The Japanese Sega Saturn Centurion

Don’t you hate it when, due to your regular weekday routine, you wake up early on Saturday morning, and then can’t get back to sleep for the life of you? You know that no matter how far you burry your face in the pillow and try to set up dream inducing scenarios in your mind, your just not going to drop back off. Last Saturday I was awake and thoroughly confused at 6am, and was up by 7. In this situation, I would usually just get stuck into whatever video game I’m playing at the time, but I’m in a bit of a pre Uncharted 2 release rut at the moment. So instead, with my better-half still asleep and none the wiser, I headed for my shelves and counted video games.

It was exhilarating, but I will only bore you with one of the facts: 97 Japanese SEGA Saturn games. As I mentioned in my Sega Saturn Buyer’s Guide a while back, although there are a few dozen games that command a high price, the vast majority of Saturn games here in Japan are as cheap as chips. Building up a good collection is well within the realms of even the most frugal of gamers.

My collection contains some classics such as Nights, Virtua Cop 2, X-men Vs Street Fighter and Guardian Heroes. There are also games that I am led to believe are great, but I have been unable to play due to my limited Japanese, such as Policenauts, Snatcher and Tactics Ogre. And of course, there are the ¥100, purely collection filler shite, such as Virtua Volleyball, Magic Carpet and Area 51. I would be amiss if I didn’t mention Street Fighter The Real Battle on Film (SF the Movie), which probably deserves a category all of its very own.



However, this post isn’t about what I do own, but what I’m without. I slowed down buying SS games a while ago, but I didn’t realise until last weekend that I was only 3 titles short of the SS Centurion. I intend to remedy this by buying three more titles, so that I can put my 100 piece SS collection to rest. At least until I start going for 150!

So, discerning gamers, here for your consideration is the shortlist for the 3 remaining spaces in my collection. Please comment as you see fit.


Category 1 - Genuine interest

Akumajo Dracula X (Castlevania – Symphony of the Night)

As any self respecting SS owner will tell you, the SS does 2D extremely well, and this instalment of the Castlevania series is a shining example. It’s at the very top of my list, though it’s a little steep, usually going for around ¥4000-¥5000.

Street Fighter Zero 3

Another expensive show-piece for the Saturn’s 2D capabilities.

Dungeons and Dragons Collection

Upon first seeing the front cover and the Dungeons and Dragons tag, I had zero interest in picking up this title. However, after a while and a bit of research, I have come to realise that it’s actually a pretty decent Golden Axe style, action side scroller.

Category 2 – I’m curious

Segata Sanshiro Shikenyugi

Most people are familiar with the Japanese Segata Sanshiro commercials, which featured a judo master who hunted down and inflicted pain upon anyone who wasn’t playing the Saturn, be they men, women or children. The rest of the time he was perfecting his craft by carrying a huge SS on his back, and repeatedly punching the buttons of a massive SS controller. Well, he has his own game, which is full of mini-challenges and the like. I don’t have it, but I’m thinking I probably should, lest he burst through my door and administer a brutal judo throw upon my person.

Death Crimson

DC is a game so bad that it has attracted a large following, which in turn made it one of the most sort-after and expensive games on the system. I’m assured that it plays, sounds and looks like utter tripe. What am I waiting for?


Category 3 - The weird and wonderful world of the Japanese Sega Saturn

Six Inch My Darling

This text based adventure isn’t about what you think, so get your mind out of the gutter. It actually concerns itself with the lives of 3 six inch tall girls, obviously. Still, I’m sure I can make some space in my collection for a game with a title like that!



Message Navi Vol. 1 and 2

These are dating service discs, in the guise of SS games. They feature over 1000 profiles of individuals looking for a good time, including pictures, contact details and where they like to hang out. In 1997. I wonder how many of them are still waiting after all these years for that one, special, SS gamer.

The Conveni

Ever wondered what it would be like to run your own convenience store? No, me neither.


As you can see, the JPN SS was home to a rich collection of classics, curiosities and convenience store sims. It’s no wonder my collection has inched toward 100 in such a short period of time.