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[stranno]

I mean, "hacked". It is just a software emulator with cue/bin images for COTTOn 2 and Guardian Force, so people just have swapped the images with other games. Apparently, the compatibility is pretty decent and the performance is flawless in many games.

So I guess we could expect other Saturn games in the future. Decathlete does not run especially well, but it is the only video/image I have found.

It recalls me the PC Engine Best Collection emulator for Playstation Portable, that was hacked in pretty much the same way, and it allowed to run Rondo of Blood on the system way before The Dracula X Chronicles.

Compatibility list from other forum:

Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean (USA) (RE) - Perfect

Astal (USA) - Perfect

Burning Rangers (USA) - Almost Perfect (Minor audio cracks at random times, I was able to complete the tutorial no problem)

Bug! (USA) - Perfect

Bug Too! (USA) - Perfect

Bulk Slash (Japan) - Unplayable (Game hangs on black screen after start screen)

Clockwork Knight 2 (USA) - Unplayable (Crashes after main menu)

Die Hard Arcade (USA) - Perfect

Dragon Force (USA) - Perfect

Guardian Heroes (USA) - Perfect

Keio Flying Squadron 2 (Europe) - Perfect

Legend of Oasis (USA) - Perfect

Magic Knight Rayearth (USA) - Perfect

NiGHTS into Dreams... (USA) (RE) - Almost Perfect (Often there is a very minor frame drop, but the only reason I even noticed is due to the audio. Otherwise, you can't even tell.)

Noon (Japan) (Rev A) - Perfect

Panzer Dragoon (USA) - Perfect

Panzer Dragoon Zwei (USA) - Perfect

Panzer Dragoon Saga (USA) (Disc 1) - Almost Perfect (Minor audio cracks at random times, I was able to play on foot & riding on the dragon without issue)

Powerslave (USA) - Perfect

Sega Ages: Power Drift - Almost Perfect (Minor Graphical issues: vehicle disappears when you're on/under a bridge)

Saturn Bomberman (USA) - Perfect

Shinrei Jusatsushi Taroumaru (Japan) - Perfect

Sonic Jam (USA) - Unplayable (Crashes at "Press Start" screen)

Sonic R (USA) - Almost Perfect (Minor audio cracks at random times, I was able to finish a race with no issues.)

Virtua Fighter 2 (USA) (RE) - Somewhat Playable (The game has a consistent amount of slowdown it seems, I would say it's in the 40-50fps range if I had to guess)

Virtual On: Cyber Troopers (USA) - Perfect? (For some reason the game initially makes you confirm 2 controllers before the start screen. However you can progress as normal in single player after this. No other issues)

Bulk Slash

 

[celsowmbr]

nice !

 

[Kuranghi]

At first I thought the crowd noise was stuttering but I think it sped up as they got nearer the finish line.

It sounds like it could be a few very short samples repeated in a rhythm and then sped up as the race goes on, pretty awesome idea within the old SW and HW limitations if thats right... or perhaps its just not perfectly emulated any ideas SatFanGAF?

 

[kingpotato]

I watched the video loop a couple of times. Looks pretty solid and I'm liking that list of games. Miss my Saturn...

 

[stranno]

Rest assured, Virtual Hydlide seems to work fine

 

[Mufausa The 3rd]

Rest assured, Virtual Hydlide seems to work fine

I wish that game on no one LOL

 

[kingpotato]

stranno what are the steps to try this out yourself? Do you have a link? (Is that allowed?)

 

[DigitalScrap]

Rest assured, Virtual Hydlide seems to work fine

I still can’t believe that I bought this game at launch and actually continued to try to play it even after I realized how terrible it was

 

[stranno]

I have recorded a first batch of tests.

stranno what are the steps to try this out yourself? Do you have a link? (Is that allowed?)

I wouldn't talk about this here. You should head to GBATemp (legit forum, no piracy there either).

 

[stranno]

Graphics and ini file have been decrypted. 4MB of RAM and widescreen can be activated now, among tons of other options (including Saturn's dot mesh to real transparent polygons). There are even options for STV-Titan, the Saturn hardware arcade board.

Given the options of the ini file, this emulator (apparently codenamed "Zebra Engine") is a port of Shima's SSF, which is probably even more amazing than a native emulator, since it is a pretty heavy emulator on Windows.

Shadow Over Mystara (4MB game) video by Levine91: https://lewd.pics/p/xjMV.mp4

 

[stranno]

Another bunch of games tested. To be honest, there's barely any reason in testing them: Most games work properly, with zero graphical/sound issues and flawless performance, with none to noticeable input lag. Few games crash here and there, but even then, they still has flawless performance. And there are very few games that exhibit some kind of graphical issues, like Croc (Argonaut Games' sorcery) or Deep Fear (I have only tested the US prototype).

New non-working games I have seen: FIFA 98 - Road to World Cup, it crashes before the match, and Gex, it crashes after the first screen.

 

[jufonuk]

This is not the best Saturn emulator in the world. This is just a tribute

 

[stranno]

This is not the best Saturn emulator in the world. This is just a tribute

I'm not sure what do you mean.

ZebraEngine, the codename of the emulator in this collection, is a port of Shima's SSF.

 

[mhirano]

I'm not sure what do you mean.

ZebraEngine, the codename of the emulator in this collection, is a port of Shima's SSF.

 

[jufonuk]

 

[BlackTron]

I wish Switch Pro could manifest so I can mod/hack my OG Switch already. I have a 2017 model and I don't want to un-purify it until it has a big brother to be the legit Switch.

This is getting agonizing though.

 

[IbizaPocholo]

A hidden Sega Saturn emulator has been discovered in a new Nintendo Switch game. Thanks to data miners, its possible to play almost any Sega Saturn game on a modded Nintendo Switch system. In this episode we take a closer look

 

[Futaleufu]

House of the Dead is clearly running at half speed

 

[captainraincoat]

Rest assured, Virtual Hydlide seems to work fine

do i get a medal if i said i actually played and completed the game ......

 

[stranno]

House of the Dead is clearly running at half speed

Most 3D games require OC to go right.

There are some tweaks to improve speed with default clocks, like the SH2 cache. I guess MVG just recorded a few games and there you go, the 10 minutes video.

All games go fullspeed with OC, except some weird cases like Croc JP.

do i get a medal if i said i actually played and completed the game ......

I have played and I actually like the style and the graphics. But yeah, the performance and the controls are terrible. The lava cave is a complete slideshow.

 

[stranno]

Playstation 4 version of Saturn Tribute requires 8.52 FW. So I think we will have almost-flawless Saturn emulation on the console soon.

 

[xpresstuning]

Good, more accessibility for people to play Sega Saturn games. There are way too many fantastic video games forever stuck on that machine, and emulation is probably going to be the only way to properly preserve its library in the future.

Bulk Slash

Bulk Slash just got an english patch 3 days ago. I could never get into this game because of its awkward controls, but i should damn well sit with it and learn it now that its translated.

 

[jshackles]

Playstation 4 version of Saturn Tribute requires 8.52 FW. So I think we will have almost-flawless Saturn emulation on the console soon.

As of this morning, PS4 9.00 can load unsigned code. So it looks like you'll be in luck.

 

[EverythingsOverrated]

This is great news. Definitely going to be looking into this.

There's a handful of Saturn games that I've been wanting to play for a while that would be perfectly suited for the switch (Shining Force 3 being the big one).

 

[stranno]

Bulk Slash just got an english patch 3 days ago. I could never get into this game because of its awkward controls, but i should damn well sit with it and learn it now that its translated.

Yes. I completed it a few hours later xD



To be honest, it is a disappointingly easy game on Hard mode. Five missions are just a walk in the park. Of course the escort mission (3) is tough as nails and the final mission's boss rush is somewhat hard, but not really.

The dubbing is really good. I like the "Asuka Langley" girl, with Spanish and German accent (weird, since she is a Japanese girl in the original version).

BTW: Original compat report was wrong, it worked perfectly fine on ZebraEngine. I used the original hardware on my run tho.

As of this morning, PS4 9.00 can load unsigned code. So it looks like you'll be in luck.

Yes, that's what I meant.

 

[Isa]

This emotionally hurts me since the community does a better job at getting access and running classic games than Sega themselves. Its like they have no respect or care for their own legacy. Sonic games(2,Knuckles,3) MIA on modern consoles but still listed on Xbox Store. Why has there been no Shining Force collection? Its stupid easy to grab some Roms, slap them in a couple of emulators in some basic menu system, throw in a gallery with a neat little history writeup but nooooooooooooooo Sega gonna Sega. Jesus Christ Sega let me GIVE YOU MONEY to easily access these games, shit I don't even need Trophy/Cheevos support(though that'd be swell). Sometimes I find it absolutely astonishing how bogglingly stupid this industry can be sometimes. Like why would they want to cultivate and build brand recognition whilst retaining and satisfying fans? Who does that?!

Congratulations to the modders/hackers though. Doing what Segdon't. I'm living in the worst timeline...

 

[Drew1440]

Great progress. Wonder if this could be ported to the Nvidia Shield? Yaba SanShiro can only do so much.

 

[Mr Hyde]

Wouldn't mind a proper re-release of some classic Saturn games. Albert Odyssey, Guardian Heroes, Dark Savior, Burning Rangers, Legend of Oasis. It's a shame they're not on modern platforms already.

 

[West Texas CEO]

Bulk Slash just got an english patch 3 days ago. I could never get into this game because of its awkward controls, but i should damn well sit with it and learn it now that its translated.

I'm about to pay $150 for this game. I hope it's as good as they say.

 

[stranno]

This emotionally hurts me since the community does a better job at getting access and running classic games than Sega themselves. Its like they have no respect or care for their own legacy. Sonic games(2,Knuckles,3) MIA on modern consoles but still listed on Xbox Store. Why has there been no Shining Force collection? Its stupid easy to grab some Roms, slap them in a couple of emulators in some basic menu system, throw in a gallery with a neat little history writeup but nooooooooooooooo Sega gonna Sega. Jesus Christ Sega let me GIVE YOU MONEY to easily access these games, shit I don't even need Trophy/Cheevos support(though that'd be swell). Sometimes I find it absolutely astonishing how bogglingly stupid this industry can be sometimes. Like why would they want to cultivate and build brand recognition whilst retaining and satisfying fans? Who does that?!

Congratulations to the modders/hackers though. Doing what Segdon't. I'm living in the worst timeline...

Well, hackers have done nothing, to be honest. Someone just discovered the game images datamining the game, but emulator has been spoiled just swapping images and using the Atomosphére's LayeredFS feature.

It's all City Connection's work.

Sega has certainly cared about their games in the past. They even payed ElSemi, the nullDC graphics core and Model 2 Emulator developer, for Jet Set Radio and Sonic CD ports to consoles and Steam.

 

[xpresstuning]

I'm about to pay $150 for this game. I hope it's as good as they say.

I couldn't get into it, but i'll try to have more patience with it now that it's finally translated.

Think of it like this - you're not buying a video game, you're buying a collector's item that'll never lose its value. You can always resell it for at least that amount and probably for a higher price later down the line. Video games are extraordinarily collectable, the collector's market is one of the biggest there is. The Sega Saturn in particular has a very sought after library because almost all of them are either a)exclusives, b)definitive ports, c)definitive arcade ports with exclusive content and enhancements.