Tricking out a Sega Saturn (Fenrir, 50/60hz and more)

The Sega Saturn remained in the shadow of the Playstation in the UK but it was common enough that I got to try it out, it didn't make a huge impression on me. In later years I came to realise I might be missing out on a lot of games, especially 2D, that really shone on this console. Today then we'll make our ultimate Saturn so we can explore them. And play Outrun. Mostly Outrun.

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[RMCRetro]

Thanks for watching, and if you're new here why not give the channel a sub, I'd really appreciate it!
Neil - RMC

[Mamiya]

The Saturn could do genuine transparency effects but that was only for the two three people who had the system figured out to that ridiculous degree.

[Interference]

"This is why Mark doesn't get to choose games." A great injustice. Cho Aniki is legendarily mental.

[fredsmith]

I used to love the arcade version of Outrun... I was on a family holiday in Spain in the late 80's and the hotel had an Outrun machine in the bar area. By the end of the 2 weeks of the holiday, it wasn't a case of whether we could complete the game or not, it was a case of who could get the faster time and top the leader board between me and my brothers. Happy days.

[cadburybunny]

You know it's gonna be a fun episode when both the lads are at the very start!!

[RonnieN]

I've watched this channel since Neil was just doing it out of a closet. Even though I did not grow up with the kind of tech featured (I'm from 1995), it is always a blast to see the interviews, trash to treasure and repairs. Mark is such a nice bloke, hope you keep him around for a long time because you two interact so good on screen. Keep it up. And when I ever take te ferry from the continent to England, I will surely visit the cave! Thanks Neil, and thanks Mark!

[RoadRunnerMeep]

I'm glad I grew up in the generation that had the Commodore 64, Amstra, Megadrive Spectrum etc all in them.

[andrewclegg]

Fenrir can dump the memory contents to the SD card, and the reverse to allow battery swap. Battery still runs down with FRAM, its running the clock.

[jomeyqmalone]

Retro Bit makes officially licensed wireless recreations of the Saturn and 6- Button genesis/megadrive controllers. Both work interchangably if you buy the extra receiver. I've been happy with one of each on my Saturn/Fenrir, no b problems using ABC+Start to go back to to the fenrir menu etc.

Still no analogue stick, but very few Saturn games use it, and I don't really miss it. The Arcade stick is a much more important accessory for that system.

[GreySectoid]

PC was also my go-to platform and still is, but I am not a snob and can appreciate every gaming system out there. That's one of the draws of this channel, I can learn about consoles I've never even seen in real life.

[WhatAboutZoidberg]

Thumbs up for Cho Aniki, one of the most insane, amazing games of all time. Saturn really is a 2d Powerhouse. Never got to experience one as a kid, but i've got one to delve into now. So many great Japanese exclusives as well, some getting amazing translation patches too. Such a fun series, cant wait for the next system.

[Wishmaster]

I saw my first Sega Saturn in a local toystore in the Netherlands back then and also with Panzer Dragoon demo on it.
I was instantly hooked and until today I still remember that moment.

[IshtJR]

10:25

Great video, one thing regarding the 50/60hz switch. A PAL Saturn switched to 60hz outputs an off spec NTSC signal, 59.3hz instead of 59.97hz. Most 50/60hz switches will work fine on a CRT but won’t work on some HDTV’s and scalers because their output is off spec. You can swap the PAL crystal oscillator with an NTSC one to fix this, there’s even a dual oscillator mod available but the website for that chip you used doesn’t mention anything about the oscillator so it sound like a regular switch. Just thought I’d mention this, most PAL Saturn owners nowadays just buy a Japanese system for NTSC games as it’s cheaper and easier then getting the oscillator mod done.

[HoldandModify]

I’m leaving this comment because I really enjoy his videos. Nothing clever. I never would’ve started my own if not for channels like his. It’s the only family I know. We are a nostalgia union.

[Shaneable]

I like the background music when explaining the conversion mod. 👍

[LegendaryWizball]

The SEGA Ages version of Outrun on Switch might be the best now.

[bobbus_]

I'm a big fan of the Saturn. I bought mine on launch day and was instantly hooked. Sega Rally is still one of my favourite racers, but since then I've gone on to explore the much wider Japanese catalogue.
Great video and some essential mods installed there. Nice work. 👍

[MikeyGRetro]

Great video Neil! I tried getting a Sega Saturn drive working again and never thought of an ODE so know what I need now. 👍🏼

[wruzicka]

My understanding of the analogue stick on Saturn (I can verify this on my Saturn later) is that for MOST Saturn games they are digital only. Only certain games programmed to take advantage of the analogue stick will play the way you are expecting. I would suggest trying Nights into Dreams and see if the analogue stick works on that one. Back in the day I bought the bundle that came with the analogue pad and Nights together.

[HarpnX]

I was still on the Amiga and SNES when the Saturn was released, it didn't wow me enough to want one especially at that price (and I was never impressed by the Virtua games). On the other hand when I saw Ridge Racer on the Playstation I knew I was getting one of them lol