Is the Sega Saturn Worth it?

[DragonmasterDan]

I've heard horror stories (like the ones posted above) of the ram cart slot, but surprisingly, my original Saturn has been going strong with my Gameshark for something like 15 years now.  Every once in awhile I'll have to unplug it and plug it back in, but it's not frequent enough to be much of a bother.  I don't have it plugged in all the time, so maybe that's a good thing.  But it's gotten a fair amount of use over the years (back when I had a larger Saturn collection and used it for the cheats).  Lately, I just use it to play imports.

The number of times you can insert Saturn carts is fairly limited. The fact that the GameShark isn't reading every time tells me you're starting to get problems with pins bending and not making perfect contact. The GameShark is possibly the easiest cartridge to get a read from due to how thick the PCB is.

When I was swapping between cartridges constantly I was wearing out the cart slots in a matter of months. I've taken the approach of permanently leaving official Sega memory carts in my Saturns, not moving them and not attempting to use the RAM cart or any third party carts.

[KnightWarrior]

Import Gaming is better on the Saturn

[Nando]

Listen to DDAN!!!

[lukester]

Got my first Saturn game! 

Street Fighter Alpha 1 CIB.

God that box-art is ugly.

Still need a controller to play though. 

[Black Tiger]

Got my first Saturn game! 

Street Fighter Alpha 1 CIB.

God that box-art is ugly.

Still need a controller to play though. 

You should have bought the PSX version instead, it has BLUE SHADOWS. Since the Saturn hardware cannot handle transparency effects, the shadows in its version are normal sprites with a blue transparency layer over top. The PSX version has arcade-authentic non-translucency blue gradient shadows because it can do hardware transparencies.

The Saturn version also sucks because it has scratchy arcade-authentic voice samples. Hardcore gamers who will accept nothing short of arcade-perfection must have arcade-imperfect improved sound samples.

Worst of all, the Saturn version plays better and loads faster.

[Tatsujin]

if you want get the very best out of the 32-bit 2D era, there's no way that goes around of owning a Saturn and a PS1 together.

[Punch]

Oh no!!! The PS has lost a battle of ports epically because of missing effects and unfaithfulness to the arcade version!

Can we just all get along, and you know, play a little of Mario 64, some Metal Gear Solid...

[jeffhlewis]

Vampire Savior is a must-own import. Damn near arcade perfect and load times are almost imperceptible.


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[BigusSchmuck]

Gamesharks also allow you to play imports (though not the 4meg ones) and I think they can be found pretty cheap.  I use mine to play Skull Fang, Christmas Nights, and Myst (Aw, yeah!).

Are you sure about that? http://www.amazon.com/Action-Replay-4M-Plus-enhancement-Sega/dp/B008FPMBNG
According to amazon it claims the action-replay plus 4m has the ability to play imports...

[roflmao]

Gamesharks also allow you to play imports (though not the 4meg ones) and I think they can be found pretty cheap.  I use mine to play Skull Fang, Christmas Nights, and Myst (Aw, yeah!).

Are you sure about that? http://www.amazon.com/Action-Replay-4M-Plus-enhancement-Sega/dp/B008FPMBNG
According to amazon it claims the action-replay plus 4m has the ability to play imports...

I never said the action replay couldn't play imports, I was merely offering a cheaper alternative that I've been using for a long time.  Apparently, my console is made of the stuff of gods and has withheld the absolute torture that gamsharks are capable of.

[MrBroadway]

The problems with the Game Shark come from repeated insertion and removal. If you keep it in there all the time, then no problems will arise, especially if you don't put anything else in there.

Personally, I say go with the 4MB Action Replay.

[roflmao]

Yeah.. my Gameshark has been in and out of my Saturn like a crooked politician at a cathouse.

But the internet knows all, so I must be a fluke. :p

[MrBroadway]

Yeah.. my Gameshark has been in and out of my Saturn like a crooked politician at a cathouse.

But the internet knows all, so I must be a fluke. :p

Like with most things, YMMV. 

[lukester]

Got my first Saturn game! 

Street Fighter Alpha 1 CIB.

God that box-art is ugly.

Still need a controller to play though. 

You should have bought the PSX version instead, it has BLUE SHADOWS. Since the Saturn hardware cannot handle transparency effects, the shadows in its version are normal sprites with a blue transparency layer over top. The PSX version has arcade-authentic non-translucency blue gradient shadows because it can do hardware transparencies.

The Saturn version also sucks because it has scratchy arcade-authentic voice samples. Hardcore gamers who will accept nothing short of arcade-perfection must have arcade-imperfect improved sound samples.

Worst of all, the Saturn version plays better and loads faster.

I liked that article on your site.

[Digi.k]

Got my first Saturn game! 

Street Fighter Alpha 1 CIB.

God that box-art is ugly.

Still need a controller to play though. 

You should have bought the PSX version instead, it has BLUE SHADOWS. Since the Saturn hardware cannot handle transparency effects, the shadows in its version are normal sprites with a blue transparency layer over top. The PSX version has arcade-authentic non-translucency blue gradient shadows because it can do hardware transparencies.

Worst of all, the Saturn version plays better and loads faster.

The samples in the saturn versions are quite scorchy. I think to get the original shadows you select "original" on the music option screen.

Vampire hunter and Alpha 2 on the other hand.... while samples still not as clear as the psx version, everything else.....