[Seik]

Hey GAF, this week I took some time to put the dust off my Saturn and play some good old Saturn goodness. Man, this console is aging well, each time I'm giving it some time I'm still always having a ton of fun.

The more I was gaming on it, the more I was wondering ''How would this look on a PC with an emulator?''. Because we all know that Saturn's graphics looks like shit on a HDTV. I had a good experience with Dolphin so I quickly searched a few times during this week for which emulator is working better and what I needed to make everything works properly, I found this, but I didn't make anything concrete since I was already playing on Saturn. Today I kicked my ass and make the move, two words: No regrets. I took a major part of my day to rip my favorite games from my collection into my PC. EVERYTHING is working well! 3D games are still looking very pixelated, but its still much cleaner and more colorful than what the Saturn is giving with it's cables on any modern TVs. 2D games on the other hand looks great, I literally can't ask for more on this. The sound is great too and it's really better on my PC's audio set than on my TV's speakers.

The reason of this thread? Helping all those avid Saturn's fans here on GAF maximizing their Saturn experience and share their love for the console and its holy library! I tried a lot of things in order to optimise my original Saturn's setup, like buying a SCART cable with a scart/component box to get the best screen quality possible, it cost a lot and my TV is not working with it. I tried S-video cable, but when I was to plug it in I realized my TV didn't even have a S-video input (fail...I know! XD). So now I'm going with an emulator. Next for me is now to obtain a Saturn USB controller! :)

Here you have the most recent version of SSF. You will still need a BIOS to run the emulator properly, the tutorial below will explain all of the step for you to enjoy your Saturn library on your PC. :)

Here is a tutorial for SSF. I used DaemonTools for the virtual drive and imgburn to rip my games. The emulator can work with the real Saturn CDs directly in your drive too.

If you want it to work properly you should update your DirectX drivers right here.

I do not support piracy, every game pictures I'll be showing come from games in my personal collection.

Here are some shots I took with SSF:

X-Men vs Street Fighter:


Biohazard, featuring Chris enjoying being uncensored (All cutscenes are working perfectly in every game I tried. ^^)


All three Parodius are working perfectly too. :D


Rockman X4:


Radiant Silvergun, I didn't tested it entirely, just 50% of it, I had no problem so I guess there will be none for the rest of the game.


Oh, I almost forgot this one, Daytona USA, PERFECT TOO! ROLLING STAAAAAAAART!!!


Retro GAF Unite!

• Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Appreciation Thread of HIGH DEFINITION GRAPHICS™
• The Sega master system appreciation thread of SegaScope 3D!
• Sega Dreamcast - Appreciation and Emulation Thread
• The NES / Famicom Appreciation Thread: Now you're playing with power!
• SNES Game Collecting
• PS1 Appreciation/Collectors Thread of Ugly-Ass Polygons
• GB/GBC/GBA Collecting Thread
• The Nintendo GameCube Appreciation and Collecting Thread

Gentlemen, start your engines! After trying this I'd say this is the best Saturn Experience for anybody wanting the best of their Saturn's CDs. God bless Saturn!!! :D

[Mama Robotnik]

Beautiful thread.

I don't have much to contribute as my only foray into Sega Saturn emulation was limited to running my original Christmas NiGHTS disk on an emulator a few years ago, but I look forward to contributions, configs and screenshots.

Given that most of the Saturn's incredible lineup has never been rereleased and is only remembered by a select few, I support any (legal) methods than allow gamers a chance to play on them.

[cj_iwakura]

Appreciate the sentiment, but nothing beats the real thing.

My Saturn's always hooked up.

I think it looks good in HD, too. Better audio quality than my PS3, no less.

[Tain]

I need to do some lag tests on SSF. It seems like a good emulator overall, though. Good enough to leave my Saturn at my parent's house and just bring my games with me.

I haven't done a lot of Saturn emulation, though. I actually think that most of the platform's best games are arcade ports, and in just about all of those cases, I would much rather emulate the arcade game than the Saturn port.

Next time I need to play a real-deal Saturn exclusive, though (I've been considering buying Assault Suits Leynos 2), I'll most likely be using SSF.

Appreciate the sentiment, but nothing beats the real thing. My Saturn's always hooked up. I think it looks good in HD, too.

I'd actually much rather emulate the Saturn on a PC monitor than use the real hardware on an HDTV. :x

Obviously, nothing beats the original hardware on an SD CRT.

[Aeana]

Appreciate the sentiment, but nothing beats the real thing. My Saturn's always hooked up. I think it looks good in HD, too.

Presumably you also have a nice stock of batteries for it.

[cj_iwakura]

Presumably you also have a nice stock of batteries for it.

Nope. Import Adapter/RAM cart.

[Theonik]

Has SSF improved at all in the last 6 months or so? Last time I used it I was disappointed about Rayman not working properly. I trust it still only allows for native res correct?

[Aeana]

SSF doesn't have any fancy enhancements, it just displays everything as close as it can to how it looked originally. Much like pSX does for PS1 games. I really appreciate that, personally.

[shadyspace]

I like how a lot of people still think Saturn emulation is some sort of giant hassle.

[Tain]

Has SSF improved at all in the last 6 months or so? Last time I used it I was disappointed about Rayman not working properly. I trust it still only allows for native res correct?

I don't think it ever allowed for real-deal 240p, but few emulators do. I think it does still force a specific screen res, though, and I'm assuming that's what you mean.

I like how a lot of people still think Saturn emulation is some sort of giant hassle.

lol, yeah, it's been good for something like half a decade, too.

[Error Macro]

Option>Screen>Force Aspect Ratio = check
Option>Screen>Wide Screen = uncheck

Please ;)

[brollyman2k]

does anybody know if Dragon Force or Panzer Dragoon Saga run clean on this emulator? i'm tempted to dig out my copies from storage if they do

[bob_arctor]

does anybody know if Dragon Force or Panzer Dragoon Saga run clean on this emulator? i'm tempted to dig out my copies from storage if they do

PDS: I've played through until the 2nd disc and never had any issues.

[Takao]

I read this thread title and it made me realize that I miss Segata Sanshiro. Dude left after a DKC: Returns post :(

[brollyman2k]

PDS: I've played through until the 2nd disc and never had any issues.

cool. thanks for the info! gonna dig those bad boys out and play again

[SkyMasterson]

The Saga Saturn is indeed a damn fine console, if only because it gave us Astal!

[Lord-Audie]

If anything is going to come out of this thread it should be a comprehensive guide into using SSF.

I have tried every other month and i still find it very difficult to set up.

Also, why are you emulating XVSF?

Is not hard to find better alternatives.

[U n i o n 0015]

Anyone have a good walkthrough of how to setup the emulator? I could never get it to work with my orignal discs. I really wish that Sega would re-release more of the Saturn library.

[Cruzader]

I read this thread title and it made me realize that I miss Segata Sanshiro. Dude left after a DKC: Returns post :(

Why is that?

[bob_arctor]

SSF: you need bios files and to point SSF to your CD/DVD drive (which I think it recognized automatically as an option IIRC). Using a virtual drive is more or less the same thing but there you would need to deal with making cue sheets, though not always. Also make sure you set the region to the correct setting for whatever game you are playing. A way around this is to track down Saturn Region Patcher and patch everything to one region so you don't have to bother on a per game basis.

[Seik]

Here is a tutorial I found that helped, except I used DeamonTools for virtual drive and imgburn to rip my games.

[Suairyu]

If anything is going to come out of this thread it should be a comprehensive guide into using SSF. I have tried every other month and i still find it very difficult to set up.

Wait, seriously? You download the emulator, configure your gamepad/keyboard inputs then load your game. Just like every emulator ever.

[Takao]

Why is that?

I always felt like I was learning something from reading a Segata post in the sales threads, and he seemed like a cool guy. His final post came after an argument about Donkey Kong Country, and him just throwing the towel in.

[Elginer]

The Saga Saturn is indeed a damn fine console, if only because it gave us Astal!

Amen to this. Astal was/is fucking awesome. Can we get an HD remake of this Sega, please?!

[Ra1den]

Is Rockman X4 better on Saturn than on PSX?

[Genesis Knight]

Saturn looks super hot on HDTVs with the RGB SCART + Component converter. Too bad it doesn't work with your TV, OP.

Been buying a ton of Saturn recently. Latest fave is Soukyugurentai Otokuyo.

[Upsidedown Fuji]

Such fond memories of playing with my Saturn and I still play it. I was one of the few kids at my school to have one while most others had their playstations. I turned many to VF2 and Sega Rally fans.

[Ra1den]

Saturn looks super hot on HDTVs with the RGB SCART + Component converter. Too bad it doesn't work with your TV, OP. Latest fave is Soukyugurentai Otokuyo.

Love this game. Recently sold off some of my rarer Saturn shmups like Radiant and Hyper Duel, but I refused to part with this. One of the few Raizing games I really like.

[Seik]

Saturn looks super hot on HDTVs with the RGB SCART + Component converter. Too bad it doesn't work with your TV, OP. Been buying a ton of Saturn recently. Latest fave is Soukyugurentai Otokuyo.

Yep I was quite disappointed, I'm only hearing good about how good SCART looks.

does anybody know if Dragon Force or Panzer Dragoon Saga run clean on this emulator? i'm tempted to dig out my copies from storage if they do

I quickly tried Dragon Force and Guardian Heroes, both works without any problem I'll try PDS later, there's other game I'd like to test before:

If my Saturn ever craps out I'll definitely be going the way of emulation to play my games rather than track down another system.

Agreed, with time, shit will get costy.

[Dog Problems]

If my Saturn ever craps out I'll definitely be going the way of emulation to play my games rather than track down another system.

[Theonik]

I don't think it ever allowed for real-deal 240p, but few emulators do. I think it does still force a specific screen res, though, and I'm assuming that's what you mean.

I'm asking because I couldn't for the life of me ever get it to work with my CRT monitor, seems to still be the case with 0.12R3. The applications doesn't seem to support anything below 1024x768 so when I try to set my monitor to 640x480 (which is a 2x2 linear scale of the Saturn native res) it crashes.
Will try to experiment some more, see if I can get this to work.

[M3d10n]

Option>Screen>Force Aspect Ratio = check Option>Screen>Wide Screen = uncheck Please ;)

Unless, of course, you are playing a Saturn game that supported widescreen, like NiGHTs or Panzer Dragoon Zwei.

[M3d10n]

I'm asking because I couldn't for the life of me ever get it to work with my CRT monitor, seems to still be the case with 0.12R3. The applications doesn't seem to support anything below 1024x768 so when I try to set my monitor to 640x480 (which is a 2x2 linear scale of the Saturn native res) it crashes. Will try to experiment some more, see if I can get this to work.

Yeah, it's the single most critical flaw with SSF. I have a nice SD CRT setup for native res retro gaming and SSF refuses to work with it. It will also crash if you have a 2nd or 3rd display attached with a resolution bellow 800x600.

The most you can do is use the video card's S-Video out and set the TV to 800x600: the GPU will downscale to 480i automatically behind the scenes.

[Sixfortyfive]

does anybody know if Dragon Force or Panzer Dragoon Saga run clean on this emulator? i'm tempted to dig out my copies from storage if they do

Dragon Force works fine. I've played it to completion on the emulator before.

Dragon Force II works as well, but you might have to tweak some obscure settings to prevent the game from crashing during 200-troop battles.

Why is that?

He blew his top off at some post in Sales Age and just up and left. It was quite a head-scratcher to me, as I've always assumed during my 5 years on GAF that if you've ever bothered to read a Sales Age thread for anything more substantial and intelligent than funny GIFs, you were doing it wrong. I thought he was smarter than that. Seemed like a cool guy.

[cj_iwakura]

Is Rockman X4 better on Saturn than on PSX?

Almost any 2D game is.

[JEKKI]

I have to play Magic Knight Rayearth and Dragon Force still...

but my PS2 is currently hooked up at the moment and being played... saturn gotta wait lol

[georaldc]

Dragon Force works fine. I've played it to completion on the emulator before. Dragon Force II works as well, but you might have to tweak some obscure settings to prevent the game from crashing during 200-troop battles.

About DF2, wasn't there a fan translation of the game in the works? I remember reading about how progress was just on and off. Latest I saw was that development was still underway. Even saw some screenshots with english text

[Theonik]

Yeah, it's the single most critical flaw with SSF. I have a nice SD CRT setup for native res retro gaming and SSF refuses to work with it. It will also crash if you have a 2nd or 3rd display attached with a resolution bellow 800x600. The most you can do is use the video card's S-Video out and set the TV to 800x600: the GPU will downscale to 480i automatically behind the scenes.

Unfortunately my new 560Ti doesn't have S-Video out (and the fact it's a monitor limits me to VGA anyway)
They really need to sort this out.

[Monroeski]

I can't seem to get Loaded to run at all, either the actual disc or an image.

I have two copies of the disc, too, and neither worked, but I think I remember something different happening with each so I guess it could be the discs. I'll have to hook up my console sometime soon and check them out.

[catmincer]

I have some old Saturn games lying around but no console. Does something like Virtua Cop work with the mouse instead of a lightgun on SSF?

[jeremy1456]

Emulation is cool but I really have to say that real thing is much better.

It's the main reason I keep an SDTV around.

And the Saturn is seriously one of the greatest consoles ever.

[cj_iwakura]

About DF2, wasn't there a fan translation of the game in the works? I remember reading about how progress was just on and off. Latest I saw was that development was still underway. Even saw some screenshots with english text

It's still in the works, I'm testing and Sixfortyfive's on the team for it.

[Seik]

It's still in the works, I'm testing and Sixfortyfive's on the team for it.

I'd like to see this happening, I like DF, but I always was on the fence importing the sequel because I prefer understanding the story, especially in an RPG like this one. I have no problem with fighting games and shmups but that's a whole other thing, I tried with Super Robot Wars and it didn't reached me. If this whole translation thing is soon to be done I'd definitely buy it on Ebay though! :D

[cj_iwakura]

I'd like to see this happening, I like DF, but I always was on the fence importing the sequel because I prefer understanding the story, especially in an RPG like this one. I have no problem with fighting games and shmups but that's a whole other thing, I tried with Super Robot Wars and it didn't reached me. If this whole translation thing is soon to be done I'd definitely buy it on Ebay though! :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFxBf1tm39c

Awesome fight scene, too. It's not as good as the original, IMO, but definitely worth playing.

[ghibli99]

Cool thread... gonna have to try this soon!

Emulation is cool but I really have to say that real thing is much better.

It was a bitter day when I realized the backup battery in my Saturn was dead and I had lost all of my saves that weren't on cartridge. :(

[robot]

Yeaaaa Saturn! I have a Japanese white model, was actually just playing Golden Axe: The Duel! Almost popped in Capcom Classics Vol. 2 (ghouls n ghosts) but will play it tomorrow.

Do you have Burning Rangers? I'd love to see how it looks on the Emu, awesome game but a mess to look at. I always wanted to see an HD remake of that game.

What arcade stick does everyone use (if any)? I bought the Hori VF virtua stick last year cause it was so cheap, but only has 3 buttons. I'm always looking out for the Hori NaC version, looks awesome.

[CO_Andy]

Was playing Keio 2 on SSF last month.

Plays just like i remember it :)

[Seik]

Yeaaaa Saturn! I have a Japanese white model, was actually just playing Golden Axe: The Duel! Almost popped in Capcom Classics Vol. 2 (ghouls n ghosts) but will play it tomorrow. Do you have Burning Rangers? I'd love to see how it looks on the Emu, awesome game but a mess to look at. I always wanted to see an HD remake of that game. What arcade stick does everyone use (if any)? I bought the Hori VF virtua stick last year cause it was so cheap, but only has 3 buttons. I'm always looking out for the Hori NaC version, looks awesome.

I have a model II Saturn with an Action Replay 4M+. Sadly, I don't have Burning Rangers, its quite pricy and rare too, I'll get it one day when I'll have some loose cash. I always wanted to try it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFxBf1tm39c Awesome fight scene, too. It's not as good as the original, IMO, but definitely worth playing.

That battle scene from DF2 was godlike. I'm hyped, but translating a big ass game like that will take a long time before the final product I guess. I might get it sooner than I thought! XD

where can I buy one? is there a site that ships to Canada?

Bought mine on Ebay.

[Emperor Bohe]

Saturn looks super hot on HDTVs with the RGB SCART + Component converter. Too bad it doesn't work with your TV, OP.

where can I buy one? is there a site that ships to Canada?

[speedpop]

I never got around to owning a Saturn. I think it is the only console outside of the Xbox series which I have never bothered to grab. Which is strange considering I was looking forward to playing Virtua Fighter 2, Shining Force III, and Panzer Dragoon Saga on it for a long time.