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(February 26)
Review: Stellar Assault SS (Saturn)

One of the rarest games on the Saturn is also one of the more interesting. Beginning life as a 32X title called Shadow Squadron in the west, and Stellar Assault in
Japan , Stellar Assault was ported to the Saturn by a relatively unknown outfit named Sims, who went above and beyond the norm and enhanced the game significantly. Most significantly, the new game features a much larger polygon count which makes for a much better looking game that plays smoother, while retaining most of the gameplay of the original title. For those unfamiliar with the game, Stellar Assault is a kind of hidden gem. It was very much an early 90’s phenomenon, where 3D graphics combined with shooter play mechanics to make for an interesting hybrid. This is an elaborate polygonal shooter in the same vein as Namco’s Starblade series. The gameplay is very much on-rails, but you can move your reticule around to target ships and there are a few sections where your movements can decide the next portion of the game. Like the first edition, Stellar Assault SS features an elaborate storyline that unfolds in a series of cut-scenes that shows the galaxy under attack from unknown forces. The gameplay is very interesting, since most of the piloting is automated, your focus is on shooting down the enemy ships. They fly at you from all directions and this makes the game more challenging than you’d expect. However, the Saturn edition allows for multiple continues which gives you plenty of leeway. Stellar Assault’s main claim are the elaborate environments and cool set-pieces that make it feel like you’re piloting a star ship. While its not the most elaborate title of its era, Stellar Assault SS proves that the Saturn could at least keep up with the Playstation in terms of 3D horse-power, if put in the right hands.

The amount of effort that went into the game is quite evident and this conversion of the Sega title is much better than the 32X version from a technical standpoint. Its definitely impressive when you compare it to other Saturn 3D titles but the presentation is a little disappointing in parts. In order to squeeze in the extra polygonal animations, Stellar Assault SS is presented in letterboxed form, which makes it slightly less slick than the Playstation port of Starblade . Of course, by modern standards, the large polygonal ships and objects look primitive, but they definitely have their charms if you’re nostalgic for that era. While the visuals are good by Saturn standards, you shouldn’t expect miracles. However, the gameplay remains entertaining and the game represents a cool momento of a distinct early moment in the evolution of 3D gaming technology. Not surprisingly, this was one of the most obscure and least distributed Saturn titles in Japan, and one of the main reasons why it remains so valuable and rare. Its definitely one of the more expensive titles for collectors to attain, but its definitely one of the landmark titles on the Saturn that is worth the effort to attain from hardcore collectors.

(February 25) Review: Shienryu (Saturn)

This relatively obscure vertically scrolling shooter was developed by Wasari and released for the Saturn back in 1997. Its one of the most traditional and standard issue-shmups we’ve played on the console, but still offers solid gameplay mechanics and fun power-up systems. Sheinryu is very much influenced by the classic Raiden series, which is a plus since that title never saw the Saturn in any official form. The game allows you to select from one of three different ships before each round, and at each continue. As you’d expect, there’s loads of enemies to battle and they attack at a somewhat big clip. Collecting various power-ups adds to your firepower, but there are three basic color-coded systems, each of which gives you a different set of weapons and super-bomb attacks. Knowing when to use each one of these is a key part of the strategy in Shienryu, but most players will likely stick to the lightning bolt power-ups which have the advantage of targeting opponents directly, instead of sweeping a section of the level with blanket shots. The game’s level of difficulty depends in large part in what level of difficulty you chose. At the easier levels, there’s not much resistance but the harder stages can be quite a chore to defeat. One of the cooler things about Shienryu’s design is to see how closely the developers came in recreating Raiden without going too far. The small points medals and power-up icons look very much like they did in Raiden and the game has a very similar power-up system.

This Raiden-tribute feel extends to the visuals and graphics as well. The levels have the same feel in terms of design, and have a very similar approach to creating depth with a similar-looking use of deep black shadows to give it the illusion of depth. Shienryu isn’t completely derivative, since some of its massive bomb attacks fill the screen with massive laser fire or explosive electric battles when detonated. Its bosses are also much more interesting than the rather generic foes who populated Raiden. Sheinryu is definitely a retro looking title, and its use of a traditional sprite-based visual style makes it look almost like a PC Engine or Mega Drive/Genesis shooter than some of its more-polished Saturn counterparts. Its music stylings are also very old school and this Midi-style music will probably please those who grew up on those older consoles. However, the game does support Tate mode for full-screen rectangular play, which is a nice modern addition. Sheinryu’s gameplay is predictable to a large extent and its structure and mechanics are very much in the traditional mode. For players, this makes it a good throwback title with a simple approach that offers the genre’s traditional pick up and play appeal. Those looking for a relatively inexpensive Saturn shooter to add to their library will also be happy to note that this is one of the more common titles you can find online.


(February 24)
Review: Metal Slug (Saturn)

SNK’s classic side-scrolling action platform shooter didn’t really seem that significant when it came out for the Saturn back in 1997. Many players probably dismissed the first installment as a cheesy Contra clone and didn’t recognize how great the series would become. Many of these elements that would become standards in the later editions of the series began to make their mark. While the Neo-Geo version is/was probably the best home edition, the Saturn’s vaunted 2D abilities made it a fairly solid edition of the game. All of the great animation and backgrounds are included in this edition and the sound samples are fairly straight. As in the later games, Metal Slug allowed you to use massive fire-power to wipe out waves of enemies, watching them fall to your firepower quickly was one of the game’s great pleasures. From a gameplay standpoint, the controls and visuals are nearly flawless in this conversion and its relatively simple structure makes it an ideal pick up and play title for casual gamers or those just looking for a quick rush. The action moves horizontally from left to right for the most part and players will have a lot of fun defeating each stage. The biggest challenge comes in avoiding as many of the bullets as possible to conserve your extra lives. Metal Slug’s trademarks are of course the Metal Slugs themselves, which are vehicles that players can jump into and cause even more damage while keeping their soldier somewhat protected from shots.

The level designs are quite ingenious and there are some very intense boss battles along the way. This sustained level of chaos is what makes the game so much fun. Once players collect enough pods and unleash additional weapons such as laser fire and heavy machine guns only added to the on-screen chaos, and made Metal Slug one of the best self-contained shooters on any platform. While all of this is going on, your other task in the game is to protect and rescue all the hostages the enemies have taken, which gives you another play mechanic to worry about. Of course, the main appeal of the Slug games has always been their simplicity and the Saturn edition lives up to this ethic. Its definitely one of the most enjoyable titles on the Saturn, and while its not technically a shooter in the traditional sense of titles like Strikers 1945 or Battle Garegga, its massive bullet battles and simple play mechanics put it very much in the same style of play. For those looking at import games, Metal Slug’s relatively low price and timeless play mechanics make it a great place for the beginning Saturn collector to begin.


(February 23)
Review: Metal Black (Saturn)

One of the more interesting and attainable Saturn imports is this somewhat obscure releases from Taito and published by Ving. It’s a horizontally scrolling shooter in the vein of Gradius and features some interesting play mechanics. Like many shooters, the power-up system is fairly robust but Metal Black is different in that it allows you to gradually upgrade your ship by collecting multicolored atoms that float on the screen. These small objects are abundant and you need to collect many of them on each level. As you grab them, your meter at the bottom of the screen fils up which slowly builds your power. This system represents a nice change from the shooter norm, and makes for a more challenging and strategic game in that you have to protect your ships or else face a gradually diminishing sense of success. The game flows fairly nicely through the first few levels, with a slightly diminished challenge that allows you to learn its system. Its not terribly complicated, but if you persist throughout, you’ll find that the game gives you some fairly massive weapons. It takes some practice to reach the higher levels and you’ll probably have to go through a few times if you want to reach the later stages. While the boss battles aren’t really as massive like the ones in Radiant Silvergun or Hyper Duel, the end-level guardians you face definitely put up a fight. The game unfolds at a decent and steady pace and allows players to progress at a decent rate. Its not terribly difficult or overtly easy, making it a good choice if you want to go through a relatively enjoyable run in an hour or so and not deal with something overly complex or difficult.  

The basic game mechanics are very straightforward and its array of enemy foes makes for an interesting experience. Playing through the game shows it has solid controls that make maneuvering your ship fairly easy, and since the power-ups are mostly automated, the game allows you to concentrate on the shooting and enemies. The game definitely has a Taito feel, which means it’s a little stiff but very traditional in the way it moves and animates. From a visual standpoint, the game looks fairly decent by Saturn standards, and has some very nice looking backgrounds along with some cool color-cycling special effects during the boss battles. The soundtrack is also quite good with vaguely techno-esque tracks complimenting the action. With all these elements in place, its not surprising that the game is a solid looking and playing title that delivers an overall excellent experience. It has fairly decent production values for the genre. Metal Black has all the elements one would expect from a classic shooter, and its interesting power-up mechanics means its definitely one worth searching for. From a collector’s standpoint, the game is somewhere in the middle of the Saturn library, meaning it can be had for a relatively affordable price in the mid 50-60 dollar range. A lot of this is probably due to the fact that its also available on the Tatio Legends discs, so its accessible in emulated form on more popular systems, too. Its also notable for inspiring several other titles, including Border Down on the Dreamcast, so its definitely worth playing from a gaming history standpoint. 

(February 22)
Review: Battle Garegga (Saturn)

While it has plenty of competition for the crown, Raizing’s classic vertically scrolling shooter is one of the finest titles on the Saturn. It’s another brilliant 2D shmup that delivers an exciting experience in the mode of Batsugun and Strikers 1945. It’s a fairly traditional release that hews to many genre conventions faithfully. This doesn’t mean its stale or boring, but instead that the game is brilliantly executed which makes it an enormously satisfying experience for those who love the genre. Players begin by selecting from one of four different ships, each one of which has a unique firing weapon and power-ups. You move around and collect various items and upgrades as you shoot down waves of opponents. As you collect different power-ups, you’ll add to your power bar at the bottom of the screen, and filling it completely levels up your ship with additional firepower. Most of the weapons are fairly traditional by shooter standards and include standard shots and more advanced attacks. Once you grab the secondary fire, you can aim it in specific directions by using the shift keys, though keeping it pointing upward is the most logical since most enemy attacks come from the top of the screen. A variety of ships that you can choose from gives players plenty of flexibility and allows you to choose the ship and power-up system that best suits your play style. From a stage design standpoint, the game offers plenty of variety in terms of enemy types and foes. Its basic design is fairly good and the levels become progressively harder as you go along. Enemies attack in formations that make their shots difficult to avoid, and the screen-filling bullet waves make this a challenging title that should test even veteran players. Battle Garegga’s boss battles can be quite intense, and require a great deal of patience and skill to defeat. The game’s mechanics and structure are very traditional, but the speed of attacks and number of enemies on screen means that the game is quite intense even at its early stages.
 
From a production standpoint, the game definitely looks its age, with the slightly pixellated 2D sprites and somewhat flat menu system giving Battle Garegga a slightly less polished look than some of the other Saturn shooters. However, the conversion itself is quite faithful and the game moves at a smooth frame rate throughout, with little in the way of slowdown to impede your progress. The Saturn edition includes several viewing options for the screen including a full screen approach with a fixed scroll, a vertically scrolling view that moves along with your ship and full-screen Tate mode support. This gives you plenty of options in how you want to look at the action and the conversion also lets you set difficulty, number of ships and continues as well. Since it was only released in
Japan , Battle Garegga is one of the rarest and highly-sought after games on the Saturn and it brings a hefty price-tag on auction sites and import shops. From a collector’s standpoint, the game is definitely one of the best shmups on the Saturn and definitely worth the price of admission. Battle Garegga’s solid gameplay, challenging levels and addictive play mechanics make it a solid addition to any Saturn import library.

(February 19)
Review: Batsugun (Saturn)

Published by Banpresto, this excellent conversion of Toaplan's 1993 vertically scrolling shooter is a superb example of classic 2D shooting action that also serves as an impressive prototype for the bullet hell genre that would emerge a few years later. The Saturn edition features a faithful edition of the original game that has held up well. It's a fairly straightforward shooter that offers few gimmicks, and instead emphasizes solid gameplay mechanics and intense boss battles. Players begin the game by selecting from three different ships, each of which has a unique firing method, including standard bullets, wave shots and electric bolts. As you play through the game, you'll collect numerous power-ups which gradually upgrade your shots. There are several levels of shots available and your progress is indicated at the bottom of the screen. When your ship is destroyed, you lose a portion of your firepower and your level goes down, but not completely. This makes things a little easier for the beginner player. Batsugun's other main weapon are the screen-filling bombs that clear smaller enemies or inflict significant damage on boss opponents when used. You only have a few of these at your disposal, so you need to use them wisely. The gameplay is quite intense, especially once you have a few upgrades under your belt and the screen fills with massive waves of bullets from your ship and your opponents, which makes for some intense moments in these stages. While the gameplay is very traditional in the shooter style, there's a lot going on simultaneously, which makes Batsugun a great shooter that's definitely stood the test of time.

The game's play mechanics are fairly traditional and mix elements of Raiden and other traditional influences that later brought us titles like Strikers 1945 and Donpachi. Its gameplay is quite solid and its addictive play mechanics, smooth controls and brilliant level design make Batsugun one of the most enjoyable Saturn shmups you can find. The presentation and extras are excellent as well and make this a superb addition to any collector's shelf. Banpresto definitely did an excellent job bringing Batsugun to the Saturn. The edition not only includes a very faithful adaption of the original arcade game, but also includes a deluxe edition that features improved graphics and textures. The differences are largely cosmetic, but make the game feel easier on the eyes. In addition, players can choose to listen to the game's original soundtrack or listen to remixes of the original tunes as well. Players will also appreciate the game's different screen modes that allow you to view the action in either standard mode or turned sideways for a full screen vertical Tate presentation, if they have a monitor that supports that mode. This is another rare and highly-desirable Saturn shooter and collectors pay a decent amount of money for it. Batsugun follows the trend of excellent 2D shooters on the console that were only released in Japan, and while it adds a premium, it's definitely worth the asking price.

(February 18) Review: Thunder Force Gold Pack (Saturn)

For many players, the Mega Drive/Genesis Thunder Force titles were seminal experiences when they were released nearly two decades ago. Tese fantastic releases were compiled for the Saturn as a kind of prelude to Thunder Force V. The games were split into two discs, with the first containing Thunder Force II & III while the second included Thunder Force IV and Thunder Force AC. Playing these old games with the perspective of age has shown that they have held up fairly well for the most part. Obviously, these titles were superbly designed in terms of the limitations of the Sega hardware of the time. The games themselves are fairly interesting and challenging. For example, TFII's mix of side-scrolling and overhead missions make it stand out from the later titles in the series, and its visuals seem a bit sparse by today's standards. However, it's still fun to play through the game again. Thunder Force III is probably the one Genesis fans remember the most with its over-the-top visuals, block rockin' soundtrack and massive enemy battles through some really impressive game worlds. It also introduced some of the series' trademark weapons including the Wave, Hunter and the extra Craw mechanics, making it one of the best titles on that platform. This is probably the one casual gamers will want to get first before they move onto the second disc. Volume Two includes the somewhat obscure fourth installment in the series, which is very interesting in that it introduced many of the more modern features seen in TFV like the stage selection screen. Thunder Force IV isn't as over-the-top crazy as TFIII, but it still delivers a solid gameplay experience. The games are still quite enjoyable and challenging even 20 years on. While they lack the flash of other Saturn titles, their simplicity in presentation and design makes them easy to get into and play.

From a technical standpoint, the emulations on the discs are decent, but not flawless. Even though their music soundtracks were based on the Genesis soundtrack, they're still very good, though on the first compilation, they stream which can cause some annoyance at points. Finally, the compilation includes Thunder Force AC, the arcade version of the game that compiled levels and bosses from Part II and III into a single game. Unfortunately, AC didn't really offer much in the way of new content and lacked the visual upgrades, making it an interesting but somewhat disappointing release. In Japan, the Saturn seemed to attract many shooters and compilations during its lifespan and these discs was definitely good sellers. As such, they don't command quite the high prices of some of the other Saturn titles. You can grab the first one relatively cheaply, but the second one seems to be less common and commands a higher price. Aside from new CGI opening cinemas on each disc and some bonus artwork, bonuses and content are almost nonexistent. This is disappointing, but the games themselves have held up well over the years, so it shouldn't be much of a problem for most players. While the conversions on the discs aren't perfect and offer no upgrades, this pair of Thunder Force discs still makes a decent addition to you Saturn library and a must-own for completists.

(February 17) Review: Blast Wind (Saturn)

Yesterday, we looked at Hyper Duel and today we're continuing the series with a breakdown on Technosoft's other original shooter, Blast Wind which was another Saturn exclusive that was only released in Japan. This 1997 release is a far different shooter since it takes place on a vertically scrolling plane takes a much more traditional approach to the shooting genre. It has more in common with Donpachi and Raiden than Thunder Force in its basic structure and style. Players begin the game with a very limited range of fire-power and gradually increase their strength by collecting power-ups and other items. Blast Wind's structure is also much more conventional, as the stages progress quite linearly. However, there is one big thing about the game that makes it different. Near the beginning of each stage, players will be able to use a switch that can be used to take a different path on the level. There are two basic paths, one is shorter but harder while the other makes for a longer stage with easier difficulty. The end-level boss you face depends on which path you use. Aside from this, Blast Wind is basically structured as you'd expect it to be. Players can collect numerous power-ups which increase their firepower or add to their bomb inventory. In addition, players will find points icons that give them a score bonus, though don't add much to the battles. Blast Wind's controls are silky smooth and allow you to maneuver through some fairly tough sections easily once you get the patterns down. This makes for an enjoyable game that lets you focus on the shooting action and not worry so much about strategy and doesn't clutter the gameplay with other options.

As you'd expect from a Techosoft release, the game features a driving techno-infused soundtrack and vivid brightly colored visuals. The 2D sprite based shooter is largely a thing of the past, and players who grew up in that era will have a special appreciation for how the game looks. There are some quirks in the presentation, such as the scores being displayed horizontally, which gives the game a letterboxed feel that makes it feel a bit squished sideways. It gives the game the appearance of being compressed on a standard monitor. This approach is somewhat odd when compared to the methods other vertical shooters use on consoles. However, these superficial complaints are somewhat mitigated by the game's strengths. Blast Wind's gameplay is entertaining and challenging. It offers fairly straightforward action for the most part, but the different branches for each stage does help its replay value somewhat. Most players should be able to breeze through it on the easier stages which make good practice if you want to go back and try your skills at the harder difficulty levels. It's not as hard or challenging as Hyper Duel, but Blast Wind is a solidly entertaining shooter that's definitely one of the high points in the Saturn library. From a collector's standpoint, it's not nearly as rare as Hyper Duel, but still commands a high price point. While it doesn't offer quite the same level of quality as its more expensive cousin, Blast Wind is definitely something worth considering and makes a nice compliment to Technosoft's other Saturn release.

(February 16) Review: Hyper Duel (Saturn)

We're continuing our series on classic shooters with a look at one of the more desirable and rare Saturn titles you can find. Released in 1996 by the legendary software house Technosoft, Hyper Duel nearly plays like a lost installment in their seminal Thunder Force series. It's a vertically scrolling shooter in the classic Thunder Force mold and brings many of their tradermarks including the circle power-up tabs, weapons and their legendary announcer. All of which makes the game feel immediately familiar if you've played any of the other Thunder Force titles. The game's driving soundtrack, cool weaponry and massive bosses are par for the course but there are a few twists in the gameplay mechanics that make this more than a knockoff. The most important is the ability of players to switch between standard ships and mechs, called Buster Gears. Both of these ship types provide interesting mechanics that make things interesting. In addition to standard shots, players can hold down a button and use charging weapons for extra fire power that clears the screen of foes. These are limited in duration and make the shooter much more strategic than it initially appears. The gameplay is much harder than it looks since enemies attack you from all directions, and its hard to avoid their fire. It's not quite as crazy as some of the bullet hell shooters that have come out lately, but there are still many challenging points in Hyper Duel. The stages are well designed and offer plenty of challenging foes to defeat. As you might expect, collecting and holding power-ups is a key element in surviving and beating levels. This is especially true later on each stage when the end-level boss battles can get particularly tricky, since they attack you from all sides and can be unpredictable in their attack patterns.

The gameplay is very much in the Thunder Force mode and this is evident throughout. However, it's the unique switch between both mech and ship that makes the game much harder. Using the mechs gives you a stronger but more focused fire, while the standard ship offers less direct fire that covers a larger area. You can choose from three different ship types as well, and each on has its own unique firepower as well. Knowing when to use which ship and holding off on your super fire power is a key element in this shooter strategy. It also helps to differentiate the game from the Thunder Force series, but it definitely has that classic Technosoft feel to it. The action is intense from beginning to end and gives players a constant challenge. Hyper Duel's visuals are quite impressive, even by today's standards. The traditional 2D shooter visuals are enhanced by the game's impressive engine. Using multi-plane technology and minor scaling features to create some impressive stages, Hyper Duel looks absolutely fantastic by Saturn standards and is another one of the console's 2D highlights. Even though Hyper Duel plays very similarly to the classic Thunder Force titles, there's more than enough different here to merit a playthrough. The Saturn edition of the game also allows you to choose from a standard mode with the original arcade graphics and an enhanced version with improved visuals. Its definitely worth seeking out for those who love classic shooter titles. However, as one of the rarest and most valuable Saturn titles out there, it's probably not something you'll be able to find that cheaply. It was only released in Japan, and even there it came out in limited quantities, making it doubly rare for the collector. Some of Technosoft's other original Saturn releases such as the horizontally scrolling Blast Wind are still pricey, but Hyper Duel is by far the harder and more expensive title. For those with the resources, Hyper Duel is definitely going to be a title worth owning and enjoying.

(February 15) Review: Thunder Force V (Saturn)

Technosoft's classic shooter series reached its apex with this release that combined the classic 2D gameplay of the original titles with some sleek 3D effects to create what is probably one of the most enjoyable shooters from that era. The game begins with a menu that lets you select which stage you want to start with and select the order of the next two levels. This is followed by a dynamic opening sequence where players find themselves once again piloting a ship as they battle waves of enemies. Thunder Force V follows most of the series conventions in its' power-up system, which allows players to cycle through weapons including the legendary wave and craw power-ups. Players can earn these extra weapons by collecting orbs that float at them in battle and they're automatically applied. You can stock up on as many of these as you like, but as in the earlier games, if your ship is destroyed when carrying one of these special weapons, you lose it. These are enhanced by the appearance of a new weapon, the homing device called Free Range. This allows you to set up a range where any enemies that enter it can be automatically targeted, which is especially effective against more powerful foes. Free range can be a little tricky to use at first, but it's quite cool once you get the hang of it. Thunder Force V's play mechanics are excellent and the game's smooth controls make it one of the most enjoyable Saturn shooters.

From a visual standpoint, Thunder Force V definitely pushed the Saturn hardware. While the action took place on a traditional 2D plane, there were numerous 3D rendered objects onscreen that game the game a great illusion of depth. This was especially true with its epic boss battles where the end-level enemies filled up the screen and gave the battles an epic feel. Technosoft went all out in the production of the game and its special effects and silky smooth frame rate made it feel quite impressive throughout. Adding to the game's brilliant overall design are the elaborate cinema sequences that helped to make it even more immersive. From a collector's standpoint, this is one of the most desirable Saturn titles, since it was never released outside of Japan for the console. The game came in two variations, a standard edition which featured the game only and a "Special Pack" that also came with a soundtrack CD. The soundtrack contained not only music from Thunder Force V, but also included some classic tracks as well. For those who can't or won't import the game, a port of Thunder Force V was also released on the Playstation, though this edition is missing some of the special effects and doesn't play as smoothly. While the PS edition is a decent port, the Saturn edition is definitely the one you want to own, since this is the console it was originally developed for and Sega consoles are the spiritual home for the series.

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