A question for Breetai regarding the JP SEGA Saturn.

[Devezu]

As for the awkward title and all caps and excited exclamation points, please forgive me. This question is primarily for Breetai (who is best known for being our "connection to Japan"), but is directed towards anyone who can help me answer it.

I know that importing a SEGA Saturn is expensive (that's 200 dollars I don't have to spend). So I'm looking for the next best thing.

How much would it cost to buy the shell of a Model 2 SS (Just and only the case with buttons, specifically the white/pink one, the grey/blue is also applicable)? My idea is to case swap it with that of an American SS to give myself the appearance of the JP system (What? I know that you know it is quite sexy!) because importing a working JP system and modding it would be just too cost-inhibitive. Will I fail? Is it impossible? Is Breetai pissed that I called him out for a question? Has it been done before?

Edit: Awkward title changed.

[Dylan]

Not to be rude, but why not just PM him?

[Devezu]

It is a general question, but mostly directed towards Breetai as I understand that he is actual resident of Japan (or so I've tried to figure out through his posts) and thus might have an easier time answering the question.

[molotovwars]

Breetai is no longer living in Japan.

That aside, I never though import Saturns were all that expensive. I've seen them pop up on the forums here for $50-$80 coming from US sellers. You could probably check the Neo-Geo forums as well. I don't know about buying just the shell, but you could get the whole system for a very reasonable price.

Mods: Please edit this title; it's horrendous.

[Upsidedown Fuji]

As for the awkward title and all caps and excited exclamation points, please forgive me. This question is primarily for Breetai (who is best known for being our "connection to Japan"), but is directed towards anyone who can help me answer it.

I know that importing a SEGA Saturn is expensive (that's 200 dollars I don't have to spend). So I'm looking for the next best thing.

How much would it cost to buy the shell of a Model 2 SS (Just and only the case with buttons, specifically the white/pink one, the grey/blue is also applicable)? My idea is to case swap it with that of an American SS to give myself the appearance of the JP system (What? I know that you know it is quite sexy!) because importing a working JP system and modding it would be just too cost-inhibitive. Will I fail? Is it impossible? Is Breetai pissed that I called him out for a question? Has it been done before?

I have access to Standard white/grey and Grey/blue Saturns in all kinds of conditions ranging from crap to pristine. If you want a fair condition one without box I can find them for under 5 dollars working no cables or controllers included. If you want them boxed and in fair conditon I can find them for under 20 dollars. If you want pristine, they aren't as common but can be found for under 50. There are a couple of people still living in Japan like myself, so drop one of us a PM and see what happens.

[Devezu]

My only qualm would be shipping: I am interested in the 20 dollar one, how much would that be?

[Souther]

As for the awkward title and all caps and excited exclamation points, please forgive me. This question is primarily for Breetai (who is best known for being our "connection to Japan"), but is directed towards anyone who can help me answer it.

I know that importing a SEGA Saturn is expensive (that's 200 dollars I don't have to spend). So I'm looking for the next best thing.

How much would it cost to buy the shell of a Model 2 SS (Just and only the case with buttons, specifically the white/pink one, the grey/blue is also applicable)? My idea is to case swap it with that of an American SS to give myself the appearance of the JP system (What? I know that you know it is quite sexy!) because importing a working JP system and modding it would be just too cost-inhibitive. Will I fail? Is it impossible? Is Breetai pissed that I called him out for a question? Has it been done before?

I have access to Standard white/grey and Grey/blue Saturns in all kinds of conditions ranging from crap to pristine. If you want a fair condition one without box I can find them for under 5 dollars working no cables or controllers included. If you want them boxed and in fair conditon I can find them for under 20 dollars. If you want pristine, they aren't as common but can be found for under 50. There are a couple of people still living in Japan like myself, so drop one of us a PM and see what happens.

Different system...but

If you can find me a working(FDD, and CD Drive) FM Towns Marty I or II then let me know. If its in excellent shape I'd pay up to $200 Shipped for one.

[Breetai]

I saw this thread when I was about to post a question begging for help fixing my Wii... I'm not at all bothered that you're calling me out for a question, but how would I know that you want my attention unless you tell me via PM? I don't generally cruise the threads here as I just don't have time. I no longer live in Japan, as the location on the status under my name now indicates.

Regarding your question, acquiring a Saturn in Japan for cheap is not hard at all for someone who lives there; especially if it's near a large city but not right in it. They can be found for only a few dollars ($3-10, generally). The problem is that they are considered "junk" and may require cleaning, may not work correctly, and often require transportation fees and time to get to a "recycle shop" like Hard-Off to pick one up. Someone might get lucky and find a great looking, working system for $3, or might go though a few systems until they get an adequate one. Add in a couple controllers ($1-5 each) and hook-ups ($1-3 for AV and Power), and you might be around $10-25 for a working system with hook-ups and controllers. Plus time, shipping materials and transportation, maybe $10-40 at this point. Then, of course, whoever you're buying the system from will want something for his trouble... so, probably $25(good luck! I would never have sold one for that)-$50 for a loose system. Plus shipping... You're easily up in the $100-150 range! Shipping from Japan is very expensive.

So, I still haven't answered your question about just buying a shell. Consider how I said that a loose Saturn runs $3-10 from what is basically a pawn shop on the outskirts of a city ($30-50 for the exact same thing in Akihabara). What incentive does anyone have to take the time to strip the machine down for you just to get a case? They'd want to charge you for the trouble, of course. Shipping would be cheaper, but you'd still be looking at probably $30-40 with uninsured shipping (small package shipping by air if it's under 2Kg).

To be safe, count on paying AT LEAST $50 shipped for a Saturn case from Japan and consider yourself lucky if you get it for less (you very well might, if Upsidedownfuji is VERY nice to you.).

My only qualm would be shipping: I am interested in the 20 dollar one, how much would that be?

Here's a link to the rates at Japan Post for N.America: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/charge ... s2_en.html. Unless it is under 2.0Kg (where the rates are cheaper), these are the rates for EMS shipping. You'd be looking at around $50 for shipping, give for take a few $10 bills, plus $20 for the Saturn, plus materials, plus whatever Fuji wants to charge you extra for his time and service. Get $100 ready and hope for the best. So, unless the case when it's packed up is under 2.0Kg, get a real Saturn.

If you can find me a working(FDD, and CD Drive) FM Towns Marty I or II then let me know. If its in excellent shape I'd pay up to $200 Shipped for one.

I don't know a lot about Martys... other than that they rarely show up and are usually expensive when they do. I'd say $400-500 would be more realistic from what I know... that that might STILL be a good deal. I take it you have absolutely NO idea of shipping fees from Japan. Shipping alone, unless on a boat, would be going on $100.

So, you're asking for someone to sell you a $400 or so system for $100 plus shipping ($200...)? I'm not trying to be offensive; just realistic. I'd say the chances of you getting an FM Towns Marty in excellent shape, shipped from Japan for $200, is zero.

[Devezu]

An American Saturn for this boy then!


Thank you very much for the quite lengthy (but necessary) and informative answer. And sorry for the ridiculous title - looking back, it WAS a bit necessary. As for not PM'ing you - It was mostly asked towards you, but also open for those who also knew the answer and also for those who wanted to know (but never asked).

[xbamx]

Well you're in luck... I just bought a modchip for my US M2 Saturn and was going to put up my boxed Virtua Fighter edition JPN M1 Saturn for sale (or auction on eBay). I'll grab some pics for you when I get home from work.

Oh and I guess the most important part is that I'm in California