Sega Saturn in 2022 - Bad Idea?

[nakamura]

As we all know 360/PS3 Daytona is better etc but there is something I love about those Saturn graphics and feel for both versions of Daytona.

Same with SFII on SNES. I prefer it over the arcade.

[ZipZap]

I bought my first Saturn about 4-5 years ago. There weren't really ODEs at that point, so I picked up a modded console. I did read once that the CD drives in the Saturn are quite high quality and tend to last longer than (for example) the Dreamcast. No idea if this is true though! I've bought a dozen or so games since, but I'm not paying £200+ for anything.

I bought a Japanese console because I like the colour schemes far better than the black western consoles. I just generally prefer the Japanese branding, nicer logo, nice compact jewel cases etc.

I have to say that whilst I've had some enjoyment from it and in no way regret buying one, it hasn't gripped me in the way other Sega consoles did. I had a Dreamcast when it was out and loved it, then more recently got a Mega SG and have really enjoyed a deep dive into the MD/SMS library. The shmups were the big draw on the Saturn for me and some of my favourites (in particular Battle Garegga and Darius Gaiden) have since made their way to the PS4.

It certainly wasn't a bad idea though!

[Hirst]

The RGB Scart output on the Saturn is probably the best of any machine I've ever used. For some reason Sega machines always had really nice RGB output with bright, vivid colours and I'd argue the Saturn was the best of the lot.

[dataDave]

...into a 20" PVM via either RGB SCART/BNC or a component cable (maybe slightly better quality).

Component is noticeably worse than SCART/BNC. Orangy reds, and nowhere near as sharp.

[SuperDanX]

Enjoying this thread, classic NTSC-UK chat

[roachie]

Got mine in 2015 having not had one (or a PlayStation) when it was current. One of just 2 consoles I've got set up permanently, the other's a Super Famicom. JP grey Model 1 with a Phantom chip & UK power board, into a 20" PVM via either RGB SCART/BNC or a component cable (maybe slightly better quality). Wanted to be able to play 'everything' so also got 1MB & 4MB carts, 2 Virtua Guns, the 3D Control Pad, a VCD card, HORI Fighting Stick... Was really obsessed with finding out about the library & its obscurities for ages, Yakumo's old site was a goldmine of info at the time. Got a massive CD wallet with 128 CD-Rs in it Did get a universal BIOS chip as I mistakenly thought mine was socketed; beyond my skills to solder it in so just region-patched everything. The drive became unreliable at reading discs & after hours of tinkering with the pots with the lid off I replaced the drive - holding up well to this day. Replacing the power board wasn't as easy as I thought but hated using a stepdown - possibly because mine was a ropey cheap one that made a buzzing noise & got hot. Have to say the Fenrir looks pretty tempting, it's a shame the Satiator is so expensive. Sold the VCD card in the end as didn't really use it, got a great price for it as it was the RG-VC3 model. Will probably sell the guns as well as don't use them. Can't see me selling the Saturn any time soon, it's true that you can play most games better/more easily elsewhere but there's something special about this console, it's got soul & feels in a way like the end of the era of gaming I grew up with - it was designed as a 2D powerhouse. Wish I'd had one at the time as the quality of the coin-op ports would have blown my mind. Probably another reason I like it so much - Neo aside, it feels like the first home console that could really do arcade ports proper justice. Loaded up Panzer Dragoon Saga last night as been meaning to get into it for ages - was too tired tho & didn't even get through the tutorials

[speedlolita]

I have had to repair RGC cables before, and I don't like their PCB in SCART head design so much. They're probably fine but I would steer clear. Have heard some good things about Insurrection Industries cables, which are available from Games Connection: https://gamesconnection.co.uk/produc...e-sync-on-luma

[wakka]

The SCART cable should be easy enough - these cables are well thought of:

https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/sega/saturn/SEGA-SATURN-RGB-SCART-PACKAPUNCH-PRO-CABLE

Unless anyone with first hand experience can say otherwise?

What are the must have games, out of interest?

[Wools]

Thanks for those details Speedy, I had that exact company saved for Stepdown's but appreciate the Scart lead info, thank you!

[speedlolita]

For Japanese Saturn I have always used PAL OEM SCART leads and modified the c-sync pin on the AV port to be 9V - just like a PAL machine.

https://mmmonkey.co.uk/ntsc-saturn-and-pal-scart-leads/

Not so sure about decent and modern third party SCART leads though...

As for step-downs I would recommend airlink transformers: https://airlinktransformers.com/cate...age-converters. Currently using my own with my Saturn as finding a PAL Saturn PSU is trickier than it once was.

As chipsgravy mentioned there are also modern power supply replacements that accept 12V like a MD or SFC would, which circumvent the need for step-down but would require an AC adapter instead.

[Wools]

We need an update from [MENTION=680]Wools[/MENTION]...where's your head at?! Let us live through you!

Ha, glad you're thinking of me!

I'm currently scrolling through eBay and putting together a shopping list of Japanese Saturn games and doing some reading up on some of the brilliant bits of tech you and others have mentioned and working out what I need.

Still not commited yet but once I have the full shopping list, I'll decide whether to jump in or not. I was part considering a PAL (I know) PlayStation and building a small little collection of my favourite games but when I got more serious about it in 2021, I kept wanting to come back to the Saturn as that libary is more of an unknown to me. Well, except for Sega Rally, Virtua Fighter etc. as I played them in the Arcades back in the day. I could imagine buying a PAL PS1 + games and then sitting down to play them when I work out; Oh ****, I've played them a thousand times and I have an emulator with all of them anyway.

So the Saturn is still the strongest contender. I'm sold on a Japanese Saturn with 2 wireless Retro-Bit controllers and have around 5 must have games. After that, it's a step down and scaler I'm reading up on and also havn't yet checked if an output cable (RGB Scart etc.) will be another hurdle to take a look into.

[wakka]

We need an update from [MENTION=680]Wools[/MENTION]...where's your head at?! Let us live through you!
[MENTION=13863]speedlolita[/MENTION] yeah it's a great box. Looks like it's going to be full of some sort of delicious Japanese snack.

[dataDave]

Saturn, 64 and PS1 is my favourite era of gaming so having well equipped setups for all 3 is a no-brainer.

I've got the PS1 covered, with my mate holding one of my old N64s for me. Although like [MENTION=5941]Asura[/MENTION] says the MiSTer is now very close to picking up the Saturn.

[phillv85]

You should absolutely go for it. There’s so many really good, really cheap Japanese Saturn games. If you’re into Sega Arcade games and/or fighting games you’re onto a winner, loads of them cost under a tenner.

[dvdx2]

Pick up a chipped Japanese saturn with a stepdown (or ideally one with a uk psu), chipped (or with a SD solution) and an RGB capable crt. Thats it!

Image and motion will look better than any scaler or modern hdmi solution.

If you really want to up the ante on image quality, get a small pvm - only extra you will need is a RGB to bnc lead.