Unlike the stock Action Replay, which you have to copy your save files back on the internal battery, the Pseudo Saturn allows you to directly access your saves like the first party Sega Saturn RAM-Backup cart. It's also pretty cool to play the released early builds of Sonic Xtreme and translated versions of Shining Force 3 part 2 and 3.
It just occurred to me that you should upload a 4K compilation of the different SEGA Saturn models’ boot screens. You may be one of the few people with so many rare Saturns alongside insanely good video capture methods.
Pseudo Saturn was a godsend when I first got my Saturn. I had been doing the disk swap method for months, and I got a Gameshark for cheap to make the process a little easier. I was doing some research to see if there was an easier way to run burned Saturn games, and Pseudo Saturn came up. It didn’t outright say it was compatible with my model of Gameshark, but given the internals of the GS and the Action Replay were identical, I figured it would work, and I was right! The Pseudo Saturn opened up many avenues for me to play Japanese Saturn exclusives and Saturn games that were just ridiculously expensive in the states. I have a MODE installed in my Saturn now, but I can’t overstate how big a help Pseudo Saturn was to get me into the Saturn scene, and not just for burned discs, but import games like DBZ The Legend that I would eventually purchase.
@@Di3mondDud3 I wasn't aware of the pin-spreading issue with Saturn GSs until Adam mentioned it, but it explains why I had to tighten the connector to the motherboard when I started using a different Pseudo Saturn cart with extra ram. It still kinda wobbles too tbh but at least it works
Word! I only got to play Sega Saturn from 1995 to 1997 and I enjoyed it. I even imported a few games and they were 70 dollars each at the time. X-Men vs street fighter, marvel super heroes vs street fighter, and dungeons and dragons collection. I can emulate Sega Saturn on my wife's computer because it's not weaksauce like my 13 year old laptop lol
I feel blessed that I got my copy of Panzer Dragoon Saga at launch from Electronics Boutique and still have it! Loved the game and never thought it's value would have went where it has.
I really like the pseudo Saturn, it’s a good measure for playing games I can’t own. I find it better than other options because if I use and ode I’d feel the need to sell all my games since I wouldn’t be sing them; and at that point I might as well use a retro pie if since a Saturn with an ode functions the same way. This is just my view and I know there is no “best “ way to collect just the one that suites you most.
It's pretty cool that something like this exists. I just wish it was easy for folks to preserve the Sega Saturn, nowadays especially through emulation. I know Sega did rerelease SOME Sega Saturn games, back on PSN and XBLA like: - NiGHTS into Dreams - Fighting Vipers - Virtua Fighter 2 - Sonic the Fighters but still. It just sucks that this system is really good, but one of the toughest systems to preserve, nowadays next to the PS3.
My Saturn collection is as complete as I could ever want. Not only do I own most all off the US heavy hitters, but I also have a good portion of the big Japanese games as well. Btw I have the Satiator and Psuedo Saturn. The Satiator is hands down the best ODE selection. I can play discs or not. That’s badass.
This is about as cool as the recent news that they actually included a pretty functional SEGA Saturn emulator on the Cotton Collection for Switch. Although wait, the Pseudo is even better as one doesn't have to mod their Switch.
3 года назад+1
Thanks for the video mate. I recently got a Japanese Saturn with Pseudo and it's rapidly becoming one of my favourite consoles. The arcade experience on Saturn it's really something special.
I'm a big fan of Sega like you Adam, but I find myself really enjoying the Saturn the most out of all their consoles. The Saturn just has so many unique games that aren't available anywhere else and I kinda have a soft spot for those weird 2.5d games. I'm also lucky enough to have found a Saturn kiosk, which is absolutely stunning. I have 3 Sega kiosks in total, Genesis, Saturn, and Dreamcast.
When the saturn launched in Australia they had a sega branded semi truck enclosed trailer inside my local shopping centre (mall) that had about 6? kiosks inside, one game on each of them so you got to try. I pretty much spent days there playing it.
I want to say it was Christmas of 2016 I finally got my first Sega Saturn. It was the American model 2. And it was pseudo Saturn that allowed me access to this great library. And now the Saturn is my favorite console of all time. Also it was your videos that got me back into Gaming. When PS3 and Xbox 360 dropped I just quit gaming because it wasn't my style of games. But now I got a Nintendo switch and PS4 and all the old stuff again. Saturn, Genesis, Dreamcast, and PC engine are my favorite. I even got a Atari 2600 because of you, and I still love it. Thank you.
Totally agree with your point. Now with the insane pricing of retrogames these days the only option we'll have in the longer-term is either emulation or playing backups through ODEs or Everdrives.
Price-gouging for retro games, especially in the case of consoles like the Saturn, has really been hurting the everyman and collector alike in the secondhand market. Hopefully that can miraculously end one day but otherwise this is a good alternative.
It won't won't ever end. Video games are the new antiques, Just pirate away, the publishers/devs aren't getting any money from the high sale of 2nd hand games anyway so your conscious is clear
@@shaungreer3350 When I originally got my Dreamcast in 2009, I immediately got interested in picking up Saturn stuff. The system averaged around $40 online (I also remember a really nice vendor at a flea market was selling them for $20) and the games were mostly-affordable, too. Other interests came up and I always thought "maybe later". _Big_ mistake
Me, I am that guy out there who just wants a cheap solution, lol. I recently bought a Saturn and am looking into the best ways to play the games without selling a kidney. Thanks for this video!!
Awesome tutorial and the best true way to play Saturn games on original hardware. By this point, Sega Saturn games are only obtainable for people who have a ton of money and connections. You can’t really do the Goodwill thrift thing anymore because they are aware of what a lot of the old games are worth. They put them on their auction sites and they end up selling at eBay prices anyway.
That was an unbelievable deal for the Panzer Trilogy. I got the Trilogy all CIB at Classic Game Fest a number of years back for $700 cash. It hurt at the time but I am happy I got it when I did.
Thanks for this video man. I've been binging Saturn content ever since I got my Dreamcast back a few weeks ago. And having this pseudo Saturn is like having a Dreamcast codebreaker disc! I'm definitely gonna take the plunge now for sure. Thanks again brother 👍
I picked one of these up not so long ago. Now I hv a large burned collection of all the Saturn shooters & other big hitters.I have had an Action Replay cart for ages & a healthy collection of Saturn games, but with the prices now collecting has got ridiculous. I think its awesome!
The Satiator lets you keep your original drive intact. This is what I use. It is expensive, but totally worth it. I play a lot of games (especially fan translations) on Satiator, to save wear and tear on the cd drive.
Got my pseudo AR from a local seller here in Australia maybe almost 10 years ago now and has served me well. Never realised its that simple to update it so will need to give that a try ASAP
0:15 "Sega's weird gothic hipster kid that talks about animes you never heard of and you only see at Christmas" *IT'S NOT A PHASE, MOM - IT'S A **_LIFESTYLE_*
You've got me keen to get a Saturn mate. I always thought the games are too expensive or to soft mod it it's a hassle but your way seems great, your a legend! Cheers bro and awesome vid :)
Great video, glad you brought topic up. I’m came in late on Saturn, but it has quickly become my favourite retro console that I keep going back to. I’m one of those tragic addicts who has bought every ODE variant and the Satiator, but I get really annoyed when I see ODE snobs in forums look down on people who use pseudo Saturn and burnt discs. Then there are also those who say don’t do it, you’ll destroy your laser! These games and consoles were made to be played, and if this is the most affordable for you to way get into these wonderful games, go for it! And then later when you can afford an ODE, pseudo Saturn nicely compliments some of those with different menus and saved game management options!
Interesting! I love the Saturn, but there are so many games that feel impossible to acquire these days, so it would be nice to be able to use "legitimate backup disks" to play games on real hardware (the 3DO is also a favorite of mine for that very reason). My action replay died (taking a whole bunch of save games with it) and while I have a similar way still to play Japanese games, this might be worth looking into.
Such a helpful video Adam, thank you for making it along with the rest of your content. Just recently acquired a Saturn and the games I want for it and of course all of the games I want for it are unreasonably priced so I'm going to get this cartridge asap.
Thanks for the informative video man. I grew up with the Saturn, my Dad bought one when they were new. He, my brother and I all played the hell out of Road Rash. He bought a few games for it which I still have, but I always wanted more but they are rare and the prices are just insane. It's been really discouraging to not be able to enjoy the system and collect for it but at least this allows me to play more games so this will be exiting to finally experience it.
That’s the most accurate description on the Saturn I’ve ever heard lol Especially when you compare it to the bright clean Dreamcast with its water effects and wondrous Sonic Team opening to Sonic Adventure, Saturn definitely the dark Goth console.
I tried this. And it works. But, the laser itself eventually does needs to be changed. So I use the SD card option. Warning: Make sure to use one or the other. These third party companies designed their products under the assumption that you are using original stock hardware. I damaged my U.S. Saturn and needed to order a new one because I was trying to set them up together. Multi cart (all in one) with Fenrir (SD card reader). I now own all four original ram cartridges and the games run properly as a result of it.
Man I just bought a Saturn yesterday at my local pawn shop, and finding this video was really nice. I thought that the Saturn would be easier to collect and get games for till I looked and immediately went online to figure out how to actually use. I'm excited to try and get there now at least.
And this is why I love you, Adam. JP Saturns are less than 100 on eBay and I don't feel like spending 300 on a modded Saturn, and I don't mind burning CDs, so this option is perfect for me!
Sweet showing off some PALz0rz! I love that Saturn loves 50>60hz automation! I am fairly new to them (coupla years) and it is fascinating because N64 PS1+2 despise to do so on they own!
Great vid, i got my Saturn at a flea market, untested sitting with the Game Shark carts in it and nothing else, by chance i offered $25 for it, the seller accepted as he also didn’t know if the thing even worked, surprisingly it did, I have since modded the Game Shark cart to contain Pseudo Saturn, it now boots backups without issue. Having seen that now the Game Shark cart is “bad” for it, even though its been in it for years now….do you think it is even worth me buying the Action Replay cart? I also was wondering about the “all in one” carts that contain the ram options as well, do they also boot backups that need the ram cart or is it a pick one option scenario? Thanks!😎
Thankfully I bought a bunch of my saturn collection roughly 3-4 years ago, just as the market was about to sky rocket. I got Magic Knight Rayearth. Sadly I missed out on Saga ($900 at the time) and Guardian Heroes (pushing $130 at the time) so I researched and found options for burned copies from people that make them. I was ecstatic that they work (on a modded saturn of course) it was amazing, hell, I have Policenauts english translation and the full english translation of Shining Force 3 in its complete saga. I still need to get Linkle Liver Story and Sakura Wars. Great video. What I intend to do when I get my polymega if transfer my games to that and sell my Saturn collection. Sadly I am one of the later preorder people who ordered way back during the WalMart ''partnership'' so I had to reorder it at the time and I don't expect it until Spring of next year. (sigh)
god i legit want a Saturn and i grew up in the 90s i NEVER HEARD OF IT NOR EVEN REMEMBER SEEING IT AT TOYS R US back in like 95 i wanna explore the console so I can appreciate the art of that console
Sega Lord X mentioned in one of his videos that some of the Ali Express Pseudo Saturn Kai carts have flat PCB’s with no rounded corners or bevelled edge’s, which can cause the pins in the cartridge slot to get pushed too far back and potentially stop making contact. A few people on the Saturn sub Reddit have confirmed this whilst others have said their carts were fine, so it’s a bit of a crap shoot, the general consensus is if you get one of the dodgy ones to just leave it plugged in and never take it out.
that IS a great startup screen, ngl. :P definitely gotta look into getting a hold of one of these! would love to start collecting saturn imports. (especially when I'm not technically minded enough (or have the budget for) the MODE...
You nailed it. It's very hard and expensive to collect Saturn games. Retro game collecting in the 90's-2005 was much easier attain games excluding the Neo-Geo cartridges, but the last several years it's very expensive. I remember 2017-18 I was at digitalpress. I put up thread looking to trade Genny roms for Snes roms on the Retron5 and some guy flipped out false claiming how I was ripping off the game developers and the retro dealers. I politely explained to him that it was deadware and the developers haven't made any money on a Snes game since the mid 90's, and the retro dealers sell Everdrives and Repros which are rom based. Also the retro dealers will buy a game for $3 and break it down into pieces where the sell cartridge or disc for $300+, $85 for the owners manual and $85 the case. Then the mod told me to quit whining 😂😂
I have one concern about this: is its board thicker than official Sega memory carts? I hear all 3rd party carts have thicker boards and can damage the cart slot! I asked the makers of the N64’s new forever memory card if they’d make a Saturn version AND asked them to make the board thin!
this is what i need, i wanted to get a Sega Saturn that i saw, but i wondered if i can play burned CDs just like the Dreamcast (where i live, dreamcast games are pretty rare, but thankfully i can burn discs without modding it to have a decent amount of games i can play, unfortunatly some games like Sonic Adventure 2 and Shenmue are hard to burn on a CD due to them being over 700 MB) because Saturn stuff is very rare and that's what has been stopping me from getting a Sega Saturn, but now thanks to you, i can buy that Sega Saturn i saw and burn CDs to have a decent amount of games just like the Dreamcast (if Dreamcast stuff is kinda rare, Saturn stuff is even worse)
Awesome review Adam! I've been deciding if I want to go this route or ODE route with Saturn. After this video I might go this route since it seems to be the cheapest and easiest. My question tho, will using CD-Rs ruin the lens over time?
4th pseudo saturn psa. You can remove the pseudo saturn after you boot into a game and the game will still work. This will allow you to swap to a memory card or a netlink adapter.
I agree 100% Adam. I don't support piracy normally but there are times when it's the only option. I have an original Panzer Dragoon saga and a back up though the back up crashes from time to time. Other games like Hyper Duel are 4-500$ now! No way normal gamers can afford that. Find a backup supplier and check in frequently. These games are still exclusive. You may not get them anywhere else for years if ever.
I was lucky to pick up a mod chip Saturn and use an Action Replay. Does the Pseudo Saturn not allow you to add action replay codes like the old AP cart did?
Back in the 2008 - 2010 timeframe I installed modchips in a few Saturns. I still have one of them. To play games from other regions you have to region patch the game before you burn it. My other Saturn I use the Psuedo Saturn, however i do not play either console any longer. Great consoles but I'll probably sell them.
So you can still save games with a Pseudo action replay? I thought you lost that feature with a Pseudo.... how much more room do lose for saving games?
Do repos hurt the saturn like I have heard? and is the saturn like the dreamcast you can't unplug or insert controllers when on or it will damage the console?
would it really be worth buying an action replay over a gameshark? i've tried looking and haven't found proof that the gameshark bends the saturn's pins, and they sell for twice the price, sometimes more when the VAST majority of listings don't have the COM port, which i plan to use.
@@AdamKoralik ...i can't "see for myself" since i don't have a gameshark, it's why i'm asking this question, but if the plastic's what's bending a system's pins, can't i just use the PCB itself? and if it's the PCB, can i not thin it using sandpaper?
I remember when PDS jumped to $150 back in the day, and I thought that was a lot then. I own PD1, PD2 and PDS, but the Japanese versions. I love the art work on them. Too bad PDS Japanese version does not have an English language toggle.
I have Panzer dragoon Saga as well. I got it as part of my uncle's whole Saturn collection some years ago.The thing about it is it's a cd-r and hand written label disc. LOL. I could make a Pseudo Saturn out of my Action Replay but don't need to. My uncle had installed a mod chip into it ar some point of him owning the Saturn.
Hi Adam .i have the really old one action card that you showed with the old menu and not the new menu. Anyway i can update that card to the current firmware you are using? Or do you need to buy the new action card to get these features? Thanks great video
Didn't the video make that clear? I even showed the process son. Just download and burn the firmware update, then run it like a Saturn game. As I said in the video, Mr Mario did an entire guide about it.
The Satiator is absolutly the best thing ever., next, any type of ODE., and next the Pseudo Saturn or an Action Replay.... i have a pseudo saturn and it is great but the problem is that you still have to use the Saturn laser., and sooner or later if you are hardcore you will break that thing, yes you can have multiple saturns or fix your lasers somehow but i personally find the situation of the Free Mc boot on the ps2 the ideal and most perfect, i usually just play games using a pendrive and requires no modification on the console and no use of the ps2´s laser., in the case of emulators, i don´t like that emulators cleans too much the image, and there must be some alternatives to the scanlines for the HD TVs, some sort of muddy filther, those games were not made to look that sharp, even the original xbox games., needs some sort of blur, of blurryness or mud in the image to reach the point on how those 32 and 128 bit games really looked.... anyways i find the way of using the original hardware on CRTs the best options and avoiding using the lasers is always the best., yes i do have the pseudo saturn and i do recommend it but the satiator is the most elegant and practical way of saving money and preserving your saturn.... the satiator is very expensive though., but might be a worthy purchase
I disagree for og xbox. I was able to get the chimeric systems adapter over the summer and it rivals 360 games up til like 2010. Marvel ultimate alliance, mx vs atv unleashed, etc. All the 720p games look amazing. Most 480p ones do as well tho digital widescreen 480p confuses some modern tvs, 50 cent bulletproof comes to mind. Can be dark blurry and unplayable ober composite or bad cables but with a good hookup it looks like a flagship showoff title for 7th gen systems from 06-08.
@@Di3mondDud3 Well the original Xbox had one foot in the next generation when it came out anyways, i mean some games in it looks straight up like 360 games but still, when you clean too much those images somehow those games doesn´t look that great, i´m playing halo the masterchief collection on xbox one right now, and they kinda managed to make halo 1 and 2 to look fine on an HD Tv (and i´m not talking about the new textures but the old ones), but even the OG xbox games, in my opinion, do not look that great in HD, the blur of the CRT is part of the artstyle
@@johnnada6855 as long as you are using component, og Xbox games should look better on an hd tv. IMO 240p and 480i games look better on crts, but basically every game on Xbox supports 480p or higher. You just need to use component cables or an adapter. The same goes for Dreamcast (via vga) and GameCube (via the digital port and forcing 480p via Swiss). The frustrating thing that really throws off my setup is ps2. Most of the games are 480i and look better on a crt. I find the easiest way around this is just playing my cross platform games on og Xbox or GameCube. This at least minimizes the amount of 480i games you need to play (as a decent % of exclusives have a progressive mode).
I never knew how to update it. I got one years ago to play burned disks for repros when you could still find them on Etsy for cheap. I only have 3 games: Policenaughts with English patch, Shining Force 3 with all 3 scenarios, and Panzer Dragoon Saga. But with the way a lot of game's prices are I'm debating getting or just making more.
Question, with the American saturn can it Play all Japan imports via a Pseudo Saturn? I was told it only play some Japan imports and certain imports require a Rom cart like (japan) king of fighter's 95?
I'd say most. There's SOME games, such as KOF 95, that are special cases. Getting the 4 MB version of the Pseudo Saturn will allow for the most compatibility though.
Also I got a Sega Saturn and I was wondering if you can help me with a technical issue with the door open close. The component where are you trick the Saturn wear you would put the tap on is broken. So now I can not run my games. If you know what I mean is there any way of fixing that
I got burned by that Ali Express seller, but I got another via a store that sells repros. Have a full Saturn PAL collection, which was feasable. But if you have less to spend, you don't need all the games anyway, as it is difficult to play all games...
What brand of CD-R are you using? I tried some Sony CD-Rs I had laying around and they didn’t work but I bought some Verbatim CD-Rs and they work great.
Do you have any recommendations for external disc drives that burn at 1x speed? I have the whole process down but there’s some particular games that weirdly are being a pain to burn and have work or work properly like Alien Trilogy and the first Panzer Dragoon and my disc drive on my computer burn at 8x at the very slowest.
The Saturn is one of those systems i passed up do my move form SNES to Windows 95. So althgough I liked it I will give it an pass. PS if you are ever here in Lafayette La in March "best times are usely the 9th and/or 10th" as we always have retro gaming events at Louisiana Comic Con. Oddy I find Comic Cons, Fur Cons and Bony Cons are some of the best under looked spots to find homebrew games. For an exepull eventhough you will get an My Little Pony hacked version an Bony Con is about the only way most of you will get EarthBound cart at less then $100.
Yeah, though I'd recommend getting a step down converter. It will work, but the voltage difference will chew away at the PSU over time without a step down converter.
That? That's just a generic Pound cable I used for ease of use for the demo. To actually play, I recommend a SCART cable, RetroTink SCART edition, and an mClassic.
In 2010 I had a model 2 Saturn with all kinds of games. Clockwork Knight 1 and 2, Mr. Bones, Sonic 3D Blast, Bug, Bug Two, Daytona USA, and Need for Speed. I put it all up as a bundle for auction on Ebay where it sold for $56. I'm so upset that I let it go.
That's how I roll with my Saturn, it's so much easier than modding the console. Mostly for burned games which I have a disc binder with 200+ games, saved me a lot of money
The best is the 4 in all card 1 - 4MB RAM 2 - SAVE GAMES 3 - PLAY IMPORTS 4 - ACTION REPLAY. But when playing games like X-men VS StreetFighter and you enable cheat at the begining of the boot option, there is a change that your saturn freezes, crashing The Crashing has to do with the cheat function due to a softmod change of a game and write into the 4 MB RAM. So some games just start without cheat function that will be fine, 99%of games running fine with cheat function enabled. Problem occurs mostly 4mb CapCom fighting games aka streetfighter
Unlike the stock Action Replay, which you have to copy your save files back on the internal battery, the Pseudo Saturn allows you to directly access your saves like the first party Sega Saturn RAM-Backup cart. It's also pretty cool to play the released early builds of Sonic Xtreme and translated versions of Shining Force 3 part 2 and 3.
Hi. I bought myself a pseudo saturn cartridge but I still do not know how to transfer my saved games (internal memory) to the pseudo saturn cartridge.
It just occurred to me that you should upload a 4K compilation of the different SEGA Saturn models’ boot screens. You may be one of the few people with so many rare Saturns alongside insanely good video capture methods.
Pseudo Saturn was a godsend when I first got my Saturn. I had been doing the disk swap method for months, and I got a Gameshark for cheap to make the process a little easier. I was doing some research to see if there was an easier way to run burned Saturn games, and Pseudo Saturn came up. It didn’t outright say it was compatible with my model of Gameshark, but given the internals of the GS and the Action Replay were identical, I figured it would work, and I was right! The Pseudo Saturn opened up many avenues for me to play Japanese Saturn exclusives and Saturn games that were just ridiculously expensive in the states.
I have a MODE installed in my Saturn now, but I can’t overstate how big a help Pseudo Saturn was to get me into the Saturn scene, and not just for burned discs, but import games like DBZ The Legend that I would eventually purchase.
Its nice to know you can use a gameshark even if it basically mates that modded GS to the saturn you have
@@Di3mondDud3 I wasn't aware of the pin-spreading issue with Saturn GSs until Adam mentioned it, but it explains why I had to tighten the connector to the motherboard when I started using a different Pseudo Saturn cart with extra ram. It still kinda wobbles too tbh but at least it works
This is such a treat, I just got my Pseudo Saturn last Tuesday!
Can you save f?
Word! I only got to play Sega Saturn from 1995 to 1997 and I enjoyed it. I even imported a few games and they were 70 dollars each at the time. X-Men vs street fighter, marvel super heroes vs street fighter, and dungeons and dragons collection.
I can emulate Sega Saturn on my wife's computer because it's not weaksauce like my 13 year old laptop lol
I feel blessed that I got my copy of Panzer Dragoon Saga at launch from Electronics Boutique and still have it! Loved the game and never thought it's value would have went where it has.
I really like the pseudo Saturn, it’s a good measure for playing games I can’t own. I find it better than other options because if I use and ode I’d feel the need to sell all my games since I wouldn’t be sing them; and at that point I might as well use a retro pie if since a Saturn with an ode functions the same way. This is just my view and I know there is no “best “ way to collect just the one that suites you most.
It's pretty cool that something like this exists. I just wish it was easy for folks to preserve the Sega Saturn, nowadays especially through emulation. I know Sega did rerelease SOME Sega Saturn games, back on PSN and XBLA like:
- NiGHTS into Dreams
- Fighting Vipers
- Virtua Fighter 2
- Sonic the Fighters
but still. It just sucks that this system is really good, but one of the toughest systems to preserve, nowadays next to the PS3.
For an official SEGA ambassador you actually support perserving the future. Kudos!
My Saturn collection is as complete as I could ever want. Not only do I own most all off the US heavy hitters, but I also have a good portion of the big Japanese games as well. Btw I have the Satiator and Psuedo Saturn. The Satiator is hands down the best ODE selection. I can play discs or not. That’s badass.
There are a lot of amazing PAL games too! (Parodius, Keio 2, Megaman X3, Exhumed, Deep Fear...)
This is about as cool as the recent news that they actually included a pretty functional SEGA Saturn emulator on the Cotton Collection for Switch.
Although wait, the Pseudo is even better as one doesn't have to mod their Switch.
Thanks for the video mate. I recently got a Japanese Saturn with Pseudo and it's rapidly becoming one of my favourite consoles. The arcade experience on Saturn it's really something special.
I'm a big fan of Sega like you Adam, but I find myself really enjoying the Saturn the most out of all their consoles. The Saturn just has so many unique games that aren't available anywhere else and I kinda have a soft spot for those weird 2.5d games. I'm also lucky enough to have found a Saturn kiosk, which is absolutely stunning. I have 3 Sega kiosks in total, Genesis, Saturn, and Dreamcast.
When the saturn launched in Australia they had a sega branded semi truck enclosed trailer inside my local shopping centre (mall) that had about 6? kiosks inside, one game on each of them so you got to try. I pretty much spent days there playing it.
I want to say it was Christmas of 2016 I finally got my first Sega Saturn. It was the American model 2. And it was pseudo Saturn that allowed me access to this great library. And now the Saturn is my favorite console of all time. Also it was your videos that got me back into Gaming. When PS3 and Xbox 360 dropped I just quit gaming because it wasn't my style of games. But now I got a Nintendo switch and PS4 and all the old stuff again. Saturn, Genesis, Dreamcast, and PC engine are my favorite. I even got a Atari 2600 because of you, and I still love it. Thank you.
Totally agree with your point. Now with the insane pricing of retrogames these days the only option we'll have in the longer-term is either emulation or playing backups through ODEs or Everdrives.
Price-gouging for retro games, especially in the case of consoles like the Saturn, has really been hurting the everyman and collector alike in the secondhand market. Hopefully that can miraculously end one day but otherwise this is a good alternative.
It won't won't ever end. Video games are the new antiques, Just pirate away, the publishers/devs aren't getting any money from the high sale of 2nd hand games anyway so your conscious is clear
when i was a kid i got a saturn w 7 games for £27 on ebay, nowadays that’s like half a game lol
@@shaungreer3350 When I originally got my Dreamcast in 2009, I immediately got interested in picking up Saturn stuff. The system averaged around $40 online (I also remember a really nice vendor at a flea market was selling them for $20) and the games were mostly-affordable, too. Other interests came up and I always thought "maybe later".
_Big_ mistake
Me, I am that guy out there who just wants a cheap solution, lol. I recently bought a Saturn and am looking into the best ways to play the games without selling a kidney. Thanks for this video!!
Awesome tutorial and the best true way to play Saturn games on original hardware.
By this point, Sega Saturn games are only obtainable for people who have a ton of money and connections. You can’t really do the Goodwill thrift thing anymore because they are aware of what a lot of the old games are worth. They put them on their auction sites and they end up selling at eBay prices anyway.
That was an unbelievable deal for the Panzer Trilogy. I got the Trilogy all CIB at Classic Game Fest a number of years back for $700 cash. It hurt at the time but I am happy I got it when I did.
Wow, this is definitely for me. Thanks!
Thanks for this video man. I've been binging Saturn content ever since I got my Dreamcast back a few weeks ago. And having this pseudo Saturn is like having a Dreamcast codebreaker disc! I'm definitely gonna take the plunge now for sure. Thanks again brother 👍
I picked one of these up not so long ago. Now I hv a large burned collection of all the Saturn shooters & other big hitters.I have had an Action Replay cart for ages & a healthy collection of Saturn games, but with the prices now collecting has got ridiculous. I think its awesome!
The Satiator lets you keep your original drive intact. This is what I use. It is expensive, but totally worth it. I play a lot of games (especially fan translations) on Satiator, to save wear and tear on the cd drive.
Got my pseudo AR from a local seller here in Australia maybe almost 10 years ago now and has served me well.
Never realised its that simple to update it so will need to give that a try ASAP
0:15 "Sega's weird gothic hipster kid that talks about animes you never heard of and you only see at Christmas"
*IT'S NOT A PHASE, MOM - IT'S A **_LIFESTYLE_*
You've got me keen to get a Saturn mate. I always thought the games are too expensive or to soft mod it it's a hassle but your way seems great, your a legend! Cheers bro and awesome vid :)
Great video, glad you brought topic up. I’m came in late on Saturn, but it has quickly become my favourite retro console that I keep going back to. I’m one of those tragic addicts who has bought every ODE variant and the Satiator, but I get really annoyed when I see ODE snobs in forums look down on people who use pseudo Saturn and burnt discs. Then there are also those who say don’t do it, you’ll destroy your laser! These games and consoles were made to be played, and if this is the most affordable for you to way get into these wonderful games, go for it!
And then later when you can afford an ODE, pseudo Saturn nicely compliments some of those with different menus and saved game management options!
Interesting! I love the Saturn, but there are so many games that feel impossible to acquire these days, so it would be nice to be able to use "legitimate backup disks" to play games on real hardware (the 3DO is also a favorite of mine for that very reason). My action replay died (taking a whole bunch of save games with it) and while I have a similar way still to play Japanese games, this might be worth looking into.
Such a helpful video Adam, thank you for making it along with the rest of your content. Just recently acquired a Saturn and the games I want for it and of course all of the games I want for it are unreasonably priced so I'm going to get this cartridge asap.
Thanks for the informative video man. I grew up with the Saturn, my Dad bought one when they were new. He, my brother and I all played the hell out of Road Rash. He bought a few games for it which I still have, but I always wanted more but they are rare and the prices are just insane. It's been really discouraging to not be able to enjoy the system and collect for it but at least this allows me to play more games so this will be exiting to finally experience it.
That’s the most accurate description on the Saturn I’ve ever heard lol
Especially when you compare it to the bright clean Dreamcast with its water effects and wondrous Sonic Team opening to Sonic Adventure, Saturn definitely the dark Goth console.
This is really cool Adam.
I will look into getting this now because i really want to play some of the RPG games on the Saturn
I tried this. And it works. But, the laser itself eventually does needs to be changed. So I use the SD card option.
Warning: Make sure to use one or the other. These third party companies designed their products under the assumption that you are using original stock hardware. I damaged my U.S. Saturn and needed to order a new one because I was trying to set them up together. Multi cart (all in one) with Fenrir (SD card reader).
I now own all four original ram cartridges and the games run properly as a result of it.
Once again you made a video that is super cool and entertaining to watch, and also very informative for something I will never own or play.
Man I just bought a Saturn yesterday at my local pawn shop, and finding this video was really nice. I thought that the Saturn would be easier to collect and get games for till I looked and immediately went online to figure out how to actually use. I'm excited to try and get there now at least.
And this is why I love you, Adam. JP Saturns are less than 100 on eBay and I don't feel like spending 300 on a modded Saturn, and I don't mind burning CDs, so this option is perfect for me!
Sweet showing off some PALz0rz! I love that Saturn loves 50>60hz automation! I am fairly new to them (coupla years) and it is fascinating because N64 PS1+2 despise to do so on they own!
This video was just in time! Thanks
Been on my list of things to get for the Saturn, now I have even more reason to get it.
Great video. I got myself a grey JP Saturn last week and I'm going to get a pseudo cart to be free at last!
Great vid, i got my Saturn at a flea market, untested sitting with the Game Shark carts in it and nothing else, by chance i offered $25 for it, the seller accepted as he also didn’t know if the thing even worked, surprisingly it did, I have since modded the Game Shark cart to contain Pseudo Saturn, it now boots backups without issue. Having seen that now the Game Shark cart is “bad” for it, even though its been in it for years now….do you think it is even worth me buying the Action Replay cart? I also was wondering about the “all in one” carts that contain the ram options as well, do they also boot backups that need the ram cart or is it a pick one option scenario? Thanks!😎
Korean version of virtual-on is not dumped btw.
Also PSKAI software can work with Rhea/Phoebe and fenrir ODE. WIP for Satiator support.
It is, I dumped it myself. It's not actually in Korean, it's just the Japanese disc.
@@AdamKoralik thank you for preserving it.
I did buy a Pseudo Replay to play a burnt copy of Saga around a year ago. It was unplayable on my Saturn before then. Nice video!
Thankfully I bought a bunch of my saturn collection roughly 3-4 years ago, just as the market was about to sky rocket. I got Magic Knight Rayearth. Sadly I missed out on Saga ($900 at the time) and Guardian Heroes (pushing $130 at the time) so I researched and found options for burned copies from people that make them. I was ecstatic that they work (on a modded saturn of course) it was amazing, hell, I have Policenauts english translation and the full english translation of Shining Force 3 in its complete saga. I still need to get Linkle Liver Story and Sakura Wars. Great video. What I intend to do when I get my polymega if transfer my games to that and sell my Saturn collection. Sadly I am one of the later preorder people who ordered way back during the WalMart ''partnership'' so I had to reorder it at the time and I don't expect it until Spring of next year. (sigh)
Uh, hey, where on the internet do I find Sega Saturn BIN/CUE files I can download like Croc-the Japanese Pau Pau Island (JP console)?
Perfect! I love Capcom fighting games and the Japanese discs are much much cheaper so I’ll get one of these cartridges soon.
I have a Japanese Saturn and want to play some expensive imports. Will the pseudo saturn allow me to play repros?
Well, yeah, that's the whole point.
god i legit want a Saturn and i grew up in the 90s
i NEVER HEARD OF IT NOR EVEN REMEMBER SEEING IT AT TOYS R US back in like 95
i wanna explore the console so I can appreciate the art of that console
Ok, time to ship my Satirn and Wii over for the Saturn mods he missed and to install the WiiDUAL kit, 2 birds with 1 stone.
Great video Adam, I put Pseudo Saturn on my Action Replay a few months back. The Saturn has some great games but are too expensive.
Thank you Adam, as always your videos are super helpful.
Sega Lord X mentioned in one of his videos that some of the Ali Express Pseudo Saturn Kai carts have flat PCB’s with no rounded corners or bevelled edge’s, which can cause the pins in the cartridge slot to get pushed too far back and potentially stop making contact. A few people on the Saturn sub Reddit have confirmed this whilst others have said their carts were fine, so it’s a bit of a crap shoot, the general consensus is if you get one of the dodgy ones to just leave it plugged in and never take it out.
that IS a great startup screen, ngl. :P definitely gotta look into getting a hold of one of these! would love to start collecting saturn imports. (especially when I'm not technically minded enough (or have the budget for) the MODE...
I liked your modded Xbox360 video, so this modded Saturn has me intrigued. 👌
You nailed it. It's very hard and expensive to collect Saturn games. Retro game collecting in the 90's-2005 was much easier attain games excluding the Neo-Geo cartridges, but the last several years it's very expensive. I remember 2017-18 I was at digitalpress. I put up thread looking to trade Genny roms for Snes roms on the Retron5 and some guy flipped out false claiming how I was ripping off the game developers and the retro dealers. I politely explained to him that it was deadware and the developers haven't made any money on a Snes game since the mid 90's, and the retro dealers sell Everdrives and Repros which are rom based. Also the retro dealers will buy a game for $3 and break it down into pieces where the sell cartridge or disc for $300+, $85 for the owners manual and $85 the case. Then the mod told me to quit whining 😂😂
I have one concern about this: is its board thicker than official Sega memory carts? I hear all 3rd party carts have thicker boards and can damage the cart slot! I asked the makers of the N64’s new forever memory card if they’d make a Saturn version AND asked them to make the board thin!
That's why I talked about the GameShark/InterAct card.
this is what i need, i wanted to get a Sega Saturn that i saw, but i wondered if i can play burned CDs just like the Dreamcast (where i live, dreamcast games are pretty rare, but thankfully i can burn discs without modding it to have a decent amount of games i can play, unfortunatly some games like Sonic Adventure 2 and Shenmue are hard to burn on a CD due to them being over 700 MB) because Saturn stuff is very rare and that's what has been stopping me from getting a Sega Saturn, but now thanks to you, i can buy that Sega Saturn i saw and burn CDs to have a decent amount of games just like the Dreamcast (if Dreamcast stuff is kinda rare, Saturn stuff is even worse)
Great that there are so many options for Saturn. Some barely have one
Awesome review Adam! I've been deciding if I want to go this route or ODE route with Saturn. After this video I might go this route since it seems to be the cheapest and easiest. My question tho, will using CD-Rs ruin the lens over time?
Not really no, that problem is basically unique to the Dreamcast.
Great video!!! This is the exact method I use to play Saturn games!!!👍👍👍👍
4th pseudo saturn psa.
You can remove the pseudo saturn after you boot into a game and the game will still work. This will allow you to swap to a memory card or a netlink adapter.
Sega Saturn isnt odd, its beautiful >:(
i need help, restart my saturn in the dek pseudo saturn kai, now when I use it again the cartridge does not work. what can I do?
Also, is there a decent advantage to the extra RAM? Trying to figure out what I need for the cart or not.
A lot of Japanese games require it.
Hi Adam, have you tested this with 4 megabyte games like X-Men vs street fighter and the dungeons and dragons collection or street fighter zero 3?
My particular card is the 1 MB card, so I can't.
@@AdamKoralik thanks for the info. 🙂
I have an action replay 1-4 mb modded with pesuedo saturn, it works fine I play it all the time
I agree 100% Adam. I don't support piracy normally but there are times when it's the only option. I have an original Panzer Dragoon saga and a back up though the back up crashes from time to time. Other games like Hyper Duel are 4-500$ now! No way normal gamers can afford that. Find a backup supplier and check in frequently. These games are still exclusive. You may not get them anywhere else for years if ever.
I was lucky to pick up a mod chip Saturn and use an Action Replay. Does the Pseudo Saturn not allow you to add action replay codes like the old AP cart did?
I'm fairly certain it does. I'm using old firmware though, it's been massively updated since.
Back in the 2008 - 2010 timeframe I installed modchips in a few Saturns. I still have one of them. To play games from other regions you have to region patch the game before you burn it. My other Saturn I use the Psuedo Saturn, however i do not play either console any longer. Great consoles but I'll probably sell them.
Such good guide bro thanks 👍
So you can still save games with a Pseudo action replay? I thought you lost that feature with a Pseudo....
how much more room do lose for saving games?
I have the 1 MB version which can't. The 4 MB version MIGHT...I don't know to be honest.
Do repos hurt the saturn like I have heard? and is the saturn like the dreamcast you can't unplug or insert controllers when on or it will damage the console?
That's more of a Dreamcast problem
would it really be worth buying an action replay over a gameshark? i've tried looking and haven't found proof that the gameshark bends the saturn's pins, and they sell for twice the price, sometimes more when the VAST majority of listings don't have the COM port, which i plan to use.
Yes, the GameShark does bend pins, you can see it yourself. The board is thicker plastic than other Saturn carts.
@@AdamKoralik ...i can't "see for myself" since i don't have a gameshark, it's why i'm asking this question, but if the plastic's what's bending a system's pins, can't i just use the PCB itself? and if it's the PCB, can i not thin it using sandpaper?
I remember when PDS jumped to $150 back in the day, and I thought that was a lot then. I own PD1, PD2 and PDS, but the Japanese versions. I love the art work on them. Too bad PDS Japanese version does not have an English language toggle.
I have Panzer dragoon Saga as well. I got it as part of my uncle's whole Saturn collection some years ago.The thing about it is it's a cd-r and hand written label disc. LOL. I could make a Pseudo Saturn out of my Action Replay but don't need to. My uncle had installed a mod chip into it ar some point of him owning the Saturn.
I have a Model 1 Japanese Saturn with Pseudo Saturn/Kai. I love it.
Hi Adam
.i have the really old one action card that you showed with the old menu and not the new menu. Anyway i can update that card to the current firmware you are using? Or do you need to buy the new action card to get these features? Thanks great video
Didn't the video make that clear? I even showed the process son. Just download and burn the firmware update, then run it like a Saturn game.
As I said in the video, Mr Mario did an entire guide about it.
@@AdamKoralik awesome. Yeah sorry your card just looked abit different so wasnt sure. Gonna update it.
You got this son!
I have gotten that red one from someone on ebay and it works just fine.
I consider the Sega Saturn as the "Black Hole" of gaming, whatever software goes into it hardly ever leaves it.
I thought Panzer Dragoon Saga didn't work if it detects a modifying cartridge? I'm guessing you used some kind of AR code to get around it?
I didn't do anything. You saw me boot it in real time
The Satiator is absolutly the best thing ever., next, any type of ODE., and next the Pseudo Saturn or an Action Replay.... i have a pseudo saturn and it is great but the problem is that you still have to use the Saturn laser., and sooner or later if you are hardcore you will break that thing, yes you can have multiple saturns or fix your lasers somehow but i personally find the situation of the Free Mc boot on the ps2 the ideal and most perfect, i usually just play games using a pendrive and requires no modification on the console and no use of the ps2´s laser., in the case of emulators, i don´t like that emulators cleans too much the image, and there must be some alternatives to the scanlines for the HD TVs, some sort of muddy filther, those games were not made to look that sharp, even the original xbox games., needs some sort of blur, of blurryness or mud in the image to reach the point on how those 32 and 128 bit games really looked.... anyways i find the way of using the original hardware on CRTs the best options and avoiding using the lasers is always the best., yes i do have the pseudo saturn and i do recommend it but the satiator is the most elegant and practical way of saving money and preserving your saturn.... the satiator is very expensive though., but might be a worthy purchase
I disagree for og xbox. I was able to get the chimeric systems adapter over the summer and it rivals 360 games up til like 2010. Marvel ultimate alliance, mx vs atv unleashed, etc. All the 720p games look amazing. Most 480p ones do as well tho digital widescreen 480p confuses some modern tvs, 50 cent bulletproof comes to mind. Can be dark blurry and unplayable ober composite or bad cables but with a good hookup it looks like a flagship showoff title for 7th gen systems from 06-08.
@@Di3mondDud3 Well the original Xbox had one foot in the next generation when it came out anyways, i mean some games in it looks straight up like 360 games but still, when you clean too much those images somehow those games doesn´t look that great, i´m playing halo the masterchief collection on xbox one right now, and they kinda managed to make halo 1 and 2 to look fine on an HD Tv (and i´m not talking about the new textures but the old ones), but even the OG xbox games, in my opinion, do not look that great in HD, the blur of the CRT is part of the artstyle
@@johnnada6855 as long as you are using component, og Xbox games should look better on an hd tv. IMO 240p and 480i games look better on crts, but basically every game on Xbox supports 480p or higher. You just need to use component cables or an adapter. The same goes for Dreamcast (via vga) and GameCube (via the digital port and forcing 480p via Swiss). The frustrating thing that really throws off my setup is ps2. Most of the games are 480i and look better on a crt. I find the easiest way around this is just playing my cross platform games on og Xbox or GameCube. This at least minimizes the amount of 480i games you need to play (as a decent % of exclusives have a progressive mode).
I never knew how to update it. I got one years ago to play burned disks for repros when you could still find them on Etsy for cheap. I only have 3 games: Policenaughts with English patch, Shining Force 3 with all 3 scenarios, and Panzer Dragoon Saga. But with the way a lot of game's prices are I'm debating getting or just making more.
Question, with the American saturn can it Play all Japan imports via a Pseudo Saturn? I was told it only play some Japan imports and certain imports require a Rom cart like (japan) king of fighter's 95?
I'd say most. There's SOME games, such as KOF 95, that are special cases. Getting the 4 MB version of the Pseudo Saturn will allow for the most compatibility though.
@@AdamKoralik okay thanks
I actually bought Panzer Dragoon Saga new when it came out from my local EB games. I sold it on eBay in 2008 for like $250. Ahh... regrets.
Never heard about this, thanks Adam, you made me wish I haven't sold my Saturn (again).
Also I got a Sega Saturn and I was wondering if you can help me with a technical issue with the door open close. The component where are you trick the Saturn wear you would put the tap on is broken. So now I can not run my games.
If you know what I mean is there any way of fixing that
The disc detection closing thing? It thinks it's always open or something?
@@AdamKoralik yep that’s correct. Probably no way of fixing that
Hey Adam I hope your doing well. Do you know if burnt 3DO games will work with the goldstar system..thank you
They should, yes.
@@AdamKoralik thanks bud, I hope you enjoyed Montreal.. did you try the poutine there?
@@AB-wi2mh Of course, check my Instagram!
I got burned by that Ali Express seller, but I got another via a store that sells repros. Have a full Saturn PAL collection, which was feasable. But if you have less to spend, you don't need all the games anyway, as it is difficult to play all games...
i burned the full cue option but my saturn do not read it. Its there any problem ?
Just the cue file? You need the BIN file as well.
What brand of CD-R are you using?
I tried some Sony CD-Rs I had laying around and they didn’t work but I bought some Verbatim CD-Rs and they work great.
Do you have any recommendations for external disc drives that burn at 1x speed? I have the whole process down but there’s some particular games that weirdly are being a pain to burn and have work or work properly like Alien Trilogy and the first Panzer Dragoon and my disc drive on my computer burn at 8x at the very slowest.
Nah, I'm still rocking some old 90s ones.
@@AdamKoralik What model computer do you have? Maybe I should “upgrade” lol
I have a few, for anything like this, I have an XP clunker sitting around.
The Saturn is one of those systems i passed up do my move form SNES to Windows 95. So althgough I liked it I will give it an pass. PS if you are ever here in Lafayette La in March "best times are usely the 9th and/or 10th" as we always have retro gaming events at Louisiana Comic Con. Oddy I find Comic Cons, Fur Cons and Bony Cons are some of the best under looked spots to find homebrew games. For an exepull eventhough you will get an My Little Pony hacked version an Bony Con is about the only way most of you will get EarthBound cart at less then $100.
Hey Adam there’s this auction for a dreamcast pencil holder and I was wondering if this is an actual product or just a fake
No idea.
I just got my first ever saturn and ordered a psk cart and a 3d pad to go with it 🤘
I have only one sorta off topic question is it ok to plug in a Japanese sega Saturn in the us? Thanks in advance to anyone
Yeah, though I'd recommend getting a step down converter. It will work, but the voltage difference will chew away at the PSU over time without a step down converter.
@@AdamKoralik thanks man!
What is your set up process for the Saturn? The video quality looks really good.
That? That's just a generic Pound cable I used for ease of use for the demo.
To actually play, I recommend a SCART cable, RetroTink SCART edition, and an mClassic.
In 2010 I had a model 2 Saturn with all kinds of games. Clockwork Knight 1 and 2, Mr. Bones, Sonic 3D Blast, Bug, Bug Two, Daytona USA, and Need for Speed. I put it all up as a bundle for auction on Ebay where it sold for $56. I'm so upset that I let it go.
Yeah, understandably.
That's how I roll with my Saturn, it's so much easier than modding the console. Mostly for burned games which I have a disc binder with 200+ games, saved me a lot of money
Same. I buy repros that look and run great.
where do you go to get the games without buying them
You'll have to ask Google that one.
lmao
The best is the 4 in all card
1 - 4MB RAM
2 - SAVE GAMES
3 - PLAY IMPORTS
4 - ACTION REPLAY.
But when playing games like X-men VS StreetFighter and you enable cheat at the begining of the boot option, there is a change that your saturn freezes, crashing
The Crashing has to do with the cheat function due to a softmod change of a game and write into the 4 MB RAM.
So some games just start without cheat function that will be fine, 99%of games running fine with cheat function enabled.
Problem occurs mostly 4mb CapCom fighting games aka streetfighter
I'm pretty sure you could use the disc swap trick to get past region locking.
Yes...or you could not risk damage to the motor and not do that.
How perfect I got a saturn 3 says ago and then you make this video wow