Official Sega Saturn Magazine (March 1998)

Source: Official Sega Saturn Magazine – Issue Number 29 – March 1998

The Official Sega Saturn Magazine in the U.K. was relatively short lived but then so was the system. It was however, a beautiful magazine. It’s definitely something that I think every Saturn owner would have wanted. The March 1998 issue includes:

Features

Grandia – A detailed look at the massive RPG Grandia. This article takes you through the authors experience with this game so far.

Saturn Bomberman: Fight! – A look at this pretty good update of the classic Bomberman. Unfortunately, U.K. residents were forced to import this one if they wanted it.

Panzer Dragoon Saga – Presented here as “one of the greatest Saturn game ever”. But it is a quest emphasizing flying on dragons after all.

Sega Rally 2 – An in-depth preview of this upcoming Sega racing game.

House of the Dead – Sega produced most of the best light gun games of this era. House of the Dead is one of those.

Burning Rangers – Definitely a game with one of the more unique concepts. Though games involving fire fighting were not entirely unprecedented. I remember playing Rescue Squad on the Commodore 64 which wasn’t precisely about firefighting but it was about rescuing people from fires…

Previews

DJ Wars – Basically a DJ simulator in which you compete with other DJs.

Shining Force 3 – While the Final Fantasy series may have been taking most of the spotlight, the Shining Force series was excellent and even better depending on your personal preferences.

Real Bout Fatal Fury Special – SNK made some of the best 2D fighters around and this is a great one for the Saturn.

Chill – A snowboarding game. Not sure how good it was as it seems rather obscure and the screenshots don’t make the graphics look all that great.

Reviews

Winter Heat – This game features several winter sporting events including cross country skiing, bobsledding, ski jump and more. If you liked the old Winter Games series then you might like this one.

NHL Hockey ’98 – Unfortunately, this conversion for the Saturn is probably the worst. The PC and PlayStation versions were significantly better. Probably more a reflection of a rushed conversion than the Saturn’s capabilities.

Regulars

News – Rumors of new Sega hardware in 1999 (this would become the Dreamcast); new game releases coming for the Saturn include Gun Griffon 2, Ninpen Manmaru, World League Soccer ’98, NBA ’98, NHL All-Star Hockey ’98, Vampire Savior, D&D Collection, King of Fighters ’97, and more.

Virtua Writer – Letters from readers about Street Fighter vs. Teletubbies, the demise of Saturn Power magazine, Sega advertising, Marvel Super Heroes, FIFA ’98, Tomb Raider, and more.

Q+A – Questions answered about buying import games, definitions of various computer terms, Grandia release, Resident Evil 2, X-Men vs. Street Fighter, and more.

Coin-Operated – A look at some of the latest and upcoming arcade games including Marvel vs. Capcom, Fighting Vipers 2, Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram, Harley-Davidson & LA Riders, Astra Superstars, and Fallen Angels.

And Finally… – A look at the first lesbian video game character?

Playing Tips

Small Tips – Tips and codes for Steep Slope Sliders, Duke Nukem, Command & Conquer, and Mech Warrior 2. Plus a Q&A regarding NTSC/PAL (50/60Hz) switches for the Saturn.