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| Sega Saturn A Closer Look; Sega Saturn Informative / Game Recommendations | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 18 2009, 08:51 AM (1,676 Views) | |
| majinpowers | Aug 18 2009, 08:51 AM Post #1 |
Sega Does What Nintendon't
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SEGA SATURN SHIRO! - You Must Play Sega Saturn! System Info The Sega Saturn was released in Japan in late 1994 and was greeted with open arms by the Japanese. The Saturn was set to be released in North America in September 1995. While all the third party developers was getting ready for the September launch Sega thought they would one up the competition and release the Saturn 4 months early. This was the first bad mistake for Sega's Saturn because not only did it upset the developers who had nothing ready for launch but it also upset the consumers because the Saturn more or less sat around on store shelf's and in people homes with nothing to play other than Virtua Fighter. The Saturn is a 32 Bit console that had 2 CPU's each with 4 KB of cache memory. Only one CPU could access the Ram at a time also the System used quadrilaterals as its rendering method where the standard was triangles. At first this caused many problems for Sega's 32 bit machine because it was very hard to program for. To port titles over to the system they almost had to be totally rebuilt for the machine to use its full power. The Saturn truly was a powerful system but it took the developers a long time before they could use the power of the machine. Once the developers had a feel for the system it attracted a lot of 2D Arcade ports and Fighters as well as a ton of RPG's. Later games such as Burning Rangers even achieved true transparency effects on the system. Some companies like Capcom and SNK even used the consoles cart slot to add more Ram so games like Street Fighter VS X-Men could have true tag battles, something that even the PS1 couldn't do. CPU: Two 32-bit SH-2 (28.6MHz) RISC processors RAM: 2MB, Video RAM: 1.5MB Colors: 16.7 million Polygons: 200,000 texture-mapped, 500,000 flat-shaded per second Game Media: CD-ROM Resolution: 704x480 Sound: 32-channel PCM, 8-channel FM stereo Pictured on the left is the North American black Saturn and on the Right is the Japanese White Saturn.  The Saturn had a internal save feature using a replaceable battery. If your battery is dead in your Saturn you can go to almost anywhere that sells batteries and pick up a replacement. The Battery model number is CR2032. To replace the battery just open the compartment on the back left of the console and lift the battery out. See pictures below.   Here are some pictures of where the CD's load, the cart Slot, and also the systems outputs.    Here is a Japanese Memory Card. (Memory cards don't have region locks so you can use them on any model Saturn)  Here is the controller that came with the Saturn and also the analog controller. (The controllers are backward compatable as well so they will work on both the North American and the Japanese consoles.)   When Nights into Dreams first launched it was the first game on the system to use the analog controller and you could pick up a bundle that included the game and the controller. Here is a picture of the Nights bundle.  North American (NTSC) long box game (Magic Knight Rayearth)   European (PAL) long box game (Saturn Bobmerman and Alone in the Dark) (PAL Pictures provided by Kharnivore2099)   Japanese (NTSC-J) import game (Sengoku Blade).   Death Of The Saturn Unfortunately the Saturn didn't do well here in North America and Sega dropped the console here to gear up for the Dreamcast but that's another Sega story.  There was many factors that cased the system to fail. Sega had the rocky North American Launch that upset developers and gave Sony more time to tweak the PS1. Sega's North American marketing team must of been on some heavy drugs because if you have ever saw any of the commercials you probably were left looking at the T.V. saying to yourself WTF. North America had no Segata Sanshiro instead they opted for weird commercials with 80's looking Girls, Guys that looked and acted like stoners, and a bald blue talking head. (See! WTF!) Segata Sanshiro was a huge success in Japan and why they didn't bring him over here or at least do some sort of North American line of adds based off of his character is beyond me. Next you have Bernie Stolar the man that said RPG's don't sale here in North America. I often wonder if he smacked himself in the head when he saw the sales of Final Fantasy VII on the PS1. Bernie is know for saying a lot of dumb things two more good examples are "Saturn is not our future" and "there is no more Tekken" Namco later did release Tekken for the PS1. I wounder if he smacked his head on that one? Bernie with his views on RPG's also gave Working Designs a hard time about porting games over to the system and after fighting with Bernie and Sega of America they finally packed up and went to work for Sony bringing with them the Lunar remakes. There were other mistakes made by Sega but I feel these were the major ones that caused the system to fail here. On a side note the Saturn did very well in Japan throughout the systems lifespan.Segata Sanshiro - The Lone Man Who Gave His Soul To Gaming! Edited by majinpowers, Feb 21 2012, 12:41 AM.
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| Kharnivore2099 | Aug 18 2009, 12:37 PM Post #2 |
Retroverdose
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Gaming on the Sega Saturn! First thing you need to buy if you picked up a US Sega Saturn is a Action Replay 3 in 1 cart for it. This allows you to play import games on your Saturn, work as a 1 meg / 4 meg ram cart for those imports that need the extra memory and as a memory card. Action Replay 4M Auto Plus  I highly recommend getting one of these carts ASAP because being able to play imports more than doubles the games you can pick up for the Saturn. Also the Japanese versions of most fighting games use the ram cart to boost memory and let the games run better and be true ports of the arcade. Marvel VS Capcom was released both in the US and in Japan but since the Japanese one uses the Ram cart it has true Tag battle (not "Crossover Mode" like the US PlayStation version)and a Japanese-exclusive character Norimaro. Must Have Games:  Panzer Dragoon: 3D on rails shooter that is a must have on the system. Panzer Dragoon Zwei: Part 2 to Panzer Dragoon with improved game play and graphics. Panzer Dragoon Saga: One of the most sought after RPGs of all time and well worth the hype! This game has a beefy Price tag but its well worth the price and effort tracking this gem down. Dragonforce: This is a must have game for the Sega Saturn! Its a turn based Strat-RPG released in the US by Working Designs.  Magic Knight Rayearth: Action/Adventure RPG released in the US by Working Designs. This was the last Saturn game released in the US. Nights into Dreams: A crazy flying ring collecting game made by team sonic that has held up very well with time and is still just as fun to play now as it was when it was released. Burning Rangers: Sonic Teams Action / RPG game based off the Nights into Dreams game engine. Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean: Another must have RPG released by Working Designs.  Shining Force III: The only US release of the 3 part Shining Force games released in Japan for the Saturn. Shining the Holy Ark: Dungeon-crawler RPG sort of like Shining in the Darkness for the Genesis. Shining Wisdom: Overhead Style Action RPG sort of Zelda like. Guardian Heroes: This is a must have title!!! This is a great game and it shocks me still to this day that it has never got a remake yet. Its a Final Fight style beat em up with street fighter moves on crack with some RPG skills and leveling thrown in the mix, plus its made by Treasure! Shinobi Legions: A underrated game thats part of the Shinobi series made by Sega.  Die Hard Arcade: 3D Final Fight style beat em up! Virtua Cop: Virtua Cop 2: Sega Saturn's port of the popular arcade games. On Rail Shooter. Astal: Another underrated game on the Saturn. A 2D adventure / platformer with great hand-drawn graphics.  Saturn Bomberman: If you like / love Bomberman this IMO is hands down the best version of the game ever made. Virtua Fighter 2: Classic VS fighting game made by Sega. (most fighting games on the Saturn I would much rather have the Japanese import version but with VF2 it dont matter as both ports are the same.) Rayman: Best port of the classic game Rayman, with better sound and added graphics effects. Sonic Jam: All 4 of the Genesis Sonic games plus bonus material and a extra 3D world all on one CD! Dark Savior: Action Adventure / RPG  The Imports: (where the Saturn shines) Here is what import games that included a RAM cart might look like....   The SNK and Capcom ports are almost arcade perfect. Also there are so many arcade perfect shmups for the system I cant list them all. here are my top 13 imports in no certain order. 1) Street Fighter Zero 3: This is the best port of this game ever released. It is even better then the Dreamcast version of the game as long as your using the imported version with the 4 meg ram cart. 2) Radiant Silvergun: one of the best shmups ever made!!! can you say another Treasure Classic! 3) King of Fighters 97: SNK VS goodness! 4) Gunbird: Shmup! Great Shoot em Up on the Saturn! 5) Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter: More Capcome VS fighting done right! 6) Thunder Force V: Classic Sega shmup. 5th game in the Thunder Force Series! 7) Metal Slug: Arcade-Perfect port of Metal Slug. 8) Princess Crown: Great 2D hand painted action / adventure RPG made by Vanillaware. 9) Cotton 2 and Cotton Boomerang: Side Scrolling shmup with breathtaking graphics. 10) Sengoku Blade: Side Scrolling shmup with amazing bosses. 11) Assault Suit Leynos 2: Side Scrolling Metal Slug style game with Mechs. 12) Silhouette Mirage: Underrated Treasure made game. Superior in every way to the PlayStation port. 13) Dungeons & Dragons Collection: One of the best 2D beat em up games ever made! 
Edited by majinpowers, Feb 20 2012, 11:27 PM.
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| NostalgiaKing | Aug 19 2009, 07:27 PM Post #3 |
These aren't the droids we're looking for.
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Great read! To me, the Saturn's story was always a tragic one. For one, you had the idiots in charge of marketing it. Sega lost all testicular fortitude when it came to the Saturn, and dropped it way too early. When Sega jumped the gun and decided to release the Saturn ahead of schedule was really the starting point of their eventual downfall. They had horrible management, and the higher ups were completely unprofessional, even by that time's standards. To me, the Saturn's always been this mysterious console, since where I live no one I knew had a Sega console, and I can't remember ever looking at Sega games at Wal-Mart back in the day. Suffice it to say, I have a lot of catching up to do 
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| PeteDorr | Aug 19 2009, 09:03 PM Post #4 |
I Like Games.
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very nice post, I am sure this will help many people out! |
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| kingofcartoonanimals | Aug 21 2009, 04:18 AM Post #5 |
The great thing about the 360 isn't beating the games. It's showing everyone online that I did
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The Saturn was such a cool system. But here in Australia, you never really heard about it. It was all PlayStation and Nintendo 64. Most people I know think that the Dreamcast was the Sega system released after the Mega Drive. |
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| nintendo4all | Sep 25 2009, 03:03 AM Post #6 |
Level 3
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yes i import games!!! here in norway, there are not that many saturn games to find in the wild. only ps1 and n64 i do acctually import from every region  my saturn makes me happy!!
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| Kharnivore2099 | Mar 23 2010, 09:15 PM Post #7 |
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Retroverdose
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Was playing "armed police batrider" on the mame emulator and started thinking of the saturn, started looking at vids of some of the shmups you mention and my god, they look amazing! Really need to get my act together and get the action replay card. |
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| majinpowers | Mar 23 2010, 10:30 PM Post #8 |
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Sega Does What Nintendon't
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If you don't have a Japanese Sega Saturn I cant stress enough how much of a must have the action replay is for the system. The SHMUP library on the Saturn alone is reason enough to start importing. Good deal on a Japanese Victor Saturn. (03/23/10) The Game Doctor has a Victor Saturn that is chipped to play CDR's and Japanese USA games right now for $60.00 US. Not a bad deal at all for a modded V. Saturn. http://gamedoctorhk.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72_2_18_78&products_id=484 Edited by majinpowers, Mar 23 2010, 10:33 PM.
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| Kharnivore2099 | Mar 24 2010, 12:34 PM Post #9 |
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Retroverdose
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Thanks majin...thats a great deal! Problem is i live in the uk and the price mounts up for that. $40 approx to get it to me apparently. Think the action replay may be my best option...just have to suck it up and pay up. |
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| Matteh MoO MooO | Aug 5 2010, 12:20 PM Post #10 |
New User
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Recently I went to a thrift store and saw a Saturn (controller and adapter not included) for $20. lol I feel old now. |
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| majinpowers | Aug 6 2010, 09:25 PM Post #11 |
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Sega Does What Nintendon't
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Fixed any dead links (11/01/2010)
Edited by majinpowers, Nov 1 2010, 02:04 AM.
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| donkeykongdan | Aug 6 2010, 10:14 PM Post #12 |
Level 3
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Ok my friend was going to buy me a Saturn for my birthday, but than someone at the store he was buying it from told him there was only 1 good game for it so he didn't. I was freakin pissed. |
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| muragaru553 | Aug 6 2010, 10:26 PM Post #13 |
(ノ^^)八(^^ )ノ
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Wow, thank you so much for posting this. I was really wanting to know more about the system and games, because I had only played through Shining and the Holy Ark, which is a fantastic game. So, yeah, totally going to get one in the future:D |
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| MrTechnoSqueek | Aug 17 2010, 07:53 PM Post #14 |
The Dreamcast Guy
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I am actually thinking about collecting for the Saturn because well I never owned one when it was released but I do now..but I need an A/V cable. |
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| Eskimoninja149 | Aug 27 2010, 11:27 PM Post #15 |
Level 2
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i really want to start collecting for the saturn but its kinda expensive. i really like the games on it and the art style. |
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| MrTechnoSqueek | Sep 1 2010, 10:46 PM Post #16 |
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The Dreamcast Guy
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yeah that is another problem most people including myself are running into |
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| Overtimee | Sep 2 2010, 03:28 AM Post #17 |
Run!
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I have to say i really appreciate how much effort you put in your Topics. |
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| majinpowers | Sep 6 2010, 10:09 PM Post #18 |
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Sega Does What Nintendon't
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Thank you! I try to make them as informative as possible but still enjoyable to read. |
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| HADOUKEN | Jan 24 2011, 06:37 PM Post #19 |
New User
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i need some Sega Saturn fighters any god ones other then capcom vs marvel superheros Speaking of that game do you need a ram cart and if so witch one Thanks, funnyxthings |
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| VirtualBoyGamerShow | Jan 24 2011, 09:55 PM Post #20 |
The Virtual Boy Gamer
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Saturn was an excellent system. One of my favorite Sega systems. While the Saturn was "bleh" in North America, it did very well in Japan. Lot of very good games for the system (especially a ton of terrific import games.) If I had anymore room for a new console, I would love to get a Saturn. 
Edited by VirtualBoyGamerShow, Jan 24 2011, 09:56 PM.
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| Trevguy00 | Feb 3 2011, 11:38 AM Post #21 |
SEEEEGA!!
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Does anyone know what a reasonable price to pay for a Saturn would be? I want to buy one, but I don't want to overpay for one on Ebay. |
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| PeteDorr | Feb 3 2011, 12:05 PM Post #22 |
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I Like Games.
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For a system, no box, controller, hookups, I would not pay over $40 |
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| Kharnivore2099 | Feb 3 2011, 12:49 PM Post #23 |
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Retroverdose
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I bought my two around the same time, i think the first was an unboxed model 2 at £30, it had a couple of games and 2 pads. The second i noticed right after i bought that. It was a model 1 with the box, all the booklets, 2 pads, a lightgun and a bonus suprise of "streetfighter 2:the movie...the game" inside the console. Got that for £20. No one else even put in a bid for the 2nd one, guess it all depends if someone wants it as much as you. |
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| Trevguy00 | Feb 3 2011, 05:04 PM Post #24 |
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SEEEEGA!!
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Alright cool, going to start hunting to for one now! Thanks for the responses. |
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| papasowers | Feb 3 2011, 08:17 PM Post #25 |
Cyberdyne Systems Model 101
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I bought mine at a Goodwill for $3. |
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7:34 AM May 19