The Video Game Console Library

	Sega Saturn
	DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
	Page content, development and design by Marriott_Guy

Developer	Manufacturer	Release Date	Country(s)	Initial Price	Model Number	Game Releases	Overall Rating
Sega	Sega	22-Nov-94	Japan, N America, Europe, Australia	$399 USD	HST-3200 (Jp) MK-80000 (NA)	540	06
Ratings	Reviews	Pictures\Media	Specs\Manuals	Games\Emulation	Models	Clones	Links

Ratings
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release. Ratings based upon a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).
Console Design (appearance, functionality)	06
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile)	09
Controllers (design, response, feel, use)	06
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation)	07
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects)	09
Media (game media format, design, durability)	07
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging)	06
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library)	05
Innovations (technological industrial strides)	04
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?)	06
Collector Value (good collector investment?)	04
Games Rarity (general availability of games)	04
Console Rarity (general availability of a system)	04

Reviews

Sega Saturn

HANDS ON REVIEW

Coming soon...

DW FACTS
- by Dark Watcher

In development for 2 to 3 years by Sega of Japan, the project known merely as GigaDrive (a word play for a more powerful Megadrive) began with a goal of being the most powerful 2D console to date with 3D capability based on their arcade Model 1 hardware.

Initially the goal was to surpass another CD-based console called the 3DO. In November of 1993, technical specs for 32-bit CD-based console by Sony had surfaced. Not being pleased with the projects 3D capability (compared to Sony's), Sega of Japan's engineers scrambled to improve on the design.

Sega Saturn Virtua Racing Screenshot

Using planet-naming conventions used for their other projects (like Mars and Neptune), the new console was called the Sega Saturn. It was released in Japan on November 22, 1994 and was an immediate success. Sega had finally made a serious mark in Japan by even surpassing their long-term rival Nintendo (Sega consoles were more successful in the US markets in the past).

They would however have to face a new contender to the market. Sony finally released the Playstation and used their financial stability (deep ass pockets) to produce a strong marketing campaign, garner the attention of third party developers and purchase exclusive rights to game titles. Sony ambitiously cornered popular game genres in Japan, but Sega countered with impressive 2D shooters, fighting games, and hentai titles (those Japanese...hahaha). The Saturn still sold remarkably well and they set their eyes on other markets.

The original scheduled release for the US Saturn was supposed to be "Saturnday", September 2, 1995. However with the Sony Playstation US premier looming over the horizon, Sega chose to release their console four months sooner (May 11, 1995). They got the jump on the market that they needed, but caught developers off guard. The console was released with a high $399 price tag, but unfortunately without many third party software titles.

Even after the stinging failure of the 32X, the Saturn still managed to sell pretty well initially. However, the Sony Playstation was eventually released for $100 cheaper and eventually took over the US market. The Saturn failed to capture the success it garnered in Japan. So what happened?

The Saturn boasted an amazing amount of processors including its dual Hitachi CPU processors. However, this caused problems in game development. Apparently the two CPUs did not run in tandem and could not access memory at the same time. This complexity either caused developers to shy away from the Saturn or develop games in a manner that didn't fully utilize the systems capabilities (third party developers initially designed games only using a single processor). Eventually developers found away around Saturn's complexity, but not soon enough.

Sega Saturn logo

Another contributing factor to Saturn's struggle in America was Sega of America's management. The mishandling and eventual abandonment of 32X had already damaged their credibility. The early release left some retail stores without Saturn stock and the initial high price did not help sales. Also, Sega of America did a piss poor job of advertising its console. They also made the mistake of not bringing many quality Japanese Saturn game titles over to the United States. Eventually the market grew more hostile with the release of the Nintendo 64 'next-gen' system.

The Saturn may not have done well in the American market, but in Japan the system was a hot item. The console saw amazing game titles, which also became hot imports in America and Europe. The hardware specs were also licensed out to component manufacturers allowing them the ability to build their own model Saturns and spread the console out further. These models were available in Japan only.

All in all the Saturn was an amazing console that produced beautiful 2D gaming and brilliant 3D titles toward the end of its life cycle. The system was supported in the US until 1998 and in Japan until 2000.

Official Saturn advertisement featured in GamePro Magazine in 1996. Even with this sultry sexpot, Sega could not compete with Sony or Nintendo.

Sega Saturn Advertisement - GamePro 1996

FACT: One of the more innovative concepts of the Saturn was the cartridge slot. The slot itself was not meant for gaming, but could be used in a variety of ways. The more common uses were for an external memory cart for save game portability and for cheat devices such as the 'Game Shark'. However the slot was also used for Sega Netlink. This was a 28.8k modem built in a cart that could be used to access the web, check email, and even play someone online who also has Netlink. Another use that was never seen outside of Japan were RAM carts. These carts provided the Saturn with up to 4Mb additional RAM for better and more fluid sprite animation in certain select games. Goes to show some of the things we missed out on in America.

Pictures & Media

Various pictures for this console. Click pictures to enlarge.

Official Accessories for the Sega Saturn
Pictures courtesy http://www.jap-sai.com

Saturn Back Up RAM Expansion (Game Saves)

Saturn Virtua Gun

Saturn Controller

Saturn Extended RAM Expansion

Sega Saturn Modem

Saturn Multi-Controller

Specs & Manuals

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.

Processor Type	Processor Speed	Other Processor Information	RAM \ Video RAM
2 Hitachi SH2 32-bit RISC CPUs	28.6 MHz 25 MIPS each	Custom VDP1 (sprites\polygons) Custom VDP2 (backgrounds)	2 MB \ 1.54 MB
Screen Resolution	Color Palette	Polygons \ Sprites	Audio
320 x 224, 640 x 224, 720 x 576	16.7 M colors	200K Texture mapped \ 500K Flat Shaded	Yamaha FH1 DSP (22.6 MHz) Motorola 68EC000 sound processor
Media Format	Media Capacity	Games Released	Other Supported Formats
CD-ROM (2X)	650 MB	540	CD+G, CD+EG, Audio CD, Photo CD, Video CD (with optional MPEG card)
Internal Storage	External \ Removable Storage	Game Controllers	Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
32 KB	Memory Cartridge (512 MB)	Analog Control Pad (6 buttons + Start)	Sega NetLink, Light Gun, Game Shark, DirectLink, MPEG Card
Controller Ports	Network Ports	Other Ports	Audio \ Video
Two (2)	Optional Sega NetLink Modem	32-Bit Serial Expansion Port AV Expansion Port (for MPEG Card)	RF, Composite, S-Video
Power Supply - Internal	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
AC 120V 60 Hz	None	Optional cables required for RF, S-Video and RGB
Manuals
Sega Saturn Owners Manual (PDF) - 4.31 MB (courtesy of replacementdocs.com)

Games & Emulation

Games, media format, emulators and screen shots for titles released on this system.

Saturn Phantasm Software for the Sega Saturn was distributed in the CD format. For some reason, Sega decided to package games in the virtually the same tall, cheap plastic casings utilized for their Sega CD line. As you can image, these are very fragile and tend to crack very easily. Games in Japan were released in standard jewel case. As with any console, they are exceptions to these rules. Examples of the variations are pictured to the left.

One of the truly unique offerings for the Saturn is Phantasm, a port of the PC game Phantasmagoria. This FMV Horror title was a Japanese exclusive and contained a whopping eight (8) CDs! Even though the game itself is rather lackluster, this beast truly stands out in your collection due to its pure girth. You can usually snag this game CIB for around $40 USD.

Sega Saturn Game Boxes (North American)

Sega Saturn Games

Sega Saturn Game Screenshots

Area 51

Burning Rangers

Darius Gaiden

Daytona USA

Dracula X

Gun Griffon 2

Madden '97

Marvel Super Heroes

Panzer Dragoon 2

PGA Tour 97

Shining Force III

Shinobi-X

Sonic 3D Blast

Sonic 3D Blast Screenshot

Virtua Cop 2

World Series Baseball 2

Third Party Emulators
Program	Website	Description
Satourne	http://satourne.consollection.com/	Best emulator for the Saturn. French based site.

Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.

The Sega Saturn had a number of Limited \ Special Editions released, but most of these models were only released in Japan. One of the main differences between the various models was Sega changing the button shape from Oval (original) to Round. Overall most of the variances deal with cosmetic changes to the console chassis and lighting schemes. Hitachi and Victor (JVC) were granted licensing rights due to their contributions to the base machine (Hitachi - CPU, Victor - CD Drive). Samsung was also an authorized manufacturer for the South Korean market.

Below are just a sampling of the various models. Please see Sega Retro for the complete list.

Sega Saturn (HST-0001)

Sega Saturn (HST-0001)

Hitachi Hi-Saturn (MMP-11)

Hitachi Hi-Saturn (MMP-11)

Hitachi Hi-Saturn Navi (MMP-1000NV)

Hitachi Hi-Saturn Navi (MMP-1000NV)

Victor V-Saturn (RG-JX1-S)

Victor V-Saturn (RG-JX1-S)

Sega Skeleton Saturn (HST-0021)

Sega Skeleton Saturn (HST-0021)

Sega Derby Saturn (HST-0022)

Sega Derby Saturn (HST-0022)

Samsung Saturn

Samsung Saturn

SunSeibu SGX (SGX HSG-0007)

SunSeibu SGX (SGX HSG-0007)

Sega Saturn PAL (MK-80200)

Sega Saturn PAL (MK-80200)

Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).

There were no unlicensed releases for the Sega Saturn. Europe

Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.

Name	Website	Description
Dave's Sega Saturn Page	http://www.sega-saturn.com/	Nice comprehensive fan site of the Sega Saturn.
Sega Retro	http://segaretro.org/Sega_Saturn_Models	Excellent site for everything Sega

visitors since 01-Apr-2008
Page last updated 11-Dec-2011

Copyright 2008-2011 The Video Game Console Library. This website and the information contained within it is protected by copyright. Reproduction of part or all of the
website contents in any form is prohibited unless expressed written consent of the author has been obtained in advance. Content of this website may not be copied
to any other publication (including electronic, hard copy or others). Interior deep linking or framing of this website is prohibited without