What are the basics of importing Saturn games?

[Flake]

I opted for that action replay as well, based on how well it worked when Wip3outguy7 showed it to me. That's got to be the easiest way to unlock a system I've ever seen.

Collecting for the Saturn is really, really different than any other system I've owned before now. I've ordered 7 games now (Guardian Heroes, Christmas Nights, Vampire Hunter, and the Gundam titles) and only 2 of them are US releases. Of the 2 only ONE is even an actual retail game. No wonder saturn enthusiasts are such a different breed!

[noiseredux]

No wonder saturn enthusiasts are such a different breed!

they all wear 8-ball jackets too. You're gonna get an 8-ball jacket, right?

[Ack]

Yeah, about half my boxed collection of Saturn games are imports. I managed to buy a Saturn that came with a CD case full of loose games, with some real gems in there.

[Flake]

No wonder saturn enthusiasts are such a different breed!

they all wear 8-ball jackets too. You're gonna get an 8-ball jacket, right?

As a long time Armored Core player, I think it would have to be a 9-Ball jacket.

[the7k]

I'd say about 90% of my Saturn collection is Japanese. I'd also say my Saturn collection is likely my largest collection, or at least close behind my PS2 collection (It used to be larger than PS2, but the prices on good PS2 games have been dropping like flies lately...)

[PSony]

Same here. I have almost 200 Japanese Saturn games but only around 20 US Saturn games.

Action Replay 4-in-1 is definitely the way to go for beginners. I use my Japanese Saturns now though. I like the startup theme, the menu sounds, and the cool gray and white color schemes of the consoles.

Just beware that some games have graphic corruptions when used with the AR 4-in-1. I know Samurai Spirits IV has this problem.

[Hobie-wan]

Just beware that some games have graphic corruptions when used with the AR 4-in-1. I know Samurai Spirits IV has this problem.

The original release of Souky does too since there is some English text in there, but not all of it. You get some half and half mess. The rerelease fixed it and it just all Japanese.

[Flake]

Got my 4-in-1 in the mail today. That has got to be the easiest way to softmod a system I've ever seen. Been playing my import copy of Darkstalkers 2 for about an hour now. I had the original Darkstalkers port on PSX back in the day - it did not at all compare to this version.

[Opa Opa]

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.

Sorry to bump this thread again but what is a spine card? I've seen them pictured in some ebay auctions but what are they used for exactly?

[flamepanther]

Sorry to bump this thread again but what is a spine card? I've seen them pictured in some ebay auctions but what are they used for exactly?

Covering the spine, as far as I can tell. Sometimes there's even a plastic sleeve/pouch that goes over the jewel case and spine cover. Japan loves packaging.