Saturn does have a warmer graphics engine regarding the palette with robust, beefy pixels while the playstation seems to be somewhat colder and slightly washed out. GodofHardcore, I just played Mahou Daisakusen and it's not bad. I also enjoy the Strikers 1945 and have all three of the series for Mame. Actually have you played Vasara and Vasara 2? (1998) They play like a cross between Guwange and Samurai Aces. Regarding mame and keyboards, I too started out this way and purposely went out and bought an x-arcade stick as I needed to have an accurate arcade experience. Having an arcade stick has reawakened my 2-D gaming obsession as I can play the games properly without wearing out my finger joints.
Yeah I have Vasara and Vasara 2 I have 3 arcade sticks my self 2 Mas for my Laptop, PS2 and Dremcast and a Real Arcade Pro for my Laptop and 360. When I get a PS3 I'll probably be getting a 4th stick (or 5th counting my shitty Tekken 5 wireless stick)
Well TBH the US selection is kinda meager on the Saturn but what they lacked in amount of titles they make up for it with quality ones. Their 2D library is awesome and has made me hook mine up tonight and crack out on it for a bit. Most of the great games were Japanese only but there were a few gems in the USA as well just not as many. Radiant Silvergun (aka Ikaruga's little bro) and many others were Saturn only and darn near perfect in every way. It is what I am playing ATM and much better then Ikaruga if you ask me and one that should not be missed. It should however be noted you need to patch images of games or use a device to play imports. I got a region free BIOS installed on mine as it is the best way to go if you plan on buying retail games. The make your own SHMUP game (Dezaemon II is the name BTW) requires a real memory cart to save your games to so an Action Replay can't be used with it as it uses compression and not direct saves like a real memory cart does. But Madroms has put out two packs of homemade SHMUP's that are fan made for the game and excellent pack of games. They should be tried as well if you are a fan of SHMUPS.
