and the System Hoarding continues (Sega Saturn this time)

[Edmond Dantes]

Well okay, the true story is a friend was tired of it, and decided to just give a Saturn to me because he thought I'd get more use out of it.

The local game store has a lot of Saturn games (including Galactic Attack and Enemy Zero), and my friend also gave me D.

I don't know if this is a model 1 or a model 2 Saturn though. The first thing that amazed me on seeing it is how HUGE it is compared to pretty much any other console ever. Thing is bigger than the NES. Anyway, mine is black, has a power, lid open, and "access" button. It appears to not save the date and time settings, which I'm guessing means I need to replace a CR2032 battery somewhere (anyone wanna confirm that before I go breaking it?)

I would love to play it, but my friend only included an RF switch with it and... I can't stand RF picture quality. I've already ordered a set of AV cables online, but I'm wondering if I should spring for those "gold-plated" ones published by Retro Bit?

Anyway, if there's anything at all I should know about the Saturn in terms of care and maintenance and what games to look for (I've read Racketboy's articles but feel free to name anything at all) or ways to play import games that don't involve modding, let me know. Thanks.

Now if only I had a Game Gear with all the caps replaced, I'd have pretty much every Sega system that matters.

[Colorado Rockies]

You can play imports w/ an action replay cartridge. There around the 20 dollar range or so.
Saturn definately has some great import games like the Street Fighters, and the shmups.

For U.S. games I recommend:
Panzer Dragoon Trilogy
Nights
Shining Force III
Dragon Force
Albert Odyssey
Magic Night Rayearth
Shining Widom
Sonic Jam
Herc's Adventures
Lunacy
Resident Evil
Tomb Raider
Burning Rangers
Steep Slope Sliders
World Series Baseball

[Edmond Dantes]

Wasn't Shining Force III never finished or something? (or parts 2 and 3 never translated rather)

[Genesaturn]

First of all..yes you have to replace the battery and theres a small access panel in the back that you just pull out to replace the battery, nothing you can go breaking. This effects the system settings and the internal save game data.

Also if you buy the 4mb memory cart you can play imports no problem, or theres the ST Key specifically for playing imports..the other ones..i think its just a bug in them allowing you to play

Shinning force 3 wasnt finished in english but if you know japanese they finished it there

Speaking of which..if your into importing..then the Saturn will become one of your favorite consoles..the U.S. only got to see 200 games (take or give) and japan saw upwards of around 650.

Some good U.S games to find..that i can come up with right now..trust me there are plenty

Panzer Dragoon
Panzer Dragoon Zwei
Panzer Dragoon Saga
Guardian Heroes
Shining Force III
Astal
D
Enemy Zero
Magic Knights Rayearth
Sonic 3D Blast
Nights Into Dreams
Fighting Vipers
Virtual On
Three Dirty Dwarves
Burning Rangers
Albert Odyssey

[Sunnyvale]

Seconded on the battery. Easy fix. And all but one of my Saturn faves are listed here. Legend of Oasis is literally the only RPGish game I can tolerate from 16 bits and up. It rocks.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Buy an S-Video cable. Sega released official ones.

[Lerxstnj]

I don't know if this is a model 1 or a model 2 Saturn though.



This is an easy one to distinguish... Oval buttons on console is a model 1, Round buttons is a model 2.

[gameofyou]

I don't know if this is a model 1 or a model 2 Saturn though. The first thing that amazed me on seeing it is how HUGE it is compared to pretty much any other console ever. Thing is bigger than the NES. Anyway, mine is black, has a power, lid open, and "access" button. It appears to not save the date and time settings, which I'm guessing means I need to replace a CR2032 battery somewhere (anyone wanna confirm that before I go breaking it?).

It sounds like a Model 1. I don't think the Model 2 has the "access" light. It is actually a Reset button that's near the "access" light.

I use a S-video cable with mine, and the picture is fantastic.

[Edmond Dantes]

My TV doesn't have an S-Video jack. It does have ports for AV cables tho. Can't wait to start playing D as soon as my AV cables come in...

Yep, its a model 1. I recall someone here saying that means they're easier to mod, but in my experience, mods often break consoles, that's why I look for non-mod solutions. The Action Replay sounds good, but what about for games that require a RAM cart (I've heard there's some fighting game that requires you to use the particular RAM cart it comes with), does the Action Replay allow you to plug in another cart on top of it?

Found the battery. Wow, this will be easy peasy.

Whoa, 200 games? For some reason I thought the U.S. got less than half of that. Definitely gonna be keeping my eyes peeled.

[crazyjackcsa]

Come now, the system isn't that big. It's taller than the Ps1, but it isn't as wide. The N64 is about the same footprint, but is slightly shorter too. It's smaller than the Xbox, 360, and Ps3.

And they don't break, ever, most rock solid system I've ever had.

[Emperor Megas]

Come now, the system isn't that big. It's taller than the Ps1, but it isn't as wide. The N64 is about the same footprint, but is slightly shorter too. It's smaller than the Xbox, 360, and Ps3.

And they don't break, ever...This is an exaggeration, of course (I've had two with issues over the years). They are pretty sturdy by (original) PlayStation standards though.

[SpaceFlea]

Speaking of which..if your into importing..then the Saturn will become one of your favorite consoles..the U.S. only got to see 200 games (take or give) and japan saw upwards of around 650.

Actually, the US got just shy of 250 and Japan got around 1075 (from what is known so far). There is quite a bit to be had. And it is the greatest console ever.

[Tron 2.0]

Wasn't Shining Force III never finished or something? (or parts 2 and 3 never translated rather)
Yup part one of SF3 got a released here but not 2&3 though i heard,part 2&3 got a fan translation.
http://sf3trans.shiningforcecentral.com

Still the down side to play burns games with a patch you would need a saturn with a modchip in it.

[G-Boobie]

The action replay I have doubles as the RAM cart. Cyber Bots and XvsSF run clean and right. They're twenty bucks on EBay or Play Asia.

Saturn is a hell of a system. Buy those batteries in stock, though. They die quick.

[Gamevet]

The best import option is the Action Replay 4+1.

[G-Boobie]

The best import option is the Action Replay 4+1.

Yup, that's the one.

[understatement]

Saturn is a hell of a system. Buy those batteries in stock, though. They die quick.


You don’t really need system batteries if you have an Action Replay, Game Shark, or some memory card do you? IIRC the system battery is there just to hold time/date and saves. Is there any game that uses the system clock for anything game braking if it’s not there? As far as saves are concerned the system memory is lacking to say the least, it can save about 5~10 games unless one of the games is Dragon Force then that’s about all system can save so not a big deal if you lose the ability to keep a save.

Just remember to transfer your saves with the Gameshark (and AR? I think It’s like the GS with the way it backups the save but won’t save directly to it) before you power off the system.

[Edmond Dantes]

Just remember to transfer your saves with the Gameshark (and AR? I think It’s like the GS with the way it backups the save but won’t save directly to it) before you power off the system.

That's the thing though: I WON'T remember to do that. Since 99% of the games I play don't require it, it hasn't become a habit.

Also, CR2032 batteries can be gotten in cheap five packs on Amazon. I think I will stock up, since I keep running into consoles lately that just love the things.

[understatement]

That's the thing though: I WON'T remember to do that. Since 99% of the games I play don't require it, it hasn't become a habit.

Also, CR2032 batteries can be gotten in cheap five packs on Amazon. I think I will stock up, since I keep running into consoles lately that just love the things.


If that’s the case I would suggest a regular memory card so you can access it in games and save to it directly from the game (unless the AR can do this then that for sure).

I’m just saying not to rely on the system memory to much or what happened to me (I had about 6 game saves on the system and no MC, GS, or AR when I got Dragon Force put it in got a good way through it and went to save but couldn’t, I had to delete 3 other saves to make room or lose what I had played of DF) will happen to you.

[Edmond Dantes]

I actually have an Interact Memory Card Plus. I got it years ago from a pawn shop, thinking it was for the Sega CD (the size and shape should've set me straight, but eh, I was a kid back then). Dunno if it actually works, but I'll find out when my AV cables come in.

[Genesaturn]

Actually, the US got just shy of 250 and Japan got around 1075 (from what is known so far). There is quite a bit to be had. And it is the greatest console ever.

Got me there, I know the Japanese got a lot more games. Didn't realize it was that many more. I haven't been importing for the Saturn long, but I get more and more excited with every find!

And AGREED! Saturn is tied for my favorite console of all time with the Dreamcast, closely followed by Genesis

[markusman64ds]

Actually, the US got just shy of 250 and Japan got around 1075 (from what is known so far).

That's because Japan got Segata Sanshiro aka Hiroshi Fujioka aka Kamen Rider aka Cultural Icon aka Extremely Popular Actor aka Asian Chuck Norris.

[gameofyou]

Saturn is a hell of a system. Buy those batteries in stock, though. They die quick.

Really? My batteries always last over 3 years before needing to be replaced.

[Gamevet]

You don’t really need system batteries if you have an Action Replay, Game Shark, or some memory card do you? IIRC the system battery is there just to hold time/date and saves. Is there any game that uses the system clock for anything game braking if it’s not there? As far as saves are concerned the system memory is lacking to say the least, it can save about 5~10 games unless one of the games is Dragon Force then that’s about all system can save so not a big deal if you lose the ability to keep a save.



Christmas Nights uses the system clock. On Christmas day, everything changes.



Just remember to transfer your saves with the Gameshark (and AR? I think It’s like the GS with the way it backups the save but won’t save directly to it) before you power off the system.

Do you do a system reset to pull that off? I know that Vampire Savior won't have English text, until you beat the game. The save file goes to system memory and has to be transferred to a cart, if you plan to keep it, but you still have to have a save in the system memory, even if you have it on the Action Replay. I could be wrong on this though.



I'd like to suggest a few domestic games that are rarely mentioned, or haven't been listed here:

Dark Savior
Last Gladiators
Iron Storm
Decathlete
Wing Arms
Gun Griffon (much better than the crappy games that were released on the Xbox and PS2)
Shining: The Holy Ark
Enemy Zero
Darius Gaiden
Virtua Fighter Kids

[Genesaturn]

Try to remember Sega Saturn did very well in Japan and decent in Europe...if it wasn't for the non-existent marking in the U.S. who knows what could of happened. The Saturn was also notoriously hard to develop for..and the bulk of developers back then were all Japanese so U.S. Developers never really did much on the system. So like I said..if you plan on importing...you will really enjoy the system.

I also generally get 2-3 years of life out of a batter.

[understatement]

Christmas Nights uses the system clock. On Christmas day, everything changes.

Yea, I think there's a few games that use the clock in that way but all you've got to do is set it to the day you want when it turns on and it plays fine. I was asking more for games like Animal Crossing or Seaman where it needs the clock every time the game starts.




Do you do a system reset to pull that off? I know that Vampire Savior won't have English text, until you beat the game. The save file goes to system memory and has to be transferred to a cart, if you plan to keep it, but you still have to have a save in the system memory, even if you have it on the Action Replay. I could be wrong on this though.

Yea, that's exactly right. With the Game Shark you will never see what is saved on it through the Saturn or in it's games, it's only in the GS menu where you have access to the GS memory. So you would start the system, it goes to the GS menu, go to the "memory manager" (IIRC) and load your save to the system, play the game with the save on the systems memory, when your done save in the systems memory and push the reset button, it goes back to the GS menu, go back to "memory manager" and transfer the save from the system to the GS.

I know that's how it's done with the GS I don't know for sure about the AR but from what I've heard they're similar.

[Gamevet]

Try to remember Sega Saturn did very well in Japan and decent in Europe...if it wasn't for the non-existent marking in the U.S. who knows what could of happened. The Saturn was also notoriously hard to develop for..and the bulk of developers back then were all Japanese so U.S. Developers never really did much on the system. So like I said..if you plan on importing...you will really enjoy the system.

There were plenty of good titles released in North America and the system did manage to sell over a million units here. EA threw a few bones the Saturn's way with titles like Soviet Strike, that had 2 exclusive weapons for the system and Warcraft 2. Midway released Ultimate MK3 and Maximum Force. And we also got Myst and Sim City 3000. Yeah, a good portion of the great Japanese titles were released in Japan, but games like Layer Section (Galactic Attack), Marvel Super Heroes (works with the Japanese 4-meg cart) Street Fighter Collection, Night Warriors, Megaman X4, Sega Ages, Saturn Bomberman, Guardian Heroes, Legend of Oasis, Dragon Force, X-Men: Children of the Atom, Panzer Dragoon Saga were all published in North America. I have over 65 titles that were published in North America, and I enjoy them quite a lot.

I don't believe the Saturn sold much better in Europe than it did in North America. I'd guess that most of the units sold there were in the UK, and it gave the impression that the system was selling better than it was.


I also generally get 2-3 years of life out of a batter.

I got about 1.5 to 2 years out of each battery I've placed in the system.

[Genesaturn]

Yeah, I didn't say we didn't get any good games, we did get plenty out of the around 250 games we got, but in comparison...we got 1/4th the games japan received...

[SpaceFlea]

Man, it looks like the battery life is all over the place. I must have a lucky system. The first battery I put in it lasted right around 8 years. I put it in some time in 2000 when I bought the system from a friend, and it finally died in 2008. I replaced it about two years ago with an original system battery from another system I purchased. The previous owner of that one never pulled the little black fabric tab to activate the battery. I was surprised that a 15 year old battery actually worked - didn't think they had that long of a shelf life. And that jewel is still pumping life into my baby. :)

[Junkyrdsalesman]

Buy an Action Replay 4 in 1 cart, it is almost essential for saturn users. As previously mentioned it plays imports, but it also serves as a RAM cart for those jap games that need it. Most importantly though is that is also acts a a memory card, so you can save your games to it rather than the internal memory, which always made me nervous cause I never know when the CR battery will run out and lose my saves :p However you can't access the memory from in game on both AR and GS. Also i'm pretty sure the model 1 was the only one with the access light.

Also when shopping for games, don't forget the ultra cult classic Mr. Bones!

[Edmond Dantes]

In my experience, Battery life depends on the brand you're using. My dad uses cheapie dollar store batteries (by Sunbeam), and those die almost the minute you put them in (though the one we put in my Sega CD seems to be holding up). I use Energizer, and those tend to live up to their hype.

[Wraith Storm]

Battery life also depends on how much you are playing the Saturn. The battery is not drained when the system is turned on, so if you are playing your Saturn a lot, your battery should last for a long time. When I got my Saturn Christmas 96' I played it consistently for 4 or 5 years and the stock battery lasted almost that long.

I replaced it once after it died. I was enjoying the Dreamcast at the time so, while my Saturn did still see attention the DC was hogging most of the game time. That battery only lasted a year or so. So I either wasn't playing the Saturn consistently enough or maybe like Edmond Dantes suggested stick with Energizer (although I want to say mine was but it's been to long to remember for sure).

[Edmond Dantes]

I hate it when something is wrong, but I only have one game and one console. Invariably you never know whether the game is effed up or the system is.

What's happening is that D keeps locking up on me, on the second disc, when I go to the outside from the rotating room. She'll start going around the corner of the castle and then the game will just lock up. The weird thing is, the Saturn isn't doing anything weird, but the disc only has a few scratches (Disc 1 actually has more scratches but it has played perfectly fine so far).

I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and run Disc 2 thru a skipdoctor, or if I should wait until Ive got more Saturn games to test.

[Genesaturn]

If it looks scratched or messy then I'd run it through skip doctor or try cleaning it up another way regardless. It's hard to say...I can't imagine the Saturn would just stop reading a game at a specific point..sounds more like a CD problem.


Also I was thinking on the battery issue...I was wondering if the model would have a difference..like Model 1 sucks more battery power out than Model 2 or vice versa. My model 1 gets a solid 2-3 years on batteries and I usually grab whatever brand is cheapest. I've never used a name brand like Energizer

[Sunnyvale]

I hate it when something is wrong, but I only have one game and one console. Invariably you never know whether the game is effed up or the system is.

What's happening is that D keeps locking up on me, on the second disc, when I go to the outside from the rotating room. She'll start going around the corner of the castle and then the game will just lock up. The weird thing is, the Saturn isn't doing anything weird, but the disc only has a few scratches (Disc 1 actually has more scratches but it has played perfectly fine so far).

I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and run Disc 2 thru a skipdoctor, or if I should wait until Ive got more Saturn games to test.

I'd start with cleaning the laser. If that don't work, I'd pay a couple bucks for the resurface. Until you have another game, that's the best you can do. I highly doubt it's a serious system problem, or you wouldn't get it load at all, in my experience.

[Edmond Dantes]

Yeah I was just thinking if its always locking up in the same place, then that would evidence a game problem rather than a system problem. If it were the system, it would lock up in different places.

I think I'll run it thru the Skipdoctor. Unless that's a really bad idea for some reason (I've heard for some systems it is)?

[Genesaturn]

I haven't heard of any issues using skipdr, but I never used it myself. I tend to stick to a repair solution that sprays or rubs on and off.

[Koa Zo]

Man, it looks like the battery life is all over the place. I must have a lucky system.
My own personal experience has been all over the place. I've figured it probably has to do with cheaply produced batteries. My original batteries lasted over 3 years. It seemed the first time I replaced one it lasted less than a year. Then that replacement was never really used and sat in storage for a few years, and then was dead when I tried to use it.