Rings of Saturn

Rings of Saturn is a Substack dedicated to exploring and explaining hacks in retro Sega games, particularly from the 32-bit era. It delves into game modifications, hidden content, and technical cheats across various titles, providing insights into unexplored game features and enabling unique gameplay experiences.

Retro Gaming Game Modifications Sega 32-bit Era Technical Game Analysis Hidden Content in Games Game Development Insights Playable Character Hacks Game Testing and QA

The hottest Substack posts of Rings of Saturn

And their main takeaways

Cheat code roundup: NHL 97 & NBA Action 98 (Saturn, PlayStation)

43 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
  1. Visual Concepts created NHL 97 and NBA Action 98, both for Sega Saturn and PlayStation. These games include some fun cheat codes that many players may not know about.
  2. In NHL 97, entering certain names can unlock interesting videos and Easter egg content, including a cool logo reveal and a racing video.
  3. NBA Action 98 has similar cheat codes where you can unlock special teams and change how players look in the game by using unique names.

Under the microscope: Cosmic Smash (Dreamcast)

58 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
  1. Cosmic Smash is a fun game that mixes Breakout and tennis elements. You play as a character trying to break glowing blocks in a cool futuristic setting.
  2. There are cheat codes in the game that let you change your character's look or even unlock a hidden stage select screen. It's neat to discover these little secrets!
  3. The game has some debug tools that might not work perfectly, but they can show interesting settings. It's a glimpse into how games are built and tested.

Under the microscope: Mobile Suit Gundam

43 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Translation Game design
  1. A new translation patch for the 1995 game Mobile Suit Gundam has been released, making it easier for players to enjoy the game in English.
  2. There’s a cheat menu in the game that includes useful options like invincibility, stage selection, and movie skipping.
  3. Entering cheat codes in the game can be tricky, but the provided patch simplifies the process and makes it more accessible.

Under the microscope: NiGHTS Into Dreams (Puffy boss fight edition)

130 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
  1. In the game NiGHTS Into Dreams, what happens after defeating the boss Puffy is controlled by the game's timer. If you finish the fight with a time ending in '1', a door opens, but if it's '2', something falls out.
  2. There's a weird and unexplained object that can appear after the boss fight, which has a mask but you can't see it in the game. Players are curious about its purpose since it has some hidden features.
  3. In the Christmas version of the game, the timer works differently, meaning the special effects after the boss fight don't happen. The hidden code is still there, but it never triggers because of how the game is set up.

Expansion hack: Prince of Persia — Arabian Nights

72 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
  1. There is a hidden cheat menu in the game 'Prince of Persia: Arabian Nights'. This menu lets you choose levels and adjust your health.
  2. To access this cheat menu, a special patch can be applied, which changes game data to reveal extra options.
  3. Some other hidden menus were also discovered in the game, like an alternative save/load screen, but they don't all work perfectly.
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Cheat code roundup: NFL 2K1, NFL 2K2, NCAA College Football 2K2

58 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
  1. Certain games like NCAA College Football 2K2 and NFL 2K1 have hidden cheat codes that can be accessed through specific button combinations.
  2. Some codes unlock fun features in the game, such as changing the speed of gameplay or altering player appearances.
  3. The same cheat codes often work across multiple games in the series, making it easier for players to remember and reuse them.

Expansion hack: Power Stone, Power Stone 2 (Dreamcast)

58 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Hardware Development Debugging
  1. Power Stone for Dreamcast has a hidden debug menu for testing different features like sound and animations.
  2. Power Stone 2 also includes a debug menu that offers similar testing capabilities and extra features to explore character moves.
  3. Patches are available to access these hidden menus, enhancing the gaming experience for players who want to dive deeper into the games.

Under the microscope: BattleSport (3DO, Saturn, PlayStation)

58 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Gaming Cheat Codes Game Mechanics
  1. There are many cheat codes available for the game BattleSport on 3DO and Saturn. These codes can unlock new characters, tanks, and arenas.
  2. The PlayStation version of BattleSport uses a unique system where you enter special names to unlock cheats instead of using button combinations. This makes it tricky since you can't see the numbers when you enter them.
  3. Some codes seem to be different or completely new for the Saturn version compared to the 3DO version. This means players may discover new ways to enjoy the game depending on the system they are using.

Under the microscope: Sakura Wars & Sakura Wars 2 (Dreamcast)

58 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Gaming Video Games Nostalgia Cheat Codes
  1. Sakura Wars and Sakura Wars 2 for Dreamcast both have powerful debug modes that let players access hidden features and options. You can unlock these modes by entering specific cheat codes at certain points in the game.
  2. The debug menu in Sakura Wars allows players to jump to different scenes, play mini-games, and select characters from the game. This creates a fun way to explore parts of the game that are usually unseen.
  3. In Sakura Wars 2, there are two sets of cheat codes needed to access the debug menu, and it even allows sound and gameplay adjustments. This gives players an opportunity to mess around with different settings and find new ways to enjoy the game.

Under the microscope: Segagaga (Dreamcast)

43 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Video Games Game design Debugging Hacking Software Development
  1. Segagaga, a Sega RPG, has two hidden debug menus that can be accessed using cheat codes or patches. This makes the game more interactive for players who enjoy exploring its features.
  2. The first debug menu allows players to adjust game statistics, view sprites, and test sound and movie clips. It provides a way to experiment with different elements of the game.
  3. The second debug menu lets players access various game functions directly, including scenarios and mini-games. This menu simplifies navigation and enhances the gaming experience.

Under the microscope: Ecco the Dolphin — Defender of the Future

174 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Programming Engineering
  1. There are special cheat codes in the game 'Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future' that can be activated by naming your save file a certain way. These codes unlock features like immortality and all-level access.
  2. A reverse-engineering tool called Ghidra was used to find these codes and understand how they were hidden in the game. It shows how programming can uncover secret game mechanics.
  3. Some codes do different things, like showing the frame rate or unlocking a bonus game. One code is mysterious and doesn't seem to do anything at all, adding an element of fun discovery.

Bonus: Fighters Megamix

130 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Entertainment Media Technology Art
  1. There's a hidden stage in Fighters Megamix that can be accessed under specific conditions. It's called the 'Oshima Stage' and players discovered it through hacking.
  2. To get to the hidden stage naturally, players must follow a process that includes battling the CPU and restricting character choices. This can unlock the special stage during gameplay.
  3. The creator of the game, Yutaka Ito, shared his regrets about the hidden stage freezing during gameplay. It seems to be a topic of nostalgia and curiosity for long-time fans.

Under the microscope: Actua Golf & Virtual Golf

29 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Gaming History Technology Entertainment Sports
  1. The game 'Actua Golf' has some secret cheat codes that can change the game experience, like showing the names of the game creators.
  2. There was a plan for a follow-up disc with more golf courses for 'Actua Golf', but it never officially released.
  3. In 'Virtual Golf', players can use scrambled player names as passwords to unlock professional tournaments, making it more accessible for everyone.

Saturn RPG hacking roundup: Grandia Digital Museum, Samurai Spirits Bushido Retsuden, & Marica: The Real World

43 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Development Hacking Debugging
  1. Games like Grandia Digital Museum have hidden debug modes that let players access special features. You can enable these modes by changing settings in the game's files.
  2. Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits Bushido Retsuden allows players to activate a debug menu with a patch. This lets them test backgrounds and other game elements easily.
  3. In Marica: Shinjitsu no Sekai, players can unlock a debug screen using a specific cheat code. This screen offers more control and allows visiting different game locations.

Under the microscope: Tokyo Highway Battle (Saturn)

58 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Video Games Cheat Codes Game analysis
  1. Tokyo Highway Battle was released on both Saturn and PlayStation, but the Saturn version had unique cheat codes. Players can gain points quickly using specific button combinations.
  2. The cheat for getting 9,999,999 points on the Saturn version is different from the PlayStation version. This points boost allows for more customization options in the game.
  3. Technical differences between the two versions affect how cheat codes work. The Saturn’s code is simpler and easier to find compared to the PlayStation's.

Under the microscope: Hang-On GP

14 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Internet Hardware Digital Media
  1. Some hidden cheat codes for the game Hang-On GP have been discovered after almost 30 years. These codes can unlock special bikes and game modes.
  2. Players can now easily unlock all tracks and unlimited time in Time Trial mode with specific button sequences. This makes the game more fun and accessible.
  3. The cheat codes seem to have varied availability online, and some might still be missing from popular gaming sites. Players can share and help complete these lists.

Burning Rangers: the 1997-12-20 build

43 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Video Games Game Development Software Engineering
  1. There's a playable demo of the game 'Burning Rangers' from a 1997 build. It has many unique features and glitches not found in the final version.
  2. Players can change game settings to skip certain demo parts and play missions normally. This allows for a more complete gaming experience of the prototype.
  3. The demo has several bugs and issues during gameplay, like broken swimming mechanics and crashes, which make it feel very different from the final game.

Under the microscope: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PlayStation, Dreamcast)

58 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Video Games Programming Software Development Cheat Codes Reverse Engineering
  1. There are new cheat codes in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 that have been undiscovered for 24 years. This was found by someone analyzing the game and its cheat code system.
  2. A special Python script was created to discover these cheat codes by attacking the game's hashing system. This method used a combination of known button sequences and permutations.
  3. One of the new cheat codes allows players to turn off shadows in the game. Another doubles the score, which can make gameplay more interesting!

Extending the demos: Metropolis Street Racer (Dreamcast)

29 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Video Games Game Development Digital Preservation
  1. The demo of Metropolis Street Racer from the Dream On Volume 7 disc was initially not playable, but a patch was created to enable gameplay and access an early version of the game.
  2. There are also patches for the E3 demo and the Opel Challenge demo, allowing players to unlock full menus and features not originally available in those demos.
  3. Exploring these demo versions gives a unique insight into the game's development, showing how it changed before its final release.

Expansion hack: Christmas NiGHTS into Sonic

58 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Development Hacking
  1. A new ROM hack lets Sonic replace NiGHTS in Christmas NiGHTS, allowing him to fly and battle Gillwing. This change brings a fresh experience to fans of the game.
  2. The hack includes custom tweaks, like enabling Sonic to have paraloop trails and using his signature spin attack instead of NiGHTS's drill dash. These updates improve gameplay by making it feel more like a traditional Sonic experience.
  3. Players can quickly access the Sonic present by modifying the game's startup code. This makes it easier for fans to jump right into the action without navigating through menus.

Expansion hack: Ejihon Detective Agency

29 implied HN points • 25 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Entertainment Media Arts Technology
  1. The game Ejihon Detective Agency can now be played as a standalone Saturn game, which wasn't the case before. This brings more accessibility for players who want to try it.
  2. There are unique demo discs called Game-Ware, which are more like magazines with game demos. They include mini-games and ads, making them more interactive than standard magazines.
  3. The Saturn versions of Ejihon support extra features, like multiplayer and karaoke modes. This makes playing the game with friends more fun compared to the original arcade version.

Extending the demo: SoulCalibur (Dreamcast)

43 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Hardware Development Communication
  1. The _SoulCalibur_ demo limits you to two characters and one mode, but a patch can unlock more characters and modes.
  2. This demo is an earlier version of the game, allowing players to explore new features not available in the final release.
  3. Some aspects of the game, like certain modes and features, may crash or behave differently compared to the full game.

Under the microscope: Elevator Action Returns

29 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Hardware Cheat Codes Game design
  1. In Elevator Action Returns, you play as a special agent trying to stop terrorists. You use elevators to move around levels, which makes for some fun gameplay.
  2. A new code was discovered for unlocking extra options in the game like game speed and player lives. This adds more variety to how you can play.
  3. There's a hidden debug mode that lets you control the game in unique ways, but it can cause some glitches. A patch has been created to fix these issues and enhance the experience.

Under the microscope: Off-World Interceptor (3DO, Saturn, PlayStation)

29 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Video Games Cheat Codes Game Development Game Mechanics
  1. New cheat codes for the game _Off-World Interceptor_ were found, which had been hidden for 30 years. These codes work across multiple platforms like 3DO, Saturn, and PlayStation.
  2. The cheat codes can kickstart various features in the game, such as level selection, invincibility, and unlimited time. Players can enter these codes at the Options screen for added fun.
  3. The author used a tool called Ghidra to analyze the game’s memory and discover these codes. This shows that there’s still fun to be had from old games with a bit of technical know-how.

Under the microscope: Iron Man / X-O Manowar in Heavy Metal

14 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Development Cheat Codes Game design
  1. The game Iron Man / X-O Manowar for Saturn has cheat codes that can give players cool powers, like invincibility and unlimited weapons.
  2. There are special sequences you can enter when the game is paused to unlock fun features, like showing the development team photo or making Iron Man tiny.
  3. Players can also access a cheat menu that lets them skip levels and change their character, making the game more exciting.

Extending the demo: The House of the Dead

29 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Development Hardware
  1. The House of the Dead demo lets you play part of the first chapter, but there's a way to patch it to access more content.
  2. Playing the patched demo reveals differences between it and the final game, such as graphics and enemy designs.
  3. With some coding tricks, you can also get infinite health and access menu options in the demo, making gameplay more fun.

Under the microscope: Skeleton Warriors (Saturn, PlayStation)

14 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Video Games Game Development Cryptography Programming Mathematics
  1. The article talks about finding cheat codes for the game Skeleton Warriors on the Saturn and PlayStation consoles. It highlights how some of these codes were previously unknown and required research and coding to uncover.
  2. The author used a combination of brute force methods and mathematical approaches to determine the missing cheat codes. They collaborated with a cryptographer to solve complex hashing problems involved in the game.
  3. Mick West, a cofounder of Neversoft, contributed to the findings by sharing source code and insights about how the cheats work in the game. This shows a connection between game development and player discovery.

Under the microscope: Three Dirty Dwarves

61 HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Analysis Development
  1. A hidden cheat code 'MOSHOLU' in Three Dirty Dwarves unlocks 'CHEAT MODE', allowing selection of starting levels.
  2. Discovering hidden features like 'SUPERHERO' and 'JOYRECORD' by examining memory snapshots and exploring password encoding in the game's data.
  3. The decoding process revealed the original purpose of password codes like 'GUNHILL' was to access different game levels, and 'JOYRECORD' likely allowed control over in-game demo playback.

Still loading: Re-Loaded

43 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Programming Software
  1. The cancelled Saturn game Re-Loaded from Gremlin Interactive faced performance issues leading to a low frame rate and long loading times.
  2. Despite having only one level, a patch allows players to remove time limits and explore the game more fully by playing as different characters.
  3. The preview image suggests playing as other characters, which can be unlocked by changing values in game files - offering new gameplay experiences.

The Christmas NiGHTS advent calendar

43 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
  1. Since 1996, there have been varied interpretations of special dates in Christmas NiGHTS, with different sources conflicting on features like special snow at the end of history
  2. Different themes in Christmas NiGHTS like Winter NiGHTS, Christmas NiGHTS, and the New Year theme have unique aesthetics, outfits, and music for different periods of the year
  3. Various elements in Christmas NiGHTS, such as Santa and Reala's appearances, the different types of snow, and the backgrounds in Spring Valley, change based on specific dates and times throughout the year

Rounds in NiGHTS and Burning Rangers

43 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
  1. In NiGHTS and Burning Rangers, stages are called "rounds" internally. This has led to speculation among Sonic fans about missing rounds.
  2. Both NiGHTS and Burning Rangers handle rounds the same way, using specific memory addresses to determine the next round.
  3. Manipulating the round values in NiGHTS and Burning Rangers allows players to access hidden content like different stages or demo discs.

Tails 3D: Knuckles' Island

43 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
  1. The Saturn version of Sonic 3D Blast was rushed due to the delay of Sonic X-Treme, resulting in some interesting character and level additions.
  2. Sonic 3D Blast on the Saturn has special stages inspired by Sonic 2, considered some of the best in the series.
  3. By analyzing and manipulating character models and code, it's possible to play as Knuckles in Sonic 3D Blast by making specific patches.

Hidden Treasure: Silhouette Mirage's trial disc

29 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
  1. Silhouette Mirage's trial disc contains a full game hidden on it with resources for more levels.
  2. The trial version was based on a late prototype of the game and very closely resembles the final version.
  3. By patching out certain checks, it is possible to fully unlock the demo and access additional content.

Cracking the Clockwork Code

29 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
  1. Clockwork Knight is a game combining two parts with extra modes and content released in Japan in 1995.
  2. Clockwork Knight 2 in the U.S. released in 1996 included Part 2 but was missing Part 1 which was hinted to be unlockable.
  3. By analyzing the game, a cheat code was discovered 27 years later to access Part 1 in Clockwork Knight 2.

Choose your buddy, part 1

29 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
  1. You can make non-playable characters playable by using tricks like exploiting multiplayer functionalities in certain games
  2. In games without multiplayer capabilities like Sonic Jam and Sonic 3D Blast, you can still control more than one character by swapping handler functions
  3. Adjusting character speeds and making tweaks can enhance the playability and visual appeal of these character control hacks

Tails takes flight in Sonic Jam

29 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
  1. In Sonic Jam, Tails can be made playable with custom moves and animations.
  2. Changing character parameters can lead to unexpected results like two Sonics or game crashes.
  3. By patching the game's code, Tails can be programmed to fly and have unique jumping animations.

Choose your buddy, part 2

14 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
  1. In Sonic Jam, the hack was implemented to have both Sonic and Tails respond to controller inputs, by loading two copies of Sonic instead of one.
  2. To render the second Sonic in Sonic Jam, a patch was applied to render both Sonics separately by manipulating their X positions.
  3. Although implementing Tails in place of one Sonic caused the game to crash due to using Sonic's shader on both character models, the hack allowed for interesting experimentation with characters in the game.

Multiplayer dreams

14 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
  1. In some Saturn Sonic Team games, NPCs can be transformed into playable characters by adjusting input settings.
  2. Games like NiGHTS and Burning Rangers allow for easy switching of controller inputs between player 1 and player 2.
  3. By manipulating game functions, players can control multiple characters or NPCs with specific controllers in games like NiGHTS or Burning Rangers.