About last year ago, I've covered my 2nd console wars battle with the PS2 and Gamecube talking about which ones has the best console design, controller, graphics and sounds, features, and of course the libaries of games of the 6th-gen era, so if you haven't seen my previous one that I've made it last year then here's the link down below:
Okay then, let's start off with my 3rd console wars battle with the 5th-gen machines.
We all know the history of Nintendo and SEGA had became the most famous console wars brand for gaming during the mid-80s starting off with their 8-bit systems like the NES and SMS that had attracted many attention to those who are really new to the video games as an hobbies, so these systems had delivered many great titles to play, shared with gaming accessories, and had console bundled with the games at the store is the reason why it became quite popular among with gamers and casuals audiences.
Then shifting to the 16-bit era with the SNES and Genesis/MD took the gaming into the new level are even grew more impressive than their predecessor in terms of graphical performance and high quality audio had pushed the hardware into limits, and it has the very best libaries of 16-bit games that defines the early-90s gaming starting from console ports perfection of arcade hits to massive killer app exclusives that made everyone buys the 16-bit system that had helped popularise the gaming industries.
Then entering the 5th-gen era is where it gets really interesting, so you have the PS1 made the first console debut by SONY themselves in 1994-95, then SEGA had bought their 32-bit machine to the 5th-gen gaming market like the SEGA Saturn in 1994-95, and of course the Nintendo had their 64-bit system ready with the Nintendo 64 in 1996.
It's one of those console gaming era made a huge shift focusing on 3D computer graphics as opposed to previous generation's 2D sprite visuals approach.
It features 3D polygon graphics with texture mapping, 3D graphics capabilities such as lighting, shading, anti-aliasing and texture filtering, more color in-depths, and higher video display resolution designed for CRT-TVs.
I was incredibly amazed to see systems like the PS1, N64, and Saturn made use of these hardware features showcasing the 3D graphical display that nobody had seen it quite fascinating for the 5th-gen machine could do something groundbreaking in the mid-90s.
The PS1 was very best known for its the killer software titles like Final Fantasy 7, Metal Gear Soild, Resident Evil, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Tomb Raider, and Gran Turismo that not only it defines the PS1 libaries but also helped the hardware sales of PS1 which is the reason why it was highly being hailed as one of the all-time greatest video game systems that sold over 1 million units at the launch release and had managed to selling over 100 million units worldwide that helped the gaming industries and led SONY creating a line of console successors in later years.
The N64 came on the 2nd placed best-selling system of 5th-gen console was also being praised for its innovation such as introducing analog stick controls was designed for the 3D games with smooth and responsive 360-degree controls, and of course the libaries of acclaimed games such as Super Mario 64, Goldeneye 007, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarena of Time are the genre defining titles that helped revolutionised the gaming, and of course it has all other classics are sure fantastic to play like Banjo-Kazooie, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Star Fox 64, F-Zero X, Mario Kart 64, and Perfect Dark.
Lastly the Saturn however had not been able to compete with their rivals due to poor hardware sales and harder to create games for 3rd-party developers had made the system quickly being dissolved in the year of 1998, but that doesn't mean the system are anything bad is because it's also had shares with good numbers of exclusive titles that made the Saturn being well known for such as Nights into Dreams, Panzer Dragoon, Guardian Heroes, Die Hard Arcade, Burning Rangers, Virtua Fighter 2, Virtua Cop 2, SEGA Rally Championship, and of course various of Japanese import games like Radiant Silvergun, X-Men vs Street Fighter, and Dead or Alive which leaves SEGA Saturn as being one of the 5th-gen's underrated video game system.
Today, I wanted to create my 3rd console wars battle with the N64 and Saturn is because I've grew up with these system as part of my childhood back in my 90s days of gaming, so I will start by comparing twos system for its console design, controller, graphics and sounds, features, and of course most importantly the numerous of game libraries.
Full Disclaimer: This is only just for my opinion guys, so to all the console fans out there please don't get upset or triggered if you don't enjoy my Console Wars Battle, so all I can say is just simply enjoy my stuff as it is and move the f**k right on.
So without go further do, let the console wars battle begin with the Nintendo 64 vs SEGA Saturn.
Best Console Design
The N64 was launched in the year of 1996 and it's a interesting but funky looking system that is meant to be appeared more gimmicky just like most of the Nintendo systems does.
It has curved-looking shape on the front-top of the system which has the power-button on the left, reset button on the right, and of course the expansion pak slot on the middle where you can lift it off to open and pop it inside with your expansion pak device with it.
On the middle-top, it has plastic cover of cart-slot which protects the system's cart-slot connector from the dust.
On the front of the system, N64 was notriously being the very first video game system to feature a 4-controller ports which was designed for the specific N64 games which features a local multiplayer up to 4-players which was quite straight-forward and makes easier to access in comparsion to other gaming consoles had to rely on getting the 4-player multi-adapter accessories that the N64 console do not need it in order to play 4-player games.
On back of the system, it has small-sized video output port on the right and of course the large-bulky AC adapter port on the left.
Underneath the system, it has extended connector port which are used for the add-ons like the N64's Disk System which I will explain it for the later on this blog.
My thoughts on this design is quite average at best is because I like the color of the system as grey felt more like mature look to it and the whole size of the console is not overly big like the Saturn, but here's the issue with the console is that I don't really like how they designed the feet of the N64 looked on the front, as you look closely on the front both-side of the console has the weird curves with it just made the console appears to be looked less rectangle, but I don't really mind the curves on the front-top of the system which is fine but I just don't like the circular feets on the front-sides.
I also don't like how the back of the N64 really looked with the oversized AC adapter just doesn't suit the style of the console at all.
The Saturn was launched in the year of 1994-95 and the design of the console is appeared to be look more mature and appealing for grown adults would like the style of this system.
It had large looking square-sized design with 2-controller ports on the front of the console, and on the front-top of the system has the power button, reset button, and of course the open button is to open up the disc tray that is on the middle of the console, and then you have the cartridge slot on the above of the disc tray which you can insert the back-up cart or RAM cart which I will explain it for the later on this blog.
On back of the console, you will see the extended slot on the right which are used for the add-ons like the Video CDs adapter which then again I will explain it for the later on this blog, and it has the AC port and video output port on the right.
I say I've mostly preferred the design of the Saturn over the N64 is because I liked the shape of the system kinda look like a style of military ammunition box just appears to be look masculine as f**k, and I also liked having a game console which has a disc tray is looking quite cool on the system is because I like the way of disc tray looked on the system that has tiny see-through plastic in which you can able to see the disc spinning on the console is just satisfying to see how the disc operates on the console.
Winner: SEGA Saturn
Best Controller
The N64 controller has the M shaped design which I believe the letter M is a short initial for Nintendo's mascot like Mario which pretty makes sense for the Nintendo's 64-bit system.
So you have 2-buttons such as B & A and 4 C-buttons on the right-side grip, 2-shoulder buttons such as L and R on the top of the controller, Z-button on back of the middle-grip, start button on front of the controller, directional d-pad button on the left-side grip, and of course it introduces a new control layout which is the 3D analog stick on the front of the middle-grip which is pretty new for the 5th-gen gaming, as well as the rear port at the back of the controller which is used for connecting various of accessories such as memory pak for save data and rumble pak support for certain N64 games.
I find this controller considered to be a great example of the 64-bit gaming, as this controller is quite comfortable to hold and it's very easier to use for its playabilities.
For example: both the analog stick and C-buttons is perfect for the games titles such as Super Mario 64 was known for the smooth and responsive control schemes allowing Mario being able to walk and run in 360 degrees, and using the camera system to give player freedom to look around the whole level environment.
The FPS games such as Goldeneye and Turok that utilises the control stick for the suitable aiming control and the C-Buttons is to move around for the right hand player, where as using the D-pad is for the left hand player.
The best part of this controller is the slot underneath where you can able to use the accessories such as the rumble pak that has the vibration feedback for certain parts of gameplay action like the explosion and projectiles that made your rumble pak goes shaky just adds up the game's realism.
The Saturn has 2 regular controllers with different button layout design depending on which console model you have and the other one are 3D analog controller which features 3D analog stick.
On regular controller, it has 6-buttons on the right-side, 2 shoulder buttons on top of the controller, start button on the bottom-middle, and of course the circular d-pad button on the left side, where as the 3D analog controller has retained the previous button layouts like the d-pad and 6-buttons but added the 3D analog stick and 2 analog triggers which are designed for some of Saturn games with greater precision in a 3D environment.
At the start, I wasn't impressed with the Saturn's Model 1 controller is because the d-pad is downright feel filmsy to control and the shoulder buttons are quite bulky flat that is harder to press making it quite difficult to play, but I'm glad that SEGA had later made an improvement with the Saturn's Model 2 controller which features a nicely round-shaped d-pad which feels really good to press and has 2-clicky shoulder buttons that are nice and small, so it's plays much better than using the model 1 controller.
I also liked the 6-buttons which has 3-bigger ones on below and 3-smaller ones on top is definitely top-notch which worked perfectly for most of the arcade titles such as Virtua Fighter 2, X-Men vs Street Fighter, Dead or Alive, Die Hard Arcade, Radiant Silvergun, and Darius Gaiden.
I did hear about the 3D analog controller for Saturn may be good for some racing games for providing a finer steering control and FPS games for better movement and aim which is fine, but the problem is that many had said the grips and the design on the 3D analog controller aren't felt as comfortable to hold and of course the analog stick are kinda too big compared with N64 controller has smaller analog stick.
That being said, I like the Saturn controller (model 2) as being on my favourite video game controller list, but when it comes with the innovation and precision that matters the most for the 3D gaming then the N64 controller takes the win.
Winner: Nintendo 64
Best Graphics and Sounds
The N64's hardware specs is built around the reality coprocessor (RCP) which serves as the system's central hub for processing graphics, audio, and memory management.
It can operates at 62.5MHz and contains 2 critical components such as the signal processor for sound, graphics, and display processor which manages pixel drawing.
It also renders visual data into the graphics frame buffer and controls direct memory access (DMA) and transfering video and audio data from memory to a digital to analog converter (DAC) for final output.
It featured 64-bit CPU processor called NEC VR4300 running at 93.75 MHz with a performance of 125 million IPS.
Both of the CPU and RCP can operate in parallel using dividing tasks for better efficiency such as the CPU are designed to execute the main game logic where as the RCP processes the graphics and sound independently, so this will allow to enable 3D rendering and complex audio effects with careful coordination without causing any of the peformance bottlenecks.
It is also the first console to implement a unified memory architecture which eliminating a separate banks of random access memory (RAM) for CPU, audio, and video operations.
It features 4 MB of RDRAM as well as the expandable up to 8 MB with the expansion pak.
The audio processing is output through a DAC with a sample rate of 44.1 KHz with 16-bit depth matching CD quality, and some of the N64 games featured stereo sound with some supporting Dolby Pro Logic surround sound.
The video output system supports composite and S-Video output using the same cables as the SNES and Gamecube.
It can display up to 16.8 million colors and resolutions ranging from 256x224 to 640x480 pixels, so most of the games can run at 320x240 and some others can support higher resolutions which requiring the expansion pak to use.
It also support widescreen formats with games offering either anamorphic 16:9 or letterboxed display modes.
The Saturn's hardware specs has 8 processors featured on the system, so the main CPUs are 2 Hitachi SH-2 microprocessors which clocked at 28.6 MHz and capable of 56 MIPS, and it has dedicated Hitachi SH-1 processor designed for CD-ROM drive to reduce load time.
It uses a Motorola 68EC000 running at 11.3 MHz as a sound controller, a custom sound processor with an integrated Yamaha FH1 DSP running at 22.6 MHz are capable of up to 32 sound channels with both FM synthesis and 16-bit 44.1 KHz pulse-code modulation, and 2 of the 32-bit video display processors such as VDP1 which handles sprites, polygons, and geometry engine featuring dual 256KB frame buffers for rotation and scaling effects, texture mapping, goraud shading, and 512KBB cache for textures, where as the VDP2 which handles background and scroll plane video display processor featuring background engine, 5 simultaneous scrolling backgrounds, 2 simulataneous rotating playfields, 200,000 texture mapped polygons/second, 60 frames per second animation, and 24-bit true color graphics.
The RCA video output can display at resolutions from 320x224 to 704x224 pixels with up to 16.78 million colours.
The system control unit (SCU) which controls all buses and functions as a co-processor of the main SH-2 CPU which has an internal DSP running at 14.3 MHz.
It features a cartridge slot that allows memory expansion, 16 Mbit of work RAM, 12 Mbit of video RAM, 4 Mbit of RAM for sound functions, 4 Mbit of CD buffer RAM and 256 Kbit (32 KB) of battery back-up RAM.
By comparing these two systems, I much perfered the N64 for the graphics development is because if you see the games like the Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time which has large 3D open-environments with amazing draw-distance and environmental area design are so much fun to explore many locations to go around, and I think the use of colors and transparency does appeared to be look smoother in some areas, then finally the character's animation does appeared to be less blocky to designed them look more realistic.
The one flaw I can think of is the texture details looks kinda blurred which is bit horrendous to see, so I wish that they could have done better by eliminating those awful texture burriness that don't look good on the screen.
That being said, the N64 is the best hardware for most of the 3D developed games that pushes the system to the hardware limits thanks to system's hardware specs was capable of rendering many polygons, structures, objects, and environments just really showcasing the power of the 64-bit machine can do.
The Saturn however is nowhere near good as the N64 for the graphics development which you can tell that the system is not very best at the 3D developed games, so most of the character's animations in Saturn games does tends to be bit slower and looked quite blocky as opposed to N64's looked more smooth and responsive.
The environmental design in Saturn games are okay at best but not in the same level as the N64 counterpart in which you can tell these objects and structure in Saturn games are quite flat in some areas, but to be fair I did see the texture details are much cleaner and sharper which is a good thing.
There are some of the 1st-party games that did really a great job on the graphics design such as Nights Into Dreams, Panzer Dragoon II Zwei, and Virtua Fighter 2 as an example, where as most of the 3rd-party games like Resident Evil, Tomb Raider, and Wipeout are still an amazing games to play but I find these graphics on Saturn aren't nearly look good as the PS1 counterpart which I am amazed with the SONY's first debut machine does the job right done for the 3rd-party developed games.
I say the Saturn are suited more better on the 2D developed games such as Space Harrier, After Burner, Outrun, Darius Gaiden, Radiant Silvergun, Layers Section, and X-Men vs Street Fighter which features really good use of super-scaling effects, parallax scrolling, colorful environments, smooth performance, special effects, and some pre-rendered graphics that was designed for SEGA's 32-bit console.
I say the N64 is the clear winner for the graphics development which has the better enviromental design and character's animation does look more impressive on the 3D developed games than the Saturn counterparts.
You can also watch the video comparsion down below to see for yourself visually:
For the audio development, I say the Saturn does better for higher-fidelity audio thanks to dedicated sound chips and CD audio format providing much of the rich sound design and has superior CD audio tracks is perfect for cinematic FMV sequences, licensed musics, sound environments, and voice over system is the reason why CD based system are doing so much effort as opposed to N64's lack of dedicated sound chip relies on its main CPU for audio processing which can lead to compressed music and sound goes really muddy and muffled in some games, and of course most of the licensed soundtracks in 3rd-party games won't fit well on the cartridges is due to storage limitations are shorter than the Saturn's CD format which makes the SEGA's 5th-gen system a clear winner for the audio development.
You can also watch two of these videos down below to compare which soundtrack on each version do you mostly prefered:
Quake (Nintendo 64) - Menu Theme - Aubrey Hodges
Quake (PC & SEGA Saturn) - Menu Theme - Trent Raznor (Nine Inch Nails)
Most of the games developers argued especially the 3rd-party teams had said that they mostly perfered the N64 console are lot easier to develop than the Saturn console is because the Saturn had complicated hardware design are much difficult to produce their games as opposed to N64 which even with the cartridge spaces are strictly limited but for the hardware perspective it's quite straight-forward to make games in comparsion which is why the Nintendo's 64-bit machine has done it right.
Winner: Nintendo 64
Best Features
The N64 has some of the decent video game accessories like the controller pak which is the memory card that plugs under the N64 controller that are used for saving data depending on which N64 games uses the controller pak act as a primary save function but unfortunately it wasn't a popular choice as the cartridge's built-in battery SRAM or EEPROM which is more convenient to have a save data stored on the cartridge than the controller pak, and the main fault of the controller pak is the lack of the save transferring option in which you cannot able to transfer a save file to the other controller pak which makes it difficult to share data to another...I mean hell even the PS1's memory card has the option to transfer the save data to the other memory card just made it quite convenient to use.
The best thing about the N64 they ever had is a rumble pak which is a device that provides haptic vibration while playing video games which enhancing player immersion by delivering vibration key action such as when firing a weapon or take damage as an example, but it requires 2 batteries to run the rumble pak to get it work because this is how the early days of rumble pak actually created, so it became quite common for later video game console generation with rumble feature support which is why they listed this device as the most influential features in video games.
There are one of the device that I find it interesting to hear which is the transfer pak, a large accessory device that plugs under the N64 controller and had a cartridge slot compatible with GB/GBC game paks which is designed to transfer data between supported N64 games and GB/GBC games to access additional content simular to later Gamecube's GBA link cable, so I really liked the idea of having the GB/GBC games with additional features being pluged into the N64's transfer pak to unlock the hidden content on supported N64 games seems to be an innovative things in 5th-gen era.
Speaking of innovation, the N64 console does have the expansion pak which installs into the console's memory expansion port replacing the pre-installed jumper pak.
It was designed to support any of N64 games with enhanced features for improved visuals, gameplay, and performance, where as some of the N64 games may require the expansion pak to run software such as Donkey Kong 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Majora' Mask, while others like Perfect Dark may need it just for the single-player campaign.
Sometime the expansion pak might come in useful for few titles like the 4-player mode for Gauntlet Legends and Hydro Thunder, and some mission pack and 2-player modes for StarCraft 64.
My thoughts on the expansion pak is quite solid because it did improve bit on the textures side and the screen resolution for some games but the results does take the hit on the game's performances is because some hi-res games does tends to have bit of a slowdowns which can't be good for some heavy developed games, where as using the low-res mode with the expansion pak may have the stable frame-rate seems to be performed and plays better than using the pre-installed jumper pak.
Lastly, some of you may or not heard of the add-on peripheral called 64DD which is a disk drive machine that plug under the base of N64 console simular to SEGA Genesis/MD's add-on such as SEGA Mega CD and 32X.
It was designed to expand the capabilities of the N64 console featuring rewritable data storage up to 64MB for save game states and custom music or character data, internet connectivity service for web browsing and emailing, has real-time clock for persistent game world elements, and of course the additional game content such as adding brand new levels and playable characters, and creating custom worlds.
It was launched on hoilday 1999 exclusively in Japan and it didn't turned out to be successful at release which suffers massive poor sales which led Nintendo had decided to discontinue the add-on system as in 2000 and only 9 games were made for the add-on system, so it was never released outside of Japan which is kinda shame is because I would love to see the add-on system like this will enhance the N64 titles with the newer content that the base game had missed out just sounds like an interesting idea but the issue is that the add-on system is way damn expensive for the consumers which is why Nintendo had never bothered a plan to release it at worldwide, so the only way of playing the 64DD games is to get both of a Japanese-region N64 console and the system's add-on as well as concider to get all 9 64DD games which is going to be stupidly rare to find ones online, so good luck with that guys.
The Saturn has many of cool video game accessories that had me impressed the most, so we had arcade racer joystick which is a steering wheel controller was designed to use for most of the racing game titles that implemented the driving controls such as SEGA Rally Championship, Manx TT Superbike, and Daytona USA: Circuit Edition just works really well throughout the race match.
I just love the overall design of the steering wheel controller with solid build quality, fine looking material surfaces, and has nice weight of it just feels right for those who are seeking for a suitable racing controller.
The steering wheel itself feels very comfortable to hold thanks to tight griping handle, adjustable height and angle, and 6 buttons and two paddles shifters, as it fully designed to create a full racing experience featuring an smooth analog control as opposed to Saturn's own standard controller relying on digital d-pad control.
Then we had virtua gun which is a light gun controller was designed to use for many light gun games such as Virtua Cop 1+2 and The House of the Dead, so having the light gun controller for Saturn is the best way of experience the light gun arcade shooters is because using the standard controller doesn't feel like playing the arcade games at all just loses the atmospheres is the reason to own the light gun controller is the only way of enjoying the game by shooting, reloading, and blasting the shit of these guys on the screen is what makes the light gun games quite popular on the arcade machines in the 90s.
Be vary of owning the light gun controller is because it can only worked on CRT-TV which is a old-fashoned television back in the 90s that you might really need it to play the light gun games which unfortunately it may not work on many of modern HDTVs and 4KTVs is due to insufficient video sensors that prevents the light gun controller working, so if you want to play the light gun games for the Saturn then grab the old CRT-TV if you can find one online.
There are few of the arcade sticks that are incredibly appealing such as virtua stick which is a full-on arcade controller with joystick and 8-buttons control are designed for various of fighting games like Virtua Fighter 2, Dead or Alive, Fighting Vipers, and of course Capcom's fighting games like X-Men vs Street Fighter and Vampire Hunter: Darkstalkers revenge, as well as the shoot-em-ups titles like Radiant Silvergun, Darius Gaiden, and Layers Section.
It also has mission stick which is a flight controller comes in two parts such as a large flat unit featuring 8-buttons with turbo features and stick unit complete with a trigger, 2 other buttons, and a throttle wheel.
The units are also can be filpped one side and another to suit both left and right handed players which made the mission stick quite unique for the accessiblity.
It was designed to use for many flight and 3D shooting games like Night Striker S, Space Harrier, After Burner II, and Panzer Dragoon 1+2 Zwei.
There are other ones like twin stick which has 2 joysticks with 2 buttons, and it was designed to use for some titles like Cyber-Troopers: Virtual-On and Gungriffon II as an example.
Then we have 6-player adapter called multitaps which is a multi-device that has 5 controller ports being plugged to 2nd-controller port of the console allowing more users to connect multiples of the controllers up to 6-players simultaneously (or 12-players simultaneously with the 2 multitaps device) in compatible multiplayer games, so this includes titles like Saturn Bomberman which has 10-players battle mode using with 2 multitaps device and Guardian Heroes which has 6-players versus mode using with 1 multitaps device.
You can't go wrong with the memory and expansions software that showcasing the Saturn hardware such as the back up memory which is a cartridge that keeps your save files being archived in which we all know that the Saturn had an issue with the system's internal battery RAM will die out after switching the console off could potentially erase the save files is the reason why having the back up memory cartridge is the best way of keeping your save data safe from the accidental data erase.
The most significent things that Saturn had ever done to achieve it is the 1MB or 4MB RAM Expansion which is the extended RAM cartridge was designed to enhance the game that requires more RAM power in order to function or use it to enhance game's visuals and performance such as X-Men vs Street Fighter and Street Fighter Zero 3 is the prime example of making use of the 4RAM Expansion which delivers the smoother animation, cleaner performances, and faster loading times that makes the Saturn version an fully arcade perfection that put PS1 version to the shame.
My favourite 3rd-party periphereals has to be an action replay plus which is a software cartridge that has an ability to use for various of game cheats like infinite health and ammo as an example, and it also allowing users to bypass the region coding meaning that using the action replay plus will let you play various of the Japanese import games on your UK/EU Saturn console which is perfect for many video game collector like myself who wanted to play any of Saturn games that never got released outside of Japan...I mean hell this software cartridge has the 4RAM Expansion built-in with it which is the reason why I had a Japanese copy of X-Men vs Street Fighter got working on my UK/EU Saturn console with the action replay plus.
Lastly there's one of the periphereals that got Saturn owners amazed which is the video CD card that plugs on the back of the Saturn console, so this enable users to play video CDs format on the Saturn console which is kinda pretty bizzare for the video game consoles that has ability to access the movies that you wanted to watch it on the gaming system, so it kinda like the later consoles of 6th-gen era did a same like the PS2 and Xbox Original which has the built-in DVDs format.
I say N64 accessories has their good stuff to offer for N64 machine, but I much perfered the Saturn accessories had impressed me a lot more which you can't go wrong with the racing controller, light-gun controller, arcade sticks, and of course the expansion periphereals which makes the SEGA's 32-bit system takes the point for having the best video game accessories and features.
Winner: SEGA Saturn
Best Games Libaries
The N64 had many solid libaries of games that not only it defines the system but also changes the gaming industries forever thanks to advanced visual technologies and innovative gameplay design that pushes the genre into the new level of gaming.
It had amazing selection of 3D platforming games, FPS games, action-adventure games, racing games, sports games, wrestling games, and fighting games to play on Nintendo's 5th-gen system sharing with the epic single-player adventure and entertaining multiplayer action.
We had great titles like Super Mario 64, Goldeneye 007, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart 64, Star Fox 64, F-Zero, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, Perfect Dark, and WCW vs NWO: Revenge.
These are the titles that had made everyone buys the 64-bit system to play these awesome games that was made exclusively for the N64 console.
I'm going to list some of my favourite titles that not only defines the N64 system but also a gaming childhood of the 90s.
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Super Mario 64 is a major example of creating one of the greatest 3D platform game ever made by Nintendo themselves.
It was incredibly known for its large open-environments that allow players to freely explore around the levels which is quite massive for the 64-bit game, and the appeal of visuals and presentation are fully described as colourful, bold, and bright in many stages.
It had many memorable stages like bob-omb battlefield, whomp's fortress, cool cool mountain, lethal lava land, shifting sand land, dire dire docks, tiny-huge land, and rainbow ride are being highly praised by many of fans and critics calling these stages an recognisable video game levels in 3D platform adventures.
The platforming gameplay has smooth and responsive controls thanks to N64 controller's analog stick are fully designed to use 360s degree movement allowing Mario freely to move around in different direction, and you got to love Mario's acrobatic maneuver that make him do stuff like wall jumping, backfilps, triple filp jump, long jump, and side-jump are made to reach a higher platforms in stage.
The game involves collecting many stars are required to being able to gain access at the next course by completing various of objectives such as defeating bosses, solving puzzles, collect all 8 red coins, and completing task challenge like beat the race or defeat all enemies.
This is definitely one of the best 3D platformer and also a N64's system-seller game is the reason why it sold really well at the N64's launch release.
Goldeneye 007 is a fantastic FPS action based on 1995's action-spy film of the same name where you take control of James Bond going on his mission to prevent a criminal syndicate from using a satellite weapon against London to cause a global financial meltdown.
It's a major example of revolutionising the FPS genre for pioneering the features such as the single-player campaign focuses more on realistic FPS style as opposed to the corridor-shooter approach like Doom, so instead of collecting keys and head to the exit point, all you had to do is follow all the list of the objectives to complete the mission which in fact I like the idea of having a different playstyle of FPS game starting from bungee jump to destroying gas tanks and then escaping from the archives to rode on military tank is what made Goldeneye 007 so recognisable.
It also introduces a newer gameplay mechanics such as ability to aim controls and stealth elements that became a standard for the later FPS game which proves that Goldeneye 007 has invented the new gameplay features that aren't present on the earlier FPS games.
It is also notable for having an addictive 4-player split-screen deathmatch where each of the players must compete each other at free-for-all deathmatch which is the reason why we spend hours of fun playing the game back in the good old days of 90s, yes it's a competitive local multiplayer game that we love spending time on shooting and blowing the shit each others on deathmatch battle is something that we never get tired of playing.
It was commercially successful in 1997 as being one of the best FPS game on N64 system and also the 3rd-best-selling N64 game that sold over 8 million copies worldwide.
It also being credited as the most influential that has inspired many game developers to create their later own successful FPS franchises such as Bungie's Halo, EA's Medal of Honor and Battlefield, and Activision's Call of Duty which is the reason why many had labelled Goldeneye 007 as one of the most important game for FPS genre.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is an outstanding action-adventure title that I finding it quite revolutionary at the time in 90s.
It's one of the very first Zelda game being shifted to the 3D open-world perspective as opposed to previous titles's 2D top-down perspective which turns out to be a major step forward for Nintendo to create something different that suprise us magnificently is the reason why the game was a major successful at the release.
It was widely praised for its immersive open-world environments filled with the exploration and discoveries, dungeons filled with puzzle solving and battle with enemies and bosses, and full-on exciting adventures with lengthy single-player campaign is something that you will likely to appericate the high quality of N64's open-world adventure game.
It was notable for introducing groundbreaking mechanics such as the targeting system that made 3D combat fluid and manageable and of course the time-traveling system allowing for world-changing actions.
With amazing visuals and presentation delivers excellent storytelling, memorable cast of characters, overall cinematic design, and dark fantasy aesthetics, as well as having the very best video game soundtrack of all-time that really fits the style of action-adventure franchise.
It was highly regarded as being not only just one of the best in the whole franchise, but also listed as one of the all-time greatest game ever made by multiples of gaming medias and being loved by the fans of the series is the reason that made The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time an iconic masterpiece that changes the video game forever.
The Saturn also has a range of great games too because it is a best designed for SEGA's 1st-party titles and arcade to home conversion titles that made some people interested in buying the system.
Stuff like the classics such as Nights Into Dreams, Panzer Dragoon 1+2 & Saga, Virtua Fighter 2, Virtua Cop 1+2, Guardian Heroes, Saturn Bomberman, Burning Rangers, The Story of Thor 2, Dragon Force, Shining Force III, Deep Fear, SEGA Rally Championship, Manx TT Superbike, Daytona USA: Circuit Edition, Die Hard Arcade, X-Men: Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes, Street Fighter Alpha 2, Darius Gaiden, SEGA Ages Vol.1, and even with the Japanese imports such as Grandia, Dead or Alive, Street Fighter Zero 3, X-Men vs Street Fighter, Vampire Hunter: Darkstalkers Revenge, Radiant Silvergun, Layer Section, Astal, Keio Flying Squadron 2, Super Tempo, and Bulk Slash.
Those were the decent selection of SEGA's 32-bit libary filled with action games, platforming games, RPGs games, fighting games, racing games, light-gun shooter, shoot-em-ups, beat-em-ups, rail-shooter, and list goes on, but the most dissapointing part is that there is no Sonic the Hedgehog games...I know it has Sonic 3D on the Saturn but it's not the proper 3D Sonic game we expecting because it's basically a port of the Genesis/MD game that we have seen it before and same goes with the Sonic Jam is just the video game compiliation of all 4 Sonic titles from Genesis/MD, so why do we need a re-release of the old 16-bit games when we asked for the 3D platforming games that we want to see it on the SEGA's 5th-gen console, and don't get me started with the Sonic R which is just basically a racing game which don't count as a true 3D Sonic game, so it's a shame that we never get to see a 3D Sonic game at the light of the day is due to the discontinuation of the console in 1998 that had led the cancellation of the project under the name of Sonic Xtreme...what a shame.
I'm gonna list some of my favourite Saturn games that are incredibly amazing and had a reason to like the game as a childhood nostalgia.
Nights Into Dreams is such a charming action title that gives me a wonderful moments of enjoying the magical adventures of Nights flying around the stages is the kind of game that I liked on the Saturn.
The visuals and presentation are stunningly bright and colourful with day and night style of environments just looked gorgeous for the Saturn's hardware with many of great details that suits the game's atmospheres, and I forgot to mention the amazing opening cinematic video is just looking beauiful to watch Nights goes on the flying adventure.
The gameplay is quite simple, so all you had to do is to fly around the stage, collect orbs, then destroy the cage, and rescue Ideyas just made the game quite straight-forward and easy to get in too, and I got to love the boss battle in many levels which are quite fun to play...no puns attended.
The soundtrack does sounds kinda cheesy for some of the music, but as a Saturn game it definitely adds the game's charm which is acceptable back then.
Panzer Dragoon II Zwei is what I descibed as an outstanding 3D rail-shooter game which definitely showcasing the Saturn's powerhouse just delivers the magnificent results of 3D graphics technology that was difficult to develop but managed to fully achieved by the development team behind the predecessor.
I was amazed by the details on the 3D stage environments with great structures and layouts, landscape backgrounds, and razor-sharp textures just really shows how magnificent the Saturn's 3D rail-shooter really looks back in the good old mid-90s.
I really love the overall presentation of the levels has the style of prehistoric settings with fully browned areas, massive stones and rocks everywhere, and bunch of large-size dragons flying about is fitting all on screen is just dead gorgeous.
The game did however delivers the best overall sound design for the Saturn game with atmospheric noises, environmental sounds, and the cries of dragon screaming all over the places just sounds absoultely terrific especially whether you're using the stereo or surround speakers just adds up the cinematic feel of in-game action.
I say the gameplay is drop dead perfection offers an amazing variation of rail-shooting combat such as faster laser projectiles, lock-on target system allows shooting in multiple targets in row, and of course the berserk special which shoots multiple of yellow lasers.
I also wanted to praise the game for its on-rail segment which switches from on-ground foot to flying on-air shooting stage in which we don't see it from the predecessor is the reason to embrace the 3D rail-shooters genre.
It is definitely one of the SEGA Saturn's masterpiece title that defines the system's libary is something that made the game quite special.
So out of all these libraries of games on both consoles, the Saturn does have a decent amount of games to play in which I've enjoyed playing games like Nights Into Dreams and Panzer Dragoon 2 Zwei are the Saturn's AAA titles that are doing something positive that helped the system's libary, and there are some of the amazing games that made available for Saturn consoles like Virtua Cop 2, Die Hard Arcade, Saturn Bomberman and Guardian Heroes does have the very best local co-op multiplayer action.
I had couple of favourite sports titles such as Athlete Kings and SEGA Worldwide Soccer 97 that made me feel appreciate to have these kinds of game that made me pick up the controller and play it all along, and of course the FPS games on the Saturn like Powerslave is by far one of the system's underrated gem that is so good, where as you will also have a decent FPS port like Alien Trilogy, Duke Nukem 3D, and Quake that are also quite entertaining for Saturn's owners to appericate.
I also enjoyed various of SEGA's 3D fighting games that was made for Saturn system such as Virtua Fighter 2, Fighting Vipers, and Last Bronx are sure fantastic, but I concider Tecmo's Dead or Alive are even more impressive to play.
It has the range of fun arcade racing titles like SEGA Rally Championship, Manx TT Superbike, and Daytona USA: Circuit Edition.
Most of the Capcom's fighting games like X-Men: Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes, Street Fighter Alpha 2, and Vampire Hunter: Darkstalkers Revenge are sure great titles to play, but the best ones goes to X-Men vs Street Fighter which is a perfect example of how to create the best arcade to home conversion that really showcasing the Saturn's hardware thanks to 4MB RAM expansion are designed to deliver a fully arcade perfection for quality visuals and gameplay performances, so I wish Capcom could have released it at worldwide if SEGA would have given the Saturn a bit more of chance rather than ending the console's lifespan too pretty soon.
I also adored many great shoot-em-ups titles like Radiant Silvergun, Battle Garegga, DoDonPatchi, Cotton Boomerang, Darius Gaiden, Layer Section, Gunbird, Detana Twinbee Yahho! Deluxe Pack, and Gradius Deluxe Pack.
Saturn games are all good, but I had to say I much perfered most of the N64 libaries which you can't go really wrong with it is because it had a wide variety of all the 1st and 3rd party titles that made everyone buys the Nintendo's 64-bit machine.
It has many lists of best 3D platformers like Banjo-Kazooie, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Rayman 2: The Great Escape, and of course everyone favourite Super Mario 64, as well as the 2D platformers like Mischief Makers, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, and Yoshi's Story are also quite solid for the N64 libary.
If any of you who are searching for the best RPG/adventures then you have Paper Mario, Orge Battle 64 and of course the masterpiece classics like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask to look forward which is a perfect titles to play on Nintendo's 5th-gen console.
Hell it has FPS badass mayhem like Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, Doom 64, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six had the great single-player campaign, but for the very best multiplayer action which is goes to Quake 1+2, Perfect Dark, and Goldeneye 007.
It had shared excellent wrestling games like WCW vs NWO: World Tour, WCW vs NWO: Revenge, WWF Wrestlemania 2000 and WWF No Mercy which are perfect for 4-player matches starting from tag-team battle to battle royale.
Looking for the racing games then you have Wipeout 64, Ridge Racer 64, Wave Race 64, Diddy Kong Racing, Mario Kart 64 and F-Zero X to embrace it, and same goes with the sports games like International Superstar Soccer 64, 1080 Snowboarding, Snowboard Kids, Mario Golf, and Mario Tennis.
The N64 had a solid fighting games to play like Killer Instinct Gold, Mortal Kombat 4, and of course the outstanding multiplayer brawler like the Super Smash Bros.
Wanna play rail-shooters? then you got to play those titles like the Sin and Punishment, Star Wars: Rogue Squardron, and Star Fox 64 that you don't want to miss out, and what about the action packed titles then you need to check out Blast Corps and Jet Force Gemini.
That being said, I think when it comes with bigger 1st-party titles and varieties of 3rd-party titles then it makes N64 a huge win for the console wars.
Winner: Nintendo 64
Conclusion
To wrap it all up, Saturn gets a points for the best console design described as manly and cool appearence and has the best overall layout on the console body, and it does have many better features than the N64 console for its amazing gaming accessories that delivers an arcade experience and these software expansion that gives the Saturn an advantages to system's capabilities such as the ability to play Saturn games requiring 4MB expansion RAM for enhancement features and the video card that allowing the system to play Video CDs format is quite innovative at the time, but the N64 takes the whole lead for having the best controller which is accessible and plays better for most of the 3D titles especially with the 3D analog stick is quite revolutionary for 5th-gen gaming that inspired SONY to create their version of the PS1 controller such as Dualshock in the mid-90s, and I say the N64 definitely wins for the quality graphics that are incredibly marvellous for most of the 64-bit games with wide range of 3D environmental levels just makes it more appealing to see things, and of course the N64 had a large libaries of games that made the Nintendo's 5th-gen machine an ironic video game system.
Here is the score down below:
N64 - 3
Saturn - 2
Winner: Nintendo 64
Lets all just be honest, we all know that we had to feel sorry for the poor SEGA Saturn had a rough competition is because it didn't help with the poor hardware sales, game development difficultes, and the absence of true 3D-platforming Sonic game is the main reason to blame SEGA for their messy strategic marketing that completely killed off their 5th-gen system.
It had disastrous launch strategy when it was first announced at E3 1995 was immediately made available for $399 at 4 months early that leaves the infuriating retailers left 32-bit machine understock or dropped entirely is the reason why the hardware sales didn't do well at the launch release which was completely being overshadowed by the SONY's first console debut like the PS1 which retails for $299 making it a $100 cheaper in comparison with SEGA's 5th-gen console.
Despite all that, it is still an decent video game console that many of people had missed out some of the great libaries of games that was well known for being an arcade to home console perfection and some really good AAA titles is the important reason to own the system.
I had a blast of playing Nights Into Dreams, Panzer Dragoon II Zwei, Virtua Cop 2, SEGA Rally Championship, X-Men vs Street Fighter, Darius Gaiden, Guardian Heroes, and Saturn Bomberman that made me appericate the SEGA's 32-bit system making it a criminally underrated video game console.
The N64 is what I concidered it as Nintendo's finest gaming machine that offers techincal innovations and superiority thanks to 3D analog control became a standard feature for most of the 3D developed games and superior graphical power that is looking more appealing and revolutionary than the 32-bit consoles in terms of rendering and polygons in 3D developed games.
It had many of critically acclaimed titles that really helped the sales of the N64 console like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Goldeneye 007, Perfect Dark, Banjo-Kazooie, as well as the essential titles like Star Fox 64, F-Zero X, Mario Kart 64, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, WCW vs NWO: Revenge, and Super Smash Bros is the main reason why I loved the N64 as a childhood gaming console.
It was listed as the 2nd best-selling system of the 5th-gen era had sold 32.93 million units worldwide and also being one of the iconic video game consoles by gaming medias.
To wrap it all up now, this is basically my own Console Wars Battle which I did it just for the fun and I hope you guys enjoying my content on my recent blog that I've made today, so I will consider making another Console Wars Battle in the future.
If you like my recent blog, please hit like and comment below for further questions.
This is Zeeshan Mirza's Blog and I'll see you next time, happy blogging everyone.
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