Some Qustions About a Sega Saturn I Just Found

[Cambot]

Much like my year-long quest to find a Sega CD in the wild (which recently came to a much ballyhooed end with my find of a $9.00 X'Eye), I have also been looking for a Sega Saturn. I've been wanting to play the half-dozen or so games which I have found and, as always, am on the cheap.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/ckeene/sstrn2ji4.jpg

So today I found this Saturn for $8.00 at a local thrift. I came with nothing except the memory card inserted into its cartridge slot. I can always use my power cord from the Dreamcast as it's universal, but it came with no controller, no A/V cable - nothing. So here are some questions I have:

1. I put a disc in to test the drive to see if it spins, and it didn't. The power light came on, and I was wondering - do you need to input a command on-screen to select some 'game' option to fire up the disc (like Dreamcast and most newer systems), or should it spin upon powering on?

2. Any ideas where I can find some inexpensive first-party controllers other than the usual/overpriced eBay, Amazon, etc.

3. How about an S-video or even RBG cable for Saturn? Would it require a mod for RGB? If so, where can I get a cheap S-video cable?

4. Finally, what's the deal with this "Memory Card Plus?" Plus what? How much memory does it have?

Sorry for the long-winded post guys - thanks!

[200609]

As for number 1, I'm pretty sure that it just goes to a "What is the date?" screen.

[Steve W]

As for #2, check some thrift stores. I keep coming across loads of Saturn controllers in the wild in my neck of the woods. They seem to be common as dirt around here.

[icbrkr]

As for number 1, I'm pretty sure that it just goes to a "What is the date?" screen.

Yep, if the battery is dead (a standard 2032), this is exactly what will appear, followed by language.

[KeyserSoze61]

Congrats on finding the Saturn on the cheap. I paid $40 for mine last year and I play it regularly. I think I'm more impressed by the price of that X'Eye though...yikes!

As for the S-video cable, if I remember correctly, I bought mine off of racketboy's website (http://www.racketboy.com). He's in the process of shutting down his online store, and does not currently have much in there. I still suggest going there as he has tons of Saturn content on his site.

In doing a quick Google search, I found this site, ZTNet (http://www.ztnetstore.com/product_info.php?ref=43&products_id=177). They have one for $4.99, although I've never ordered off of them. There's also an RGB cable on the site for 5.99.

Another accessory I just got recently is the Ascii Arcade stick. For $10 bucks, I got NIB one (http://www.gamequestdirect.com/093992058401.html). Pretty nicely built, and it will be of great use with all the great 2d fighters on the system (and my Sat-to-DC controller converter should let me use it on the dreamcast).

At any rate, just look around for the Saturn controllers. Most used controllers can be found in the 3-4$ range, at least in my area.

As for the memory card, the system has internal RAM on which it keeps saved games. The ram is powered by the aforementioned CR2032 battery when not plugged in...when the battery dies, you lose the saved games. The memory cartridge allows you to transfer the save games to it for backup (strictly for backup...they cannot be accessed directly, ie. you have to transfer them back to the system memory for use). There is a ton of space on those carts, so dont worry about "blocks" or whatever.

[DefaultGen]

.....

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

1. Probably you just need to set the date and time like everyone's saying.

2. Pick up a NiGHTS analog controller. They're excellent and for some reason they're usually even cheaper than the standard pads that came with the system.

3. The Saturn outputs RGB as standard, no mod needed.

4. I have that same third party memory cart. Unlike most other third party memory carts for the Saturn, it doesn't use compressed memory, so it's more stable and reliable and you can access it from within a game rather than only through the BIOS. The "PLUS" refers to the fact that it also acts as a region defeater, so you can play Japanese (and I think also European) discs if it's inserted.

Congratulations on the find. The Saturn is definitely on of the all-time great consoles in history. And what's really nice is that you can build up a library of most of the best games for the system without spending much money. There's a few big bucks games, but most of the best U.S. releases can be got for under $10.


...word is bondage...


...word is bondage...

[Cambot]

Alright, thanks for the responses.

One more thing, I can find SCART cable for the Saturn, but not a VGA RGB. Are there any?

[RugalSizzler]

1.That depends of you set the time. The first thing the systems ask is that you set the time.

2. Controllers are cheap but they are second best to the SNES controllers. The Saturn controller is considered best for fighting games.

3. It has support for RGB and the colors is great ether way in 24 but colour.

4. That depends randomly on the memory card you are using. The Saturn official Memory cards are the best. Also if you want to use the official swqp trick I suggest opening up your Saturn and pull tape around the door button and proceed with swapping.

The system memory might be drained but fear not just keep your Saturn plugged in for a few days and eventaully you can turn it off, plug it out, and you saves will stay put until the juice runs out.

Logically you are sappose to leave the Saturn pluged in all the time to have a longer lasting battery.

Personally I would checkout the VCD card input also. There is many VCD cards to choose from but only few will allow all region access for certain Saturns.

[Icarus Moonsight]

1.That depends of you set the time. The first thing the systems ask is that you set the time.

2. Controllers are cheap but they are second best to the SNES controllers. The Saturn controller is considered best for fighting games.

3. It has support for RGB and the colors is great ether way in 24 but colour.

4. That depends randomly on the memory card you are using. The Saturn official Memory cards are the best. Also if you want to use the official swqp trick I suggest opening up your Saturn and pull tape around the door button and proceed with swapping.

The system memory might be drained but fear not just keep your Saturn plugged in for a few days and eventaully you can turn it off, plug it out, and you saves will stay put until the juice runs out.

Logically you are sappose to leave the Saturn pluged in all the time to have a longer lasting battery.

Personally I would checkout the VCD card input also. There is many VCD cards to choose from but only few will allow all region access for certain Saturns.

Ok, how would one go about getting an SNES pad to work on a Saturn? You're minus a button or two.

If the 2032 cell battery is dead you could leave it plugged in for a year with no result. The battery is still dead! He has a memory cart so the dead battery issue isn't that bad. Might be worthwhile to plop a fresh one in anyway unless you like resetting the time/date/language settings each power up.

[Hwj_Chim]

The japanese Saturn pad is one of the best pads ever made but the nights pad is very nice. you can find power cables at Radio Shack and S-vid cables can be found all over Ebay cheap. Get that battery replaced, not all of the games access the memory card. I would also recommend a 4 in 1 so you can play imports. Happy gaming with your saturn.:cheers:

[fishsandwich]

I got a new battery for mine at a drug store for about $5. Replacing it is super easy.

[Daria]

Saturns use the same battery as can be found in a Dreamcast Memory card. When mine died I just swapped the two. A bit of a quick fix before you can get to Radio Shack.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

The japanese Saturn pad is one of the best pads ever made but the nights pad is very nice. you can find power cables at Radio Shack and S-vid cables can be found all over Ebay cheap. Get that battery replaced, not all of the games access the memory card. I would also recommend a 4 in 1 so you can play imports. Happy gaming with your saturn.:cheers:

I am not trying to thread-jack, but I have a related question. I have a pair of the 'Skeleton' controllers for the Saturn, but have never used them. Are these the Japanese pads that you said are good? If so, how are they better than the stock US pads? Like I said, I have a pair, but have not used them. (Controllers, I mean.) Thanks.

JY

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

The Saturn originally shipped in North America with these pads:
http://www.axess.com/twilight/console/detail/saturn.jpg

In Japan, Europe and North America sometime after mid-1996, it came with this pad:
http://www.axess.com/twilight/console/detail/saturn_a.jpg

Most people don't like the earlier North American pad's design. The dpad is really concave and angular, which can get painful. The pad design as a whole is quite convex, like the surface of a sphere, which can make it pretty awkward to hold. The shoulder buttons are clicky microswitch buttons without much throw instead of regular rubber pad buttons. Some people that I know do like the original one, but the second one is pretty universally recognized as the best digital controller of all time, though.

Here's the analog controller, too:
http://www.axess.com/twilight/console/detail/saturn_b.jpg

I think it has the best anaolg stick of any controller I've ever used. It's just too bad more games didn't take advantage of it. NiGHTS does and most racing games do to a limited extent and maybe on or two other games, but not many. It has analog shoulder triggers just like the Dreamcast pad, but as far as I know they were never used as analog.


One more thing, I can find SCART cable for the Saturn, but not a VGA RGB. Are there any?
No, the Saturn doesn't output VGA or any sort of progressive video, only standard RGB and other interlaced outputs.


...word is bondage...

[Hwj_Chim]

Thank you, Sweater Fish Deluxe for the pictures. The Jap Saturn pad is angled very well so it sits nicely in your hand. All of the buttons are very well placed and the d pad on it is one of the best I have ever used. It is just a very comfortable controller to use.

[KeyserSoze61]

Count me in as one who loves the "3d" controller. It's a bit unfortunate that you can only use the d-pad in most games, but I love that controller.

I would also recommend the 4-in-1 cart if you want to play a bunch of the better fighting games. It's really an impressive system if you choose to mod it (simple A-B method, one solder point -- assuming you don't have the dreaded Sanyo PC-trap board). Two of the best games for the system are simply prohibitively expensive (Panzer Dragoon Saga and Radiant Silvergun).

[Gentlegamer]

The "3D" controller is great! Also be aware that there are a handful of games that don't work with it. For example, Golden Axe the Duel won't even boot if it is plugged in.

[RugalSizzler]

Ok, how would one go about getting an SNES pad to work on a Saturn? You're minus a button or two.


The SNES button setup is the ultimate button setup. The Saturn just gets better points for figthing games and then later a analog stick for people who fingers hurt playing 3d games to get that near perfect circle.



If the 2032 cell battery is dead you could leave it plugged in for a year with no result. The battery is still dead! He has a memory cart so the dead battery issue isn't that bad. Might be worthwhile to plop a fresh one in anyway unless you like resetting the time/date/language settings each power up.

To keep any Saturn RAM life going longer you have to keep your Saturn pluged in 24/7. I left my Saturn on for a couple of days and the battery recharged.

I rather not mess with perfection.

[Daniel Thomas]

Well, if you're going to really get into Saturn, then you absolutely need to get a Pro Action Replay. It's one of those multi-use carts that includes 4M memory, 4M RAM for all those important Capcom fighters, and a region override. You'll also need a mod chip if and when you get tired of the swap trick.

For me, the swap trick works fine, unless a disc is being picky, and then you're having to boot and reboot several times to get the damned game to run. So my plan is to first get the Action Replay cart, and then the mod chip later on.

Anyway, the whole point is to get your hands on all the killer Saturn games from Japan, of which there are many. Be sure to check out the Segagaga site for reviews on most of 'em. You'll be amazed at what we Americans missed out on.

[RugalSizzler]

get into Saturn, then you absolutely need to get a Pro Action Replay

Is known to damage game Saturns sometime.

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

Keep in mind that the Memory Card Plus will play imports as well, so the Pro Action Replay and other 4/5-in-1 cards really only adds the 4MB RAM functionality. I've actually never use a 4-in-1, but I've heard that they don't work correctly with SNK's 1MB RAM games.

Also, the modchip Daniel mentioned is only needed for playing copied games. If you want to mod your system to play imports (which you might want to do since the cartridge port on the Saturn is a flakey piece of shit), you don't need any special chip, it's just a coupld simple jumpers that need to be connected.


To keep any Saturn RAM life going longer you have to keep your Saturn pluged in 24/7. I left my Saturn on for a couple of days and the battery recharged.
The battery used in the Saturn is not rechargeable.



get into Saturn, then you absolutely need to get a Pro Action Replay
Is known to damage game Saturns sometime.
If I only knew what that meant, I have a feeling I would disagree with it.


...word is bondage...