Saturn Region Recommendation?

[JanLazer]

Hey all,

I'm just one console short of a complete(not including variations and such) SEGA console collection. Obviously, I'm talking about the Saturn.

I'm just curious as to what's a better way to go...To go for the Japanese Saturn or for the American Saturn?

I've never gotten into import games, but I've been seeing a few around that I wouldn't mind trying for the Saturn, and I believe that the Japanese Saturn is region free, but at the same time I could use an ST Key or Action Replay to make the American one region free as well.

Just seeking more advice from the general collecting public. :D

[Clownzilla]

Unfortunately, the Saturn is not region free. You can get a mod chip or a special RAM cart to fix that though. If you were to buy a Saturn without any mods the Japanese Saturn should be you ONLY choice. The Saturn has a MUCH better library of games in Japan. It was pretty much a flop in the USA.

[JanLazer]

Unfortunately, the Saturn is not region free. You can get a mod chip or a special RAM cart to fix that though. If you were to buy a Saturn without any mods the Japanese Saturn should be you ONLY choice. The Saturn has a MUCH better library of games in Japan. It was pretty much a flop in the USA.

So not even the Japanese Saturn can play Japanese AND US games?

[aclbandit]

Nope, neither one is region free.

If you have to pick one or the other and won't buy the RAM cart or modchip, as stated above, get the japanese.

However, if you're willing to drop an extra $30, you can just buy whichever one is cheaper then get a RAM cartridge to "de-region" it.

The cartridge I have (it's fan-freaking-tastic, btw) is sold here: http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-k8-49-en-70-1b2.html

Good luck, either way-- I've only recently discovered Sega consoles as a whole (having been a player of Nintendo and Sony stuff most of my life), but I can definitely say that the Saturn is now one of my favorite consoles.

[Clownzilla]

So not even the Japanese Saturn can play Japanese AND US games?

Lol, common sense suggests that they should be able to play games from both regions. Keep in mind though that we are talking about game makers which love to hold on to region based marketing at all costs.

[grolt]

Hey all,

I'm just one console short of a complete(not including variations and such) SEGA console collection. Obviously, I'm talking about the Saturn.

I'm just curious as to what's a better way to go...To go for the Japanese Saturn or for the American Saturn?

I've never gotten into import games, but I've been seeing a few around that I wouldn't mind trying for the Saturn, and I believe that the Japanese Saturn is region free, but at the same time I could use an ST Key or Action Replay to make the American one region free as well.

Just seeking more advice from the general collecting public. :D

So you have the Pico, SG-1000, SG-1000 II, SC-3000 and Mark III? :D

Like I said, man, get a cheap US system and that Action Replay cart. You'll be set for all regions.

[JanLazer]

The cartridge I have (it's fan-freaking-tastic, btw) is sold here: http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-k8-49-en-70-1b2.html

Good luck, either way-- I've only recently discovered Sega consoles as a whole (having been a player of Nintendo and Sony stuff most of my life), but I can definitely say that the Saturn is now one of my favorite consoles.

Gotta say, that is a HELL of a cart. Will definitely be snagging that.


So you have the Pico, SG-1000, SG-1000 II, SC-3000 and Mark III? :D

Like I said, man, get a cheap US system and that Action Replay cart. You'll be set for all regions.

...Shaddup, Calgarian. lol. I have access to a Pico..No DESIRE to snag it...I meant I have the majority of the purty black SEGA consoles..That's what I meant....I think. I meant something. lol.

Only problem is finding the 'cheap' part of that. I just snagged $35 credit at one of the retro stores around here, and they DO have Saturns, but...At about $80 or so. Just a WEE bit overpriced.


Lol, common sense suggests that they should be able to play games from both regions. Keep in mind though that we are talking about game makers which love to hold on to region based marketing at all costs.

And remember kids, common sense...isn't all that common. Ahem. lol. Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking there. Thought the Japanese had a special nitro happy fun console that would play both regions. *Sheepish grin*

[Bratwurst]

*Sheepish grin*

*masturbates furiously*

[Baloo]

You may as well just get a US one and one of the ST carts since the Saturn isn't region-free. It really depends on your preference of games and your native language. If you want to see more stuff in English, just get the ST cart and a US Saturn. If you're native language is Japanese, then you're going to want to get the ST cart and a Japanese Saturn.

I will say this though: A ST Cart is almost a necessity for a Saturn as a whole ton of the games worth playing are Japanese imports.

[optic_85]

Easiest way out is a US Saturn and an Action Replay cart, but you can also do a pretty easy mod. You don't need to by some fancy chip, with a few wires and a really generic chip(cost is about 2 bucks) you can do a region switching modification. I did it on my Saturn a couple years back, and it wasn't too hard. Now I switch regions by pressing the reset button on my Saturn. I even painted it while I had it all taken apart.

[grolt]

*masturbates furiously*

http://content.ytmnd.com/content/5/8/4/58427b67318fecfe8526739f8ebf198e.gif ?