Neo Geo Games on the Sega Saturn

The Neo Geo had a grand library with many classic 2D franchises. Some of those games made their way to the Sega Saturn. Let's take a look at them here.
I'm now on Patreon! Help support the channel.
/ segalordx
Check out my Sega Lord X merchandise page!
segalordx.threadless.com/
If you would like to support the channel directly:
www.paypal.me/segalordx
Head over to Facebook to hear me ramble about various things:
/ segalordx
Opening animation done by:
/ kevin.bhall.14
Episode Notes:
All games covered here running on real hardware.
I own an MVS and Neo Geo CD. I have seen all these games side by side running on original machines.
The Neo Geo CD is a great way to experience these games as well. Many of them are much cheaper than their AES alternatives.
There were a handful of games I considered adding to this episode since they had roots on the Neo. Sonic Wings Special being one.
Opening SEEEEGAAAAA from Astal for Saturn.
Ending credits music is Batman for Genesis.
Opening narration song is from Garou Mark of the Wolves. Spread the Wings (Rock Howard)
Closing narration song is the ending from Metal Slug.

[@Athonite]

Breakfast and Sega Lord X, can't ask for more than that 👍👍

[@LaughingxClouds]

Always blessing us with quality Sega content... Thank you.

[@Robin-ie3ns]

As a Neo Geo owner with limited budget (!) I find the Sega Saturn ports to be excellent really, even when comparing to the originals. Just a shame there wasn't a Last Blade/Garou Motw port.

[@420Funzzo]

There is on Dreamcast.

[@ficogonzalez9133]

I know that last blade was on dreamcast however it was a better fit for saturn shame that never was a por for it

[@stevensonchambers5577]

@@egg64 it would have been possible for later SNK games like Samurai Shodown 4 and Last Blade to be ported to the Saturn if there was support for a 4 meg RAM cart like Capcom used for their Saturn ports. Sadly SNK seemed to drop its support for the Saturn before Capcom did.

[@josemarialopezcasas2046]

@@egg64 Maybe with capcom's 4mb ram cart...

[@Bloodreign1]

Sam Sho 4 was ported to the Saturn.

[@dougr.8653]

People nowadays don't understand how big SNK was during the 90's. I've got fond memories playing at the arcades spending some of my pocket money on KOF '96 and Metal Slug. Thanks for the video. Cheers!

[@yellowblanka6058]

I was only aware of SNK via a 4 game Neo-Geo cab in our local Wal-Mart in the 90's. I must have been one of the few people who ever played that, or the "Cadillacs and Dinosaurs" cab that sat next to it in the alcove. I rarely saw anybody else at the machines. I would of course get into Neo-Geo via the "NeoRageX" emulator in the late 90's.

[@dougr.8653]

@Poison I envy you. But in a good way... 😁

[@fatalfurysnk2995]

SNK will always be the best.

[@Theshark15z]

It was actually Capcom's biggest Rival.

[@Brodelsteen]

I'm seeeeeega lawd x! Love your voice lol. You got that passion and it shows in your videos man.

[@Kapojos]

Gay..?

[@MrSez1979]

New Sega Lord X video on my birthday! AWESOME way to ring in my 40s!!!

[@Leo-yu3tt]

Shaun Zuber Happy Birthday!!!!! 😃

[@MrSez1979]

@@Leo-yu3tt thanks brother

[@SegaLordX]

Yup, happy birthday. Glad I contributed to it a tad. :)

[@dougr.8653]

Happy birthday, mate.

[@Silvergun_Raven]

The school I went to had an arcade for Magical Drop and my friends and I were constantly playing it. The principal eventually got rid of it because we were playing games over sitting at the tables and eating. We were eating and playing!

[@basteagui]

this is amazing as usual. i love it. appreciate your hard work my friend

[@stevensonchambers5577]

Owning a Neo Geo AES or CD was the best option for having SNK's hits at home in all their arcade glory, but it was pricey. The next best and more afforable option at the time were Saturn ports, which were pretty faithful to the versions on Neo Geo hardware and more affordable. The Saturn's limited RAM was the only thing preventing it from doing 100% accurate ports of animation intense SNK arcade hits

[@DARS_04]

Not only that, but the sound is kinda bad since the music restarts after every. Single. Round. KoF 95, 96 and 97 on 32-Bit consoles seem to be based on the NeoGeo CD versions, so load times are expected and remedied on Saturn. But the sound is kinda off.

[@Shinobi6407]

If I had just one SNK game on my Sega Saturn, it would be Metal Slug. Love that game.

[@xChris_Kentx]

You finally did it! Thank you so much for posting the Neo Geo version. I wish that I could subscribe twice!

[@SegaLordX]

No problem. Happy to see you enjoyed it.

[@Andylikescandy1]

Am just diving into the Sega Saturn and want to thank you for your channel. About an hour ago I asked myself what SNK games are on the Saturn and right away knew you would have an insightful video about them. Really appreciate it and keep it up!

[@3timefelon576]

Just found your channel: i am impressed with your knowledge on the subject

[@TheSouthernSegaGentleman]

Just what I needed to come to a stopping point with tonight's editing. Appreciate it brother, great video btw. And Metal Slug is all I need man! 🤣

[@andrewmaasch1724]

Hey dude! Nice to see you over here on SLX comments 😁 Looking forward to watching whatever it is you're editing 🖒

[@TheSouthernSegaGentleman]

Appreciate it man, and yeah, SLX was one of the guys who helped inspire me to create my own content.

[@SegaLordX]

Feelings mutual, man. Shiro, the Junkyard, the SSG, all you guys work hard and inspire me to be better.

[@SEGASATURNSHIRO]

Was super excited you re-made this video! We absolutely loved your first (Which was used as reference and mentioned on our Neo Geo podcast). Great job, NGFL!

[@SegaLordX]

Glad you guys enjoy it. Always ready to bring some love to the Neo Geo.

[@reynald62600]

you are really the best ! cheers from France ;)

[@SegaLordX]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, reynald. :)

[@SharifSourour]

So true! Thanks for the coverage!

[@robertdanker6193]

Just when I think this channel can't get any better, Sega Lord X drops another A+ video!!!!

[@NeoGunloc]

Your contect rocks bro, I love Neo-Geo games, and the AES is my favorite console of all-time. Keep up the good work ;)

[@HybridAngelZero]

I never knew NEO-GEO had such a rich history on SEGA's 32-bit machine! And the Samurai Showdown RPG looks absolutely awesome, I really hope it eventually gets a fan translation

[@VonSeux]

Nothing compares the joy of playing the perfect versions of KoF95, Samurai Shodow IV and Fatal Fury Real Bout Special on my Sega Saturn

[@dreamcastninja88]

They're also cool on the psone.

[@Bloodreign1]

Not 100% perfect, SNK never seemed to nail the audio just right for any of their Saturn games.

[@ClockedIt]

Best Sega channel on KZbin #facts I'm lucky enough to own a few of these games and it just goes to show how great the Saturn was at 2D even if some ports suffered for minor reasons. Great video man, keep up the good work.

[@SegaLordX]

Thank dude. Appreciate the comment.

[@MrCalverino]

1991 was one of my favorite years in the arcades

[@marcusgreene8434]

Definitely going to add the King of Fighters into my collection. Another great video Sega Lord X!

[@SegaLordX]

Any of the KOF games on Saturn are good games. None of them cost a lot, either.

[@andybrinks3784]

Hey rocker, thanks for talking about Samurai RPG! That one always sounded intriguing! Wish they had released it outside Japan!

[@erick103]

Whoa, I owned a Saturn but never knew these Neo Geo games ever came out. I guess they were very rare in Canada where I grew up. Still, awesome video Lord X!

[@silentfanatic]

It's kind of fascinating when hardware manufacturers end up selling their exclusives on rival platforms. Really love seeing stuff like this!

[@michaelp6786]

Good coverage, especially on the KoF series. I didn't realize there are that many NG ports for the Saturn. Good options now that even NG CD games are getting expensive.

[@rodneyabrett]

I bought all of these games when I was in college. They were a great way to play these arcade games without breaking the bank on an actual Neo Geo. Me and my friends would play them in the local arcades in Chinatown, and then play the home versions on the Saturn. Good times.

[@rodneyabrett]

@Pro Tengu Good times!

[@XxBishop78]

Whoa!!! Subs are climbin bro,great video

[@SegaLordX]

Almost 18K now. Can you believe it?

[@XxBishop78]

@@SegaLordX you deserve it man,waiting on my 1 slot mvs to play my real bout and sam sho4 on my versus city,video has me hyped for its arrival,game on bro

[@andrewmaasch1724]

Everytime I watch your video's I have my "memo" app open on my phone so I can add to my "games I need to play" list! 😁 I own 2 neo geo Saturn games - FF3 which I got dirt cheap and Samurai Shodown 4 which I won from you 😊 Samurai Shodown 4 is excellent! Great gameplay and looks gorgeous on the Saturn! Those load times in FF3 though....😅

[@majimamike4097]

Spectacular video as always.I always liked SNKs games.

[@SegaLordX]

Thanks. I always had a soft spot for the Neo games, myself.

[@deathscythe9158]

Love Neo Geo games and I used to play the crap out of these with my friends and brother back in the day.

[@darthv72]

KoF 97 is still my favorite in the series and was the first import saturn game I had to have. Shame the saturn didnt get any other neo shmups like last resort, pulstar or alpha mission 2.

[@glenolivier8099]

Waku Waku 7 is underrated. Great video BTW!

[@rockylopez7846]

9:23, damn, what a super underrated gem! Let's hope to see either a new game or a World Heroes team for King of Fighters, someday!

[@ravagingwolverine]

Great retrospective. I really enjoyed Neo Geo games on my Saturn when it was current. Even though I had already seen Capcom's CPS2 games in arcades, it was King of Fighters '97 that impressed me with its sprite designs and animation. When I saw that game, I knew I had to have it, and it was great news when I found out that same day that it would be coming to the Saturn some months later. I'd also get Metal Slug and the Samurai Shodown two pack. Though I preferred part four, I think the third game has the best sprite work overall in the series. I share your view on the Samurai Shodown RPG. I don't know if it's good, but it looks like the kind of thing I would love to try if I could read it. It was very cool having a system in the late '90s that could convincingly replicate Neo Geo and CPS2 games that were current releases in the arcades.

[@SegaLordX]

Yeah, many people don't understand that the time period really played a huge role in the enjoyment of these kinds of games. Access to them was far more limited then, and many of these were really close to their arcade release dates. Some mere months. Having that kind of access at this level was a godsend.

[@NewportBox100s]

RagnaGuard looks awesome. I love prerendered graphics! 🦄

[@n0isyturtle]

You had me at Neo Geo.

[@chrispacheco8590]

Saturn is the best way to play Neo Geo games, other than the MVS, AES, and certain emus

[@DanielAyy]

What about Xbox Original and PS2? Or are they also emulated?

[@Mouritogaia]

Fantastic games😉👍

[@felman87]

Waku Waku 7 is a lot of fun. Granted, it's a bit lacking in terms of number of fighters, a relic of the times, but I can't deny that it was a good purchase on the Switch.

[@chadmolitor6691]

I can't believe both sega and snk missed the opportunity to port neo geo sports games to the console!

[@TiffanyStarrxxx]

I use to kick ass with Charlotte in Samurai Showdown. I'm pretty rusty now, but I'm sure I could get back into it again. I do own V special

[@bloodykenshiro8218]

Neo-Geo and the Saturn, a match made in heaven, for sure.

[@sycabal]

We need a Dragonforce review. It was one of my favorite games for the saturn.

[@wolfgangpuff7030]

I owned all of these Saturn games back in the 90’s and enjoyed the hell out of most of them and after watching this video I just now realized that the Wii shop offered all of these (at least in Japan) as Virtual Console titles. Just thought that was a weird coincidence.

[@Guns7469]

Another hit from the hitmaster!!

[@DreamcastQ]

right now 400 thumbs up, 0 thumbs down. Thunderstorm outside today & chilling indoors with a new SLX video!

[@Riz2336]

I think the Saturn got some great ports of the Neo Geo games and I'm glad we got them because the Neo Geo is one of my all time favorite consoles

[@SegaLordX]

Mine too. These games were great to have as an option back then.

[@ChuckBerrington]

THE SEGA LORD RETURNS!

[@juanmartinstehle5047]

I realy want a NEO GEO CD. But I need to get a job first. Thumbs up for SEGA LORD X. Greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[@christiandornan1308]

Even some of the Neo Geo CD games has animation cuts like Franco Bash idle stand animation in Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 the Newcomers. That's the only animation cut I've seen on a Neo Geo CD game I've noticed so far.

[@adam1984pl]

We got Metal Slug aracde cabinet in local shop.

[@SegaLordX]

We have one in our local arcade as well. It's beat all to hell, though.

[@yellowblanka6058]

@@SegaLordX - it's disappointing that arcade operators don't seem to take care of their machines (in my experience anyway). Hell, even when I visited the Rochester Museum of Play Arcade this past summer, a few of the machines had busted buttons, sticks that didn't work correctly etc. I would have thought a museum would put in the effort to fix them up.

[@stefanohlson7351]

I love the Neo Geo, still regret that I sold my collection, would be worth a fortune today.

[@SegaLordX]

I had a massive MVS and AES collection some time ago, myself. Sold it off once digital versions and compilations began showing up. Regret that every single day.

[@williamhowe1]

Big problem with the Saturn was most of the good games were still in Japan.

[@jacklazzaro9820]

In the arcade, the mighty arcade It's Sega Lord X toniiiiiiight In the arcade, the mighty arcade It's Sega Lord X toniiiiiiight Awemewa, Awemewa Awemewa, Awemewa Awemewa, Awemewa Awemewa, Awemewa

[@bananonymouslastname5693]

I went heavy with ports of Neo Geo games up until about 2003, when I finally put up and bought an AES. I eventually picked up an MVS cabinet as well, but I never really went back to ports other than to enjoy the ones with significant differences. I will say, though, that I prefer these ports from tge Saturn, PS1, and Dreamcast over the later emulated collections that came out. The extra features they often bore were fun, and they have a more crisp look and feel compared to the filtered, bare bones compilations that came later.

[@SegaLordX]

Any graphical filters you can't turn off is a sin in my eyes. That blur is intolerable.

[@afropowa1598]

I just watch to see if you was gonna mention Twinkle Star Sprites, the greatest SNK game ever. I never even heard of the last game you mention tho, it's looks interesting.

[@wsugj]

I didn't have the money for NeoGeo games on NeoGeo. Getting the games on the Saturn was the next best thing. I own several games. My friends & I played them alot during the 90s.

[@SegaLordX]

Same here. In the mid 90's, Neo Geo games and hardware was a pipe dream. It was just so expensive. Finally getting the ones on Saturn as close as they were was a blessing.

[@JetFire0422]

I love Neo Geo videos. Can you do one on the Neo Geo ports for Sega Genesis?

[@SegaLordX]

I'll add it to the idea list. :)

[@HellTantrumbull]

Something most probably don't know or haven't noticed about Real Bout FF and Special is both games are programmed to know which region your sega saturn is. if you play the games on a japanese saturn the title screen will display the japanese name for the game and play the japanese voice track for the title screen only while the American sega saturn will display the english name after you soft reset the games after starting one of the modes and play the english voice track from there on. Real Bout best collection was also the first neogeo game collection I got for the system and soon after I got the KoF best collection. playing these games and then playing the ps1 versions of the games always made me glad I went with the saturn versions since the ps1 versions were missing too many animations that made them feel choppy along with the audio sounding bad.

[@SegaLordX]

Some of these games had atrocious PS versions IMO. Sam Sho 3 was a joke in comparison for example.

[@HellTantrumbull]

@@SegaLordX Yeah, I had KoF95 for ps1 first and then later on got the saturn version in the KoF best collection. it was clear cut night and day the saturn version is the better version with everything and it was too hard for me to to even look at the ps1 version again after spending so much time on the saturn. I'm just glad I never wasted money getting the Real Bout games on ps1 because I was upset when I got KoF99 years later and saw how bad a port it is compared to the neogeo and found myself wondering how the saturn would have handled the game if it and 98 made it to the system.

[@mixedhairless]

Saturn Saturday Night with the imortal Sega Lord X 🤟👏

[@PeeNCee]

I was disappointed in many SNK ports in the past. So much so, I invested in a consolized MVS system. But I didn't know Saturn did so well. Nice

[@joshuaknox2724]

dude i love world heroes series there raw and oldschool

[@jotakux7489]

I think You should do a “Dreamcast exclusives”. There are tons of Great Dreamcast games that never came out on any other platform. I am still bummed I can’t play versus power stone or rival schools 2.

[@marakarthegreat]

I wish King of the Monsters 2 made it to the saturn

[@SegaLordX]

So did I. It was a great co-op and competitive series.

[@neogenesis7706]

Rb Fatal fury special was the best saturn neo geo game.

[@marcoskatsuragi]

If there was one point that caused me regret in having a Playstation it was the performance of Saturn in 2D fighting games, genre that I always liked. It was much superior, practically the same experience as the Neo Geo CD. Unfortunately, SNK did not deal well with the limitations of playstation like Capcom. Congratulations on the video.

[@sega_kid4288]

As always great video, but you just opened an old wound ,lol. Samurai showdown on Saturn . I'm kicking myself as I either didn't know, which is unlikely, or the price was wrong back in the day and I buried the pain down deep. Either way what was I thinking???

[@orderofmagnitude-TPATP]

Never actually bought any of these but was always curious how they came out...

[@Mr_x_19922]

Metal Slug is close to the arcade version, amazing! sadly it never came out outside of Japan for the SS

[@SegaLordX]

I agree. A shame that most of them remained locked in Japan. So goes the sad story of Saturn.

[@alvinbautista1450]

Saturn and Dreamcast has good NEO-GEO fighting games. :)

[@nateword]

cool

[@TheRealDustinNunn]

SNK's Neo Geo games also appeared on the Super Nintendo, Sega CD, Sega Genesis, Sega Dreamcast and other consoles and handhelds.

[@HereForAStorm]

Yes, they sure did. Very good. 😄

[@Globalastral5]

17:24 VICTOLY!!!

[@ThoughtformsOfTheSubconsciousM]

Lol classic

[@kaosdash]

4 megabyte cartdrige S2 love it

[@user-yq9zy5hw1d]

Neo geo❤❤❤

[@gameofyou1]

I think there is an option for english text, in Stakes Winner 2.

[@NiGHTS1980]

"On the System"

[@cpnnpr]

Take a sip each time he says "would see"

[@jhonrock2386]

You talk about KoF, you get insta like.

[@khalnetherfields7263]

I am way into your videos, I'm not a gamer but I was into it back in the early 90s. I get bored with most anything but your videos go down smooth. Can I ask, what's your fascination with the saturn?

[@SegaLordX]

I explain here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXqViISNacSKm9E

[@jakster16]

Once again, nice video brother. Out of curiosity, what is the name of the track played over the beginning?

[@SegaLordX]

Garou Mark of the Wolves. Spread the Wings.

[@pferreira1983]

Alas I think we only got King of Fighters 95 in PAL.

[@scifu7e91]

SORRY "Sega Lord X "and i'm happy to see you here :') ♥. Good made :)). See you Friend and have nice days & and all other too ;)

[@orochidan]

what was the bgm @ 1:26-1:30 ? awesome video yet again sir !!!

[@ezraramos6917]

orochidan It’s Children by Robert Miles

[@vintagefeelsFL]

What version of Children is that @1:20?

[@SegaLordX]

Garou Mark of the Wolves Spread the Wings (Rock Howard)

[@vintagefeelsFL]

RAGINGG STORMM!!!

[@celluloidfreak]

Great video as always dude! Can you tell me where the small snippet of music from 1:15 on is from? Much appreciated!

[@SegaLordX]

It's from Garou Mark of the Wolves.

[@celluloidfreak]

Thanks a lot! And now I remember why it seems so familiar: inspired by Robert Miles - Children

[@PAKA62]

Decent ports, too bad the lack of RAM means the sound effects had to take a hit.

[@DanielAyy]

Would have been cool if SNK made a 2mb or 3mb cart or just used the 4mb cart.

[@argedismun2]

The psx got samuraispirits 1&2 why not for the saturn

[@SegaLordX]

PSX lived at retail a lot longer than the Saturn did on the worldwide market. More games were bound to come to it.

[@jervonw4251]

Preach on Sega Bratha Preach on :3

[@AnarchistCatGrrl]

Good video as usual but did something happen to your microphone?

[@SegaLordX]

Same mic. Sound different?

[@AnarchistCatGrrl]

@@SegaLordX hm, that's odd. Either way. Interesting video.

[@Emperor.Ernest]

Yes, i noticed an odd drop in mic audio quality starting with this episode and your newest one. Very muffled.

[@inmate77]

You need to do Neo-Geo on the Dreamcast next.

[@SegaLordX]

Editing it now. :)

[@inmate77]

@@SegaLordX Thank you and that was fast.

[@pedrooscarbh]

we need capcom fighting games in saturn!!!

[@cinnamondan4984]

Gonna give Twinkle a whirl. Bet the wife will like.

[@MRBundle5]

can u make a video about "general choas"

[@janfreidun]

I am not familiar with Neo Geo at all, when I was a theology student Another guy, Johnny showed moving clips on his laptop, he notified that some 32X games had "Neo-Geo prices", meaning he thought they were expensive. I did not know it was a machine with places for discs and cartidges, the fighting games seem to be a bit intense, for my taste but I have had Fatal fury on Mega drive before but I grew tired of it and I do not own it anymore. This Eclectic spin on a puzzle game with shoot em up featured and arcade features rolled all in to one in "Twinkle Star" and the magical drops game seem to be right down my alley in definite terms, I am taken by the neat flow and splendour yet easy going mindset these Neo-Geo games came with. Do YOU mean the additional RAM is mandetory to play the games or do you mean that it is just a kind of perfomance change in the dynamics dynamic when taking the cartridge up and putting it in the slot? there are not any wayto play games without the ram extension if they demand it, or do they work in some kind of lo-fi performance without extra ram? this is a question not only based on fighters in this clip but there are many aspect to this question on the Saturn Selection on the whole. Then again the games that are demanding the ram cartridges perhaps does not come in to happening on any of the genres that I like so it .. maybe so.. will not create problems for me. Neo Geo games and Machines ah well have I know so Little on this corner stone of gaming? What else have I missed?? Cartridges AND Compact Disc drive? Yes, apparently, keep on enlighting me about the fly time and perfect groove in terms of gaming M'Lord! I am a great fan of this show.

[@TheJadeFist]

I like how 95% of them were fighting games.

[@DanielAyy]

That's what the Neo Geo was most known for.

[@MiguelMakesMusic]

could you do a video of the best looking saturn games?

[@SegaLordX]

Definitely.

[@MiguelMakesMusic]

@@SegaLordX that would be so cool! as a kid I always wanted a Saturn but couldn't afford it. Now I can afford it but can't justify the purchase so I settle for watching your videos.

[@DanielAyy]

Your wish is granted!