The Saturn - The Ram cart - The options!

[Frank_fjs]

I've been using a PAR with my Saturn for 3 years solid and have never had a problem, and I don't leave it in the cart slot, I insert/remove it as required.

That said, the Saturn cart slot is definitely finicky/highly temperamental. I know of many people with dead cart slots and they're a bitch to repair/replace.

[Duo_R]

I wonder if a new cart slot could be made / substituted

[Frank_fjs]

I wonder if a new cart slot could be made / substituted

I imagine that it could, but I don't know of any that exist. The only solution I know of is to find a cheap dead Saturn (perhaps with a faulty CD drive etc) and transplant the cart slot from that (assuming it works).

There's replacement cart slots for many systems, such as the NES, Master System, Mark III, Neo Geo etc, it's strange that no-one has mass produced one for the Saturn.

[Duo_R]

I think it is because it is just for memory cards and PAR devices, so low market potential vs a cart based system with higher base of people that would buy.

[Joe Redifer]

I wish they made cartridge games on the Saturn.  Is the system capable of running a game from the cart port?

[SignOfZeta]

well I can speak for Gameshark, it is physically thicker than the Sega brand memory cart. Yes there is a known issue with the cartridge slot, thick carts don't help the problem.

For PAR I honestly cant say for sure since I have never used one personally but assumed it was like the Gameshark.

The Gameshark is literally a rebranded PAR. It lacks the RAM expansion stuff because that didn't come out until later versions of the PAR. The software is slightly different and some have com ports on them, but that's about it.

I think it is because it is just for memory cards and PAR devices, so low market potential vs a cart based system with higher base of people that would buy.

The Power Memory cart launched with the system. I'm pretty sure they thought %10 of users would just buy it, put it in there, and just leave it. The other stuff was obviously accommodated for in the original spec, but I don't think they seriously thought it would happen.

I wish they made cartridge games on the Saturn.  Is the system capable of running a game from the cart port?

Yes, it is. The PAR boots from the cart slot, for example. Its never been done though.

[Duo_R]

side note since we are talking about the carts, here are some boxes I made to store mine since I got mine loose:




On the back of the 1mb and 4mb ram carts, I put a list of the games that supported the cart, and some screenshots.

[Ji-L87]

That's really neat! Makes me want to do something similar...
Does the case have a place in which to fit the cart or does it just rattle around in there?

[Duo_R]

Universal game box, I will check it but it does kinda hold it. Not perfectly still but doesn't fly all over the box. I will make one soon for my Neo Flash cart and maybe the Turbo Everdrive.

[SignOfZeta]

This is my case:



It doesn't have an ESRB rating but...

[Ji-L87]

This is my case:

*picture snip*

It doesn't have an ESRB rating but...

Oh yeah, remember seeing that bad ass case in some other thread.
I hope you're wearing some slick suit & shades when you're on and about with that - cuz you're totally bringing the goods

[DragonmasterDan]

well I can speak for Gameshark, it is physically thicker than the Sega brand memory cart. Yes there is a known issue with the cartridge slot, thick carts don't help the problem.

For PAR I honestly cant say for sure since I have never used one personally but assumed it was like the Gameshark.

The game shark is definitely thicker. My interact brand memory card is quite a bit thicker as well. But my ST key, PARs, and EMS brand memory cards do not appear to be.

[Deletion]

side note since we are talking about the carts, here are some boxes I made to store mine since I got mine loose:




On the back of the 1mb and 4mb ram carts, I put a list of the games that supported the cart, and some screenshots.

Those look great. Did you create the covers yourself? Can you share the files?

[Chuplayer]

There's replacement cart slots for many systems, such as the NES, Master System, Mark III, Neo Geo etc, it's strange that no-one has mass produced one for the Saturn.

For the MVS? If so, could you please provide a link? The last time I heard, the maker of the recent Daedalus MVS to AES converter has replacement slots in the pipeline, but they aren't ready yet.

I've got a 4-slot, so I've got enough slots that it will take a long time for them to wear out, but I do want to stock up on replacements for when the day comes that I'll need to replace the slots.

[DragonmasterDan]

There's replacement cart slots for many systems, such as the NES, Master System, Mark III, Neo Geo etc, it's strange that no-one has mass produced one for the Saturn.

Replacing Saturns is still relatively inexpensive and the difference between the Saturn and the systems you listed above is that games are played from the cartridge slot on those systems. The Saturn cartridge slot is for expansion/peripheral use only.