Starting a Saturn library. Where do I start, what advice do you have, and questions.

[GREEN00]

I have access to an import gaming store, and on impulse bought Panzer Dragoon RPG (Saga) for $30, because I've made it my mission to experience quality JRPGs, I'm not squeamish about playing imports, and I don't want to spend $250 for a US copy.

First some basics about the console/accessories,

*What is a good price for a US saturn loose? What about with packaging (but still used)?

*Are all US saturn models effectively the same?

*Is Action Replay Plus the recommended solution for imports, memory storage safety (ie:will it erase my save data?), and the required 1MB or 4MB add on required for certain games? If Action Replay Plus isn't recommended, what is?

*I know about the required CR2032 battery, are there any other unusual hardware quirks to look out for?

*Are there any peripherals or cables you recommend?

*Is there any other advice/info you have to share?


I've spent the past several days researching the Saturn's full library (US, PAL, and japanese) pretty exhaustively, and these are the games and prices I've found to be of interest to me (some games are prohibitivley expensive, like Dungeons & Dragon Collection, so they've been excluded). I'm interested in JRPGs primarily, but really I seek the best of a consoles library or games that are personally interesting to me.

Game---US price---Japanese price

*NiGHTS into dreams---$12---$10

*Christmas NiGHTS---$35---$10

*Panzer Dragoon---$15---$15

*Panzer Dragoon II Zwei---$20---$15

*Guardian Heroes---$55---$35

*Burning Rangers---$75---$30

*Dragon Force---$60---$20 or less

*Shining Force III---$80---$15

*Shining the Holy Ark---$40---$15

*Virtual On---$10---$10

*Astal---$35---$40


Import only,


*Dragon Force II---none---$35

*Wachenroder---none---$25

*Shining Force III scenario 2---none---$35

*Shining Force III scenario 3---none---$30

*Devil Summoner---none---$10 (and Soul Hackers is being localized in a few months, so I'll just buy the US 3DS release of it)

*Snatcher---none---$25


What else would you recommend? I'm not interested in sports or racing games at all, and I'm not interested in spending more than $70 on any individual game.

Are there any translation solutions you suggest (ie:websites with full translations)? I'm thinking about learning basic japanese in response to so many import games. I've played games in japanese before, but such a large number of games probably demands some greater commitment on my part.


And lastly, is there anything I've missed, any topic you can advise me on?

Thank you very much for your time.

[XYXZYZ]

Do you like shooters? Sega Saturn is the #1 console for shmups, and it's the primary reason I own one.

http://archive.org/details/RetroCore-SSSS-part1of3

[Jack7]

if you like the shinobi series I highly recommend shinobi legions. When I first popped it in I groaned. digitized actors? pre-rendered, backgrounds? i feel a batman forever/mk mythologies flashback coming on. reluctantly I continued, and the control is tight, the difficulty is fair and it plays as well as any other shinobi game.

[GREEN00]

Do you like shooters? Sega Saturn is the #1 console for shmups, and it's the primary reason I own one.

http://archive.org/details/RetroCore-SSSS-part1of3

Thank you for the reply, but I'm about as casually interested in shmups as possible. I take notice when Treasure puts out a new game/rerelease, but that's about it. I certainly noticed the variety of shmups in my saturn research, and any that looked even passable I literally took note of for future reference.

if you like the shinobi series I highly recommend shinobi legions. When I first popped it in I groaned. digitized actors? pre-rendered, backgrounds? i feel a batman forever/mk mythologies flashback coming on. reluctantly I continued, and the control is tight, the difficulty is fair and it plays as well as any other shinobi game.

Thank you for the suggestion, I just watched some youtube footage and it both looks like a game with quality gameplay and so bad its good cinematics and general absurdity (a ninja fighting freaking dinosaurs).

[wiggyx]

- No more than 30 bucks in working order.

- No, if you ever want to mod it, then the best model to have is the 32pin model 2 (http://www.segastyle.com/saturnmod.html)

- I generally recommend against the PAR as it has a tendency to wear out the already fragile Saturn cart port. If you want to play imports, then I would suggest either picking up a JP Saturn or modding a US unit and creating backups using this patch to play on your modded US system (http://madroms.satakore.com/#SRP)

- If you want to extend the life of the battery, then make sure to leave the system plugged in at all times. I'd also seriously consider a memory cart since the internal save memory is based on that battery and as such is quite volatile. The only other real issue I can think of is the weak cartridge port that I already mentioned. Unfortunately, it can be tough to test that before buying a used system

- If you have any interest in playing Bomberman at some point, then 2 multitaps are an absolute MUST! Google Saturn Bomberman, you'll see why

- If you aren't aware already, there are 2 types of controller that were sold in the US. Make sure you look for a system with a later verion (JP style) controller (see pics)

You do NOT want this


You DO want this


- If RPGs are your thing, then Albert Odyssey, Shining the Holy Ark, Grandia, and Magic Knight Rayearth are worth looking at.

[GREEN00]

Thanks for the reply wiggy.

-Modding isn't my thing. Is there a reliable mod-free way to play imports on a US system you suggest?

-When you say "fragile cart port" I assume you mean it will stop/have trouble reading carts if stressed in certain ways?

-I wasn't aware about the 2 different controllers, that's a valuable tip. The latter controller does indeed look more ergonomical.

[FrankSerpico]

I use a PAR for my imports and I've never had any trouble with it. They also go for cheaper on ebay now than they did 5-6 years ago when tons of people were getting into Saturn collecting. Also if you're a fan of 2D fighters a lot of the popular Japanese titles like the SF Alpha series and the Vs games have dropped in price recently

[theclaw]

The other major issue is that PAR cannot save or load files in-game. It only can be used to backup.
Chances are you'll find memory management annoying with imports if using one.

One difference Saturn has from other consoles, is that region and copy protection involve separate cracks. Making it harder than usual to do everything.
Region cart or mod by itself won't load backups.
Modchip by itself won't load genuine imports.

[GREEN00]

The other major issue is that PAR cannot save or load files in-game. It only can be used to backup.
Chances are you'll find memory management annoying with imports if using one.

One difference Saturn has from other consoles, is that region and copy protection involve separate cracks. Making it harder than usual to do everything.
Region cart or mod by itself won't load backups.
Modchip by itself won't load genuine imports.

Is there an alternative to PAR you recommend? Something for easily playing imports, saving US games or import games easily, and not having to worry about save data being erased?

[wiggyx]

Thanks for the reply wiggy.

-Modding isn't my thing. Is there a reliable mod-free way to play imports on a US system you suggest?

-When you say "fragile cart port" I assume you mean it will stop/have trouble reading carts if stressed in certain ways?

-I wasn't aware about the 2 different controllers, that's a valuable tip. The latter controller does indeed look more ergonomical.

No prob!

Not really unless you want to mod the system. The PAR is great, but it WILL wear that port out. If you plan on putting it in and NEVER taking it back out, then you'll likely be fine. But your cart port will be pretty worn and likely won't accept any 1st party carts anymore

For sure. The original US controller is a miserable POS. It literally hurts my hand after about 15 minutes of use.

The other major issue is that PAR cannot save or load files in-game. It only can be used to backup.
Chances are you'll find memory management annoying with imports if using one.

One difference Saturn has from other consoles, is that region and copy protection involve separate cracks. Making it harder than usual to do everything.
Region cart or mod by itself won't load backups.
Modchip by itself won't load genuine imports.

Exactly. This is why I prescribed the method that I did. Not the "best" way, but the easiest for sure.