The Sega Saturn was built on the back of the Virtua Fighter series, and while the system never achieved the extensive library of the Sony PlayStation, it did have some truly quality titles, particularly 3D fighting games. The 3D best fighting games on the Sega Saturn were distinct due to their fluid and deep gameplay as well as their crisp polygonal graphics.
Last Bronx. This game was Sega’s foray into the weapons-based fighting game realm, and the title became one of the best 3D fighting games on the Sega Saturn or any system at the time. The gameplay was fast and the familiar three-button gameplay gave the game an easy learning curve, but the depth of the game’s mechanics and individuality of each of its fighters made it a lasting game that was a worthy successor to the legendary Virtua Fighter.
Fighting Vipers. Fighting Vipers eschewed the slow and methodical fighting style that defined the Virtua Fighter series, but it maintained the solid three-button mechanics and intense gameplay that was a signature of Sega’s 3D fighting games of the time. The button-smashing action of this game and the quirky characters gave it a really distinct style and the barriers around the fighting arenas gave it a fresh hook for the time, one that has remained special even as Fighter Vipers has become a retro game.
Dead Or Alive. The arcade version of this 3D fighting game operated on Sega’s Model 2 arcade board, which allowed Tecmo to make use of Sega’s knowledge of Model 2 to Sega Saturn conversions when it came time to bring this one home. While the game was also available on the Sony PlayStation, the Saturn version actually sported crisper graphics and was very true to the arcade original. The conversion to the Sega Saturn was so strong that the game’s creator even preferred it as his favorite version of the now classic retro fighting game. It was unfortunate that this one was a Japanese-only release, but it is easily importable.
Fighters Megamix. This game combined Virtua Fighter 2 with Fighting Vipers, but went so much further with many secret characters from Sega’s most prized franchises and the inclusion of moves from Virtua Fighter 3. This classic Sega Saturn fighting game allowed players to choose between the finesse fighting style of Virtua Fighter or the more arcade-oriented gameplay of Fighting Vipers. Allowing players to play as Virtua Cop’s Janet and Daytona USA’ Hornet racing car gave this 3D fighting game a true feel of the Sega world.
Virtua Fighter 2. Virtua Fighter 2 has aged better than just about any fighting game of its time. This Sega Saturn classic proved that the system was capable of 3D and the saturated color palette has helped it age better than many of its contemporaries. The complex fighting game engine of this game has endured because it is simple enough to be deemed accessible, yet takes years to master, giving it depth that keeps the now retro game relevant.
The contributor spent countless hours during the 1990s playing these Sega Saturn classics.
More from this Contributor:
Top 10 Cars From ’90s Video Games
Did James Bond Sell Out To Heineken for ‘Skyfall’ Profits?
Six Degrees of Rock Stars
