I have both versions, and I think PS1 version is FAR better... Saturn version has 2-3 more features, but the game look horrible compared to PS1 version : no 2D effects (transparency, morphing etc), much pixelisation on 3D elements, more massive slowdowns etc, Saturn version is obviously an inferior version, with just little features that are not on PS1...
@Debiruman1666 Yea, of all the things you can question about the nature of the first 32 bit console war, I don't think I've ever seen a report from Konami, IGA or otherwise, indicating that SOTN was intended to be anything but a PSX exclusive, at least initially...
the saturn had two processors the ps1 only had 1 the saturn also had to dedicated chip's for the gpu it also had the first game console ever to reach a game at 60fps and had a 2x cdrom so it wasnt just the ram that made game superior the saturn was just superior completely in comparison to ps1
I love at How Maria plays like a Street Fighter Character rather then a Castlevania character and her magic casts and regular attacks are so Superior compared to Richter and Alucard! Xbox360 Ps3 and the Psp versions completely changed her to be a much suckier character!
@AxelDuel agreed, but it was done to make her more like her younger self in rondo. Now that I have played rondo on the Wii prefer THIS maria even more since it shows ways her attacks and skills have grown. Not only is she summoning and throwing spells around, but shes using the sub weapons every one else does as well. Only better.
Ex: throwing 3 knives instead of one at a time. think the saturn richter is slightly weaker in hit points but thats probably to make it harder.
This version is ok, lower frame rate,worse graphics and longer loading times for an extra playable character,an alt. costume, and a whole bunch of new stuff. A fair trade in my opinion.
I actually owned this version for staurn and it had the same Graphics as the Ps port, but you could play Maria and richter right off the Bat and Alucard had more weapons and armors to get. Also there were 2 more stages in the Saturn version then the other versions. This was the BEST version of SOTN or Dracula X the other ports can suck its ass!
@AxelDuel i owned the one for ps1 the one i ps1 one was dumbed down it looked great but the backgrounds were different and the stages just look at a comparison video but they were similar If you didnt pay attention you would think there the same
Well when konami release the dracula x chronicles for psp,the symphony of the night version was from the ps one,with slight difrences.You can play as maria though,but it is not the port from the sega saturn.Thats ok i found it fair since they released it secondly on sega.
@osurpless sometimes you lose flashing objects on youtube, possibly cos it only records at 30fps. it just makes them look invisible since it records the frames when they are blank. maybe its that?
WOW, Maria plays amazingly great compared to what PSP owners got in Dracula X Chronicles. Now I see why IGA changed her in the PSP version cause shes cheap and such in Saturn.
Its lame he based PSP Maria off Rondo of Blood version, while Saturn got the Maria, who doesnt do any of those moves in Rondo of Blood.
bought this game along with an converter today. Paid about 150 us dollars (I am from sweden). Can't wait to play it. Maria's gonna be awesome to play with!!! BTW is there any inventory for her or Richter? If not, I really hope Alucard has an inventory!
Unfortunately, neither Maria nor Richter have an inventory. Maria plays a bit like Mega Man and Street Fighter combined. Make sure to look up her best moves, like the Dragon from the Salamander series of games, to tear up the enemies!
150 is quite a bit to pay. It's really too bad that there aren't any other legit ways to play this game other than the Saturn!
I have this game and an actual Saturn and the alpha effects (transparency) are not as good as the PS1 version. It is not a bug with the emulator, the original version looks like that. Instead of transparent sprites it used a "screen door" effect instead. This was because A. The Saturn didn't support per pixel transparency, only global transparency in sprite objects and B. Konami were lazy when they ported it and didn't bother to at least partially duplicate the effects in the Saturn version.
can maria and richter find / equip weapons in the saturn version? I thought it was cool you could play as richter in the psx, but thought it got boring fast cause he was too powerful.
also, you mentioned the hatch in the beginning of the game, you can actually glitch your way down there in the psx version. it's just a small cave room that leads to a save.
Unfortunately Maria and Richter can't equip items, a fact that has been bemoaned by Gamepro since they did a special Saturn import edition review of this game in Oct of 1998.
At least Maria is more fun to play in the Saturn version than the PSP version. It is hard to beat many bosses in that version with her.
Thanks for mentioning that glitch. It shows that the developers were thinking of including the Underground Garden, which serves to contradict IGA's claim that those areas aren't worth it.
Enable "cache translusensy (or somthing), set read speed to max (24), set dot clock to 4.0.I play CV on real Saturn and EMU version with such settings have no slowdowns at all.Just experiment.
With new SSF emulator Saturn version have transparensy and there is no slowdowns (when configured right) and fast loading screens (faster than PSX), have more sound effects, but still big problem with stretched sprites.Dont know how to fix it yet ((((((
I play all version and Saturn is the best.The're is feelling of a "complete game".Gameplay is enchensed (more hearts,less HP etc...) think Saturn is best version but ONLY in new version of SSF emulator.
PS version is still better in my opinion, although, i can't help but hope for a version released with the 2 extra areas and extra items (except the 2 pointless familiars) and better english voice acting combined with polished visuals and sound...id sure buy it.
comparing the saturn version with ps1 version is just like comparing sonic unleashed of wii with the xbox 360 one,the saturn feature more stages you can play with maria bonus depending the bios data.....
the Saturn has plenty of other bonuses, mentioned in the video.
As for slowdown, there are some instances of slowdown from the PSX version don't exist in the Saturn version (equip the sword familiar and turn to mist, Slowdown City!)
I believe that if Konami had handled this port rather than a 2nd party of theirs, the Saturn version would have been perfect.
ps1 version is STILL the best version, only real bonus of the saturn version is the cover. this version has slowdown and the extra characters and levels are just tacked on. saturn is awesome but ps1 wins in this case.
Deathcrunch: Touche on the Dracula Joseph's Cloak reference, I try and catch such mistakes now.
As for the graphics in the Saturn version and loading times, I think people who rag on the visuals forget that it was done by a 2nd Konami team in less than a year. And there are graphically elements that are better than on the PSX. Alucard's shadow comes to mind.
My friend meant that Underground Garden had a bizzare Japanese sense to it, more so than any other area of the game.
You called Alucard Dracula :S Then you say that "this is defiantly the Japanese area".
Pretty sure of the rest of the game wasn't American made...
Tree demons, not like the Dryads then?
Just because the Xbox version is shit doesn't make it an excuse for this one to be.
And I fucking lol'd at the "superior hardware". Enjoy your loading times to look at the map, you know a basic game feature. Also enjoy no swimming and retarded looking cartoon enemies and mist form.
got this on PSP... the best game ive ever played, seriously...
around 2 years of play for around 3 hours of game everyday ..... and 3 more monthes to get the duplicator and spash all secrets with ancestor's power....
I have this.... I love it... It's way better than psx version... At the beginning you can choose to play as Richter, Maria, or Alucard, but a reason its beter than the PSX version is because the Saturn had a huge strong point in 2D games and the PSX wasnt very good on them, the animations, graphics and everything was better, this even had more weapons and 2 more areas(Rainbow Garden(i think thats it) and Cursed Prison(lol you can lvl in this place alot till 25) i dont think it came out in us tho
I prefer this version, but no, the animations and graphics weren't better in this version. I'd say that some of them were changed for the better, but some of them were changed for the worst. Saturn struggles a bit with this game, but it's more because the game ISN'T done in 2D. The game engine is 3D, because PlayStation (the original console for which the game was developed) didn't handle true 2D very well. This is fake 2D, with textured polygons to mimic the appearance of normal sprites.
It definitely varies. Around the time that I purchased my copy, it was going for around $70-80. I got lucky and paid only $50 or so for it. Definitely worth the money.
I got all the footage from Youtube. I had a JPN with US imports capability, but it broke due to substandard materials used in the cart contacts.
It can be tough to play, that is why I wish this version would be ported. I think people who rag on the visuals forget that it was done by a 2nd Konami team in less than a year. And there are graphically elements that are better than on the PSX. Alucard's shadow comes to mind.
What program did you use to play and record the footage? I would really love to try this version out, but haven't found anything that will run it short of the extreme expense of getting a modded Saturn.
Also, it's nice to see someone giving this version some positive mention; regardless of any speed/visual quality differences, I think all the added little stuff is totally badass even without having experienced it yet, especially playing as Maria ^_^
You can buy a GameShark or any other cheat-enabling cartridge for Saturn. I use one of those Action Replay carts, personally. It also has built-in memory for game saves.
Oh, I forgot to point out that the cheat devices that I mentioned allow you to play imports. Basically, you can just start the game without even enabling cheats, and the cartridge allows you to bypass region coding automatically by just starting the game.
is there a translated rom of this game that i could play on my modded saturn? if not someone needs to get on that shit
reesercliff 3 weeks ago
Please don't call him IGA as if he is some sort of God. Just call him Igarashi.
MajBlood 4 months ago
I have both versions, and I think PS1 version is FAR better... Saturn version has 2-3 more features, but the game look horrible compared to PS1 version : no 2D effects (transparency, morphing etc), much pixelisation on 3D elements, more massive slowdowns etc, Saturn version is obviously an inferior version, with just little features that are not on PS1...
Debiruman1666 4 months ago
This version is not a port because Symphony of the night was actually released for the Saturn originally
eddyAMP 7 months ago
@eddyAMP
False, SOTN was previously released on PS1, and then a year later on Saturn, in an non-optimized version...
Debiruman1666 4 months ago
@Debiruman1666 Yea, of all the things you can question about the nature of the first 32 bit console war, I don't think I've ever seen a report from Konami, IGA or otherwise, indicating that SOTN was intended to be anything but a PSX exclusive, at least initially...
osurpless 4 months ago
it dropped in 1998
blanenbishop 8 months ago
Not all non-Japanese cover art is bad man.
guilemaster147 1 year ago
the saturn had two processors the ps1 only had 1 the saturn also had to dedicated chip's for the gpu it also had the first game console ever to reach a game at 60fps and had a 2x cdrom so it wasnt just the ram that made game superior the saturn was just superior completely in comparison to ps1
emailme23 1 year ago
I love at How Maria plays like a Street Fighter Character rather then a Castlevania character and her magic casts and regular attacks are so Superior compared to Richter and Alucard! Xbox360 Ps3 and the Psp versions completely changed her to be a much suckier character!
AxelDuel 1 year ago
@AxelDuel agreed, but it was done to make her more like her younger self in rondo. Now that I have played rondo on the Wii prefer THIS maria even more since it shows ways her attacks and skills have grown. Not only is she summoning and throwing spells around, but shes using the sub weapons every one else does as well. Only better.
Ex: throwing 3 knives instead of one at a time. think the saturn richter is slightly weaker in hit points but thats probably to make it harder.
belmontzar 11 months ago
you can turn in to a bat,wolf,mist in the first stage?
TheJasonxd 1 year ago
This version is ok, lower frame rate,worse graphics and longer loading times for an extra playable character,an alt. costume, and a whole bunch of new stuff. A fair trade in my opinion.
GermanZ5 1 year ago
@GermanZ5
I actually owned this version for staurn and it had the same Graphics as the Ps port, but you could play Maria and richter right off the Bat and Alucard had more weapons and armors to get. Also there were 2 more stages in the Saturn version then the other versions. This was the BEST version of SOTN or Dracula X the other ports can suck its ass!
AxelDuel 1 year ago
@AxelDuel i owned the one for ps1 the one i ps1 one was dumbed down it looked great but the backgrounds were different and the stages just look at a comparison video but they were similar If you didnt pay attention you would think there the same
emailme23 1 year ago
Negative. this version is terrible.
toadman842 1 year ago
half of saturns games never even came out in america
gqunit69 1 year ago
ooooorale
FATTHEBESTable 1 year ago
The art in eyrope was also the same with the japan version,thankfuly i saw the us version,and it sucks in some parts.
youtoubakias 1 year ago
Well when konami release the dracula x chronicles for psp,the symphony of the night version was from the ps one,with slight difrences.You can play as maria though,but it is not the port from the sega saturn.Thats ok i found it fair since they released it secondly on sega.
youtoubakias 1 year ago
can you tell me how to do all maria's moves?
THORR999 1 year ago
#SWEET
lactamela 1 year ago
whats with all the candles being blacked out? is this just marias game, or saturn in general orr some kind of error?
conduitcore16 1 year ago
@conduitcore16 yea, never noticed that in the original footage I downloaded for this video.
Guess it was a recording error from the original author...
osurpless 1 year ago
@osurpless sometimes you lose flashing objects on youtube, possibly cos it only records at 30fps. it just makes them look invisible since it records the frames when they are blank. maybe its that?
PhoenixRisen7 1 year ago
Japan. Grrrrr....Japan kept most of the good Saturn games. I'm buying a Saturn but..
NinjaMuffinMaster 1 year ago
WOW, Maria plays amazingly great compared to what PSP owners got in Dracula X Chronicles. Now I see why IGA changed her in the PSP version cause shes cheap and such in Saturn.
Its lame he based PSP Maria off Rondo of Blood version, while Saturn got the Maria, who doesnt do any of those moves in Rondo of Blood.
Atleast Maria got an intro in this version.
YamiAnubisX 2 years ago
dude i want to play as maria but download it for the emulator do know were i can find the rom for this?
linksZsabre18 2 years ago
A GREAT! informative video, thanks for uploading this one.I'll be definately adding this game to my japanese saturn collection after watching this.
MENDEZ1628 2 years ago 2
Maria Sogn is called "Guardian".
It's also her Boss battle theme.
RCDeschene 2 years ago
I know with most psone games 2d is flat. Does this version have any bumped up graphics???
patrickbateman00 2 years ago
is this game text heavy? because The saturn version is much cheaper then the PS1 version (at least here in Europe, the PS1 version costs alot)
lightdark28 2 years ago
bought this game along with an converter today. Paid about 150 us dollars (I am from sweden). Can't wait to play it. Maria's gonna be awesome to play with!!! BTW is there any inventory for her or Richter? If not, I really hope Alucard has an inventory!
sublemon25 2 years ago
Unfortunately, neither Maria nor Richter have an inventory. Maria plays a bit like Mega Man and Street Fighter combined. Make sure to look up her best moves, like the Dragon from the Salamander series of games, to tear up the enemies!
150 is quite a bit to pay. It's really too bad that there aren't any other legit ways to play this game other than the Saturn!
osurpless 2 years ago
Can you play the inverted castle with Maria? And what to do with the places (only mist could pass) ??
sublemon25 2 years ago
yes, you can.
As for those places, like in the colesseum and elsewhere, she has moves (much like Richter) to get around the problem.
osurpless 2 years ago
hello again, can you explain how you get past the places with mist-bars? And what to do with the spikey isle?
sublemon25 2 years ago
You know, I'm not actually sure about the spiky chamber.
You'll have to check out a video walkthrough for that as I'm not sure Richter can do it either.
osurpless 2 years ago
@sublemon25 get the mist ability from olrox chambers and get the spike breaker armor from catacombs
astrayasagiri 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
by the way the saturn sucks
jamie69er 2 years ago
great love for a great game, looking forward to the new castlevania
jamie69er 2 years ago
I have this game and an actual Saturn and the alpha effects (transparency) are not as good as the PS1 version. It is not a bug with the emulator, the original version looks like that. Instead of transparent sprites it used a "screen door" effect instead. This was because A. The Saturn didn't support per pixel transparency, only global transparency in sprite objects and B. Konami were lazy when they ported it and didn't bother to at least partially duplicate the effects in the Saturn version.
Atomicskull 2 years ago
Yea, Konami (NCE Nagoya) was pretty lazy when they ported this, it is not like they had to rush to get the game out for the US market or something.
This is SOTN, a game that is well worth the time and effort to make every port excellent!
osurpless 2 years ago
can maria and richter find / equip weapons in the saturn version? I thought it was cool you could play as richter in the psx, but thought it got boring fast cause he was too powerful.
also, you mentioned the hatch in the beginning of the game, you can actually glitch your way down there in the psx version. it's just a small cave room that leads to a save.
npetrie76 2 years ago
Unfortunately Maria and Richter can't equip items, a fact that has been bemoaned by Gamepro since they did a special Saturn import edition review of this game in Oct of 1998.
At least Maria is more fun to play in the Saturn version than the PSP version. It is hard to beat many bosses in that version with her.
Thanks for mentioning that glitch. It shows that the developers were thinking of including the Underground Garden, which serves to contradict IGA's claim that those areas aren't worth it.
osurpless 2 years ago
she rides a horse, and you consider that a handicap.......get your head out of Alucard's ass.
InterRage 2 years ago
not really, she just not as badass as Alucard, yet she can triple jump! Odd...
osurpless 2 years ago
alucard's fast walking into a castle. I'd consider that more weird than cool. Maria's riding on a horse made way more sense.
InterRage 2 years ago
this is igarashi's kryptonite. he HATES this game.
ironkong26 2 years ago
HAHA Maria takes Shaft. Nice
Mgopro 2 years ago
Enable "cache translusensy (or somthing), set read speed to max (24), set dot clock to 4.0.I play CV on real Saturn and EMU version with such settings have no slowdowns at all.Just experiment.
alucard0712 2 years ago
With new SSF emulator Saturn version have transparensy and there is no slowdowns (when configured right) and fast loading screens (faster than PSX), have more sound effects, but still big problem with stretched sprites.Dont know how to fix it yet ((((((
I play all version and Saturn is the best.The're is feelling of a "complete game".Gameplay is enchensed (more hearts,less HP etc...) think Saturn is best version but ONLY in new version of SSF emulator.
It's like shame on real Saturn...
alucard0712 2 years ago
May you tell me what do you exactly have to do to have it "configured right" ?
WeskerSega 2 years ago
Ps1 version is technically far better! still this is great version anyway.
jacovee 2 years ago
PS version is still better in my opinion, although, i can't help but hope for a version released with the 2 extra areas and extra items (except the 2 pointless familiars) and better english voice acting combined with polished visuals and sound...id sure buy it.
ironstanger 2 years ago
comparing the saturn version with ps1 version is just like comparing sonic unleashed of wii with the xbox 360 one,the saturn feature more stages you can play with maria bonus depending the bios data.....
jjvictor66 2 years ago
Masteriansun,
the Saturn has plenty of other bonuses, mentioned in the video.
As for slowdown, there are some instances of slowdown from the PSX version don't exist in the Saturn version (equip the sword familiar and turn to mist, Slowdown City!)
I believe that if Konami had handled this port rather than a 2nd party of theirs, the Saturn version would have been perfect.
osurpless 2 years ago
ps1 version is STILL the best version, only real bonus of the saturn version is the cover. this version has slowdown and the extra characters and levels are just tacked on. saturn is awesome but ps1 wins in this case.
masteriansun 2 years ago
So the 360 version isn't really the definitive version?
Well I'm not surprised that the Saturn version rocks. Depressing the Saturn didn't take off in the NA.
PurpleTyranid 2 years ago
yeah but symphony of the night isn't a xbox game, it's a total copy of the playstation version. Saturn is a different game from the sotn.
Edfeldt666 2 years ago 5
That seems kind of lame. Just like fix the issues you know.
PurpleTyranid 2 years ago
i do have this game for the Saturn port :), the only downside is that i cant use any cheats on it with the action replay i use for it to play it.
Stepmaniac1988 2 years ago
Deathcrunch: Touche on the Dracula Joseph's Cloak reference, I try and catch such mistakes now.
As for the graphics in the Saturn version and loading times, I think people who rag on the visuals forget that it was done by a 2nd Konami team in less than a year. And there are graphically elements that are better than on the PSX. Alucard's shadow comes to mind.
My friend meant that Underground Garden had a bizzare Japanese sense to it, more so than any other area of the game.
osurpless 3 years ago
You called Alucard Dracula :S Then you say that "this is defiantly the Japanese area".
Pretty sure of the rest of the game wasn't American made...
Tree demons, not like the Dryads then?
Just because the Xbox version is shit doesn't make it an excuse for this one to be.
And I fucking lol'd at the "superior hardware". Enjoy your loading times to look at the map, you know a basic game feature. Also enjoy no swimming and retarded looking cartoon enemies and mist form.
deathcrunch 3 years ago
got this on PSP... the best game ive ever played, seriously...
around 2 years of play for around 3 hours of game everyday ..... and 3 more monthes to get the duplicator and spash all secrets with ancestor's power....
frankly, its a HUGE eternally lasting RPG
ill kill myself if u can do a funnier game
Maughtelhaus 3 years ago
i fuckin love this game!!!
its great to see it again
thank for the upload brings back my elementary years.( childhood ^^)
haha
gohthecrow724 3 years ago
The Spear Guard IS on the PSX version,u can find him in the Underground Caverns
guilhermejrm 3 years ago
oh this one even had a new boss, i think its name is like skeleton gladiator or something
PonchoSnazzy 3 years ago
I have this.... I love it... It's way better than psx version... At the beginning you can choose to play as Richter, Maria, or Alucard, but a reason its beter than the PSX version is because the Saturn had a huge strong point in 2D games and the PSX wasnt very good on them, the animations, graphics and everything was better, this even had more weapons and 2 more areas(Rainbow Garden(i think thats it) and Cursed Prison(lol you can lvl in this place alot till 25) i dont think it came out in us tho
PonchoSnazzy 3 years ago
I prefer this version, but no, the animations and graphics weren't better in this version. I'd say that some of them were changed for the better, but some of them were changed for the worst. Saturn struggles a bit with this game, but it's more because the game ISN'T done in 2D. The game engine is 3D, because PlayStation (the original console for which the game was developed) didn't handle true 2D very well. This is fake 2D, with textured polygons to mimic the appearance of normal sprites.
kubevubin 3 years ago
how do u play with maria?????
sencey5000 3 years ago
I just did a search on Ebay, and was surprised to find no copies currently for sale. Looks like it is getting rarer...
Anyway, I paid 80 for my mint copy with the spine/obi card in 2004. My friend managed a similar copy for 75, so it is definitely up there.
You probably also need to add the 20 dollars that the cart costs that will also you to play this on an American Saturn.
Hope you are able to find a copy!
osurpless 3 years ago
How much can I expect to pay for the Saturnversion?
SvarteJack 3 years ago
It definitely varies. Around the time that I purchased my copy, it was going for around $70-80. I got lucky and paid only $50 or so for it. Definitely worth the money.
kubevubin 3 years ago
how to play as maria!? help
johnleryzui 3 years ago
In the Saturn version, you select her from the character select screen. In the PlayStation version...you don't.
kubevubin 3 years ago
I got all the footage from Youtube. I had a JPN with US imports capability, but it broke due to substandard materials used in the cart contacts.
It can be tough to play, that is why I wish this version would be ported. I think people who rag on the visuals forget that it was done by a 2nd Konami team in less than a year. And there are graphically elements that are better than on the PSX. Alucard's shadow comes to mind.
osurpless 3 years ago
Ah, darn. Well, thanks for the help anyway ^^ I swear to actually play this version eventually...
Mitsukara 3 years ago
What program did you use to play and record the footage? I would really love to try this version out, but haven't found anything that will run it short of the extreme expense of getting a modded Saturn.
Also, it's nice to see someone giving this version some positive mention; regardless of any speed/visual quality differences, I think all the added little stuff is totally badass even without having experienced it yet, especially playing as Maria ^_^
Mitsukara 3 years ago
You can buy a GameShark or any other cheat-enabling cartridge for Saturn. I use one of those Action Replay carts, personally. It also has built-in memory for game saves.
kubevubin 3 years ago
Oh, I forgot to point out that the cheat devices that I mentioned allow you to play imports. Basically, you can just start the game without even enabling cheats, and the cartridge allows you to bypass region coding automatically by just starting the game.
kubevubin 3 years ago
i love these videos!
have you heard about the new castlevania figure series coming out?? the alucard looks AMAZING!
shinmenreiko 3 years ago