The Curious Engineer

All blogs / Retro consoles

Rings of Saturn

32bits.substack.com

In-depth writeups of my explorations in retro game reverse engineering, with a focus on games from the 32-bit era. Click to read Rings of Saturn, by Bo, a Substack publication.

Retro consolesReverse engineeringGaming

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322 from 18 Nov 2023 to 29 Oct 2026
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2026 131

  1. Expansion hack: Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner (Saturn)
  2. Under the microscope: Chicago Syndicate (Game Gear)
  3. Under the microscope: Dynamite Headdy (Genesis)
  4. Under the microscope: Scooby-Doo! Unmasked (GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox)
  5. Under the microscope: Shaq Fu (Game Gear)
  6. Under the microscope: Phantasm (Saturn)
  7. Under the microscope: Shaq Fu (Super NES)
  8. Under the microscope: Stormlord (Genesis)
  9. Under the microscope: Time Bokan Series (Saturn)
  10. Under the microscope: Shaq Fu (Genesis)
  11. Under the microscope: Fear Effect & Fear Effect 2 (PlayStation)
  12. Under the microscope: Langrisser IV (Saturn)
  13. Under the microscope: Instruments of Chaos (Genesis)
  14. Under the microscope: NHL Rock the Rink (PlayStation)
  15. Under the microscope: Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV (Saturn, PlayStation)
  16. Under the microscope: Herdy Gerdy (PlayStation 2)
  17. Under the microscope: FIFA Soccer 96 (Genesis)
  18. Under the microscope: Heir of Zendor (Saturn, PlayStation)
  19. Under the microscope: Shadow of the Beast II (Genesis, Sega CD)
  20. Under the microscope: Puyo Puyo Tsuu Ketteiban (PlayStation)
  21. Under the microscope: Blazing Dragons (Saturn, PlayStation)
  22. Under the microscope: The Simpsons: Bart's Nightmare (Genesis)
  23. Under the microscope: TNN Motorsports Hardcore Heat (Dreamcast)
  24. Under the microscope: Puyo Puyo Tsuu (Saturn)
  25. Under the microscope: Beavis and Butt-head (Genesis)
  26. Under the microscope: Shellshock (PlayStation)
  27. Under the microscope: NBA Jam Tournament Edition & NBA Jam Extreme (Saturn)
  28. Under the microscope: The Magic School Bus (Genesis)
  29. Under the microscope: Iron Soldier 3 (PlayStation)
  30. Expansion hack: Bust-A-Move 3 (Saturn)
  31. Under the microscope: Stimpy's Invention (Genesis)
  32. Under the microscope: Croc: Legend of the Gobbos (PC)
  33. Under the microscope: Shadows of the Tusk (Saturn)
  34. Under the microscope: Team Buddies (PlayStation)
  35. Under the microscope: Ecco the Dolphin (Sega PC)
  36. Under the microscope: Lupin the 3rd: Sage of the Pyramid (Saturn)
  37. Under the microscope: Scud: Industrial Evolution (SegaSoft PC)
  38. Under the microscope: Blam! Machinehead (PlayStation)
  39. Under the microscope: Battle Garegga (Saturn)
  40. Under the microscope: Mobil 1 Rally Championship (PlayStation)
  41. Under the microscope: Command & Conquer: Red Alert: Retaliation (PlayStation)
  42. Under the microscope: Sega Touring Car Championship (Saturn, Sega PC)
  43. Under the microscope: Three Dirty Dwarves (Sega PC)
  44. Under the microscope: Command & Conquer: Red Alert (PlayStation)
  45. Under the microscope: Battle Athletes (Saturn)
  46. Extending the demo: Wild Arms (PlayStation)
  47. Under the microscope: Command & Conquer (Nintendo 64)
  48. Under the microscope: Batman Forever: The Arcade Game (Saturn)
  49. Under the microscope: Grind Session & Razor Racing (PlayStation)
  50. Under the microscope: Strike Force Hydra (Game Boy Advance, PlayStation)
  51. Under the microscope: Command & Conquer (Saturn)
  52. Under the microscope: Ford Street Racing (PlayStation 2, Xbox, PSP)
  53. Under the microscope: Alone in the Dark 2 (PlayStation)
  54. Under the microscope: Alone in the Dark 2 (Saturn)
  55. Extending the demo: Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2 (Dreamcast)
  56. Under the microscope: O.D.T. (PlayStation)
  57. Under the microscope: Fire Pro Gaiden: Blazing Tornado (Saturn)
  58. Extending the demo: Disruptor (PlayStation)
  59. Under the microscope: Smashing Drive (GameCube, Xbox)
  60. Under the microscope: Legend of Oasis (Saturn)
  61. Under the microscope: Toy Commander (Dreamcast)
  62. Under the microscope: Action Man: Destruction X (PlayStation)
  63. Under the microscope: Kaitou Saint Tail (Saturn)
  64. Under the microscope: Q*bert (PlayStation, Dreamcast)
  65. Extending the demo: Tales of Destiny II & Tales of Phantasia (PlayStation)
  66. Under the microscope: Hyper 3D Taisen Battle Gebockers (Saturn)
  67. Under the microscope: Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat (PlayStation)
  68. Extending the demos: Tales of Destiny (PlayStation)
  69. Expansion hack: Samurai Spirits RPG (Saturn)
  70. Under the microscope: Steel Reign (PlayStation)
  71. Under the microscope: Heroes of Might and Magic: Quest for the DragonBone Staff (PlayStation 2)
  72. Under the microscope: Iron Storm: Operation Files (Saturn)
  73. Extending the demo: Psybadek (PlayStation)
  74. Under the microscope: Ferrari F355 Challenge (PlayStation 2)
  75. Under the microscope: Virtual Golf (Saturn, PlayStation)
  76. Under the microscope: Dynasty Warriors (PlayStation)
  77. Under the microscope: Vigilante 8 and friends (Dreamcast, PlayStation, Nintendo 64)
  78. Under the microscope: MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat (Saturn, PlayStation)
  79. Extending the demo: Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX (PlayStation)
  80. Under the microscope: Pyramid (unreleased Saturn prototype)
  81. Extending the demo: Super Magnetic Neo (Dreamcast)
  82. Under the microscope: Micro Maniacs Racing (PlayStation)
  83. Under the microscope: Swingerz Golf (GameCube)
  84. Extending the demo: Layer Section II (Saturn)
  85. Expansion hack: Ms. Pac-Man: Maze Madness (Dreamcast, PlayStation)
  86. Under the microscope: Medal of Honor: Rising Sun (PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox)
  87. Under the microscope: Mighty Hits (Saturn, PlayStation)
  88. Extending the demo: Test Drive 5 (PlayStation)
  89. Expansion hack: Flag to Flag (Dreamcast)
  90. Under the microscope: Virtual Casino (Saturn)
  91. Extending the demo: Vs. (PlayStation)
  92. Under the microscope: Elemental Gearbolt (PlayStation)
  93. Under the microscope: Quake v0.819 (Saturn)
  94. Under the microscope: Project Horned Owl (PlayStation)
  95. Under the microscope: Stunt GP & Jet X2O (PlayStation 2)
  96. What you can’t say in a Saturn game
  97. Extending the demo: Motor Toon Grand Prix 2 (PlayStation)
  98. Under the microscope: Batman: Vengeance (PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox)
  99. Under the microscope: Thunder Force V (Saturn, PlayStation)
  100. Extending the demo: Ridge Racer (PlayStation)
  101. Under the microscope: Battle Arena Toshinden URA (Saturn)
  102. Under the microscope: Croc & Croc 2 (PlayStation)
  103. Under the microscope: Unreal Tournament (Dreamcast)
  104. Under the microscope: Battle Arena Toshinden Remix (Saturn)
  105. Extending the demo: Destruction Derby (PlayStation)
  106. Under the microscope: MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael (PlayStation 2)
  107. Under the microscope: Championship Motocross & Championship Motocross 2001 (PlayStation)
  108. Extending the demo: Last Bronx (Saturn)
  109. Under the microscope: RoboCop (PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox)
  110. Under the microscope: Medal of Honor: Underground (PlayStation)
  111. Expansion hack: Impact Racing
  112. Under the microscope: Kinetica (PlayStation 2)
  113. Under the microscope: Small Soldiers (PlayStation)
  114. Under the microscope: Sound Qube (Saturn)
  115. Under the microscope: Aero Elite: Combat Academy (PlayStation 2)
  116. Under the microscope: Syphon Filter 3 (PlayStation)
  117. Under the microscope: Hyper Duel & Blast Wind (Saturn)
  118. Under the microscope: FireBlade (Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube)
  119. Under the microscope: Roadsters (Dreamcast, PlayStation)
  120. Sonic R: The R&R mod
  121. Under the microscope: Road Rash 3D & Road Rash Jailbreak (PlayStation)
  122. Under the microscope: A Bug's Life (PlayStation)
  123. Under the microscope: Lode Runner: The Legend Returns & Lode Runner Extra (Saturn)
  124. Under the microscope: Alexi Lalas International Soccer (PlayStation)
  125. Under the microscope: Ultraman: Legendary Giant of Light (Saturn)
  126. Under the microscope: Newman/Haas Racing (PlayStation)
  127. Under the microscope: Ford Racing 3 (PlayStation 2, Xbox)
  128. Under the microscope: LMA Manager 2003–2006 (PlayStation 2, Xbox)
  129. Expansion hack: Yuna Remix (Saturn)
  130. Under the microscope: Ford Mustang: The Legend Lives & Ford vs. Chevy (PlayStation 2, Xbox)
  131. Under the microscope: Army Men: World War (PlayStation)

2025 119

  1. Under the microscope: Dragon Force II (Saturn)
  2. Under the microscope: Ford Racing (PlayStation)
  3. Extending the demos: Frame Gride (Dreamcast)
  4. Under the microscope: Kyuutenkai (Saturn, PlayStation)
  5. Under the microscope: Tarzan Untamed (GameCube, PlayStation 2)
  6. Under the microscope: Andretti Racing & NASCAR Heat (Saturn, PlayStation)
  7. Under the microscope: V-Rally 2 (PlayStation)
  8. Under the microscope: Blues Brothers 2000 (Nintendo 64)
  9. Under the microscope: The Weakest Link (PlayStation, PlayStation 2)
  10. Under the microscope: Steam-Heart's (Saturn)
  11. Under the microscope: Shrek Extra Large (GameCube)
  12. Under the microscope: Planet Joker (Saturn)
  13. Under the microscope: Michelin Rally Masters (PlayStation)
  14. Under the microscope: Urban Chaos (Dreamcast)
  15. Under the microscope: Jet Moto 3 (PlayStation)
  16. Under the microscope: Chaos Control (Saturn, PlayStation)
  17. Under the microscope: Space Griffon VF-9 (PlayStation)
  18. Under the microscope: Need For Speed: High Stakes & Porsche Unleashed (PlayStation)
  19. Under the microscope: Atlantis: The Lost Tales (Saturn, PlayStation)
  20. Under the microscope: Jet Moto 2 & Streak Hoverboard Racing (PlayStation)
  21. Under the microscope: NCAA Basketball Final Four 97 (PlayStation)
  22. Under the microscope: Blast Chamber (Saturn, PlayStation)
  23. Under the microscope: Wild Arms & Overblood (PlayStation)
  24. Under the microscope: Nuclear Strike (PlayStation)
  25. Under the microscope: Krazy Ivan (Saturn, PlayStation)
  26. Under the microscope: Tigger's Honey Hunt (PlayStation, Nintendo 64)
  27. Extending the demo: The House of the Dead 2 (Dreamcast)
  28. Under the microscope: Soviet Strike (Saturn, PlayStation)
  29. Under the microscope: Nectaris: Military Madness (PlayStation)
  30. Under the microscope: Garfield: Saving Arlene & Garfield: Lasagna World Tour (PlayStation 2)
  31. Saturn cheats roundup: Herc's Adventures, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, & Wangan Trial Love (Saturn)
  32. Under the microscope: Rise of the Robots (3DO)
  33. Under the microscope: Arc the Lad II & III (PlayStation)
  34. Under the microscope: Fighting Illusion Shou
  35. Under the microscope: Big Air Freestyle (GameCube)
  36. Under the microscope: Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (PlayStation, Dreamcast)
  37. Extending the demos: Virtua Fighter Kids (Saturn)
  38. Under the microscope: Aqua GT (Dreamcast, PlayStation)
  39. Under the microscope: Nicktoons Racing (PlayStation)
  40. Under the microscope: Tennis Arena (Saturn, PlayStation)
  41. Under the microscope: Taxi 2 (Dreamcast, PlayStation)
  42. Under the microscope: PaRappa the Rapper (PlayStation)
  43. Under the microscope: Cotton Boomerang & Terra Cresta 3D (Saturn)
  44. Under the microscope: Championship Surfer (Dreamcast)
  45. Under the microscope: Disney's Hercules (PlayStation)
  46. Under the microscope: Chill (Saturn, PlayStation)
  47. Under the microscope: Bugriders (PlayStation)
  48. Under the microscope: Hyper 3-D Pinball (Saturn, PlayStation)
  49. Under the microscope: The AeroWings series (Dreamcast)
  50. Under the microscope: Jersey Devil (PlayStation)
  51. Under the microscope: Neon Genesis Evangelion: 2nd Impression & Revolutionary Girl Utena (Saturn)
  52. Under the microscope: Sega Rally 2 (Dreamcast)
  53. Under the microscope: Knockout Kings & HBO Boxing (PlayStation)
  54. Under the microscope: Formula Karts Special Edition (Saturn, PlayStation)
  55. Under the microscope: 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure (PlayStation)
  56. Under the microscope: The Crow: City of Angels
  57. Dreamcast cheat code roundup: Charge 'N Blast, Fighting Force 2, & Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Round 2
  58. Extending the demo: Thunder Force V (Saturn)
  59. Under the microscope: E.T. Interplanetary Mission (PlayStation)
  60. Under the microscope: Casper (Saturn, PlayStation, 3DO)
  61. Expansion hack: Industrial Spy — Operation Espionage (Dreamcast)
  62. Under the microscope: Sky Target (Saturn)
  63. Under the microscope: ReBoot (PlayStation)
  64. Under the microscope: Congo the Movie — The Lost City of Zinj (Saturn)
  65. Dreamcast cheat code roundup: Surf Rocket Racers, Carrier, Vermillion Desert
  66. Under the microscope: Shining Wisdom (Saturn)
  67. Under the microscope: Beach Spikers (GameCube)
  68. Under the microscope: Criticom (Saturn)
  69. Expansion hack: Grandia II (Dreamcast)
  70. Under the microscope: Radiant Silvergun (Saturn)
  71. Under the microscope: Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 (PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox)
  72. Under the microscope: Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX & Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX (Dreamcast, PlayStation)
  73. Under the microscope: Omakase! Savers (Saturn)
  74. Expansion hack: The Shining the Holy Ark Rhythm Challenge (Saturn)
  75. Under the microscope: Batman Begins (PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox)
  76. Under the microscope: Strikers 1945 & Sengoku Blade (Saturn, PlayStation)
  77. Under the microscope: Woody Woodpecker Racing (PlayStation, Dreamcast)
  78. Under the microscope: Gunbird & Mobile Light Force (Saturn, PlayStation)
  79. Under the microscope: Total Eclipse (3DO, PlayStation)
  80. Under the microscope: Zen Nihon Pro Wres Featuring Virtua
  81. Under the microscope: Death Crimson OX and friends (Dreamcast)
  82. Under the microscope: Asuka 120% Limited BURNING Fest.
  83. Under the microscope: Darkened Skye (GameCube)
  84. Extending the demo: Fighting Vipers
  85. Under the microscope: M&M's Shell Shocked (PlayStation)
  86. Under the microscope: The Lost World – Jurassic Park (Saturn, PlayStation)
  87. Under the microscope: Wipeout Pure & Wipeout Pulse (PSP)
  88. Under the microscope: Keio Flying Squadron 2
  89. Expansion hack: Elemental Gimmick Gear (Dreamcast)
  90. Under the microscope: Astal
  91. Under the microscope: Tom and Jerry in "Fists of Furry" (Nintendo 64)
  92. Under the microscope: Madden NFL 97 (Saturn, PlayStation)
  93. Under the microscope: Wu-Tang — Shaolin Style (PlayStation)
  94. Under the microscope: Grid Runner
  95. Under the microscope: Super Runabout — San Francisco Edition (Dreamcast)
  96. Under the microscope: Shockwave Assault & Shock Wave (Saturn, PlayStation, 3DO)
  97. Under the microscope: Test Drive Le Mans (Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, PlayStation)
  98. Under the microscope: Battle Monsters
  99. Playing the auto demo: Surf Rocket Racers (Dreamcast)
  100. Expansion hack: G Vector
  101. Extending the demo: Aerowings (Dreamcast)
  102. Under the microscope: The Incredible Hulk — The Pantheon Saga
  103. Extending the demo: Shutokou Battle R (PlayStation)
  104. Under the microscope: Highway 2000 (Saturn) & Tokyo Xtreme Racer (Dreamcast)
  105. Under the microscope: Toy Story 2, 102 Dalmatians (Dreamcast)
  106. Cheat code roundup: NHL 97 & NBA Action 98 (Saturn, PlayStation)
  107. Under the microscope: Cosmic Smash (Dreamcast)
  108. Under the microscope: Mobile Suit Gundam
  109. Expansion hack: Prince of Persia — Arabian Nights (Dreamcast)
  110. Under the microscope: NiGHTS Into Dreams (Puffy boss fight edition)
  111. Cheat code roundup: NFL 2K1, NFL 2K2, NCAA College Football 2K2
  112. Expansion hack: Power Stone, Power Stone 2 (Dreamcast)
  113. Under the microscope: BattleSport (3DO, Saturn, PlayStation)
  114. Under the microscope: Hang-On GP
  115. Under the microscope: Actua Golf & Virtual Golf
  116. Under the microscope: MDK (PlayStation)
  117. Under the microscope: Segagaga (Dreamcast)
  118. Saturn RPG hacking roundup: Grandia Digital Museum, Samurai Spirits Bushido Retsuden, & Marica: The Real World
  119. Under the microscope: Sakura Wars & Sakura Wars 2 (Dreamcast)

2024 64

  1. Extending the demos: Metropolis Street Racer (Dreamcast)
  2. Expansion hack: Ejihon Detective Agency
  3. Under the microscope: Tokyo Highway Battle (Saturn)
  4. Burning Rangers: the 1997-12-20 build
  5. Under the microscope: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (PlayStation)
  6. Under the microscope: Iron Man / X-O Manowar in Heavy Metal
  7. Under the microscope: Skeleton Warriors (Saturn, PlayStation)
  8. Under the microscope: Elevator Action Returns
  9. Under the microscope: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PlayStation, Dreamcast)
  10. Expansion hack: Christmas NiGHTS into Sonic
  11. Fighters Megamix's "Oshima stage"
  12. Extending the demo: SoulCalibur (Dreamcast)
  13. Under the microscope: Off-World Interceptor (3DO, Saturn, PlayStation)
  14. Under the microscope: Ecco the Dolphin — Defender of the Future
  15. Extending the demo: The House of the Dead
  16. Under the microscope: Phoenix 3 (3DO)
  17. Saturn RPG hacking roundup: Riglordsaga 2, Shiroki Majo, & Magic Knight Rayearth
  18. Under the microscope: Alien Trilogy & Ghen War
  19. Bonus: Developer Q&A, Hardcore 4x4
  20. Expansion hack: Blazing Heroes
  21. Under the microscope: Hardcore 4x4
  22. Cheat code roundup: Doom, Revolution X, & Earthworm Jim 2
  23. Extending the demo: Anarchy In The Nippon
  24. Expansion hack: Golden Axe - The Duel
  25. Under the microscope: Gun Frontier
  26. Under the microscope: Savaki
  27. Expansion hack: Metal Black
  28. Under the microscope: Dungeon Master Nexus
  29. Extending the demo: Dark Savior
  30. Expansion hacks: Gunbird, Sengoku Blade, and Strikers 1945
  31. Bonus: Dragon's Dream
  32. Under the microscope: Assault Suit Leynos 2
  33. Extending the demos: VATLVA
  34. NiGHTS Into Dreams: Pedestrian Challenge
  35. Under the microscope: Saturn Sakura Wars
  36. Extending the demo: prototype Sonic Jam
  37. Under the microscope: NiGHTS Into Dreams A-Life
  38. Burning Rangers: co-op mod
  39. Under the microscope: Fighters Megamix
  40. Expansion hack: Fighting Vipers
  41. Extending the demo: Street Fighter Zero 2
  42. Expansion Hack: Fire ProWrestling S: 6Men Scramble
  43. Under the microscope: Gex
  44. Extending the demo: Touge King the Spirits 2
  45. Expansion hack: High Velocity
  46. Under the microscope: Solar Eclipse (Titan Wars)
  47. Bonus: More Sonic in Gale Racer
  48. Expansion hack: Far East of Eden - The Apocalypse IV
  49. Extending the demo: Swagman
  50. Under the microscope: Shinobi Legions
  51. The Knight of the wind
  52. Extending the demo: Rabbit
  53. TwinBee Time Attack stands alone
  54. Independence for Psyth
  55. Under the microscope: Three Dirty Dwarves
  56. Still loading: Re-Loaded
  57. Fighting Force, unbound
  58. Prelude to Panzer Dragoon
  59. The QA tester's mentality
  60. Kingdom Grandprix's secret English mode
  61. Hidden Treasure: Silhouette Mirage's trial disc
  62. NiGHTS, camera, action
  63. The longest fuse
  64. Cracking the Clockwork Code

2023 8

  1. Choose your buddy, part 2
  2. Christmas NiGHTS Into Sonic
  3. Choose your buddy, part 1
  4. Multiplayer dreams
  5. Tails takes flight in Sonic Jam
  6. The Christmas NiGHTS advent calendar
  7. Rounds in NiGHTS and Burning Rangers
  8. Tails 3D: Knuckles' Island