Modding a Japanese 1st Gen Saturn (US/JP) and casemodding a Genesis

Hi there, I'm coming back to this forum and I can see it's only gotten larger since I left it some time in 2009. I never got into the modding aspect of these old consoles, but I have more then I need and I'd like to condense them down without going too crazy. I also prefer the look of the Japanese systems than the North-American ones, because they seem more cooler, colorful, and it just feels like they put more time into it than the North-American versions. I already posted this in the sega forum, but that was before I realized that this would fit better in the modding forum. It would probably fit in services for reasons ill list below.. So, As you could see from the title, I have a Japanese Sega Saturn already. It's a Model/Gen 1, in other words, it's grey with the non-circular (oval) buttons. I'd like to have it modded to work with both US Saturn and JP Saturn Games. Simple stuff, If someone could send me resources or can do this for me, let me know. Second is a little more crazy. I have a Sega Genesis, Model 1. I'd like to have the case replaced with the SEGA MEGA DRIVE. but on top of this, I'd also like it to have the Multi Compatability mod as well, so I can play Both Japanese and NA games. I feel this could be attacked in 2 ways: The console itself can be modded, being I send my console to a modder or I buy a case and the chips and whatnot OR I exchange the Genesis for a Mega Drive, and then I continue or send it to a modder. I won't lie, I'm pretty lazy, so If someone can do this, I'm willing to pay and send the consoles to you. If you have a modded megadrive, I'm willing to exchange for my genesis, some controllers, a game or two, and whatever money needed to make up the difference. Feel free to message me back through PMs or reply to this thread.

 

For the Genesis mod you want to do, I believe is better for you to find a jap Mega drive and then do the mod for region. Is way better than try to find a mega drive case. The region mod is very easy to do.

 

The region mod for Genesis/ Megadrive is so simple even a caveman can do it. Wait a minute...

Anyways, you just need to hook the frequency up to ground for PAL video and leave disconnected for NTSC. Same for language: grounded for JAP and disconnected for ENG. No need for +5v to get NTSC ENG. I proved this with my model 3 Genesis. Just 3 wires and 2 SPST switches to get all 4 regions out of it. Or use a single 4 position 2 pole switch like I did.

 

Granted, I've never done it myself, but I've heard that installing mod chips in Model 1 Saturns was more difficult. This website gives more info: http://www.segastyle.com/saturnmod.html
I believe one of these would allow you to play imports without soldering http://www.amazon.com/Action-Replay...51191222&sr=8-1&keywords=saturn+action+replay

Again, I'm no expert. Started reading up on it, then my Saturn laser died

 

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Isn't there a hack region-free BIOS chip available for the Saturn? Installation for that would be as simple as de-soldering the old chip and soldering in the new one.

 

I haven't gotten to try that mod.

Region free BIOS (obvious to say) doesn't change the console's jumpers. So PAL games will use NTSC video mode, which is fine in most cases.
50/60hz only makes a handful of specific games run better.

 

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I didn't know that. Maybe I'll have to buy a new Saturn and look up this Rob Webb guy's chips

 

True. I tend to be in favor of ensuring one can play the most games reasonably doable.