Saturn Just got a Sega Saturn! First time ownership thread.

[HyperTurboFox]

This has been in the works for months here, but I finally got a Sega Saturn! After getting into the Dreamcast late last year, I fell more and more into two key rabbit holes: Importing cheaper JP stock and Sega Saturn. While I feel very bad now that I know how much importing has done damage to the retro game scene over in Japan, I still concede to it being a way of life for many a western gamer, thanks to the lower prices on JP stock over US resells, thanks to the US's policy of "destroy the old stock that won't have a market". Not to mention, while the Saturn is INFAMOUSLY expensive, I could actually find and name a number of titles I wanted to play that went for very cheap on the system, and the hardware sounded much more reliable than the Dreamcast which had given me so many struggles over the couple months of owning it. While still collecting and pouring love into my Dreamcast, I bit the bullet on a model 2 Japanese Sega Saturn that I found on JDirectItems Flea Market. The system had been restored to nice white (some aging couldn't be fixed, but it looks better than most consoles out there), had been FRAM modded, and was supposedly blown down with air and dusted off. I also snatched up some cheap, iconic titles that I knew I wanted to play. Yesterday, the console arrived at my apartment, and while I didn't have much time to play that night, I was able to finally fulfill my dreams of Saturn.

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Post automatically merged: Feb 21, 2025

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Woah Cool!

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's iconTamagotchiTamaHero24]

Woah Cool!

It’s a passion system for me! Love it a ton and have been very much enjoying my time with it!

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's iconTamagotchiTamaHero24]

I posted these in my status, but yesterday I designed some stickers for use with my Saturn. A memory card label, an action replay plus label, and a recreation of the decal on the “This is COOL” Saturn model.

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

This has been in the works for months here, but I finally got a Sega Saturn! After getting into the Dreamcast late last year, I fell more and more into two key rabbit holes: Importing cheaper JP stock and Sega Saturn. While I feel very bad now that I know how much importing has done damage to the retro game scene over in Japan, I still concede to it being a way of life for many a western gamer, thanks to the lower prices on JP stock over US resells, thanks to the US's policy of "destroy the old stock that won't have a market". Not to mention, while the Saturn is INFAMOUSLY expensive, I could actually find and name a number of titles I wanted to play that went for very cheap on the system, and the hardware sounded much more reliable than the Dreamcast which had given me so many struggles over the couple months of owning it. While still collecting and pouring love into my Dreamcast, I bit the bullet on a model 2 Japanese Sega Saturn that I found on JDirectItems Flea Market. The system had been restored to nice white (some aging couldn't be fixed, but it looks better than most consoles out there), had been FRAM modded, and was supposedly blown down with air and dusted off. I also snatched up some cheap, iconic titles that I knew I wanted to play. Yesterday, the console arrived at my apartment, and while I didn't have much time to play that night, I was able to finally fulfill my dreams of Saturn.

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Post automatically merged: Feb 21, 2025

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Good going, you've made them proud

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's iconTamagotchiTamaHero24]

Played Saturn tonight. I was watching some Maximilian Dood - Third Strike: The Online Warrior and Weezer Enjoyer Third Strike. You’d think it would make me want to play Street Fighter, specifically Third Strike, but seeing them play their favorite fighting game made me want to play mine.

So I hopped in and goofed around with some Virtua Fighter 2.
Virtua Fighter 2 is my favorite fighting game to play right now. It’s just unbelievably fun to play, with very satisfying gameplay flow. I just wish I had people who would be willing to run the set with me and learn some characters… -_-*
Perhaps I’ll join FightCade sometime and get my butt kicked by forty year old men who are balding and have a mortgage, for I know that is the path to true Virtua Fighter dominance. Jokes aside, I’d love to learn from older and more experienced players some cool Jacky stuff, and possibly stuff with Lau because I want to learn to play him.

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

Played Saturn tonight. I was watching some Maximilian Dood - Third Strike: The Online Warrior and Weezer Enjoyer Third Strike. You’d think it would make me want to play Street Fighter, specifically Third Strike, but seeing them play their favorite fighting game made me want to play mine.

So I hopped in and goofed around with some Virtua Fighter 2.
Virtua Fighter 2 is my favorite fighting game to play right now. It’s just unbelievably fun to play, with very satisfying gameplay flow. I just wish I had people who would be willing to run the set with me and learn some characters… -_-*
Perhaps I’ll join FightCade sometime and get my butt kicked by forty year old men who are balding and have a mortgage, for I know that is the path to true Virtua Fighter dominance. Jokes aside, I’d love to learn from older and more experienced players some cool Jacky stuff, and possibly stuff with Lau because I want to learn to play him.

If you can grab Street Fighter 2nd Impact (also named Double Impact in the West) as it's incredibly underrated and doesn't get talked about nearly as much as it should.

...Wait what the fuck am I saying neither that nor Third Strike are Saturn games, I misread this lmao

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's iconTamagotchiTamaHero24]

I went out today to get N64, I found two heavy hitters on Saturn instead. I paid $20 for both, but probably overpaid. Still, I know these games are highly regarded by Saturn owners.

 

[LaserMoose]

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I went out today to get N64, I found two heavy hitters on Saturn instead. I paid $20 for both, but probably overpaid. Still, I know these games are highly regarded by Saturn owners.

While I can't speak on the Virtua Cop games, I will say that the Japanese Sega Saturn jewel cases are quite nice looking! I really wish North American games had kept the jewel case design instead of the larger boxes. The gold spine adds a striking touch to the cases.

 

[Apaxvn]

Late congratulations! I've been slowly getting into Saturn stuff myself since my move - I adore the 3D controller a ton. We've got the first Digimon game on it which I need to get back to at some point soon - alongside Devil Summoner and some more obscure ones we've got piled up.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's iconTamagotchiTamaHero24]

I am now multiple days into the fear of losing a package. It had Sonic R, Sonic Jam, Last Bronx, Saturn Bomberman, and Saturn Bomberman Fight!! inside…

Post automatically merged: Apr 16, 2025

I got the package! It was delivered to the wrong apartment in my complex. My Saturn collection is looking a lot more filled out now!

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's iconTamagotchiTamaHero24]

Gaming.

 

[Macky]

I just bought a NTSC Saturn yesterday. Gonna be fun to look through the library

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's iconTamagotchiTamaHero24]

I just bought a NTSC Saturn yesterday. Gonna be fun to look through the library

I mean, you can check this thread for my thoughts on a lot of the games I’ve personally played!

 

[NotGodlike]

Now you're playing with POWER!!!

 

[FTLOTG]

Saturn is legendary. So many great games like Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru.

And Bulk Slash.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's iconTamagotchiTamaHero24]

I tend to prefer most of the sound effects from the Genesis versions of the Sonic games as opposed to the Jam versions. That said, I have to give special flowers to a certain sound effect: the airship in Angel Island Zone Act 2.

Combined with the table my TV rests on and the subs my Trinitron has, it genuinely startled me. It sounded like an actual, physical airplane was near my home and I had to do a pause to realize that it was just the game and not real life. Even after all these years, my favorite game of all time, Sonic 3, is providing me with new core memories to experience.

 

[SEGAGenesaur]

This is so great. I often like to reflect on my early days of Saturn ownership, because it was such a long time coming. I wanted a Saturn so badly, back in 1996, but alas, ours was a strictly Nintendo family. I wouldn't get my hands on a SEGA Saturn until well into adulthood.

 

[Baloo]

I used to own a Sega Saturn and a ton of games, but I sold them in 2013-14 or so because I wasn't playing games as much. 10 years later and everything has skyrocketed in price. I had a lot of fun with the library, but honestly I think only a few games have stood the test of time, particularly:

Panzer Dragoon Saga - This game is so good, its one of the few retro games truly worth the crazy markup. https://www.sega-16.com/2021/10/panzer-dragoon-saga/

Policenauts - Never officially released, but an English translation for the superior Saturn version was released in 2017. Read my review here: https://www.sega-16.com/2019/05/policenauts/

World Series Baseball '98 - The first fully 3D baseball game by SEGA is a masterpiece, and very cheap to be had. Who cares about the rosters, the gameplay of this one is so fluid, you'll think you were swinging the bat yourself. Being able to pitch through all four quadrants of the zone really just enhanced the realism while keeping the game with that arcadey feel. Modern baseball games like the Show are too complex, while 16-bit games don't have that depth of vision needed to feel realistic. WSB '98 strikes the right balance.

Minnesota Fats: Pool Legend - A sequel to the Data East game Side Pocket 2, the US release ended up with some awfully cheesy FMV that can only be seen to be believed. The game is nothing special, but its one of those charming games for a laugh with friends.

Admittedly I played the heck out of both Nights into Dreams and Burning Rangers, but I think both have aged horribly. NiGHTS is very arcadey but incredibly obtuse, effectively you're running laps as a court jester. As a high score contest is fun, but don't expect any kind of coherent storyline or even objectives. It is very experimental. Burning Rangers is incredibly ambitious but deserves a remaster. The game is plagued with slowdown and flickering and is just far too short. The different pathways for rescues is fun for those who really enjoy it, but running around in the dark dodging explosions just pushes the Saturn hardware to frustrating limits.

I also had a lot of fun with Sega Rally Championship, Daytona USA, Virtual On, and Darius Gaiden, even though the arcade versions for all are superior.

Finally, the Sonic Gems Collection/Windoes PC port of Sonic R is far far superior to the Saturn version. The Saturn version has draw distances so bad the game looks like you're playing in heavy fog on every track. The PC port is superior and can be had for $10 online.

Don't pay the Saturn markup for the likes of Resident Evil, Castlevania: SOTN, Mega Man 8, Rayman, etc. for games that are either the same or better on PS1, or in the case of Rayman marginally better on Saturn.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's iconTamagotchiTamaHero24]

I have to recommend this super cool JP region SEGA Saturn exclusive: Saturn Bomberman Fight!!
Now, you might’ve heard of this game if you’ve been around the Saturn space or have been a Bomberman fan, but for those who don’t know, this is less a normal Bomberman game and takes a more intense combat route. It’s a super charming 3D, you can jump, and everybody’s got life bars. Thanks to the perspectives, the arenas are more dynamic than typical Bomberman, the gameplay is more hectic, and the game is more focused. Characters get story modes, so there’s a wealth of single player content to enjoy (not as much as the mainline Saturn Bomberman, but plenty enough to justify in your collection) and the multiplayer is unmissable!

Best part: it’s cheap for a physical copy, and if you’re more the repo type, it’s been English translated recently! This game is one of the games that made me smile so much with owning and playing Saturn, because I know I’ll get YEARS out of this game.

Oh, and of course, play Saturn Bomberman too! I’d recommend the Japanese version or just locate a rom, since the price on the U.S. release is so high (and not worth it because the game is plenty easy to understand without knowing the language). But I’ll leave other people in the thread to tell you how dope that game is, because I KNOW many of you already know!

Post automatically merged: Apr 28, 2025

Check it out! Seems like a contest to win some Bomberman merch! Love that bike.
That media player though is also super sick! Has a real “MegaMan Battle Network” vibe going on.

Gotta say: it’s weird seeing an ad for a PS1 game and an N64 game in this SEGA Saturn game’s documentation. Also Pocket Bomberman! Shoutouts Pocket Bomberman!

 

[FrootyLoopsSamurai]

You should keep an eye out for Dark Savior. Imo it's one of the most unique games on the Saturn. It's a 3d isometric platformer by the same developer as Landstalker for the Genesis. They learned since then and the platforming is actually okay this time around. There are also 1v1 fights where you can absorb enemy powers and transform into them for later fights. The story gets really nuts and takes place over multiple playthroughs. Your time in the first level determines what path you get. Too many people have forgotten about this game.

Also if your system is FRAM modded, you don't need to put a battery in it. Not sure why people were saying this. FRAM doesn't need constant power to maintain saves.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's iconTamagotchiTamaHero24]

You should keep an eye out for Dark Savior. Imo it's one of the most unique games on the Saturn. It's a 3d isometric platformer by the same developer as Landstalker for the Genesis. They learned since then and the platforming is actually okay this time around. There are also 1v1 fights where you can absorb enemy powers and transform into them for later fights. The story gets really nuts and takes place over multiple playthroughs. Your time in the first level determines what path you get. Too many people have forgotten about this game.

Also if your system is FRAM modded, you don't need to put a battery in it. Not sure why people were saying this. FRAM doesn't need constant power to maintain saves.

I actually know of Dark Savior! It’s something I’ll keep an eye for.

Though my console is FRAM, the big kicker is that, without a battery, the system settings aren’t saved. So, you have to set the clock and other features every time you boot the console. I have a battery in it now to maintain those settings (for a little while, at least). It’s just comforting to know that my saves aren’t at risk of dying like they would be otherwise.

Had a few corrupted files show up when transferring data from memory card to console though! I have no clue what data it was, but it was spooky!

 

[solnK!]

Consider yourself lucky, you have an amazing piece of machinery right there.

 

[Yuki Senoue]

Moesakaru honoo no angel WE'LL FACE THE RISK OF OUR LIVES! That's my favorite Saturn game, try to get it... I have no idea about prices, I'd say just pirate it lol I'm a dirty pirate throught and throught.

And try to get Daytona USA Circuit Edition as well, it's a updated version of CCE:

Though the western Champion Circuit Edition and Japanese Circuit Edition are by-and-large the same game, Circuit Edition adds further tweaks to the formula, creating the definitive copy of Daytona USA for the Saturn. Circuit Edition extends the draw distance even further, swaps some textures and allows the user to set the time of day in which to race in, whether that be night, dusk or morning. On top of this, the arcade soundtrack is now an option, and new drift mechanics have been implemented, making the game control more similarly to the original arcade version.

Daytona USA Circuit Edition

segaretro.org

And ... I know everyone will throw rotten tomatoes at me but I prefer CE Soundtrack. Sons of Angels is one of my anthems and I love it dearly.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's iconTamagotchiTamaHero24]

View attachment 66068
Moesakaru honoo no angel WE'LL FACE THE RISK OF OUR LIVES! That's my favorite Saturn game, try to get it... I have no idea about prices, I'd say just pirate it lol I'm a dirty pirate throught and throught.

And try to get Daytona USA Circuit Edition as well, it's a updated version of CCE:

View attachment 66070


Though the western Champion Circuit Edition and Japanese Circuit Edition are by-and-large the same game, Circuit Edition adds further tweaks to the formula, creating the definitive copy of Daytona USA for the Saturn. Circuit Edition extends the draw distance even further, swaps some textures and allows the user to set the time of day in which to race in, whether that be night, dusk or morning. On top of this, the arcade soundtrack is now an option, and new drift mechanics have been implemented, making the game control more similarly to the original arcade version.

Daytona USA Circuit Edition

segaretro.org

And ... I know everyone will throw rotten tomatoes at me but I prefer CE Soundtrack. Sons of Angels is one of my anthems and I love it dearly.

It’s a fantastic instrumental OST. I want to listen to it someday without the context of “Daytona”. Expecting it to be the Daytona soundtrack will only disappoint me.

 

[Yuki Senoue]

It’s a fantastic instrumental OST. I want to listen to it someday without the context of “Daytona”. Expecting it to be the Daytona soundtrack will only disappoint me.

Sons of Angels (short ver.) with context:

Sons of Angels (complete) without context:

Sons of Angels (new version) without context (my favorite version):

Sons Of Angels

Jun Senoue, Eric Martin · The Works · Song · 2009

open.spotify.com