Sega Saturn

I just picked up a Saturn from the Game Crazy around the block. $20. Looks to be in good shape, aside from some dust, and it runs pretty well. Also picked up Panzer Dragoon and Virtua Fighter 2, which both play even though there are some scratches on both CDs. I think the pad is a later model, as I remember the original launch Saturn pad being a bit bigger. No box, no manual.

Can you people tell me what I need to know about this thing?

Basic Info
- Model: MK-80000A
- Manufactured date: September 1996

Questions
- The system keeps asking for my language and the current date/time each time I turn it on. That's because the watch battery in the back expansion port is dead, right? Is it a standard battery?
- What else goes into that port? All I see is a big hole with a connector in the back.
- What model is this? 2nd? 3rd?
- What do I need to play imports?
- What's that 4-in-one cart stuff about?
- Doesn't the system have an internal save game storage space? Is this dependant upon the battery?
- What games are good for it?

Thanks for any answers you can give.

i'll take care of this one everyone.

the 4 in 1 cart is easily the best peripheral for the system. converter (for your imports), RAM cart, and memory card all in one. and a gameshark if you're into that kind of thing.

the internal battery does save games, but the battery dies fast, so you're better off just putting all your saves on on the 4 in 1.

this is pretty much essential if you plan to have a good Saturn Collection.

must have games for me are...
Sega Rally
King of Fighters 97
Marvel Vs. Street Fighter
oh, and im gonna go out of my way to tell you to stay away from NiGHTS. everyone here will tell you otherwise, but the game is jokingly over rated. just not fun.

um, those are really the last games i touched on my saturn, and even then it's been a long while since i've played them.

there are a lot of good games on the system though, tons of shumps too.

anyways, any one who owns a saturn will not be able to stress enough how important it is to own a 4 in 1 cart.

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Originally posted by Lhadatt
- The system keeps asking for my language and the current date/time each time I turn it on. That's because the watch battery in the back expansion port is dead, right? Is it a standard battery?

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CR2032, most commonly used for car key alarms, and also used in the VMU. Should be fairly easily found at a local drugstore.

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- What else goes into that port? All I see is a big hole with a connector in the back.

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Nothing else, just the battery.

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- What do I need to play imports?

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A 4-in-1.

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- What's that 4-in-one cart stuff about?

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It's a cart that removes territorial lockout and has the 4-meg upgrade, required for various import fighting games.

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- Doesn't the system have an internal save game storage space? Is this dependant upon the battery?

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Yes and yes. A backup memory cartridge will keep the games forever, and can hold more save games than you will ever make.

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- What games are good for it?

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Far too many. Guardian Heroes and Vampire Savior are high on my list.

[edit] When you say "back expansion port," are you refering to the cartridge slot on top or the "hole" in the back?

Questions
- The system keeps asking for my language and the current date/time each time I turn it on. That's because the watch battery in the back expansion port is dead, right?

Yes.

Is it a standard battery?

It's a lithium battery, as far as I can remember. This same kind you'd use in a DC VMU.

- What else goes into that port? All I see is a big hole with a connector in the back.

Nothing. It's a big damned waste of space.

- What do I need to play imports?

A 4-in-one cart.

- What's that 4-in-one cart stuff about?

It's an import converter, 4-meg extension, memory cart...and one other thing. It makes it so you can import without swaping which will damage your cart slot. It also backs up game save files, and makes it so you can play games like Vampier Savior without swaping the import cart for the 4-meg expansion cart.

You can get one at www.ncsx.com

- Doesn't the system have an internal save game storage space?

Yes.

Is this dependant upon the battery?

Yes.

- What games are good for it?
NiGHTS, Clockwork Knight 1&2, Virtua Cop, Buning Rangers, Radiant Silvergun, and several others that I'm sure someone will mention.

yeah it's a standard battery. i forget the model number, but it's about the size a nickel, and you can pick one up at radio shack.

for imports, you'll need to install a region switch. a very easy mod, but i had mine installed when i bought the system. you can send your saturn to ncs and they'll install it for you.

the 4-in-one cart is a 4 meg ram cartridge combined with a memory card. most people have no trouble with them, but i managed to lose my save games a few months ago. now i use the official sega memory cartridge and a seperate 4 meg ram cart.

the saturn does have internal save game storage space, but the space is extremely limited and is entirely dependant on the battery.

i'll save the recommended games for another post.

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Originally posted by Lucas Barton
i'll take care of this one everyone.

the internal battery does save games, but the battery dies fast, so you're better off just putting all your saves on on the 4 in 1.

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Actually, the battery lasts for well over a year. The Saturn's owners manual recommends you replace the Cr2032 battery once every year, but I've had my Saturn since May 1995 and I've only replaced the battery 3 times.

some other great games on it that no one has listed

the Street Fighter Alpha's
Street Fighter COllection
Darius Gaiden
Galactic Attack
Sonic Jam

hmmm

Recommended games:
VF
VF Remix
VF 2
VF Kids
Fighters Megamix
Manx TT
Daytona USA
Nights
Clockwork Knights
Bug!
High Velocity
Worldwide Soccer 97
Pandemonium (I prefer the control in this version to the PSX version)
Robo Pit (same as above, plus the changes between the versions are striking)
Burning Rangers
Dragon Force
Dark Saviir
Street Fighter Collection


I've forgotten a ton of games there. Ah well, decent list to get you started (hopefully.)

If you want to play a truely unique RPG, I highly suggest Shining:The Holy Ark. If you like Golden Sun, then you would more than likely enjoy STHA, as it was developed by Camelot as well.

I second Shining the Holy Ark, I just finished this game about 1 month ago and it is a great fun dungeon romp! If you can afford it, Panzer Dragoon Saga is an awesome RPG, my favorite in the 32bit era.