diff --git a/src/devices/video/stvvdp1.cpp b/src/devices/video/stvvdp1.cpp
index 63f6630c754..ccb005fefb3 100644
--- a/src/devices/video/stvvdp1.cpp
+++ b/src/devices/video/stvvdp1.cpp
@@ -947,6 +947,7 @@ void saturn_state::drawpixel_generic(int x, int y, int patterndata, int offsetcn
 				((((m_vdp1_vram[(((stv2_current_sprite.CMDCOLR&0xffff)*8)>>2)+((pix2&0xfffe)/2)])) & 0xffff0000) >> 16);
 
 				//mode = 5;
+				// TODO: transparency code wrong for after burner 2
 				transmask = 0xffff;
 
 				if ( !spd )
@@ -965,7 +966,8 @@ void saturn_state::drawpixel_generic(int x, int y, int patterndata, int offsetcn
 				pix = m_vdp1.gfx_decode[(patterndata+offsetcnt) & 0xfffff];
 				//mode = 2;
 				pix = pix+(stv2_current_sprite.CMDCOLR&0xffc0);
-				transmask = 0x3f;
+				// disable transmask since transparent pen is checked below (sasissu racing stage background clouds)
+				transmask = 0xffff;
 
 				// Scud: the disposable assassin wants transparent pen on 0
 				if ( !spd )
@@ -993,15 +995,23 @@ void saturn_state::drawpixel_generic(int x, int y, int patterndata, int offsetcn
 				//mode = 4;
 				break;
 			case 0x0028: // mode 5 32,768 colour RGB mode (16bits)
-				pix = m_vdp1.gfx_decode[(patterndata+offsetcnt*2+1) & 0xfffff] | (m_vdp1.gfx_decode[(patterndata+offsetcnt*2) & 0xfffff]<<8) ;
+				pix = m_vdp1.gfx_decode[(patterndata+offsetcnt*2+1) & 0xfffff] | (m_vdp1.gfx_decode[(patterndata+offsetcnt*2) & 0xfffff]<<8);
 				//mode = 5;
-				transmask = -1; /* TODO: check me */
+				// TODO: check transmask
+				transmask = -1;
+				break;
+			case 0x0038: // invalid
+				// game tengoku uses this on hi score screen (tate mode)
+				// according to Charles, reads from VRAM address 0
+				pix = m_vdp1.gfx_decode[1] | (m_vdp1.gfx_decode[0]<<8) ;
+				// TODO: check transmask
+				transmask = -1;
 				break;
 			default: // other settings illegal
 				pix = machine().rand();
 				//mode = 0;
 				transmask = 0xff;
-				popmessage("Illegal Sprite Mode, contact MAMEdev");
+				popmessage("Illegal Sprite Mode %02x, contact MAMEdev",stv2_current_sprite.CMDPMOD&0x0038);
 		}
 
 
diff --git a/src/devices/video/stvvdp2.cpp b/src/devices/video/stvvdp2.cpp
index b4b22e9d39c..3fb2ac74940 100644
--- a/src/devices/video/stvvdp2.cpp
+++ b/src/devices/video/stvvdp2.cpp
@@ -4526,7 +4526,8 @@ void saturn_state::stv_vdp2_check_tilemap(bitmap_rgb32 &bitmap, const rectangle
 		stv_vdp2_draw_basic_tilemap(bitmap, mycliprect);
 	}
 
-	/* post-processing functions (TODO: needs layer bitmaps to be individual planes to work correctly) */
+	/* post-processing functions */
+	// (TODO: needs layer bitmaps to be individual planes to work correctly)
 	if(stv2_current_tilemap.line_screen_enabled && TEST_FUNCTIONS)
 		stv_vdp2_draw_line(bitmap,cliprect);
 
@@ -6838,7 +6839,8 @@ void saturn_state::draw_sprites(bitmap_rgb32 &bitmap, const rectangle &cliprect,
 						};
 
 						// Pretty Fighter X, Game Tengoku shadows
-						// TODO: former doesn't read what's behind, VDP1 bug?
+						// TODO: Pretty Fighter X doesn't read what's behind on title screen, VDP1 bug?
+						// TODO: seldomly Game Tengoku shadows aren't drawn properly
 						if(pix & 0x8000 && STV_VDP2_SDCTL & 0x100)
 						{
 							rgb_t p = bitmap_line[x];