Rao Wu

Greetings Saturn owners and video game fans!

I just wanted to express my feelings about home video console gaming, and the Saturns' dominance.First of all, I own all three of the major systems, Sega Saturn, Sony Playstation, Nintendo 64, and even a PC. My gaming history dates back to owning: Atari 2600, Colecovision(a great system), Nintendo entertainment system(8-bit), Sega Master System,TurboGrafx 16(yet another great system), Sega Genesis, Super NES and of course, now all three of the current next gen systems. Yes, I confess to being a die hard gamer, and as one, I KNOW GAMING!!!

All three of the current systems are actually pretty good as some of this page's past editorials have pointed out(BTW great page and insights).Each next gen console has their own specific strengths and weaknesses. Owning all three systems, I feel that I'm somewhat qualified to make an unbias opinion.

The N64 can produce some spectacular 3d effects, light sourcing, goraud shading, mipmapping, you name it; but lacks tremendously in the sound department and game storage capacity due to their decision on cartridge based formats.The number of titles for the N64 is sparse at best, but what concerns me the most, is that the future titles, don't really excite me either. The control of the games are somewhat responsive but not all that overwhelmingly precise, as all true excellent titles must require. I have purchased the N64 the first day of its release and to simply say that I've given it third place treatment would be a HUGE understatement. The bulky DD drive may address some its weaknesses, but more titles must be released, and the aim of its consumers must not be children for me to endorse it wholeheartedly. Mario64 is an excellent game, but aimed at an audience other than older, die hard gamers. The much overhyped N64 has a long way to go in my book.

The Sony Playstation has excellent graphics as well, and of course CD sound quality. The Playstation at this point has the largest library of games albeit most of them are very poor in quality. A handful of Playstation games I feel are definitely "must have" titles but they wear thin after I beat them ( I seldomly ever go back to them after that). The Playstations weaknesses are not immediately apparent and that is why it is selling as the #1 system (because the average video game layman does not see the weaknesses but will usually feel them after months of play). Those weaknesses are: very poor loading time, and absolutely the most ridiculous video game control response system to grace the home consoling industry.I know that is an extreme statement, but movement in 90% of the current Playstation titles, feels as if its done in quicksand.I am however prepared to endorse the Playstation over the N64 but not over the Saturn.

Of the three systems, lets face it, the Saturn to date cannot match the graphical 3d capabilities as its rivals ( but does have superior 2d), and has henceforth lost much of its appeal to consumers walking around in malls, watching the systems side by side. Where it excels however, is in its superior sound system, quicker loading time(than its cd rival)and superior control response which adds up to quality enjoyable gameplay. Of the three systems, I am on the Saturn 60%, Playstation 30% and N64 10% of the time. The games on Segas machine are more enjoyable and entertaining(period).

The proof is in the pudding, and here, the pudding is the games.The genres are all well represented by Sony and Sega but extremely lacking in the N64. For Fighting games, the fight(no pun intended) is close with the Saturn and Playstation, with the Saturn's Vf series( and of course Megamix) putting it over Playstations Tekken series and winning by a slight margin.The pinnacle of combat games all comes down to this match up between VF and Tekken with both sides coming close, but Vf's superior control winning the battle.As a martial arts instructor, I feel that Vf is definitely the more real of the two as far as technique in application goes, I've heard arguments from both sides of the coin but cannot be persuaded otherwise.

The adventure games I confess to, as giving the Playstation the edge for now. Tomb Raider is graphically superior on PS and for now at least, Resident Evil turns the tides.When the Saturn version hits, we'll see if that changes.

Platformers I like on the Saturn the most. I class Nights here because I dont know where else to put it, and with titles like Bug, Rayman, Clockwork Knight, and Mr Bones, beating out Crash and co for Sony, and outnumbering Mario for Nintendo. Don't forget, we still haven't seen the 32 bit Hedgehog yet either.

Rpgs I can see going either way. Sega has many promising overseas prospects but has to get them over here in the states(if thats where your reading from)while I'm sure you Saturn fans are all sick of hearing about Final Fantasy 7.I clearly favor the Playstation in this department but can see the tides change dramatically soon.Sorry, I know Daves' such an rpg fan, but the race is close at best.

Sportsgames are BAR NONE better on the Saturn! with one exception of course being Basketball which I give to Playstation by default.World Series 2, NHL Powerplay, Worldwide Soccer 97, and yes even Madden 97 Saturn, are all perspective juggernauts in their fields, leading every other sport games for now, on any system.Madden 97 is the only next-gen football game for me, even beating out NFL GAMDAY 97( which loads about as quick as molasses).Madden on the Playstation responds far too slow to be even playable much less enjoyable.I know, the mags all say that the Playstation is way to go for sports, BUT THEIR WRONG!I dont need 50 games for each sport, I only need 1 excellent title. 20 different Baseball games do not rival WSB 2! Etc.

Racers also go to the Saturn for their obvious arcade experience and dominance. Wipeout XL and Rage Racer are fun, but do not match Sega Rally, and Daytona CCE(pop up and all), Besides, Wipeout is also on the Saturn, and I see no reason why Wipeout 2 will not be either.ManxTT and Scudracer will be backbreakers to Sony.

That leaves me with the shoot em ups which win uncontested on the Saturn. The control response is critical on Shootem ups, and Saturn wins hands down. The Virtual cop series, Panzer Dragon Series, and all other blasters need not worry from the Playstation at all.

Finally the strategy wargames (with puzzlers declared as a draw for Sega and Sony)has got to One of Saturns stronger suits as well. Iron Storm, Dragon Force, PTO2, and Mystaria clearly outdo ths PSX.Two words :Working Designs!

The future prognosis for all 3 systems has me most excited for my Saturn system. N64 has Metroid 64, Zelda 64, and Starfox 64 all potetially heavy hitters. The Playstation has Final Fantasy 7, and Resident Evil 2 which are top notch contenders. The Saturn though has Virtual Fighter 3 UPgrade and all, and I trust Yu Suzuki will not let us down. If that werent enough, Resident Evil 1&2 from Capcom, Street Fighter Vs X-Men, Sonic Extreme, Scud Racer, Last Bronx, Enemy Zero, and TRUST ME, many , many , more.If thats not enough to get you excited, you better check your pulse.

Well, thats about it for now(wheew), I strongly endorse the Saturn over PSX and N64.This was my first editoral and if you want to criticize or comment, you can write me at rwu@netscape.com.BTW I will somehow , somewhere, and sometime do an in depth comparison on VF and Tekken, so keep your eyes out, because I don't know where I'll place it yet.If Dave gives me the OK, I'll probably place it here. Thanks for reading.