racketboy.com

swap trick is easier with model 1

Forget mod chips and action replays, go for a japanese saturn for all your import playing needs.

saturnfan wrote:Forget mod chips and action replays, go for a japanese saturn for all your import playing needs.

an Ar is cheaper than importing a saturn and some real japanese games are still expensive.

Make sure the cartridge port works as many of them wear out over time and fail to detect cartridges.

Never use a Gameshark. Their connectors are noticeably thicker than the ones on official cartridges and increase the wear on the cartridge port.

The console has a little onboard backup memory powered by a CR2032 battery that lasts around a year, so get a memory card. Official memory cards have 16x more storage space and is direct-save capable (can save/load from within games). Avoid 3rd party memory cards as they aren't direct-save capable and can corrupt/lose your files. Japanese official memory cards are usually cheaper than the US version and are region-free.

Action Replay 4-in-1 is a must-have as it allows you to cheaply play imports, backup saves, use AR cheat codes, and is also a 1MB/4MB RAM expansion. However, a few games have graphical glitches when played using an AR. The backup memory isn't capable of direct-save. Also you'll need to power off/on the console and go through the AR menu if you want to play another import game. If you own a lot of Japanese games, you'll find it more convenient to use an import console.

US games come in big, fragile cases that are difficult to replace. You'll usually get used ones with cracks or broken door hinges. Sega CD and early PS1 games use the exact same cases.

Japanese games come in standard size jewel cases with full-color manuals and usually color-printed discs. Many Japanese version games are also much cheaper than the US versions.

The model 2/Japanese controller is much better than the model 1 controller.