Sega Saturn emulators
| |
| Model 2 from North America | |
| Manufacturer | Sega |
|---|---|
| Type | Home video game console |
| Generation | Fifth |
| Release date | JP: November 22, 1994 NA: May 11, 1995 EU: July 8, 1995 |
| Discontinued | EU: 1998 NA: March 1998 JP: 2000 |
| Predecessor | Sega Genesis |
| Successor | Dreamcast |
| Emulated | ✓ |
- For emulators that run on the Sega Saturn, see Emulators on Sega Saturn.
The Sega Saturn is a 32-bit, fifth-generation console released by Sega in Japan on November 22, 1994, and in the US on May 11, 1995. It was retailed for $399.99 ($869 in 2026). It had 2 Hitachi SH-2 CPUs at 28.6 MHz, and it had the VDP1 GPU & VDP2 GPU. The arcade board, ST-V (Sega Titan Video), uses the same hardware except for sound, VRAM, and game storage (where it is stored on ROM cartridges with most games instead of CD-ROM discs).
The Sega Saturn has historically been one of the harder consoles to emulate due to its infamously difficult architecture consisting of 8 processors overall and use of quadrilaterals rather than triangles as polygons, resulting in a lack of good options. However, things are looking up for open-source emulators like Mednafen, and to a lesser extent, Yabause. Recently, a matchmaking service for Saturn has been established.
Emulators
edit
Comparisons
edit- Mednafen
- An open-source, multi-system emulator with an original Saturn core. It's currently the most accurate but runs from the command-line (obviously it'll have video output though) unless using an external frontend like Mednaffe or a libretro frontend like RetroArch. Its goal for accuracy means it only supports the BIOS of one console revision per region and is also more demanding than any other Saturn emulator (other than MAME). By default, only x86-64 builds have Saturn support, but unofficial x86-64 builds and libretro frontends like RetroArch can surpass this limitation.
- SSF
- Used to be the emulator of choice for compatible Saturn emulation. However, it is closed-source and only for Windows and Android. Pretty good performance with low-end computers.
- City Connection uses SSF as part of Zebra Engine, the engine behind their Saturn Tribute releases, currently for Switch, PS4, Xbox One and PC. Some games are altered with English translations (Assault Suit Leynos 2) or with censorship from CERO (Idol Janshi Suchie-Pai series).
- Yabause
- Used to be the first and only option for multi-platform Saturn emulation. It's far less developed than SSF and Mednafen and still has many compatibility issues. Development seems to have stopped, active forks are Libretro core, Kronos and Yaba Sanshiro 2.
- Yaba Sanshiro 2 (formerly uoYabause)
- A Multi-platform fork by DevMiyax using OpenGL ES 3.X (Android), and Open GL 3.X (Windows). Unlike other forks, it uses the GPU to emulate the VDP1, VDP2, and has a modified SH2 Dynamic Recompiler. It offers good out-of-the-box experience (easy setup and included frontend), but average accuracy.
- Kronos
- A fork of UoYabause 0.5.2 created by François (French dev. AKA 'FCare'.). Has his own written SH2 Interpreter, and now supports the ST-V arcade in version 1.30, and Higher (All ST-V games are launchable on Linux; most games are still problematic on Windows).
- Ymir
- An emerging emulator that focuses on ease of use and quickly catching up to established Saturn emulators.
- MAME
- Has a
saturndriver with compatibility on par with Yabause. The driver is marked overall as not working but graphics and sound are OK. It has good compatibility with at least around 50 of the ~70 ST-V arcade games, though performance quality may vary[1]. But versions 0.158[2]. (Jan 2015) to much later have made good advances in performance. Early known work on ST-V hardware emulation was done in various builds of 0.125, 0.133, 0.138, 0.142 & 0.143 (See prior builds) between 2008-2011. Even bug fixes and more graphical improvements were included in the years 2017-2018 (i.e. 0.191, 0.197 & 0.198).
- Nova
- An up-and-coming emulator still under heavy development focused on being fast, compatible, and user-friendly. Like SSF, it is closed-source and Windows only. From v0.2.1 onwards, it can now emulate the Sega Titan Video (ST-V) arcade hardware (e.g.
Guardian Force on ST-V in v0.2.2.).
- BizHawk
- An open-source, multi-system emulator designed for tool-assisted speedruns. Its Saturn core is based on Mednafen.
- Comparisons of several Saturn emulators
-
- A Deep Dive into the Sega Saturn and Saturn Emulation (By Dolphin tester, JMC47, AKA Justin M. Chadwick. 13 OCTOBER 2017. Tested emulators: Yabause & uoYabause, SSF (unofficial site), and Mednafen. Already outdated the next year by progress in the Kronos fork).
Enhancements
edit| Name | Mednafen | Ymir | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Controls | Input lag mitigating | ? | ? |
| Mouse injector | ✗ | ? | |
| Turbo button | ? | ? | |
| Graphics | Dithering / Transparent Mesh Polygon Rendering | ? | ✓ |
| Pre-rendering anti-aliasing (SSAA, MSAA) |
? | ✗ | |
| Resizable internal resolution | ✗ | ✗ | |
| Texture replacement | ? | ✗ | |
| Widescreen hack | ? | ✗ | |
| Performance | Frame generation technologies (LSFG, DLSS-FG and SM, XeSS-FG, AFMF and FSR FG) |
Implementing frame generation technology in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future, however post-processing techniques such as motion interpolation is quite possible. Input latency will be a crucial factor, but its impact likely varies depending on the specific technique employed, it's recommended to use after applying the "Internal frame rate hack".
While AFMF or LSFG could be used with Mednafen?, please be aware that some visual glitches and artifacts may occur at this time. | |
| Internal frame rate hack | ? | ✗ | |
| Overclock | ? | ✓ | |
| Preload optical disc image to RAM For users with sluggish multi-platter HDDs or plagued by horrible seek times, this enhancement might offer smoother experience, potentially reduced power consumption; it also shines when disc images reside on a network drive. Although keep in mind that preloading image would take some time, and it will require additional amount of RAM capacity. |
✓ | ✓ | |
| Post-processing | AI-powered filter (Freestyle) |
? | ✗ |
| Deinterlacing / Progressive Scan Option to force progressive output for high-res (480i) titles to eliminate interlaced "combing" artifacts. |
~[note 5] | ✓ | |
| Filters | ~[note 6] | ✗ | |
| Inverse tone mapping | ? | ? | |
| Post-rendering anti-aliasing (FXAA, TXAA, and MLAA/SMAA) |
? | ✗ | |
| Post-rendering scaling (Sharp bilinear, Lanczos, and FSR 1) |
✓ | ? | |
| Shader chain | ~[note 6] | ✗ | |
| Quality of life | Automatic emulated controller connect/disconnect Automatically connects or disconnects emulated controllers when a new or current controller is connected or disconnected. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Automatic region switching | ? | ✓ | |
| Automatic updater | ✓ | ~ WIP | |
| Big Picture Mode | ~[note 6] | ✗ | |
| Built-in cheat manager | ~[note 6] | ✗ | |
| Built-in custom resolution/CRTSwitchRes For using this on Windows, you need CRT Emudriver. Another option is using EDID editor tool such as "Custom Resolution Utility". |
Exclusive to libretro cores and GroovyMAME at the moment.
Also there is a project for achieving software emulators like libretro cores and GroovyMAME send the raw RGB data over a network to a core running on MiSTer, it basically turns the MiSTer into a GPU for the emulator allowing for easy setup and use with CRT TVs/Arcade monitors. | ||
| Built-in mod editor and manager | ✗ | ✗ | |
| Built-in patch manager | ? | ✗ | |
| Built-in save manager | ?[note 7] | ✓ | |
| Command-line options | ? | ✓ | |
| Pause/Resume emulation | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Per-game profiles | ? | ? | |
| Portable and stealth Useful enhancement feature for non-personal computer use or plug-and-play scenarios. However, the software may still require the necessary prerequisites and dependencies for your operating system if it is not statically linked. |
✓ | ✓ | |
| Streamable compression format | ? | ✓ | |
| Variable refresh rate | ~[note 6] | ✓ | |
| TAS features | Fast forward/Turbo speed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Frame step (forwards and backwards) |
? | ✓ | |
| Macros/Scripts/Lua | ? | ? | |
| Movie recording/playback | ✓ | ? | |
| Rewind | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Save states | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Misc. | Ambient sounds simulation Simulation of audio from original hardware and environments, such as mechanical hard drive, floppy diskette, and optical drive noises (e.g., head seeks, spin-up/down, tray loading, disc spinning, and clicking), variable CRT flyback transformer whine (the classic high-pitched "coil whine" that dynamically changes pitch based on screen brightness and content), arcade cabinet effects (e.g., fan hum or button rattles), and other background ambient noises. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Audio filters and presets Simulation of characteristic playback limitations and coloration of vintage consumer audio hardware, such as CRT television speakers, arcade cabinets, handheld consoles, early PC sound outputs, and low-fidelity integrated speakers. These filters are not intended to be perfectly accurate recreations, but rather to evoke the tonal qualities, distortion, bandwidth limits, resonance, and compression associated with 8-bit and 16-bit era devices. Examples include mono or narrow stereo output, reduced frequency response, speaker cone distortion, mild saturation, aliasing, and preset lo-fi profiles inspired by classic TVs, portable game systems, radios, and retro multimedia hardware. |
Exclusive to libretro cores at the moment. | ||
| Debug features | ? | ✓ | |
| EmuVR support | Exclusive to libretro cores at the moment. | ||
| Free Look Free Look is an enhancement feature that allows manipulation of the in-game camera. |
While freecam would be technically possible, it will require per-game patches.
Said patches would require a significant amount of time to reverse the game's engine, which means that only someone talented with enough dedication to a single game could do it. | ||
| Netplay Should not be confused with Sega Net Link emulation, see hardware features and peripherals. |
✓ | ? | |
| RetroAchievements | ~[note 6] | ✗ | |
| Rich Presence (RPC) Allows the emulator to share real-time game session details (e.g., current game title, level, boss, playtime, or custom status) with external applications. This enables features such as displaying what you're playing on your profile, inviting friends to spectate, or triggering join-in-progress functionality where supported. |
? | ? | |
| Screen translator Using optical character recognition (OCR) and other techniques, this feature can provide live translation of in-game text, text-to-speech for visually impaired users, and more — either on demand or automatically. |
You can use RetroArch's AI Service or the standalone offline bquenin's Interpreter. | ||
Hardware features and peripherals
edit| Name | Mednafen | Ymir | Kronos | Nova | BizHawk | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware features | CD player | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | ||
| Interactive shell | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Peripherals | Cartridge slot | Backup memory | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Extended RAM cartridge[note 8] | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Modem | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | |||
| NetLink and XBAND[note 9] | ✗[3] | ~[note 10] | ~ | ✗ | ✗ | |||
| Twin Advanced ROM System[note 11] | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | |||
| Controller port | 6Player & SBom Multitap | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 3D Control Pad | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Arcade Racer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Densha de Go! Controller | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |||
| Dual Mission Stick | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | ✓ | |||
| Hori ZeroTech SS | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |||
| Light gun | Real Arcade Light Gun | ? | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ||
| Virtua Gun/Stunner | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Mission Stick | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| NetLink keyboard | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Saturn keyboard | ~[note 12] | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | |||
| SBom Joycard | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | |||
| Shuttle/NetLink Mouse | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Twin Stick | ~[note 13] | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | |||
| Floppy disk drive[note 14] | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | |||
| Microphone for Voice Word Sample | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |||
| Hitachi Karaoke Unit MKU-1 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | |||
| Movie Card/Video CD Card | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ~ | ✗ | |||
| Printer Canon BJC-210J for EGWORD | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | |||
| Taisen cable | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | |||
| Unlicensed | Pro Action Replay | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ||
| Misc. | Power light | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ||
| 2 multitaps[note 15] | ✓ | ? | ? | ? | ? | |||
Video CD Card
edit
Also called the Movie Card in Japan - allows Saturn to play Photo CDs, Video CDs (VCDs) and also hardware playback of MPEG-1 (version 1) video in certain games, leading to higher quality FMV for use in cutscenes (and occasionally, gameplay) (similarly to the Philips CD-i's Digital Video Cartridge). Later revisions of the Video CD Card negate the need for Photo CD Operator software by giving the Saturn native Photo CD support.
- See this dedicated page for more information about home media playback support for emulation softwares.
Taisen Cable
editThe Taisen Cable is a peripheral which allows two Sega Saturns to connect to each other. It can be seen as a console equivalent to serial networking usually found with computers, where systems are all linked together within a small area. The official Sega-branded Taisen Cable was only released in Japan, however third-party alternatives were released in other territories and a number of non-Japanese games support the device.
Sega Titan Video
editMednafen version 1.31.0 added experimental support for ST-V games that don't require decryption chips or special hardware. Refer to the ST-V section of the official documentation for more details and a list of explicitly supported games.
- MAME 0.289 version is currently one of the best emulator for ST-V emulation but still "Imperfect".
- Mednafen ST-V compatibility list
Game-specific features
edit| Name | Mednafen | Ymir | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional Analog Devices DSP processor board[note 16] | ✗ | ✗ | |
| All game media formats[note 17] | ✗ | ✗ | |
| Control decks[note 18] | ✗ | ✗ | |
| Misc. analog input devices[4] | ✗ | ✗ | |
| Sport Fishing 2[note 19] | ✗ | ✗ | |
Notes
edit- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Whether it is false positive or not,due to recent virus detections in the latest versions it is potentially risky for some computers to use. This emulator remains somewhat recommended especially for older hardware, though it may be avoided on recent hardware for these reasons.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Yaba Sanshiro libretro core (yabasanshiro_libretro) is outdated, known for having many issues, and unmaintained. Use standalone version OR "yabause_libretro" or "mednafen_saturn_libretro" cores for RetroArch Saturn emulation.
- ↑ This list created by MAME dev Angelo 'Kale' Salese.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Libretro core is still active.
- ↑ Mednafen outputs the raw interlaced output; requires external shaders/deinterlacers (like those in RetroArch) to fix combing on modern displays.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Exclusive to libretro core.
- ↑ You can always use Interactive shell emulation capability of the emulator to manage your game saves.
- ↑ 1MB and 4MB versions, some games won't work with a certain size.
- ↑ Sega Saturn Net Link is an attachment for the Sega Saturn game console to provide Saturn users with internet access and access to email through their console using XBAND.
- ↑ Currently stubbed.
- ↑ Only four official games made use of it; new aftermarket games for the system started to be sold in this format since late 2026.
- ↑ Not available on RetroArch.
- ↑ RetroArch only.
- ↑ A handful of games can communicate directly with the floppy drive, such as Panzer Dragoon Saga and Dezaemon 2's shooter construction kit.
- ↑ With 2 multitaps, up to 12 players can play at once. Saturn Bomberman is known to support up to 10 simultaneous players in its Battle Mode. Regarding NHL All-Star Hockey, some sources online say it supports 12, but others claim 8. Please edit this note accordingly if you have precise info.
- ↑ Used by Batman Forever.
- ↑ There were 4: Cartridge (standard), ROM board (Sports Fishing, Batman Forever), CD-ROM (Sport Fishing 2), LaserDisc (Sports Fishing)
- ↑ 3 different Mahjong controllers: for Pro Mahjong Kiwame S, Virtual Mahjong, Hanafuda. Critter Crusher has whack-a-mole controller. Super Major League has hard-to-configure controls with multiple functions per button. Sega Titan Video Manual.pdf ST-V's manual also mentions light gun, V.R., Dial and Control Ball and others. Please specify if you have more info.
- ↑ Features its own cabinet and custom board (as of 0.254, not emulated in MAME at all).
References
edit- ↑ Sega ST-V Arcade Games A to Z - M.A.M.E.
- ↑ Touryuu Densetsu Elan Doree - New Improvements on ST-V Hardware - MAME 0.158
- ↑ Reserved section for titles need future modem support.
- ↑ ST-V's promotional material mentions support for steering wheel, brake/accelerator, airplane controller, multiple joysticks.
Resources
edit- Graphics comparison table (for Saturn as opposed to PS1, N64, Sega Model 2 arcade hardware and 1995-era PC)
- More leaked, official documentation (Only that this time there are some that include for Sega Genesis, its CD add-on, and documentation on how the Sega Saturn CD Communication Interface works, and how its Boot ROM works Source)
