The 60fps - High Resolution Monster - Decathlete - Sega Saturn Review

What do you get when you combine 60fps, high-resolution graphics with Sega AM3 and Konami's Track & Field? Decathlete, that's what.
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Opening "Sega" jingle is from Astal for the Sega Saturn.
Ending Music during the credits is from Batman for the Sega Genesis.
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By: Jan Neves
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Intro by Evan S.
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Episode Notes:
1. Captured on real Sega Saturn hardware except for the portions with Jef Jansens. I used SSF for that to see how it ran.
2. Jef Jansens is called the same in Athlete Kings. Another case of me being 100% my memory was good to go. At 46, I really need to stop doing that.
3. The PS2 version features some pretty radical changes to the visuals. It looks much more like DC now.
4. I own the ST-V Titan version of this as well. It's pretty much the same as the arcade option in the Saturn. Of note, the discus plays 100% better with an arcade stick.
5. Jef Jansens would be replaced entirely in Winter Heat as well. We also lost Femi Kadiena, the Jamaican female athlete.
6. I do not recommend wireless controllers with this game. Use an arcade stick or your regular wired Saturn pads. Turbo controllers kinda ruin some of the events, however.
7. This is an awesome game to play with your kids. Seriously.
8. The Saturn's high-resolution mode was interlaced, so even with an upscaler like the Retrotink 5X or OSSC, I find these graphics take a pretty big hit in quality on an LCD screen. You want the best Decathlete can look, hook it to a CRT.

[@JosiahGould]

I remember seeing Decathlete at a ToysRUs not that long after it released. The salesman was so excited and happy to show it off and told me that the next Sonic game would be in 3D on the Saturn and look amazing. If only the Saturn was easier to wring power out of we may have seen it.

[@infernal_monkey]

In retrospect it really is absurdly impressive how Sega was able to pump out so many arcade classics in such a short amount of time.

[@Larry]

Fun Fact: Jeff Jansens is based on the British athlete Daley Thompson, so for SOA to assume it was racist was pure ignorance on their part. He was also called Robin Banks originally, but was changed on account there was an athelte called Robin Banks. Also, Data East published the game in arcades, rather than Sega themselves strangely. Capcom also published Steep Slope Sliders instead of Sega too in arcades.

[@billcook4768]

Hello you!

[@64kram]

I wondered why he was missing from the US version.

[@Pabloplays98]

Oooh interesting...I thought SSS was a console exclusive. Thanks

[@DarDarBinks1986]

HELLO YOU! I never gave a shit about sports when this was new or now. But I might give this a whirl if I can find the Saturn version. As a game, it looks very good for its time.

[@krankymann]

wow I was hunting for facts like this too.

[@drakabeko5145]

loved it! one of the very few saturn games that ran at high res mode at 60fps. wished more games used it as it could easily rival PS1's polygon graphics

[@maroon9273]

If only sega focused on the Saturn instead the 32x/32xcd, no suprise launch and late/lackluster SDK and tools to developers.

[@retroboy-fh1ji]

Saturn was technically more powerful than the psx, and this could never work on the ps1 without massive sacrificies (60 fps on the psx was very rare because 95% of its catalogue were 3d fighting games or 2d sprite based ones). Saturn had this running at the highest resolution (unachievable on ps1 more than 640x480i) and 60 fps with great graphics. Also, there's a homebrew that shows saturn with support for 480p!

[@GameSack]

Always loved this game. Winter Heat is cool as well but the graphics are lower resolution. I would've preferred it if the game were 240p instead of them interlacing it to trick people into thinking it was in high-res. There's also Virtua Athlete 2K on the Dreamcast. Man... F that game!

[@Akiga_games]

This channel was my first exposure to this game! This was so awesome to see thanks Sega!

[@LouisTheSEGANerd]

My copy literally arrived yesterday so this is perfect timing 😄

[@Gorilla_Jones]

This is a hell of a fun game and I'm glad it's been in my collection for years. I'm gonna have to get me a SLX T-shirt to represent a fellow OG.

[@SegaLordX]

Appreciate that!

[@brynwhitlock62]

@@SegaLordX Just curious to know, but what were the 10 events you could play in this game?🤔😎

[@jakescartoons6045]

So what your saying is that this is essentially the "Wii Sports" of the SEGA Saturn. Awesome!!! Also, this is more of a subjective thing, but I really don't like how the PS2 version looks. It looks so dull and drained of life compared to the Saturn's sharper and more colorful graphics.

[@FloggingMicah]

I never played this but I’ve always thought it was the best looking Saturn game. It almost looks like a Dreamcast game! This shows what the Saturn was truly capable of. It’s too bad we couldn’t get more games like this.

[@wolffactor56]

I don't know about that...but it looks fun and clean graphics.

[@AceTrainerX3]

@@wolffactor56 It does use the Saturn's absolute highest resolution: 704x480, so it is a technically impressive game all the same.

[@drunkensailor112]

I think winter heat looks better

[@Turbulation1]

@@AceTrainerX3 That's an even higher resolution than what the Gamecube can do, a console 7 years after than the Saturn.

[@AceTrainerX3]

@@drunkensailor112 Runs in the exact same mode, but I do prefer the winter aesthetic as well.

[@dragaoastro69]

Ho man, the memories. 🙏 huge fan and a Sega fanatic from Portugal. Keep the awsome work!!!

[@TechRyze]

Sega simply don't know the value of what they own. Games like Decathlete could be re-released nowadays, with minimal changes. Run the game in HD, and add a full lineup of 8 runners during races, with online or local 8 player options, and you've got an absolute gem of a downloadable game. The original Sega Rally could do the same. I played it last night in 1080p widescreen with a force feedback wheel - amazing game. Get it released! Should have happened over 10 years ago, with online races. An enhanced version could run in the same game engine, with additional tracks from the later games. How poor are Sega not to know the value of their back catalogue?

[@Cade_The_Squirrel]

The fact this game runs at 480i at 60FPS makes you really think what the SEGA Saturn was capable of, they could have released this at 240p 30FPS with these graphics and it would still be a showpiece

[@brunosiffredi]

The techniques used in this game's graphics really put the Saturn's 3D capabilities under a different light

[@maroon9273]

And the usage of CD media to make it possible.

[@retroboy-fh1ji]

Sega am3 was a first party dev, of course the game used the full potential untapped of the saturn advantage: 2 faster cpu's, higher fill rate and a little more ram than psx, also can push more polys (quads) on screen than play 1. The sound also was on the right hands, higher quality than ps1 because of the more audio channels. Only sega studios did the best of saturn hardware, a shame that we never see the 100% percentage of its capabilities (shenmue saturn demo looked better than any ps1 game and wasn't even the all power)

[@Demokirby]

Your videos really help draw my attention to games I would never have otherwise given a 2nd glance. Definitely will import a copy of this sometime.

[@micheleschenetti7791]

I played a zillion hours on this gem back in the days. Loved my Saturn, a really underestimated console

[@DreamcastQ]

This game's surprisingly great fun and that high res mode was cool!

[@SegaLordX]

Even better with 2 players.

[@nSquared75]

I recall playing this with such a friend. He didn’t take too kindly, when he returned from a bio break, to find my initials in top spots.

[@lucianoclaudio2335]

9:25 I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE VIRTUAL ON MUSIC ON THIS FRAGMENT!! Long live VIRTUAL ON!!!!

[@RyRyTheBassGuy]

I remember wondering how they pulled this off back in the day, but looking at it now, it makes sense.

[@retroboy-fh1ji]

Saturn has more powerful hardware than the Playstation (technically speaking, it is, but was extremely hard to program so rarely proved that)

[@ogjk]

Picked this one up in the discoount bin in 98 so glad I did. Thanks again for another excellent throwback SLX!

[@JGD185]

Saturn emulation is actually good now so I will check this out

[@RoyAlWhicheez]

I remember playing this way more than I'd like to admit playing a track and field game

[@Slimpickins45]

Me and my stepbrothers used to play this for hours on the weekends.. all four of us constantly trying to beat each other’s scores.. great game and great memories.. I was javelin king 💪🏻

[@miketate3445]

This game has a special art direction like no other. HGH and thongs for everybody!

[@streetmagik3105]

Loved this and Winter Heat back in the day on my Saturn!

[@malcolmar]

Thanks for covering this classic. Very well done. I had this game for my Saturn and sadly I did not realize how special it was until after I sold both it and my Saturn. What a bonehead I was. Thanks for helping me relive those memories!

[@jorgesantos754]

Man, I played a lot of athlete kings back in the day, still have the one I bought from that time. I used to play with friends in friends house and even when we weren't playing together, we used a single memory card with the all records to try beat them playing alone. that card was passed from friend to friend. Good memories.

[@ZarlorMercenary]

One of the few games I played with my Dad when I was 16. We were so competitive, I remember one evening playing until the sun came up the following morning. Great game, great memories. Winter Heat is ace too. Thank you for the video. Awesome as always.

[@BrianJones-wk8cx]

Feels like an interesting title to add to the in-person party list, thank you for your work!

[@bernardopimenta5790]

Man, your content creation skills are extraordinary! Thanks :D

[@theironchimp]

Me and my friends had such a laugh in multiplayer. I also liked that they put in extra techniques for the high jump and shot put. One of fav Saturn games.

[@LEYGSL]

I was just looking for a throwback look at this game last week!

[@ryanoehrli3877]

Some advice as someone who enjoys the content you make: I think your normal conversation voice (which you’ve used in a few videos) is much better sounding than the voice you use in most videos. Just a thought!

[@mtshark7]

Awesome review man!

[@jamesnewman4351]

This was really cool back in the day.. .but Winter Heat is even better! Great review man 👍👍

[@montanastranger]

I always loved these track-and-field type games growing up.

[@discostu333]

I absolutely love the 90's Sega colour palette. The warm glow takes me back to my childhood.

[@Edexote]

Blue, blue skies...

[@UltimateMK3]

Never heard of this one before, Good job on the video. I recently modded my Saturn and have been thumbing through the library, you make it easy to see what's fun

[@teddym2808]

Was waiting for this one! Great!

[@krankymann]

played the hell out of this back in the day - called "Athlete Kings" in the PAL regions.

[@luisbarbosa5532]

I had so much fun with this game, me and my brother had massive competitions against each other...

[@crash5522]

This is always on my top 10 list for favorite saturn games.

[@rogermorris9696]

Jef Jansens might have been left in Athletic Kings as he might be as a homage to Daley Thompson, a British decathlete who won gold at the 1984 Olympic games (and also had hid own track and field game).

[@SegaLordX]

Definitely. Racial issues in the states tend to be hot button topics so it’s not surprising Sega of America chose that route.

[@stevenross4223]

@@SegaLordX Didn't realise Jeff was cut from the US version. However, he was probably more controversial in the arcade version where he was called "Robin Banks"! No wonder they changed it for the home ports.

[@agamemnon8163]

This week I am going to uninstall fortnight from my wife’s sons gaming pc so he will have to play sega decathlete. He will thank me when he is older

[@wussup12345]

Yeah but watch out for your wife’s boyfriend Tyrone. He’ll kick your ass

[@EdwinTheGreat337]

These kinda games are best party games. I remember we used to work at the movie.After work we had a blast playing Track and Field with 4 players .

[@roberto1519]

This and Winter Heat are those types of games with infinite replayability.

[@SegaLordX]

Yup. Many hours lost to those two.

[@Edexote]

Both great games, but Winter Heat doesn't look nearly as good. The Saturn version wasn't ported by AM3, I believe.

[@jpesicka492]

It's a beautiful game that I never heard of until now but I can tell it hasn't been replicated. I like how they go slow motion right before you jump or throw a javelin.. Good stuff

[@MagillanicaLouM]

Ellen's thighs save lives

[@peachflavored]

I played this game a lot during the 90's with friends. It's was and still is fun to try and break those records.

[@XbandTv]

Another great video.

[@joesshows6793]

Good as always

[@charleswilliams4088]

My brothers and I really enjoyed competing on this game...good game

[@c331hunt]

Imagine this on PlayStation. The texture warping would have been insane on the track

[@Edexote]

You would need to use polygons on the floor, so you would never had this kind of draw distance on a Playstation.

[@maroon9273]

I can't imagine on the ps1. Even the jaguar, 3do and 32x/32xcd cant do this which were weaker than the ps1. Only the n64 can pull it off since the hardware is powerful. That's what makes the n64 and Saturn special due to their polygons and draw distance with the right developers.

[@saturndual32]

@@maroon9273 LOL, why even mention older weaker hardware like Jaguar, 3DO and 32X? Of course they couldn’t handle this nearly as well And how impressive this looks has less to do with Saturn polygon capabilities that you mention and more to the VDP2 background planes… This type of Saturn engine can be very limiting in many aspects, but when used right could deliver impressive results

[@maroon9273]

@@saturndual32 vdp2 chip is a life saver to the Saturn hardware with the ability to not only render 2D but 3D graphics background planes. I mentioned those consoles due to 32x enablers/sega fear mongering fans always use an excuses of losing market shares in 1994 due to the 3do and jaguar.

[@saturndual32]

@@maroon9273 Yeah, the VDP1+VDP2 combo is what makes the Saturn so interesting and gives its games such a unique look when used to its potential

[@ravagingwolverine]

It may not always have been easy to maximize the capabilities of VDP2, but it's nice to see the results when it could be used well. I know other games like Last Bronx also used it well. I never did get around to trying Decathlete on Saturn back in the day. That's how it is sometimes. Not surprising to hear AM3 was behind this considering the good planning and performance of the game. They had quite a string of successes. Virtual On is probably my favorite of theirs. Without knowing what it was, I took a leap of faith on it when it was new for Saturn after seeing it on a TV commercial. It ended up being one of my favorite Saturn games and I just played it a few times recently. I also play the Dreamcast sequel quite a bit. But AM3 makes me more interested in checking out Decathlete.

[@gameshack1985]

This game is my favourite sports game on the Saturn, I reviewed it on my channel too a while back! :D

[@adny02]

I remember reading about this game when it was first released on the Saturn. Always wanted it, but never had the chance to pick it up,

[@WarcleanePro]

The main reason I bought a Saturn! Incredible graphics, fantastic gameplay - particularly with friends. It's never been bettered as an Athletics Game. Winter Heat is just as good if not better in some respects. Although for some reason the graphics are a step back.

[@bit-ishbulldog2089]

I used to play this a lot, my brother should still have this with his Saturn.. I have the PlayStation SEGA AGES version and a Dreamcast version. I enjoyed it.

[@kakarlsen]

I got the japanese version a few years ago based on the praise you gave it in previous videos, and it is easily the Saturn game I have spent the most hours with since. Great game!

[@billcook4768]

Nice vid! But given that we are smack in the middle of the Winter Olympics, can we get a full video on Winter Heat?

[@SegaKid_V]

The Sega Saturn's High Resolution mode should have been the standard for 3D polygon graphic games.

[@RandomisedGamingYouTube]

Didn't see any mention of the Japanese only hidden character Mankichi Kazami, we've covered him ourselves in a playthrough, he can be unlocked if you get a score of 8500 points or higher in Decathlon / 10 Event Mode. Once you've obtained and saved your high score, on the main menu press and hold the “X button” on player one's joypad, then select the mode you want to play with the Start button. When the character select screen loads up Mankichi Kazami will have replaced Joe Kudou as the Japanese player character. He comes from the Manga Decathlon by Yoshihiro Yamada and is not in the PAL or NTSC/U release.

[@SegaLordX]

I rarely mention cheats and unlockables in game reviews unless it impacts the gameplay significantly.

[@RandomisedGamingYouTube]

@@SegaLordX ​Understandable, he is certainly worth trying to unlock if you have a Japanese version. It's such a great game, just a shame SEGA didn't keep the series going would love to play a PS4/5 or Nintendo Switch release.

[@endoflevelboss]

Athlete Kings in the UK... Don't know why it needed a name change. It's not like we don't understand the word Decathlete. Class game. It was like a 3D reimagining of 80s gems Hypersports or Track & Field.

[@m.i.smithology]

I'm a psx player long ago, even I know that saturn could have a chance if sega could've just focus and utilized all Saturn's capabilities, oh well, I was lucky I guess cause when I was about to buy my next console after my sega megadrive, the saturn sold out, don't wanna go home empty handed so I bought the psx with one game only that really caught my eyes, that's the first street fighter Alpha game I have for home console, yup, lucky I was 😁.

[@Mitjitsu]

Jef Jansen is based off of Daly Thompson. So I would hardly call it a racial stereotype. Admittedly it is frustrating they removed him, because he's the best at shot put, discus and pole vault.

[@SegaLordX]

I know who he is based on, but Sega of America most certainly cut him because he is a large black man with exaggerated features in a zebra outfit.

[@hikaruk.981]

@@SegaLordX Not just that, but apparently his name in the Arcade version was "Robin Banks", and calling a black man that just wasn't going to fly, EVER. Also, the magic was gone in the PS2 Sega Ages release. All the events were done on the Virtua Athlete 2000 backdrops, making the bright, stand-out style vanish into a personality-less mass. Not to mention that it made the discus event more or less impossible to do, thanks to rotating the analog sticks and not the D-Pad.

[@leeboy2k1]

@@SegaLordX On that proviso, Anime and any cartoon sprites would be accused, oh wait look at how DJ Boy was censored despite the fact that the depiction was merely a 'insert label hereTM' lol To anybody who has never been to America or lived here, as a UK immigrant, race and identity politics here are nothing to do with 'equality' they are about one thing power over voting blocks via Hegallian dialectics.

[@balaam_7087]

Great video. I missed the Saturn during its lifetime, and it’s prohibitively expensive now (I have no pc either so emulation is out:/ ) so I’m desperately hoping for a Sega Saturn mini. I don’t even care if it would ‘perfectly’ emulate the games, I’d really just like the opportunity to finally PLAY them ☹️

[@PaperBanjo64]

I'd like that too, I also have never played the Saturn, I've seen one but never played one, I'd be all "SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!" if Sega made one :)

[@heilong79]

I was just playing this with my son a few days ago. I think it is called Athlete Kings where I am from.

[@nilkilnilkil]

This was one of those games where the review in C & VG was so good it made me wish I had a Saturn ...

[@jasonz7788]

Thank you segalordx

[@SegaLordX]

Thank you for watching.

[@RetroProductionsGrifter]

ok wondered for a long time, did you make that intro? If zo, how and with what? Or maybe just what.... Respect. Love your vids most of them are top

[@darrenwinn22]

Definite top ten Saturn title for me. Classic Sega and we used to have a blast playing this with mates. Same for Baku Baku... great times.

[@Pabloplays98]

"I love it" real fans know what I'm talking about

[@welcometothenextlevel]

I sunk so many hours into playing this game back in the day. Some good memories playing against my brother and Dad. I always thought it was a visually impressive games. Certainly inspired me to dust it off and play it again soon.

[@MagisterHamid]

Could you do a video with all high resolution games for Saturn and Mega Drive? VF2, Dead or alive and a few more ran in 480i I believe

[@littleblackcloud86]

Athlete Kings. I fucking loved this game. Best graphics on the Saturn for sure. If only more dvelopers had used some of these tricks to get the best out the Saturn.

[@propositoretro]

Don't know why, but Winter Heat catches me much more than Decathlete.

[@TransCanadaPhil]

I never played this one but I did play the similar "Virtua Athlete" on the Dreamcast quite a bit back in the day.

[@segaRPGfan]

It's worth noting for anyone trying to get a physical copy that a lot of the "For SegaNet" games have cut down or non-existent offline modes. This one only lets you practice individual events. None of the other modes are available. It's still possible to play this online today too with a patch. I still pick this game up and play it from time to time; definitely a looker too.

[@fenderman21guitar]

oh man i loved this game

[@mercster]

SEEEEEEGAAAAAAAAAAAA! Thanks Lordie!

[@mercster]

I think the pole vault should be banned because they're obviously cheating with those long sticks.

[@risboturbide9396]

With the Olympics... Great timing!

[@Rountree1985]

I remember reading about this game in EGM’s 100th issue when they did a 100 best games special.

[@FPietros]

Impressive game. Makes you wonder why its engine wasn't used with other games which would have been outstanding arcade ports for the Saturn as well (ex: Daytona USA, Virtua Cop and other M2 titles).

[@hicknopunk]

It has trouble rendering 2 poly characters at once according to the video. That is why the multi person race uses sprites. That would be Spirit of someyear kind of racing against only 1 other car.

[@teddym2808]

It is actually so beautiful it looks naturally upscaled compared to almost all games of the time - I am going to rip it this weekend when I have time and fire it up in Kronos and see if I can upscale it even further. Sigh though I only have the Pal disc. It is what it is.

[@TechRyze]

In my experience, the PAL game looked fantastic. I don't remember any graphical glitches. I still have a copy, and may get it out to have a look...

[@teddym2808]

@@TechRyze 50 FPS was my point instead of 60

[@MixxM-ou2pc]

I loved this game on my old SEGA Saturn. I once threw the Javelin and the game glitched, it just went on and on. I had the world record for that smashed. I don’t have my Saturn anymore but wonder if anybody else game glitched? Only ever did it the one time, but like everything back then that record is lost in time

[@CubamusPrime]

Hey Sega Lord X will we ever see other games in different consoles reviews in the future? Like Sony and Nintendo platforms?

[@SegaLordX]

It’ll be a natural evolution to spread out to other machines regularly. Right now I’m having fun doing my Sega thing, but time will necessitate change soon enough.

[@bonesjackson81]

I like Decathlete but Winter Heat is more fun to me. Both look great. It should've been common.

[@besotoxicomusic]

Honestly, the only thing I wish it had was a create a character feature.

[@SegaLordX]

That would have been incredible.

[@steelcurtain187]

Never played this one but it looks super fun

[@rc_matic]

Such a good 2 player VS game. Though you really need a CRT to consistently hit some of those full power gages.

[@Riz2336]

I put some time into this game recently just to check it out and I'd say it's pretty good just the button mashing start to get to my hand after a while

Awesome review as always. I remember to see this one on the arcades and it looked like nothing else at the time. I think it's still relatively easy to find the Japanese version for cheap

[@cgamyes]

Thicc the game! Thanks SLX!

[@retroboy-fh1ji]

Another piece of 3d superiority of the Sega Saturn over PSX.

[@CubamusPrime]

After seeing this game I don’t know why Fighters Megamix or FV could be in high res?

[@stephandolby]

I think you'd lose the gouraud shading if you did that.

[@Dontcare_at_all]

Thanks loving it 30 seconds in

[@nilkilnilkil]

Awesome ... 👌🏻

[@AbcDef-cs3bq]

By far the best looking game on the Saturn. Incredibly clean and sharp graphics. On the PS1 only Tobal 2 looked as flawless (and better) as Decathlete did on Saturn imho.

[@retroboy-fh1ji]

Tobal 2 looks beautiful, but technically is far behind the achievement of this brutal game. Tobal 2 runs between 360x480i and 512x480i. Meanwhile Decathlete runs at 704x480i 60 fps. Nothing on PSX 3d can overpass Saturn games with 2 CPU and multiprocessor working together like Decathlete. Runs at the highest resolution, 3d texture mapped graphics and 60 fps. There's no PS1 3d game comparable. This is an another prove of the Saturn superiority over PS1.

[@matthewgreen3101]

Wasn't this athlete kings?