Tōshinden S

Description

Tōshinden S (released in the West as Battle Arena Toshinden Remix) is an enhanced port of the original 3D weapons-based fighter, arriving on the Sega Saturn in late 1995. It represents an early attempt to bring the PlayStation’s premier 3D fighting franchise to Sega’s hardware. The gameplay features a roster of eight initial fighters, including the swordsman Eiji Shinjo and the knight Duke B. Rambert, who battle in full 3D arenas. Unlike the PlayStation original, the Saturn version contains a dedicated Story Mode that utilises high-quality character portraits and full voice acting to expand on the game’s lore. The game includes a hidden boss and playable character named Cupido, who is exclusive to this version of the game.

The combat mechanics revolve around the ability to sidestep in a 3D space, a feature that was revolutionary at the time, allowing players to dodge vertical strikes and reposition themselves during the heat of battle. The technical framework utilises the Saturn’s VDP1 and VDP2 chips to render the polygonal characters and scrolling backgrounds. While the Saturn version features different lighting and texture work compared to its rival, it also employs the console’s signature “mesh” transparency for certain visual effects, such as the shadows and energy blasts. The control system is responsive, allowing for special move execution that feels similar to traditional 2D fighters but within a three-dimensional environment.

At the time of its release, contemporary reviews highlighted the addition of the Story Mode and the exclusive character as significant improvements over the previous version. However, critics also noted that the visual presentation lacked some of the graphical flourishes found on the PlayStation, particularly regarding transparency effects. Today, it remains a notable piece of the 32-bit era, documenting the competitive “port wars” and the specific ways developers adapted software to suit the Saturn’s unique (overly complex) internal architecture.