SEGA Saturn questions and help with SEGA RAM carts?

[c0r33]

I'm just gonna put out my usual warning... Don't ever use the Saturn GameShark. It WILL mess up your cart slot.

No gameshark ill keep that in mind thanks!

[csvo2000]

How and why does it mess up your cart slot. I was going to get one but now I don't know.

[Hobie-wan]

How and why does it mess up your cart slot. I was going to get one but now I don't know.

I think I've read that the board in the Gameshark is a little on the thick side, so it bends the pins a little too much, then no other carts will work unless you manage to bend them back. The Game Genie did the same thing to the NES too I believe. Not that the NES cart slot didn't have all its other problems too.

[presicion25]

Ive never had problem with the Cart Slot. Its easier to get a US system and an Action Replay 4 in 1 to play import games. I just modded my second Saturn with the mod chip from here:

http://www.angelfire.com/pa/Raluminat/forsale.html

Even for someone like me who doesn't solder that much it was an easy install. Now I can play my backup games as well. You would still need the Action Replay cart if you played a JP or PAL game on CD-R or you can patch the game with Sega Region Patcher and you woulnt need the 4 in 1.

Its all up to you. $58 is a decent price though, even though I just got another one for $25.

[Ziggy]

How and why does it mess up your cart slot. I was going to get one but now I don't know.

I think I've read that the board in the Gameshark is a little on the thick side, so it bends the pins a little too much, then no other carts will work unless you manage to bend them back. The Game Genie did the same thing to the NES too I believe. Not that the NES cart slot didn't have all its other problems too.

I can tell you first hand. My model 2 Saturn's cart slot worked perfectly since the day I got it. I started using a GameShark to play imports and luckily read about the info on the web before it damaged my cart slot too much. Long story short, the cart slot can be a little finicky. Some times it takes a few tries to get a cart to work. I would avoid using the GameShark at all costs. It's just not worth it.

The NES Game Genie also bent the pins but it was because of the way the cart slot was designed. Since the Game Genie AND a NES cart wouldn't fit inside the system the Game Genie has to bend the pins to make full contact.

[PSony]

I just use an Action Replay 4-in-1 in my Japanese Saturn, and since it does everything there's no need to take it out.

[Ziggy]

Well speaking about ruining cart slots, you probably shouldn't leave it in all the time. It's a good idea to remove the cart from any system when not in use.

[Reprise]

Well speaking about ruining cart slots, you probably shouldn't leave it in all the time. It's a good idea to remove the cart from any system when not in use.

Really? Damn I should probably start doing that then... I thought it would probably be safer to just leave the memory cartridge in all the time to stop any wearing or damage each time I insert and take it out. I've heard so many stories about the crappy card slots on the Saturn, I don't want to take any risks. Guess I should start taking it out whenever I'm not using the console.

[PSony]

Wouldn't that just increase the wear, since your inserting and removing the cart all the time?

[Reprise]

Yeah that's what I thought, hence why I never remove my cart either.