The Saturn Import Thread

Some may remember a thread I made a while back in which I waffled on the edge of selling my Saturn. I got flamed pretty bad, but in the end I kept the thing and now I'm glad. What turned me was looking at eBay realistically and seeing how cheap most Saturn imports are. (All three Blue Destiny Gundam games for under $30 shipped from Japan, Christmas Nights for $5 shipped from Japan, etcetera.) So I've sold my Official Backup cart for a sweet $45 and I'm going to buy an Action Replay. One question, though. Do I get this or this?

I remember reading something about knockoffs that didn't have a parallel port; just want to make sure I buy the right one.

The first one has LPT connector, second one doesn't seem to have it.

I don't think the one without the parallel port is a knock-off. Is there any real use for connecting it to your pc anyway?

I dunno. Thanks. Another thing - how does PAL fit into this? I assume PAL Saturn games will boot with one of these suckers, but will it display right here in the US?

If you ran a PAL optimized game on an NTSC saturn, the screen would be too large, and things would run too fast, including music. If you run an unoptimized game which will have borders in PAL, it'll run just like a US original game. For example with Story of Thor 2 the screen will not fit on an US tv with the PAL version because it was optimized for the higher PAL resolution.

Are there many (or any) PAL exclusive saturn games?

Once I'll do some Saturn game, there will be PAL optimized game.

I'm not exactly sure, but I believe that Sexy Parodius and Deep Fear were one of the only PAL exclusive games that didn't make it to the U.S.

I was under the impression that certain PAL versions were cheaper than the NTSC ones.

I have the cart with the parallel printer port, although I've never used it. If I recall correctly, it allows you to download more cheat codes to the cart, and possibly transfer saves to the PC.

I didn't know the official backup carts sold for so much, I need to dig mine out and sell it. I never had a reason to use it after I got the Pro Action Replay, that thing stores a TON of saves.

I bought mine for about $30 when I was foolishly resolved against importing on Saturn. Little did I know you can get the vastly superior Action Replay for the same price, with that 'little' side-effect of unlocking a freakishly cheap import library.

There's some freakishly expensive imports like Radiant Silver Gun, Psychic Killer Taomaru, Hyper Duel and Stellar Assault: SS... just to name a few. Deep Fear PAL goes for a lot too I think.

I think there's more freakishly cheap ones than freakishly expensive, thought. And none of those games you listed crank my engine, so I guess that makes my wallet lucky.

I can understand that. Most of those I listed are shooting games (except for Psychic Killer and Deep Fear).

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Originally Posted by Genesis Knight

I bought mine for about $30 when I was foolishly resolved against importing on Saturn. Little did I know you can get the vastly superior Action Replay for the same price, with that 'little' side-effect of unlocking a freakishly cheap import library.

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Yes, I had the official Sega backup memory, and I also had a "Sega Satellite" which let you play imports. I nearly murdered my Saturn's cart slot swapping between that Satellite cartridge and the 4 meg ram cart for Xmen vs Street Fighter. Not too long later I went into an import shop and they told me of the Pro Action Replay. I walked out with the PAR and a bunch of Neo Geo ports, I was a happy camper.

I still kick myself that the same store had lots of Radiant Silverguns for 40 bucks for the longest time. I always wanted it, but usually ended up with another Neo Geo port instead.

The action replay cart I got from play-asia doesn't have one, and I really don't see the point of it. The only real reason to get this thing for the import option and the RAM expansion, everything else is basically filler as far as I'm concerned. Make sure you import Soukyugurentai as its one shmup that I can't say enough good things about.

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Originally Posted by playgen

Are there many (or any) PAL exclusive saturn games?

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Here's the list of Saturn games that were released in Europe but not America. Several of them were released in Japan, so they're not "PAL exclusive", but still of interest.

3D Lemmings
Actua Golf
Actua Soccer: Club Edition
Assault Rigs
Atlantis: The Lost Tales
Chaos Control
Darius II
Deep Fear
Destruction Derby
Digital Pinball
Discworld
Discworld 2
Euro '96
Formula Karts
Frankenstein: Through the Eyes of the Monster
Hebereke Popoitto
Jewels of the Oracle
Jonah Lomu Rugby
Keio Flying Squadron 2
King of Fighters '95
Krazy Ivan
Mega Man X3
Mighty Hits
Parodius
Pinball Graffiti
Riven
Sea Bass Fishing
Street Racer
Swagman
Trash-It!
Whizz
WipEout 2097
World League Soccer '98
Z

Saturn importing is a pisser. Something I have yet to activly go after...

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Originally Posted by AD2101

The action replay cart I got from play-asia doesn't have one, and I really don't see the point of it. The only real reason to get this thing for the import option and the RAM expansion, everything else is basically filler as far as I'm concerned. Make sure you import Soukyugurentai as its one shmup that I can't say enough good things about.

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I also got mine from Play-Asia. It's been working flawless since. :)

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Saturn importing is a pisser. Something I have yet to activly go after...

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Explain yourself.

I only own like ten imports for the Saturn... nothing special, but I did get my LE of Dead or Alive for a cool $15 shipped mint/complete with art book in awesome condition.

My big Import Saturn post:

I was planning to go fully import in the first place (I'm an Arcade person so I don't like RPGs and stuff that like) so I went out and purchase a Japanese White Saturn with four games: Battle Garegga (with spine) Batsugun, Sokyugurentai, and X-Men Vs. Street Fighter with 4 MB RAM cartridge. I paid about $225 shipped for everything (hell the JP Saturn was modded with a US/JP switch and came with a VCD card for Video CDs). I got the lot last summer.

Shorty after that I went on an Saturn orgy buying spree. I purchase most of the shmups on the system, and many of the high demand titles. Since I like arcade games I purchase mostly arcade games. :P

What type of arcade games:

* Shmups like Twinkle Star Sprites, Metal Black, Darius Gaiden
* Action games like Assault Suit Leynos 2 (the sequel to Target Earth), G-Vector (interesting Rail shooter).
* Puzzle games like Tetris Plus, Puyo Puyo 2 + 3 (Sun)
* Sega arcade ports like Daytona USA (JP Circut Edition is the best version on the Saturn), Sega Rally (better than the US version), "the big three" (AfterBurner II, OutRun, Space Harrier).
* Capcom fighters like Street Fighter Zero (Alpha) 3 (best port on Saturn), Cyberbots, Vampire Savior.
* Capcom Generation collection (I own all of them).


I don't want to know how much I spend on Saturn stuff. After spending tons for games like Radiant Silvergun (which I sold it because it was meh), Hyper Duel (keeping this one for sure), and more, I'm surprise I still got money in the bank (lol).

So if you have any questions LMK.

How's the Japanese Sega Rally different?

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Originally Posted by Elusive

How's the Japanese Sega Rally different?

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US version was rushed for release. It's missing graphic detail, sound effects, and some screen displays.

ThunderForce = Fighter17?

yeah, the first time I read this thread I had the impression it was Fighter17's text 4 posts ago.

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Originally Posted by Genesis Knight

ThunderForce = Fighter17?

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How you like the name? :)

It's better! Now you aren't perpetually 17 years old.

I own five Saturn imports: Sakura Taisen, Sakura Taisen 2, Dragon Force 2, Sailor Moon Super S Various Emotion(I was young and obsessed with the series, sue me) and Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers.
Well, six if Tokimeki Memorial counts.

DF2 is very disappointing, and it's no wonder Working Designs didn't localize it.

All of my 17 Saturn games are imports.
All of them are shoot'em ups.
List so far:

1. After Burner II
2. Darius Gaiden
3. Fantasy Zone
4. Gun Frontier
5. Gunbird
6. Layer Section
7. Metal Black
8. Salamander Deluxe Pack
9. Sengoku Blade
10. Skull Fang
11. Sol Divide
12. Sonic Wings Special
13. Space Invaders
14. Strikers 1945
15. Strikers 1945 II
16. Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The
17. Thunder Force V

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Originally Posted by Genesis Knight

It's better! Now you aren't perpetually 17 years old.

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Thanks!

I might post up what I have for the Saturn soon. I'm getting rid of most of my Saturn fighters and trying to get more intersting games like Bulk Slash from Hudsonsoft (which some members of Tecnosoft actually developed the game).

I'll keep my eyes open, then.

I have Bulk Slash actually. It's awesome. It's 3D and has very good graphics for the time, so I don't get why it wasn't "AAA" enough for Bernie Stolar to localize. I guess it was more important to ensure the release of the Saturn port of Courier Crisis.

Words cannot express my loathing of Bernie Stolar.

That one seems pretty rare.

I have Bulk Slash, it isn't too expensive... maybe uncommon to find. However, I have the Satkore release... do all Satkore games have foldout manuals?!

Nope, I have the Satkore version of 2DO Arukotowa Sandoahru (Puzzle & Action Series Sand-R) and it has a standard manual.

Bulk Slash has a fold-out manual either way. I have the non-Satkore release. Although I think there is a difference of some sort. With my copy, there is a "cover" (actually it's more like a booklet but without pages inside) that is glued to the front of the jewel case and folded back, and the fold-out manual goes inside it. Is that how the Satkore version is?

I love my Saturn..My 1st Saturn Cart port died on me...To much switching Sega Satilite & the RAM cart..I have a PAR now..

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Originally Posted by j_factor

Nope, I have the Satkore version of 2DO Arukotowa Sandoahru (Puzzle & Action Series Sand-R) and it has a standard manual.

Bulk Slash has a fold-out manual either way. I have the non-Satkore release. Although I think there is a difference of some sort. With my copy, there is a "cover" (actually it's more like a booklet but without pages inside) that is glued to the front of the jewel case and folded back, and the fold-out manual goes inside it. Is that how the Satkore version is?

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I don't really remember, and I can't check since my shit is back in NY.... I know my copy of Sand-R is the regular release.

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Originally Posted by ThunderForce

US version was rushed for release. It's missing graphic detail, sound effects, and some screen displays.

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Hmm. The same thing happened with the Dreamcast Sega Rally, didn't it? The entire 'Go! Go! Sega Rally' intro was cut out from the Western release.

Better put that on the wishlist, then. :)

The Pro Action Replays won't let you save directly to the cart slot. So you'll be busy transferring saves back and forth and back and forth and back and forth. The built-in Saturn RAM isn't exactly massive and the battery runs out fast. I had a PAR once. I took it right back to Electronics Boutique.

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Originally Posted by David J.

I have Bulk Slash, it isn't too expensive... maybe uncommon to find. However, I have the Satkore release... do all Satkore games have foldout manuals?!

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It's uncommon. Then again it's done by the same people who did Hagane on the SNES. ;)