What are the basics of importing Saturn games?

[Opa Opa]

What are some of the basics I should know about importing Sega Saturn games? I know I will need to either region mod my system or use an action replay to play imports but what would you recommend? I'm thinking of just using an action replay to play imports but I'm seeing different kinds of action replays. I've seen 4-in-1 and 3-in-1 action replays. I'm thinking of getting a 3-in-1 because it's cheaper but should I spring for a 4-in-1? Does anyone know the difference between the two?
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Also... I've got some real OCD issues going on when collecting games. Unless it's a NES, Snes, N64, GB/C/A game, I won't buy it unless it's complete with all the original packaging. So what does a complete Japanese Saturn game contain? Does it have more than the case, disc, and booklet?
---Thanks in advance.
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EDIT: If anyone has any other tips or recommendations that are not related to the questions above please feel free to post them because I'm sure others (and myself included) will find your posts helpful.

[the7k]

I use the 4-in-1 Action Replay. It has served me well.

As for a complete Japanese game, it depends. Usually, it consists of the game, case, manual and spine-card. However, with games that require a 1MB or 4MB RAM cartridge, they often come with the cart featuring art of the game, and a special box to house both the case/game/manual/spine-card and the special RAM cart.

[Flake]

Great thread idea, Opa Opa. I just got a Saturn a few days ago and I'm facing the same situation. I've already ordered the 4-in-1 but I'm having trouble finding a good place to buy import games.

Is there a good place to shop for the imports or is the 'Bay as good as it comes?

[AznKhmerBoi]

the cheapest route is probably to mod your saturn (model 2 round buttons easier to do).
Once modchip is install just go get the Bin/Cue ,ISO /MDF files any region does not matter.

Then just use a region patcher for your Bin/Cue/MDF/ or ISO files if they are a region different than your saturn.

POP it in and your set.

[Flake]

I'd prefer to go a slightly less piratey route, if only for putting more retail copies of games on my shelf. It's how I decorate my side of the bed room.

[Ack]

I'd prefer to go a slightly less piratey route, if only for putting more retail copies of games on my shelf. It's how I decorate my side of the bed room.

I'd definitely go with the 4-in-1 cart then. It's what I use for mine, and it works wonders. It's especially nice since I have no experience with a soldering iron.

Once you've got that, you're ready to import. As the7k said, the spinecard is really the only difference between what you'd get in terms of completion, though Japanese Saturn games also come in standard jewel cases, as opposed to the US long boxes. However, select titles may contain more: for instance, my copy of Last Bronx included stickers and a bonus disc. Some games have little extras like that. If you're buying off eBay, try to see if any of the listings for a particular title mention what the game contains.

Once you've got that figured out, it's time to start choosing games. Personally, I'd either come up with a list of specific titles, using our handy RacketBoy.com guides to find interesting looking titles, but picking a specific genre and then asking questions in either the Sega forum or the relevant genre forum can also be a good means of going further in depth. After that, a few quick trips to eBay or wherever you like to shop for imports, a few days of waiting, and you should be golden. I hardly ever import, but even I have a small stack of Japanese Saturn games I'm happy with.

[scarper]

You could be crazy like me, and buy a Japanese Sega Saturn.

If it was any other system, I would have done a region mod, or something of the sort. My "collector-side" has become very profound when it comes to Saturn stuff. That will probably be the only console I'll ever end up buying a Japanese system for playing imports.

Personally, I thought it was well worth my $70. It will forever have its very special place in my gaming endeavors.

[Flake]

I'd definitely go with the 4-in-1 cart then. It's what I use for mine, and it works wonders. It's especially nice since I have no experience with a soldering iron.

Just ordered one, based on Wip3out7's recommendation.

Personally, I'd either come up with a list of specific titles, using our handy RacketBoy.com guides to find interesting looking titles, but picking a specific genre and then asking questions in either the Sega forum or the relevant genre forum can also be a good means of going further in depth. After that, a few quick trips to eBay or wherever you like to shop for imports, a few days of waiting, and you should be golden.

Funny you should mention that because Racket's 3 lists (Gems, Hidden, Cheapest) are exactly what I'm going off of! So Ebay is a solid place to get import titles from? With close to market value prices?

[Ack]

Honestly, I've never had any issue with eBay's prices for import Saturn games. I'd suggest shopping around a bit, and do pay attention to where the seller is based out of, but generally I've seen import versions of domestic titles go for considerably less than their US counterparts.

[the7k]

Ah yeah, totally forgot about the little bonus items that many Japanese Saturn games come with. For example, my copy of Prikura Daisakusen and Sentimental Graffiti both came with mini calendars, while my copy of Idol Janshi Suchie-Pai came with a mini artbook by Kenichi Sonoda of Gunsmith Cats fame. (Hell, to be completely honest, I bought Suchie-Pai specifically for the Sonoda artbook.)

My Lunar games also came with trading cards, and I'm pretty sure I've got at least one Saturn game that came with an OST CD.

The collector side of you will likely also appreciate that most Japanese Saturn games had full color manuals that were practically mini artbooks unto themselves.