Thinking on getting a retro console - suggestions

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic these days and i'm starting to think on getting a retro console, specially ones that i played on friend's houses but never really had owned it. Here's some options i thought about.

- Saturn
Pros: Always liked it, would definately prefer a gray japanese model.
Cons: Difficult to find in good condition and without modifications. Most people used CD-R's on this, so don't know which condition and how long it would last. Plus those EMS 4in1 cartridges that let play imports are getting a bit expensive.

- Dreamcast
Pros: Never had much chance of playing one, would easily work on the LCD i use on computer with a VGA Box.
Cons: Don't know much about it, specially on what models are best, which ones to avoid and so on. Also, would probably have to check the lens condition, since everybody around here used CD-R's. Have no idea on how to play imports on it.

- SuperFamicom/Super Nintendo
Pros: Great games, easier to keep working without issues.
Cons: Only would be able to play it through composite cables.


It will depend on the price really and condition. I'm not in a hurry to get a "new" console, since i still have lots of games on the PS3 to finish. Would like your suggestions and advices on this, to have as much information as possible when i finally find something worth it.

 

Hmm given as you are in Brazil IMO Dreamcast is probably your best bet.

It is cheap, easy to find good games cheaply and should you have to play pirate games no modifications are required. I wouldn't worry too much about the laser - it may burn out a little quicker but they tend to last a long while. If you do have bad luck I have spares - I got a job lot of Dreamcasts but due to my crappy soldering skills I broke all but two of them trying my hand at modding them

On the other hand the Dreamcast and SNES can be emulated quite well and your new PC should be more than capable of handling this, but the Saturn can be a bitch to get right so if being able to play the games is all that matters, you may be better off with a Saturn so you can cover all 3 bases.

 

Also depends on what kinds of games you like, for 2D shooters or fighting games the Saturn is the best one, but for RPGs and stuff like that the SNES is the best choice.

 

I'd go with the Dreamcast, if for no other reason but Shenmue. Of course, there are plenty of other good DC games, too. It's incredibly easy to play imports on a DC: download and burn a bootloader, like Utopia Bootloader, let it boot, insert the import, and voila. That's all there is to it.

There's also Geist Force coming out one of these days.

 

Saturn is the one to get. Piss easy to find on import in excellent condition, 100's of great games and home to some of the best 2D fighters and shooters made. Plus I could do you a deal on a unit with a load of games from my store! If you want to get something different then I recommend the Super famicom but finding a pure white one is not that easy and because the games are packaged in card boxes finding a pure mint collection can be a little hard and pricey.

Yakumo

 

Honestly, they're all great consoles. You can't really go wrong with any of the 3.

 

Retrobrite is your friend! Turns any brown FC or SFC into a white minty console.

The Famicom and Super Famicom are fantastic consoles to have with tons of great games, the SFC does support S-Video and RGB. The Saturn is another great console, although games do fall into cheap and cheerful and sodding expensive. Although I do like the Dreamcast, I always felt short changed by it.

 

Suddenly, I am old.

 

I had the luck of getting a mint condition Sega Dreamcast from a close friend. Soon as i got home i carefully cleaned it with a alcohol soaked napkin and it looks like brand new. I occasionally play CD-Rs in it but my hopes are one day to get a rough shape one to boot ISOs from flashcart.

I would say go for Saturn or Dreamcast!

 

I know what Jamtex means about the Dreamcast. It was a great system with amazing games but for some reason the Saturn always seemed like the overall great Sega System. I still love Dreamcast though, just not as much as Saturn.

Yakumo

 

I'm with Yakumo on this one, Saturn is a much better choice.. it has great arcade ports. Really easy to find, games are alittle more affordable. Has internal memory as well. That's all that comes to mind for me.. Oh and you can get a region free cart

I should also add that the Japanese models run a lot nicer compared to EU/US versions of the console. There are plenty of Saturns at Gamedoctorhk, got my V-Saturn from him. Is there any reason you don't want a modified system?

 

Me too. I would rather get a Saturn.

The Dreamcast is a little boring after a while, but with the Saturn, it is exciting to try the games it has to offer from all the different regions. Also interesting to see the games that were on the PlayStation on it.

 

Thanks for all the replies! LeGIt made a good point about my soon to be complete new PC. Didn't knew DC emulation was that advanced though.

I'm really looking forward on getting a "new" retro console. By the way, the best video output for the Saturn is S-Video? My two CRT's (14' and 21' Flat) don't have it, not even my Samsung LCD.

Anyway, i'm reading a lot of stuff on racketboy and other places, to make a good decision. I'll let you know whatever i decide and when i finally buy it.

 

Even your Samsung doesn't have S-Video??? That's just nuts.

 

RGB?

 

I'd say buy one of each, cheaply. Ignore the special editions and just get a bog standard console, and enjoy the great games they have. As a choice between consoles, it is between the SNES and DC, probably be the DC for me. As much as I like the Saturn there are only a handful of games I enjoy on it..

 

This only able to play through Composite Cables doesn't make sense to me only being on a Con for SNES. SNES and Saturn and DC all have about the same video output options. Only DC has the possibility of VGA output. Otherwise they all have S-Video and RGB. Though DC apparently per game may or may not support RGB.

Really your choice should definitely be made based apon what games you want to play. I have all 3 of those systems and I would probably rank them 1. SNES 2. Saturn 3. DreamCast. Unfortunately I don't really have much I consider to be all that great that's exclusively on DreamCast. I did really like Soul Calibur but I can't think of much else. And I think compared to SNES and Saturn its library is pretty small.

 

Yeah, the only flaw on this TV set. By the way, even small CRT's being sold around here got rid of the S-Video. There's 14' CRTs with component but not S-Video :banghead:

No RGB SCART around here, just like in USA.

I put it as a con, because it would look the best. Anyway, i thought about these the Saturn and SNES because of the memories i have of playing great games on those consoles (even though i never owned them, just played in game shops / rental and at friend's houses). The Dreamcast on the other hand, i haven't experienced that much. I remember more about the noisy drive more than the games

I also thought about PC Engine/Turbo Duo, but it's so rare around here that the prices are ridiculous.

 

I've been eyeing a Saturn...and also your store....

I just hope when I return to where I saw the Saturn it's still there.

 

I don't see how the Dreamcast gets boring. The games have beautiful clean graphics (even for today's standards), the arcade ports are near perfect, you can get everything for cheap on eBay, four player game co-op, etc.