Atari Jaguar or Sega Saturn

[LimitedEditionMuseum]

One will be my next purchase but I know nothing about either one. In your own opinions, what would you guys choose and why? I have seen some of the Atari games and they dont look that good but I will still collect it. I just need a little push in what system to get 1st.

[Hawksmoor]

One will be my next purchase but I know nothing about either one. In your own opinions, what would you guys choose and why? I have seen some of the Atari games and they dont look that good but I will still collect it. I just need a little push in what system to get 1st.

I love both systems, but it's not even close. Go with the Saturn. The Saturn has more games, better games overall (fantastic 2D fighters and platformers, great RPGs, excellent arcade ports, and some amazing original titles), and - arguably - the best controller ever.

[Rickstilwell1]

From a gaming standpoint the Saturn would be better to get first, but from a collecting standpoint it is easier to get a good deal on a Saturn than a Jaguar because they are more common. If you see a good deal on a Jaguar get it when you see it. Especially since you plan on getting both. I know a guy who says those are his two favorite systems to play.

[Yago]

The Saturn would be easier to get a hold of. Keep in mind if you wanted the Jaguar and wanted to play the better games you will have to hunt down a CD unit as well as the console. The CD player isn't the most sturdy thing in the world either. I like them both and play them about the same.

[j_factor]

Saturn, no contest. The systems and games are easier to get, and the library is ten times better. Plus, the #1 complaint about the Saturn -- the expense -- is a worse problem on the Jaguar. Jaguar has some good games, but Saturn just blows it away.

[8-bitNesMan]

I'll cast a vote for the Saturn also. It was a great system and underrated in my opinion. Probably easier to collect for as well :)

[Emperor Megas]

Saturn. It's not even a question.

[Greg2600]

IMO PS1 or N64 trump both, but hands down Saturn over the Jaguar. Not even close.

[Kevincal]

get both saturn and Jag ;) different systems with cool games to offer.

[Pinksheets]

Saturn is the best console ever! Jag has a stupid controller anyways, do you really want to play with that? You'd even be better off with a 3do over a jaguar

[crazyjackcsa]

IMO PS1 or N64 trump both, but hands down Saturn over the Jaguar. Not even close.

DERP! Way to answer a question that wasn't asked.

I think you should get warm chocolate pudding.

[gameofyou]

I've never owned a Jaguar, but the Saturn is my favorite system of all time.

[icbrkr]

I've got both, and I'd say that the Saturn is one of my fav consoles of that generation. With an Action Replay cart (or an ST Key), you'll have access to a large library of Japanese games for cheap too.

[nothingisttrue]

theres no saturn port of tempest 2000 .

[j_factor]

theres no saturn port of tempest 2000 .

Yes there is, and it's a good port, although there's no rotary controller for the Saturn.

[Zama]

The Sega Saturn is the better choice of the two in terms of value and fun :)

[Emperor Megas]

theres no saturn port of tempest 2000 .Yes, there is. The Saturn version of Tempest 2000 is the only one I've ever played, and definitely one of my favorite games for the system.

[treismac]

Notch another vote for the Saturn. Other than the aforementioned Tempest 2000, I know of no other reason to own the Jaguar system.

[LimitedEditionMuseum]

Ok thanks guys. Saturn it is.

[Greg2600]

DERP! Way to answer a question that wasn't asked.

I think you should get warm chocolate pudding.
Get some reading glasses, I did answer the question. Saturn is much better than the Jaguar.

[Flashback2012]

IMO PS1 or N64 trump both, but hands down Saturn over the Jaguar. Not even close.

I would begrudgingly accept that the PS1 was "better" than the Saturn but no way would I ever make the same assessment for the N64. It's personal opinion of course but I felt if you look at the Saturn and it's full library of titles that included imports and domestic releases, it beats the N64 by a country mile. ;)

As for the subject at hand, that's easy. Saturn. :)

[thegamezmaster]

I've had both and I say Sega Saturn. More and better games.

[goatdan]

All right, time to be different...


Yes, there is. The Saturn version of Tempest 2000 is the only one I've ever played, and definitely one of my favorite games for the system.

Yup, the Saturn has a port as does the Playstation 1 (Tempest X3), but the Jaguar one is FAR better than both of those.

To me, something about the Saturn never clicked with me. I don't know what it is. On the flip side, something about the Jaguar did. It doesn't have that many great games, but the ones that it does have are the game type that I personally adore. I also find the system, and the stories behind it's success and failures, to be fascinating.

In my opinion, Jaguar Tempest 2000 is one of the best four games of all time, and none of those four are on the Saturn, so Jaguar wins.

Having said all that, I totally get why people love the Saturn. It does have more games, and games are a better average quality on it for sure. I just don't love it.

[MarioMania]

The Saturn

[TimTendo]

I think it's a matter of opinion, personally. The Jaguar wasn't a bad system, it was just executed poorly. Whereas the Saturn has a more traditional game pad, the Jaguar had a bizarre, clunky dial pad embedded into the bottom of it's controller, making it look worse by comparison. The Jaguar's CD peripheral was also prone to breaking down, but the Saturn not only had a CD drive built in, but was more functional in comparison. Although, the Saturn does have a flaw where the disc motor that spins said discs around can become unusable, but this can only happen if force is applied to the system. Really, this is your choice, but since it is the entire point of the thread, I would recommend the Saturn over the Jaguar due to the former being a more traditional console, and having a wider library, even without resorting to importing games.

[Baloo]

No Contest, the Sega Saturn. Saturn is the best console of ALL-TIME!

[The 1 2 P]

Not even a close competition. Saturn wins by leaps and bounds. However, one day I too hope to collect for the Jaguar but so far I have quickly sold everything I have found of it in the wild.

[MachineGex]

I got an extra Jag system and some games for sale....when you are ready....look me up!

[Rickstilwell1]

There also quite a few titles for Playstation that also made it to Saturn which surprised me. One of them being Tomb Raider. Lara Croft was always thought of as one of Sony's mascots back in the day so finding out the fact that her game was actually multiplatform was a surprise.

One of these days I want to try and find out how you get a Saturn modded to play burned discs so I can do some "try before you buy" especially with the imports because just going to a store I can't even tell what games are exclusive to Japan or know what kind of games they are until I play them - since the cover art doesn't always give it away.

[Christopher]

I would go with the Saturn. For the sheer enjoyment in ogling Lara Croft's triangular breasts alone. :P

[dchristie74]

depends on the situation, if your at a fleamarket and there is a saturn and a jaguar side by side and you have money for one I would buy the jaguar because it is harder to come by and probly getting a good deal. If buying from ebay or store then go for Saturn because it is the obvious chose. I do have both and I do get more play out of the Saturn but I still like seeing my Jaguar on the shelf.

www.thevideogamecollector.com

[Bloodreign]

Saturn by a mile, Konami's shmups like Gradius, Parodius, and Twinbee, some of Taito's goodies, Irem's games, Saturn Bomberman and more. Jaguar just didn't have this for me.

[oesiii]

To come to Jaguar's defense there is quality to be had. If you can get a console with these games for maybe $100 or less you will see some great 1994-style gaming: Aliens vs. Predator, Tempest 2000, Power Drive Rally, Super Burnout, and Raiden. The Jag also had great consoles ports of Wolf3D and Doom although you can play those better on the PC.

But the Saturn does have a larger and more diverse library and is an obvious pick 1 winner. When I made my choice about 10 years ago I got both consoles since the good games for both console were cheap and easy to find.

[Sunnyvale]

I support Sega! However, LimitedEditionMuseum, I have seen your other posts, and the one that sticks out to me is that you have a hard time playing your games. More of a collector, really, not so much the hard-core gamer. If that's the case, get the Jag. It only gets more expensive, and the Saturn doesn't move pricewise much on the console. If I'm wrong, and you're looking for play value, yeah, durpitydoodaday, it's Saturn.

[Greg2600]

Saturn by a mile, Konami's shmups like Gradius, Parodius, and Twinbee, some of Taito's goodies, Irem's games, Saturn Bomberman and more. Jaguar just didn't have this for me.
You really can't recommend a system based on games the guy can't play without modding it, and/or burning them to a CD.


There also quite a few titles for Playstation that also made it to Saturn which surprised me. One of them being Tomb Raider. Lara Croft was always thought of as one of Sony's mascots back in the day so finding out the fact that her game was actually multiplatform was a surprise.

One of these days I want to try and find out how you get a Saturn modded to play burned discs so I can do some "try before you buy" especially with the imports because just going to a store I can't even tell what games are exclusive to Japan or know what kind of games they are until I play them - since the cover art doesn't always give it away.Rick, you sound like you'd be better off just playing them on a PC emulator. SSF and Satourne emu's work well from a CD-drive. To run them from an ISO on the harddrive though you have to use a program that "fakes" the CD drive, which is a pain.

As for Saturn/PS1 crossovers, there are quite a few. Most of the 3rd party games on Saturn were also released on PS1 with insignificant differences. SEGA wound up getting Expert Software to distribute several popular SEGA developed Saturn games onto PC back then. Daytona USA, Sonic R, Virtua Fighter 2, Virtua Cop, etc. I know because back then I wound up buying several of those, because I wanted to play them and didn't want to buy a Saturn.

[LimitedEditionMuseum]

I support Sega! However, LimitedEditionMuseum, I have seen your other posts, and the one that sticks out to me is that you have a hard time playing your games. More of a collector, really, not so much the hard-core gamer. If that's the case, get the Jag. It only gets more expensive, and the Saturn doesn't move pricewise much on the console. If I'm wrong, and you're looking for play value, yeah, durpitydoodaday, it's Saturn.

That is an EXCELLENT point.I ordered a sega but I'm going to be buying a JAG next week. I got Knights into Dreams then looked at reviews saing its very hard.

[Parodius Duh!]

This dude is serious? a toss up between Saturn and........ fucking Jaguar?!

[Kevincal]

It's obvious the Saturn has a shit ton more games for it. But some crazy people like myself prefer the Jag over Saturn for nostalgic reasons. Back in 1995 I got a Jag cus it was affordable, back then I had 7 games for it and I was happy to death with them. Doom, AvP, Tempest 2000, Iron Soldier, Zool 2, Cybermorph, Wolfenstein 3d. It was early to mid 1995 when I was playing these. When the Saturn came out in mid 1995 it costed $400! Way too much for me to afford. Plus I was never really into Virtua Fighter that much, I thought it was cool, but not 400 bucks cool. And unfortunately Daytona was nowhere near arcade quality. Ya there were a bunch of other Saturn games but again the system was too expensive. So like most people I skipped buying a Saturn and bought a playstation instead on launch day sept 95. To this day I have owned many saturns and games and I just cant find a place in my heart for the system.. I just prefer the playstation and Jaguar over it. The Saturn is underrated for sure though. Has the best controller ever and lots of great games. its just a shame sega mishandled the system, in the US anyway. could have been a playstation killer.

[Ryudo]

There is areason Jaguar CD looks like a toilet.

Go with Sega Saturn. Esp games like Astal and Princess Crown. Aside from all the great Sega games plus a much better version of Resident Evil,Luara Croft and Grandia than PsOne.

[goatdan]

I think it's a matter of opinion, personally. The Jaguar wasn't a bad system, it was just executed poorly. Whereas the Saturn has a more traditional game pad, the Jaguar had a bizarre, clunky dial pad embedded into the bottom of it's controller, making it look worse by comparison.

I have never understood the great amount of dislike for the Jaguar controller. Yeah, it has the number pad, but it isn't in the way or something if you don't need it, and a few games took advantage of it in a really good way. The actual d-pad and buttons are laid out in a very similar way to most modern console controllers, and the size of the controller is nearly the exact same width-wise as the N64, Playstation, or -- believe it or not -- Saturn.

I've alwayas found the Jaguar to be one of the most comfortable controllers, personally.


The Jaguar's CD peripheral was also prone to breaking down, but the Saturn not only had a CD drive built in, but was more functional in comparison. Although, the Saturn does have a flaw where the disc motor that spins said discs around can become unusable, but this can only happen if force is applied to the system.

Yeah, but if you're using that standard, the Jaguar accepts mainly cartridges for 80%+ of it's library, and the cartridge slots have no issues. The CD can be flaky, but there are seriously like 10 games for it, and with only maybe two exceptions, you're really not missing anything.


Really, this is your choice, but since it is the entire point of the thread, I would recommend the Saturn over the Jaguar due to the former being a more traditional console, and having a wider library, even without resorting to importing games.

I think you could say wider library for sure, but as for which one is more traditional, the Jaguar was actually a cartridge machine, which to me makes it more "traditional." Not saying you're wrong about the game selection or game quality or anything like that, just that I wouldn't argue that the Jaguar is really out there -- it's different, but it isn't *that* different.

[Leo_A]

The only thing I dislike about the Jaguar controller is the buttons. I don't like their design or how they're laid out.

The rest of it always felt just fine to me. Their controllers have a nice feel to them and the d-pad design works well.

[TimTendo]

I have never understood the great amount of dislike for the Jaguar controller. Yeah, it has the number pad, but it isn't in the way or something if you don't need it, and a few games took advantage of it in a really good way. The actual d-pad and buttons are laid out in a very similar way to most modern console controllers, and the size of the controller is nearly the exact same width-wise as the N64, Playstation, or -- believe it or not -- Saturn.

I've alwayas found the Jaguar to be one of the most comfortable controllers, personally.



Yeah, but if you're using that standard, the Jaguar accepts mainly cartridges for 80%+ of it's library, and the cartridge slots have no issues. The CD can be flaky, but there are seriously like 10 games for it, and with only maybe two exceptions, you're really not missing anything.



I think you could say wider library for sure, but as for which one is more traditional, the Jaguar was actually a cartridge machine, which to me makes it more "traditional." Not saying you're wrong about the game selection or game quality or anything like that, just that I wouldn't argue that the Jaguar is really out there -- it's different, but it isn't *that* different.

Admittedly, I never truly owned an Atari Jaguar, but my complaints come from a friend's Jaguar when I had visited some time ago. Granted, it was only one time, but I had a fair amount of time on the system playing Rayman. You do make many valid points, goatdan, and I respect that, but I'd still recommend he choose the Saturn, if not only for it's wider selection of different titles.

[goatdan]

Admittedly, I never truly owned an Atari Jaguar, but my complaints come from a friend's Jaguar when I had visited some time ago. Granted, it was only one time, but I had a fair amount of time on the system playing Rayman. You do make many valid points, goatdan, and I respect that, but I'd still recommend he choose the Saturn, if not only for it's wider selection of different titles.

Heh, as would I, honestly -- it might be one of those things though that it would be best if possible to try them both or make a list of the games you wanted. 99% of the sane world should pick the Saturn every time. 1% of the world is like me and really likes how a significant amount of Jaguar games play, while the majority of the Saturn library I don't like.

I don't expect many people will agree with that, but I would say don't knock the controllers until you've tried playing a game that suits them perfectly -- Iron Soldier comes to mind, which is one of the Jaguar's true crown jewels, too.

[Rickstilwell1]

You really can't recommend a system based on games the guy can't play without modding it, and/or burning them to a CD.

Rick, you sound like you'd be better off just playing them on a PC emulator. SSF and Satourne emu's work well from a CD-drive. To run them from an ISO on the harddrive though you have to use a program that "fakes" the CD drive, which is a pain.

As for Saturn/PS1 crossovers, there are quite a few. Most of the 3rd party games on Saturn were also released on PS1 with insignificant differences. SEGA wound up getting Expert Software to distribute several popular SEGA developed Saturn games onto PC back then. Daytona USA, Sonic R, Virtua Fighter 2, Virtua Cop, etc. I know because back then I wound up buying several of those, because I wanted to play them and didn't want to buy a Saturn.

My experience with Saturn emulators and emulators in general is that they suck major ass. I hate them with a passion. And all the Saturn emulators lag on my i3 core laptop PC. I'm more of a flashcart guy when it comes to the other classic consoles. It's so much better and more accurate and they can be played directly on a TV and footage can be recorded the normal way.

[Hawksmoor]

Regarding the Jag controller, I don't mind the width or the Intellevision-esque number pad, but the d-pad itself always seemed a bit too stiff to me. Also, the pro controller was a definite improvement over the stock pad, though if you're looking to get a Jag setup like the OP is/was, it's certainly another added expense.

[The 1 2 P]

You really can't recommend a system based on games the guy can't play without modding it, and/or burning them to a CD.

I can play all of those games legitly on my US Saturn, as can anyone else. Thats why they made import convertors like my Action Replay Plus 4 in 1, to play imports on any region Saturn legally. They only cost around $20-30 and will dramatically increase the Saturn's library of good games.

[Bloodreign]

You really can't recommend a system based on games the guy can't play without modding it, and/or burning them to a CD.



PAR 4 in 1 cart makes import playing quite easy, no modding needed.

[Rickstilwell1]

PAR 4 in 1 cart makes import playing quite easy, no modding needed.

I have learned that Playstation and Saturn mods do the opposite.

Playstation modchips allow you to play Japanese games, but not burned games.

Saturn modchips allow you to play burned games, but not Japanese games.

To play genuine Japanese games on Saturn instead of a burned region switched copy you need the RAM/cheat code cart. To play burned games on Playstation you need a swap disc like PSX-change 2 and guess what that also has cheat code input.

They are so much alike, yet they are exact opposites.

[gameofyou]

LimitedEditionMuseum,

I have put videos (6 volumes) on Youtube, which have Saturn game footage of the best games I have played, in the 15 years I've owned the system.
http://www.youtube.com/user/gameofyou1/videos

These were made a long time ago, so the quality isn't the highest, but you can get an idea of the kinds of games available.

[TurboGenesis]

It's obvious the Saturn has a shit ton more games for it. But some crazy people like myself prefer the Jag over Saturn for nostalgic reasons…

I am one of those crazy people...
I LOVE the Jaguar... it offers a gaming experience that I just do not get from any other console… the games just have a uniqueness to them and many folks cannot appreciate that… I tire of all this 'hate' towards the controller… just the choir of avgn sheep.. most whom have never handled the controller and even actually played a Jaguar game…
I always wonder why Jaguar games and console are so damn expensive if the Jag is such a piece of shite… gotta love the local flea market selling a Jaguar console with WMCJ and team tap for $225!!

but I can also be true and not a fan boi…
for the op, I would suggest the Saturn, as it does offer more games and more of the typical cookie cutter fanfare of the era, as well as some nice games overall! also the ease and accessibility to play many great and exclusive import games make Saturn a great choice to jump into!

and I am a huge lover of the Sega Saturn! but I also enjoy and appreciate the uniqueness of the Jaguar and it is a very fine console... avgn sheep be damned

[Greg2600]

I can play all of those games legitly on my US Saturn, as can anyone else. That's why they made import convertors like my Action Replay Plus 4 in 1, to play imports on any region Saturn legally. They only cost around $20-30 and will dramatically increase the Saturn's library of good games.
I wasn't aware of that, thanks for educating me on that. That said, Japanese Saturn games are 5 or 6 times more expensive than the average US release at this time.

[j_factor]

I wasn't aware of that, thanks for educating me on that. That said, Japanese Saturn games are 5 or 6 times more expensive than the average US release at this time.

Not really true. Although, there's a lot of variation. As far as the upper tier of expensive games, Japanese releases dominate that category. But for everything else, Japanese releases are cheaper on average. US games have been creeping up in value, including common stuff, while that hasn't really happened for Japanese games, barring a few.

[Tron 2.0]

Saturn it's a no brainer with games such as radiant silvergun,saturn bomberman,guardian heroes and dragon force etc.