Model 2 Sega Saturn - Identifying Different Variants

[Whomper]

Evening all,

I'm currently looking for a second hand Saturn, and have spotted a PAL Model 2 for not much money in the local area. Ideally, I'd like to fit a mod chip at some point, so a 32-wire IC model would be best, as these seem to be easiest and have the highest success rate.

Is there any way (short of actually opening the thing) of telling what guts a Model 2 has? This is in a shop, so they wouldn't let me pop it open, but should let me handle it.

Is the model number slightly different, or does the serial number offer any clues?

Cheers,

Alex

[molotovwars]

I think you have to open it, sorry.

[coel009]

You'll have to open it , there is no other way .

But may i suggest something ?
Don't get a pal version , get an NTSC-US (off ebay for example) otherwise you'll have huge issues with ntsc games on a pal machine(even region patched backups will have the same issue).

Its quite hard to find a PAL release for all your backups(for example , try to find Panzer dragoon saga PAL and you'll figure out what i mean ).
With an ntsc you can easily play region patched ntsc-j games without any issues and they're quite easy to find them.

(Trust me , i have both pal & ntsc us saturns just for this reason )

edit: By the way , if its really cheap , it might actually worth grabbing it and do the region mod(sorry i can't help you with this )...

[Whomper]

I'd assumed that if I fitted a 50/60Hz switch, then either got a 4-in-1 Cart or fitted a region switch to complement the Mod Chip, I'd be able to play games from any region without any problems. That not the case?

[coel009]

I'd assumed that if I fitted a 50/60Hz switch, then either got a 4-in-1 Cart or fitted a region switch to complement the Mod Chip, I'd be able to play games from any region without any problems. That not the case?

The 50/60hz switch will definetly work , but unfortunately its not that easy .
See here :http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/saturn5060.htm

4-1 cart does on-the-fly patching so im not 100% sure if it will work.
I don't have a cart to test it. i only have a memory expansion cart that does just that...extends the memory.

Got it off racket's store long time ago...

[gtmtnbiker]

If we had some sort of database of serial numbers and model/variant, we probably could come up with a way to identify the system, no? Maybe it would be worthwhile for people to post their serial number,region,model, variant (e.g, sanyo, 32-bit, 64-bit, etc) info?

[coel009]

If we had some sort of database of serial numbers and model/variant, we probably could come up with a way to identify the system, no? Maybe it would be worthwhile for people to post their serial number,region,model, variant (e.g, sanyo, 32-bit, 64-bit, etc) info?

If the SS scene was more active it might be possible to do a couple of comparisons , but that's not the case .

[sneth]

here's an old link. Maybe you can use it as a starting point.

http://www.angelfire.com/pa/Raluminat/saturnmod.html

[Whomper]

here's an old link. Maybe you can use it as a starting point.

Aye, I've seen that page, but I needed to know how to tell without popping it open. That said, just spotted this:

As you can see it is nearly impossible to tell what hardware revision your Saturn is just by looking at the outside of the console. You need to open it up and get a good look at the inside to be 100% sure.

Ah well, all the Model 2s look easier than the Model 1s to mod.

[Curlypaul]

Don't get a pal version , get an NTSC-US (off ebay for example) otherwise you'll have huge issues with ntsc games on a pal machine(even region patched backups will have the same issue).

What issues are you referring too? I have a Pal saturn modded with one of Rackets chips. I used to patch the games but before long I needed a RAM cart so I got an action replay and now I can play genuine JAP games as well. I have not done the 60hx mod but I've never had any issues with either of the methods.

I do agree that finding iso's of PAL games is pretty difficult though so its worth finding a solid way to play NTSC games is worth it in the finish.

Oh yes, there is no other way to tell which saturn is which without opening it. I've seen a few people anaylsis the serial/model numbers but there has always been someone with an execption. If you buy one and it turns out to be a 64 pin you can always sell it on and try again