So I may import a Japanese Saturn

[LCDSCREEN]

I want a Saturn... BAD. The games on that console pretty much sum up my childhood! Now, Iv never actually OWNED a Saturn... But the games Sega ported to PC that were on the system were my favorites, and I wanna play them again in their original form. ;D
So Iv been looking into it and I can get a Japanese Saturn off eBay with two controllers, hook ups and 4 games (Virtua Fighter, the Power Pro baseball game, some kind of horror game, and a racing game) for 130 dollars... And then they've got a deal with the next 20 games you buy from the store have free shipping, sooooo... If I buy enough games, it should turn out to be a pretty good deal.
However, before I buy one I'd like to know what controllers are compatible with it. Would North American Saturn controllers work on it? I want to buy an NA Virtua Stick with it, but I'm not sure if it'll work on the Japanese console. Same with the Stunner. Could I play Japanese Virtua Cop with an NA Stunner?
So if I could get those questions cleared up, I'd be a happy camper!

Oh, also, does anyone know of any better deals? I know its a bit on the pricey side, however I found that Japanese games are quite a bit cheaper than the NA ones. You can get Burning Rangers in Japanese for 20 dollars, while in English its over 150... Sooo, is it a good deal? I don't want to mod an NA Saturn either... Don't wanna muck it up or anything.

[lwcook]

Congrats on getting a Saturn...definitely something every retro gamer should have IMO.

Anyways, all controllers/accessories in general are completely compatible between Saturns of any region (NA/JP/EU.) Other than the region lockout, for all intents and purposes, they are the same console. So go crazy...mix and match, etc.

As far as buying the actual console goes, I personally would would go for a NA Saturn and mod it (I know you said you're against that, but it's almost impossible to mess up and is overall the best deal. I got both my chips from racketboy and installed them with the how to in no time flat.)

The reason of doing this being that since a majority of the best saturn games are also the rarest, (go figure) you'll open yourself up to playing these excellent games that even if you had the cash to get them all, would still be hard to track down.


Now if you're in it for the collecting aspect too, completely disregard and go nuts. Either way, I think you'll be happy.

[LCDSCREEN]

Are you 100% sure about the Stunner? Cause, you know... I'm buying the NA one, and plan to use it with a Japanese Virtua Cop... I don't wanna go spending 40 dollars for nothing. <_<

K... So thanks for the help, I appreciate it. I just wanna be 100% is all.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

Also, if your goal is just to play Japanese games, then forget the mod part and just get a US Saturn and an Action Replay cart, or any of the other region switching carts. Action Replay may be the best because it will also act as a RAM cart for those games that require it.

JY

[LCDSCREEN]

Also, if your goal is just to play Japanese games, then forget the mod part and just get a US Saturn and an Action Replay cart, or any of the other region switching carts. Action Replay may be the best because it will also act as a RAM cart for those games that require it.

JY

Yeah, but a Japanese Saturn is cheaper. If I buy from this guy then the next 20 games I buy in that order will have free shipping, so I'm just buying the Japanese one and stocking up on games right away. Its waaaaaaaay cheaper.

[D.D.D.]

So Iv been looking into it and I can get a Japanese Saturn off eBay with two controllers, hook ups and 4 games (Virtua Fighter, the Power Pro baseball game, some kind of horror game, and a racing game) for 130 dollars...

I don't know where this guy is shipping from but FYI, a used JP Saturn at most stores in Japan are $20~$40 and likely each of the four games are $1~$5 each so I would not say that is a good deal (especially Virtua Fighter - that's less than a buck most places here).
Then again, if you find their pricing on the games fair, the "next 20 games ordered get free shipping" might not make it such a bad deal after all. Shipping a Saturn from Japan could cost about $40 to the states but even if I lived in CA still, I'd look for a better deal IMO.
And yes, the JP Burning Rangers is cheap in Japan. I got mine about 3~4 months ago for 480yen in perfect condition. And I've never seen it for more than 2000yen either~

[lwcook]

Yes, the stunner is 100% compatible. A light gun is a light gun is a light gun. But a NA stunner for $40?? I would say look for one for right in the $20-25 range (that's with shipping.) $40 is a good bit pricey my man.

Actually, I second the Action Replay idea, but for your JP Saturn. The ram cart is almost a must for later japanese games, and it would let you buy NA and EU games too (depending on which version is cheaper.) That way you can't lose AND you'll save some money down the road.

[LCDSCREEN]

Yes, the stunner is 100% compatible. A light gun is a light gun is a light gun. But a NA stunner for $40?? I would say look for one for right in the $20-25 range (that's with shipping.) $40 is a good bit pricey my man.

Actually, I second the Action Replay idea, but for your JP Saturn. The ram cart is almost a must for later japanese games, and it would let you buy NA and EU games too (depending on which version is cheaper.) That way you can't lose AND you'll save some money down the road.

Mmkay, just about to purchase. Thanks for the tip on the light gun, and yeah 40 dollars is a bit much. There was one for 20 dollars but it only shipped to the US, unless you used a money order... Anywho, I bought another Guncon for my PS2 for 20 dollars instead. I can get a Stunner later, but your advise was very valuable.


Lame, someone bought Die Hard Arcade before I could get to it, oh well. Now I play the waiting game.