Sega Saturn

[cr8zykuban0]

a great system forsure for aecade ports like many people already know! the Japanese games were great for snk ports and shmups from what i heard. one shmup I really want to pick uo for the Japanese Saturn is battle garegga! its pricy but hopefully I can get a good deal on it. can anyone recommend me any more japanese shmups? thanks!

[Digi.k]

Sengoku Blaede
Soukyugurentai
Kingdom Grand Prix   <Although I didn't really like this game>
Game paradise
Sexy Parodius
Jikkyou Osharberi parodius
Batsugun
Dondonpachi
layer section
Twinkle star sprites
strikers 1945
strikers 1945 II
gunbird
Radiant Silvergun
Cotton 2
Cotton Boomerang
Gradius Deluxe pack
Detana Twin Bee yahoo! Deluxe pack
Salamander Deluxe pack plus
Thunderforce V
Thunderforce gold pack 1 & 2
Hyper Duel
Blast Wind
Shienryu
Sonic Wings Special
Image fight and X-multiply
Guardian Force
Bokan to Ippatsu! Doronbo Kanpekiban
DonPachi
Metal Black
Gun Frontier
3 wonders
Darius 2
Darius Gaiden
Fantasy Zone
Galaxy Force
Gekirindan
in the hunt
Layer Section II
skull fang
Kyukyoku Tiger II Plus
panzer dragoon
Panzer Dragoon Zwei
Sol Divide
Konami Antiques MSX Collection
Steam Heart's
Cho Aniki
Space Invaders
Macross: Do You Remember Love?
Terra Cresta 3D
metal slug
silhouette mirage
stellar assualt
purika daisakusen

[Medic_wheat]

In the hunt is SO on my list

[DragonmasterDan]

In the hunt is SO on my list

The Saturn port is loaded with slowdown. It's actually quite a bit better on Playstation despite the Saturn's reputation as being a superior 2D system.

[Medic_wheat]

In the hunt is SO on my list

The Saturn port is loaded with slowdown. It's actually quite a bit better on Playstation despite the Saturn's reputation as being a superior 2D system.

I have heard the same thing and I do like that teh PS version saw a US release and long box. I just wish the box art was as good as the JP version

[Digi.k]

I forgot to add to that list:

Assualt Suit Leynos 2

[cr8zykuban0]

Sengoku Blaede
Soukyugurentai
Kingdom Grand Prix   <Although I didn't really like this game>
Game paradise
Sexy Parodius
Jikkyou Osharberi parodius
Batsugun
Dondonpachi
layer section
Twinkle star sprites
strikers 1945
strikers 1945 II
gunbird
Radiant Silvergun
Cotton 2
Cotton Boomerang
Gradius Deluxe pack
Detana Twin Bee yahoo! Deluxe pack
Salamander Deluxe pack plus
Thunderforce V
Thunderforce gold pack 1 & 2
Hyper Duel
Blast Wind
Shienryu
Sonic Wings Special
Image fight and X-multiply
Guardian Force
Bokan to Ippatsu! Doronbo Kanpekiban
DonPachi
Metal Black
Gun Frontier
3 wonders
Darius 2
Darius Gaiden
Fantasy Zone
Galaxy Force
Gekirindan
in the hunt
Layer Section II
skull fang
Kyukyoku Tiger II Plus
panzer dragoon
Panzer Dragoon Zwei
Sol Divide
Konami Antiques MSX Collection
Steam Heart's
Cho Aniki
Space Invaders
Macross: Do You Remember Love?
Terra Cresta 3D
metal slug
silhouette mirage
stellar assualt
purika daisakusen

HOLY SHIT! lol gotta love the saturn! thanks dude!!!!

[cjameslv]

It's an amazing system! It got my vote on the last poll. Just remember to grab up a action replay 4 plus and your set for playing all the import games etc no mods needed. I run a 2nd gen with the updated controllers. Great catalog of games, especially Jap  releases will keep you playing for a long time!

[Mzo]

In the Hunt sucks on the Saturn.  Not only is it riddled with slowdown, it's also buggy.

The PS version is ridiculously good, though.

All the Konami shooters also display at the wrong resolution because they're weird.  The Saturn can't do their native resolution, but the PS can.  Just in case anyone cares about that.

[Medic_wheat]

In the Hunt sucks on the Saturn.  Not only is it riddled with slowdown, it's also buggy.

The PS version is ridiculously good, though.

All the Konami shooters also display at the wrong resolution because they're weird.  The Saturn can't do their native resolution, but the PS can.  Just in case anyone cares about that.

I do


I still need to put this long box PS game on my buy it now list.......still looking on ebay for a "decent" price....

[vexcollects]

I've sunk about 9 hours into Dragon Force in the last 3 days. What an amazing game (after the 30 minute read through of the manual). I love trying to recruit captives and when they reject your invite. Your character says something like, "that's just rotten". I get a kick out of that. Rally beautiful game through the xrgb mini.

I actually bought a second Saturn recently in case I have any issues with the first. Paid $35. Not a bad deal.

[Medic_wheat]

I've sunk about 9 hours into Dragon Force in the last 3 days. What an amazing game (after the 30 minute read through of the manual). I love trying to recruit captives and when they reject your invite. Your character says something like, "that's just rotten". I get a kick out of that. Rally beautiful game through the xrgb mini.

I actually bought a second Saturn recently in case I have any issues with the first. Paid $35. Not a bad deal.

Yeah I am loving that Saturn's are so far dirt cheap.

Can usually find (on ebay of all places) a Saturn w/contoller, action replay and two (decent) games for around $45-60 bucks.

I need to pick up a spare Saturn (for backup) while they are still dirt cheap.

[BigusSchmuck]

I've sunk about 9 hours into Dragon Force in the last 3 days. What an amazing game (after the 30 minute read through of the manual). I love trying to recruit captives and when they reject your invite. Your character says something like, "that's just rotten". I get a kick out of that. Rally beautiful game through the xrgb mini.

I actually bought a second Saturn recently in case I have any issues with the first. Paid $35. Not a bad deal.

Yeah I am loving that Saturn's are so far dirt cheap.

Can usually find (on ebay of all places) a Saturn w/contoller, action replay and two (decent) games for around $45-60 bucks.

I need to pick up a spare Saturn (for backup) while they are still dirt cheap.

I'll be honest with you, I have had my Saturn for years and haven't really had any issues other than the cart slot being wonky every once in a while with the action replay unit. Unless of course you mod it to play "backups" Saturns are pretty well built.

[vexcollects]

I'll be honest with you, I have had my Saturn for years and haven't really had any issues other than the cart slot being wonky every once in a while with the action replay unit. Unless of course you mod it to play "backups" Saturns are pretty well built.

I had problems with my original already. Wouldn't spin disks. Took the case off as suggested in a forum, put it back, and it worked again (so dumb..makes no sense). Thought it might be a sign of worse things to come, so I strung for an extra. Have to keep doing a copy of my saved data to the Action Replay too, just in case.

[Digi.k]

I'll be honest with you, I have had my Saturn for years and haven't really had any issues other than the cart slot being wonky every once in a while with the action replay unit. Unless of course you mod it to play "backups" Saturns are pretty well built.

I had problems with my original already. Wouldn't spin disks. Took the case off as suggested in a forum, put it back, and it worked again (so dumb..makes no sense). Thought it might be a sign of worse things to come, so I strung for an extra. Have to keep doing a copy of my saved data to the Action Replay too, just in case.

oh my japanese saturn has stopped spinning discs....might try that later

[esadajr]

I'd say is in a similar situation as the PCE. It is a great import system, many games don't require you to know japanese to be enjoyed. And just like with the PCE you can never have enough games / consoles.

I just hate when people call it "underrated", because you know what that typically means.

I probably should say it is a horrible system with bad games and don't even look at it.

[DragonmasterDan]

I'll be honest with you, I have had my Saturn for years and haven't really had any issues other than the cart slot being wonky every once in a while with the action replay unit. Unless of course you mod it to play "backups" Saturns are pretty well built.

I had problems with my original already. Wouldn't spin disks. Took the case off as suggested in a forum, put it back, and it worked again (so dumb..makes no sense). Thought it might be a sign of worse things to come, so I strung for an extra. Have to keep doing a copy of my saved data to the Action Replay too, just in case.

I've seen a few develop problems. Power supplies die, lasers get weak just playing regular discs, and most obviously cartridge slot problems.

The cartridge slot problem is partly due to use of third party carts that lack the tapered edge of first party carts and have a tendency to bend the pins in the cart slot out of position with repeated use failing to make contact for functionality (particularly RAM). I have a bunch fo Saturns and wore out quite a few over the years due their poor design.

[Medic_wheat]

I'll be honest with you, I have had my Saturn for years and haven't really had any issues other than the cart slot being wonky every once in a while with the action replay unit. Unless of course you mod it to play "backups" Saturns are pretty well built.

I had problems with my original already. Wouldn't spin disks. Took the case off as suggested in a forum, put it back, and it worked again (so dumb..makes no sense). Thought it might be a sign of worse things to come, so I strung for an extra. Have to keep doing a copy of my saved data to the Action Replay too, just in case.

I've seen a few develop problems. Power supplies die, lasers get weak just playing regular discs, and most obviously cartridge slot problems.

The cartridge slot problem is partly due to use of third party carts that lack the tapered edge of first party carts and have a tendency to bend the pins in the cart slot out of position with repeated use failing to make contact for functionality (particularly RAM). I have a bunch fo Saturns and wore out quite a few over the years due their poor design.

But with the cartige slot. Wouldn't you have lottle/no reason to take you action replay or other similar cartridge out once installed?

[esadajr]

But with the cartige slot. Wouldn't you have lottle/no reason to take you action replay or other similar cartridge out once installed?

Exactly, there's no reason to remove it. Codes or no codes, imports or no imports.

[DragonmasterDan]

[
But with the cartige slot. Wouldn't you have lottle/no reason to take you action replay or other similar cartridge out once installed?

So, the Action Replays/GameSharks don't act as "Live" Memory Cards. You can only copy and edit your data using the menu within the action replay. You can't save directly to the card. Some third party memory cards require the menu too, some are seen just like a regular first party card.

If I want a card that I can save directly to from a game, I need to use something different than a 4 in 1 action replay. Now some memory cards have "live" functionality and act as an import convertor. Some don't. Also, there's things like the netlink someone might want to use. Oh, and depending on the age of your action replay or game shark it may have compatibility issues with certain games using the RAM. And a few games (for example US Panzer Dragoon Saga) won't boot if the Action Replay is detected.

Added in edit: There's also King of the Fighters that has ROM data. The fact that I may want to copy saves from one Saturn to another, thus needing to remove the cart. The main reason it's a problem for me is the internal memory is limited and I like having a "Live" card that the system can manage via the memory manager and I can save to within games. The Action Replay can't do that.

[BigusSchmuck]

I'll be honest with you, I have had my Saturn for years and haven't really had any issues other than the cart slot being wonky every once in a while with the action replay unit. Unless of course you mod it to play "backups" Saturns are pretty well built.

I had problems with my original already. Wouldn't spin disks. Took the case off as suggested in a forum, put it back, and it worked again (so dumb..makes no sense). Thought it might be a sign of worse things to come, so I strung for an extra. Have to keep doing a copy of my saved data to the Action Replay too, just in case.

I've seen a few develop problems. Power supplies die, lasers get weak just playing regular discs, and most obviously cartridge slot problems.

The cartridge slot problem is partly due to use of third party carts that lack the tapered edge of first party carts and have a tendency to bend the pins in the cart slot out of position with repeated use failing to make contact for functionality (particularly RAM). I have a bunch fo Saturns and wore out quite a few over the years due their poor design.

But with the cartige slot. Wouldn't you have lottle/no reason to take you action replay or other similar cartridge out once installed?

I had to when I was playing Panzer Dragoon Saga, it wouldn't load if I didn't (as someone else already stated). Might be better off getting another Saturn just to play games that whine at you if you have a action replay unit installed.

[Medic_wheat]

I'll be honest with you, I have had my Saturn for years and haven't really had any issues other than the cart slot being wonky every once in a while with the action replay unit. Unless of course you mod it to play "backups" Saturns are pretty well built.

I had problems with my original already. Wouldn't spin disks. Took the case off as suggested in a forum, put it back, and it worked again (so dumb..makes no sense). Thought it might be a sign of worse things to come, so I strung for an extra. Have to keep doing a copy of my saved data to the Action Replay too, just in case.

I've seen a few develop problems. Power supplies die, lasers get weak just playing regular discs, and most obviously cartridge slot problems.

The cartridge slot problem is partly due to use of third party carts that lack the tapered edge of first party carts and have a tendency to bend the pins in the cart slot out of position with repeated use failing to make contact for functionality (particularly RAM). I have a bunch fo Saturns and wore out quite a few over the years due their poor design.

But with the cartige slot. Wouldn't you have lottle/no reason to take you action replay or other similar cartridge out once installed?

I had to when I was playing Panzer Dragoon Saga, it wouldn't load if I didn't (as someone else already stated). Might be better off getting another Saturn just to play games that whine at you if you have a action replay unit installed.

You have PD Saga.  Nice. Also jealous.

[TheNeck]

Sengoku Blaede
Soukyugurentai
Kingdom Grand Prix   <Although I didn't really like this game>
Game paradise
Sexy Parodius
Jikkyou Osharberi parodius
Batsugun
Dondonpachi
layer section
Twinkle star sprites
strikers 1945
strikers 1945 II
gunbird
Radiant Silvergun
Cotton 2
Cotton Boomerang
Gradius Deluxe pack
Detana Twin Bee yahoo! Deluxe pack
Salamander Deluxe pack plus
Thunderforce V
Thunderforce gold pack 1 & 2
Hyper Duel
Blast Wind
Shienryu
Sonic Wings Special
Image fight and X-multiply
Guardian Force
Bokan to Ippatsu! Doronbo Kanpekiban
DonPachi
Metal Black
Gun Frontier
3 wonders
Darius 2
Darius Gaiden
Fantasy Zone
Galaxy Force
Gekirindan
in the hunt
Layer Section II
skull fang
Kyukyoku Tiger II Plus
panzer dragoon
Panzer Dragoon Zwei
Sol Divide
Konami Antiques MSX Collection
Steam Heart's
Cho Aniki
Space Invaders
Macross: Do You Remember Love?
Terra Cresta 3D
metal slug
silhouette mirage
stellar assualt
purika daisakusen

some many shmups to try, which are your guys favorite top 10?

[geise]

Top 10 for me in no particular order:

Galactic Attack/Layer Section
Batsugun
Darius Gaiden
Thunder Force V
Shienryu
Soukyugurentai
Salamamder Deluxe Pack
Donpachi
Kingdom Grandprix
Gunbird

As much as I loved Radiant Silvergun back in the day I find myself playing these a lot more.  Also Twinbee Yahoo almost made mylist.

[cr8zykuban0]

i think its a great system, lots of awesome arcade ports! and the import Saturn had some great snk ports!

[Digi.k]

it's a great system although I haven't touched it in aaaages.  Most of the stuff is sitting in cardboard boxes.  I take them out once in a while to get some fresh air


I kinda regret selling keio flying squadron (uk version), USA Magic Knight  Rayearth and Albert Odyssey legend of Eldean.  They had great music tho..

/my%20consoles/P1020295.jpg

I also used to own: Mystaria: The Realms of Lore aka riglord saga/blazing heroes,  but I find it a little dated now.

[Medic_wheat]

it's a great system although I haven't touched it in aaaages.  Most of the stuff is sitting in cardboard boxes.  I take them out once in a while to get some fresh air


I kinda regret selling keio flying squadron (uk version), USA Magic Knight  Rayearth and Albert Odyssey legend of Eldean.  They had great music tho..

/P1020295.jpg

I also used to own: Mystaria: The Realms of Lore aka riglord saga/blazing heroes,  but I find it a little dated now.

Panzer Dragon Saga is my next big purches.  Well the next one I am planing to get in a month or two. If I can keep from getting a speeding ticket.


Personally I don't care if it is a UK or US release so long as it is in english.

[DragonmasterDan]

Personally I don't care if it is a UK or US release so long as it is in english. 

Do you have a PAL system or live in the UK? You're likely going to have issues getting a PAL copy to run on a US system.

[xcrement5x]

Wow, some of the EU art on those Saturn games is so nice.  I wish our Shining Force III looked like that.  It's such a colorful front.

[Medic_wheat]

Personally I don't care if it is a UK or US release so long as it is in english. 

Do you have a PAL system or live in the UK? You're likely going to have issues getting a PAL copy to run on a US system.

Oh really?  A action replay wont work. Or does it have to do more with voltage or tv resolution that makes some pal games get all wonky on a NTC tv

[esadajr]

Personally I don't care if it is a UK or US release so long as it is in english. 

Do you have a PAL system or live in the UK? You're likely going to have issues getting a PAL copy to run on a US system.

Oh really?  A action replay wont work. Or does it have to do more with voltage or tv resolution that makes some pal games get all wonky on a NTSC tv

The game will load, however, using a composite connection it will be B/W on an HDTV. On a CRT it will be B/W and will scroll.

I don't know about using an Scart cable then converting to Component though.

[BigusSchmuck]

I'll be honest with you, I have had my Saturn for years and haven't really had any issues other than the cart slot being wonky every once in a while with the action replay unit. Unless of course you mod it to play "backups" Saturns are pretty well built.

I had problems with my original already. Wouldn't spin disks. Took the case off as suggested in a forum, put it back, and it worked again (so dumb..makes no sense). Thought it might be a sign of worse things to come, so I strung for an extra. Have to keep doing a copy of my saved data to the Action Replay too, just in case.

I've seen a few develop problems. Power supplies die, lasers get weak just playing regular discs, and most obviously cartridge slot problems.

The cartridge slot problem is partly due to use of third party carts that lack the tapered edge of first party carts and have a tendency to bend the pins in the cart slot out of position with repeated use failing to make contact for functionality (particularly RAM). I have a bunch fo Saturns and wore out quite a few over the years due their poor design.

But with the cartige slot. Wouldn't you have lottle/no reason to take you action replay or other similar cartridge out once installed?

I had to when I was playing Panzer Dragoon Saga, it wouldn't load if I didn't (as someone else already stated). Might be better off getting another Saturn just to play games that whine at you if you have a action replay unit installed.

You have PD Saga.  Nice. Also jealous.

Yeah I got it February for $150, poor guy couldn't sell it for his asking price.

[DragonmasterDan]

Oh really?  A action replay wont work. Or does it have to do more with voltage or tv resolution that makes some pal games get all wonky on a NTC tv

Two problems one is display. Also, no an action replay won't work.

As previously stated on the last page of posts and then reiterated by "BigusSchmuck" the game actively checks to see if you're using an Action Replay or GameShark and will not let you load the game if it detects it in the system.

[bartre]

i've never had any problems using an AR to get my euro copy of Keio 2 to load up properly.
hell of a game

[DragonmasterDan]

i've never had any problems using an AR to get my euro copy of Keio 2 to load up properly.
hell of a game

Yeah, Euro Keio 2 displays properly on an NTSC TV. Panzer Dragoon Saga (at least the Western versions) seem to specifically check for GameSharks, Action Replays and even third party memory cartridges which while seen by the system memory manager are unusable in the game.

[bartre]

in my experience, the only memory cards that could be seen by the games themselves were the official sega ones.
every other card i've ever tried required a save, reset to the system menu, and then copy the data to the memory card.

[whisper2053]

in my experience, the only memory cards that could be seen by the games themselves were the official sega ones.
every other card i've ever tried required a save, reset to the system menu, and then copy the data to the memory card.

The Innovation 8meg cart can be saved to directly in-game (and, conveniently, functions as an import enabler as well...)



http://classicgameroom.com/vaultpages/vaultpage/sega-saturn-innovation-8-meg-memory-card/

[DragonmasterDan]

in my experience, the only memory cards that could be seen by the games themselves were the official sega ones.
every other card i've ever tried required a save, reset to the system menu, and then copy the data to the memory card.

The Innovation 8meg cart can be saved to directly in-game (and, conveniently, functions as an import enabler as well...)



http://classicgameroom.com/vaultpages/vaultpage/sega-saturn-innovation-8-meg-memory-card/

I have a pair of third party cards that the internal memory manager can see and that can save directly. With that said one of the two is an Interact brand card and I have a seemingly identical card from the outside that requires all saving via a menu that pops up when turning the machine on. The other one I have with direct saving capaibility is an EMS brand card.

[Digi.k]

someone's top 50 shmup list

[HailingTheThings]

someone's top 50 shmup list

Fuck yeah! futurematt5 = best!

[xcrement5x]

someone's top 50 shmup list

f*ck yeah! futurematt5 = best!

I really don't like lists that are in videos, I would much rather see an actual written out list so I can pick out ones I may have never heard of to look into.

[synbiosfan]

We've been going off topic in teh "what did you buy today"-thread so I'm bumping this

The Saturn's cart slot is made poorly so this is common.  Not many options,  clean everything and try again repeatedly. There's a multi region bios you can have installed too. Or buy JP Saturn with cart issues.

Tell me more of this multi region bios. Where might I buy one??

Give me a second, walking the dog.

Here's 26 pages on ASSEMbler about it

https://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?33602-Sega-Saturn-Region-Free-BIOS

Some of the guys are  Bad_Ad84, Zer0-2k11, and APE who I'd contact. You might see if any of them are doing a battery mod & modchip while your at it.

APE is in California iirc.

--------------------------------------------------

So besides the poorly made/designed cart slot, the other main gripe about the Saturn is the CR 2032 battery use.

I hate linking to other sites but once again, ASSEMbler has info

https://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?9053-Sega-Saturn-long-life-battery&highlight=sega+saturn+battery+mod

EDIT Looking for the fix guide as the link I posted doesn't have it.

Here's adding sram instead of the battery

http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?34265-Modifying-the-SEGA-SATURN-to-use-standard-SRAM-backup-disable-RTC

Contacting one of the modders there is your best bet as I'm having trouble finding things.

[xcrement5x]

Db_elec also did a mod and writeup about changing the save memory so that it doesn't die when the battery does. 
http://www.db-elec.com/home/lab-posts/segasaturninternalmemorymodwithfram-nobatteryrequired

Though I think he said he was unsure if it was the save or the real time clock that drains the battery.

[SignOfZeta]

PS1.

EDIT: dang, there I go again. I need to figure out the thing I keep falling for...