Sega Saturn Saturday - Burning Rangers (REAL HARDWARE)

Streaming Sega Saturn games on real hardware. Playing Burning Rangers.

Burning Rangers – The Underrated Futuristic Firefighting Classic

Burning Rangers, released in 1998 for the Sega Saturn, is a standout action-third-person shooter from Sonic Team and published by Sega. Directed by Naoto Ohshima and produced by Yuji Naka, the game puts players in the boots of elite, jet-pack-equipped firefighters operating in a sleek, futuristic society.

Story & Setting

Set in a clean, utopian future where fire remains the hardest hazard to control, the Burning Rangers are dispatched to rescue civilians from blazing corridors, power plants, space stations, and underwater habitats. You choose between two rookie Rangers, Shou Amabane or Tillis, join the team, and respond to crises ranging from rogue fires to a mysterious ship on a collision course with Earth.

Gameplay & Mechanics

In lieu of traditional weapons, Burning Rangers equips players with laser tools to extinguish fires, which then yield energy crystals, the game’s “rings”, used to rescue civilians and shield the player from damage. Without an in-game map, progression relies on a voice navigation system led by Chris, the team navigator, who guides you through maze-like levels—an immersive, audio-driven mechanic at a time when voice direction in games was rare.

Gameplay is enriched with jet-pack acrobatics—double jumps, rolls, back-flips—alongside swimming, boss battles, and tight platforming controls. After completing the standard levels, a random generator mode unlocks, offering up to 3,125 unique route variations, boosting replayability and encouraging precision and exploration.

Presentation & Sound Design

The game was celebrated for pushing the Saturn hardware—with impressive colored lighting, transparency effects, and fluid animation—showcasing the console’s 3D capabilities. Rather than constant background music, the game prioritizes ambient sound design—fire crackling, tension-building audio cues, and the navigation voice—enhancing immersion and gameplay clarity. When music does appear—like the super-catchy tracks “Angels with Burning Hearts” and “We are Burning Rangers”—it adds a celebratory tone to animated intros and mission completions.

Reception & Legacy

Critics praised its innovative design, audio direction, and bold idea of heroism and rescue over combat—an uncommon premise in ’90s gaming. Graphics were highly regarded for a Saturn title, though some reviewers noted glitches, awkward camera control, and collision detection issues. As one of the final five Saturn titles released in the U.S., its late launch contributed to modest commercial reach and growing rarity among collectors.

Over time, Burning Rangers has become a cult gem, celebrated for its creativity and replay value—especially thanks to its randomized level system and heartfelt survivor email messages.

=====================================
Alternate Game Streaming Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@throwingcontrollers
Check out my Teespring shop: https://my-store-11615614.creator-spring.com/
Follow me on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/brainwabrain
Follow me on X: https://twitter.com/brainwabrain
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainwabrain/
Follow me on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-1658495
=====================================
#segasaturn #saturnsaturday #saturnday #sega #playthrough #retrogaming #needforspeed