Developer VBT has unveiled a beta port of the Mac CD version of Flashback: The Quest for Identity for the SEGA Saturn. The project, built using the Reminiscence engine, is currently available for testing on SegaXtreme, where VBT encourages the community to report any glitches or performance issues before its final release.
Originally released on the Amiga in 1992 in France, Flashback became famous for its cinematic storytelling and fluid rotoscoped animation. VBT, who hails from the same country, has been working tirelessly on this Saturn port since early 2024, addressing countless technical challenges to make the game run smoothly on the hardware.
After several test builds and community feedback through the SHIRO! Discord, VBT refined the memory handling, optimized decompression routines, and even managed to remove the 4MB RAM cartridge requirement. This version supports English and French text, Amiga-exclusive cutscenes, and a new save menu with room previews and double-compressed save states to conserve Saturn backup RAM.
VBT explained that the goal was to make the high-resolution Mac CD version playable on Saturn while preserving its voice acting and atmosphere. “It was a miracle it was running and a real pain to port,” he said, detailing how clever use of VRAM, sprite merging, and palette tricks helped fit everything within the Saturn’s tight memory limits.
The developer also credited key contributors such as Gregory Montoir, Cerbero, Double Dime, Fafling, and Benjamin Siskoo for their assistance throughout the project.
You can download the beta now on SegaXtreme and contribute feedback before its full public release.