10 Forgotten Sega Saturn Games That Deserve Sequels or Remakes

The Sega Saturn is one of the most emblematic and controversial consoles in the video game industry. It was released in 1994 and designed to cement Sega as the leader in the fifth generation of consoles, but it ended up becoming a symbol of misguided decisions, technical complexity and the trigger for a price war that sealed its fate. With only 9.26 million units sold worldwide, compared to over 100 million for Sony's PlayStation, the Saturn’s a case of ill-directed innovation.

Despite the problems, the Sega Saturn has acclaimed titles that are considered masterpieces, and many show the potential of the console's hardware. In this article, we’ll look at 10 forgotten gems that need to be remembered and perhaps get a sequel or remake.

Burning Rangers

Burning Rangers was released in 1998, it’s an action-adventure game that stood out for its innovative gameplay and impressive graphics for the time. It was developed by the Sonic Team, the same team responsible for Sonic the Hedgehog.

Here you take on the role of a member of a rescue team that fights off fires in different scenarios, from futuristic cities to space installations. The game mixes FPS elements with mission gameplay, where the main objective is to save people and put out the fires, while navigating environments full of obstacles and dangers. One of the most striking features of the game is the use of a rescue suit with thrusters, that allows you to fly and reach difficult areas, adding strategy and agility to the gameplay.

Burning Rangers has spectacular visuals, with colorful graphics, realistic fire effects, and fluid animations. Also, the game offers various challenging missions and levels. Even though it’s a title that may not be as well-known as other classics from the console, Burning Rangers has won the hearts of many fans for its fun gameplay, innovation, and aesthetics. It’s an excellent choice for those who enjoy action games with a futuristic twist.

Guardian Heroes

Guardian Heroes is a classic beat 'em up that stands out for its dynamic gameplay, impressive graphics and narrative. Released in 1996, it was developed by Treasure, and combines fast-paced action with RPG elements, offering a beat 'em up experience that’s unique among games in the genre.

In the game, you control a group of heroes who face off against evil forces in a fantasy world. The fluid gameplay allows players to fight enemies in several different scenarios, from forests to castles. One of the striking differences of Guardian Heroes is the combat system, which includes normal, special and combo attacks, as well as aerial attack and defense options, which makes each battle a strategic one.

The game has a wonderful plot, with multiple endings and choices that influence the outcome of the story, something difficult for beat 'em ups. The graphics are beautiful and detailed, with well-designed scenarios that showcase the 2D potential of the Sega Saturn. Another strong point is the playable character variety, each one having distinct skills, as well as secret stages and items that encourage exploration. The mixing and matching of RPG elements with the classic beat 'em up style makes Guardian Heroes an innovative work of art.

Nights into Dreams

Nights into Dreams is perhaps the most famous game on the Sega Saturn. Released in 1996, it became a craze among gamers, quickly becoming a classic that marked an era for its innovative gameplay, charming aesthetics and impeccable soundtrack. Developed by the Sonic Team, the game offers a unique experience of flight and exploration that quickly became a hit among gamers of all ages.

In the game, you control Nights, a creature that flies through magical and surreal worlds, aiming to collect stars and complete levels full of obstacles, enemies and challenges. The game has straightforward and extremely intuitive gameplay, allowing the player to perform acrobatic maneuvers, fast turns and dives, all the while navigating environments full of gorgeous, colorful details. The freeing sensation when flying is one of Nights’s highlights, giving us a relaxing feeling of total freedom.

Nights into Dreams is a visual spectacle. Colorful graphics, imaginative scenarios, and charismatic characters create a unique atmosphere that feels like we’re really in a dream. With an enchanting soundtrack that mixes electronic music with orchestral themes, the game manages to disconnect us from the world’s reality. The surrealist aesthetic and creative level design make the game an interactive work of art that enchants both visually and atmospherically.

With a simple and attractive narrative, we feel a sense of magic and nostalgia that remains to this day. Nights into Dreams is a gem of the Sega Saturn, that combines innovation, beauty, and fun. It’s an experience that remains unforgettable, especially for those who enjoy games that awaken our imagination and the feeling of being a kid again.

Astal

Astal is a platform game released in 1995, developed by Sega and Climax Entertainment. While not as well-known as other titles on the console, the game gained a loyal fan base thanks to its gameplay, impressive graphics, and soundtrack.

The plot’s simple, you control the protagonist Astal, a warrior who must save the world from a dark threat. The story’s told through scenes that resemble cartoons, something that gives the game a special charm. The narrative’s light to keep the player interested in the adventure.

But what stands out in Astal is its gameplay. The game combines platforming elements with action, requiring the player to use jumping, attacking, and defending skills to overcome obstacles and enemies. One of the most striking features is the combat system, which allows the character to use various attacks and special abilities, as well as exploring environments with different difficulty levels.

Astal is one of the most beautiful games on the Sega Saturn, the graphics are colorful, detailed and full of smooth animations, which was quite impressive at the time. The levels vary a lot in design, featuring scenarios that range from beautiful green forests to futuristic environments, always with a vibrant and creative color aesthetic. A fun experience, visually impressive and full of charm. Despite its relative obscurity, it’s a game that deserves to be discovered and rediscovered by those who enjoy action-adventure titles.

Deep Fear

In 1998, the Sega Saturn got a game that stands out in the survival horror genre, Deep Fear. It combines elements of action and horror, creating an immersive, tense experience for players. The story takes place in an underwater research station, where a team faces mutant creatures and unknown threats after a catastrophic incident. Deep Fear’s narrative is great, with a dark atmosphere and a soundtrack that bumps up the feeling of suspense with each passing minute.

The game makes great use of the Sega Saturn's 3D hardware, featuring highly detailed graphics and dark environments that add to the mystery atmosphere. The character and creature models are well-made for the time, and the underwater settings create a sense of constant danger and isolation. The gameplay combines exploration, puzzles, and combat, requiring careful resource management, such as ammunition and healing items, something that increases the tension during the game.

One of the game's strong suits is its creepy atmosphere, which manages to create suspenseful moments heavy with real fear. The enemies are scary, and the game puts the player in difficult situations, which makes the experience more impacting.The narrative is also fascinating, with dialogues and events that hook the player and keep them constantly interested in the story.

Clockwork Knight

Clockwork Knight is a charming platform game. Developed by Sega, it has two titles, both of which stand out among platform games due to their unique style and visuals, inspired by wooden toys and clockwork mechanisms, creating a fairytale atmosphere that enchants players of all ages.

In the first game, you control Sir Tong, a toy knight who must save his world from an evil threat. The gameplay mixes traditional platforming elements with an attack mechanic that allows the character to use a sword to defeat enemies and interact with the environment. The levels are creative, with scenarios that look like they’re made of toy parts, gears and mechanisms.

In Clockwork Knight 2, the game improves on the formula by introducing more detailed graphics, smoother animations, and more fluid gameplay. In it, you control a new character, the princess Melora, who’s also facing evil forces in a world of mechanical toys. The game keeps the charming aesthetic and platforming gameplay, while adding new elements such as different weapons and abilities, as well as more elaborate levels and a more engaging storyline.

Both games stand out for their unique visuals, lovely soundtrack and light gameplay. They’re titles that combine nostalgia, creativity and fun, being excellent options for fans of classic platformers and games with different aesthetics. Clockwork Knight 1 and 2 remain landmark works of the Sega Saturn, celebrating the imagination and charm of the world of mechanical toys.

Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean

Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean is a classic RPG that delighted fans of the genre with its engaging story, detailed graphics, and solid gameplay. Released for the Sega Saturn, it stands out for offering an adventure experience full of charm and challenges, perfect for those who enjoy rich narratives and strategic battles.

The plot follows Albert, a young warrior who embarks on a journey to save the kingdom of Eldean from a dark threat. Along the way, he meets loyal allies, faces dangerous enemies, and discovers ancient secrets that shape the fate of the entire world. The game's narrative is well-constructed, with interesting dialogue and exciting moments that keep the player glued to the screen from start to finish.

The game's graphics were quite impressive for the time, with colorful scenarios and very well-made animations. The game's atmosphere is complemented by a soundtrack that helps to create an immersive environment and reinforces the adventure and mystery feeling.

Albert Odyssey mixes elements of exploration, turn-based combat, and resource management, offering a strategy that rewards careful planning. Enemy encounters need patience, while character progression allows you to customize skills and equipment, which requires multiple playthroughs to explore every possibility. Although the game requires dedication, Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean is worth it. The combination of narrative, beautiful graphics, and gameplay makes it an essential title in the Sega Saturn catalog.

Die Hard Arcade

Even though it’s not a console exclusive, Die Hard Arcade ended up becoming a classic for the Sega Saturn. Released in 1996, the game captures the essence of the beat 'em up style with an arcade action feel of shooting and hand-to-hand combat. Developed by Sega, the title’s inspired by the movie Die Hard and offers an intense, fast-paced and adrenaline-filled experience.

In the game, you step into the shoes of a police officer who must save a building from a terrorist who’s threatening to destroy everything. The gameplay combines melee attacks, weapons and special moves. One of the game's distinguishing aspects is the fixed camera with a top-down view, typical of arcade games of the time. Additionally, it allows up to two players in co-op, which increases the fun.

Die Hard Arcade has detailed graphics for the time, with urban settings and well-animated enemies, which capture the action atmosphere well. The game also stands out for its challenging bosses and varied stages, which go from narrow corridors to open areas, always keeping the frenetic pace of beat 'em ups.

An excellent choice for fans of arcade action games, offering a fun, challenging and adrenaline-filled experience. It's a title that deserves to be remembered, and it’s still a Sega Saturn classic, celebrating the spirit of 90s beat 'em ups.

Radiant Silvergun

Radiant Silvergun is considered to be the best shmup of all time. It’s a classic of the shoot 'em up genre that has won many fans around the world. Developed by Treasure, the game is known for its extremely challenging gameplay, beautiful and detailed graphics and wonderful soundtrack, everything together with a narrative that adds depth to the gameplay experience.

From the start, Radiant Silvergun shows itself to be different due to its system that mixes elements of vertical shoot 'em ups with a weapon switching mechanic. We have different types at our disposal, each with its own advantages, and they need to both be chosen strategically and at what moment to use to defeat complex enemies and bosses. These varied mechanics make the game highly enjoyable and replayable, as each attempt tends to be different depending on the choices made.

The game has impressive graphics for the time, with details and visual effects that give a sense of depth and movement. The soundtrack complements the action, keeping the player glued to the screen from start to finish.

The strong point of Radiant Silvergun is its challenge. The game requires precision, quick reflexes and strategy, which makes it quite rewarding for those who enjoy challenging shmups.

A classic of the genre that combines gameplay, impressive graphics and a striking soundtrack. A true treasure of the Sega Saturn and a must-play experience.

Shining Force III

Even though the first two titles are excellent, Shining Force III is something that’s beyond limits. A tactical RPG that stood out in the Sega Saturn catalog, offering a complete experience, with strategy and enchanting magic. The game is known for its deep narrative, charismatic characters and demanding gameplay, all of which keep the player hooked from beginning to end.

The story’s rather complex, but very well-developed, presenting us with a plot that mixes politics, war and magic. Each chapter of the game deepens it even more, allowing the player to explore different perspectives and unravel mysteries throughout their journey. This makes the game a very rewarding experience for those who enjoy well-crafted stories.

It also offers turn-based battles on tactical maps, where strategy is key to progress. You can move your characters, use special abilities and plan attacks carefully to defeat your enemies. The graphics have a special charm characteristic of its time, with detailed sprites and animations that bring the battles to life.

Despite being a game that requires dedication and patience, especially for those who aren’t used to tactical RPGs, Shining Force III’s worth every minute of playing it. For fans of the genre, its combination of an engaging narrative, strategic gameplay and retro charm makes it a memorable title in the Sega Saturn universe.

Today, the Saturn is worshiped by collectors. Its library includes rare gems that left their mark on gamers’ minds. We didn't know it yet, but its dual-CPU architecture, despite being problematic at the time, anticipated trends in parallel processing, present in modern consoles.

The lesson the Saturn’s left us with is clear: technical innovation must be balanced out with accessibility. Sega learned from its mistakes when developing the Dreamcast, but it was too late. The Saturn stands as a reminder of how ambition, without precise execution, can lead to failure even for a gaming giant.