About This File
Does it drive you crazy that the official database uses the 'developer' as the manufacturer data some of the time, and then the publisher other times? Do you like accurate data, free of mistakes and typos? Do you like consistency? Do you like the idea of someone sitting down with the official Sega Saturn database, and spending 2 days doing research, making sure that the manufacturer data reflects not the developer, not the distributor, but the publisher?
Well look no further, this is that database. The manufacturer field is the *only* thing changed from the official database.
9 times out of 10, the publisher will match the name on the box. However, there were some oddities with this particular system. For example:
1. Quake has 'id Software' on the box, but was published by Sega. I debated putting 'id Software/Sega' as the manufacturer but decided on Sega.
2. Some games, the publishers didn't bother to put their logos on. (VR Soccer, VR Golf '97). One could easily come to the conclusion that Sega in fact published the games, but did not.
3. Three very well known Capcom games, "Mega Man X3," "Street Fighter - The Movie" and "X-Men - Children of the Atom" were published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment, Acclaim Entertainment Inc., and Acclaim Entertainment Inc., respectively. But it didn't sit well with me, putting those companies in the description, so I solved this little dilemma by putting "Capcom/Virgin Interactive Entertainment", and "Capcom/Acclaim Entertainment, Inc." This is one of those instances where a judgement needed to be made on whether to make things 'black and white.' Capcom published the games originally, and the games are well known Capcom games. So I made it a point to make mention of them in the 'manufacturer' field.
I do not mean to step on anyone's toes by releasing this or any other database. Database work is thankless, tedious work, and I'm guessing that most of the official databases were done by just a few people.
If I were personally doing 30+ systems, I wouldn't be spending a whole lot of time researching and fact checking.
But since this particular system (and the few other databases I've re-done) is important to me, I decided to put in the extra effort. The 'official' HyperSpin artwork standards are very high. So are mine, when it comes to fact checking. I would not be making this available for download if I was not willing to stand behind it, and make the claim that the manufacturer field is ~ 98% accurate, and substantially more accurate than the original that I altered. The original used the developer most of the time, but was not consistent, and would occasionally use the publisher instead. And, it had a lot of errors.
So I consider this to be a substantial improvement, and I'm betting you will too, especially if you believe, as I do, that the publisher - the name on the box - should be the standard for the 'manufacturer' data.
What's New in Version 1.2.0
Released
Some upgrades, for anyone who is interested. I'm making this available as a separate download, so if anyone prefers the 'official' list, that is still available. I added a number of new Japanese games to the database. There isn't an 'official' Japanese database that I'm aware of, and this database already has some Japanese games in it. So, with that in mind, I added the following games (followed by the reason it was added)
1. Akumajo Dracula X - Gekka no Yasokyoku (Japan) - This is the Japanese version of 'Castlevania - Symphony of the Night, and it has added features (2 new areas, new items, and the ability to play as Maria) that the PS1 version does not. It's worth checking out if you're a fan of the PS1 version.
2. Burning Fest. Limit Over. (Hack) (Japan) (Translated En) - This is a translated version of the hacked version of Asuka 120% Burning Fest Limited. The first of 8 fully playable translated games available on this platform, that were left out of the original database.
3. Daytona USA - CCE Netlink Edition (USA) - The Netlink version of Daytona USA - Championship Circuit Edition. Considered one of the rarest Sega Saturn games. I think of HyperSpin as a sort of 'digital Museum,' and no museum is complete without the rarest game. A database should not be about including only the most fun games, or leaving out duplicates. A database should be *complete*, and it should be up to the user to decide what to include or exclude.
4. Dragon Force II - Kami Sarishi Daichi ni (Japan) (Translated En) - The 2nd of 8 translations available. The description has the alternate title of 'Dragon Force II - The Godforsaken Land (Japan) (Translated En).'
5. Dungeon Master Nexus (Japan) - A Japanese RPG. It's in Japanese so you won't be able to play it unless you have a guide or can read the language. But, it's a Saturn exclusive. As far as I'm concerned, every Saturn Exclusive should be in the database as a matter of principal. This is gaming history here people. If you don't want unplayable games in your HyperSpin, don't add it.
6. Dungeons & Dragons Collection (Japan) (Disc 1 & 2) - Considered to be one of the best imports, contains 'Tower of Doom' and 'Shadow Over Mystara.' It's playable, even with the language barrier.
7. Final Fight Revenge (Japan) - A totally playable Japanese game. In fact, if you have your system settings set to 'English,' the game is totally in English. This game should have been in the original database for sure.
8. Grandia - Digital Museum (Japan) - Another Japanese RPG that you probably won't be able to play due to the language barrier, but again, a Sega Saturn Exclusive. There's no law that says you have to add every single game in the database. But if you're a completionist, and you love this system and it's history, it belongs in the database.
9. Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (Japan) - Totally playable, the language barrier is practically a non issue.
10. Policenauts (Japan) (Translated) (Disc 1-3) - The sequel to Hideo Kojima's first game ever, 'Snatcher.' The 3rd of 8 translations.
11. Sega Rally Championship Plus - Netlink Edition (USA) - Supports the 3D control pad and has some bugfixes, and is considered the 'definitive version.'
12. Segata Sanshirou Shinken Yuugi (Japan) - A collection of mini games. Somewhat playable. A Sega Saturn Exclusive, starring the funny Japanese guy from the Sega Saturn commercials that aired in Japan.
13. Shining Force III - Premium Disc (Japan) (Translated En) - The 4th of 8 translations, and a Sega Saturn Exclusive.
14. Shining Force III - Scenario 1 (Japan) (Translated En) - The 5th of 8 translations, and a Sega Saturn Exclusive. The USA version was already in the database (Shining Force III (USA) ). I did not include the title following 'scenario 1' as it would make the display name ridiculously long, and wouldn't display properly on your HyperSpin.
15. Shining Force III - Scenario 2 (Japan) (Translated En) - The 6th of 8 translations, and a Sega Saturn Exclusive. We only got 'Scenario 1' in North America in the form of 'Shining Force III (USA).'
16. Shining Force III - Scenario 3 (Japan) (Translated En) - The 7th of 8 translations, and a Sega Saturn Exclusive.
17. Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru (Japan) - A Sega Saturn Exclusive. From Wikipedia: "The game has the distinction of being one of the Sega Saturn's rarest and most difficult games to obtain, mainly due in part to Time Warner Interactive ceasing operations after only 7,500 copies of it were manufactured. eBay auctions for the game can start for as high as $1,000." "Retro Gamer included it on their list of ten essential Saturn imports, described as "a delightfully nutty game that takes elements of Shinobi and Alisa Dragoon and marries them to insanely over-the-top action scenes that involve gigantic frogs and fantastic scaling and rotating effects. "
18. Shoujo Kakumei Utena - Itsuka Kakumei Sareru Monogatari (Japan) (Translated En) (Disc 1 & 2) - The 8th of 8 translations. Seems to be a graphic novel type game.
19. Virtual-On - Cyber Troopers - Netlink Edition (USA) - The Netlink Edition game of the same name. A two player online version. I'm not sure if that means anything to a gamer or not, perhaps an emulator can implement the feature somehow.
20. X-Men vs. Street Fighter (Japan) - The definitive version of my personal favorite in the Capcom 'Vs.' series. Puts the PS1 version to shame (which lacked several of the arcade features). This game is totally playable, language barrier is barely an issue (if at all).
So, there you have it. Somebody by now is probably thinking "Great, new games. Now I have games missing wheels, box arts, etc." 
Don't worry, I've got you covered. "Ultimate Sega Saturn" is coming very soon, and it is the most through one yet (COMPLETE publisher wheels, as in *every single publisher*).
New in 1.2 -
When I went through the database the first time, I used the 'CERO' rating instead of the 'Sega' rating that was actually used. It's a very minor issue, as CERO basically replaced the Sega rating system. However, Rocketlauncher fades currently don't make use of the 'Sega' rating system. And since it isn't accurate to use CERO, when it wasn't even around yet, I've reverted the ratings back to the HSRS (HyperSpin Rating System) that was used originally. If you don't care about something this trivial, don't bother updating, as that is literally all that has changed.
