Sega Saturn modchip worth it???

[Macgyver]

Hi guys, my name is Aaron and I'm new here- just recently found this site when I went on my quest to play the Sega Saturn again. This was the one game system my parents never bought me as a child because of it's hefty price tag. I did however have a Sega CD which wasn't too bad for the times.. The reason I'm posting is because I want to purchase one of RacketBoy's Sega Saturn modchips.. I repair game systems as a sort of side-job for extra cash so I have plenty of soldering experience etc.. I usually buy broken consoles in "LOTS" on eBay and most of the time can repair them..

ANYWAYS! Before I spend $50 to buy this chip, I just need a clearer understanding of exactly how it will work once it is soldered in.. Currently, I own 5 Sega Saturn consoles. I've been able to get all of them working, but one model 2 in particular is in mint condition and I want to use THAT console for the modchip. It also has the newest manufacturer date (September '95) which is another plus. I've read on different forums that the modchips sometimes don't work on certain revisions of the model 2.. Is there a list of compatible models? Is there a way to check by the serial # or anything like that?

Lastly, does this modchip keep you from having to do that annoying disc swap? I can just pop in any backup I want and it will boot as if it was an original game? I have an Action Replay Plus cartridge which from what I understand allows multi-region games to play. Do I still need that cartridge once the modchip is installed? Sorry for all the questions guys, but the Saturn consoles are the only systems I haven't learned all the repair and usage techniques about yet. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks guys.

[Hatta]

Yes, the mod chip completely eliminates the disc swap. Yes a modchip is completely worth it. It's not worth having an unmodded saturn. The chip pays for itself the first time you play Radiant Silvergun. IMO, you should mod your extra consoles before you sell them. People will pay a premium for a pre-modded console.

I'm not sure about the console version issues. There is a workaround to get a modchip on a model 1 console, but it's a lot of soldering.

[marurun]

There are two different mod chip types, one for the old units and one for the newer units. The older type mod chip is much harder to find.

Here's some info to help you.

http://www.segastyle.com/saturnmod.html

[noiseredux]

It's not worth having an unmodded saturn.

This statement might be a bit overboard. I have an unmodded Saturn. And I have import loader carts. I've found considerable worth in the unmodded console.

[Macgyver]

Yes, the mod chip completely eliminates the disc swap. Yes a modchip is completely worth it. It's not worth having an unmodded saturn. The chip pays for itself the first time you play Radiant Silvergun. IMO, you should mod your extra consoles before you sell them. People will pay a premium for a pre-modded console.

I'm not sure about the console version issues. There is a workaround to get a modchip on a model 1 console, but it's a lot of soldering.

Thanks for the fast reply guys! It's funny you mention Radiant Silvergun cuz that's one of the several games I'm trying to play!! Along with Nocturne in the Moonlight: Dracula X, Nights and Virtua Cop 2... So with the modchip installed do you still have to rig up the cd tray to think it's always closed? Or can I leave it all standard? Also will this chip enable me to play import backups too? Or do you have to use the region patching software to change the ISO to your country? One more thing- I have thought of what you said about modding the Saturns before posting on eBay, but I think that's illegal. I'm pretty sure eBay would take down my auction if I posted something like that. Maybe since the console is so old it doesn't matter? Who knows..

[xan_racketBOY_fan]

With the mod chip you'll be able to play backups like a normal (none of that weird lid, swap tricks). A mod chip does not enable region-free gaming; I personally use the Action Replay for that (which is great for swapping old saves when you need more internal storage).

[SaturnHST]

You do not need to mess with the door. The whole point of the modchip is to eliminate the need to swap discs.

Modchips only bypass the security check. It does not affect the region lockout. So if you have a standard US Saturn with just a modchip, it will only play US region backups.

You can get around this by using Saturn Region Patcher to change the region code of an import backup to US region before you burn the disc. If you don't patch the backup, you will need a region bypass cartridge (most popular being Action Replay) or region-mod the console (newest method being the region-free bios chip).

[synbiosfan]

It is well worth it. Not only to play some of the more rare/costly titles but you'll be able to check out the various betas & unreleased games that have emerged.

[marurun]

Heck, you can already play beta releases of the Shining Force 3 episode 2 and 3 translations.

[Macgyver]

It is well worth it. Not only to play some of the more rare/costly titles but you'll be able to check out the various betas & unreleased games that have emerged.

When you say "unreleased" games or betas, are you referring to the different homebrew titles that people make or re-make of other games? Kinda like the stuff for Dreamcast they have that's on DCisozone? How, or where would games surface that came from credited developers for a console thats 20 yrs old??