SEGA Saturn questions and help with SEGA RAM carts?

[c0r33]

Im looking into getting a JAP Sega Saturn to play imported games and have the white system with all those nice bright buttons. I have owned a SS before but it was a US model.

Im looking at getting a copy of vampire saviour with the 4 MB RAM cart.

I know the RAM cart will optimize the 2D power of the saturn thats what there designed for but it takes up the memory slot.

My main questions are.
-Does the RAM cart allow me to save as well?
-Do I still have to buy a memory card for the system?
-How am I suppose to save my control set ups and scores as well as anything I would unlock?
-Am I going to be forced to use the battery save inside the system?

[lisalover1]

I'm pretty sure the RAM cart cannot be used to save games to it. The Action Replay 4-in-1 can hold saved games, but you cannot save directly to it. If you want a cart to save directly to, you need an actual Saturn Memory Cart.

[c0r33]

If you want a cart to save directly to, you need an actual Saturn Memory Cart.

The memory carts are not region locked or anything like that correct?

This is to my knowledge but 2D fighters are the only games on the console that support RAM carts correct or is there others out there? Lastly the vampire saviour RAM cart will work with X-men VS Street Fighter I don't have to have that specific RAM cart to play ?

[Breetai]

-RAM carts are region-free
-RAM carts do not function as memory carts
-You cannot use a memory cart and a RAM cart at the same time. Save to battery and then transfer to cart after if you want. In general, use the internal memory for RAM cart games
-there are 3 types of RAM cart; I) King of Fighters '95, II) 1MB and III) 4MB
-the only game to have a specific RAM cart is KoF '95
-the 4MB RAM cart will work on ALL games that need it except for KoF '95
-the 1MB RAM cart will obviously not work on games that need the 4MB cart
-some games work with or without a RAM cart, but of course look better with the cart (Pocket Fighter and maybe a few others)
-in general, SNK games use the 1MB cart while Capcom games (that require it) use the 4MB cart
-most games using RAM carts are VS. fighters, but there are a few from other genres (ie. Metal Slug, Dungeons & Dragons)
-the cartridge slot on the Saturn is VERY finicky. You will most likely have trouble getting the Saturn to recongize a RAM cart
-RAM carts come in different colours!

[c0r33]

-the cartridge slot on the Saturn is VERY finicky. You will most likely have trouble getting the Saturn to recongize a RAM cart

Thats the one thing im not getting. Even in a japanese console they have trouble? Were they just not designed to work with the system properly ?

[Hatta]

The card edge connector in the Saturn is a piece of shit. Best to get one cart that does everything and leave it in there forever.

[Breetai]

-the cartridge slot on the Saturn is VERY finicky. You will most likely have trouble getting the Saturn to recongize a RAM cart

Thats the one thing im not getting. Even in a japanese console they have trouble? Were they just not designed to work with the system properly ?

Yes, even in Japanese consoles they have trouble. The cartridge port was cheaply built. I usually jam a q-tip in the back to hold the cart forward and it seems to work more often than not.

[lwcook]

-the cartridge slot on the Saturn is VERY finicky. You will most likely have trouble getting the Saturn to recongize a RAM cart

Thats the one thing im not getting. Even in a japanese console they have trouble? Were they just not designed to work with the system properly ?

They were designed to work with the system the same way the original 360's were designed to have an effective cooling system.

Basically, it'll work fine for the most part...it just gets really pissy when you start changing carts around frequently. Just make sure all the carts are clean and you're gentle while inserting and removing them.

Oh, and don't use the Gameshark cart. Ever.

[c0r33]

I see well good job SEGA

Okay so Im looking at JAP white SEGA saturn with 4 games and a memory card for $58 plus the shipping since its coming from japan the shipping is going to be insane.

Im trying to buy as much off him as I can to make it worth my while. I have looked at a copy of vampire savior with a 4MB RAM cart and a copy of Sonic R (I like the game so shut it) all in japanese of course.

Ill get the system modded later so I and play US games mainly RPGS later.

Does this look to be a good deal? He is selling most of his saturn imports for about $20 and under none are especially rare but there games that I would like to try and the US versions would be insane to pay for. This will be my first imported system so I don't want to mess anything up and with this whole RAM cart thing with the SEGA saturn it gets confusing is there anything else I should know?

[Ziggy]

I'm just gonna put out my usual warning... Don't ever use the Saturn GameShark. It WILL mess up your cart slot.