Saroo HDLoader For Saturn - Any Good?

Takumaji

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Watched a couple of YT vids about it, it's a cartridge with a SD card that lets you play ISOs of the games, comes with builtin 1/4 MB memory expansion and some other stuff.

Anyone ever used one or can add some infos here? There are other options like Fenrir that seem more compatible but you have to swap out the CD drive for it.
 

100proof

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So the hardware that's out there is some bootleg AliExpress shit with no real quality control and the game compatibility can vary wildly depending solely on what vendor you buy it from. The guy that originally worked on the project is still out there coming up with firmware updates to fix issues but not all of the carts that are out there are guaranteed to be able to even take those updates.

The only real upside to them is that they're cheap as shit. You can find them for $60ish dollars. I bought one of the recommended ones just to screw around with. That said, I would definitely stick with the Fenrir Duo. Near 100% game compatibility and easily acquirable.

The MODE is Terraonion's version which is more expensive and, frankly, fuck them. The Satiator is a similar thing that uses the VCD port (don't have to take out the disc mechanism) but they're stupid expensive ($250+) and have their own compatibility issues.

Honestly, if you really care about your disc drive, just buy a Fenrir Duo and an extra Saturn. It's cheaper than just buying a Satiator. and a better user experience
 

Hattori Hanzo

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Satiator doesn't play the MPEG games and the Saroo only plays 80 games I think.
Fenrir or Mode are the best options. I have a Mode in one of my Dreamcasts and like it. Probably won't buy a second one for my Saturn.

My GD-ROM Dreamcast didn't get any playtime since I bought an ODE. Will sell the DC & Saturn games and keep the hardware with ODE.
I'm leaning to a Fenrir myself.
 

Takumaji

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Thanks for setting things straight, guys.

Apparently, the Saroo project has trundled along for several years now but recently, the hardware and firmware got a major update and now compatibility seems to be way better, it supports a large number of games according to various sources, basically seems to do the trick. For what it's worth, there's an Elite version now that has all the new bells and whistles, but yeah, most people who have dabbled with one report various problems with firmware versions.

Still, the price is tempting...
 

Takumaji

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If I had a PAL Saturn, would it be possible to play JPN and US games in 60Hz with Saroo?
 

HeavyMachineGoob

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If I had a PAL Saturn, would it be possible to play JPN and US games in 60Hz with Saroo?
From what I've tested, it seems like the Pro Action Replay function to disable the region lockout is always active. My USA Saturn was loading Japanese ISOs just fine.
 

deviljin102

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I might get this although I have the fenrir. But not a bad solution for those that don't want to open their Saturn.
 

Moob Butter

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You probably already seen this video Tak, it does look pretty good for the cash. So long as you get a good card, with an up to date firmware installed.


It’s pretty simple to 50/60hz mod a PAL Saturn, which is a must. I’d get a switchless kit.

 

roker

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Honestly, if you really care about your disc drive, just buy a Fenrir Duo and an extra Saturn.

Best answer. The real no brainer. I think there’s a way to keep the disc drive with fenrir. I’m too lazy to google. Pretty much works with anything you throw at it.
 

Lamprey

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Just my 2 cents..

I have both the Finrir and a Saroo.

I think the Fenrir is great - It is 100% (or nearly) compatible with all the games. It has a nice UI. The only real down side is that you have to open up your Saturn to install it. If you want to play games that need to expansion cart (1/4 MB) then you also need one of those (SaturnKai).

The Saroo works well. I don't know the exact compatibility percentage, but it is up there and climbing. The loading is faster than the Fenrir. The downside, for me, is the menu. It is functional, but if they could copy the Fenrir menu or do one better, I'd really love it. Besides the loading speed, the major advantage that the Saroo has is (in addition to also emulating/taking the place of the expansion cartridge) that it acts as memory cartridge as well. As far as I know, that means virtually unlimited saves wthout having to worry about clearing space of the Saturns internal storage (and you can back it up off the SD card). This, to me, this is the game changer.

Since I have booth, if there is a game that the Saroo can't play, I can always fallback to the Fenrir. Although, I haven't tried anything that the Saroo hasn't played. Admittedly, I've only had the Saroo for a couple of weeks and only played about 10 different games. So, YMMV.

I think the fenrir is very cool, looks good (menu) and just works. The Sarro with it's unlimited saves and speed will probably be my go-to for now on. If I didn't already have a fenrir or a saroo, I'd get a saroo.

Cheers!
 

prof

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deviljin102

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That fella did a livestream over the weekend putting the saroo through the motions.

I seen this and then tried some of the games he chose on my Saturn with fenrir and man, it makes me want it more because of the loading speeds alone.
 

prof

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Been messing around with the Saroo quite a bit the last few days. I have the latest firmware installed (0.5), but it's worth noting that this is still consided a beta. Anyway, most of the issues I was having with games not booting ceased when I set up a new SD card and stopped using the one that it came with. I'm currently using a sandisk, and it's been working fine.

All of the standard game roms have booted and played fine for me. I haven't noticed any weird glitches, nothing notable or serious anyway. The loading is vastly reduced compared to their CD equivalents. And the roms that require the ram carts automatically adjust without having to do anything special.

Where I've encountered issues is with game roms that have been modified in some way. For instance, I've tried several different English patched Policenauts roms, and none will boot. Some, but not all, Japanese games with an English patch will boot and play briefly, but then glitch out or brick. This is fairly common at this point. And since this is a Chinese product, I kind of doubt any English translation patched compatibility issues are even on the dev's radar. So it is what it is.

But all said, for a cheap rom cart that is plug and play, basically an Everdrive for your Saturn, I can't really complain. Of the 60 some odd standard release game roms I've played on it, it's done exactly what it is advertised to do. I've barely had any issues to speak of. If you want to use it for hacks though, you'll be disappointed.

Oh, and it hasn't played nice with my 3rd party wireless controller. Some games were fine, and some would go crazy. So best to stick with a regular controller when using the saroo. Figured I should mention that.
 

Takumaji

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Thanks for your Saroo impressions, seems that for the price, the thing is a no-brainer.
 

Neo Alec

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Where I've encountered issues is with game roms that have been modified in some way. For instance, I've tried several different English patched Policenauts roms, and none will boot. Some, but not all, Japanese games with an English patch will boot and play briefly, but then glitch out or brick. This is fairly common at this point. And since this is a Chinese product, I kind of doubt any English translation patched compatibility issues are even on the dev's radar. So it is what it is.
Yeah, that's what I've heard. Unfortunately freezing with a CDR of the Policenauts English patch is what made me throw up my hands and buy this. I was fine with just burning discs before, but the patched game kept getting stuck. People were recommending this, and I thought it would probably resolve the problem.

I got a Saroo cart, but haven't bothered taking it out and trying it yet.
 

prof

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@Neo Alec
You should tinker around with it a bit, and do an impressions video for your youtube channel. Lots of eyes on this thing right now.
 

Lamprey

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Oh, and it hasn't played nice with my 3rd party wireless controller. Some games were fine, and some would go crazy. So best to stick with a regular controller when using the saroo. Figured I should mention that.
I'm, currently, using the Retro-bit Saturn (2.4Ghz) controller and it "Freaked out" when using the SAROO. I updated the reciever to the lasted firmware and that seems to have helped. I beleive the issue is that sometimes when you turn on/sync the controller it changes the d-pad mode; seemingly at random. If the controller is "freaking out" then you need to press START + UP to change the d-pad mode to d-pad (from analog mode or whatever mode it is in) after that I haven't had any issues with the reto-bit controller.

I was going to try the blueretro receivers, but they have the same issue as the retro-bit ones, in that, they act like a 3D Analog Controller and thus don't work with a few games, like Golden Axe: The Duel. So I haven't bothered yet. I may try down the road, but no real point right now.
 

prof

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The one that I use is also the retro-bit 2 point 4 ghz. Honestly, it's not a big deal to me though, I have plenty of oem saturn controllers. I recommend getting a controller extension cord if that's an issue for anyone. Not quite as convenient as a wireless controller, but the next best thing.

But good to know regarding the start+up fix. I'll have to give that a go.
 

Lamprey

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Where I've encountered issues is with game roms that have been modified in some way. For instance, I've tried several different English patched Policenauts roms, and none will boot. Some, but not all, Japanese games with an English patch will boot and play briefly, but then glitch out or brick. This is fairly common at this point. And since this is a Chinese product, I kind of doubt any English translation patched compatibility issues are even on the dev's radar. So it is what it is.
I wanted to verify mine was working before I replied. But, I can boot and play Policenauts english v1.01. I don't know if I could play through the whole thing, but it appears to be working okay.

Remember that the SAROO doesn't play ISOs. So, if you downloaded the same version of Policenauts that I did, you'll need to convet the ISO to BIN/CUE for it to work.
 

basic

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I wanted to verify mine was working before I replied. But, I can boot and play Policenauts english v1.01. I don't know if I could play through the whole thing, but it appears to be working okay.

Remember that the SAROO doesn't play ISOs. So, if you downloaded the same version of Policenauts that I did, you'll need to convet the ISO to BIN/CUE for it to work.
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deviljin102

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I might pull the trigger on this in the next few days. I managed to get a model 2 saturn where the cd drive is dead so that will be my saroo saturn

Also, does anyone have a link to the ones they bought? I see many on aliexpress with green and supposedly "new" blue boards since I don't want a bunk one even though this is open source.
 
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