GameCube Horror Games - The Complete List of the Best and Scariest Nintendo GameCube Survival Horror Games

The Nintendo GameCube had a number of noteworthy survival horror and horror-themed games released for it during its lifetime. While it doesn't match the PS2 or the Sega Dreamcast when it comes to the amount of horror games available on the platform, it has a solid list of titles in the genre that are well worth seeking out. Here's a complete list of horror games that were released on the Nintendo GameCube:

Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem

Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem, developed by Silicon Knights and published by Nintendo, is a great exclusive horror title on the GameCube with an interesting emphasis on psychological horror. You play through multiple interconnected storylines across different time periods as you investigate the murder of your grandfather, encountering ancient evils and unraveling a dark conspiracy. The game was heavily influenced by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, and certainly draws a lot of inspiration from the survival horror pioneer Alone in the Dark. The game is probably most well-known for its unique sanity mechanic that messes with your perception when your sanity meter gets too low. The game's unique storyline and gameplay mechanics and haunting atmosphere make Eternal Darkness a truly unforgettable horror experience, and one that you can only experience on the GameCube.

Shop for Eternal Darkness on eBay

Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4, the long-awaited and often-delayed sequel, burst onto the scene as a late GameCube release and redefined the survival horror genre, setting a new standard for horror games. You'll once again step into the shoes of Leon S. Kennedy, this time investigating a mysterious village full of strange and violent inhabitants. RE4 throws out just about everything the series up until then was known for and reinvents it with a creepy and surreal yet action-focused adventure played from an over-the-shoulder perspective. The game features plenty of intense combat and tons of over-the-top set pieces while still maintaining the atmospheric horror from its precursor Resident Evil: Code Veronica. Resident Evil 4 is one of the best horror games ever made for the GameCube, or any system for that matter.

Shop for Resident Evil 4 on eBay

Resident Evil

The GameCube remake of the original Resident Evil was a fantastic new adaptation of the iconic PlayStation horror classic. The game was completely redone from the ground up, with new backgrounds, character models, enemies, gameplay mechanics, areas, and story segments. It's still the classic original Resident Evil at its heart, just with a new coat of paint - the game holds up just as well graphically as it does in the gameplay department. If you own a GameCube, you should have this game in your library.

Shop for Resident Evil on eBay

Resident Evil Zero

Resident Evil Zero serves as a prequel to the Resident Evil series, exploring the origins of the T-Virus outbreak. Running on the same engine as the GameCube remake of the first game, it's yet more classic RE-style action. Players control Rebecca Chambers from the first game and series newcomer Billy Coen as they investigate a train overrun by nightmarish creatures. The game has a unique character-switching mechanic where you'll have to swap between both characters in order to solve puzzles and progress through the game. If you like the classic Resident Evil series, Resident Evil Zero is an atmospheric and suspenseful horror adventure and a great addition to any GameCube collection.

Shop for Resident Evil Zero on eBay

Resident Evil: Code Veronica X

Resident Evil: Code Veronica X is a port of the classic yet somewhat overlooked entry in the series that was originally developed and released for the Sega Dreamcast. Code: Veronica was the first fully 3D game in the main series - while it maintains the fixed camera angles from the previous games, the camera is now free to move around, providing some nice cinematic moments. All of the series' staples are here - zombies, item management, puzzle-solving, and tons of back-tracking. It's a fantastic horror game that is one of the best in the classic Resident Evil series and on the GameCube.

Shop for Resident Evil: Code Veronica on eBay

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, the third installment in the series, follows Jill Valentine's harrowing escape from Raccoon City. This is a straight no-frills port of the PS1/PC/Sega Dreamcast game - no upgraded graphics here. With that said, Resident Evil 3 is still a classic entry in the survival horror series. It's not revolutionary, but it provides plenty of intense moments with the classic RE puzzle solving and horror adventure gameplay.

Shop for Resident Evil 3 on eBay

Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2 is another straight port of the horror classic that also appeared on the PlayStation, PC, Sega Dreamcast, and N64. This sequel expanded on the first installment in the series with a more action-focused approach and higher production values as you explore the Racoon City Police Department while trying to make your escape from the city. It's another classic survival horror game from Capcom, full of zombies to kill and puzzles to solve. The GameCube version of the game is probably the best all-around version of the game, making it a great game to add to your collection.

Shop for Resident Evil 2 on eBay

BloodRayne

BloodRayne is a third-person action-adventure game starring a sexy vampire named Rayne in an atmospheric and gore-filled adventure. Set in the same universe as Terminal Reality's earlier Nocturne survival horror games, the game plays like a combination of a third-person shooter, melee hack-n-slash, and platformer all mixed into one while you take on zombies and Nazi soldiers. Since you're a vampire, the game also has a blood-sucking mechanic that allows you to heal your character and even use your prey as shields while you do so. BloodRayne is a somewhat unpolished but fun horror action game and a worthwhile game to check out for the GameCube.

Shop for BloodRayne on eBay

Killer7

Killer7 is a downright bizarre, surreal, and trippy horror adventure developed by Grasshopper Manufacture, helmed by industry legend Suda51. It's a weird mix of genres with unusual gameplay mechanics - character movement is on-rails and enemy encounters take place in a fixed first-person perspective. While there is some action here, the game is mostly a weird visual novel/interactive movie-style game with some puzzle-solving along the same lines as Snatcher and the D series. The story is probably even stranger than the gameplay, mixing a schizophrenic plot with plenty of mature themes and a grindhouse, Japanese schlock-film style. With its distinctive cel-shaded visuals and psychological narrative, Killer 7 is a truly mind-bending horror adventure. It definitely won't be for everyone, but if you enjoy the strange and unusual, Killer7 definitely doesn't disappoint in that regard.

Shop for it on eBay

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds is an action-packed action-adventure game based on the popular TV series. Set sometime during the fifth season of the show, you'll play as Buffy, Xander, Willow, Spike, Faith, and even Sid The Dummy as you battle against a variety of supernatural threats in third-person melee-based combat. The game features a very faithful representation of the show's characters and quirky sense of humor, so if you're a fan of the show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds is a must-have. It's a surprisingly great video game adaptation of the classic TV series.

Shop for Buffy: Chaos Bleeds on eBay

Hunter: The Reckoning

Hunter: The Reckoning is a cool horror-themed hack-n-slash game with some light RPG elements. The game plays like a 3D version of Gauntlet or Smash TV as you have to defeat waves of zombies and other terrifying monsters while trying to make your way through the levels and levelup your character. You'll have plenty of guns, melee weapons like swords and chainsaws, and magic attacks at your dispensal as you make your way through hordes of enemies. The game also has a fantastic co-operative multi-player mode, making this one of the few horror games that can be played through with friends.

Shop for Hunter: The Reckoning on eBay

Blood Omen 2

Blood Omen 2 is a sequel to the PS1 classic Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. This action-adventure game plunges you into a gothic vampire-filled world, playing as the vampire Kain on a quest for revenge against an army of vampire hunters. The game has an atmospheric gothic setting similar to the Castlevania games - it's not a true horror game, but the game features plenty of monsters and a blood-sucking mechanic, which makes sense seeing as you play as a vampire. If you're looking for a solid action-adventure game with some Zelda/Metroid elements, Blood Omen 2 offers a solid adventure with a classic horror theme.

Shop for Blood Omen 2 on eBay

Luigi's Mansion

Now we'll look at some kid-friendly horror-themed gaming on the GameCube. Luigi's Mansion won't scare you with its cartoony visuals and silly story and presentation, but it has a light horror theme so it makes it on this list as an honorable mention. It's an action-adventure game with a focus on solving puzzles and capturing ghosts by sucking them up with a vacuum. It's a fun, well-made game by Nintendo, just don't expect it to be a scary survival horror game or anything.

Shop for Luigi's Mansion on eBay

Related Posts:

Nintendo Wii Horror Games

Nintendo Wii U Horror Games

Super Nintendo Horror Games

Sega Genesis Horror Games

Sega Saturn Horror Games

Sega Dreamcast Horror Games

Wii U Survival Horror Games - The Complete List of the Best and Scariest Nintendo Wii U Horror Games

If you're looking for horror games with physical releases on the Wii U, there are a few available, but it's a rather paltry list. There were also a couple of horror games available digitally on the Wii U, but the eShop is now closed for good and it's not possible to download those games anymore so we won't include them here. At least the Wii U is backwards compatible with the original Wii, so you also have access to the rather strong library of horror games on the Nintendo Wii. Anyway, here's the list of the 4 horror games on the Wii U that you can still purchase and play:

ZombiU

ZombiU was a launch game for the Wii U developed by Ubisoft that takes place in the zombie-infested streets of post-apocalyptic London. As a survivor of a zombie outbreak, you must scavenge for supplies and make your way through dilapidated environments while fending off hordes of the undead. With unique gameplay mechanics that emphasizes survival and permadeath, Zombi U keeps you on edge, as each encounter with the undead could spell the end of your character, in which case you'll assume the role of a new survivor. The game also makes innovative use of the Wii U GamePad to do things like looting corpses, hacking cameras, and managing your inventory, adding some tension and immersion and making it a standout horror experience on the platform.

Shop for ZombiU on eBay

Resident Evil: Revelations

The Resident Evil franchise made its mark on the Wii U with Resident Evil: Revelations, an upgraded port of the 3DS original. Set between the events of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5, this atmospheric survival horror game follows series favorites Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as they investigate a deadly bioterrorism threat aboard a stranded cruise ship. With its tense exploration, limited resources, and claustrophobic environments, Resident Evil: Revelations delivers the trademark survival horror experience the series is known for. The Wii U version takes advantage of the GamePad's touchscreen for inventory management and puzzle-solving, further enhancing the immersion. An excellent addition to the Resident Evil series and the Wii U's small collection of horror games.

Shop for Resident Evil: Revelations on eBay

The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct

Based on the popular TV series, The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct transports players into the gritty world of the show. As Daryl Dixon, you attempt to survive during a zombie apocalypse in this first-person survival horror adventure. The game emphasizes the human drama and resource management aspects of survival, putting you in a relentless struggle against both the undead and other desperate survivors. The game emphasizes slow-paced stealth and strategy over gunplay, although you'll have to slay your fair share of zombies as well. While the Wii U version received mixed reviews, fans of The Walking Dead series should find enjoyment in its engaging and tense atmosphere and story that is canon to the TV show.

Shop for The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct on eBay

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, known as Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water in Europe, brings the Fatal Frame series' unique brand of supernatural Japanese horror to the Wii U. You'll assume the roles of three different characters as they explore a haunted mountain and confront vengeful spirits. The game's signature mechanic involves using the Wii U GamePad as the "Camera Obscura," a mystical camera-like device that can reveal and capture ghosts. It's a great entry into the Fatal Frame series, and fans of J-Horror movies and games will find a lot to like here. With its eerie atmosphere, chilling ghost encounters, and the fantastic utilization of the GamePad's motion controls, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water delivers a haunting experience that is one of the best horror games on the Wii U. Unfortunately it was never released physically in North America, so you'll need to import one of the rare (and expensive) European or Australian limited edition releases of the game if you want to play it in English.

Shop for Maiden of Black Water on eBay

And that's all there is in terms of horror on the Wii U. It's a short list, but there are some really good and fairly unique survival horror experiences to be had with all of these titles.

Related posts:

Horror Games on the Nintendo GameCube

Horror Games on the Super Nintendo

Horror Games on the Sega Genesis

Horror Games on the Sega Saturn

Horror Games on the Sega Dreamcast

Essential And Unique Dreamcast Accessories - The Best And Weirdest Peripherals For The Sega Dreamcast

The Sega Dreamcast was home to a number of unique and essential peripherals. Sega went all out to make their groundbreaking console an innovative experience, releasing quite a few accessories to enhance player experience. We'll take a look at some of the most noteworthy Dreamcast accessories - everything from your basic memory card (with a twist) to some of the more bizarre and innovative controllers and peripherals ever released.

VMU (Visual Memory Unit)

Obviously you're going to need at least one of these if you want to be able to save your games. Sure, you can get a basic memory card for a little cheaper, but you'll miss out on the iconic little screen that displays graphics and important information on your controller while you play. It's really handy for a game like Resident Evil: Code Veronica in particular, as you can quickly look down to see your health status rather than having to pause the game by entering the menu. And there's also the fact that the VMU is basically a little handheld console that lets you play mini-games on the go, like Chao Adventure (Sonic Adventure) and Pinta's Quest (Skies of Arcadia), that come included with some of your favorite games.

Shop for VMUs on eBay

VGA Box/VGA Cable/HDMI Converter

In order to get the very best picture quality you can out of the Dreamcast, you're going to need one of these. Using a VGA box, VGA cable, or HDMI converter is the only way to get that sweet 640X480p image that the Dreamcast was known for. The VGA box is quite expensive these days, but VGA cables are usually cheap - Just keep in mind that not all games are VGA compatible so you'll need to keep a set of composite or S-video cables on hand for those games. You can also mod your Dreamcast with something like DCDigital HDMI, but this is expensive and requires taking your Dreamcast apart and some soldering skills - it's much easier to just buy an HDMI converter if HDMI output is the direction you want to go in.

Shop for the VGA Box on eBay

Shop for VGA cable on eBay

Shop for HDMI Converters on eBay

Fishing Controller

If you're planning on playing one of the many fishing games on the Dreamcast, you're definitely going to want one of these. Sega Bass Fishing plays so much better with the fishing controller than it does with the standard controller. And that's not all - there are even a few non-fishing games that are compatible with this motion-sensing controller. You can also use this to play Soul Calibur, Zombie Revenge, and Virtua Tennis too if you so desire. So yeah, Virtua Tennis on the Dreamcast was basically Wii Sports tennis 6 years before the Wii was even a thing.

Shop for the Fishing Controller on eBay

Samba de Amigo Maracas

One of the weirdest peripherals perhaps ever released, you're going to need some of these if you want to play Sonic Team's classic rhythm game Samba de Amigo. These motion-sensing maracas bring the arcade experience into the home and are a lot more responsive and accurate than the Wii remote controls for the Nintendo Wii version of the game. Honestly, you're probably going to want to want to buy two sets of these so you can play multiplayer - they're fairly expensive but well worth the cost.

Shop for Samba de Amigo Maracas on eBay

Arcade Stick

The Dreamcast was obviously home to a ton of great arcade games, and the official arcade stick is the best way to play a lot of them if you're seeking an authentic arcade experience. If you're a fan of fighting games in particular the arcade stick is a must, as the standard Dreamcast controller just wasn't well-suited for 6-button fighting games.

Shop for the Arcade Stick on eBay

Dreamcast Microphone

You can't play Seaman without the Dreamcast microphone! Sega's iconic and bizarre virtual pet simulator where you talk to a fish-human hybrid is one of the must-have games in the Sega Dreamcast's library, and it requires this very unique-for-its-time and somewhat groundbreaking peripheral. You can also use it for online voice chat in Alien Front Online and Planet Ring, and even as a voice-activated button in Mr. Driller to drill the blocks.

Shop for the Dreamcast Microphone on eBay

Dreamcast Keyboard & Mouse

You're going to need the Dreamcast keyboard (or a keyboard adapter) if you want to play Sega's absolutely bonkers edutainment title The Typing of the Dead, so it's worth having for that reason alone. But you can also use it to communicate in online games like Phantasy Star Online or even browse the web if you're so inclined to attempt to do that on a Dreamcast these days. It's also great when paired with a mouse for some of the few first-person shooters released on the Dreamcast like Quake III: Arena and Unreal Tournament. 

Shop for the Dreamcast Keyboard on eBay

Shop for the Dreamcast Mouse on eBay

Jump Pack/Puru Puru Pack

The Dreamcast controller unfortunately didn't come with any rumble functionality out of the box, so you're going to need the Jump Pack if you want vibration feedback from your games. It's a pretty inexpensive accessory that thankfully doesn't require any batteries (unlike the Rumble Pak for the Nintendo 64), and the vibration feedback provided by the internal motor is strong, helping to provide just a little bit of extra immersion during gameplay.

Shop for the Jump Pack on eBay

Broadband Adapter

Broadband internet was still in its infancy and hadn't managed to get many early adopters by the early-2000's, but that didn't stop Sega from releasing this forward-thinking peripheral. The Broadband adapter upgrades the standard 56k modem included with the Dreamcast to a blazing fast 100 Mbit per second for the few games released that actually supported it. Since it was released fairly late in the system's lifespan, it's fairly rare and pricy nowadays.

Shop for the Broadband Adapter on eBay

Dreamcast Karaoke

The Dreamcast Karaoke attachment turns your Sega Dreamcast into a karaoke machine! This peripheral was only released in Japan, where karaoke is extremely popular. The unit has support for two microphones, so you and a friend can sing some sweet duets together; Well, theoretically you could, as the Dreamcast karaoke unit is completely useless without being able to connect to Sega's online servers, so this is just a cool collector's item (although fans have been working on getting it functional again, so who knows, maybe someday you'll be able to drunkenly sing some karaoke in your living room on the Dreamcast!).

Shop for Dreamcast Karaoke on eBay

Neo Geo Pocket Dreamcast Link Cable

This little-known and barely-utilized accessory allowed you to transfer data between the Neo Geo Pocket Color and Dreamcast in a few games like Capcom Vs. SNK, The King of Fighters, and Cool Cool Toon. If you happen to have both a Dreamcast and a Neo Geo Pocket Color and the compatible games for both systems, this is a really cool little device which sadly didn't see many games released that took advantage of it.

Shop for the Neo Geo Pocket Color Link Cable on eBay

DreamEye

The DreamEye camera was another forward-thinking device released by Sega for the Dreamcast, allowing users to take pictures and send them through e-mail, and also functioned as a webcam for video chat. There were plans for games that would utilize the DreamEye like Sony would later do with the EyeToy, but unfortunately this never came to fruition. It's still a really cool peripheral for its time that takes pictures at an amazing 3 whole megapixels!

Shop for the DreamEye on eBay

Densha De Go Train Controller

If you ever dreamed of being a train conductor, this is the peripheral for you! Taito's Densha de Go controller is a must for any would-be conductors out there looking to play Densha de Go, a Japan-only train simulator. Two levers and a brake pedal are all you'll need to drive your train from station to station, picking up and dropping off passengers while trying to keep to a strict schedule. Think you can make the trains run on time?

Shop for the Densha de Go Controller on eBay

DreamPhone

Dreamphone photo courtesy of estarland.com

Unfortunately this isn't a Dreamcast version of the Milton Bradley board game where you call guys to guess which one has a crush on you; Instead, it's a phone that you could connect to your Dreamcast to receive calls while you were using the internet. It was only released in Japan direct from Sega, so it's a very rare collector's curio that doesn't really serve any useful functionality today.

Shop for the DreamPhone on eBay

Sega Saturn Horror Games - The Complete List of the Best and Scariest Saturn Survival Horror Games!

Welcome to the dark and twisted world of horror gaming on the Sega Saturn! While the Sony PlayStation was the definitive platform for horror gaming enthusiasts in the 32-bit era, the Saturn had its fair share of horror-themed games as well. From atmospheric first-person shooters to eerie point-and-click adventures, the Sega Saturn has plenty of survival horror and horror-adjacent games that will leave you on the edge of your seat. In the following list we explore all of the horror games available for the Sega Saturn, in no particular order.

Resident Evil

The Sega Saturn got its very own custom port of the seminal survival horror classic Resident Evil. The original game in the series is one of the greatest and most iconic horror games ever made, and the Saturn version is a very solid port with a decent amount of content that is still exclusive to this version of the game - you get the Battle Game mode, new costumes, enemies, and some graphical tweaks that are only seen in the Saturn version. The game itself is one of the best horror games ever created, helping to spawn the entire genre of "survival horror". Resident Evil sees you exploring the Spencer Mansion, which just so happens to be full of zombies and other terrifying creatures. You'll be forced to solve puzzles and fight off all sorts of enemies while conserving ammo and healing items as you attempt to escape the mansion and uncover its dark secrets. A true classic, if you haven't played this yet you owe it to yourself to check it out (and if you have played it, you should probably go ahead and play it again anyway for the nostalgia). The Saturn version has become fairly pricy, but it's worth the cost for the extra content and the collector's value.

Shop for Resident Evil on eBay!

D

D is the first entry in the D series of horror games developed by Warp and closely associated with Sega's consoles, although the original was initially released for the 3DO. Directed by legendary game designer Kenji Eno, the game is a horror adventure that takes elements of point and click adventure games and turns it into an interactive movie. Played from a first-person perspective, you navigate through the environment via prerendered CG cutscenes and solve some puzzles while watching the game's bizarre and horrific story unfold through full motion video sequences. Slow-paced and methodical, the game has a creepy and bizarre plot that is full of twists and turns. D was an important early pioneering title in the horror genre, and it's still a unique and creepy experience. If you're into old-school 32-bit era horror adventure games, D is a must-play as one of the founding fathers in the genre.

Shop for D on eBay!

Enemy Zero

Enemy Zero is the spiritual sequel to D. You again play as digital actress Laura on a space station that has been invaded by aliens. The game plays a lot like D with its FMV-based exploration, cutscenes, and puzzle-solving, but it does add some fully 3D exploration segments where you must avoid monsters while traversing the space station. The gameplay features a very unique twist - all of the enemies are invisible, and you'll be guided only by the sound of your radar to run away and fight the monsters that are attempting to murder you. Adding to the already high tension is the fact that you can only attack the enemies at close range, and you die in one hit. With its shocking and well-directed story, phenomenal soundtrack, unique gameplay, and strong production values, this horror classic is an oft-overlooked gem, and the Sega Saturn is the only home console it was ever released on.

Shop for Enemy Zero on eBay!

Alone in the Dark: One Eyed Jack's Revenge

Alone in the Dark: One Eyed Jack's Revenge (sub-titled Jack is Back in its European release) is a port of the PC horror classic Alone in the Dark 2. The original Alone in the Dark games were the grandfathers of survival horror, and the Sega Saturn port of the second game in the series is a worthwhile horror game for the system. While its clunky by today's standards, the atmosphere still holds up well and provides a pretty creepy experience. Be prepared for a lot of trial and error, as this game is very unforgiving and has plenty of traps that you won't see coming until you memorize them. The Saturn port features slightly upgraded graphics from the PC original, with fully texture-mapped characters and enemies. It runs a lot better than the PS1 and 3DO ports do, although there is a fair amount of freezing as the game loads. If you've never had the pleasure of playing the game, it's definitely a must-play as one of the first survival horror games.

Shop for Alone in the Dark on eBay!

Alien Trilogy

Alien Trilogy is a first person shooter/survival horror game in the same vein as Doom. The game is loosely based on the first 3 Alien films, taking elements from all of the movies while also expanding upon them. You'll play as Ellen Ripley as she battles hordes of xenomorphs and other hostile creatures on the space colony LV426. If you're familiar with Doom you pretty much know how this game plays - you explore dark environments, flipping switches while trying to survive swarms of aliens that are out to kill you. The game features atmospheric environments, intense action, and a variety of weapons straight out of the films to fend off the relentless alien threat. With its dark and claustrophobic atmosphere, Alien Trilogy is a chilling and suspenseful horror gaming experience on the Sega Saturn.

Shop for Alien Trilogy on eBay!

Duke Nukem 3D

Damn! Those alien bastards are going to pay for shooting up your ride! Duke Nukem 3D for the Saturn is a great port of the classic PC first person shooter. The Saturn version was developed by Lobotomy Software and runs on their custom Saturn Slavedriver engine, and features new lighting effects and an exclusive level, in addition to online Netlink deathmatch online play. Taking plenty of inspiration from classic horror movies like Evil Dead 2, Army of Darkness, and They Live (to the point where it directly quotes lines from those movies), the game has a distinct grindhouse style with plenty of scantily-clad babes and buckets of blood and gore. A must-have for every Sega Saturn collection.

Shop for Duke Nukem 3D on eBay!

The House of the Dead

The Sega Saturn got a port of the arcade smash-hit rail shooter The House of the Dead. The first game in the long-running series is one of the best rail shooters of all time, and the Saturn version brought the game home for the first time with a good conversion (albeit not arcade perfect). While the graphics aren't as good as the arcade original, everything else is intact. Featuring some of the best ever bad voice acting that the series has become known for, branching paths, and frantic arcade-style shooting action, The House of the Dead on the Saturn is one of the best lightgun games on the system. As one of the last Saturn releases in the west, it has also become extremely pricy, though.

Shop for The House of the Dead on eBay!

Hexen

Hexen is a first-person fantasy horror game that combines first-person shooting action and exploration with some role-playing elements and dark, brooding atmosphere. The game runs on the same engine as Doom, and features a lot of similarities with id's landmark FPS while also offering some unique twists on the formula. Set in a dark medieval world full of horrifying monsters and deadly traps, players can choose one of three different characters to play: a warrior, a mage, and a cleric. Each character has unique abilities and weaponry, offering plenty of replay value with various ways to play through the game. If you're a fan of games like Doom and Alien Trilogy, Hexen offers a macabre and atmospheric gaming experience that seamlessly blends fantasy and horror elements into an excellent old-school first-person adventure.

Shop for Hexen on eBay!

Quake

Quake is a port of id Software's groundbreaking first-person shooter originally released for the PC that introduces players to a Lovecraftian-inspired world of nightmarish creatures and surreal environments. Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth invaded by otherworldly forces, you assume the role of a lone marine tasked with closing the portals that have unleashed unspeakable horrors. So yeah, it's basically Doom but now in full-3D. Lobotomy Software handled the Saturn port and again did a phenomenal job - the game runs very well on Lobotomy's custom Saturn engine, and adds some really nice lighting effects as well. With its cutting-edge 3D graphics, atmospheric soundtrack, and fast-paced gameplay, Quake offers a tense and adrenaline-pumping horror experience on the Sega Saturn.

Shop for Quake on eBay!

Corpse Killer

Corpse Killer is Digital Pictures FMV schlock at its finest. This enhanced port of the Sega CD original offers a B-movie horror vibe combined with simplistic 2D scrolling rail shooter action. It definitely has an '80s Italian jungle zombie movie feel, invoking classics like Lucio Fulci's Zombie and Bruno Mattei's Hell of the Living Dead. The game itself is extremely basic, playing like Lethal Enforcers or Terminator 2: The Arcade Game - Just shoot the zombies as they come at you while the level auto-scrolls to the right. You don't play this one for the gameplay though, you play it for its cheesy live-action cutscenes, and in that sense it totally delivers. 

Shop for Corpse Killer on eBay!

Area 51

Area 51 is a port of the extremely popular mid-90's arcade staple rail shooter by Midway. This classic lightgun shooter is pure B-movie schlock, and it's awesome! Blast away at hordes of zombie-like aliens as you travel through CG FMV-based levels with your digitized comrades, many of whom are buxom cleavage-baring babes. It's like the aesthetics of Mars Attacks and Duke Nukem 3D combined with the gameplay of something like Virtua Cop or The House of the Dead. If you're into lightgun games, this stands among the best of the genre available on the Sega Saturn.

Shop for Area 51 on eBay!

Doom

Doom has become a staple of these lists, being one of those games that has been released to almost everything even remotely capable of running it. Doom on the Saturn is a port based on the PS1 port (which itself was based on the Atari Jaguar port), and unfortunately the Saturn version is one of the worst ports of the game. It retains the extra levels and moody soundtrack of the PlayStation version, but it just doesn't run all that well. It's still Doom, one of the most iconic first-person shooter horror classics. It's a great game, and the Saturn version is at least somewhat playable, but this one is probably best for the hardcore collectors only - it's cheaper and better on many other platforms.

Shop for Doom on eBay!

Creature Shock: Special Edition

Creature Shock is an FMV-based shooter with some horror vibes. It has a story and atmosphere that feel like the Aliens movies, but unfortunately the gameplay is a little lacking. The Saturn version unfortunately doesn't have mouse support, so you're forced to try to hit small moving targets using only the controller. It's still playable and has some creepy atmosphere and cool-looking CG cutscenes, but this is probably only going to appeal to Saturn die-hards who are fans of these mid-90's FMV based games.

Shop for Creature Shock on eBay!

The Mansion of Hidden Souls

The Mansion of Hidden Souls is a Saturn-exclusive sequel/remake of the very similarly titled Sega CD exclusive Mansion of Hidden Souls. The game is an FMV-based adventure/walking simulator similar to games like D and The 7th Guest - You navigate through a creepy mansion in first-person via CG FMV cutscenes and solve the occasional puzzle while also talking to the mansion's ghostly inhabitants. Really more of a mystery visual novel than a horror game, the game has a somewhat spooky atmosphere and was marketed as such. This game is definitely not for everyone, but it's certainly a unique title for the Sega Saturn and worth checking out if you can handle slow-paced FMV games like this.

Shop for The Mansion of Hidden Souls on eBay!

Deep Fear

Deep Fear is a Sega Saturn exclusive survival horror game published by Sega late in the system's life in 1998. The game is a pretty standard Resident Evil clone with an extra helping of cheese - it's somewhat similar to Carrier for the Sega Dreamcast with its tanker ship environment and overall aesthetics. It featured a few gameplay mechanics that were unique for the genre at the time, most notably the ability to move and shoot at the same time, as well as having to constantly manage your air supply. Deep Fear is notable for its hilariously awful voice acting (OK, in fairness it's probably not quite as bad in this regard as the original Resident Evil) and cutscenes, as well as its status as being one of the last significant game releases for the Saturn. It was unfortunately never released in North America, but was translated into English for its European release. Because of its rarity and desirability, the European version of the game has become a very expensive collector's item.

Shop for Deep Fear on eBay!

Phantasmagoria

Phantasmagoria is a point-and-click horror adventure game by legendary game designer Roberta Williams that is definitely a very unique entry in the genre. You play the role of a woman named Adrienne, a writer who moves into a remote mansion with her husband, only to discover that it holds a dark and sinister past, in a plot that bears more than a little resemblance to The Shining. As Adrienne explores the mansion, you'll solve puzzles as you attempt to uncover the truth behind the haunting events that unfold. The game uses live-action FMV sprites for the characters green-screened on top of pre-rendered Resident Evil-style backgrounds, making it feel like you're playing an interactive horror movie. Phantasmagoria also stands out for its graphic and disturbing scenes that tackle some very mature themes. While the game was only released in Japan, there's a patch that restores its original English voice-acting, making this an import-friendly game for Sega Saturn fans. It's a fantastic point-and-click adventure and well worth seeking out.

Shop for Phantasmagoria on eBay!

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

The all-time classic entry of the Castlevania series which birthed the term "Metroidvania" is synonymous with the Sony PlayStation, but Castlevania: Symphony of the Night also received a Japan-exclusive port on the Sega Saturn which, thanks to fans, can now be played via a full English translation patch. It's classic Castlevania gothic horror and platforming action here, mixed with a new non-linear adventure element to the gameplay as you gain new abilities and can backtrack to explore previously unreachable areas. It's a great game, and while the Saturn port isn't 100% perfect, it's still a worthy entry for the Sega Saturn library and includes some Saturn-exclusive bonus content.

Shop for Symphony of the Night on eBay!

Related posts:

Horror Games on the Sega Genesis

Horror Games on the Sega Dreamcast

Horror Games on the Super Nintendo

Horror Games on the Nintendo GameCube

Horror Games on the Nintendo Wii

Horror Games on the Nintendo Wii U