Can someone direct me to a good Sega Saturn site?

[Genesis Knight]

I'm thinking about getting into the Saturn, and I'd like to find some site/document that can help me out as to where to buy, what games are good, what accessories I need, and realistic prices. Anybody?

[David J.]

Ask me anything, that is US related.

You NEED a memory cart, a first party one as the theird party ones are crap and ruin your system. They can attract daff prices, but you can luck out and find one for a few bucks like me. A 3D pad is strongly recommended for games like Nights. They are VERY abundent as sega produced way to many of them. Some of the RPG's are expensive, but you can luck out. I got Dark Savior and Legend of Oasis for peanuts.

[Joe Redifer]

Speaking of RPGs, I am seeing multiple sealed copies of Magic Knight Rayearth at a local game store for $50 a pop. Rip off?

[Genesis Knight]

Sounds a tad high, Joe, but easier than eBay.

David J, so you're saying I should get the different official carts instead of the 4-in-1s? And the 3D pad - is that the oval one that I'm seeing packaged w/Nights on eBay or are you referring to another one?

[Genesis Knight]

Actually, $50 US seems like a good deal, if it's mint.

[David J.]

The one that comes with Nights is the 3D pad. The 4-in-1 can save games, but you have to save them to the internal memory, THEN save them on the 4-1. If it was like the offical one, then the system would only see it as a backup cart.

Joe, no, it's not a scam. Working Designs pressed way too many copies, and it's still attracting high prices. They where selling it on their site until they folded and it's around a few places online. If it was cheaper, I'd be willing to pay you for a copy and a fee for the game.

[Genesis Knight]

Will the 4-1 damage my system? Or is there an official version of it? And I PM-ed you, David J.

[Joe Redifer]

Just avoid anything but official RAM (if you play Japanese games) and Backup RAM carts, period.

[j_factor]

Third party carts are fine. Only some of them cause problems. I've never known of a 4-in-1 that caused problems (although there might be some); it's mainly the third party carts that are just straight memory carts, and the Game Shark.

There's no reason to avoid all non-official carts just because some of them are bad.

[Joe Redifer]

Yes there is. To my knowledge NONE of the 3rd party carts allow you to save directly to the cart during the game. You have to do this save-transfer-transfer-load BS which makes the carts completely useless. I bought one once and it went back to EB less than an hour later for a FULL refund.

Just get the Sega carts. I don't know why you wouldn't. With the Sega carts you KNOW for a FACT that it is quality.

[Elusive]

Will the 4-1 damage my system? Or is there an official version of it? And I PM-ed you, David J.

It's not damaged my system yet, and it's been in there for nigh-on six months nonstop.

Seriously, regarding the Action Replay 4-in-1 there's no worries about the lack of direct save - I keep one save of the game I'm playing in the Saturn's internal memory, and keep everything else on the cart. Once I'm done with that game, I move it to the cart and transfer to the internal memory another game's save file.

Watch out for unofficial 4-in-1s, though - these usually come in a plain white label-less cart. They're of shoddy design, apparently - go with the version with the AR logo on the front and the parallel port on the top.

[j_factor]

Yes there is. To my knowledge NONE of the 3rd party carts allow you to save directly to the cart during the game. You have to do this save-transfer-transfer-load BS which makes the carts completely useless.

I don't see how it makes them useless. I'm not talking about purely save carts. RAM expansion, cheat codes, territory lockout disabling, and yes even the game save storage are all uses.

I don't see why you would be unable to do without the ability to directly save to the cart. With the exception of Hexen's bullshit, Saturn has sufficient built-in memory for whatever game you're playing. And some games don't even support saving directly to the cartridge anyway.


Just get the Sega carts. I don't know why you wouldn't.

Because the Sega carts don't disable territory lockouts, don't expand the RAM of the system, and don't use cheat codes.

With my old Saturn, I had a switchmod (JP-US), an official 1MB RAM cart, an official 4MB RAM cart, an official backup cart, and an ST Key (I didn't have anything for cheat codes). With my current Saturn I just have a 4-in-1. It's a lot easier to get one 4-in-1 cart than it is to get all 5 of those things, it's a lot easier to deal with, and it's significantly cheaper. The money, time, and hassle saved is well worth losing the ability to save directly to the cart, as well as the ability to play that shitty Ultraman game.

[Joe Redifer]

Actually I keep forgetting about the people without a region switch. But I don't know why they can't make their carts have the ability to directly save files to them. Also, are cheats really needed? There aren't any games like Contra Hard Corps on the Saturn, and most Saturn games are quite easy as it is from my experience. I'm trying right now to think of a REALLY tough Saturn game, but I can't think of any. My friend has two kids and one of them is obsessed with game cheats. He wouldn't consider playing a game without some form of cheat. He is a wuss (not implying you are).

[j_factor]

I personally don't care about cheat codes, but the other stuff is important.

I had a region switch back in the day, but I still needed an ST Key to play European games. I've yet to see a decent 3-way region switch on a Saturn.

[Joe Redifer]

I've yet to see a decent reason to play European games. But you could make one yourself.

[j_factor]

I've yet to see a decent reason to play European games.

I think these are all at least decent:

Deep Fear
KEIO Flying Squadron 2
Assault Rigs
3D Lemmings
Darius II
WipEout 2097
Swagman
Krazy Ivan
Discworld and Discworld 2
Atlantis: The Lost Tales
Z
Parodius
World League Soccer '98
Street Racer

and some people like Mega Man X3 and Riven.

[David J.]

The money, time, and hassle saved is well worth losing the ability to save directly to the cart, as well as the ability to play that shitty Ultraman game.

Don't forget KOF '95.

[Joe Redifer]

J Factor, you can get Japanese versions of many of those games, like Keio 2. I personally have Parodius (Forever with Me/You).

[j_factor]

Don't forget KOF '95.

KoF '95 was re-released in a collection set, which doesn't use the ROM cart. So technically, you can still play it. Although you can't play the (much more common) original release, or the European release.

[j_factor]

J Factor, you can get Japanese versions of many of those games, like Keio 2. I personally have Parodius (Forever with Me/You).

Generally speaking, I'd rather have the European version of a game over the Japanese version. I don't speak Japanese. It might make no difference for something like Parodius, but for, say, Discworld, I can't imagine getting much enjoyment out of that game in Japanese.

[Joe Redifer]

For Discworld I agree (if I cared about such a game), but generally I'd rather listen to kooky Japanese that I can't understand than a British accent. If it's text, then then I'd like the English text, of course, provided that the game doesn't run in sped-up mode due to the differences between PAL and NTSC. This is why I prefer the Japanese version of Alien Soldier over the PAL version. They retimed the PAL version for that market. Play it on an NTSC Genesis and it runs much faster that it is supposed to (including the music). Play the Japanese version and it runs at its proper speed.

[darkwingduck13]

As another Saturn fan, I can say that the Action Replay 4-in-1 has had no ill effects on my Saturn, my save data, or my temper. I use its memory function much like one of the people who posted earlier...I keep the save I'm messing with in the internal memory and back everything else up to the cart, and periodically back my current save up to the cart. I paid like $25 for it, and it acts as memory backup, import enabler, and 1 or 4 MB RAM expansion all in one. Getting my Saturn modded and purchasing official memory and RAM carts would undoubtedly cost more than that.

http://www.jandaman.com used to have a decent deal on the 4-in-1 carts, without having to mess with eBay.

I also say that Magic Knight Rayearth, sealed, is worth the price quoted earlier in the thread. Of course, I like Working Designs a great deal and I love the style of the game, so I'm a little biased.

Some other good games to watch out for (most of which won't cost you an arm and a leg):

Blazing Dragons
Any Capcom fighting game, but X-Men Vs. Street Fighter in particular
Deep Fear
Thunder Force V
Wachenroder - JPN import SRPG, with a full translation on GameFAQs by gar3 and Yumi.
Astal
Fire Pro Wrestling S Six Man Scramble - If you have friends who like wrestling games and you get a multitap, this is the king. 6-man tag matches are freakin' fantastic!
Dragon Force
Albert Odyssey
NOON - Fun JPN action/puzzle game with a translation/FAQ on GameFAQs by Yamazaki.

Really, just make sure that you're prepared to import if you get a Saturn. You can't experience it fully with just the US games, since literally 3/4 of the library got left in Japan. :)

[Benjamin]

Off the top of my head...

US recommendations:

Astal - short, lotsa colors, platformer, 2-player
Bug! - long, difficult, 3-D platformer with 2-D rails-like gameplay
Bug Too! - sequel
Clockwork Knight - very short 2.5D game
Clockwork Knight 2 - second (better) half of the above
Three Dirty Dwarves - underrated 3-player beat-em up
Sonic Jam - lots of Sonic bonus stuff and a 3-D world make it worth it
Guardian Heroes - incredible 2-player beat-em up/RPG with a 6-player fighter mode
Rayman - amazing platformer, best version
Steep Slope Sliders - fun fun snow boarding game though graphics haven't aged too well
Daytona USA - still fun, but the music sells it
Sega Rally - even with the new PS2 arcade perfect release, the music here is the best
Virtual On - you'll never find anyone to play this :(
Virtua Cop - fun gun game
Virtua Cop 2 - sequel to a fun gun game
Virtua Fighter 2 - great fighter, arguably best 32-bit graphics anywhere
Worldwide Soccer '98 - really fun soccer game
Decathlete - great high-res graphics in a button-mashing sports game
Herc's Adventure - underrated "sequel" (well, the third game) to Zombies Ate My Neighbors
Sonic R - beautiful racer with great soundtrack by Richard Jacques
Baku Baku - great puzzle game, more fun than Puyo Puyo, at least for me
Tempest 2000 - great game redone with trippy graphics and great soundtrack
Darius Gaiden - arcade quarter muncher with amazing Zuntata soundtrack
Saturn Bomberman - the best multiplayer game ever, with a surprisingly great soundtrack and single player mode
Dragon Force - simplistic but very fun
Panzer Dragoon - aged poorly, but still worth getting
Panzer Dragoon II Zwei - still looks good and the better game - easier than the first one, and better level design in my opinion
Panzer Dragoon Saga - good luck
NiGHTS into dreams - great but short game with one of my favorite soundtracks
Fighters Megamix - graphics haven't aged well (framerate is poor), but the cast and hyper mode make it worth it
Last Gladiators - pinball with three great tables out of four (updated in Japan)
Shining Force III - some strat-RPG people seem to like :p
Magic Knight Rayearth - pretty basic Zelda-clone :p but the story really surprises (if you're not familiar with the series)
The Legend of Oasis - my favorite Zelda-clone, though be warned the dungeon designer is pure evil
mr. Bones - interesting interactive movie idea based around constantly changing game engines

Import games:

Vampire Savior - fighter, best version of the game
Elevator Action Returns - the game that sold me on getting an import Saturn, terrific action game
Keio Yugekitai Katsugekihen (always have to look this spelling up :mad: ) platformer
X-MEN vs. Street Fighter - fighter
Street Fighter Zero 3 - another figher
Astra Superstars - more fighter
Cotton 2 - really terrific shooter with interesting grab-and-chain concept
Radiant Silvergun - some game
Necronomicon - sequel to Last Gladiators; one less table, ten times the fun
Twinkle Star Sprites - great versus shooter
Princess Crown - kinda like Zelda II meets Street Fighter
Shining Force III Scenario 2 - second version
Shining Force III Scenario 3 - third version
Last Gladiators ver. 9.7 - update to Last Gladiators that tweaked the game and fixed a couple of annoying bugs
Grandia - better than the PSX version
Asuka 120% Burning Fest - fun mostly all-girl fighter

There's a good many good games too such as Prikura Daisakusen, Monster Slider, Lode Runner Extra and Returns, and so on, plus tons of shooters. The language barrier will stop you from enjoying stuff like The Conveni though.

[Genesisdoes]

why is the saturn version of grandia better than the psx version? Faster loading times maybe?

[Benjamin]

why is the saturn version of grandia better than the psx version? Faster loading times maybe?
Much better framerate, polygon models don't have the visible seams they often do in the PSX game, and the English voice acting is atrocious. I do believe it does load a bit faster, but it's been a while. I can't understand much Japanese, but the game is really easy to play through despite being an RPG thanks to the great voice acting and plethora of facial expressions. Plus, once you get accustomed to the Japanese Saturn version, then you can played the Saturn's Grandia: Digital Musuem, which features bonus dungeons and lots of fun bonuses and minigames.

[Genesisdoes]

I see. Well my Japanese isn't so good and I don't have a modchip for my saturn. I did play Grandia 2 and 3 and liked them, although 3 was kinda short. Never played the first

[Benjamin]

I think the first is the better game myself, mainly because it's longer, there's three bonus dungeons, and it's just an all around great, epic adventure. The second Grandia is good, but a lot of it treads on scenes and bosses already done in the first game. It's also quite a bit shorter, and I'm not fond of Square approach to the attitudes of the main party.

I had no idea Grandia 3 was out. :shock:

[Joe Redifer]

So getting back to the subject of the thread, does anyone know of a good Saturn fan-site? I have King of Fighter's '96 which I bought used, and it previously was a version that came with a RAM cart because it doesn't have a back cover for the CD case. What I need is a high resolution scan of the King of Fighters '96 CD case and spine insert from someone who has the separately-sold version so I can print and install my own. I figured a Saturn fan-site would be a good place to ask for such a thing.

[Demonic Weasel]

My own recommendations are as follows.

Albert Odyssey: The Legend of Eldean
Baroque
Blast Chamber
Blazing Dragons
Mystaria/Blazing Heroes
Bug
Bug Too!
Burning Rangers
Christmas NiGHTS
Clockwork Knight
Clockwork Knight 2
Dark Savior
Dark Legend
Dragon Force
Dragonheart: Fire& Steel
Farland Saga
Fighters Megamix
Gex
Golden Axe: The Dule
Guardian Heroes
Heir of Zendor
The Horde
Iron Storm
Last Bronx
Legend of Oasis
Magical Knight Rayearth
Mr. Bones
NiGHTS into Dreams
Norse by Norsewest
Panzer Dragoon
Panzer Dragoon Zwei
Panzer Dragoon Saga
Resident Evil
Saturn Bomberman
Shining Wisdom
Shining the Holy Ark
Shining Force 3 Scenario 1
Shining Force 3 Scenario 2
Shining Force 3 Scenario 3
Shining Force 3 Premium Disc
Shiniobi Legions
Skeleton Warriors
Resident Evil
Sonic Jam
Sonic R
Street Fighter Alpha 2
3 Dirty Dwarves
Virtua Cop
Virtua Cop 2
Virtual Hydlide
Worms
Desire
Mass Destruction
Terra Phantastica
Valhollian
Wachenroder

And there's that. I too would be grateful though if someone could point out a good site, because though I've searched for ones myself it's hard enough to find any sites let alone ones of quality.

[Genesis Knight]

I know I'm still lookin'. Seems like I would have found a good site if there was one out there.

[David J.]

I got my pro action replay today. It is sweet. Now I can play that import of Gale Racer I own. Decent port.

[Genesis Knight]

Found this one today:

http://www.satakore.com/index.php

Some good stuff here; most of the videos are on Google Video, too - much easier that way.

[velvet396]

Ask me anything, that is US related.

You NEED a memory cart, a first party one as the theird party ones are crap and ruin your system. They can attract daff prices, but you can luck out and find one for a few bucks like me. A 3D pad is strongly recommended for games like Nights. They are VERY abundent as sega produced way to many of them. Some of the RPG's are expensive, but you can luck out. I got Dark Savior and Legend of Oasis for peanuts.

Is dark savior expensive? I just got it complete for like 50 cents.

[velvet396]

I'm not interested in importing or modding the saturn to play the imports... at least not for a long time. I'm content just to have one.

So is the backup RAM cart really needed? Just got a saturn and only have a few games... what's wrong with the internal save feature?

If the concern is the battery, yes mine is dead, but I have a new one on the way in the mail with an S-Video cable. :D

Now to find NiGHTS and an analog controller for cheap -- local game trader wants $20 for just about any Saturn game.:daze:

[Elusive]

So is the backup RAM cart really needed? Just got a saturn and only have a few games... what's wrong with the internal save feature?

Size, in this case, matters - in most cases you will fit about three, maybe four game saves onto the Saturn's internal memory before you run out.

[Genesis Knight]

Elusive, I've gotta ask - what's up with the Devil Dumplings?

[Benjamin]

Size, in this case, matters - in most cases you will fit about three, maybe four game saves onto the Saturn's internal memory before you run out.

If you're playing nothing but high-memory RPGs, sure. Otherwise, most games only take 2-6 blocks of memory, leaving you with room for dozens of titles. I think I had 30-something game saves on my Saturn before grabbing the official memory cartridge (which can crap out on you... it happened to me :( ). SimCity 2000 owned my memory cartridge since it took up the entire internal save memory for a city. Also, with the memory cartridge you can enjoy ghost files from Daytona USA CCE and Sega Rally, which both take something ridiculous like 966 blocks or so a piece.

[Elusive]

Elusive, I've gotta ask - what's up with the Devil Dumplings?

It's from the 'Beer' episode of Blackadder 2.

Hyper-Protestant Lady Whiteadder: "Edmund - you appear to be wearing a pair of devil's dumplings!"
Edmund Blackadder, wearing gigantic comedy breasts: "?? - (double-take) - oh, my earmuffs have fallen down... (puts breasts over ears) Do you want a pair, it's rather cold, don't you think?"
H-P LW: "No, thank you! Cold is God's way of telling us to burn more Catholics!"

Classic comedy - like John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson's at his funniest when he's playing a complete bastard :)

[16-bit]

I'm thinking about getting into the Saturn, and I'd like to find some site/document that can help me out as to where to buy, what games are good, what accessories I need, and realistic prices. Anybody?
I might get one, just for all the RPgs and Nights Into Dreams.

[Henry Spencer]

I get my Saturn stuff from Play-Asia, a very trusted source indeed, you should be able to get what you want and need from there. They are also friendly and will answer any questions that you have. The prices are not too bad neither, some are actually well priced. Check them out.

[Psy]

So getting back to the subject of the thread, does anyone know of a good Saturn fan-site?
There is not many Saturn fan-sites around anymore, there was:

sega-saturn.com (http://sega-saturn.com/) and you can view it the way it was via the internet archive (http://web.archive.org/web/20050323094001/http://www.sega-saturn.com/)

But I do not know of a good Saturn fan-site that is still around.

[Genesis Knight]

Finally, a mirror of the one-and-only Sega Saturn page! Danke, Psy - I'd been looking for that.

[redrum666]

KoF '95 was re-released in a collection set, which doesn't use the ROM cart. So technically, you can still play it. Although you can't play the (much more common) original release, or the European release.

the re-released collection set with KoF '95 is the same as the original release you still need the rom (ram) cart to play it

[Joe Redifer]

ROM.

You can try all of the RAM carts in the world and it won't work.

[j_factor]

the re-released collection set with KoF '95 is the same as the original release you still need the rom (ram) cart to play it

It was my understanding that The King of Fighters Best Collection only uses the 1MB RAM cart, because it only came with one cartridge. However, I've asked around just now and it appears I was wrong; Best Collection indeed only came with one cart, but that cart is the '95 ROM cart and the 1MB RAM cart (required for '96 and '97) is simply not included.

[redrum666]

It was my understanding that The King of Fighters Best Collection only uses the 1MB RAM cart, because it only came with one cartridge. However, I've asked around just now and it appears I was wrong; Best Collection indeed only came with one cart, but that cart is the '95 ROM cart and the 1MB RAM cart (required for '96 and '97) is simply not included.

what funny is that the KOF DOUBLE PACK with 95 and 96 does come with both the 1MB RAM cart and the KOF 95 ROM cart but yet the Best Collection only comes with one cart :daze: