sega saturn questions

[scarper]

There are three ways to be a happy Saturn enthusiast: Two of them are easy and cheap, but the remaining third is the only hardcore legit one.

1: Mod a Saturn
Its an easy system to mod, even for people who don't know much about electronics. Practice soldering on a few dead computer chips before modding. Racketboy has guides high and low about modding the Saturn and burning games successfully. Also, use the method that involves soldering the two wires directly to the Saturn's motherboard, and avoid modding on a Model 1. Just remember that this technique will result in gameplay and compatibility that is just as good as real games. The only possible problem would be running into bad ISO files, and not modding it right.

2: SSF
This is a nearly perfect Saturn emulator for Windows computers that requires nothing more than a halfway decent system, and a graphics card that doesn't completely suck.
http://ssftribute.csdprojects.co.uk/

3: Buying Real Games
Yeah. They're expensive. REALLY expensive. But Saturn fans have a lot of fun collecting them.


I've had (am still having) loads of fun with the Saturn. It is quite the console, not like any other out there.

[aaron]

especially on ebay. buying in lots will save you money.
it's a hazard being a saturn enthusiast.

Since when was this?

unless you're a PC Engine junkie, there's no other "mainstream" retro console that's more expensive to collect for. once you start getting into imports and things like that, you're looking at paying a LOT for a lot of the quality titles. i'm not saying it's not worth it, and good deals can certainly be had with patience, but overall you're going to be paying a lot more than you want to for a good deal of games if you want to build your library with any sort of quickness.

[Mechblue]

especially on ebay. buying in lots will save you money.
it's a hazard being a saturn enthusiast.

Since when was this?

unless you're a PC Engine junkie, there's no other "mainstream" retro console that's more expensive to collect for. once you start getting into imports and things like that, you're looking at paying a LOT for a lot of the quality titles. i'm not saying it's not worth it, and good deals can certainly be had with patience, but overall you're going to be paying a lot more than you want to for a good deal of games if you want to build your library with any sort of quickness.

I think TG16 and Saturn are both some of the best consoles that most people haven't heard of. Also like you say some of the most expensive to collect. Going import can be the best for these obscure system as titles are much more abundant as they succeeded over in japan while they failed here.

I was able to pick up 20 japanese PC Engine/TG16 titles for $100 off Amazon japan. So getting that adapter or ram card for the Saturn is worth it to save a lot on titles. Most are identical to their American versions and don't even require knowing japanese to play.

[pakopako]

unless you're a PC Engine junkie, there's no other "mainstream" retro console that's more expensive to collect for. once you start getting into imports and things like that, you're looking at paying a LOT for a lot of the quality titles. i'm not saying it's not worth it, and good deals can certainly be had with patience, but overall you're going to be paying a lot more than you want to for a good deal of games if you want to build your library with any sort of quickness.

Ah.

Or you can do as Machblue does an buy imports. (And learn Japanese.)

[dunpeal2064]

unless you're a PC Engine junkie, there's no other "mainstream" retro console that's more expensive to collect for. once you start getting into imports and things like that, you're looking at paying a LOT for a lot of the quality titles. i'm not saying it's not worth it, and good deals can certainly be had with patience, but overall you're going to be paying a lot more than you want to for a good deal of games if you want to build your library with any sort of quickness.

Ah.

Or you can do as Machblue does an buy imports. (And learn Japanese.)

If you are a shmup fan, the imports will still be expensive.

[Mechblue]

unless you're a PC Engine junkie, there's no other "mainstream" retro console that's more expensive to collect for. once you start getting into imports and things like that, you're looking at paying a LOT for a lot of the quality titles. i'm not saying it's not worth it, and good deals can certainly be had with patience, but overall you're going to be paying a lot more than you want to for a good deal of games if you want to build your library with any sort of quickness.

Ah.

Or you can do as Machblue does an buy imports. (And learn Japanese.)

If you are a shmup fan, the imports will still be expensive.

Yeah, varies a lot. They got a lot of great titles in Japan for bascially $.01 and you just pay for shipping which is about $3 in japan. Trick is getting it here to the US, so if you got a mule that can haul it over in their carry-on bag then great.

If its a rare title, then its a rare title and it'll cost you. Just cuz they sold a few more in japan doesn't mean its going to be any cheaper. Its just usually cheaper than buying from a retailer selling japanese games on ebay.

[Breetai]

unless you're a PC Engine junkie, there's no other "mainstream" retro console that's more expensive to collect for. once you start getting into imports and things like that, you're looking at paying a LOT for a lot of the quality titles. i'm not saying it's not worth it, and good deals can certainly be had with patience, but overall you're going to be paying a lot more than you want to for a good deal of games if you want to build your library with any sort of quickness.

Well... look at it this way:

The "main" titles that were released in the US/EU can pretty much ALL be had for cheaper if you get the Japanese versions (including shipping). The more expensive games that were released outside of Japan (ie. Dragon Force, Shining Force III, Guardian Heroes, Panzar Dragoon Saga, Saturn Bomberman, etc.) are also much cheaper in Japan. If you spend a few dollars and mod your system, I would never feel bad about getting burnt English copies of Japanese versions of these games if you already own them. You can still say you have a legit copy and play it in English without your conscious nagging you (at least, that's how it works for me!).

If you do this, then you'd be getting all of the US/EU games that you wanted for much cheaper.

Doing it this way will get you a pretty sizable Saturn collection for a much cheaper price than buying all US/EU versions of the games.

Unfortunately, nothing aside from actually moving to Japan and being patient will net you those awesome Japan-only shoot 'em ups and other great 2D games for decent prices.

[aaron]

unless you're a PC Engine junkie, there's no other "mainstream" retro console that's more expensive to collect for. once you start getting into imports and things like that, you're looking at paying a LOT for a lot of the quality titles. i'm not saying it's not worth it, and good deals can certainly be had with patience, but overall you're going to be paying a lot more than you want to for a good deal of games if you want to build your library with any sort of quickness.

Well... look at it this way:

The "main" titles that were released in the US/EU can pretty much ALL be had for cheaper if you get the Japanese versions (including shipping). The more expensive games that were released outside of Japan (ie. Dragon Force, Shining Force III, Guardian Heroes, Panzar Dragoon Saga, Saturn Bomberman, etc.) are also much cheaper in Japan. If you spend a few dollars and mod your system, I would never feel bad about getting burnt English copies of Japanese versions of these games if you already own them. You can still say you have a legit copy and play it in English without your conscious nagging you (at least, that's how it works for me!).

If you do this, then you'd be getting all of the US/EU games that you wanted for much cheaper.

Doing it this way will get you a pretty sizable Saturn collection for a much cheaper price than buying all US/EU versions of the games.

Unfortunately, nothing aside from actually moving to Japan and being patient will net you those awesome Japan-only shoot 'em ups and other great 2D games for decent prices.

agreed, on all counts. i used to do this with RPGs that had been localized. i think i got Magic Knight Rayearth for something like $2 and just burnt the US version to play it in english. Panzer Dragoon Saga (called Azel in Japan), Guardian Heroes, Shining Force III, Dragon Force, etc. are all good examples of when to employ this tactic, too. i got Sonic Jam for like $2, Saturn Bomberman for maybe $10, and Mega Man X4 for a very reasonable price compared to the NTSC-U counterpart, as well.

plus, jewel cases take up way less room and just look WAY better than those oversized plastic monoliths.

the saturn rules. i still sometimes miss mine but not enough to spend as much money as i did on the system in such a short amount of time.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Yeah. They're expensive. REALLY expensive. But Saturn fans have a lot of fun collecting them.


I've had (am still having) loads of fun with the Saturn. It is quite the console, not like any other out there.

Both statements are true.

I find myself more likely to play the hell out of a Saturn game I just bought because A) it was probably $50 and B) it's probably really unique. People always talk about the Dreamcast having Sega's most interesting IP and unique games, and while the latter may be true, I think that the Saturn has much more interesting IP even though the console's library is actually pretty traditional in the way the games play. I've yet to find a console I've loved more than the Saturn.

[dunpeal2064]

I only have 3 saturn games in my collection, and I still play it more often than any other system