Looking to mod my Sega Saturn

Hey everyone, I have a Sega saturn model HST-3220, I would like to put a modchip in it, i've done a bit of research, but no solid leads. Are there any way to have a modchip make my console region free without using the AR? I've heard something about not needing a modchip anymore, using a flashed cart? anyone have any more info on that? Thanks in advance, Matt

 

A BIOS replacement gives you region free. No backups though.

That flashed cart approach ("Pseudo Saturn", see the Saturn forum) is for backups, not sure if it also deals with region locking. To do it, you reflash an AR, losing the cheat functions in the process (but at least keeping the 1M/4M RAM functions, if the cart has those).

And, unless you insist on always using original discs only, you can always work around the lockout with backups patched to match your console's region code.

 

What's the easiest route about going with BIOS replacement, just buy a preflashed chip? Also thanks for the info!

 

Yeah, in fact using a preflashed chip is the only option, because there isn't any native flasher utility that I know of. It's not that hard to install, although you will probably find that the existing boot ROM is stuck to the board using staking compound and it will require either heat or a certain amount of force to remove it. The flash is also slightly wider than the original masked part, so there isn't much pad to solder to.

Note that the region free BIOS doesn't defeat the copy protection or change the video mode - so if you want to be able to play backups or switch between 50Hz and 60Hz mode you will need separate mods for that.

 

Does anyone know if the Saturn can be debugged to force progressive mode or something of the likes by any chance???

 

Progressive scan? The Saturn already runs most titles in 240p, and a very few ones in 480i. If you have it hooked up to a modern HDTV, it's very possible that the TV sees everything the Saturn throws at it, as 480i. Most modern televisions doesn't understand 240p, as it's never used anymore. It's a damn shame, because if the TV thinks the signal is 480i it will handle it as such. Which means deinterlacing the signal, which increases the lag, and can cause various ugly effects in the video.

To get around this problem, either use a CRT, or get a proper upscaler like the XRGB-mini.

 

With my mod chip I can just patch the backup ISO file with Sega Region Patcher to USA, then burn, and play on my modded NTSC console.