sega saturn imports

[ncman071]

I recently bought a saturn and have managed to collect a few decent games for it including the first 2 panzer games.

anyway, i've noticed that japanese imports seem to be relatively cheap on ebay and amazon. i have two questions about this. The first is why so cheap? and the second is do i need some type of adapter to make imports play on my saturn?

[G-Boobie]

In order to play imports, you either need an Action Replay 4M Auto Plus, (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-k8-77-2-49-en-15-Saturn+replay-70-1b2.html) or a modded system. The Action Replay is probably the cheapest and easiest way to go. The cartridge slot on the Saturn sucks, so you may have to reinsert it a few times to get it to recognize.

As far as imports being cheap, that's a relative statement... And it depends on what games you're talking about. Radiant Silvergun, Princess Crown, Twinkle Star Sprites and D&D Collection sell for between 100 and 200 US dollars without exception. They're worth it, but they aren't 'cheap'.

A few import games that run between twenty and fifty that are definite must plays include Pulirula Arcade Gears, Thunder Force V, the Capcom 2D fighters(Xmen vs. Streetfighter, etc.), Steam Gear Mash, Batsugan, and a ton of SNK ports. The action replay also acts as a 4MB RAM cart, so you don't need to worry about picking that up.

There are a few genuinely cheap import games that are must plays for Saturn: Soul Hackers SMT is a great RPG that usually sells for less than ten bucks, for example.

Saturn is awesome, but can get expensive pretty quickly. I hope that helps!

[djbeatmongrel]

G-boobie said everything i was about to say heh. If you need 2d fighter advice i am familiar with most domestic and import fighter for the saturn.

[walrusmonger]

Saturn is expensive, and this is pretty obvious- but you can easily resell any of the expensive games for what you paid for them (or more) down the road- so if there are titles you want to play, like Radiant Silvergun, you can enjoy it for a "deposit" of $200 or whatever it's worth these days.

Enjoy- the Saturn (imports especially) is one of the greatest.

[XYXZYZ]

For some reason, my favorite Saturn genre (shooters/shmups) tend to start at $50.00 and go up from there.

[Gamebrain]

I have the JP version of DOOM (which has a better framerate than the US and PAL versions). I also have Deep Fear, King of Fighters 96, and Dead or Alive.

[ncman071]

cool, thanks for the info. i'll go ahead and get the action replay.

[mister droid]

The Saturn is a REALLY easy console to mod. It just takes a teeny bit of solder between two jumpers and you can play import titles. I have even seen the mod done temporarily (testing purposes) with a snippet of wire and blue-tac.

[PapaStu]

/me looks at thread topic

/me looks at forum posted in

/me moves thread to Import Mania

[The 1 2 P]

i've noticed that japanese imports seem to be relatively cheap on ebay and amazon. i have two questions about this. The first is why so cheap?

Since no one else touched on this I will. If you are coming from Playstation collecting and go to Saturn collectiong--you will notice that the vast majority of import games that are available for both systems are much cheaper on the Saturn. For instance, Salamander for PS1 is $60-90 but the same import can be had for $25-45 on the Saturn. Thats just one of many examples. As others have said, theres definitely some expensive(and well worth playing) imports on the Saturn but most of the multiplatform import releases will cost you $20-40 less on the Saturn.

[smork]

There's a veritable shitload of cheap great games on the JP Saturn. There are alot of great expensive games, too - but you don't have to start off paying an arm and a leg.

I've noticed that alot of the higher end JP Saturn games seem to be coming down in price alot lately. Like i've seen D&D collection several places for $60-80, and I even saw Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru for under $200. Is the economy taking its toll?

[BTD]

Thought this would be a good place for my first post. As far as price goes- it's cheapest to region mod your saturn. If you're fairly good with a soldering iron, there is a switchless region mod you can tackle with about $1.50 in parts and changes region by holding down the reset button. Gamesx.com has both of these guides if I remember correctly. BTW if you have any questions about it, feel free to shoot me a PM as I've done this more than once.

In addition, Smork and the 1 2 P are correct on Saturn having many of the same games for way less, although people will constantly argue over which version is better. Do be weary of some of the cheap JPN Saturn games as they're cheap for a reason. Gamengai.com and segagagadomain.com are great sites for import saturn info. Welcome to the JPN side of SS!

[Breetai]

There's a veritable shitload of cheap great games on the JP Saturn. There are alot of great expensive games, too - but you don't have to start off paying an arm and a leg.

I've noticed that alot of the higher end JP Saturn games seem to be coming down in price alot lately. Like i've seen D&D collection several places for $60-80, and I even saw Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru for under $200. Is the economy taking its toll?Seems to be.

I know Dracula X on the PC Engine (I know, this is a SS thread) is around 5000yen right now. I would expect to be able to find something like Radiant
Silvergun for no more than 10,000yen.

[boogiecat]

I think Street Fighter Zero 3 and Final Fight Revenge for the Sega Saturn are also rare and quality games..

[Breetai]

I think Street Fighter Zero 3 and Final Fight Revenge for the Sega Saturn are also rare and quality games..Street Fighter Zero 3 is not rare (maybe uncommon), and is also pretty expensive on the Saturn, at around 4000-5000yen in most shops, and is barely different than the Dreamcast, PS2 and Xbox versions (most people wouldn't notice any difference). Final Fight is usually even more expensive, but is regarded at cr@p by a lot of players. In fact, Capcom Japan didn't even bother to make FF: Revenge. They just pawned it off for Capcom USA to make. That tells me that quality wasn't their top concern.

So, in my opinion, SFZ3 is just uncommon, overpriced and can be found on other more popular systems, and Final Fight Revenge is generally regarded as being not worth the money.

If someone wants Street Fighter on the Saturn, and who wouldn't with the best controllers for fighting out of any system, I'd recommend the Street Fighter Collection. It's got Super Street Fighter Turbo and Street Fighter Zero 2' and only costs 500-1000yen in most used shops in Japan. It should be quite cheap to import.

[boogiecat]

I see thanks for those infos...Oh well i've bought a SF Zero 3 and FF Revenge(the one with RAM Carts) a couple of weeks ago and you're right its expensive...

BTW is the Magic Knight Rayearth game on the Sega Saturn was really that rare so does the Twinkle Star Sprites game?

[Tron 2.0]

I see thanks for those infos...Oh well i've bought a SF Zero 3 and FF Revenge(the one with RAM Carts) a couple of weeks ago and you're right its expensive...

BTW is the Magic Knight Rayearth game on the Sega Saturn was really that rare so does the Twinkle Star Sprites game?The jpn magic knight rayearth is common not even rare,still if you are looking for the u.s version that wd publish that is different.The value can very on a u.s (MKR) if it's autograph by vic more if not less.As for TSS that's one that doesn't seem rare to,me at all i all ways see it on ebay and from other importers.The game can be pricey that's all.

[Mimi Nakamura]

The Parodius games are good fun, Twinkle Star Sprites is incredible, Sega Rally is still great too.

Street Fighter Zero 2 is definitely worth picking up, it's my all-time fave SF game.

[boogiecat]

I've recently found a Magic Knight Rayearth game on the Saturn(Japanese version) and its cheap..

[Breetai]

I see thanks for those infos...Oh well i've bought a SF Zero 3 and FF Revenge(the one with RAM Carts) a couple of weeks ago and you're right its expensive...

BTW is the Magic Knight Rayearth game on the Sega Saturn was really that rare so does the Twinkle Star Sprites game?Magic Knight Rayearth is EXTREMELY common. I would never pay more than 500yen for it, CIB. There are often a FEW in places like Hard-Off, and it's commonly seen in the 100yen and 500yen sections of game shops in Akihabara. If it's cheap in Akihabara, than it is VERY common.

Twinkle Star Sprites is uncommon. When I come across it, it's usually 2000-3000yen at least, if not more. I haven't bothered to pick it up, because I can't justify the price right now. Since I have a Neo Geo CD, I might just play it on that until I can afford a "real" copy.

BTW, have you played FF Revenge yet? I've only read... not so nice things about it that I passed on to you, but I'm a bit curious how it really is. I am definitely not curious enough to pay more than a few hundred yen for it, though!!!

The Parodius games are pure awesome. I have Sexy Parodius on the Saturn, and the other three games on the Super Famicom (all of which are available on the Saturn). I recommend any of them.

Personally, I also prefer Street Fighter Zero 2 over 3. I think it's just because I like the music on Zero 2 more.

[Julio III]

If someone wants Street Fighter on the Saturn, and who wouldn't with the best controllers for fighting out of any system, I'd recommend the Street Fighter Collection. It's got Super Street Fighter Turbo and Street Fighter Zero 2' and only costs 500-1000yen in most used shops in Japan. It should be quite cheap to import.

This is a great tip. The disc is pretty cheap and you get Super and Super Turbo on one disc to satiate your SF2 needs and a second disc containing Zero 2 Dash. Which is a version of Zero/Alpha 2 with a few more characters and a few other things changed around.

And if you want to complete your SF2 collection on the Saturn, then get Capcom Generation 5 which contains SF2: The World Warrior, SF2': Champion Edition and SF2' Turbo: Hyper Fighting.



Also, a note about shoot-em-ups. Not all of them are expensive. I got Layer Section and Donpachi for pretty cheap and they are excellent excellent games.

[boogiecat]

Actually i've bought a Parodius games on the Saturn a couple of years ago thanks to my friend who works in Osaka,Japan(the titles he gave me are Sexy Parodius and Jikkyou Osyaberi Parodius)...

Final Fight Revenge?that game was really awful....I wonder why Capcom bothered making this game...Though i've played this one on the arcades(im always using Poison....).

[Iron Draggon]

Most strategy games are incredibly cheap, but that's about it. The majority of fighters & racers aren't too expensive, and you can get some RPG's & SRPG's fairly cheap, but once you get into the more sought after stuff, they get exponentially more expensive. You can pick up a few of the SHMUPS fairly cheap too, but expect to get in bidding wars over most of them, and don't expect to get them for cheap. Saturn SHMUPS are always in demand.

[optic_85]

Hey there, slightly off topic, but I didn't want to star a whole new thread for myself when there is one so similar. I have a few Saturn imports(about 20), and recently I've been wanting to expand my collection. I've composed a list of games that look interesting, so that I may begin my search. I was just wondering if anyone here has played or knows a lot about any of these games? Should I take anything off? Is there anything essential that I'm missing?(note: I'm not into JRPGs). Also, I know some of these aren't Jap exclusive, but I prefer the Jap versions because of the cases/art.


-ASTAL
-AMOK
-Baku Baku Animal
-Batsugun
-Battle Garegga
-Bomberman Wars?
-Break Thru!
-Bubble Symphony
-Choaniki Kyukyoku Otokonogyakushu (Super Big Brother)
-Cotton 2: Magical Night Dreams(with cart)
-Crimewave(?)
-Destruction Derby
-Dracula X(castlevania)
-Dungeons & Dragons Collection(Capcom)
-Elevator Action2 Returns
-Fire Prowrestling S: 6Men Scramble
-Grid Runner
-Gunbird
-GUSSUN OYOYO S
-Henry Explorers
-Hot Blooded Children (Nekketsu Oyako)
-Johnny Bazooka
-Keio 2
-Kingdom Grandprix (Shippu Mahou Daisakusen)
-Layer Section
-Metal Slug
-Mizubaku Adventure (Liquid Kids)
--Mystaria (Sega Saturn) aka, Blazing Heroes
-Vatlva
-Radiant Silvergun
-SILHOUETTE MIRAGE
-Sexy Parodius
-Tryrush Deppy
-Wonder 3 Arcade Gears (3 Wonders)
-Willy Wombat

[optic_85]

Anyone? Anyone?.....Bueler?

[Mimi Nakamura]

Hey there, slightly off topic, but I didn't want to star a whole new thread for myself when there is one so similar. I have a few Saturn imports(about 20), and recently I've been wanting to expand my collection. I've composed a list of games that look interesting, so that I may begin my search. I was just wondering if anyone here has played or knows a lot about any of these games? Should I take anything off? Is there anything essential that I'm missing?(note: I'm not into JRPGs). Also, I know some of these aren't Jap exclusive, but I prefer the Jap versions because of the cases/art.


-ASTAL
-AMOK
-Baku Baku Animal
-Batsugun
-Battle Garegga
-Bomberman Wars?
-Break Thru!
-Bubble Symphony
-Choaniki Kyukyoku Otokonogyakushu (Super Big Brother)
-Cotton 2: Magical Night Dreams(with cart)
-Crimewave(?)
-Destruction Derby
-Dracula X(castlevania)
-Dungeons & Dragons Collection(Capcom)
-Elevator Action2 Returns
-Fire Prowrestling S: 6Men Scramble
-Grid Runner
-Gunbird
-GUSSUN OYOYO S
-Henry Explorers
-Hot Blooded Children (Nekketsu Oyako)
-Johnny Bazooka
-Keio 2
-Kingdom Grandprix (Shippu Mahou Daisakusen)
-Layer Section
-Metal Slug
-Mizubaku Adventure (Liquid Kids)
--Mystaria (Sega Saturn) aka, Blazing Heroes
-Vatlva
-Radiant Silvergun
-SILHOUETTE MIRAGE
-Sexy Parodius
-Tryrush Deppy
-Wonder 3 Arcade Gears (3 Wonders)
-Willy Wombat

I haven't played everything from your list, but I own most of them. It's looks like a nice list!

I would definitely recommend adding:

Guardian Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnZQOArzztI)
Wolf Fang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd3Y7rX7RRQ)
Street Fighter Zero 2 (I bought my Saturn for this game!)
Soukyugurentai (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY-WsZHWwzk)
Kyuukyoku Tiger II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvY_vnbm7Mk)
Hyper Duel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF5LMLVVFFo)
Christmas NiGHTS
Astra Superstars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUcbJaMNM78)

I think there are some others, but these are the ones which come to mind!

[optic_85]

I haven't played everything from your list, but I own most of them. It's looks like a nice list!

I would definitely recommend adding:

Guardian Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnZQOArzztI)
Wolf Fang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd3Y7rX7RRQ)
Street Fighter Zero 2 (I bought my Saturn for this game!)
Soukyugurentai (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY-WsZHWwzk)
Kyuukyoku Tiger II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvY_vnbm7Mk)
Hyper Duel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF5LMLVVFFo)
Christmas NiGHTS
Astra Superstars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUcbJaMNM78)

I think there are some others, but these are the ones which come to mind!

Thanks, I actually have a JAP copy of Christmas NiGHTS, the rest look pretty cool. Particularly Wolf Fang, and Soukyugurentai.

[Zigfried]

Here are my thoughts on the ones I've played.

-ASTAL
Nice 2D artwork, but not a particularly fun game once you stop gawking at the beauty.

-Cotton 2: Magical Night Dreams(with cart)
This was one of my first Saturn imports and remains one of my favorites.

-Elevator Action2 Returns
It starts out like "Elevator Action" but turns into something else entirely --- by the end, you'll be fighting jetpack men and rocket ships. Be warned, it is HARD.

-Layer Section
A classic vertical shooter.

[optic_85]

Thanks a lot for the mini reviews. Looks like I'll have to look in to Choaniki Kyukyoku Otokonogyakushu a bit more before I drop any money on it.

[TurboGenesis]

Hey there, slightly off topic, but I didn't want to star a whole new thread for myself when there is one so similar. I have a few Saturn imports(about 20), and recently I've been wanting to expand my collection. I've composed a list of games that look interesting, so that I may begin my search. I was just wondering if anyone here has played or knows a lot about any of these games? Should I take anything off? Is there anything essential that I'm missing?(note: I'm not into JRPGs). Also, I know some of these aren't Jap exclusive, but I prefer the Jap versions because of the cases/art.

I'll offer my feelings for a few titles:

-ASTAL - nice 2d platformer, beautiful look. Gameplay is ok but not the greatest, but I enjoy it.

-Baku Baku Animal - decent puzzle game - fun but there are better out there…
-Batsugun - One of the greatest shooters on the Saturn - awesome music, great game play and has two modes - regular and Special - special version is a great addictive game and is more forgiving than the regular version. The pinnacle of Toaplan!

-Battle Garegga - The pinnacle of Raizing - very solid shooter but a steep learning curve - take some time to get used to its style - best played on a RGB monitor as it becomes crystal clear - some people have issue with this game due to its rank management and challenge but very rewarding once it is learned.

-Cotton 2: Magical Night Dreams(with cart) - good horizontal shooting game in the Cotton franchise, I do not know what enhance the RAM cart provides but plays good none the less.

-Dracula X(castlevania) - This is essentially 'Symphony of the Night' for Saturn - with a few additional areas and the ability to play through the game with Richter and Maria

-Dungeons & Dragons Collection(Capcom) - I have not play it but hear GREAT things about it - kind of high in cost so I have not had a chance to pick it up personally…

-Elevator Action2 Returns - awesome action platformer style game!

-Gunbird - pretty solid Psikyo cute em up, Its ok for me but some are fans of the first game though the Gunbird 2 is the peak of the franchise and more prefered.

-Kingdom Grandprix (Shippu Mahou Daisakusen) - interesting shooting/racing hybrid - kind of difficult to balance and a very acquired taste - brought to us by Raizing - of Battle Garegga fame

-Layer Section - one of the better shooters on the Saturn and very modestly priced - great bang for buck. Most popular in the series by most and holds up very well today.

-Radiant Silvergun - very controversial shooter - offers both arcade mode and the exclusive Saturn mode, which allows full play of the games multiple routes. Great music and epic presentation, and very strict chaining score system, which is essential to game completion as well as high scoring… some hail it as the best, others are hater to it…

-SILHOUETTE MIRAGE - interesting platforming run and gun with great presentation…

-Sexy Parodius - Probably the best Parodius game of the franchise…


Just some of my feelings of the games I have played. All in all, they are solid top notch titles and should offer vast amounts of enjoyment!

[Nico87]

Can easily recommend some deluxe packs;

Gokujou Parodius Da! Deluxe Pack
Detana Twinbee Deluxe Pack
Gradius Deluxe Pack
Salamander Deluxe Pack

Should be cheap, AWESOME games.

Wow, never even realised there was a Cotton 2. I loved the first for the PC Engine.

[motley6]

==Dark Seed==

Cool Cyberpunk PC adventure game. Text is in Japanese but the voices are in English. Totally playable

==Akumajō Dracula X ==

Castlevania Symphony of The Night equivalent, menus and voices are in Japanese but if you've played the PSX version, you can figure it out.

==Capcom Generations 2: Chronicles of Arthur​==

Ghost n Goblins (arcade), Ghouls n Ghosts(arcade), Super Ghouls n Ghosts (SNES port)

==Tenchi Wo Kurau II (Warriors of Fate)==

Capcom beat'em up, think Final Fight with weapons

==Gradius Deluxe Pack==

Arcade versions of Gradius I and II

[Breetai]

Radiant Silvergun, Princess Crown, Twinkle Star Sprites and D&D Collection sell for between 100 and 200 US dollars without exception.Except for the $20 copy of TSS and the $30 loose copy (disc only) of D&D that I found. There are ALWAYS exceptions. Rare exceptions, but exceptions nonetheless!!!

A lot of Saturn games, including some cheap ones, ARE cheap... but yes, as has been said, some of them are insanely expensive (I consider anything over $50 to be insane). Some people here have already made some great suggestions, so I'll just leave it at that.

[PSony]

Street Fighter Zero 3 is not rare (maybe uncommon), and is also pretty expensive on the Saturn, at around 4000-5000yen in most shops, and is barely different than the Dreamcast, PS2 and Xbox versions (most people wouldn't notice any difference). Final Fight is usually even more expensive, but is regarded at cr@p by a lot of players. In fact, Capcom Japan didn't even bother to make FF: Revenge. They just pawned it off for Capcom USA to make. That tells me that quality wasn't their top concern.

So, in my opinion, SFZ3 is just uncommon, overpriced and can be found on other more popular systems, and Final Fight Revenge is generally regarded as being not worth the money.

If someone wants Street Fighter on the Saturn, and who wouldn't with the best controllers for fighting out of any system, I'd recommend the Street Fighter Collection. It's got Super Street Fighter Turbo and Street Fighter Zero 2' and only costs 500-1000yen in most used shops in Japan. It should be quite cheap to import.

There is no Xbox version of SFZ3 and the PS2 version is strictly the arcade version with most of the features of the other home versions missing. I got the Saturn version recently along with Xmen vs SF and MSH vs SF, all for $66 shipped. This version is really just for collectors since you can get the DC version cheaper and it has next to zero load times and higher sound quality.