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--- eop:video_game_consoles-home:5th_generation:sega_saturn [2022/01/08 22:49] – io55admin
+++ eop:video_game_consoles-home:5th_generation:sega_saturn [2024/06/06 19:11] (current) – [“VA12-14” (1997/98?)] io55admin
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Sega Saturn ======
+Sega's catastrophically messy followup to their greatly successful Genesis/Mega Drive. Releasing on May 11th, 1995 in North America, the Saturn's 2x SH-2 CPUs, 4 MB RAM (across 3 purposes), and up to 16.77 million colors between 320x224 and 704x224 was a quite powerful piece of hardware, but too deeply complex to be easily leveraged by programmers. As Sega also sabotaged their own development and relationships with retailers, the system's sales figure of 9.26 million is widely regarded as a failure which may have directly led to Sega exiting the hardware business.
+https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Saturn
 ===== Operating Systems (Hitachi SH-2) =====
@@ Line 7: / Line 11: @@
 Whether these emulators support operating systems for these consoles is unknown; it must be looked into further. Consoles without meaningful OSes are not included.
-http://www.rockin-b.de/saturn-emulators.html
+[[https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Emulators_on_Saturn|Emulation wiki summary]]
-Nintendo Game Boy (Color) – saturn-gnuboy
+Nintendo Game Boy (Color) – [[http://www.rockin-b.de/saturn-gnuboy.html|saturn-gnuboy]]
-Nintendo Entertainment System – saturn_nes
+Nintendo Entertainment System – [[http://vberthelot.free.fr/SATURN%20DEV%20PAGE/saturn_nes.html|saturn_nes]]
-http://vberthelot.free.fr/SATURN%20DEV%20PAGE/saturn_nes.html
+Super Nintendo Entertainment System – [[http://www.rockin-b.de/saturn-snes9x.html|saturn-snes9x]]
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System – saturn-snes9x
+Sega Master System – [[http://vberthelot.free.fr/fba_beta3/|SMS Plus/FBA for Saturn]]
-Sega Master System – SMS Plus/FBA for Saturn
+WonderSwan Color - [[http://www.rockin-b.de/saturn-oswan.html|OSwan]]
-http://vberthelot.free.fr/fba_beta3/
-WonderSwan Color - OSwan
@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 >to port linux enough to run a stripped down X server and X mosaic
-A hypothesized port by a 90s internet tech company, presumably made to sell a “Internet capable saturn” software package. If only they actually did it. Still theoretically possible.
+Discussions of a hypothetical port from some 1990s internet company. In my opinion, they had an interest in this idea to see if they could make and sell an “Internet Capable Saturn” software package. If only they actually did it.
 https://lkml.org/lkml/1996/12/12/38
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 >Sega and Microsoft apparently formed a partnership by January 1994 to work on an OS
-While it appears this was simply a misunderstanding or playing-up of their partnership, it could have possibly been originally a legitimate project, that either fell through or got downgraded.
+While it appears this was simply a misunderstanding or playing-up of the Sega/MS partnership, it could have also been a legitimate project, that either fell through or got reduced in it's scope. Either way, there's no trace nowadays of any actual software.
 https://mdshock.com/2020/06/22/sega-and-microsoft-announce-partnership-for-saturn-os/
@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 >It comes with the software, called EGWORD
-Not actually an OS, of course, but supported writing to floppies and such.
+A port of a common Japanese word processing program. Compatible with the Sega Saturn Floppy Drive, allowing users to save their documents onto floppies. It also supported the Saturn Keyboard. There appears to be an active English translation project for this software.
+https://segaretro.org/Saturn_Floppy_Drive
+https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2ACRkZwjLs (English translation work)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeFCwEttJYw
@@ Line 59: / Line 63: @@
 === Stock BIOS ===
-What came with the console. Not super “operating” like, but pretty advanced interactivity for 1994.
+This is what came installed on the console. In essence a CD player + settings manipulator, which is cool enough for 1994.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oidzqQ40X0
@@ Line 69: / Line 73: @@
 >SATNKernel is a port of the TNKernel real-time kernel version 2.6
-This is merely a kernel, but it provides some functionality and operability akin to an actual system.
+This is just a kernel, but it provides some functionality and operability which could potentially be expanded on or exploited by more advanced software.
 https://github.com/andersm/SATNKernel
@@ Line 81: / Line 85: @@
 >Optional Equipment - For Accessing NetLink Zone, Surfing the Internet
-A modern solution for making the NetLink work, supporting all of it’s previous functions. Web browsing included. Best is to get the most recent PlanetWeb disc (for the NetLink Zone) maybe, and the most recent homebrew browser offerings.
+A modern solution for making the NetLink work, which supports all of it’s pre-existing functions, including web browsing! The best way of doing this is to either get the most recent PlanetWeb disc (for the NetLink Zone), or the most recent homebrew browser offerings for the Saturn.
 https://www.dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8453
 https://plutiedev.com/saturn-keyboard (related)
+===== Version & Revision Guide =====
+For general information, see the [[eop:essays:game_console_revisions_overview|Game Console Revisions Overview]].
+==== Versions ====
+//There are two versions of this console, arranged chronologically.//
+=== “Saturn (Model 1; MK-80000)” (1995-1996) ===
+These Saturns are easily identified by their power and reset buttons, which are angled and oval shaped. Furthermore, they have a CD access light. Two controller ports are up front, and on the back is the AC in, AV out, and a communication port for the networking this console has. On this version, the AC in is oblong shaped. Some say these have a reasonably superior video quality output, but whether this is due to revisions of the motherboard is unknown.
+=== “Saturn (Model 2; MK-80000A/80001)” (1996-1998) ===
+Unlike the Model 1 Saturns, these systems have completely circular reset and power buttons. Furthermore, the CD access light has been removed. At the back, the AC in has been changed to a “8” or “pinched in” shape, which means cables from the Model 1 won’t work on these (although Model 2 AC cables work fine on the Model 1). While these systems have two model numbers used, the only differences between them are internal. Some say that these consoles have a faster disc reader. Furthermore, several revisions of these models may have issues with game compatibility or video interference. Lastly, these consoles are a lot easier to modchip.
+==== Revisions ====
+//There is 1 revision set within the Saturn (Model 1; MK-80000), and 4 revision sets within the Saturn (Model 2; MK-80000A/80001).//
+=== Saturn (Model 1; MK-80000) revisions: ===
+=== “VA0-3” (1995-1996) ===
+The only motherboard revision for the Model 1s, but important to note, as board swaps can put these types of boards in the Model 2, theoretically. Many internal and technical changes that do not impact the user in any way. To identify these, look for a digit ranging from 0-3 in the 3rd or 4th spot of a Saturn serial number. For details, check the Saturn PSU guide link marked with “Serial help”.
+=== Saturn (Model 2; MK-80000A/80001) revisions: ===
+=== “VA4-7” (1996) ===
+This is simply the earlier revision set of the Model 2 which does not have any real problems known with it. Probably the best one, or at least the 2nd best one of the Model 2s. Identified with a digit from 4-7 in the 3rd or 4th spot of the serial.
+=== “VA8” (1996) ===
+Reports of video interference with these models are seemingly too anecdotal to confirm - https://old.reddit.com/r/SegaSaturn/comments/195en3y/saturn_manufactured_dates/. We will look into this in time and supply tests for the sake of independent comparison. Take the information below as unlikely to be verifiable.
+These boards have only one change from the 4-7s, but it is significant. There are reports that these consoles experience noticeable video interference issues, and they also appear to be a common revision for Model 2s. Because of this seemingly high frequency, this revision may be to blame for the Model 2’s reputation of supposedly poorer video. Thus, it is best to avoid these. Identified with an 8 in the 3rd or 4th spot of the serial.
+=== “VA10-11” (1997/98?) ===
+These boards don’t have the video output issues of the VA8, but they do however, have certain 68k code issues which lead to incompatibility in several games such as OutRun's earlier revisions. For this reason, it can be worthwhile to avoid these boards. Identified by a letter A or B in the 3rd or 4th spot of the serial.
+=== “VA12-14” (1997/98?) ===
+The last boards made for the Sega Saturn. There appear to be no reports about these boards having some sort of problem, plus they’re newer systems. Identified by a letter D or F in the 3rd or 4th spot of the serial.
+//All recommendations couldn’t be assigned.//
+https://segaretro.org/Sega_Saturn
+https://www.retrorgb.com/saturncompare.html
+https://gametrog.com/sega-saturn-information-specs/
+https://consolemodguides.home.blog/sega-saturn-psu-swap/ (SERIAL HELP, SCROLL DOWN)
+http://evilboris.sonic-cult.net/saturn/index.php?&type=USA (to determine date/model pairings)
+https://www.obscuregamers.com/threads/saturn-games-with-compatibility-issues.1705/ (10-14 info)
+https://www.reddit.com/r/gamecollecting/comments/tzrni/best_sega_saturn_revision_to_buy/ (chip)
+https://segasaturngroup.proboards.com/thread/7389/saturn-design-revisions-improvements-cutting
+https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?25322-Sega-Saturn-Revisions-and-Models-Guide