Is the Sega Saturn Worth it?

[TR0N]

i love this thread.  and in the Year of the Saturn (20th anniversary) no less!

prices are spiking, especially on US stuff - even common ones!  much like the turbo scene, there's better deals on the import end except for the big name J-only ones.  i can't recommend enough the idea of emulating, watching youtube etc about the big ticket items to see if they're really worth it to you, then patiently holding out for a deal - sometimes craigslist, mainly forums though.  for me, a few japanese sellers on ebay were totally worth it for SHMUPs/fighters/run-n-guns etc, usually buying at least a few at cheap prices to balance out the shipping (which also isn't bad once combined).  i got a model 2 with unibios + CD-r support mods for less than $100 about a year ago, and it's been the single most played console i have since then, including the PS4. 

That's often why it's best to import for the saturn just like with TG16.When i was buying for the saturn,many years ago i had the common sense to keep what i bought for it.Good thing to given how games such as pds cost a fortune now.

[Nando]

Saturns and Capcom 4-meg carts are cheap today anyways, so it's a non-issue.

X-Men VS Street Fighter with the cart cost me $230 bitd.

FUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!

[Black Tiger]

Saturns and Capcom 4-meg carts are cheap today anyways, so it's a non-issue.

X-Men VS Street Fighter with the cart cost me $230 bitd.

FUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!

SFII' PCE with an orange kisado cost me just as much and was also well worth it.

[Nando]

Saturns and Capcom 4-meg carts are cheap today anyways, so it's a non-issue.

X-Men VS Street Fighter with the cart cost me $230 bitd.

FUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!

SFII' PCE with an orange kisado cost me just as much and was also well worth it.

I need some seeds from your money tree

[Radtastic89]

Saturns and Capcom 4-meg carts are cheap today anyways, so it's a non-issue.

X-Men VS Street Fighter with the cart cost me $230 bitd.

FUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!

SFII' PCE with an orange kisado cost me just as much and was also well worth it.

I need some seeds from your money tree

If we are getting in line for this money tree sign me up.

[pulstar]

That's often why it's best to import for the saturn just like with TG16.When i was buying for the saturn,many years ago i had the common sense to keep what i bought for it.Good thing to given how games such as pds cost a fortune now.

This is the best advice for the Saturn. Domestic (UK and US) games are expensive and really, you can get the same enjoyment out of most them with you can use translation guide etc to get just as much out of them with just a little more hassle. I'm glad I had a Saturn when they current and picked most of the games up when they were reduced in bargain bins. I remember picking up PDS for £30 on release and I still have that copy...I wouldn't like to go out and buy it now.

[BigusSchmuck]

I did manage to snag a U.S copy of Panzeer Dragoon Saga for 150 dollars. For that gem alone is reason enough to own a Saturn.

[burn_654]

Saturn is totally worth it! I had psx that generation and while I certainly didn't regret that decision, Saturn has some great Sega exclusives and 2d powerhouses.

Anyone into saturn should do themselves a huge favor and get the Action Replay 4M cart - defeats region protection, gives you action replay codes, the expanded memory for fighting games, and an alternative means of backing up saves (while you can't save to it directly, you can backup selected saves from the built-in saturn ram, not unlike some of the tennoko cards). I've heard it's bad for the cartridge slot, but I'd imagine that'd have to be from inserting it repeatedly. As far as I'm concerned it's the permanent cartridge for me.

I'd recommend Saturn Bomberman (up to 10 players on one screen) and Bulk Slash, a very fun arcadey mecha title also from our Hudson overlords!

Nights is a must play as well!

[Ji-L87]

Actually, if you're in the process of hunting down a Saturn, get a PS1 while you're at it. It complements the Saturn so well. Or maybe it's the other way around. Anyway, I bought my import PS One dirt cheap and the Saturn & PS1 just makes for a great, enjoyable budget combo of awesomeness. 

I'd recommend Saturn Bomberman (up to 10 players on one screen) and Bulk Slash, a very fun arcadey mecha title also from our Hudson overlords!

Bulk Slash is great fun. If you can find it for a good price.  It seem to be a bit rare and personally I lucked out on Yahoo auctions. I've seen it on eBay a few times but prices were always a bit high, which really sucks, cause it's a real charming game and I want more people to experience it, dammit. 

Edit: Bomberman & Nights are still on the list of things to get.

[IrishNinja]

^i said goddamn.  on one hand i had to pay $250 for PDS recently; on the other, X-Men vs SF was less than $30 shipped.  i guess it almost balances out? 

That's often why it's best to import for the saturn just like with TG16.When i was buying for the saturn,many years ago i had the common sense to keep what i bought for it.Good thing to given how games such as pds cost a fortune now.

seriously, it's such a better deal.  and yeah, good on you to hold onto your stuff...my white whales are down to Shining Force III & Burning Rangers, and neither are looking to come cheap sadly.

[TR0N]

^i said goddamn.  on one hand i had to pay $250 for PDS recently; on the other, X-Men vs SF was less than $30 shipped.  i guess it almost balances out? 

That's often why it's best to import for the saturn just like with TG16.When i was buying for the saturn,many years ago i had the common sense to keep what i bought for it.Good thing to given how games such as pds cost a fortune now.

seriously, it's such a better deal.  and yeah, good on you to hold onto your stuff...my white whales are down to Shining Force III & Burning Rangers, and neither are looking to come cheap sadly.

I was a early adopter of the saturn.Even after the console died in 98 i continue to buy for it,before long having plenty for it.For PDS i bought the game right after it's release through a babbages.Little did i know then how the game would be come very valuable.

[IrishNinja]

^lucky dog! 

my last few purchases added to be quite a bit:

Salamander Deluxe Pack - $40
DoDonPachi - $40
Elevator Action Returns - $40
Magic Knight Rayearth - $115
Marvel vs SF - $23
Akumajo Dracula X - $60

and those seriously took some looking, too. I'm wiped, god knows if and when i'll ever find deals on Shining III or Burning Rangers.

[esadajr]

for sure get a backup cart, it is frustating losing your progress on games like MKR. That would be my only complain about the system, other than that I really like it, it has good games like Daytona, Sega Rally, Nights, MKR, Sonic R, Burning Rangers, the awesome Capcom arcade ports, etc etc

I say it's worth it, some games can be expensive but most of them are not too bad.

[DragonmasterDan]

for sure get a backup cart, it is frustating losing your progress on games like MKR. That would be my only complain about the system, other than that I really like it, it has good games like Daytona, Sega Rally, Nights, MKR, Sonic R, Burning Rangers, the awesome Capcom arcade ports, etc etc

I say it's worth it, some games can be expensive but most of them are not too bad.

Get an official backup cart, once you get it working do not remove it from the cart slot.

[Fidde_se]

If you don't feel like buying a new Saturn you can buy a new BIOS and install that lets you play all regions (not CDR).

The Japanese SHMUP is all worth it.