Sega Saturn Action Replay Memory

[arashikage]

I have a quick question about the memory storage of the Action Replay cart. First off I hear a lot about 3rd party memory carts sucking because they randomly lose or corrupt your files. And since the Action Replay cart is, technically 3rd party, does it suffer from the same problems as those other 3rd party memory carts with saving files?

[Ziggy]

I've never had a problem with it dropping saves. The only problem with saving games on the Pro Action Replay is that you can't save to it from in game. Games wont see the cart as a save cart. If you wanna put saves on the cart you have to save to the system memory and then back it up to the cart. What's more, if you wanna use a save on the cart you have to move it from the cart to the system memory in order to load it in game.

So if you have a new battery in your system, you can use the internal memory to play games, and when you start to run out of space you can back up saves your not currently using to the Pro Action Replay.

To me, this is a pain in the ass. If all you want is a memory cart, I would suggest getting an official Sega brand cart. That's what I use. The PAR is awesome because of its other features, but honestly, it sucks as a memory cart since you can't use it in game.

[Hatta]

Yeah, it's a pain in the ass. Not as big of a pain in the ass as losing the saved game you put 40 hours into. So put a new battery in the Saturn, and back it up to the cart once a week or so just to be safe.

BTW, does anyone know if there's a way to dump(and restore) the contents of either the Saturn SRAM or PAR? Having it backed up on computer would be the ultimate peace of mind.

[Ziggy]

Doesn't the PAR have a LPT on it? I've got no clue what software to use with it though.

[Hatta]

Mine does not, but I've heard some do. I wonder if there's still a header for it on the board.

[spiritplx]

BTW, does anyone know if there's a way to dump(and restore) the contents of either the Saturn SRAM or PAR? Having it backed up on computer would be the ultimate peace of mind.

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.gamingenterprisesinc.com/DataLink/

[Ziggy]

I think mine has the port on top, I can't remember now. I was unaware that some didn't. The GameShark has one too, but as I always say, don't use a GameShark on your Saturn unless you want to ruin the cart slot!

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.gamingenterprisesinc.com/DataLink/

That's awesome!

[arashikage]

Thanks for the help! It's much appreciated!

[Hobie-wan]

Mine does not, but I've heard some do. I wonder if there's still a header for it on the board.

There probably is. I have a busted one with the port and one without. I'd open and check but I bought it new and it still has the seal on it. I imagine the board is the same and they just saved by leaving the plug off. It would be easy to add, they just took a parallel port and slid it over the edge of the card and soldered the pins horizontally.