Panzer Dragoon Saga is legendary within the video game community. It's often regarded as one of the best RPGs of all time and continues receiving praise 22 years after its initial release. Unfortunately, Panzer Dragoon Saga never reached its full potential due to it launching exclusively on the Sega Saturn towards the end of its lifespan. In fact, it was one of the last Sega Saturn games to ever launch on the console and received an extremely limited print run of roughly 25,000 North American copies.
Despite the game's overwhelming praise, Panzer Dragoon Saga never received a digital release. The only way to experience the Sega masterpiece is by purchasing the physical game. The only problem is Panzer Dragoon Saga is now considered a holy grail item among video game collectors, demanding over $900 for a complete copy. With the original Panzer Dragoon receiving a modern remake, many fans believe it's time for Sega to release Panzer Dragoon Saga on digital platforms.
The Sega Saturn is often considered the black sheep of the fifth console generation. The success of the original PlayStation and Nintendo 64 ended up overshadowing the Saturn, causing it to fall short of Sega's expectations. Sega tried making up for the Saturn's shortcomings by releasing a ton of great games exclusively on the console. However, it was too little too late. By the end of the 1990s, the Saturn was on its last leg.
Sega wanted the Saturn to end on a high note and released a slew of great JRPGs that rivaled Final Fantasy VIII, one being Panzer Dragoon Saga. Although most failed to live up to their great expectations, Panzer Dragoon Saga become an instant classic among Saturn fans. Its fully 3D fantasy world combined with its innovative gameplay made it one of the generation's best games. It pushed the Sega Saturn to its limited and quickly cemented itself as one of the best RPGs ever created.
Sadly, most gamers never got to experience Panzer Dragoon Saga. The Saturn went under shortly after its release and quickly became a high-priced collector's item. Sega still hasn't released the game digitally, causing it to drift further into obscurity.
A game like Panzer Dragoon Saga should be limited to an obscure retro console. It is far too important to be tucked away in the dark corners of the gaming world. More gamers should be able to experience the groundbreaking game and see how it took gaming to the next level. A digital release would allow fans to enjoy the Sega classic without spending a fortune on a physical edition.
With so many classic games receiving next-gen remakes, Sega might want to consider bringing Panzer Dragoon Saga into the modern era. A remake could make the game more appealing to younger audiences while reconnecting older gamers with a forgotten masterpiece. The Sega Saturn version could even accompany it so players can experience Panzer Dragoon Saga in its original form.
Panzer Dragoon Saga will always be one of the most important video games nobody's played. It is an absolute masterpiece that should be held in the same regard as Final Fantasy VII and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like a rerelease or remake will happen anytime soon. Sega has its hands full with other IP and looks to be focusing on the next generation rather than reviving all-time classics. However, stranger things have happened. Hopefully, Sega will bring Panzer Dragoon Saga to digital stores so gamers can experience the incredible RPG that never got the chance to shine.
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