Advice: Saturn,NEO GEO, Jaguar, or 3DO?

[VSquad]

Looking to start a new collection on a system i dont own... I've never played the Jaguar, NEO GEO, Saturn, or 3DO so I'm leaning towards one of them.... Ill list the systems i own below - Any suggestions? Open to other suggestions as well... Thanks in advance.

I own:
vectrex
Atari 2600
Atari 7800
Nes
Snes
TG16
Genesis
N64
Dreamcast
Gamecube & wii
Ps1/2/3
Xbox & 360

[gum_drops]

Personally, I would go Neo Geo or Saturn. It really depends on your tastes though.

The Neo Geo has a ton of great VS fighters, but nothing in the way of RPGs or the typical variety you would find on home consoles since its purely arcade hardware. Nearly all the games, if not all, are two-player which is a plus.

The Saturn has a solid domestic library and many great imports, especially if you are into scrolling shooters.

I tried but just couldn't get into the Jaguar.

I never dabbled in 3DO collecting so I can't comment there.

[Trebuken]

Of the four you picked, I would, and I did, choose the Saturn. Neo Geo is a good choice if you can afford it, or if you settle for an MVS unit, and possible bootleg carts.

Actually I would suggest getting a Gameboy Advance Player for your Gamecube and collecting Gameboy Advance titles. It's akin to collecting for the SNES in my opinion.

Don't forget the Sega Master System; small number of US releases, but plenty of accessibility to imports.

DS and PSP are good modern choices...

[Icarus Moonsight]

Saturn if you're sane, Neo Geo if not.

I do not care for Jag or 3DO, never have. Jag has Tempest though, so I could make room for the Jag long before the 3DO.

[emceelokey]

I'd say go for the Saturn. It was the only system that was the #2 system of it's time and pretty much everything for it can be fairly easy to find online. Plus it has a wider variety of games, easy to play imports on, and has a fairly decent library of games.

You canpretty much emulate any Neo Geo game or Jaguar game and the Jaguar stuff isn't really worth even doing that. 3d0 didn't really have much that either didn't go to another system or come from another system and all the FMV games they put out you can probably now just watch on youtube.

[todesengel]

Go for the Saturn, the system and games are reasonably priced. For playing imports you just need an Action Replay 4in1 cart and those aren't more than about $30 at the most. The selection of games is fantastic and outside of a few rare titles most of the games are really cheap. As for the other choices you're looking at, the Jaguar and 3DO you'll be digging through a lot of crap to find the small amount of good games they have and the Neo Geo, while completely awesome with tons of great games, is really expensive.

[chrisbid]

saturn vote +1

[Damaramu]

Saturn. So much goodness there if you like imports. I love my Saturn!

[Baloo]

Saturn definitely, it's my favorite system for sure. The best titles you'll have to pay out the ass for (Late releases and Working Designs titles mostly), but there's a ton of great cheap stuff as well, and hardly anything that was released on the Saturn as an exclusive has ever been re-released (Only thing I can think of is the NiGHTS into Dreams re-release for PS2 in Japan), so it ends up being worth it. I can't think of any SEGA titles for Saturn that have been released since then. And the import library is even better.

My vote's for the Saturn. Jaguar and 3D0 have loads of junk on them, and Neo-Geo is insanely expensive.

[Vectorman0]

3DO and Jaguar are very lacking when it comes to quality games compared to the Neo Geo and Saturn. The problem with Neo Geo, of course, is the exorbitant pricing on most of the better games. That leaves the Saturn; start with that. Also consider the Sega CD, I think I would recommend picking that up after the Saturn but before the 3DO and Jaguar.

[betamax001]

The reason to get a Sega Saturn. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY6xkJ4RcFU) Neo Geo is cool, if you got the dough. But if you do get a Saturn make sure to get Model 2 controllers. The American original controllers are nowhere near as good. The 3D Controller is like a Dreamcast controller but better.

[Blur2040]

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[hellfire]

Sega saturn all the way!

[Darko]

I recently started my Saturn collection. Just as a reference, I bought the system (CIB), two Satellite controllers (CIB) and 5 games (including Nights) for 40 bucks on CL. It was a pretty decent deal, but not ridiculous by any means.

I have to agree with Trebuken in regards to the GBA. There are some fantastic games for that system. I have a GBA adapter for the GC and the games look good on a SDTV. I usually play them on the DS before bed though. If you're into RPGs and you haven't played Golden Sun then you're missing out. I only have 30-40 GBA titles, but they're all solid. GBA really is to SNES like the DS is to N64. The SNES is my favorite console though, so maybe I'm just a bit biased.

[ubersaurus]

Neo or Saturn, but I'd personally go with the Saturn if only for the price of software being generally much lower than the Neo Geo's. Whereas for the Saturn, there's a lot of good, cheap games, good pricier games, and good import games (which the price runs the gamut on). Lot of crap too, but that should be pretty easy to avoid these days.

[NerdXCrewWill]

The Saturn is probably the one you wanna go with. It is arguably the best video game system ever. However, don't read the negative comments and end up completely disregarding the 3DO. It has some really great stuff, like Star Control II (which admittedly, has been ported to the PC with the voices and everything), Crash 'n Burn, and Super Street Fighter Turbo. That's not to mention a lot of good-but-not-great games.

EDIT: Nor should you disregard the Jaguar. You probably know already, though, that it's library of games is very tiny and there's not much good stuff for it outside a handful of games.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Saaaaaaaaaaaturn.

Segata Sanshiro commands it.

[Ze_ro]

Interesting choices...
Neo Geo - This is an awesome, beautiful system with some of the most classic games of all time. Unfortunately, the library of games is very shallow in that there are tons of fighters, some shooters, platformers, and sports games... but not much else. Collecting Neo Geo stuff is also ridiculously expensive... you're looking at around $300 for an AES, and then most AES games are over $100 easily. MVS is a slightly cheaper route, but then you have to deal with having an arcade cabinet, or wiring it up with a Supergun. Another option is to use an AES along with a converter to play MVS carts so you get the best of both worlds... but then you might get stuck tracking down shockboxes so your collection doesn't look ghetto with junky-looking MVS carts.
Jaguar - Honestly, I love the Jaguar. I had one since it was released, and I've got a complete collection of games for it. I have to admit though, that it's not for everyone. The library is very shallow, especially showing a lack of RPG's, sports, and fighting games (good ones at least), but it depends what you're looking for I guess. There are some games that are done amazingly well (Tempest 2000, Battlemorph, Alien vs. Predator, Raiden), but a lot of games leave you with a feeling that the game *could* have been excellent if the developers hadn't been forced to rush through it (like Atari Karts... so much potential...). Most of the games are pretty cheap and easily available.
3DO - Similar to the Jaguar in some ways. Games range from incredibly awesome (Star Control 2) to absolutely atrocious (Plumbers Don't Wear Ties). There's a bit more variety to the library than there is with the Jaguar, though you're stuck in the awkward age of CD technology, where developers don't really know what to do with the space, so you get tons of FMV with terrible acting and such. It's an interesting system with some fairly original games that you won't find elsewhere (PaTaank, Icebreaker, etc).
Saturn - An underrated system with a lot of great games, especially arcade ports by Sega and Capcom. There are also plenty of excellent original titles like Bug!, Clockwork Knight, Panzer Dragoon and others. While the Dreamcast arguably outdoes most of what the Saturn does best, there are still plenty of games that you won't find alternatives for... especially if you tap into the Japanese market, as the system did far better over there than in North America.
All of these systems give a rather unique experience, so it really depends on what you're looking for... but I'd say your best bet is probably the Saturn. But, make sure you get something like this (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-k8-49-en-70-1b2.html) so you can play imports.

--Zero

[nebrazca78]

Like almost everyone else said, Saturn and Neo Geo are the only two real competitors in this race. I would go with Saturn just because it has more, more, more of pretty much everything. There certainly are experiences you will be missing out on if you don't get them both but Saturn has a more complete library. Most Neo Geo games have similar titles and even many ports that are on Saturn. If you only get Neo Geo you are going to be missing out on Panzer Dragoon Saga, Shining Force III and other excellent strategy/RPG games as well as 3-D fighters and basically all other 3-D games. But if you only get Saturn you'll have all that great stuff as well as a nearly endless stream of 2-D games in all genres as well. Also Saturn has joysticks AND joypads plus light guns, the 3-D controller, twin sticks etc. I don't really know how many Neo Geo games there are, I think about 250 or so, and Saturn has about 1200.

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[cityside75]

Another vote for Saturn. I like hunting "in the wild" for games, and the Saturn is really the only system of those listed that you have much chance of finding anything in the wild. I don't entirely agree with the assessment that you HAVE to import to make the Saturn worthwhile. I'm a big fan of Sega arcade games and fighting games, those alone make my Saturn a worthy part of my collection.

[Aussie2B]

(consolized MVS is incredibly stupid)

Bah, I say, bah. If I was to call anything "stupid" regarding Neo Geo, it would be buying the AES and its ridiculously overpriced games and then, to add insult to injury, being stuck playing them with shitty video output short of spending even more for a modification. A consolized MVS is a very wise option. It's not that hard to do it oneself, which makes it a hell of a lot cheaper than buying an entire cabinet or paying out the ass to have other fans make you a supergun. If somebody wants to play other arcade boards, a supergun is a good idea, but with the size of the Neo Geo's library, a consolized MVS alone can keep someone happy for many, many years.

So, yeah, if we're talking purely home consoles, I would recommend the Saturn, but I'd recommend Neo Geo over that if we're talking other means than AES.

[PSony]

Japanese Saturn (or if you can't, US Saturn + Action Replay 4-in-1).

[VSquad]

Wow. I'm blown away by this community. I'm a new member - just joined yesterday.

I just got home from work to see all of these replies to my first post. All are very informative and very interesting... I really appreciate every response. Very very helpful.

I think I'm going to go the route of the Saturn.... My hunt begins now. Looking forward to it.

[garagesaleking!!]

Glad to hear you picked Saturn, Honestly though, starting to collect for any of those you listed is going to be a daunting task at this day in age. These days unless you use the internet any of those systems are ghosts. Saturn is the only one that is even reasonable. You still see them here and there, but the other systems you listed, well... Good Luck.

[Rickstilwell1]

If you do ever go for a Neo Geo, the cheapest option is Neo Geo CD. Then you can buy the system with some cheap games, then pirate the rest of the games if you don't care about legal issues. Or just buying the CDs are cheaper than MVS cartridges.

[Blur2040]

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[dreamcaster]

Saturn > Neo Geo >...........................3DO > Jaguar

Specifically, make sure you are able to play Japanese Saturn games. It will increase the worthiness of the console tenfold.

[otaku]

Neo Geo-I collected 22 games before selling. If money is a concern go MVS possibly with an actual cab or just a mobo modded to be a console. If money is no object and collecting is your thing go AES for the shockboxes and the nice sleek console. Make sure you love arcade games and have some friends to play with-and alot of money. I spent thousands on my collection (2k+)

Saturn-hardware is pretty cheap. Lots of cheap but also expensive games. Some real gems, great 2d system and arcade games and some good rpgs as well.

Jaguar-also collected this one not a high priority but an easy one to collect for though it can be expensive and alot of the games are so-so or just suck.

[ubersaurus]

I will say this about the Neo; most of the best games you can either get cheap (if they were early releases) or find damn near perfect ports on some other system. SNK put out some VERY good collections for the PS2 (both domestically and Japan exclusive) and there are reasonable ports for other games, like Mark of the Wolves for 360, on other systems as well. And really, a lot of early Neo Geo AES stuff is relatively inexpensive now; I've gotten a few nifty games for around 30 bucks, like Fatal Fury Special, Samurai Shodown II, and Alpha Mission II off of ebay, and stuff like Viewpoint and Samurai Shodown III for under 70 (at ebay and at conventions.)

As long as you're smart and patient about what you're getting for the Neo Geo, it's not TOO bad. MVS is probably a smarter route in the long term if you really want to get into the hardware without dealing with ports to other systems or emulation, but the AES isn't that bad.

[A Black Falcon]

Neo-Geo if you like fighting games and have the money to get into collecting for that amazing but extremely expensive system, Saturn otherwise, or additionally, I would say. The Neo-Geo is so cool, but so expensive... Saturn's good, but actually has a reasonably sized library of cheap games. The expensive ones get the press, but the Saturn does have a good number of lower-priced titles too. The 3d's obviously not so great looking, like all systems from that era (PSX, 3DO, Saturn, Jaguar...), but that's to be expected, and it's not THAT bad, only slightly worse than PSX. It's a good system with a lot of interesting stuff in it.

Still though, if you have the money, I'd go for the Neo-Geo... though for people with that kind of money, starting on a Saturn collection too shouldn't be too hard, unless you're only going to get the early, cheap Neo-Geo games or something like that, but that wouldn't exactly be satisfying.

[c0ldb33r]

Saturn if you're sane, Neo Geo if not.
[/thread]

[gameofyou]

I would definately say the Saturn. I would stay away from the NEO GEO because of the prices, especially since the NEO GEO ports on Saturn are so good (Metal Slug, Twinkle Star Sprites, Samurai Shodown IV, Real Bout, ...ect).

[Aussie2B]

Problems with Consolized MVS:

1. Destroys original hardware

I know there are a lot of MVS boards out there, but I am totally against hacking up MVS boards when there is an entirely reasonable alternative in the form of a Supergun w/ MVS board.

2. Ooops, It broke.

You and I know a CMVS is as simple as shit, but most people don't. People are buying them now and they don't know shit about electronics. While there are some good CMVS units out there, most of them just involved electrical tape and cramming shit underneath the plastic cart guide or random cases comprised mostly of hot glue. I have trouble recommending something of questionable build quality to someone who just wants to game and not learn about electronics (if they wanted to learn about electronics, I'd say they should do it themselves).

3. A supergun is Just as good.

You can play anything on a Supergun and they're even easier to build than an CMVS, as they don't involve any risk to damaging a Neo Geo board. I'm not quite sure where the impression comes from that Superguns are much more expensive than a CMVS. Both require a video encoder, power supply, and some switches, buttons, whatsits and wiring. Take all of the things that people hack on to an MVS board to get a CMVS, put them in a box and add a JAMMA harness, and you've got a Supergun.

I think the above reasons are pretty much makes a supergun a slam dunk. Agreed though, that if you actually like playing games, AES is moronic.

My consolized MVS isn't hacked up. Not unless you call a few holes drilled into the metal casing for switches, cables, screws, etc "hacked up". It could very easily be converted back into a normal board for a cabinet with little wear for the journey.

As for superguns, usually when people bring them up, they're talking about buying them. It doesn't seem like many gamers are inclined to build them themselves. Sure, sometimes they buy consolized MVS boards as well, but it seems there's more DIY going on with those. But, hey, if someone has the desire, means, and ability, I'd say it's great if they build their own supergun, but if they want to keep it cheaper, smaller, easier, and are only interested in Neo Geo games, a consolized MVS is a sound choice.

[Famidrive-16]

I'd only really get into Saturn collecting if you're planning on getting import games as well. Not that the US library is too poor, but well, there's a reason every post here mentions imports on the system in some way.

Neo Geo is probably the most expensive out of the bunch. It's a great console but you'll need the cash to stack it up.

I don't think the Jaguar's library is as bad as people make it out to be honestly, I think people just like to dump on the system whenever they can. There's some pretty good games for it. It might not be as easy to collect for as a Saturn however.

3DO has some great ports, but lacking in the exclusives area. I wouldn't go to this first unless I was willing to check out the more gimmicky side of gaming.

[WoodyXP]

You need to own both a Saturn AND a Neo Geo. Whichever one you choose to start with is up to you, you can't go wrong.

Put the 3D0 and Jag at the bottom of your list, if you absolutely have to own them. They have a couple gems in their libraries but they don't warrant the purchase of a system, IMO.

[bangtango]

The Saturn had a bigger and better catalog than either the 3DO or Jaguar. That is just a fact.

Plus you can at least still find Saturn games every now and then without having to buy them online.

Even a lot of "niche" used video game stores (not Gamestop types) won't necessarily carry 3DO or Jaguar stuff but they still undoubtedly have a Saturn laying around.

Besides, why deal with high Neo Geo prices, especially when so many of those games have already been rereleased on various collections for one system or another?

Take the general SNK collections or something more specific like the PS2 Fatal Fury collection. Sure, those ports may not stack up to the original Neo Geo ones but that isn't the point. At least the product is in the stores for a much lower price.

Going back to the Jaguar, people rave about Alien vs Predator. However, most first person shooter fans you talk to in 2010 will tell you the game looks and plays like shit compared to FPS's on more modern systems. To people who still rave about a game like that, I would just say let's face it, it ain't aged very well.

Going back to the 3DO, nearly every good game on that system eventually ended up on PC, PS1 or the Saturn, in versions that were as good or better. That says all you need to know.

If you ask me, Virtua Fighter II on Saturn is better than anything from the Jaguar or 3DO library.

[Ze_ro]

If you do ever go for a Neo Geo, the cheapest option is Neo Geo CD.
I never understood this line of thought. Sure, the AES and MVS are both a little scary to newcomers... but if you're going to cheap out, then you're far better off getting a PS2 or Dreamcast (which OP already has anyways) and just playing ports. I mean, how is the NGCD any better than that? Hell, might as well just run an emulator on your computer and pick up a USB arcade stick.

I can totally understand the appeal of playing games on the real thing, but NGCD just does not seem like the real thing to me.

--Zero

[gum_drops]

I never understood this line of thought. Sure, the AES and MVS are both a little scary to newcomers... but if you're going to cheap out, then you're far better off getting a PS2 or Dreamcast (which OP already has anyways) and just playing ports. I mean, how is the NGCD any better than that? Hell, might as well just run an emulator on your computer and pick up a USB arcade stick.

I can totally understand the appeal of playing games on the real thing, but NGCD just does not seem like the real thing to me.


I am not really sure why people choose the NGCD over MVS. Maybe from a collecting standpoint, the NGCD has retail packing / artwork and displays nicely with the rest of their collection, just a guess.

If you want to play your neo collection there are just too many good games missing from the NGCD lineup including metal slug x,3,4,5, garou, blazing star, shock troopers, etc.

[Baloo]

Also to note that the Neo Geo AES takes up a LOT of room, the game cases alone are about twice the width of two VHS tapes and the height of about one. They're a bitch to store and heavy to boot.

Same goes for the system itself, the controllers are huge.

[diskoboy]

Saturn for the awesome games. Neo Geo if you have the money. Jaguar has some good titles, but they are few and far between, so I can't recommend it.

Although the Jag has the best version of Rayman, in my book...

[Aussie2B]

I've never really understood the whole "MVS carts are ugly" mentality. I guess some game collectors are so anal retentive that they can't stand to see anything that's not in a case/box, but I think the giant carts on a shelf look pretty badass. I see no reason to hide their arcade nature with fan-made shockboxes.

[theclaw]

Neo Geo is 99% straight arcade conversions. Aside from the few AES exclusives. Not many RPGs, turn based strategy games, or really anything where saving progress is essential. You need a strong love for 2D fighters (and a lesser extent Metal Slug-esque action) to get the most from it. Preferably with access to a liked-minded person for multiplayer.

Saturn, well, difficult to describe. It's an esoteric system. A handful of interesting games in all sorts of genres. The later US releases are expensive due to its comparatively poor domestic sales. So Japanese knowledge is suggested to truly dive into the depths of what it offers.

[Atariguy]

It would probably be helpful if you gave us some info on what sorts of games you're into, particularly how much you like fighting games, as they make up the vast majority of the Neo Geo library. Out of those systems, the Saturn has the most well rounded library of games, and it'll be much more affordable than the Neo Geo. Plus it has some nice conversions of the Neo Geo games King of Fighters 95-97, the Real Bout Fatal Fury series, and Metal Slug (though they're all imports), so you wouldn't be entirely missing out on the Neo Geo side with that. The Jaguar and 3DO have much weaker libraries, and they're more systems you there are some specific games for them that you want.

[WoodyXP]

Neo Geo is 99% straight arcade conversions.

Neo Geo is the real deal, homie.

[Greg2600]

Saturn for sure. Many great SEGA games, pretty reliable. Only bad thing is those jewel cases are huge and often broken.

3DO - too many hardware problems, most decent games available on Playstation and other systems.

Neo Geo - Games in certain genres, expensive, requires a LOT of physical storage space for the games.

Jaguar - CD system is expensive, you'd never play it, I know I wouldn't.

[danny_galaga]

you asked about alternative suggestions. How about PC engine? Certainly no probs with storage- those things are tiny! That is probably next on my list as I dig shmups (very next on list is an xbox, i just bought steel battalion so I guess I need a console now LOL)

[Putney]

There is just a certain feeling to Neo Geo that other consoles don't really have. I'd echo everyone else and say go Saturn out of that foursome, because it is a lot cheaper and diverse of a library. But in this day and age of shrinking manuals and digital distribution, there's just something about that massive AES cartridge in a snapcase that is simply awesome. Then again, I have a sparse collection and very few of the $100+ carts, and I'll probably never get those really expensive ones, but I'm content with that :)