The Sega Saturn appreciation thread

[TrekkiesUnite118]

Here's a level where I'd say some textures look to be placeholders and less polished than others:



The door at 0:33 looks to be a placeholder texture to me. It just looks really bad even compared to the other textures in the game.

[gamevet]

The door at 0:33 looks to be a placeholder texture to me. It just looks really bad even compared to the other textures in the game.

Yeah, it looks like ass, but so does the huge freight elevator like doors with the yellow bars in the middle. The arcade games has those same doors, but with textures that aren't a jumbled mess of pixels. If you look a little closer at the pattern on the door, you'll notice that it's a poorly done representation of the honey-comb design of the doors in the arcade game. Even the console where he picks up the security card, looks like a purple blob.

[Black_Tiger]

House of the Dead is more demanding of the Saturn hardware than Virtua Cop was, because VC used a lot what appears to be flat shading, while HOD used texture mapping.

In-between the releases of Virtua Cop and House of the Dead was a sequel to Virtua Cop which was ported to Saturn before House of the Dead was and it is covered in quality textures while running at a solid framerate.

[gamevet]

In-between the releases of Virtua Cop and House of the Dead was a sequel to Virtua Cop which was ported to Saturn before House of the Dead was and it is covered in quality textures while running at a solid framerate.

Yeah, Virtua Cop 2 runs and looks great. Like I'd said before, the main complaints about House of the Dead were the poor texture mapping and (North America anyways) green blood. It wasn't just particular items that were poorly texture mapped, it was pretty much everything outside of the enemies that was poorly done. To me, it just looks like the team behind HOD put together a pretty crappy game engine, that might have worked much better with a little bit of tweaking and some texture cleanup. It's still a fun game though.

[Saturn Fan]

What about it is better? Be specific. The D-Pad looks awful and the buttons don't look to be much better.

Better ergonomics:

#1-D-pad: Has a better shape to it, not too big or small, and the way its molded/textured lets your thumb "grip" it comfortably. Never feels like the thumb could slide off during gameplay.

#2- Buttons: Unlike the saturn pad with its pimply top row, the Superpad buttons share a uniform size. They are also larger, flatter and just a lot more comfy. Shoulder buttons are great too. Saturn pad is much more likely to leave thumbs sore after a lengthy gaming session.

#3- Caseing: The outer case on the Superpad is pretty awesome. Its larger, rounded curves, and simple but efficient design just fill the hands more comfortably like a gamepad should with few downsides. Saturn pad is on the small side and pointy.

Functionally: Superpad was perfect! Was huge into 2D fighters on the Saturn like X-Men COTA and never had issues executing moves. All non-fighting games played great with it too. Buttons were also very responsive.

Durability: Built like a tank! I always took care of my pads but if i had to put money on which could take more abuse, its the superpad. Casing and buttons felt rugged and able to take a hit. Dunno if i can say the same for the official controller.


Furthermore, game designer David Sirlin who also participated in tournaments back in the day for games like Street Fighter Alpha 2, also shares my view that the Superpad is better than the model 2.

Lastly, look at e-bay! Brand new Superpad 8's are in fairly abundant supply. Clearly this gem didn't get all that much exposure back in the day. Can't very well dethrone the model 2 pad when few knew about it.

SuperPad 8 > Saturn model 2

[jerry coeurl]

There's nothing wrong with the SuperPad 8, I have one myself and it's fine if your only other option is the Model 1 Saturn pad, but the Model 2 pad smokes it. Better ergonomics, better construction, better d-pad, better shoulder buttons, more comfortable to hold... again, there's nothing terribly wrong with the SuperPad 8, but there's nothing that really makes it stand-out, either. It's just a generic, functional, poor-man's Saturn pad.

[NostalgicMachine]

There's nothing wrong with the SuperPad 8, I have one myself and it's fine if your only other option is the Model 1 Saturn pad, but the Model 2 pad smokes it. Better ergonomics, better construction, better d-pad, better shoulder buttons, more comfortable to hold... again, there's nothing terribly wrong with the SuperPad 8, but there's nothing that really makes it stand-out, either. It's just a generic, functional, poor-man's Saturn pad.

The Model 2 controller for the Saturn is the most comfortable controller that Sega has have had, IMHO. Smooth as hell, never really wore out, and it has great responsiveness. I always enjoyed playing fighters on the Saturn for this very reason; it's like butter.

[Saturn Fan]

Both gamepads function great but the distinguishing factor here, is the Superpad 8 has superior ergonomics and comfort(which have an effect on gameplay).

Not the prettiest design out there, but its simple, sweet, durable, and effective.

[jerry coeurl]

That's where we disagree. The design of the Model 2 is much more comfortable for me to hold, and I think the ergonomics are superior. The d-pad on the Model 2 is, to date, the best one that I have ever used. I prefer the smaller buttons on the top row, they make it easy for me to know which button my thumb is on without having to look down at the controller. The shoulder buttons are much better, too.

The Model 2 does have a pretty design, and it's also durable and effective, so all things considered I still think it comes out on top.

[NostalgicMachine]

I've always loved the shoulder buttons the Model 2 controllers; so fluid and responsive. I remember my PSX friends being jealous lol.

[Da_Shocker]

Does HOTD on the import version have red blood instead of this green shit?

[Breetai]

Both gamepads function great but the distinguishing factor here, is the Superpad 8 has superior ergonomics and comfort(which have an effect on gameplay).

See, there is it right there. It's a totally subjective opinion. You like the feeling of it better than the stock pad, and most people prefer the stock pad. Nothing wrong with that.

So, so you have a Superpad or two on your Genesis as well?

[Saturn Fan]

I prefer the smaller buttons on the top row, they make it easy for me to know which button my thumb is on without having to look down at the controller.

Most gamers can EASILY tell what row they're on without actually looking down at the controller. We don't need one oddball row dreadfully undersized so we won't get confused.

See, there is it right there. It's a totally subjective opinion. You like the feeling of it better than the stock pad, and most people prefer the stock pad.

Same subjective argument could be made for the Saturn pad. And again, i cite the staggering quantity of factory sealed SuperPads going around for cheap. Its pretty obvious this one got very little exposure back then.

Its likely that many, probably the majority, never tried it. So how do they know Saturn pad is preferable? They don't.

Nothing wrong with that.

So, so you have a Superpad or two on your Genesis as well?

Damn right! My best pad

[gamevet]

Does HOTD on the import version have red blood instead of this green shit?

Japan is the reason why the blood is green. There is a code for the North American and European version where you can turn the blood purple, red or green.

http://dextremes.com/sega/codes/hotd.html

Ok, so you are sick of that crazy green blood that you've been stuck with. Or perhaps you could use a few more lives to make it through the game. Well no more! This code has been verified to work in the European version and should work in the US version. It also works in the Japanese version, however the blood color option is absent.

In the main option screen where you can choose between "Saturn mode, boss mode etc...." press: L,R,R,L,L,R

You should hear a jingle, then:

-Hold down L & R and choose a mode.
-Hold Down L&R until you come to a menu.

You can now get infinite lives, a stage select and the blood selections between red, purple, and green.

[cleeg]

I always liked the 1st Saturn pads (if those are the ones with the admittedly crap clicky shoulder buttons) for comfort, my brother preferred them too. I do like the wireless ones though, they are perhaps my favourite all round pads in general.