Sega Saturn advice for a newbie

Wan-Fu · Jun 6, 2001

I am contemplating getting a Sega Saturn and since I know very little about this system, I thought I would create this thread for some discussion.

The reason I want a Saturn is to play Dungeons and Dragons Collection at home without having to buy the PCB. Does the Saturn version do a good job of matching the arcade experience? I also want to play some of the fabled shooters like Radiant Silvergun. I also prefer to get a new system over a used one.

So, bearing in mind what I stated above, where should I get my system? I know NCS has the Blue Skeleton Saturn for $125. I can also buy a brand new US Saturn off ebay for about $75 and add a 5 in 1 key from BuyRite or some other internet store. The advantage of the NCS deal is that it is already modified with a switch so I wont need the 5 in 1 key but it is more expensive and I prefer the jet black US model over the clear see-through plastic. I think the best looking Saturns were actually the original silver Japanese models. Does anyone know were to get one of these babies brand new?

So if you are a Saturn owner and understand what I am looking to get out of this system please reply with comments on what you think are my best options.

Metal Slug · Jun 6, 2001

Save your cash, buy a DC instead!
A wise man once said,
"If you still like Saturn, your head is in Uranus"

No but seriously, DC is much better value, for about the same money!

If you already have a DC, just buy more games for it!

Wan-Fu · Jun 6, 2001

I already have a DC and I like it loads but I want to play some of those Saturn games I mentioned. Money is not really an issue, I just want to buy the right setup from the start based on the criteria I mentioned.

[ June 06, 2001: Message edited by: Wan-Fu ]

BioMotor_Unitron · Jun 6, 2001

Well, if you can find someone with connections in Japan to get you a White Saturn, that would probably be your best bet to get one. Most of the American importers do not have them anymore.

If you can get a new American Saturn, you can get a regional switch kit from NCS for $10.00 or less, I think, and that is with the shipping. If you have some minor soldering skills, you can install the switch yourself, or you can ship it to NCS and have them mod it, although that is more costly.

I have modded four Saturns now, and it is really not that difficult. NeoGML modded his as well. The 5-In-1 carts kill the cartridge slots on the Saturn eventually, so I would avoid then.

evil wasabi · Jun 6, 2001

Originally posted by Metal Slug:
[QB]A wise man once said,
"If you still like Saturn, your head is in Uranus"[QB]

hey <IMG SRC="smilies/mad2.gif" border="0"> thats RadSil's quote!! form segaxtreme!!

and its, "If you dont like Saturn, your head is in Uranus"

Metal Slug · Jun 6, 2001

Hmmmm, well seriously, in that case I would get one of those nice "new" import jobbies. Also I'd buy it from a shop, not ebay! Just in case. I hear quite good things abut the converters for jp machines.
If silent scope reads this maybe he can give you some advice, cos' I think hes a big Saturn fan!

Metal Slug · Jun 6, 2001

Originally posted by sonic1687:
hey <IMG SRC="smilies/mad2.gif" border="0"> thats RadSil's quote!! form segaxtreme!!

and its, "If you dont like Saturn, your head is in Uranus"

He,He,He!
Did I say it was an accurate quote?

When I said "A wise man once said" I meant me!

<IMG SRC="smilies/glee.gif" border="0">

Wan-Fu · Jun 6, 2001

Originally posted by BioMotor_Unitron:
The 5-In-1 carts kill the cartridge slots on the Saturn eventually, so I would avoid then.

Thanks, this is the type of information I hoped to gather from this thread. I take it you speak from personal experience?

BioMotor_Unitron · Jun 6, 2001

Originally posted by Metal Slug:
He,He,He!
Did I say it was an accurate quote?

When I said "A wise man once said" I meant me!

<IMG SRC="smilies/glee.gif" border="0">

Perhaps you meant to write, "A Wise-ass once said?" <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> (Not flaming, jesting.)

Metal Slug · Jun 6, 2001

Originally posted by BioMotor_Unitron:
Perhaps you meant to write, "A Wise-ass once said?" <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> (Not flaming, jesting.)

LMWAO (laughin' my wise ass off!)

BioMotor_Unitron · Jun 6, 2001

Some of our resident Saturn experts that I would consult would be Ghost-Dog and Chimpmeister, the two people responsible for getting me hooked on Saturn. Hopefully they will see this thread and give their input.

Ghost-Dog · Jun 6, 2001

Hello Wan-Fu. I've been a Saturn enthusiast for years now, maybe I can make a suggestion or two.

You can still buy brand new type 3 Saturns in the box for $69 or less. Many online stores sell them. All you need to do is install a territory switch and you'll be all set. That would be my recommendation, as it's cheaper than going the Blue Skeleton Saturn route.

Then you just use the switch and you can avoid 5-in-1 carts which can damage your system slot over time and use.

D&D Collection is an awesom port. Very little is missing, except that both games are 2 player on Saturn. Unfortunately, it has been one of the most expensive imports out there. The price goes up every year too. I got one new in 99 for like $70, and mint ones go for nearly twice that now.

If you really want to associate with some hard core and friendly Saturn fans, check out this Yahoo club (mine):
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/saturnheaven

We can probably answer any other questions you might have there.

Good luck!

steveold · Jun 6, 2001

Wan, welcome the Saturn Planet. If you're lucky, maybe Funcoland still stocks them, you can get that for a low 20 or so bucks. That's what I did back in 1998.
If you buy a US Saturn, ship it to NCS so they may add a switch to it. Here are some Saturn titles I would recommend:

-Die Hard Arcade (unless you have Dynamite Cop on DC)
-Saturn Bomberman
-WorldWide Soccer 97 (DA BOMB!!)
-World Heroes Perfect (No WH game on DC <IMG SRC="smilies/crying.gif" border="0"> )
-Virtua Cop 2
-Fighters Megamix
-SF Zero 3

Good luck finding a good deal!

evil wasabi · Jun 6, 2001

I'm a saturn fan too!! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Well. I never heard anything about 5 in 1's wearing out your slots as long as you are not some sort of nut and keep putting them in and taking them out <IMG SRC="smilies/loco.gif" border="0"> if you get a 5in1 it would be all you need, no use for swapping out ram carts and mem carts and gs carts...

i would also have to say that, yes, saturn is very cool and you should get one right away...and the blue one is very sexy...i have one!!

heres some games i reccomend:
Grandia
Magic Knight Rayearth
Sonic Jam
Lunar 1&2
NiGHTS!!
Megaman x3,x4, and 8
Panzer Dragoon 1,2, and Saga
The Vs. Series
SFZ3
METAL SLUG!
Radiant Silvergun
Silhouette Mirage (sp?)

and thats just for starters...

i also suggest you head on over to segaxtreme.com very sexy place indeed

Liquid Snake · Jun 6, 2001

Wow......I'm too late to post and everyone has already addressed what I intend to say <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Just IMO:

1) Don't buy any console over Ebay

2) My US Saturn (still running fine and playing US game, no import) was probably ruin the cart slot by 5-in-1 convertor (reason unknown). Fortunately I still have one brand new White Saturn as backup.

3) D&D Collection is alright. Loading time is kinda long but not as bad as Neo CD. Two games are pretty easy with unlimited continues. I got it brand new for $49 when it first came out and rarely play it.

4) I'll not buy US games coz I prefer JPN one <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> I'll get Skeleton Saturn soon

5) DC is awesome but Saturn still has many good games which DC doesn't have. Anyway, I like DC and Saturn both.

Nice to see a new Saturn gamer here <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

neobuyer · Jun 7, 2001

Originally posted by Wan-Fu:
So if you are a Saturn owner and understand what I am looking to get out of this system please reply with comments on what you think are my best options.

Personally, I'd go with NCS (Modded, of course). They are super reliable and you know your gonna get a great mod install.

I still have my original release Grey Japanese Saturn from back in '94, cost me $600 back then, and over the years it has been worth every penny.

I like D&D collection alot. It's really close to the arcade and the load times aren't that bad. Theres a reason it's worth so much nowadays...

I'm probably not telling you anything you don't already know, but pretty much all the good Saturn games are Japan only releases. There's only a handful of games that are worth having that came out in the US/Europe.

If I may be so bold, let me reccomend some titles to you:

Soukyugurentai: If you like Radiant Silvergun, you'll like this.

Battle Garegga: My personal favorite Saturn shooter. A shooter experience that is unequaled on any other home platform.

Dodonpachi: Beautiful, insane shooter, one of my top 5 shooters.

Silhouette Mirage: Another quirky, brilliant Treasure platformer.

Assault Suit Leynos 2: Ultra cool, 2D mech action. Sequel to classic Genesis title Target Earth.

Viva Saturn!

Liquid Snake · Jun 7, 2001

seems like I'll stick with my US saturn for a while........I'll play my 5 US saturn games on it until it dies.

Just ordered Skeleton Saturn console and that's my dream to own one.

My next console is Sakura DC....
then I'll be a happy guy <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Liquid Snake · Jun 7, 2001

So happy that I just got Shining Force III 1-3 complete <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
1 & 3 are brand new and 2 is in mint condition <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Still haven't opened the wrap yet coz they are so beautiful

fomaman · Jun 7, 2001

i've only had my saturn for a few months and i have had a 5-in-1 in it since i started playing. how can this fuck up my system? is it a guarantee to fuck it up over time? i'd really appreciate any feedback/solutions.

Brandon St Randy · Jun 7, 2001

Originally posted by fomaman:
i've only had my saturn for a few months and i have had a 5-in-1 in it since i started playing. how can this fuck up my system? is it a guarantee to fuck it up over time? i'd really appreciate any feedback/solutions.

im assuming if you take put it in and remove it a lot it will mess up the system. Ive had my 5 in 1 sitting in my Saturn for 3 years now, havent had a problem playing imports. i just take the cart out to give it a cleaning every once in awhile, thats about it.

Liquid Snake · Jun 7, 2001

I think that's the best way to leave the 5-in-1 cart in the cart slot.......:<

My poor Saturn.....woowoo

Sega Saturn advice for a newbie

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