saturn info request

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Sun May 15, 2005 5:06 pm

ok sorry that this has probably all been said before but i need some advice from all present. i've traded in my amiga 600 and some games today for 30 quid gamestation credit note (before anyone shouts, it was getting no love and had been boxed up in the loft for years, pulled out for a quick one on cannon fodder and then packed back up in need of a new home). i'm really sure what to get yet but i'm tempted by a saturn. first of all due to the fact that i have a credit note, it will have to be a pal release, and i'm going to have to mod it or something similar to allow me to play imports. i need a little advice on uk costs etc for the whole operation. i think the saturn's about 20 quid, but what else will i need and will i be able to get it?

basically is it worth me getting a domestic release pal console and modding it? like i said i have a credit note and i must point outthat i have very little money.

any info or advice would be greatly appreciated. i'm a bit stumped on how to approach it all

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Sun May 15, 2005 5:14 pm

My Saturn is a JPN region model, so I really can't help you there.

I think due to the way the Saturn works, you can solve your region problems easily, by simply buying a region bypass cart. That's it, no modding or soldering or bootlegs or any of the crap. The only problem is the cart will take up the slot, so you can't use your cart memory at the same time.

Oh, and make sure you change the battery, and make sure when you do, you have it in there just right. I was having a couple of problems with my system memory until I opened the back and jiggled the new battery until it was fit snugly, works flawlessly now. You'll need a CR2032 battery, easily found at your local Wal-Mart or Radioshack.

Congrats on your purchase, Saturn is a wonderful system.

theevilfunkster · Post by **theevilfunkster** » Sun May 15, 2005 5:34 pm

Iv'e bought a couple of saturns from gamestation (they're only £16.99 boxed).

If you want import games then your gonna either have to mod it (i recently blew one of mine up trying this) or get some sort of import device.

play-asia sell these http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-1v- ... 0-1b2.html

Thats what i was using until my white Japanese Saturn arrived last friday. They're pretty good if you dont mind the extra minute or so the game needs to boot up. And they're loaded with cheats and 8000 memory blocks.

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Sun May 15, 2005 6:00 pm

that's a pretty good deal. is play-asia pay what you see with imports? it comes to about 15 pound with postage but is there any hidden tax charges etc? i really don't want to be stung lol and i've heard some real horror stories about imports

theevilfunkster · Post by **theevilfunkster** » Sun May 15, 2005 7:03 pm

Ive bought tons of stuff from play-asia, including the Action Replay cart and never had to pay any extra charges.

And £15 for a brand new AR cart is usually much cheaper than you would pay for a used one on ebay

Nei First · Post by **Nei First** » Sun May 15, 2005 7:44 pm

I'd say definatly get the AR 4-1 cart or if you can, get a modded Saturn. Cos without access to the jap games, I personally don't think the saturn is worth getting (especially if you mainly want it for shmups/fighters).
But.... With the access to jap games, Saturn IMO is one of the best consoles around.

You said your cashflow is tight at the moment, so I should warn you that saturn jap games don't exactly go for cheap, some of the best titles sell for ridiculous prices. Be prepared to do some "searching" for the best deals.
Hope this helps.

judesalmon · Post by **judesalmon** » Mon May 16, 2005 8:19 am

A switched PAL Saturn is the way to go.

It should be quite cheap to get the necessary bits and instructions off t'Internet, or if you don't feel confident doing it yourself contact the Video Game Centre in Bournemouth.

Diabollokus · Post by **Diabollokus** » Mon May 16, 2005 3:46 pm

if you have to have a pal one get it region switched. Don't get an action replay cartridge they wear out after a while and damage the saturns cartridge slot. I know mine died the other week.

If you can get a nice japanese one, buy it directly from a japanese seller on ebay be cheap enough then get the step down and official memory card.

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Mon May 16, 2005 3:55 pm

can't fucking believe it. the moronic staff member which asked me which one is the saturn has given me a megadrive power lead and rf unit. i can't go down now and get it as i;m going to see a band tonight and i need to eat etc before i go.

didn't find any pal shmups in the shops but i did get street fighter alpha 2, virtua fighter 2, and story of thor 2 for 5 quid each.

can't play them though.... grrrrrr

Diabollokus · Post by **Diabollokus** » Mon May 16, 2005 4:02 pm

thats not a bad haul! vf 2 rocks be jacky!

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Mon May 16, 2005 4:15 pm

well i turned on my charm and bargained the stuff down lol. they wanted 15 quid for story of thor 2 and didn't even have it on display so i hagled em down. i don't think they know it's pretty sought after, especially by me considering i paid 10 quid for the original on the megadrive.

oh well looks like a saturnless night for me. gonna open major whupass when i go in tomorrow...

Nei First · Post by **Nei First** » Mon May 16, 2005 6:21 pm

Diabollokus wrote:if you have to have a pal one get it region switched. Don't get an action replay cartridge they wear out after a while and damage the saturns cartridge slot. I know mine died the other week.

If you can get a nice japanese one, buy it directly from a japanese seller on ebay be cheap enough then get the step down and official memory card.

I've had no problems with my AR cart, did you remove the cart often?

Yes, the AR carts are not official and they are actually slightly bigger than the cartridge slot, but from what I've heard, they can only damage or "expand" your cartridge slot IF you constantly take it out and put it back in. I leave mine in constantly and I've had no problems.

Two people I know DID have this problem, but I know they used to keep taking out the cart.

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Mon May 16, 2005 6:43 pm

What's this "step down" thing I keep hearing about. Is it something designed to lower the voltage so your system won't fry? Must be for the PAL region since my JPN region Saturn has no problems being plugged into an American outlet. I know Japanese electronics are rated at 100 volts while American outlets are rated between 110 and 125 volts.

Wll 10-25 extra volts hurt my Saturn in anyway? It seems to do being doing ok plugged right into my powerstrip. I really don't want to have to spend a lot of money buying any more extra crap so my system blow up because it's not in its native region.

Diabollokus · Post by **Diabollokus** » Mon May 16, 2005 7:36 pm

Yes voltage in the UK is 220-240 Volts thats why you need a step down converter to use import consoles over here. Damage, lets just say the board is destroyed. Talk to marc is girlfriend fried his import dreamcast.

I'd advise you to get one, voltage is the rate of flow of electrons isn't it? current is the rate of flow of charge measured in amps? christ its been awhile...........They are very cheap.

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Mon May 16, 2005 7:43 pm

So are you telling me that ten to twenty five extra volts is enough to kill my Saturn? It seems to be working fine but I may be damaging it in the long run.

Nei First · Post by **Nei First** » Mon May 16, 2005 7:44 pm

Diabollokus wrote: I'd advise you to get one, voltage is the rate of flow of electrons isn't it? current is the rate of flow of charge measured in amps? christ its been awhile...........They are very cheap.

You're correct on both counts man, cool.

Yeah I agree, get a step down. You don't wanna regret damaging the saturn.

SheSaidDutch · Post by **SheSaidDutch** » Mon May 16, 2005 7:50 pm

A surge gaurd for extra protection

All my electronics shall have these plug extentions.

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Mon May 16, 2005 7:50 pm

Better safe then sorry I guess. Where I can aquire one of these devices? Hopefully at my local Radioshack.

Looks like my Saturn's spending some time in the closet until I can give it a proper voltage condom.

I do have it plugged into a surge protector. Is that enough?

theevilfunkster · Post by **theevilfunkster** » Mon May 16, 2005 10:38 pm

I wish play-asia would hurry up and deliver my step down converter, i want to play my new white Saturn.

story of thor 2 for 5 quid each.

Thats VERY cheap for Story of Thor 2. It usually goes for a lot more.

SheSaidDutch · Post by **SheSaidDutch** » Mon May 16, 2005 10:55 pm

FatCobra wrote:Better safe then sorry I guess. Where I can aquire one of these devices? Hopefully at my local Radioshack.

I do have it plugged into a surge protector. Is that enough?

yeah thats what it is called aswell, If the post is directed at me

but you'll defiantly want to get a stepdown for sure.

theevilfunkster wrote:I wish play-asia would hurry up and deliver my step down converter, i want to play my new white Saturn.

Any Images of that sleek thing?

The Saturn not the stepdown

judesalmon · Post by **judesalmon** » Tue May 17, 2005 9:32 am

You don't need a stepdown in the US - Japan uses the same voltage as the US.

We need stepdowns in the UK for US and Japanese systems as our voltage is about 100V greater.

theevilfunkster · Post by **theevilfunkster** » Tue May 17, 2005 12:43 pm

Any Images of that sleek thing?

The Saturn not the stepdown

What, this?

Post by **Shatterhand** » Tue May 17, 2005 1:43 pm

Does anyone who lives in South America knows if Play-Asia has any trouble shipping here?

I found interesting how they show up the price in both Dollars and in Brazilian money too (The site probably detects what my country is, and shows the price for it)

I am interested in buying this. I would probably sell my ST-Key to get it though... so I have a few questions, if anyone feels like answering them.

For how much should I sell my ST-Key?
And do the AR has the same compatibility that the ST-Key has? (The only japanese game that failed to run here was Sokyugurentai, which has the already known garbled text problems..)

theevilfunkster · Post by **theevilfunkster** » Tue May 17, 2005 1:48 pm

The only problem i had with the AR cart i got from play-asia was it woudn't run X-men vs Street Fighter properly. The sound was all messed up and the animation went all shitty.

llabnip · Post by **llabnip** » Tue May 17, 2005 1:58 pm

judesalmon wrote:You don't need a stepdown in the US - Japan uses the same voltage as the US.

That's not correct. In the US, voltage at the outlet is typically 117V (though it varries throughout the day based on demand - it can drop to 110V or be has high as 120V - nominally 117V). In Japan, the nominal voltage is 100V.

A Japanese gaming system will regulate the voltage down since no component within the system will generally use the 100+ V anyway (more typically the input AC voltage is transformed into 12V or 5V DC logic for use by the system). However, any heat that is created in the transformation process will be 17% higher (on average) than the design specifications if you run a japanese system on US voltage source. This extra heat can shorten the lifetime of the components over the long haul. However, it's a reasonably minor risk... but there is a difference (and if you want to be completely safe, they sell 117V to 100V step-down transformers just for such use).

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Tue May 17, 2005 2:29 pm

well i've had my chips well and truely pissed upon today. went to the store to get the correct leads for my saturn, and guess what? they had two saturns but no leads at all. they then phoned around every store in the manchester area that are even remotely accessible for me, and turned up not one saturn system. i've had to have a refund on the console and i'm going to get my money back on the games in a bit. looks like i won't be getting a saturn any time soon, but i might get myself a ds and put the difference. i want zoo keeper, and there are some class gba games i haven't tried like metal slug advance.

either way i'm a bit gutted

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Tue May 17, 2005 4:53 pm

Yes voltage in the UK is 220-240 Volts thats why you need a step down converter to use import consoles over here. Damage, lets just say the board is destroyed. Talk to marc is girlfriend fried his import dreamcast.

And there I was, almost over it...

My sweet, sweet Hello Kitty

SheSaidDutch · Post by **SheSaidDutch** » Tue May 17, 2005 5:39 pm

Marc wrote:And there I was, almost over it...
My sweet, sweet Hello Kitty

Hands Marc a tissue

You should blow up her hair dryer or something

theevilfunkster- that white Saturn sure is nice, the logo is also alot better

theevilfunkster · Post by **theevilfunkster** » Tue May 17, 2005 10:49 pm

SheSaidDutch wrote:
Marc wrote:And there I was, almost over it...
My sweet, sweet Hello Kitty
Hands Marc a tissue

You should blow up her hair dryer or something

theevilfunkster- that white Saturn sure is nice, the logo is also alot better

Yes, it it quite nice. Does anyone know if the Japanese Saturns have a different startup screen with the Japanese logo, or just the normal one?

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Wed May 18, 2005 2:59 am

Can anyone give me a link for a 117V-to-100V step-down convertor? I don't want to damage my precious Saturn from simply plugging it in. Oh, my Saturn is a beautiful shade of white as well. The Saturn has a pretty cool interface and makes cool old-school sounds IMHO.