Editing Sega Saturn emulators

{{Infobox console
|title = Sega Saturn
|logo = Sega-Saturn-Console-Set-Mk2.png
|developer = [[:Sega]]
|type = [[:Category:Home consoles|Home video game console]]
|generation = [[:Category:Fifth-generation video game consoles|Fifth generation]]
|release = 1994
|discontinued = 2000
|predecessor = [[Sega Genesis emulators|Mega Drive / Genesis]] / Neptune
|successor = [[Sega Dreamcast emulators|Dreamcast]]
|emulated = {{✓}}
}}
{{for|other emulators that run on the Sega Saturn hardware|Emulators on Saturn}}

The '''[[wikipedia:Sega_Saturn|Sega Saturn]]''' is a 32-bit, fifth-generation console released by [[wikipedia:Sega|Sega]] in Japan on November 22, 1994 and in the US on May 11, 1995. It was retailed for {{Inflation|USD|399.99|1994}}. It had 2 Hitachi SH-2 CPUs at 28.6 MHz and it had the VDP1 GPU & VDP2 GPU. The arcade board, '''[https://segaretro.org/Sega_Titan_Video ST-V (Sega Titan Video)]''', uses the same hardware except for sound, VRAM, and game storage (where it is stored on ROM cartridges 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.

==Emulators==
<div style="max-width:100%; overflow:auto;">

===x86===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|Platform(s)
! scope="col"|Latest Version
! scope="col"|[[#Arcade_variations|Arcade<br/>variations]]
! scope="col"|[[#Enhancements|Enhancements]]
! scope="col"|[[#Hardware_features_and_accessories|Hardware features<br/>and accessories]]
! scope="col"|Compatibility
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|[[Mednafen]]<br/><small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/beetle_saturn/ mednafen_saturn_libretro]</small>
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
|[{{MednafenURL|releases}} {{MednafenVer}}]<br/>[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]
|{{~}} ||{{~}} ||{{✓}} ||[https://forum.fobby.net/index.php?t=msg&th=1357 ?]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/MednafenJAP.htm JAP]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/MednafenPAL.htm PAL]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/MednafenUSA.htm USA] ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
|-
|[https://fcare.github.io/ Kronos]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
|[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]<br/>[{{KronosDownloadLink}} {{KronosVer}}]
|{{~}} ||{{~}} ||{{?}} ||[https://tradu-france.com/wiki-emu-compatibility/index.php?title=Compatibility_list_of_Kronos 92%<br/><small>1977 out of 2146 reported titles</small>] ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|-
|[[BizHawk]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
|[https://gitlab.com/TASVideos/BizHawk/-/pipelines Dev Builds]<br/>[http://tasvideos.org/BizHawk/ReleaseHistory.html {{BizHawkVer}}]
|{{~}} ||{{~}} ||{{?}} || ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|-
|[[Yaba Sanshiro|Yaba Sanshiro 2]] (Yaba三四郎2)<br/><small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/yabasanshiro/ yabasanshiro_libretro] <sup>&Dagger;</sup></small>
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
|[https://www.uoyabause.org/static_pages/download 1.9.3]<br/>[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]<ref group=N name=YabaSanshiroRA>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/yabasanshiro/ Yaba Sanshiro libretro core (yabasanshiro_libretro) is outdated, known for having many issues, and unmaintained]. Use [https://www.uoyabause.org/static_pages/download standalone version] OR "yabause_libretro" or "mednafen_saturn_libretro" cores for RetroArch Saturn emulation.</ref>
|{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{~}} ||[https://www.uoyabause.org/games ?] ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|-
|[[SSF]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
|[{{SSFDownloadLink}} {{SSFVer}}] 
|{{~}} ||{{?}} ||{{?}} ||[http://www.segasaturn.org/USA%20update.htm USA]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/Japan.htm JAP]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/PAL%20update.htm PAL] ||{{X}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}<ref group=N name=SSF>[https://github.com/shimazzz/SEGASaturnEmulator-SSF/issues/15#issuecomment-1038281021 Due to recent virus detections in the latest versions], it is risky for some computers to use. This emulator remains somewhat recommended especially for older hardware, though it may be avoided for these reasons.</ref>
|-
|[[Yabause]]<br/><small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/yabause/ yabause_libretro]</small>
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD|Web}}
|[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]<br/>[http://yabause.org/download {{YabauseVer}}]
|{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{?}} ||[https://docs.libretro.com/library/yabause/#compatibility ?] ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}<ref group=N name=LibretroActive>Libretro core is still active.</ref> ||{{✗}}
|-
|[[MAME]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
|[http://www.mamedev.org/release.html {{MAMEVer}}]
|{{~}} ||{{~}} ||{{?}} ||[http://adb.arcadeitalia.net/lista_mess.php?software_list_name=saturn&compatibility=NTSC-U USA]<br/>[http://mamedev.emulab.it/kale/fast/files/saturnjp/0.php <abbr title="This list created by MAME dev Angelo 'Kale' Salese.">JAP</abbr>] ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
|-
|[[ares]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
|[https://nightly.link/ares-emulator/ares/workflows/build/master <abbr title="Latest development build version">git Artifacts</abbr>]<br/>[https://github.com/ares-emulator/ares/releases {{aresVer}}]
|{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{?}} ||N/A ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} [https://www.patreon.com/posts/project-update-85538579 (WIP)]
|-
|[http://saturnin.consollection.com Saturnin]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
|[https://github.com/rtoumazet/saturnin git]<br/>[https://retrocdn.net/images/8/84/Saturnin_v0.40.7z 0.40]
|WIP ||{{?}} ||{{✗}} || ||{{?}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} (WIP)
|-
|[[Nova]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
|[https://www.patreon.com/file?h=31179979&i=4658332 {{NovaVer}}]
|{{~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||[https://literalmente-game.github.io/compatibility_lists/nova.html <abbr title="Not updated every version. Note that the 'Playable' category may only mean the games being in-game but with visual errors.">?</abbr>] ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} [https://www.patreon.com/posts/95967098?pr=true (WIP)]
|-
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20121006154739/http://satourne.consollection.com Satourne]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
|[https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c4/Satourne_v2.0_beta_3.7z 2.0 beta 3]
|{{~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} || ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
|-
|[[GiriGiri]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
|[https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a8/GGD_20010316.7z 0.6a]
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} || ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
|}

===ARM===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|Platform(s)
! scope="col"|Latest Version
! scope="col"|[[#Arcade_variations|Arcade<br/>variations]]
! scope="col"|[[#Enhancements|Enhancements]]
! scope="col"|[[#Hardware_features_and_accessories|Hardware features<br/>and accessories]]
! scope="col"|Compatibility
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|[[Yabause]]<br/><small>yabause_libretro</small>
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS}}
|[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]</br>[http://yabause.org/download {{YabauseVer}}]
|{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{?}} ||[https://docs.libretro.com/library/yabause/#compatibility ?] ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}<ref group=N name=LibretroActive></ref> ||{{✓}}
|-
||[[Yaba Sanshiro|Yaba Sanshiro 2]] (Yaba三四郎2)<br/><small>yabasanshiro_libretro <sup>&Dagger;</sup></small>
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS}}
|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.devmiyax.yabasanshioro2 {{YabaSanshiroVer}}] ([[Android emulators|Android]])<br/>[http://www.uoyabause.org/static_pages/download 2.1.2.0] ([[Emulators on iOS|iOS]])<br/>[https://github.com/devmiyax/yabause git]<br/>[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]<ref group=N name=YabaSanshiroRA></ref>
|{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{~}} ||[https://www.uoyabause.org/games ?] ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
|-
|<small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/beetle_saturn/ mednafen_saturn_libretro]</small>
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS}}
|[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]
|{{~}} ||{{~}} ||{{✓}} ||[https://forum.fobby.net/index.php?t=msg&th=1357 ?]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/MednafenJAP.htm JAP]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/MednafenPAL.htm PAL]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/MednafenUSA.htm USA] ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|-
|Saturn.emu
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.explusalpha.SaturnEmu {{.emuVer}}]<br>[https://github.com/Rakashazi/emu-ex-plus-alpha git]
| || || || ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{TBD}}
|-
|[[SSF]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
|[{{SSFDownloadLink}} git]
|{{~}} ||{{?}} ||{{?}} ||[http://www.segasaturn.org/USA%20update.htm USA]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/Japan.htm JAP]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/PAL%20update.htm PAL] ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{~}}<ref group=N name=SSF></ref>
|}

===Console===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|Platform(s)
! scope="col"|Latest Version
! scope="col"|[[#Arcade_variations|Arcade<br/>variations]]
! scope="col"|[[#Enhancements|Enhancements]]
! scope="col"|[[#Hardware_features_and_accessories|Hardware features<br/>and accessories]]
! scope="col"|Compatibility
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|<small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/beetle_saturn/ mednafen_saturn_libretro]</small>
|align=left|{{Icon|XB1|SXS}}
|[https://www.retroarch.com/?page=platforms libretro core]
|{{~}} ||{{~}} ||{{✓}} ||[https://forum.fobby.net/index.php?t=msg&th=1357 ?]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/MednafenJAP.htm JAP]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/MednafenPAL.htm PAL]<br/>[http://www.segasaturn.org/MednafenUSA.htm USA] ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
|-
||[[Yaba Sanshiro]] (Yaba三四郎)
|align=left|{{Icon|Switch}}
|[http://www.uoyabause.org/static_pages/download 2.2.0] <br>[https://github.com/devmiyax/yabause git]
|{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{~}} ||[https://www.uoyabause.org/games ?] ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
|-
|[[Yabause]]
|align=left|{{Icon|PS3}}<br/>{{Icon|DC}}<br/>{{Icon|PSP}}
|[https://www.retroarch.com/?page=platforms libretro core]<br/>[https://store.brewology.com/ahomebrew.php?brewid=3 0.1] (PS3)<br/>[http://yabause.org/download 0.9.14] (DC)<br/>[https://archive.org/details/yabause-0.9.10-psp.7z 0.9.10] ([[Emulators on PSP|PSP]])
|{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{?}} ||[https://docs.libretro.com/library/yabause/#compatibility ?] ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}<ref group=N name=LibretroActive></ref> ||{{✓}}
|-
|[[Yabause|Yabause Wii]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Wii}}
|[https://wiibrew.org/wiki/Yabause_Wii Unofficial r2926 beta 26]
|{{✗}} ||{{?}} ||{{?}} || ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{~}}
|-
|Yabause Community Edition
|align=left|{{Icon|Xbox}}
|[https://digiex.net/threads/yabause-community-edition-public-a1-0-download-sega-saturn-emulator-for-xbox.13685 0.1 Alpha]
|{{✗}} ||{{?}} ||{{?}} || ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{~}}
|}
</div>
<references group=N />

===Comparisons===
;[[Mednafen]]
:An open-source, [[multi-system emulators|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]])<ref name="Mednafen Saturn core documentation">{{MednafenURL|documentation/ss.html}}</ref>. By default, only x86-64 builds have Saturn support, but unofficial x86-32 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 ''[https://city-connection.co.jp/s-tribute/en/ 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 <small>(formerly uoYabause)</small>
::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.

:;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).

;[[MAME]]
:Has a <code style="color:darkred;">saturn</code> driver 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<ref name="ST-V_A-Z">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tko_jBNci0k |title=Sega ST-V Arcade Games A to Z - M.A.M.E.|publisher=Youtube|accessdate=2018-05-23|date=2017-02-10}}</ref>. But versions [http://wiki.mamedev.org/index.php/MAME_0.158 0.158]<ref name="Mame_0-158">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPS7aX4gLCU |title=Touryuu Densetsu Elan Doree - New Improvements on ST-V Hardware - MAME 0.158|publisher=Youtube|accessdate=2018-05-23|date=2015-02-03}}</ref>. (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 [http://wiki.mamedev.org/index.php/Previous_MAME_Versions prior builds]) between 2008-2011. Even bug fixes and more graphical improvements were included in the years 2017-2018 (i.e. [http://www.mamedev.com/?p=449 0.191], [http://www.mamedev.com/?p=456 0.197] & [http://www.mamedev.com/?p=457 0.198]).

;[[Nova]]
:An up-and-coming emulator focused on being fast, compatible, and user-friendly. Like SSF, it is closed-source and Windows only. From [https://www.patreon.com/posts/nova-v0-2-1-18630607 v0.2.1] onwards, it can now emulate the Sega Titan Video (ST-V) arcade hardware (eg. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhv4STRa-2c 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 [https://github.com/TASEmulators/BizHawk/blob/master/src/BizHawk.Emulation.Cores/Consoles/Sega/Saturn/Saturnus.cs#L9 based on Mednafen].

;Comparisons of several Saturn emulators:
:*[https://emucross.com/a-deep-dive-into-saturn A Deep Dive into the Sega Saturn and Saturn Emulation] (By [[Dolphin]] tester, [https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/authors/JMC47 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==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;"
|- style="font-weight:bold;"
! colspan=2 | Name
! Mednafen
! Kronos
! Yaba Sanshiro 2
! Saturnin
! BizHawk
! Yabause
! ares
! MAME
|-
| rowspan=4 | Graphics
| [[Resolution|Resizable Internal Resolution]]
| {{N}}
| {{Y}}
| {{Y}}
| ?
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
|
|
|-
| [[Texture_packs#Texture_Replacement_.283D.29|Texture Replacement]]
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| {{N}}
|
|
|-
| [[Widescreen_hacks#Emulators_.283D.29|Widescreen hack]]
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|
|-
| Pre-rendering AA<br/><small>(MSAA, SSAA)</small>
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|
|-
| rowspan=4 | Performance
| [[30/60_FPS_cheat_codes|Internal Framerate Hack]]
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|-
| [[Overclocking#Sega_Genesis|Overclock]]
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|-
| [https://blurbusters.com/frame-generation-essentials-interpolation-extrapolation-and-reprojection/ Frame generation technologies]<br/><small>([https://store.steampowered.com/app/993090/Lossless_Scaling/ LSFG], [https://github.com/NVIDIAGameWorks/Streamline/blob/main/docs/ProgrammingGuideDLSS_G.md DLSS-G], [https://www.techpowerup.com/316835/extrass-framework-paper-details-intels-take-on-frame-generation ExtraSS] and [https://community.amd.com/t5/gaming/amd-fluid-motion-frames-is-out-now-on-amd-radeon-rx-7000-series/ba-p/634372 AFMF])</small>
| colspan=8 | <small>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 [[Wikipedia:Motion_interpolation|motion interpolation]] is quite possible. [[Input_lag|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 Framerate Hack"'''.<br/>While '''AFMF''' or '''LSFG''' could be used with Mednafen?, please be aware that some visual glitches and artifacts may occur at this time.
|-
| Preload [[Wikipedia:Template:Disk_images|optical disc image]] to RAM<br/><small>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.<br/>Although keep in mind that preloading image would take some time, and it will require additional amount of RAM capacity.</small>
| {{Y}}[https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/mednafen.html#cd.image_memcache *]
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|-
| rowspan=4 | Post-Processing
| [[Wikipedia:Category:Anti-aliasing_algorithms|Post-rendering AA]]<br/><small>(FXAA, TXAA and MLAA/SMAA)</small>
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Comparison_gallery_of_image_scaling_algorithms|Post-rendering scaling]]<br/><small>(Sharp bilinear, Lanczos and FSR 1)</small>
| {{Y}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{Y}}
|-
| [[Shaders_and_filters|Filters]]<br/><small>[[Shaders_and_filters#NTSC_Filters|NTSC filters]], [[Shaders_and_filters#Tonemapping|HDR tonemapping]] etc.</small>
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
| ?
| ?
| ?
| {{Y}}
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
| {{Y}}
| {{Y}}
|-
| [[Shader_Presets|Shader Chain]]
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
| {{N}}
| {{Y}}
|-
| rowspan=5 | [https://tasvideos.org/Emulatorresources/Features TAS features]
| [[Wikipedia:Macro_(computer_science)|Macros/Scripts]]/[https://tasvideos.org/LuaScripting Lua]
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| {{Y}}
| ?
|
|
|-
| Rewind
| {{Y}}
| {{N}}
| ?
| ?
| ?
| {{N}}[https://docs.libretro.com/library/yabause/#features *]
|
|
|-
| Fast-Forward/Turbo Speed
| {{Y}}
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|
|-
| Savestates
| {{Y}}
| {{Y}}[https://docs.libretro.com/library/kronos/#features *]
| ?
| ?
| ?
| {{Y}}[https://docs.libretro.com/library/yabause/#features *]
|
|
|-
| [https://tasvideos.org/Movies Movie recording/playback]
| {{Y}}
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|-
| rowspan=2 | Controls
| [[Input_lag|Input lag-mitigating technique]]
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|
|-
| [[Controllers#Mouse_Injectors_for_Emulators|Mouse Injector Compatible]]
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
|-
| rowspan=7 | Quality of life
| Built-in [[Mods,_hacks_and_fan-translations#Built-in_graphics_mod_editor.2Fmanager_for_emulators|Graphics mod editor/manager]]
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
|-
| Built-in [[Cheats_and_patches|Cheat Manager]]
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
| ?
| ?
| ?
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
|
|
|-
| Built-in [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,106405 Custom resolution/CRTSwitchRes]<br/><small>For using this on Windows OS you need [http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1009#p1009 CRT Emudriver].<br/>Another option is using EDID editor tool such as "Custom Resolution Utility".</small>
| colspan=8 | <small>Exclusive to [https://docs.libretro.com/guides/crtswitchres/ libretro cores] and [[GroovyMAME]] at the moment.<br/>Also there is a [https://github.com/psakhis/Groovy_MiSTer 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.</small>
|-
| [[Save_disk_space_for_ISOs|Streamable compression format]]
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|-
| Per-Game Profiles
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|-
| Command Line Options
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|-
| [[Frontends#Graphical_User_Interfaces_.28GUIs.29|Big Picture Mode]]
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
| ?
| ?
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
| ?
| {{Y}}
|-
| rowspan=4 | Misc
| [[Netplay#Saturn|<abbr title="Should not be confused with SEGA Net Link emulation, see #Hardware features and accessories section for that.">Netplay</abbr>]]
|{{Y}}
|{{N}}
|{{N}}
|{{N}}
|{{N}}
|{{N}}[https://docs.libretro.com/library/yabause/#features *]
|{{N}}
|{{N}}
|-
| Free Look<br/><small>Free Look is a enhancement feature that allows manipulation of the in-game camera.</small>
| colspan=8 | <small>While freecam would be technically possible, it will require per-game patches.<br/>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.
|-
| [https://retroachievements.org/gameList.php?c=39 RetroAchievements]
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA>Exclusive to libretro core.</ref>
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{Y}}
| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=libretroRA></ref>
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Category:Debugging|Debug Features]]
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|
|}
<references group=N2/>

==Hardware features and accessories==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;"
|- style="font-weight:bold;"
! Name
! Mednafen
! Kronos
! Yaba Sanshiro 2
! [https://github.com/rtoumazet/saturnin/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3Afeature Saturnin]
! BizHawk
! Yabause
! ares
! MAME
|-
|[[Early_Online_Services|<abbr title="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.">Sega Net Link and XBⱯND</abbr>]]
| {{✗}}<ref group=N3>[https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Section_internal_databases_cart Reserved section for titles need future modem support].</ref> 
| {{N}}
| {{✓}}[https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/8eqo5v/yaba_sanshiro_sega_saturn_emulator_170_for/dxzdmhl/ *]
| {{N}}
|
|
|-
|[[#Video_CD_Card|Movie Card]]
| {{N}}[https://forum.fobby.net/index.php?t=msg&goto=6418& *]
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
|-
|[https://segaretro.org/3D_Control_Pad 3D Control Pad]
| {{Y}}[https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Settings+Reference *]
| {{TBD}}
| {{TBD}}
| {{N}}[https://github.com/rtoumazet/saturnin/issues/236 *]
|
|
|-
|[https://segaretro.org/Shuttle_Mouse Shuttle Mouse]
| {{Y}}[https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Settings+Reference *]
| {{TBD}}
| {{TBD}}
| {{N}}[https://github.com/rtoumazet/saturnin/issues/236 *]
|
|
|-
|[https://segaretro.org/Saturn_Keyboard Saturn Keyboard]
| {{Y}}[https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Settings+Reference *]
| {{TBD}}
| {{TBD}}
| {{N}}[https://github.com/rtoumazet/saturnin/issues/236 *]
|
|
|-
|[https://segaretro.org/Arcade_Racer Arcade Racer]
| {{Y}}[https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Settings+Reference *]
| {{TBD}}
| {{TBD}}
| {{N}}[https://github.com/rtoumazet/saturnin/issues/236 *]
|
|
|-
|[https://segaretro.org/Mission_Stick Mission Stick]
| {{Y}}[https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Settings+Reference *]
| {{TBD}}
| {{TBD}}
| {{N}}[https://github.com/rtoumazet/saturnin/issues/236 *]
|
|
|-
|[https://discuss.panzerdragoonlegacy.com/t/the-way-to-play-panzer-dragoon-zwei/8701 Dual Mission Stick]
| {{Y}}[https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Settings+Reference *]
| {{TBD}}
| {{TBD}}
| {{N}}[https://github.com/rtoumazet/saturnin/issues/236 *]
|
|
|-
|[https://segaretro.org/Saturn_Twin-Stick Twin Stick]
| {{TBD}}[https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Settings+Reference *]
| {{TBD}}
| {{TBD}}
| {{N}}[https://github.com/rtoumazet/saturnin/issues/236 *]
|
|
|-
|[https://segaretro.org/Virtua_Gun Virtua Gun]
| {{Y}}[https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Settings+Reference *]
| {{TBD}}
| {{TBD}}
| {{N}}[https://github.com/rtoumazet/saturnin/issues/236 *]
|
|
|-
|[https://segaretro.org/Real_Arcade_Light_Gun Real Arcade Light Gun]
| {{TBD}}[https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Settings+Reference *]
| {{TBD}}
| {{TBD}}
| {{N}}[https://github.com/rtoumazet/saturnin/issues/236 *]
|
|
|-
|[https://segaretro.org/Sega_Saturn_6_Player_Multiplayer_Adapter 6Player] & [https://segaretro.org/SBom_Multitap SBom Multitap]
| {{Y}}[https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Settings+Reference *]
| {{TBD}}
| {{TBD}}
| {{N}}[https://github.com/rtoumazet/saturnin/issues/236 *]
|
|
|}
<references group=N3/>
===Video CD Card===
Also called the '''Movie Card''' in Japan - allows Saturn to play Photo CDs, Video CDs (VCDs) and hardware playback of MPEG-1 (version 1) video in '''[https://segaretro.org/Video_CD_Card#Games certain games]''', '''leading to higher quality FMV for use in cutscenes (and occasionally, gameplay)''' (similar to the [[Philips_CD-i_emulators#Digital_Video_Cartridge|Philips CD-i's Digital Video Cartridge]]). Later revisions of the Video CD Card [https://segaretro.org/Photo_CD_Operating_System negate the need for Photo CD Operator software by giving the Saturn native Photo CD support].

:See [[Home_Media_Player#Emulators|this dedicated page]] for more information about home media playback support for emulation softwares.

==Arcade variations==
===Sega Titan Video/ST-V===
Mednafen version 1.31.0 added experimental support for ST-V games that don't require decryption chips or special hardware. Refer to the [https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Section_stv ST-V section of the official documentation] for more details and a list of explicitly supported games.

* MAME {{MAMEVer}} version is currently [http://adb.arcadeitalia.net/lista_mame.php?game_sourcefile=stv.cpp&arcade_only=0&current_version=0 one of the best emulator for ST-V emulation but still "Imperfect"].
* [https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/ss.html#Section_stv Mednafen ST-V  compatibility list]

==Emulator development==
:''This section was copied from Wikipedia in 2014. For an up-to-date explanation, see [[wikipedia:Sega Saturn#Technical specifications|Sega Saturn § Technical specifications]]''

The complexity of the system has made the creation of a proper emulator for it rather difficult. 

<blockquote>One very fast central processor would be preferable. I don't think all programmers have the ability to program two CPUs — most can only get about one-and-a-half times the speed you can get from one SH-2. I think that only 1 in 100 programmers are good enough to get this kind of speed [nearly double] out of the Saturn. "Yu Suzuki reflecting upon Saturn's ''Virtua Fighter'' development<ref name="YuSuzukiNG">Next Generation (magazine) issue 2, 1995</ref>.</blockquote>

The Saturn had technically impressive hardware at the time of its release, but its complex design, with two CPUs and six other processors, made harnessing this power difficult for developers accustomed to conventional programming.  The biggest disadvantage was that both CPUs shared the same bus and were unable to access system memory at the same time. Making full use of the 4&nbsp;kB of cache memory in each CPU was critical to maintaining performance.  One example of how the Saturn was utilized was with ''Virtua Fighter''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s use of one CPU for each character<ref name=YuSuzukiNG/>. Many of the Saturn's developers, such as Lobotomy Software programmer Ezra Dreisbach, found it difficult to develop for compared to the PlayStation because of its more complex graphics hardware<ref name=DreisbachCG>{{cite web|title=Interview: Ezra Dreisbach |publisher=Curmudgeon Gamer |date=July 9, 2002|url=http://curmudgeongamer.com/article.php?story=20021008212903265 |accessdate=July 19, 2007|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070927211250/http://curmudgeongamer.com/article.php?story=20021008212903265 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = September 27, 2007}}</ref>. In order to port ''Duke Nukem 3D'' and ''PowerSlave'' to the Saturn, Lobotomy Software had to almost entirely rewrite the Build engine to take advantage of the Saturn's unconventional hardware<ref name=DreisbachCG/>.  Third-party development was initially hindered by the lack of useful software libraries and development tools, requiring developers to write in assembly language to achieve good performance. During early Saturn development, programming in assembly could offer a two to fivefold speed increase over C language<ref name=YuSuzukiNG/>. Sega responded to these criticisms by writing new graphics libraries which were claimed to help make development easier<ref name="NextGenDec95">''So many 32-Bit Systems To Choose From'' Next Generation (magazine) issue 12, 1995</ref>. These libraries were presented as a new operating system by Sega of Japan<ref name="NextGenDec95"/>.

Unlike the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 which used triangles as their basic geometric primitive, the Saturn rendered quadrilaterals with forward texture mapping. This proved to be a hindrance because most of the industry's standard design tools were based on triangles, with independent texture UV coordinates specified per vertex. One of the challenges brought forth by quadrilateral-based rendering was problems with textured surfaces containing triangles. To make a triangular-shaped object, rendering had a fourth side with a length of zero. This technique proved problematic as it caused texture distortion and required careful reworking to achieve the desired appearance—Sega provided tools for remapping textures from UV space into rectangular tiles. These complications can be seen in the Saturn version of ''Tomb Raider''<ref name=DreisbachCG/>.

For more information about Sega Saturn hardware and reverse engineering;
* [https://www.copetti.org/writings/consoles/sega-saturn/ Rodrigo Copetti: Sega Saturn Architecture analysis]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODJl6U1lp_Q MVG: How the SEGA Saturn CD Security was defeated]
* [https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps4/Sega_Saturn_Emulation PSDevWiki: PS4's Sega Saturn Emulation]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jChtlWNIAL4 LGR: Oddware - Diamond Edge 3D (nVidia NV1+Sega Saturn Ports)]

==Resources==
* [https://segaretro.org/Sega_Saturn/Hardware_comparison#Graphics_comparison_table Graphics comparison table] (for Saturn as opposed to PS1, N64, Sega Model 2 arcade hardware and 1995-era PC)

*[https://antime.kapsi.fi/sega/docs.html Complete (so far) documentation of the Sega Saturn]

*[https://archive.org/details/SegaManuals 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 [https://mobile.twitter.com/forestillusion/status/1126321691775229954 Source])

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Sega}}

[[Category:Consoles|!Saturn]]
[[Category:Home consoles|!Saturn]]
[[Category:Sega consoles|!Saturn]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn emulators|*]]
[[Category:Fifth-generation video game consoles|!Saturn]]
[[Category:Very early emulation (MAME)|!Saturn]]