Sega Saturn - Play PAL and NTSC Games on NTSC-J Console

Hey guys, I was doing some research about this and couldn't really find what I was looking for, so I've come here to ask a few questions.

The goal is to have a Japanese Sega Saturn that is as compatible as possible with games from every region. I know the Action Replay cartridges that can be found for $30 - $40 help with this, but my understanding is that they (among other things) can allow an NTSC-J console to play NTSC and PAL games, but that not all games will run correctly due to 50Hz optimisation and some won't run at all.

Which means the console has to be modded with a 50/60Hz region switch, correct? Does that mean that if I have an Action Replay cartridge and a region switch installed I should be able to run all NTSC-J, NTSC, and PAL games? Or will I still run into problems with some?

My current Sega Saturn is a Victor V-Saturn RG-JX2 and I would rather not modify it, so I'll probably be selling it to buy another Japanese Saturn - should I go with a Model 1 or Model 2, or does it not matter?

 

you will also need a regionfree bios for some games. that and a switchlessmod will do the trick. the AR cart will then only be to enable playing backups. PAL games will play in PAL 60Hz. But for most thats not a problem.

 

for freq you really have to do the switch mod. thankfully it's far easier than the region switch mod

 

Phantom mod chips - £15
Region free bios - £3
Switchless 50/60 - £4

Works on any version of saturn

 

If you're just playing burned games then you can use this tool for patching the region before burning then using the modchip to boot them.

http://madroms.satakore.com/

 

Sounds good to me, although I would like a manual switch instead. Are you selling Phantom chips and the region free bios right now?

Not planning on playing any burned games.

 

Then you don't need a mod chip - unlike the PlayStation, the only function a mod chip has on the Saturn is to allow you to play burned games.

Either installing the region-free boot ROM or putting a territory switch in will let you play out-of-region originals. A 50/60Hz mod (either switched or switchless) will let you run PAL optimized games - note that, as on a lot of modified systems, they don't run at exactly the right speed when in the wrong mode, but it's close enough.

You can also bypass the territory check using an Action Replay - although obviously that means that you won't be able to use the cartridge slot for anything else.

 

Okay, so:

1. 50/60Hz switch - eliminates the problem of PAL optimised games running at incorrect speeds.
2. Action Replay 4M Auto - allows PAL and NTSC games to boot.

So that should cover everything? No modchip required? The 4M Auto cartridge can act as a memory card and a RAM cartridge, so that should let me run those Capcom fighters that need it.

 

Yeah, that should let you run anything as long as it's on an original disc.

 

Excellent. Thanks everyone for the advice!