Baku Baku Animal (Saturn)

Every console needs a signature puzzle game, and for the Saturn, it has to be Baku Baku Animal. The concept is simple enough; you remove food blocks from the play area using animal blocks, with the catch being that each animal will only consume their favoured food item (rabbits like carrots, for example). It's a unique touch which makes Baku Baku Animal stand apart from the other 'match-3' puzzlers of the period, but it's straightforward enough for even the most casual player to grasp within seconds. The game's two-player mode is a real highlight.

NiGHTS into Dreams (Saturn)

While Sonic Team failed to give fans a brand-new Sonic adventure on Saturn, it wasn't exactly lazy – it produced the superb Burning Rangers and NiGHTS into Dreams, a whimsical cult classic which continues to attract attention to this very day. Influenced by the theories of psychoanalysts such as Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, the game takes place in a dream-like world and makes excellent use of the Saturn's 3D controller – so much so, in fact, that it was bundled with the pad upon release. A sequel, NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, hit the Wii in 2009 but didn't quite capture what made the original so compelling.

Vampire Savior: The Lord Of Vampire (Saturn)

The Saturn certainly wasn't short on 2D fighters and Capcom in particular was keen on supporting the system as much as possible (in Japan, at least). Vampire Savior (also known as Darkstalkers 3) is the second Darkstalkers title on the console and sadly remained exclusive to Japanese shores. On the upside, it makes use of the 4-MEG RAM cartridge to provide an arcade-perfect experience – and one which made the PlayStation conversion look pretty feeble in comparison. Boasting some unique character designs, wonderfully moody music and a battle system where players have two health bars (rather than fights being divided into rounds), Vampire Savior is a real treat for fans of the genre.

Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition (Saturn)

The original Saturn port of Daytona USA wasn't the best illustration of the console's power, and compared very poorly to Ridge Racer on the Sony PlayStation. Sega was clearly aware of this fact as it released Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition in 1996, which is effectively an expanded and retooled port handled by the same team behind the excellent SEGA Rally Saturn conversion. Not only is the frame rate massively improved to a stable 30fps, the game also boasts a two-player mode, two brand-new circuits and support for the Saturn's 3D analogue controller. While it's true that the game 'feels' very different to both the arcade version and the prior Saturn port, it's still a fantastically playable racer and one of the best on the console.

Shinrei Jusatsushi Tarōmaru (Saturn)

One of the most sought-after games for the Saturn, Shinrei Jusatsushi Tarōmaru is a side-scrolling 2.5D action title that takes inspiration from Sega's Shinobi, placing the player in the shoes of a ninja warrior with powerful magical abilities. With a wealth of stunning boss encounters and an addictive two-player mode, this is a real gem in the Saturn's library – so it's almost criminal that its scarcity means that so few people have had the chance to experience it. Time Warner's Japanese studio was closed just before the title was published, and while the exact figure is disputed, some have claimed that only 5,000 copies were produced. It's hard to say if any video game is worth the amount currently being asked for a copy of Shinrei Jusatsushi Tarōmaru on the secondary market, but this is a remarkable video game nonetheless, and one that deserves to reach a wider audience.

Kingdom Grand Prix (Saturn)

While this vertically-scrolling shmup is technically the second game in Raizing's Mahou Daisakusen series (the first being released in western arcades as Sorcer Striker), it's the first (and only) instalment to be a combination of shooter and racing game. As you fly through the fantasy setting blowing up all kinds of monsters, you're also racing against other characters. Tapping the fire button fires the player's weapon as normal, but holding it down gives you a speed boost; this must be used in conjunction with your screen position (the higher up the screen you are, the faster you move) to finish first. This Saturn port is a Japanese exclusive and offers a mode where the racing aspect is jettisoned entirely so it plays more like a traditional shmup. Kingdom Grand Prix is a pre-installed title on Sega's Astro City Mini V micro-console.

Street Fighter Zero 3 (Saturn)

Arguably the most refined entry in the Alpha / Zero sub-series, Street Fighter Zero 3 has a massive cast of characters, all-new backgrounds, a completely fresh soundtrack and new game mechanics which make it one of the deepest and most rewarding entries in the entire Street Fighter franchise. Sadly, as a very late release in the Saturn's life, this didn't get a Western release, and its price has skyrocketed in recent years (thanks in part to the fact that it comes bundled with the 4-MEG RAM cartridge). Even so, this is one of the best 2D fighting games on the console and plays like a dream with the Saturn's six-button controller layout.

PowerSlave (Saturn)

Released at a time when Doom clones were all the rage, Lobotomy Software's PowerSlave (also known as Exhumed) is set in the present day but incorporates elements of Egyptian myths and legends. PowerSlave also exists on the Sony PlayStation, but the two versions aren't identical and are worth playing individually to see the differences. The game famously includes the hidden title Death Tank, which some people would say is worth the price of purchase alone. Lobotomy Software would also port fellow '90s FPS classics Quake and Duke Nukem 3D to the Saturn, with impressive results. More recently, the game has been updated for modern systems in the form of PowerSlave Exhumed.

Dragon Force (Saturn)

A bold fusion of story-driven RPG and turn-based tactics, Dragon Force sees the player assuming control of one of eight generals, with the aim of controlling the vast continent of Legendra. Players can move their generals around the map, occupying towns, talking with NPCs and engaging in battles which feature as many as 200 soldiers. Each general has their own unique storyline, massively increasing the game's replayability. A sequel was released in 1998, but sadly it was never localised, although a fan-made translation exists.

Soukyugurentai (Saturn)

Also known as Terra Diver, this Raizing-developed vertical shmup was released in arcades on Sega's ST-V board, which is basically the Saturn in all but name. As a result, this port is pretty much arcade perfect, and even includes some bonus features, such as a mode which allows you to practice levels in any order. Mixing 3D and 2D visuals to stunning effect, Soukyugurentai is a highlight in the Saturn's shmup library, and is relatively easy to find on the secondary market, despite its Japan-only status.