Shining Force CD/RAM cart questions

[dlmvii]

So, I'd like to buy this game at some point. Sadly, it's expensive. You also apparently need a RAM cart to play the third game on the cd (which is also expensive)

It seems like the jpn/euro ram carts are slightly cheaper than the american ones. Can I use either of these on an american system?
Also, can anyone clarify for me what exactly the benefit is ingetting the RAM cart for shining force CD? I have no sega cd games, and this is one of the very few I am interested in, but I'd hate to buy a $60 RAM cart for just one game if I don't absolutely need it.

Thanks

[MrPopo]

The Sega CD has only limited onboard memory for save games. That memory is insufficient to store both Book 1 and Book 2 of Shining Force CD. You need to have both Books beaten in order to access Book 3, so if you want to play this content you need the RAM cart.

[dlmvii]

What did you think of it personally? Worth the asking price?
I have sword of hyja for the game gear (book 2 in this, I think), but the game gear hardware is so terrible I find it difficult to play for any decent amount of time.

[emwearz]

Isn't it a Memory Cart, not a RAM Cart.

[dlmvii]

Isn't it a Memory Cart, not a RAM Cart.

Looks like the literature refers to it as a RAM cart
http://segaretro.org/CD_BackUp_RAM_Cart

Although, RAM encompasses almost all types of memory now anyways.

Anyone have any clue as to the region-free-ness of the carts? I'd love to be able to just spend $30 or so instead of 60

[c0r33]

Isn't it a Memory Cart, not a RAM Cart.

Looks like the literature refers to it as a RAM cart
http://segaretro.org/CD_BackUp_RAM_Cart

Although, RAM encompasses almost all types of memory now anyways.

Anyone have any clue as to the region-free-ness of the carts? I'd love to be able to just spend $30 or so instead of 60

Im gonna say its not region free since its a genesis style cart. There's a difference between mega drive carts and genny carts. Same goes for japan as-well. Honestly I would get one now while there still 60 there only gonna go up.

[benderx]

I think Shining Force CD book thingy should be part of Sega Ulitmate collection part 2. Sega CD collection. then next would be saturn collection.

I believe SEGA did a great job for Ultimate Genesis Collection instead of Nintendo's VC prices. Midway, atari, taito, namco, and Capcom had there share of games delivered.

[Breetai]

I can tell you first-hand that a Japanese RAM cart WILL work on an American Sega CD.

However, it will not physically fit in the Genesis cartridge slot. The easiest way around this would be to use something like a Game Genie. Just plug a Japanese Mega Drive cartridge in it (like the Mega CD RAM cart) and you won't have to worry about the cart not fitting in the Genesis. You can also play most Japanese Mega Drive games on a Genesis this way.

[Xonticus]

I can tell you first-hand that a Japanese RAM cart WILL work on an American Sega CD.

However, it will not physically fit in the Genesis cartridge slot. The easiest way around this would be to use something like a Game Genie. Just plug a Japanese Mega Drive cartridge in it (like the Mega CD RAM cart) and you won't have to worry about the cart not fitting in the Genesis. You can also play most Japanese Mega Drive games on a Genesis this way.

Good thing, I just ran out of space!

[dlmvii]

So, i finally found this and Shining Force CD for a price I didn't consider too outrageous...But now I'm going to want to buy everything else semi cool that's on the Sega CD, and it seems like the Saturn, in that the good things are $30+. Luckily, there aren't that many that I really want...
Popful Mail, Lunar 1 + 2, Vay....is that it?
And Sonic CD, but that seems a little more reasonable in the asking price