to buy or not to buy: sega saturn

[Gogan]

Opinions? I've been looking at a US one. Do these need to be modded to play JPN titles?

I read the action replay card acts as a converter, any comments , suggestions?

[JoshTurboTrollX]

I got a US Saturn and the action replay.

Love it, you should definitely get one!

[Gogan]

Does the action replay act as a jpn converter?

[JoshTurboTrollX]

yeppers,  everything I've tried it on works flawlessly.

Although, I have not tried any of the 4MB Jap cart/Disc's like KOF 95 or some of the Capcom games that require them.  I'm guessing tho, that this should still play them.

[WoodyXP]

yeppers,  everything I've tried it on works flawlessly.

Although, I have not tried any of the 4MB Jap cart/Disc's like KOF 95 or some of the Capcom games that require them.  I'm guessing tho, that this should still play them.

All the 1/4MB games work with the PAR.  KOF 95 won't work with the PAR since it requires it's own ROM cart in order to function.

And Hell Yeah.. buy a Saturn.

[Gogan]

Done deal, got one :-D

[TR0N]

Done deal, got one :-D

Congrats the action replay plus is the best converter you can get for the,saturn.If you realy import for it you will have plenty to play on the console.

[Gogan]

Any recommended games? I like shoot-em-ups, and platformers

[Gogan]

Preferably US titles for now

[Arkhan Asylum]

Preferably US titles for now

Well, US titles I recommend are

Panzer Dragoon, Nights, Dragon Force (strategy RPG but its good), Magic Knight Rayearth (action RPG), Sonic R, Sonic 3D blast, Galactic Attack, Bug, Gex, D,....

imports, you gotta try Linkle Liver Story.  Its an ARPG, but it's easy to play even if you can't read Japanese.

plus, all the kick ass fighting games

[TheClash603]

You should pick up each of the Virtua Cops, they are normally very cheap, and a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, most of the good games are not very cheap.  My favorite US Saturn game is Guardian Heroes, and that will run you a decent amount of cash.

[Gogan]

Yea, geez it has some expensive games.  On ebay at least.

I picked up a lot with a few games from craigslist. Came with virtua cops (both) gun, and other goodies too. Good stuff, I'm pumped

[JoshTurboTrollX]

Craziest shit happened to me the other day, I walked into a thrift shop and found an official Sega Light Gun for the Saturn!  for $1.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Now I'm at home killin' crooks with my Sega Gun in Virtua Cop 2.  next up I'm gonna murder some creeps in Scud.

[SignOfZeta]

The more you get into Saturn the more you might end wanting a switch modded unit.

While the PAR is somewhat of a miracle product for sure, there are a few drawbacks to using it:

The two titles that come with a ROM cart aren't playable. These are KOF 95 and Ultraman. No big loss on Ultraman, but I quite like 95.

While the PAR has a huge ammount of save space, you can only copy to it from its own memory manager. You can't save directly to it in-game like you can with the official cart. This is a drag when you are playing games where you want to create mutiple save files since the internal Saturn memory is kind of small. There is one game, Warcraft II, where you can't even save mid-level since the suspend file is bigger than the entire save space in the SS. You either need a real back-up cart, or you can only save between levels. There is another game, one of the Tomagachi ones, that came with a save cart that had a special file on it and you can't run the game without that file. (Its an otherwise normal back-up cart)

The later versions of the PAR emulate the 4MB cart pretty well, and the 4MB cart emulates the 1MB pretty well. Because of this there is at least one 1MB game (maybe SamShow 3, or Real Bout, I can't remember) that produces graphical glitches with anything other than the original SNK 1MB cart (or the 3rd party version of it, or the 1MB PAR).

Basically, the PAR is fine when you are first getting into Saturn, but you might want the cart slot for something else eventually.

There are somethings you can ONLY do with a PAR though, mainly using Game Shark codes. There was one cool one that allowed air specials in Vampire Savior.

As for games, same thing with TG-16 versus PC Engine (although nowhere near as bad). Unless the game has a lot of text (and you actually care about that text) then you might be better off with JP versions of games. I think I paid $15 for my JP copy of Guardian Heroes...

Just look at the cover for Street Fighter Alpha\Zero. The US one is...so fucking horrible, whereas the JP one has one of the best pieces of Street Fighter art ever produced (albiet, homoerotic as all get out)

[Gogan]

Thanks for the info Zeta, I'm sure I'm gonna mod it for a switch button, knowing this now.

But, for now, I'm gonna get to know some US titles   I have about 20 games I got with it, should keep me busy for a bit.(On top of about 20 pce games I haven't gotten around to yet! :0. )

Def gonna pic up galactic attack tho, that game looks sexy.

[termis]

Yeah, the saturn, much like the PCE, has tons of great stuff -- including a number of shooters -- that weren't ported over to the western markets, so you definitely want access to Japanese games.  And I also agree with Zeta, switching's the way to go (and the 2-way JP/US switch is waaaaaaaaaay easier than switching a PCE/TG16.  It does get a little more involved once you get into a single 3-way region switch). 

Some other reasons for going switches > PAR.
- You don't have to flip through the PAR menu every single time you start a game.  Maybe not a big deal to some, but it started getting annoying to me.
- People often complain of the PAR's thicker PCB wearing the saturn cart port out quicker than using official carts (though to be fair, the saturn cart port sucks no matter what).
- And of course, direct save access + ability to play ROM cart games as Zeta mentioned.

Here's my main unit -- 50/60 Hz region switch in the left, which isn't really necessary for North American folks unless you wanna try out some EU games (on a 50Hz capable TV). 3-way US/EU/JP switch on the right.


And I thought PAR worked well for ALL 1MB/4MB fighters (except the old ones not working well with Vampire Savior, IIRC).  From what I understand the whole graphic glitch with some SNK 1MB games only happen if you use the official Sega/Capcom 4MB memory carts.  I could be wrong on this one, and I'm too lazy to go and check for myself.

[SignOfZeta]

I have a white Saturn that I bought rather late, 1999 or so, brand new. It has never seen a PAR, and if anything the cart slot started getting slutty even faster than my launch US one. While everything else on the SS is nearly bullet proof, the cart slots are just total garbage.

You could be right about the 4MB PAR working well with all games. I know the official 4MB messed up some stuff.

FYI there is a really simple one wire mod that will fix the early 4MB PARs so that they work with the post-XMvsSF games.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Def gonna pic up galactic attack tho, that game looks sexy.

You aint lived til you play galactic attack with the steering wheel and pedals.

[Gogan]

Ha! I got the steering wheel when I picked up the system! Now I'm pumped.

...So where does one go for getting this switch done, or is there some kind of tutorial somewhere explaining how an idiot like me could do it?

[termis]

Look at section 9.6 of this faq.  There are other guides out there with pics and all, but unlike the text guide below, I've never seen a web guide that covers all variations of (non exotic) saturns, so those pics can actually be more confusing if you don't know what you're doing. 

http://www.gamefaqs.com/saturn/916393-saturn/faqs/6458

Saturn is the very first console mod job I did that involved soldering, and it worked out fine.  The only goof I made was that I drilled a hole on the case that was a bit too big, so the switch didn't completely cover the gaping hole in the case.  To prevent this, you can practice first on cutting out/drilling out a hole on an empty CD jewel case first.

And if you'd really rather not try yourself, holler out to the modders on this board, they'll prob do this one for you.

[Duo_R]

yeah start out US...then discover the GEMS that we never got overseas!

[TR0N]

Preferably US titles for now

Guardian Heroes
Panzer Dragoon Saga:Still it's a pricey one
Saturn Bomberman
Legend of Oasis
Magic Knight Rayearth
Sega Rally
Night Warriors DarkStalkers Revenge
Darius Gaiden
Galactic Attack aka layer section
Mega Man 8
Dragon Force

Just to name a few.

[Digi.k]

get one if u got the time for collecting imports

[_Paul]

Burning Rangers!

[TheClash603]

I haven't bought an import Saturn game for a long time because the cart slot on my system broke.  This mod switch option sounds pretty nice.  Thanks for the info!

[termis]

Oh, and BTW, the mod info above is only for 2-region US<->JP mod switch, which is simple, and will do for vast majority of people in North America wanting to play Japanese imports (or vice-versa).

If you're interested in more advanced stuff ..
Single 3 way (EU/US/JP) region switch
3 Way (EU/US/JP) switchless mod - Personally, I don't like switchless as it's less intuitive and more work fumbling around when switching regions/refresh rate, but some folks don't want to alter the case of the saturns.
50/60Hz switch - Okay, not advanced, actually really easy, but this is mostly unneeded for NTSC region folks.

If you're technically apt and want to know what's actually happening with the region switch mods, the details of it are here:
http://www.gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=imports:sega_saturn

[TheClash603]

All this Saturn talk made me pull out my system when my friend came over.  I do not actually endorse the following games, but we played some guilty pleasures:

WWF In Your House
Street Fighter: The Movie

YES!

[WoodyXP]

lol

[Gogan]

Been pokin' around the saturn last couple of days 

Played Solar Eclipse, and was plesantly surprised. Played Virtua Fighter 1 and almost vomited.

I bought Galactic Attack which should be here this week. Super stoked for that one. I got my racing wheel ready, lol

[WoodyXP]

Played Virtua Fighter 1 and almost vomited.

Word.. VF2 is the way to go.  Get REMIX if you have to have VF1.. way better than the initial offering.

[turbogrfxfan]

wow guys you really got me interested in a saturn.  I gotta check this out

[oldskool]

I picked up a model 1 on Craigslist recently for $25 with 4 games, a hardshell carrying case, two controllers, and the hookups - I thought it was a pretty good deal.

Have already replaced the battery (every console should have a save battery this easy to replace!), and I've also recently picked up Nights into Dreams and Panzer Dragoon 1.  I recommend both of those games, they are really great.  Also I got Virtua Fighter 2 with the console and I must say, it's QUITE beautiful, and TONS better than the first.

I am thinking about region switching it too - I cannot believe how easy it is to do.  The Japanese games are to die for! 

Only major gripe I have is that I cannot save no more than 2 or 3 games on the internal battery, that is just weak.  I am gonna have to pick me up a RAM cart.

[SignOfZeta]

The internal space of the Saturn is pretty big, really. If you are having space issues then its probably because of the abnormally large A Life file in nights, and the AI learning file in VF2. These aren't needed for normal play and are, IMO, Borderline uselsss. Just delete them. IIRC, Sega Rally had another of those huge files. 200 blocks or something like that.

Most games have save files 1/10 the size of those, so, for example, if you play a lot of fighters and shooters you could store saves for a few dozen games, easily.

[Gogan]

I got Galactic Attack over the weekend, and all I gotta say is...damn. this game kicks a$$! Great f'n shoot-em-up.

I guess my only problem with it would b the crosshairs that sit in front of you that you use to lock onto enemies "below". I"ll get used to it, as its very innovative, but it gets in the way as the BG's are pretty busy too. Lots of fun

[geise]

Galactic Attack/Layer Section is one of my favorites.  If you're into shooters it's kind of sad to say that they go for a decent amount.  If you're looking for some good shooters though ones that I'd recommend are:

Gekirindan
Darius Gaidan
Blast Wind
Thunder Force V
Battle Garegga  (very pricey but great)
Shippū Mahō Daisakusen Kingdom-Grandprix
Batsugun
Donpachi
DoDonpachi
Soukyugurentai 
Gunbird
Sengoku Blade
Strikers 1945 I & II
Game Tengoku
Detanna Twinbee Yahho Deluxe Pack
Hyper Duel
Shienryu (also one of my personal faves) great Raiden clone
Bokan to Ippatsu! Doronbo Kanpekiban

Sorry to say though that quite a few of these games can get fairly pricey, especially lately.

[Gogan]

Tell me bout it! I was happy to snag GA for $15,...but.. gonna have to wait for some others though...the PCE trumps saturn and there are a few games I'm lookin to pickup for it. AlwaysObey.

[geise]

Yeah Saturn is pretty much my favorite system if the PC-Engine didn't exist.  There's so many amazing games on the Saturn just like the pc-engine that never saw light of day over here.  So it's nice having so many other games to find and play.  Real gems.  One game I loved was Steam Gear Mash.  It's a nice isometric action platform kind of game.  Here's a place that's great for reference if you're into finding some good Saturn games.  http://www.segagagadomain.com/welcome-news.htm

[Digi.k]

Played Virtua Fighter 1 and almost vomited.

Word.. VF2 is the way to go.  Get REMIX if you have to have VF1.. way better than the initial offering.

VF2 was what sold me on the saturn back around december 95... think I paid about the equivalent to $900 usd for importing the console and game back then  :O

[Opethian]

Blastwind is friggin legendary!! A must get! also Garegga. D&D collection is pretty much arcade perfect sans the loading times.

[JoshTurboTrollX]

Played Virtua Fighter 1 and almost vomited.

Word.. VF2 is the way to go.  Get REMIX if you have to have VF1.. way better than the initial offering.

VF2 was what sold me on the saturn back around december 95... think I paid about the equivalent to $900 usd for importing the console and game back then  :O

Holy shit dude,  I picked up my Saturn in March 1997 with Virtua Cop, VF2, and Daytona with 3 games out of the bargain bin (Street Fighter Alpha, Gex, and Robotica) all for $230 at a local K-Mart!!  I chose Saturn over the N64 and PS one.