Want to get into Saturn importing, have some questions

[PDorr3]

This will be the first system I plan on buying imports for, so bare with me as I am a newbie when it comes to this.

I know I need some sorta cart to play the imports, some are more expensive than others because they have ram. I plan on playing non-text heavy games like fighting, puzzle, platforming, etc. Can I get by with the gameshark way (which I believe) plays imports using a US gameshark for saturn? Or will I need to buy a cart with RAM on it?

How can I tell if the games I want require RAM extensions to play or not?

Also if you could reccoemend to me the most affordable device(s) to play what I need and where to buy them that would be great, thanks! (note I know about the stickied topic, but I have certain questions here that I am unsure about when it comes to buying these devices)

[Lemmy Kilmister]

I know I need some sorta cart to play the imports, some are more expensive than others because they have ram. I plan on playing non-text heavy games like fighting, puzzle, platforming, etc. Can I get by with the gameshark way (which I believe) plays imports using a US gameshark for saturn? Or will I need to buy a cart with RAM on it?

I'm pretty sure you can't use the Saturn's gameshark to play imports games (less there's some sort of swap trick I don't know about), but you could always just buy a standard coverter at NCSX (http://www.ncsxshop.com/cgi-bin/shop/results?mv_session_id=RrJxkYTA&mv_pc=39&cid=8&sid=1&alpha_id=0), Videogamedepot (http://www.videogamedepot.com/shop/product.asp?pf_id=01I00331100&) or Lik-Sang (http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=159&products_id=100&PHPSESSID=542dee6e853c4901c65f37d10e9b83b9).


How can I tell if the games I want require RAM extensions to play or not?

Simple. Only a couple of games ever really used extra ram. Most of them being SNK or Capcom fighting games.



Also if you could reccoemend to me the most affordable device(s) to play what I need and where to buy them that would be great, thanks! (note I know about the stickied topic, but I have certain questions here that I am unsure about when it comes to buying these devices)

I think my original remark speaks for itself. However, I would personally recommend you getting the ST-Key 4-1 one converter with the ram switch. That's what I've been using since '97 or so and its always worked great for me. :)

[Tron 2.0]

This is only converter you will ever need. Unless you don't like the idea... of putting a region switch in.

http://www.ncsxshop.com/images/products/large/1203/ar4m_shop.jpg

[Lord Contaminous]

Or any converter that says "Ultra Madness" on it.

[PDorr3]

Thanks for the info. I was planning on picking up some SNK fighting games, so it looks like I will need the 1mb for some samurai showdown. Also, does every saturn game come with one of those cardboard outer boxes? or are some jewel case only?

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Thanks for the info. I was planning on picking up some SNK fighting games, so it looks like I will need the 1mb for some samurai showdown. Also, does every saturn game come with one of those cardboard outer boxes? or are some jewel case only?


Most of them come in your typical jewel case with an obi card/spine card. Oh, and I don't think any of the Samurai Showdown games required extra ram to play properly. I'm pretty sure the only SNK games that needed the 1ram cart (4ram was for Campom games) were Metal Slug and King of Fighters '97.

[PDorr3]

I checked a FAQ on gamefaqs and this was what was in it:

The following games use the 4Meg cart:

-Xmen vs Street Fighter
-Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter
-Vampire Savior
-Street Fighter Zero 3 (Street Fighter Alpha 3)
-Pocket Fighter
-Astra Superstars (OPTIONAL)
-Dungeons & Dragons Collection (Disc 2 only)

And the following games use the 1Meg cart:
-Cyberbots (OPTIONAL)
-Groove on Fight
-Waku Waku 7 (OPTIONAL)
-Marvel Super Heroes (OPTIONAL)
-Fighters History Dynamite
-King of Fighters '96
-King of Fighters '97
-Fatal Fury 3
-Ragnagard
-Metal Slug
-Real Bout Fatal Fury
-Real Bout Fatal Fury Special
-Cotton 2 (OPTIONAL)
-Samurai Showdown III
-Samuari Showdown IV

IDK how correct this is but according to him SS 3+4 need a 1 mb ram

[PDorr3]

I think Im gonna just get the ST-Key, and not worry about the few ram games for now.

Can someone give me a link to a reliable place to purchase the ST-Key for a reasonable price? (a direct link), there are so many different converters I dont wanna go buying the wrong one.

Is this a good price and reliable ST-Key to buy?
http://www.videogamedepot.com/shop/product.asp?pf_id=01I00331100&

[ClassicGameTrader]

I checked a FAQ on gamefaqs and this was what was in it:

The following games use the 4Meg cart:

-Xmen vs Street Fighter
-Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter
-Vampire Savior
-Street Fighter Zero 3 (Street Fighter Alpha 3)
-Pocket Fighter
-Astra Superstars (OPTIONAL)
-Dungeons & Dragons Collection (Disc 2 only)

And the following games use the 1Meg cart:
-Cyberbots (OPTIONAL)
-Groove on Fight
-Waku Waku 7 (OPTIONAL)
-Marvel Super Heroes (OPTIONAL)
-Fighters History Dynamite
-King of Fighters '96
-King of Fighters '97
-Fatal Fury 3
-Ragnagard
-Metal Slug
-Real Bout Fatal Fury
-Real Bout Fatal Fury Special
-Cotton 2 (OPTIONAL)
-Samurai Showdown III
-Samuari Showdown IV

IDK how correct this is but according to him SS 3+4 need a 1 mb ram

Isn't cotton boomerang on that list too?

[GaijinPunch]

I believe it's playable with or without the RAM... you just lose some bells and whistles.

[Tron 2.0]

Is this a good price and reliable ST-Key to buy?
http://www.videogamedepot.com/shop/product.asp?pf_id=01I00331100&
Yeah there good buy with confidence from them.

VGD, is one of the best importers on the web :D

[XYXZYZ]

If you like shooters, or the really good games, I hope you have lots and lots and lots of money.

[All Things Sega]

You can use any of those devices (Gameshark, Action replay, etc) and then work 90% of the time. I've had no problem using them. Only time you miss out is when you play RAM games like Final Fight Revenge. They simply will not load without it. For those games, I recommend you get a modded saturn. Theirs used to be dealers on the net that would do it. I did my own and it works great but it was hassle. All you had to do was buy a cheap used saturn on ebay or garage sales. That way no loss if you screw up. Its a shame so many good games came out in Japan and even Europe and all we got is some crappy games. Death to Sega Of America!!! LOL Anyone know if english translations for Shining Force part 2 and 3 have been ever completed? As for shooters, no english required and they are awesome on the saturn.

[Von-Zipper]

I heard somewhere that SF 3 and dragon force 2 translations were about to be finished.
A matter of weeks

[darkangel]

saturn importing?

[c2000]

Its a shame so many good games came out in Japan and even Europe and all we got is some crappy games. Death to Sega Of America!!!

Oh, come on! There's plenty of good games released on the US Saturn. At least 50 of them are very good games, well worth playing.

As for the PAL library, we got Keio 2, Deep Fear and Wipeout 2097 but that's about it. You guys got Magic Knight Rayearth, Herc's Adventures, Albert Oddessey and all the Netlink enabled games.

[MarioMania]

You forgot to say "King of the Fighters 95" uses a ROM Cart..So Convertors won't work on this game

[Tron 2.0]

You forgot to say "King of the Fighters 95" uses a ROM Cart..So Convertors won't work on this game
Agreed the only way to play, KOF 95 on a u.s Saturn is to have a region switch put in.