PlayStation vs. Saturn

[digitalpress]

I don't recall this topic anywhere in our forums - I did a few different types of searches but could only find a few topics dancing around the subject without actually putting it to the Roundtable vote. If you find one like this, let me know and we'll lock it up and go to the original.

I was thinking a few days ago (and it hurt) about two collections that take up about the same amount of space in my game room: Saturn and PlayStation. I was thinking: if I had to clear one of these out of here, which would it be? After some debate with myself where some punches were thrown and sharp kicks delivered to sensitive areas, I decided that the Saturn would go.

It's a tough choice. As a launch-day mallrat I had my Saturn first and it truly introduced a new age in graphics to me at the time. My import Saturn library is nearly as large as my US library and I'm sure this is an area that many Saturn fans will bring up as a plus for that system. However, I must say that the PlayStation import library is impressive as well - and while in my personal collection PS1 imports consist heavily of rhythm-based games like BeatMania, Guitar Freaks, and DDR, it's every bit as much fun for me as the pile of great Saturn SHMUPS I've got.

I also look at the Saturn US library as one of the weakest in history. The percent of high-quality games and exclusives is pretty low. I'm not saying that the PlayStation's ratio is any better, in fact I'd bet it's worse - but there are so many more games on the PlayStation that you can weed out all of the bad stuff and still have three times more games than were ever released on the Saturn.

Before I made my decision I moseyed over to the "Top Games for System" lists in our Classic Discussions Area.

Saturn: http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1594
PSX: http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1570

Going over these threads sealed it for me. My choice has been made.

What's yours?

[Drexel923]

I've really discovered alot about the Saturn recently, and have been buying a ton of stuff, but I don't ever see myself owning more Saturn games than Playstation games. I don't think I could ever get rid of one of them though, they both do different things right and they both have some great games, but Playstation wins for me.

[PapaStu]

Even though theres crap... and crap in copious levels you said it Joe. You can weed it out (or not, because for the most part people were still buying it in droves) and play some damn fine PlayStation stuff.

My decision was made simple because up until recently I didnt have any import PS stuff. My decision was made purely on US releases and try as I might to breakdown and get a Saturn, I could never find more than a few games I wanted (Die Hard Arcade!!!!!) and with my space being taken up by a PlayStation library, I seem at least for nowcasting my vote for the PlayStation and not the Saturn.

[smokehouse]

You know, no matter how many times I go to buy a Saturn, I never do. Of all the Sega systems, it’s the only one I don’t have. For some reason I can’t find any must have titles for it, thus the fact I have never bought one. I know it got a much better treatment over in Japan but here in the states…there’s just not much to be found (this may be ignorance talking fellas, if so feel free to correct me). For every 1 decent Saturn title there’s 5 on the PS1. Sega always seemed to treat the Saturn like their red-headed-step-child. At least here in the US, it’s no contest. Japan on the other hand may be a different issue.

Joe, I think you hit the nail on the head when it comes to the boatload of crap titles for the PS1 issue. Not unlike any other successful system (NES, SNES, Genesis) there’s always so many garbage titles released but amongst the crap, there’s nuggets of gaming gold. The US Saturn just didn’t seem to have the same amount.

[Captain Wrong]

As long as I can keep my imports, it's Saturn all the way. US games only, and I'm firmly in the PSX camp.

Tough call though. I've logged many hours on both of those consoles.

[dreamcaster]

I can't make a decision. The Saturn has a greater percentage of games that I like, but the PSX has a larger number of games that I like.

[fishsandwich]

I voted Saturn as it's my favorite 32-bit system. Those imports make a big differance!

Keep in mind that I think that the PSX has MORE good games... the PSX library is just so big! I know there are a huge number of duds in there, but there are also a huge number of awesome games as well that never made it to Saturn.

:D

[AlexKidd]

I would choose the playstation over the saturn. I'm not a huge fan of either system but the psx has 2 Castlevania's, a bunch of Namco Museums and lots of good Rpg's/Squaresoft games. As mentioned already, the Saturn's U.S. library isn't the greatest one and I don't buy imports for either system so it'll be the psx for me.

[Cryomancer]

Dunno, I've never (and still don't) own a playstation. I've had fun with them here and there, sure, but as far as "games I'd actually put time into" there's a pretty short list. Perhaps someday I will feel different.

Saturn however, I enjoy on a level that's hard to describe...like I enjoy the whole atmosphere of it or something. I didn't get either back then, I got an n64, heh. Playstation was "that one everyone else had, with the games that look ok and a couple good ones, but I don't relaly want one" or such. Saturn was "that one i played at target once and have not seen since....yet i still somehow miss it". Kinda out on a limb here in my thinking obviously, but what can i say, this is how my brain's wired.

Now, I own two saturns, and no playstations. However later this week I will apparently be able to start trying out burned psx games, so maybe I'll find a slew of new favorites, who knows.

Tron Bonne is a really fun game though.

[Jumpman Jr.]

I chose Playstation.
Not that I overly like either of them, but I think the Playstation has given me enough gaming satisfaction over the years for me to vote for it.
I started playing it at my friends house when it first came out. Some games that I loved were: Spyro the Dragon, Cool Boarders 2, Resident Evil, Twisted Metal 2, Ape Escape etc... All those games are awesome. The thing is, the Playstation has a HUGE library, and having a few good games out of 1000+ games isn't all that good. But I still think its better than the Saturn.
I'm not much of an Import guy, so I don't know what most of you are talking about above me. :)

[tuxedojoe]

I would most certainly choose the Saturn over the Playstation. I've never really liked the Playstation to begin with, mostly because it screwed up the Nintendo Vs. Sega battle. There are many quality titles on the Saturn that I absolutely love (keep in mind, however, that 90% of my Saturn library is Japanese). In all, I enjoy the 'feel' of the Saturn more than that of the Playsation... if that makes any sense.

[alec006]

Well I would have to say Saturn First because Sega is my favorate company,now even though the Saturn has load times slower than ps1 I still like Saturn better because it had a reason to exist. Now being a video game collector I had to get PS1 so i can say both systems are good for lots of reasons. PS1 had some great games as well like some James Bond Titles and some classic video games,then Saturn had 3 sonic games Sonic R, Sonic 3D Blast, and Sonic Jam. But being a sega fan Saturn. 8-)

[Mr.FoodMonster]

I'm sorry, but this is just a joke. Playstation completely and totally owns Saturn in almost every possible aspect. The only thing the Saturn had going for it game wise was Sega games. Sure, there are some classics for the system, but there are 10 times the amount of good games on the PS1.

Playstation, very easily.

[tritium]

I am the only person I've ever met to have owned a saturn. I also just bought mine this year.

On the other hand, everyone of my friends has owed a playstation. In addition, I'm a big FF7 and Chrono Cross fan. I've logged lots of hours into the system, even on just fighting games. The psOne will always hold a special place in my heart, regardless of how fun I find the saturn now. I vote playstation.

Interesting peice of trivia, in '97 I bought an SNES, and my sister bought a Playstation. We spent the next two years being envious of each other. Namely b/c She prefers 2d platformers, and I love fighting games.

[Flack]

I voted Playstation, although I'm sure I'm looking at the situation through rose-tinted glasses.

To me, the PSX seems pretty modern. I mean, I still use a PSX-shaped controller on my PS2, so it doesn't seem like the PSX launch was that long ago. The Saturn on the other hand passed me by, mostly due to the fact that so many of my friends had been burned by the 32x that they avoided the Saturn and went for the PSX, so I did too.

I picked up my first Saturn earlier this year and, while there are a few decent games for it, for the most part it seems like there was a ton of overlap between it and the PSX (looking at domestic releases only). So yeah I have one, but pretty much the only space it's taking up is the console itself.

[blissfulnoise]

As other posters have said, the Import library is where it's at for the Saturn.

It's hard to say what I like more though. While the easy knee jerk reaction would have to give the nod to Sega's finest console (yeah, I said it), the PSX has a monster library with some hall of fame calibur titles. But lets see how the best of the best stack up genre to genre staying the US...

RPG - Panzer Dragoon Saga > Final Fantasy VII?
3D Fighter - Virtual Fighter 2 > Tekken 3?
Shmup - Galactic Attack (RayForce) > Einhinder?
Beat Em Up - Guardian Heroes > Whatever the good beat em' ups on the PSX where (none come to mind)?
Puzzle - Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo > Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo?
Bomberman Game 8-) - Saturn Bomberman > Bomberman Party
Light Gun - Virtua Cop 2 > Point Blank?
3D Platformer - NiGHTS into Dreams > Crash Bandicoot?
Strat RPG - Shining Force III > Final Fantasy Tactics?

I think the answer to all but the last of those questions is yes. The head to head in some of the most popular genres is pretty much in the Saturn's favor without even counting imports.

But once you factor in imports for both systems, it blows wide open. Pretty much anything 2D is an automatic nod to the Saturn. SNK ports, Capcom fighters, and nearly every shmup go right to Sega's camp.

Outstanding exclusives like Crows, Prikura Daisakusen, FP: 6 Men Scramble, Sakura Taisen series, Elevator Action Returns, Dynamite Deka (Die Hard Arcade), and lots of others.

Even the mighty Symphony of the Night, which many place at #1 on the PSX library, has extra levels on the Saturn.

Granted, Sega has no direct answer for games like Vagrant Story, Metal Gear Solid, Valkyrie Profile, Twisted Metal 2, and Resident Evil 2; but taken as a whole, game for game, genre to genre, I think the Saturn wins more times than it loses.

And if you're a die hard shmup fan, this shouldn't even be a contest.

I just have to give the nod to the Saturn. I truly think it has the better library of the two.

[AtariBuff]

PlayStation all the way, sorry Saturn fans... :P :D

[tritium]

As other posters have said, the Import library is where it's at for the Saturn.

RPG - Panzer Dragoon Saga > Final Fantasy VII?
3D Fighter - Virtual Fighter 2 > Tekken 3?
Shmup - Galactic Attack (RayForce) > Einhinder?
Beat Em Up - Guardian Heroes > Whatever the good beat em' ups on the PSX where (none come to mind)?
Puzzle - Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo > Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo?
Bomberman Game 8-) - Saturn Bomberman > Bomberman Party
Light Gun - Virtua Cop 2 > Point Blank?
3D Platformer - NiGHTS into Dreams > Crash Bandicoot?
Strat RPG - Shining Force III > Final Fantasy Tactics?


RPG : Grandia was the game designed to go up against FFVII. I won't vote b/c I haven't played Grandia.
3D Fighter : Virtua Fighter is a technical fighter, not very accessible to the masses, I definatley vote Tekken 3 for this one.
Platformer : Nights is a platformer???

And thats it for my commentary =)

[davidbrit2]

Saturn.

DAAAAAYYYTOOOOOONAAAAAA
Much better than that Ridge Racer nonsense. ;-)

Plus you've got the superior version of Dracula X, a bunch of exclusive 2D stuff, the best Bomberman game EVER, all of Konami's MSX Collections merged into 1 disc...

Oh, and the CD-ROM hardware in the Saturn will read CD-Rs without adjusting the laser te he he.

If it weren't for the Bemani games and the NegCon controller, I'd probably never even touch my PS1 anymore. Hell, even with those I rarely do. Heh.

[CreamSoda]

Well I guess I would pick PlayStation(since it just has more games here in the US). But I like Saturn as a system more, if that makes any sense.

DP, you should make a PS2 vs Dreamcast thread. I know it would probably start a fanboy riot but it might be good. Also I would pick Dreamcast, cause it's a better system! :evil:

[Daria]

RPG - Panzer Dragoon Saga > Final Fantasy VII?


That comparisons might be fairer if you didn't use Final Fantasy. FF7 might have had a decent story going for it if the translation wasn't completely butchered in execution. And as far as gameplay goes it's the same old same old rehashed for the seventh time- and no the "materia" system doesn't save it neither does the campy love triangle. Don't even get me started on the lego people. RPGwise the playstation has a hell of a lot better titles going for it.

Lets compare PDS to Valkyrie Profile, storyline's original. How many other games ditch the "save the world" cliché in favor of recruiting warriors of the dead to fight for the Gods? The script is well written, and the visuals are certainly the best to be found for the system hands down. Not saying the game's better then PDS- haven't played that yet. But VP is a better represeative of what the PSX has to offer.

I'll forgive you Final Fantasy Tactics since Tactics Ogre has such bad load times, although I would argue that Vandal Hearts was much more fun. Either way Shining Force 3 is the better game, but isn't worth passing up a playstation over. Not when it's only a third of a game in America.

[Raedon]

I feel the Saturn was the better system but for actual games people play.. Got to go with Sony. I was an N64 brat first though..

The power of Zelda compells you.

[tritium]

Well I guess I would pick PlayStation(since it just has more games here in the US). But I like Saturn as a system more, if that makes any sense.

DP, you should make a PS2 vs Dreamcast thread. I know it would probably start a fanboy riot but it might be good. Also I would pick Dreamcast, cause it's a better system! :evil:

I agree, we need a DC vs PS2 thread.

---

In regards to the ps vs sat debate, I find that 2d fighters on the Saturn, particularlay Street Fighter Alpha 2, tend to be much better on the Saturn.

And I don't want to hear any more nonsense about other fighters being better than Tekken. NOTHING IS BETTER THAN Tekken, Muahah. j/k. Its just that I've spent so many hours playing tekken with my frieneds that even Soul Calibur would have a hard time matching up.

[Raedon]

I'm sorry, but this is just a joke. Playstation completely and totally owns Saturn in almost every possible aspect. The only thing the Saturn had going for it game wise was Sega games. Sure, there are some classics for the system, but there are 10 times the amount of good games on the PS1.

Playstation, very easily.

I disagree with you on this. The saturn hardware was better and the memory cart made for some amazing 2D games that the PSX couldn't touch because of limited system memory.

[smork]

I like Saturn now over PS -- ask me in 1996, i'd say PS, coz I didn't own a Saturn until recently (no budget when new, poor grad student). I agree with some of the others on here -- imports really save the Saturn. Plus, it's a much better built system.

If I were buying one of the two now, and couldn't import its PS all the way. All things equal, gimme Sega.

... Now if we included a PolyStation, well, things change alot! LOL

[crazyjackcsa]

For the most part, I stay away from polls like this, because it turns into which one is "Better" so far I like this one because it's what I prefer which can't be argued. The Playstation can't "own" the Saturn in this poll because It's all up to me.

I basically only collect US Saturn games. I love my Saturn dearly, On the whole it is easy to collect for, has a small library of games that can be found in the wild, and is different. Everybody has a PSX not everybody has a Saturn. I guess what I mean is that the PSX had better 3d graphics, a bigger library and a larger user base, but I prefer the Saturn. It really had some niche games (even here in the US) that the PSX just didn't have.

[Steven]

Saturn is my favorite game system of all time so yeah, easy choice for me. If you have a Saturn and a 4-in-1 Action Replay, man, you got a lot of goodies, esp. if you love fighting games, puzzlers and shooters. There's plenty of good action adventure games as well, a whole bunch of quirky obscure games out there waiting to be discovered. (over 1,200 JP games released)

[PDorr3]

I really dont own enough of saturn games to really judge it against the PSX yet, but even if I did I am pretty sure my vote would still go to PSX.

[Promophile]

Pishaw no mention of Dragon Force yet. Yeah Saturn doesn't have too many gems, especially since it bombed so early, but its gems do rock. Comparing it to the PSX is unfair since the PSX got so many more releases.

[Nez]

PSX. Has some truly great titles, and a plethora of them to boot. While the Saturn has awsome titles as well, it dosn't have the same ammount. And I don''t care to buy imprt either. So for me its an easy choice.

Collections of each

PSX 76
Saturn 53

[blissfulnoise]

RPG : Grandia was the game designed to go up against FFVII. I won't vote b/c I haven't played Grandia.

I didn't use Grandia because that was an import and I was trying to compare US Releases to US Releases.

Most people would put PDS as the top RPG on the system, likewise FFVII on PSX. Thus the comparison.


3D Fighter : Virtua Fighter is a technical fighter, not very accessible to the masses, I definatley vote Tekken 3 for this one.

The lines of people in my arcade playing VF2 qualify as "masses". I think the whole country of Japan qualifies as a "mass". VF2 was just as accessible as Tekken 3. But, like everything said on the Internet, it's subject to personal opinion.


Platformer : Nights is a platformer???

I’d agree that it’s not a traditional platformer, but what would you call it?

And to Daria, yes, I agree that FFVII may not be the best side by side contender against Panzer Dragoon Saga, but, like it or not, the "masses" (read above) have spoken that FFVII was the pinnacle of the RPG on the PSX. Thus, it gets put in the top spot verses the Saturn's finest RPG.

I also strongly prefer Valkyrie Profile over FFVII. Heck, I'd put Xenogears up against PDS (which is more like PDS than any other PSX RPG in theme) but it would invalidate my point.

And SF3 is extremely good and is a better RPG in the Strategy/RPG arena, but since the strategy part does come first, I'm afraid that FFT will continue to wear the crown ;)

[Kid Ice]

I would choose the Playstation even considering imports. IMO the PSX did better software wise. I like the Saturn controllers better though.

These days the PSX has a few other advantages:

-you can play your PSX games on the PS2, the portable PSONE, or on a pretty good emulator (ePSXe)

-Games like X-Men vs SF and Battle Garegga play just as well (or better) on MAME. IMO that was a real strength of the Saturn (arcade ports) that no longer really matters.

-PSX games are still plentiful in the wild.

[sabre2922]

I voted for the Playstation but it wasnt an easy decision.

the PSONE: far better 3-D graphics capabilities plus a loong life cycle and some very revolutionary (MGS) and AAA games (symphony of the night).

the Sega SATURN: I could go on forever why I love this system sooooo much but what I luv best about it was the controllers (for 2-D games anyway) the excellent 2-D arcade ports (how I miss thee SFA2) and the Sonic team games that were better then than anything they have release since the SATURN hell even Sonic Jam blows away Sonic Mega collection ;)

[Mr Mort]

I baught my Saturn 2 weeks after its U.S. launch. I have never spent so much on a console launch: $500.00 for the console with Daytona and another controller. $500.00 and it was worth every penny.

Of all the consoles I own, only my NES got more play time, and even that is debatable. I was playing on my Saturn incessantly for the better part of 6 years.
When the console launched I was (and still am) a huge fan of Sega's 3D arcade games, and Capcom 2D fighters, and the PSX flat-out sucks at 2D fighters.
Needless to say, my import collection is just as large as my domestic, and importing is a necessity in order to enjoy all that the Saturn has to offer, but it's well worth it.

I thought the Saturn's library was more appealing, and Sega tried different things like trying to take gaming online with the NetLink.

Soo many good memories, Street Fighter Zero 3, Panzer Dragoon Zwei and Saga, Sega Rally, Powerslave, Virtual On, Fighter's Megamix, Guardian Heroes, Night Warriors, Thunder Force V, Virtua Cop, and soo many more...

[Mianrtcv]

PSX. Has some truly great titles, and a plethora of them to boot. While the Saturn has awsome titles as well, it dosn't have the same ammount. And I don''t care to buy imprt either. So for me its an easy choice.


I agree all the way. Playstation outpaced the Saturn and obviously outlived it. Not saying I don't like my Saturn (bought it for $29.99 new towards the end of its run, sweet!). Playstation suffers from the Electronic Arts syndrome in many threads here and elsewhere, too much HATE.

Both are enjoyable, psx to me offers more. Although the wife is partial to House of the Dead on the Saturn.

[euronymous]

Saturn all the way. The psx had very few a+ titles it was swamped with c and d games. Although the psx did have some decent rpg's though.

[Lemmy Kilmister]

I had ta' go with the Saturn on this one. With all the awesome import shooters, 2D games, Sega exclusives and Capcom fighters it had for it how couldn't you? I mean have any of the people here actually played both the Saturn and Playstation versions of X-Men Vs. Street Fighter? The Saturn Version absolutely smashes it into dust. I mean, like totally destroys it. Not to forget games like Castlevania and Grandia that are arguable done better on the Saturn.

EDIT: meant to say "X-Men Vs. Street Fighter."

[Alucard]

For me it's the Saturn. It's the one that has won my heart over the years. Sure the playstation had lots of good games and not a whole lot of them were for saturn, but the Saturn for me is one of the best system's. I like alot of Sega's systems and wish they wouldn't have stopped making systems, because I'm sure they would have some of the best systems coming out. For me It's the saturn. :D

[RetroYoungen]

Wow, all of these types of threads and never this one? Surprising indeed.

I really WANT to say my Saturn, but I really can't. I love Virtua Fighter, I love Three Dirty Dwarves, I even like the controller, but I just can't give it the nod; I've had so much more fun overall with my Playstion. There was just more good content on it, so many more games that I love and keep going back to. Lunar, Intelligent Qube, Top Shop, the Final Fantasy compilations and FF Tactics, Oddworld, Parasite Eve...

So I choose my Playstation. Even though the Saturn has what's probably my favorite game of all time (NiGHTS Into Dreams), the nod goes to Sony on this one.

Still, both are great consoles, so really there is no loser in this discussion as most of us get to play these great systems and the excellent games they offer! A WINNER IS US.

[MegaDrive20XX]

This is a grudge match for me....

Saturn was the first I had. Playstation came second.

I adore both for so many wonderful games, but the main problem I face is US Market Vs. JPN Market when it comes to comparing these two systems.

Yet I strongly vote for Saturn, because it will always truly be the king of fighters.

PSX on the other hand, was pretty much the step-son of Nintendo that was outcasted when Daddy kicked them out of the house of Nintendo..."CD's are bad billy!"

Yet the step-son got his revenge back with some of the greatest titles known and I still firmly state that once they obtained big companies like Konami and Squaresoft, they had the market by the balls.

I vote Saturn, because when I want the arcade delivered to my home, only SEGA could bring it

[RCM]

Saturn of course. I simply prefer the Saturn exclusives to the PS stuff. Treasure, Sega, and Capcom really gave Saturn some love. The Saturn import scene was awesome too. Saturn forever!

THE ONE, THE ONLY- RCM

[ubersaurus]

About the only Saturn game I log real hours into is Galactic Attack. One could argue this is because I don't have many Saturn games, but there's not many saturn games I really want. The other ones I have an interest in that I have played, though good, are still too few in number to really compare.

On the other hand, I've put tons of time into the Suikodens, Azure Dreams, MGS, FF7, vib ribbon, and PS1 shooters like R-Type Delta. Most of the multiplatform games like Tomb Raider, Mega Man X4, and Symphony are as good, or better, on the PS1. I'll grant the Saturn's SNK and Capcom fighters were WAAAAAY better than their PS1 counterparts, but some of the best like Alpha 3 or X-men vs Street Fighter, are jap only, and I don't have the means yet to play import saturn games. So, pretty much going on the strength of the US libraries, I give it to the PS1, though I acknowledge the Fighting game player in me would choose the saturn.

Plus I have to admit, good Saturn games are way pricier than good PS1 games. Radiant Silvergun, Guardian Heroes, Panzer Dragoon Saga? Pocketbook killers. Even good PS1 games like Suikoden 2 seem to go for cheaper in general. Yeah, there's good, cheap games on the saturn, but the same can be said for PS1, and in greater numbers.

[Lothars]

Well I've owned a playstation for a long time, but recently picked up a saturn

I am leaning towards Sega Saturn though, even though the quality of games on the psx that I love such as FF7, FF tactics, Metal Gear Solid and alot of others, but with alot of the shumups and 2d fighters on the saturn I will pick the saturn

But it's so hard to choose, I love the Playstation and I love the Saturn,

It's sooo close, Im still not sure of my decision

[Dangerboy]

PlayStation stays, but not for reasons you'd think.

If confined to this, and only this era, specifically US only, The Sony of that time went out of their way to make sure they had the supreme system, regardless of its faults. For example:

- Stole Squaresoft from Nintendo*
- Bought out SNK rights so they were US PS exclusive
- Took chances like the Yaroze, which gave us Devil Dice.
- Brought gaming to the mainstream, even more so than Nintendo**
- Much cooler ads, which obviously swayed people.

If you took both US libraries, and removed every shared game (to remove the 'x is better' argument) and judged them solely on their exclusives, PlayStation whomps in almost every way. Sure the Saturn has Dragon Force and Capcom Fighters, but when you have Intelligent Qube, King of Fighters, SFA3, Valkarie Profile, Final Fantasy 7/9, Zoop, etc, etc....you realize that the US Saturn was a lost cause.

If you toss in the import side, the Saturn becomes a glorified Neo Geo; it's got a killer set-up of fighters and spaceship shooters, and not much else.

However, this praise goes no further than the PSone. Sony's handling and beliefs since the induction of the PS2 and PSP have all but gone wrong, and despite still having the system for RPGs, they are dying a slow death under the maniacal thought process of the once great Ken Kutaragi.

Sega saw the light, and despite having a gameing system that was truly an arcade perfect player, as well and unique gaming experience in the Dreamcast, they still could not get over the ad hump. Sony used fear, and they used it well.

Hence why I am rooting for the XBox 360 and Revolution all the way this next generation. Sony's ego needs to be kicked in the balls, and needs to be done now.

I love my Saturn, I really do, but if push came to shove, not even Guardian Heroes could save it.

Jason


* And evetually ruined Square on FMV
** Which has sadly given us the "GTA Clone or Bust" state of gaming

[Jumpman Jr.]

For such a high number of people voting, I think its amazing that the polls are very close. I thought people would vote for the Playstation way more than the Saturn.
This looks to be a very good debate topic. Two similar consoles with contrasting game libraries.

[Nature Boy]

The choice for me is incredibly easy: PlayStation stays, Saturn goes.

When it comes to Sega, I'm as retro as I ever get. Nothing after Genesis can keep my interest for more than 3.2 seconds.

[Retsudo]

I chose The Playstation. One of my favorite consoles of all time.

I have a Saturn, but I didnt buy it. My nephew gave it too me with all his games. The only game I bought for the Saturn was Marvel VS SF.

I have about the same amount of games for each system, but I never play the Saturn. It's in the back of the closet.

I never was a Sega fan, but if someone gives me a free console, I'll take it. :D

[CrimsonNugget]

I usually put Sega above everything because I'm an ultra Sega fanboy, but I'll have to concede this round to PlayStation. The Saturn in my opinion was the worst gaming system I've ever had. It was among the ultra minorities in the gaming industry. I'd buy a gaming magazine to see like 25 PlayStation games reviewed and then 2 crap Saturn games reviewed. It wasn't fair I tell ye, not fair at all! I missed out on a LOT of games.

[slip81]

I went with PSX also. But if Sony hadn't had Squaresoft it would have been a different story.

[segarocks30]

Well I guess I would pick PlayStation(since it just has more games here in the US). But I like Saturn as a system more, if that makes any sense.

DP, you should make a PS2 vs Dreamcast thread. I know it would probably start a fanboy riot but it might be good. Also I would pick Dreamcast, cause it's a better system! :evil:

I agree, we need a DC vs PS2 thread.

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In regards to the ps vs sat debate, I find that 2d fighters on the Saturn, particularlay Street Fighter Alpha 2, tend to be much better on the Saturn.

And I don't want to hear any more nonsense about other fighters being better than Tekken. NOTHING IS BETTER THAN Tekken, Muahah. j/k. Its just that I've spent so many hours playing tekken with my frieneds that even Soul Calibur would have a hard time matching up. Ok ill make a ps2 vs. dc thread

[poopnes]

Well, at one point in time I had all 3 systems (64, PSX, Saturn). The year was 1998. The Saturn had failed and you could pick up used one's at EB for $50. I picked one up and talked my friend Matt James into buying one also since the systems and games were cheap everywhere. We didn't experience the entire library, but I think most of the bases were covered (Marvel vs Capcom, Panzer Dragoon 1&2, Virtua Fighter 2, Daytona, Fighter's MegaMix, Guardian Hero's, etc.). We proclaimed '98 as "The Year of the Saturn." We traded in our Saturn's the same year for other games (I got Gran Turismo and Pokemon Blue out of my set).

So I have fond memories of my Saturn days, but I don't yearn for them, and I don't think I'll ever own one again. The choice of PSX is easy. Top 3 reasons: Ridge Racer, Klonoa, Castlevania: SotN.

[YoshiM]

Since this poll is a question of personal preference, I have to go with Saturn. The reason being is that I pretty much loathe the Playstation. I don't like the controllers as they are completely uncomfortable to me. I didn't like the concept of memory cards that Sony mainstreamed: it's a mandatory accessory if you want to play almost any game. Thankfully that trend seems to be going away (next gen machines seem to all have some sort of on board storage).

I did have access to one for a while and believe me I tried to figure out what made the PSX so great. I played and enjoyed some titles: Silent Hill, Castlevania: SOTN, Metal Gear Solid, Tekken 3....um, I think that was it. I tried other popular games but they never tripped my trigger.

The Saturn offers up titles that appeal to me and my wife. It has the best translation of Bust a Move 2: Arcade Edition, some pretty imaginative titles (like Nights-which seems to be a game about technique that I haven't quite grasped yet) and I don't need a memory card to save my games. The controllers are also quite comfortable.

[phreak97]

it's not that im mad about the saturn.. but a couple of things made up my mind..
1. i hate sony, the playstation is pure garbage, only a couple of games ill play on it.
2. here, the saturn is relatively difficult to find, i havnt come accross one in a store for about 5 years.. which makes the saturn a better collection piece. though, i think im going to sell one or two of my saturns soon.. i need the money, and who needs a tower of saturns anyway? i have three working ones, one partially working one, and one dead one. the biggest problem, is i dont have cables or controllers for them.. i have two controllers, a dodgy home made rgb cable, and an rf cable.. so ill need to go to ebay to get those first:/
on the up side, if i do a decent region mod, itll sell for about AU$150 :)

[NeoZeedeater]

I think the systems were pretty much equal in terms of the number "best of" games by genre but beyond that I spent more time with the Playstation because of the quantity of good games.

[Fuku-san]

PSX is superior but saturn is a great system which died prematurely.

[cyberfluxor]

I'd have to choose my Sony Playstation because it has that vass collection of games. I'd hate to say, but I stay away from imports simply because I haven't moded my systems to handle them or upgraded for that matter. I just like my games simple and manufactured for the USA systems. The few games that I do own for the Saturn though are quite nice and enjoy their gameplay often. Currently I have my SNES and SAT hooked up to my TV with the PS1 chilling on the shelf, so for now I'm playing those systems with priority. Once I've beaten a few of those I'll go back to my PS1 and N64 set-up. :)

[Ulticron]

The Saturn would win out for me. While Sony did have more games, and tons more RPG's (I like a good RPG) the Saturn games just meant alot more to me.

Virtua Cop 1 & 2 are just a riot. I laugh at them everytime I play them. The first one is so campy and has a 70's-ish feel and the second one could be called Lethal Weapon the Game as far as i'm concerned. I even ripped off the audio tracks and added Lethal Weapon qotes in the songs.

Mega Man 8 and MMX4 were better on it, and the AI on X4 is much better.
Bug Too is another game that comes to mind when I think of fun games. It's tons of laughs and tons of fun too.

Nights into Dreams was just awesome and still to this day blows my mind away, dispite the fact it's grainy as can be compaired to the current gen systems.

Albert Odyssey and Magic Knight Rayearth were better RPG's than Lunar IMO. It's a shame Sega had to go and tick off Working Designs because they really made some good games for that system.

My import selection is nice, but I wouldn't say it's the shining peak of my Saturn library. I still do have several JP games I would like to get for it though.

When I think of my PS the only thing that brings back a special memory to me is the first Spyro game. Outside of that I can't think of anything special. So one console for one game just isn't worth it to me.

[Reid]

Saturn kicked its ass-

Looks better,
has better games,
it is special because it was kinda looked over.

[B - Mark]

I voted in Saturn beacuse for his controller and the arcade conversions are better than Playstation versions, with suffer the slow loading time.

Because i´d recognize the good games for Playstion likes them:
- Final Fantasy VII and VIII and other RPGs
- Tekken series
- Namco Museum
- Gran Tursimo
- Ridge Racer

[Imstarryeyed]

Definitely Saturn for me, it is my most favorite system I have and I am going for a complete collection of US games for it.

[MrSmiley381]

Saturn had Panzer Dragoon, Dragon Force, and Guardian Heroes.

Playstation had a lot of hokey crap, a bunch of Square's whored franchises, and a couple good games here and there.

Every fighting game on the Playstation was beter on the Saturn, as well.

Saturn does 2D better, and 3D really shouldn't have been a big issue for these guys, but it was.

[mezrabad]

I think everyone has approached this question with the wrong frame of mind. Everyone is comparing libraries and saying which one they couldn't live without. They then conclude that they need to hang on to that library.

Getting rid of one system and its games does not necessarily imply getting rid of it forever. How many of us have sold/thrown away an obsolete system only to find out five to ten years later that we desperately want it and its library back?

This question doesn't have to be about which system has the better library, this question could be about which system has the easiest library to replace after having gotten rid of it in a fit of space-saving or money-harvesting for a next-gen system.

In which case, I say, toss the Playstation! It's not like you couldn't purchase twelve of them tomorrow! Sure there are rarities, but would they be so impossible to track down again 10 years from now? Granted, it may be impossible to find a working console 10 years from now, but with all the backward compatibility oozing out of the PS2, so what?

The Saturn library, US and imports, 5 years or so from now, would be an overgrown, hungry, rabid bitch to re-aquire, wouldn't it? Sure, many of you are saying you'd get rid of it now, but isn't that shortsighted? Hasn't past behavior indicated that you're going to have a resurgence of nostalgia, regret your hasty, yet necessary, decision to dispose of whichever system and bring to bear all your collecting powers to posess it again for the sheer pleasure of stroking it gently and saying "we missed you! oh, yes we did! we'll never throw you away again, will we? oh, no. no we won't. not ever, my precious."

Do you think your Saturn library would be easier or harder to reaquire than your Playstation library? Seriously, folks, know thyselves. Good-bye isn't forever with our kind.

I'd keep my Saturn, it would just be too much of a pain in the butt to have to re-find all the stuff for it. Playstation - not so much. (I'm not sayin' it wouldn't hurt, I'm sayin' it would hurt less.)

[mezrabad]

My post above was written to answer the scenario posed in the opening post (which was more of a "between the Playstation/Saturn which system/collection would you get rid of if you had to get rid of one" question) and not as a direct answer to the poll question (which was "which do you prefer?").

[M15fit]

Im a saturn fan all the way, thats not to say im anti ps. Theres some saturn titles that play better the the ps conunterparts imho and they happen to be my faves. Powerslave, duke 3d, quake, all the 2d fighters. The exclusive titles are awesome, like fighters megamix, majority of schmups.

The ps has its place with me for final fantasy games, doom ps walks all over the sat version. But out of the huge selection not many get my attention.

[Hammy]

Saturn all the way.

i have had bolth systems from pretty much release, and from a 3d fighter fan's point of view, the saturn always had something going for it more than the ps.

just look at the way the tekken games were done on the ps! saying that the arcade board was running on the same hardware (with slightley better ram and faster processor) they managed to ruin the games totally ;)

virtua fighter games on the other hand were pretty much spot on, bar a few odds and ends (such as shuns floating raft stage not being right etc) but the game played right.

obviousley there's a few other odds and ends on each system (soul edge and sfex etc on psx and fighers megamix and vipers on saturn)
but still the saturn executes the games better and is much more fun to use.

and it's all about the games that get played :) not about volume of crap out on what blah blah!

[j_factor]

Count me in for Saturn as well. I'll actually even go so far as to say I'd still pick Saturn if we were limiting ourselves to US libraries (although that's definitely closer than when we include imports); there are some awesome Saturn games that only Japan got, but in my collection they will never make up a majority or anything.

Three reasons:

1. Games on both systems tend to be better on Saturn. To most people, this isn't a big issue, but for some reason, version differences have always been a sticking point with me. I always do my research on multiplatform titles to find out the differences and which one is better. And I'd estimate that in about 70% of cases, the Saturn version is superior, and in another 15-20%, the two are equal. In my experience, it's not very common for a Playstation version to be superior to its Saturn equivalent; I could only name a few examples.

2. Playstation had a different focus in its library. For the most part, Playstation games were more focused on longer (single-player), "deeper", more involved games. Saturn on the other hand, has games that to me, seem more immediately accessible. Every time I want to play a game for a bit, I look over at my Playstation shelf (I own 60 PSX games), and just about every game sounds like a commitment.

There was a time when I preferred Playstation, because I was more into RPGs and other games that were more involved and had a lot of storytelling. Nowadays I'm just not into that stuff as much (not that I totally dislike it either).

3. Finally, when I look at the entire libraries of both systems -- and I've really gone through both, to the extent that I consider myself damn familiar with the ups and downs of each library -- in terms of sheer quantity, I see more Saturn games that I want. Like, on the hypothetical day that I own every single 32-bit game that I enjoy, I will own more Saturn games than Playstation games. This is partly due to both #1 and #2.