The Sega Saturn import library

[alienjesus]

I'm a fan of the Sega Saturn. It's a quirky system full of quirky games by Sega and that's right up my alley.

One thing I always hear when talking about the Saturn is that you're barely touching the surface of what it has to offer if you stick to western releases - the real depth is to be found in the expanded Japanese library for the console.

Well, I've barely touched the depth of what is has to offer. I have the Action Replay cartridge, but I've never picked up a Japanese game for the system - I've found one or two I want to buy - mainly games by Treasure and shmups - but honestly, I just can't find the stuff people keep telling me to look out for. It seems to me there are mainly 3 types of imports on Saturn, shmups (which I like), 2D Fighters (which I don't) and games which you need to speak Japanese to enjoy (which I can't).

I guess what I'm asking is - do you guys have recommendations - I'm struggling to find good resources for Saturn imports than don't list the same ol' shmups and fighers, plus a few super pricy games like Tryrush Deppy and Tempo 2.

What Japanese Saturn do you recommend?


P.S. Here are a few I've noted down already:

Donpachi
DoDonPachi
Parodius series
Layer Section 2
Pulirula
Purikura Daisakusen
Silhouette Mirage
Radiant Silvergun

[Ack]

Well, if you don't want the same ol' shmups and fighters, what genres do you want? Platformers, FPS, RPGs, puzzle games, point and clicks?

[BoneSnapDeez]

I have a pile o' recommendations, but virtually all are JRPGs.

[marurun]

Ack is asking the right questions. Let us know more about the kinds of games you like to play and we can try and help you out.

[alienjesus]

The answer to Ack's questions are honestly pretty much 'all of the above'.

I do like shmups, and I can find plenty of stuff recommending Japanese Saturn shmups - it's the other genres I can't find information on!

It would probably be quicker for me to list genres I don't enjoy more than genres I do - I don't like 2D fighters much, I'm not an FPS fan, I hate cinematic platformers like Flashback, and I don't have much love for survival horror (basically I hate every genre Ack loves by the sounds of it )

I like platformers, puzzle games, 3d fighters, run n' guns, shmups, rhythm games, beat 'em ups, arcadey racers, RPGs, strategy games, party games - I'm pretty open to most genres to be honest.

[Ack]

Nah, no worries, I don't much care for cinematic platformers either.

Anyway, let's see if we can't throw out a few ideas for you. Keep in mind, I have no idea how much these go for these days.

Platformers:

SteamGear Mash
Liquid Kids
Tryrush Deppy
Willy Wombat
Keio Flying Squadron 2

Racing:

Code R
Choro Q Park
Wangan Dead Heat + Real Arrange
Wangan Trial Love
Touge King of the Spirits 2

Run and Gun:

Elevator Action Returns
Wonder 3 (compilation. 1 run and gun, 1 hori shmup, 1 Bomberman clone)
Silhouette Mirage
Wolf Fang SS Kuuga 2001

Does this help any?

[stickem]

Psychic Killer Taromaru is a good run and gun. will wear your finger out though lol.

[mas]

Even though prices aren't as much as us prices games are going up in price

[pierrot]

Yeah, unfortunately, a lot of the most import friendly games with good reputation are fetching similar prices to Western Saturn releases of similar repute. Not all of these will necessarily be in your wheel house, but assuming price is no object, here are some recommendations:

All of the Konami compilations (MSX, Gradius, Salamander, etc)
Batsugun
Battle Garregga
Blast Wind
Bubble Symphony (it's on one of the Taito Collections, though)
Bulk Slash
Capcom Generations 1-4
Culdcept
Cotton 2/Boomerang
Cyberbots (even if you don't like fighters, I would give this a try)
Digital Pinball: Necronomicon
Dungeons & Dragons Collection
Falcom Classics (Dragon Slayer and Xanadu have very little Japanese text, and should be played)
Funky Head Boxers
Guardian Force
Hyper Duel
Jinzou Ningen Hakaider
Steeldom
Macross: Ai - Oboeteimasuka
Magical Drop 1-3
Mighty Hits
Ninpen Manmaru
Popoitto Hebereke
Puyo Puyo
Sega Ages (almost all of them)
Sengoku Blade
Soukyugurentai
Tenchi o Kurau II
Thunder Force Gold Pack 2
Twinkle Star Sprites

[alienjesus]

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys, I'm going to dig a little and see what I can find about the games you listed.

Always open to more suggestions too. Maybe people could post some mini reviews of games they enjoyed?