New releases for the SEGA Saturn are still a rare sight, particularly when they aim beyond short technical experiments. Vigilant Paradise is one such exception: a fully original first-person shooter developed specifically for Sega’s 32-bit console, and now available digitally.
Created by indie developer Playnautic, the game embraces the look and feel of mid-90s shooters while pushing the Saturn’s famously complex hardware in ways few modern projects attempt.
A long-term solo development
Vigilant Paradise is the result of a five-year solo development effort. Rather than leaning into modern retro trends, the game opts for a period-accurate presentation, complete with low-poly environments, chunky character models, and a distinctly Saturn-era visual style.
This is not a port or remake. It’s an entirely new game built to run on original Saturn hardware, making full use of the console’s dual CPUs and graphics processors.
Story and style
The game stars two protagonists, Vince Dimare and Paolo Diterra, who can be selected at the start of play. Each character offers slightly different weapons and perspectives, adding some replay value.
Set in the sun-soaked City of Paradise, the story draws heavily on classic crime drama tropes. Two cops sent on forced vacation find themselves caught up in terrorism, shootouts, and escalating chaos. The tone leans knowingly into its influences, with in-engine cutscenes, stylised voice acting, and a synth-heavy soundtrack that evokes the neon-lit crime stories of the late 80s and early 90s.
Fans of Miami Vice will feel right at home.
Technical ambition on Saturn
From a technical standpoint, Vigilant Paradise is an impressive achievement. The game runs at 320×240 in progressive scan and adapts correctly to both NTSC and PAL systems. The framerate is unlocked, helping gameplay remain responsive across regions.
The use of CD audio and PCM sound, combined with fully 3D first-person gameplay, highlights just how much effort has gone into squeezing performance from ageing hardware that was never known for being developer-friendly.
How can you play Vigilant Paradise?
Vigilant Paradise is available via itch.io and supports both real hardware and emulation. Players can burn the game to CD-R, though load times can be long on original drives. Using an optical drive emulator is recommended for smoother performance and to reduce wear on vintage hardware.
For Saturn enthusiasts, emulator users, or anyone curious about modern homebrew pushing classic consoles, Vigilant Paradise stands out as a rare and ambitious new release.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
