Different Saturn Models?

[Big Papa Husker]

I remember reading something about different Saturn models of the consoles and controllers? Can anyone explain the differences to me?

[Ed Oscuro]

Sega let a couple other companies manufacture versions of the Saturn; Hitachi did the HiSaturn, and a very rare unit called the HiSaturn Navigation Unit (it's a Saturn with an LCD screen for use in cars! Uber sweet and probably some of the extended functions are still available, dunno about a mapper though). JVC did one, too.

So...some Japanese Saturns are white, some are grayish with pastel buttons, and there's some other varieties too (i.e. the omnipresent black model seen here in the U.S. - so far that's still my only Saturn unit, doh). I'm no expert on this, but I can say that the different companies' Saturns tend to have a specific color scheme.

NFG recently proved that a huge type of kiosk unit indeed exists, the deserves-to-be-legendary SGX (http://nfg.2y.net/games/SGX/) unit. Click the link to read all about it. Nope, it's no longer available, he sold it.

He's also had a developer unit up for sale (with no price?) for a while, strange that.

There's a good deal of confusion about various VideoCD cards for use in the Saturn, I don't know enough about them.

[shvnsth]

there is also multiple versions of the us saturn

one has circle buttons, the other has oval

[dj898]

grey Saturn w/ blue oval button - launch JPN Saturn
black Saturn w/ oval button - US/PAL Saturn
white Saturn w/ round button - revised JPN Saturn
black Saturn w/ round button - revised US/PAL Saturn
smoke black Saturn - LE Skeleton JPN Saturn
smoke blue Saturn - LE Derby Skeleton JPN Saturn
Sonic Saturn - White JPN Saturn w/ Sonic silhouette on CD door special Toys R Us LE

Hi-Saturn - same JPN Saturn by Hitachi in oval and round button in black shell
V-Saturn - same JPN Saturn by JVC in oval and round button and different colour shell
Hi-Navi - Car Navigation w/ Saturn built-in by Hitachi
*Hi-Saturn has the optional Karaoke module by Hitachi as well

that should cover them all... apart from Love Hotel unit and all Dev Saturns as they weren't reatail units...

[Ed Oscuro]

Good list, looks like the letters SGX haven't caught on yet though LOL

[Big Papa Husker]

Are there any real differences between the round and oval button US models?

[dj898]

with VCD card this was only released in Japan and Europe.
Unlike other Saturn accessories it's region specific - i.e. JPN VCD Card will only work on JPN Saturn and vice versa although you can use the import cart to bypass that.

With JPN VCD Card all three companies - Sega, Hitachi and JVC - produced their own version and cream of the crop would be JVC TwinOperator which not only run NTSC/PAL VCD but also PhotoCD as well without the operating disc...

[dj898]

Are there any real differences between the round and oval button US models?

nope in terms of function.
the only issue is you cannot get the mod chip for oval button Saturn anymore...

[Berty]

Lets not forget that Samsung was also licensed to make the saturn in Korea!

[Ed Oscuro]

Lets not forget that Samsung was also licensed to make the saturn in Korea!
Hmm...I didn't know that. Fits right in with the Samsung-made MD games and the Korean SMS (Gam*Boy, close enough) though.

[dj898]

he he

forgot about that one...
I don't think it was that popular coz I never saw one in Korea and I lived there good portion of 90s... well back then I wasn't into video gaming much - more into girls you know... :D

[Ed Oscuro]

Jawsome! :D

You never fail to amaze me, man.

[Muscelli]

i found a sealed karaoke unit for the navi and a bunch of karaoke cds for the navi all for 50. should i buy?

[dj898]

you mean Hitachi karaoke amp/module for Hi-Saturn?
That is not a bad price mate if it includes the box and manual as well...!

you can still get Karaoke disc from Asian region... I remember my old man used to have box full of that crap before he moved to commercial grade machine off factory complete with disco ball controller and network link to d/l new songs from their server...

The total setup inc. Hi-Saturn will fetch around 8000-10000 yen in Japan easily...
not sure how useful it would be nor whether the karaoke module will work with the Saturn other than Hi-Saturn - probably not...

[Vroomfunkel]

NFG recently proved that a huge type of kiosk unit indeed exists, the deserves-to-be-legendary SGX unit. Click the link to read all about it. Nope, it's no longer available, he sold it.

And the guy who bought it is a member here ... although I don't think he comes here often. I am hoping for a go on it some time in the not too distant future though .. or at least a look at it :D

Vroomfunkel

[RCM]

NFG recently proved that a huge type of kiosk unit indeed exists, the deserves-to-be-legendary SGX unit. Click the link to read all about it. Nope, it's no longer available, he sold it.

I don't know if I would consider it a Saturn. I don't consider a PSX a PS2. It's still pretty fucking cool and I want one.

THE ONE, THE ONLY- RCM

[dj898]

thing is this thing was usually ay Love Hotel from what I hear...
i mean do people go to Love Hotel to play Saturn game? o_O
Oh sure... he he

[Sothy]

Saturn mod good time spray Serin gas into eyeballs! First time force feedback dual vibration CROTCH PUNCTURE HAIII!

[Ed Oscuro]

I don't know if I would consider it a Saturn. I don't consider a PSX a PS2. It's still pretty fucking cool and I want one.
If it's not a Saturn, then what is it? A SGX, but it's better to call it a Saturn variant. Gets people thinking about all the stuff that was based off the Saturn hardware :)

[whoisKeel]

I'm bumping this thread because I want a Saturn and I saw one in really nice shape today for $25 with a/v hookups, power, and a 3rd party controller. I'll be looking to upgrade that controller most likely.

I'm not sure what model it is (1 or 2), but can I use any saturn controller on any model? Which controller is better to get and are they expensive? I will be playing mostly shmups...when the opportunity to afford them presents itself.

[dj898]

like mentioned before if it has oval button it's M1 and round button for M2.
unless you plan to put the mod chip to play CD-R copies either will do just fine. No you don't need mod chip for import as it has nothing to do with it... mod chip is for CD-R copy d/l from Net while import cart will take care of playing import titles on US Saturn...

[whoisKeel]

so which is the better controller? i've heard one d-pad is better than the other model's.

[dj898]

get either white or grey one... :p

http://members.optushome.com.au/currypuff1/photos/pads_1.jpg

[Dimitri]

so which is the better controller? i've heard one d-pad is better than the other model's.

Of the US controllers, the revised one is smaller and far more comfortable. I think it's the bottom (black) one in dj898's pic.