Sega Saturn
Top 20 Sega Saturn Games of All Time
Commercially overlooked but adored by collectors, the Sega Saturn is a haven for 2D fighters, shmups and Japanese gems. These are the best Sega Saturn games of all time, ranked by a blend of GamingList community and critic scores.
This is an Sega Saturn exclusives list — it features games that debuted on Sega Saturn, so cross-platform titles and later ports to other systems aren't included. That's why some multiplatform favourites you played here won't appear.
- 1
Nights Into Dreams...
1996 · Platform, Adventure
The story follows the teenagers Elliot Edwards and Claris Sinclair, who enter Nightopia, a dream world where all dreams take place. With the help of Nights, an exiled "Nightmaren", they begin a journey to stop the evil ruler Wizeman from destroying Nightopia and consequently the real world. Players control Nights flying through Elliot and Claris's dreams to gather enough energy to defeat Wizeman and save Nightopia. The game is presented in 3D and imposes time limits on every level, in which the player must accumulate points to proceed.
8.0 - 2
Panzer Dragoon Saga
1998 · Role-playing (RPG)
Enter the world of Panzer Dragoon Saga and experience a game like no other: a fusion of classic Panzer action with the most technologically advanced RPG to come to Saturn. Board your morphing dragon and behold as the mysteries of the Panzer world unfurl across four massive CDs. The new "rail free" 3D engine lets you soar deeper into role-playing adventure than you ever before imagined. Your destiny awaits.
8.1 - 3
Dragon Force
1996 · Real Time Strategy (RTS), Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Tactical
Dragon Force is a real-time strategy RPG where players choose one of eight rulers to unite the continent of Legendra against a revived evil god. The game features large-scale battles with up to 100 soldiers per side, alongside army management and character development. It’s known for its fast-paced gameplay, multiple storylines, and high replay value.
8.7 - 4
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special
1997 · Fighting, Arcade
The supreme trial of strength awaits! 19 of Fatal Fury's hottest heroes collide! One year since the fearsome conclusion to "Real Bout", the hungry wolves ready themselves for a new battle, "Real Bout Special" - the paramount pugilistic proving ground! The game retains the cast of the original Real Bout, with the addition of Tung Fu Rue, Cheng Sinzan, Laurence Blood and Wolfgang Krauser from Fatal Fury Special, with Krauser serving as the new final boss. Geese Howard, who was killed off in the end of the original Real Bout, appears in this game as a hidden final boss in a special "Nightmare Match" and as an unlockable playable character in the home versions. The game also features hidden "extra" versions of Tung Fu Rue, Billy Kane, Blue Mary, and Andy Bogard, for a total of 23 (24 if counting Geese) characters.
8.1 - 5
RemakeLunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete
1998 · Role-playing (RPG)
The enchanting world of LUNAR comes to life once more in the enhanced PlayStation game console version of the classic RPG sequel. Join freewheeling Hiro and the adorable Ruby, a thousand years after the events of LUNAR: Silver Star Story, as they work to unlock the secrets of the Blue Spire... and the strange young girl they found within it! But be careful - dark forces are trying to revive the evil Zophar, and immerse LUNAR in darkness forever. Journey to distant lands in the search of the Goddess Althena, who may be the only one powerful enough to stop Zophar. Along to way, you'll meet exciting new caracters, fight vividly animated monsters, traverse snow-covered mountain peaks, and crawl throught slimy dungeon depths as you wind your way toword the terrifying climax! LUNAR 2 features almost an hour of detailed animation sequences and over 90 minutes of dialogue packed onto three CDs... so what are you waiting for? Go ahead, you deserve to be the hero for once!
8.3 - 6
Grandia
1997 · Role-playing (RPG)
Grandia is a role-playing video game developed by Game Arts and published by Entertainment Software Publishing for the Sega Saturn console as the first game in their Grandia series. Initially released in Japan in 1997, the game was later ported to the PlayStation in 1999, with an English version of the game appearing on the platform in North America in the following September by Sony Computer Entertainment America, and later in Europe in March 2000 by Ubisoft. The game was produced by much of the same staff who worked on the company's previous role-playing endeavor, the Lunar series, including producer Yoichi Miyagi and music composer Noriyuki Iwadare. Since its release, Grandia has become notable for its combat mechanics, which have been carried over to future games within the franchise, and has spawned two spin-off titles – Grandia: Digital Museum and Grandia: Parallel Trippers – both released exclusively in Japan. In celebration of the announcement of renewing development on Grandia Online, which acts as a prequel to Grandia, the game was re-released on Sony's PlayStation Network platform in Japan as a downloadable title in April 2009 and in North America on February 25, 2010. It was re-released in Europe on November 10, 2010.
7.6 - 7
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
1997 · Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Soul Hackers delivers a first-person, dungeon-crawling RPG experience set in a future where technology and otherworldly forces meet in a macabre fusion of cyberpunk futurism and gothic horror. A first-person sci-fi RPG epic, Soul Hackers tells of a city held up as a beacon of humanity's triumph of technology, but with an infernal secret. In this would-be utopia, a group of hackers takes on a centuries-old mystic society, and a battle for control over humanity's fate is about to begin.
8.0 - 8
RemakeLunar: Silver Star Story Complete
1996 · Role-playing (RPG)
Return to the world of LUNAR, in the completely reworked 32-bit version of the RPG classic. Journey back to a place where dragons yet live, and magic is valued above all else. Join Alex, the young adventurer, as he begins a quest with his friends to save their land from the crushing advance of the Magic Emperor. Explore Dungeons, fight terrifying monsters, and gather information from the locals as you advance toward the explosive encounter with the Magic Emperor himself! Exciting, menu-driven combat will keep you challanged until the last. And, thanks to the storage power of CD and the PlayStation's built-in movie player, LUNAR contains nearly an hour of incredible animation sequences that will get you involved in the story faster than you ever thought possible. Get ready for the ride of your life...
8.0 - 9
Guardian Heroes
1996 · Fighting, Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Guardian Heroes is a 2D side-scrolling beat 'em up video game with RPG elements developed by Treasure and released in 1996 for the Sega Saturn. A band of young adventurers begin a quest to change the fate of their kingdom after an enchanted sword falls into their hands. Players may choose between four characters, each with their own unique fighting style, and embark on many different paths in the game's story mode. The game also includes a special versus mode wherein up to six players can compete against each other in arena combat.
8.0 - 10
Shining Force III
1997 · Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Tactical
Shining Force III is a fantasy turn-based tactics role-playing video game designed for the Sega Saturn by Camelot Software Planning. It is a continuation of the Shining series. Comprising three separate but overlapping storylines, the Japanese version of Shining Force III was released in three volumes, known as: "Scenario 1 - God Warrior of the Kingdom", "Scenario 2 - Target: Child of God", and "Scenario 3 - "Bulzome Rising". In America and Europe, only Scenario 1 was released. The real ending to the game can only be viewed by completing all the games in the series.
8.0 - 11
Fighting Force
1997 · Fighting, Strategy, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Fighting Force players control one of four characters. They move through urban and science fiction environments, battling waves of oncoming enemies with weapons ranging from fists and bottles to knives, chairs and guns. The player can make some choices as to which territory to travel through. The four characters have various reasons for taking on Dr. Zeng, a criminal mastermind with an army at his command. The action starts with a police cordon around Zeng's office skyscraper, moving to such locales as a shopping mall, subway and Coast Guard base before finally ending at the top of Zeng's island headquarters.
7.4 - 12
PowerSlave
1996 · Shooter, Strategy
In this first-person shooter, you assume the role of an armed forces specialist dispatched to probe unusual occurrences in the ancient Egyptian city of Karnak. As you delve into the investigation, you discover that alien invaders, with a proclivity for mummifying humans alive, have seized control of the city. Your mission is to navigate through progressively challenging levels, contending with an extraordinary cast of adversaries, to complete the game.
7.4 - 13
DoDonPachi
1997 · Shooter, Arcade
Compared to DonPachi, DoDonPachi is generally known for introducing new gameplay elements while improving or changing existing ones. The overall background of the game, unlike following sequels, remains more or less centered around a supposed invasion by a mysterious race of mechanized aliens, which the player is called to face throughout its run. However, more sinister and shocking secrets lie beneath the surface, accessible only to those brave and skilled enough to clear the entire game.
7.3 - 14
Sonic R
1997 · Platform, Racing
Originally released for the Sega Saturn, Sonic R is a racing game featuring characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Sonic and Tails came across an announcement one day about a competition called the "World Grand Prix" to determine the fastest in the world. Sonic initially showed no interest, but upon seeing Dr. Eggman's name among the participants, he decided to join. Knuckles wanted to settle the score with Sonic, Amy had unwavering belief that Sonic would definitely show up, and Eggman secretly prepared a few secret weapons. Who will claim the glory of the World Grand Prix?
7.2 - 15
Panzer Dragoon II Zwei
1996 · Shooter
Panzer Dragoon II Zwei is an "on-rails" shoot 'em up game released exclusively for the Sega Saturn. It was the second Panzer Dragoon game released but it is a prequel of the series. It was developed by Team Andromeda, one of Sega's internal development studios.
7.2 - 16
The King of Fighters '96
1996 · Fighting
The King of Fighters '96 is a 1996 fighting game. It is the third game in The King of Fighters series, following The King of Fighters '95. SNK's flagship series returns for another year. Many of the changes in this year's KOF release come in the form of improved graphics, sound effects, music and totally redone character sprites. The gameplay of the system has been altered with the addition of "Rush" multi-hit combos and new moves for practically every character. The storyline of the series receives heavy focus in this release with the Orochi Saga swinging into high-gear. The King of Fighters '96 has 27 regular characters plus 2 boss characters (who can be unlocked with the use of a code). Newcomers to the tournament include Mr. Big from the Art of Fighting series, the bosses from Fatal Fury (Wolfgang Krauser and Geese Howard), and completely original characters like Leona Heidern, Mature and Vice. Other features carried over from the previous year include the ability to choose between the default "Team Fighting" mode or the traditional "Single Fighter" style of gameplay, plus the "Versus" and "Survival" gameplay modes.
7.2 - 17
Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp
1991 · Adventure, Arcade
Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp, the followup to Don Bluth's arcade classic Dragon's Lair, can now be enjoyed on your PC. This fully arcade authentic version includes all of the original scenes you've come to enjoy, and even the unreleased Director's Cut ending not seen in the arcades. Other bonuses include a full watch feature to sit back and enjoy Don Bluth's stunning animation.
7.0 - 18
Magical Drop II
1996 · Puzzle, Arcade
Magical Drop is played in a style and gameplay similar to Compile's (now Sega's) Puyo Puyo and Taito's Puzzle Bobble franchises; a "stack" of random colored bubbles descend from the top, and a player is defeated when a bubble hits the bottom. Bubbles can be picked up and dropped by the player's "clown" at the bottom, and are destroyed when three or more of the same color are put together on a single column. "Chains" are formed either when a single drop caused a chain reaction, or when more than one group of bubbles is destroyed in quick succession. The game is normally played with two players (one may be a computer opponent), and chains cause the opponent's stack to descend faster. There are 24 characters, all but the Black Pierrot being named after a tarot card (although the Strength card has been represented by two characters throughout the series). Different characters have different attack patterns. The columns of the opponent's stack will descend at different rates relative to each other depending on the character chosen. This causes a disjunction of colors that may make it more difficult for the other player to clear their stack. For example, with the character Devil, all the columns will descend at the same rate, whereas with Sun, the middle columns will descend faster than the others.
6.7 - 19
Panzer Dragoon
1995 · Shooter
Panzer Dragoon is a rail shooter following the journey of Keil Fluge (unnamed in localized versions), a member of a hunting party who becomes the rider of a powerful blue dragon and joins it on its mission to stop a rival dragon from wreaking havoc on the world. The player moves an aiming reticle (representing the dragon's laser and the rider's gun) over the screen and shoots enemies while the dragon automatically flies through 3D environments on a predetermined track. As one of the few games available at the Sega Saturn's surprise launch, Panzer Dragoon was the first game created by Team Andromeda. The game also marked the directorial debut of game designer Yukio Futatsugi, who was 25 years old at that time. It is the first game in the Panzer Dragoon series, and introduced the series' gameplay elements and art style.
7.0 - 20
Forsaken
1998 · Shooter, Simulator
Forsaken is a Sci-Fi First-Person Shooter game, developed by Probe Entertainment Limited and published by Acclaim, which was released in 1998.
6.0