This Cheap Sega Saturn Flash Cart is Awesome!
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- Опубліковано 25 тра 2024
- Saroo is a HD Loader (Flash Cart) for the Sega Saturn. While its been in development since 2013, over the past 2 years it's seen some significant updates and is now available to purchase. Due to the open-source nature of the device it's by far the cheapest Sega Saturn Flash Cart (roughly between $55-$100 on AliExpress) on the market today and it is also the fastest in terms of performance - with most games loading in mere seconds. The price and performance are indeed incredible, but the Saroo is not perfect. It has its issues - and how is the compatibility? We discuss all this and more in today's episode.
Credits/Sources:
Saroo GitHub - github.com/tpunix/SAROO
Saroo RetroRGB Article - www.retrorgb.com/saroo-a-satu...
Saroo Cartridge that I purchased - www.aliexpress.us/item/325680...
Time Stamps:
00:00 - 00:33 - Intro
00:34 - 03:14 - Introducing the Saroo Flash Cart
03:15 - 07:14 - How it works and known problems.
07:15 - 10:52 - Loading Speeds and General Compatabilty
10:53 - 12:18 - Conclusion
12:19 - 12:42 - Outro
Social Media Links :
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► Threads : threads.net/ModernVintageGamer
► Facebook : / modernvintagegamer
► IG : / modernvintagegamer
► BandCamp : modernvintagegamer.bandcamp.com/ - Ігри
wanted to mention there was a small pause of the VF2 Saroo Footage at 7:49 - this was an editing issue. does NOT happen on real hardware
Just out of curiosity. Do you know if there's a Saroo or Pseudo Saturn Kai that comes with a USB connector?
I quite enjoy Saturn homebrew development (thanks to JoEngine) and would love to stream my freshly compiled builds straight to the console.
@@markbauermeister5449 About SAROO: "The USB port is not open and has no effect." TZMWX
@TZMWXdiyer :(
@@chap3l That's a shame. Same is apparently true for the Satiator.
Many years ago, in my late teens/early twenties I had the chance to get not one but two comms cards in ISA format (brand new and boxed). Wish I had bitten the bullet then.
what are the requirements for burning budokai tenkaichi 3 onto a dvd for the ps2? (i use lubuntu)
@@Lubuntuuser Easiest way to do that is by using an ESR patcher. You need FreeMcBoot for that though.
Alternatively, the FreeDVDBoot exploit might help (but that one is pretty finicky on any non-Slim PS2 consoles).
For DVD burning on Ubuntu I use Xfburn (you'll want to use the lowest burning speed. Usually 4x)
Better than buying burnt CD-Rs from Limited Run Games at least.
Or their "new old stock" pc games that they repackage and charge $200+ for, then their friends scalp on eBay for $400+
Games that probably sat on a pallet for 30 years and were on clearance for $2 when in a store.
I thought they used pressed discs produced from a factory
@@MysticGargoyle they're in the news now for charging $60 for CD-R 3DO games, likely others. Any system pre-copy protection is susceptible (TurboCD, Sega CD, etc.). Just put the disc in a computer and read the type of disc in an authoring/copying program to be certain.
@@DeAthWaGer That is terrible, those games are basically worthless then.
OOOOOO 😂😂
Sega are sitting on a goldmine. The Saturn catalogue of awesome games demonstrates that. They’re in dire need of remastering for modern consoles.
Panzer Dragoon Series
Powerslave
Virtua Fighter 2
Dragon Force 1 & 2
Astal
BUG!
Saturn Bomberman
Nights into Dreams
LOTS OF CAPCOM GAMES!!!
Cotton 2
Thunder Force V
Daytona USA
Sega Rally Championship
Dead or Alive
Burning Rangers
just get a mister
No need to remaster - re-release them AS IS!!
Yeah, like games like Scud: The Disposable Assassin....
Didn't they sell off most of their IP?
I love when plug and play no mod solutions like these come out.
Golden Axe: The Duel have a compatibility problem with the analog controller. If you boot the game with that controller plugged, the game will return to the BIOS screen before the game even start to run.
If you tested Golden Axe: The Duel on Saroo using the analog controller, try to test again, but using a regular Saturn controller to see if you will get the same result.
I think Bug! does the same thing, probably because it was a launch title and the analog controller hadn't been released yet
My sister got a Saturn for Christmas one year. Playing Virtual Cop 2 with a controller so much we could 100% every episode. Great times.
You poor bastard, playing a shooter with a controller
@@twitchsopamanxx we didn't know better 😅
@@twitchsopamanxx while the gun + crt is the way to go... Virtual cop 2 plays GREAT also with controller. I was very surprised, they did a great job.
Europe, and especially Scandinavia, got SHAT on by Sega. That being said I had the choice to get either a Saturn or PS1 for christmas 96. I went with the Saturn... One of the best gaming decisions I've ever made.
It's crazy how much that copy protection being broken in 2016 blew the doors open for the Saturn retro scene. Prior to that the only emulator still updating saturn support was Mednafen which doesn't come with a GUI and you have to use the command line to operate. Then the copy protection got broken and everything changed. ODE's, Flash Carts, a Mister core and new/updated emulators from people besides Mednafen (although I do believe it still has the best compatibility). It really breathed new life into a piece of hardware that felt like time had chosen to forget.
In the documentary, the satiator creator said that the emulator creators helped him a lot and they exchanged info when he finished broking the protection.
I'm so glad I held on to my Saturn even if I haven't used it. This is what I've been waiting for.
Welcome back!
@WilliamAnderson-sc1sj who are you welcoming back? Are you the sega Saturn? Did you make the sega Saturn? Did you work for sega?
I'll answer: no, no and NO. So no need for the welcome fanboy
@@ramrodbldm9876 Jesus... You gotta grab a coffee and chill out.
I only liked Panzler Dragoon saga but I'll try the old one's again after I receive it
@@razz56rob1Lucky. Many of my belongings were lost into the nether of time. Much like a Bic lighter, there is little explanation for how things dematerialize when you live a transient life.
You forgot to mention two crucial things.
1. Most of the games that have compatibility issues can be fixed with a config file that lets you adjust the reading speed of the game to improve compatibility.
2. Saroo doesn’t currently support the MPEG card. That means no Lunar Complete :-(
Hopefully it will support the MPEG card in future firmware updates.
What kind of file formats does it take? Can I use compressed CHDs?
I'm afraid this problem cannot be solved because there is a hardware conflict between the slot interface and the MPEG card interface and they cannot coexist.
@@darkfalzx CHD is indeed the most convenient CD image. I have also asked tpunix this question, but the performance of the MCU cannot decompress the CHD format.
@@user-zi5oq8de2s Does that mean even if I have an actual MPEG card, it wouldn't work, or does it only mean that Saroo can't emulate an MPEG card all in itself?
@@darkfalzx yes,it wouldn't work.
I went to Japan recently and picked up three Saturns. And as it turns out, it just so happened that the SAROO got good! Lucky!
A TMS fan spotted in the wild??? Nice
Anyone else get super excited when you get that notification MVG has uploaded a new video?
lolz to the t-shirt 😅
Much better than his LRG shirts ;-)
I agree fully with the message of the shirt.
@@sonicsnake44same lol
I needed this video so much!
I saw these Saroo carts flooding Aliexpress like within few months past, but saw the different versions and trying to do research proved tough. All these versions and talk about compatibility and not knowing which seller is honest.
Your video came in the perfect time and even provided a link to a one youve personally tried so I could be confident to buy it. Thank you so much MVG!
The saturn was incredibly underrated, and i remember seeing them in some second hand stores, back in the 90's, and i always wondered why they were so expensive, but it makes sense now considering how rare they are, i suppose the Wii U is the closest modern day comparison, with some games on that console, probably being quite difficult to get.
You sound dumb
The Saturn originally was expensive because it used lots of chips
Two CPUs, two chips VDP, CD Controller, CD Bus Controller, RAM, BIOS, M68K Sound Controller, Sound Chip plus all the chips in thr CD Drive
MVG, just to let you know, I've been compiling one of the few compatibility lists around, and was one of the first people to actually buy and test the Saroo. I also had a problem with "Golden Axe: The Duel" and even reported it as a "incompatible", but it's actually 100% compatible with Saroo. The problem is that there's a bad dump circulating around, and it seems that (amusingly) it's the one that people are downloading the most. If you really want play that game, download different dumps, and you are good to go.
Anyways, I'm glad most of people are now buying a cheaper and better alternative such as the Saroo. MKT Trilogy and SimCity 2000 on the Saroo for instance load INSANELY fast compared to the same games running via disc. I bought my first Saturn last year and was using PSK to play, but then bought the Saroo and I was able to beat all the games I wanted with it.
I did a similar thing with my PS2; got a FreeMcBoot memory card, an MX4SIO memory card (Micro SD card adapter that plugs into the memory card slot), and loaded a cheap 512 GB Micro SD card with 100+ PS2 games. The solution isn’t perfect; it was a pain to set up, and some games either won’t load or won’t detect a 64 MB memory card. But that being said, roughly 95% of the games I’ve tested work either out of the box or with some tweaking.
It’s really cool being able to replay all of my old favorites on original hardware again, even when taking some of its limitations into account.
Thanks for posting this MVG! In particular, thanks for the link to the specific Saroo you purchased. I’ll feel much more confident when I eventually pick this up.
Never forget the day my father bought me a Saturn with Panzer dragoon 😔😔Memories
Same. My son is now that age. Time flies fast.
In my case, my father one day arrived with a CD called "Sega PC" that was full of ROMs of Sega games, it was back in 99 or 00, I played so much with that CD, as the only Sega console I had was the Master System II as other Sega consoles were expensive in my country.
@@manamaster6 are you from brazil?(if you don't respond i understand.)
@@user-ng1jz5vb3h No, México.
@@manamaster6Tenían el Sega Saturn en Mexico? Nunca lo he visto en las tiendas de allá durante su época.
Perfect timing. I just picked up a Saturn in Akihabara!
Great timing! I just bought my first Saturn one week ago and was considering the Satiator. Think I’m leaning more towards the Saroo now. Much appreciated!
Looks amazing. Time to find a sega saturn.
First game you should play is BULK SLASH. Don’t ask questions.
After this video, sellers are going to slap on the MVG tax and prices will skyrocket.
@@WilliamAnderson-sc1sj kidgirl that's most definitely not the first game they should play, not even the second third or forth, maybe the 40th. Don't ask questions girl
@@WilliamAnderson-sc1sjabsolutely correct. It's the best game on Saturn.
What a fantastic cart! Great review! I'll be getting one of these for sure!
Man I wouldn't know about this device if it wasn't for your kickass channel and videos dedicated to this.. Many thanks and keep it up!
@ModernVintageGamer it would wonderful if you kept some light shined on this project whenever theres a major update and possibly even create a "how to set up" video thag explains to those that are interested how to set up and enjoy the Saroo.
Part of the problem with this device is that their isnt really a 1 stop reliable source for all info and set up method. But because you're a trust worthy channel with an audience that would help clearify that immensely lol.
And with that clarity would hopefully mean more progress to make the Saroo the number 1 end all be all for Saturn owners.👍
Thanks for the valuable insight; as always! Had been considering options for too long & this video made the choice clear. Much appreciated.
To me the Saturn is so good I use one as the brains of a dedicated shooter arcade cabinet. Compared to other options for building an arcade cabinet this is one of the most easiest routes there is. All you need is an arcade cabinet shell. A gutted cabinet can be purchased extremely cheaply. You don't need a monitor. You don't need the wiring harness or coin door. In fact your don't even need a joystick or buttons. Literally just the shell of an arcade cabinet. Install a cheap color TV. Install the Saturn. Route the gun outside the cabinet, Boom, you now have an arcade cabinet that only plays shooting games. And for the Saturn there's a sizable catalogue of some of the best shooter games there is. In the same cabinet I also have a PS1 and a Nintendo Wii. All the 3 consoles do is play shooter games on an arcade cabinet. And seeing as I don't have the complete library of Saturn shooter games, this flash cart becomes extremely attractive. Cheers for the video(s) mate. QLD Aussieville. EDIT: I'll be getting the Black Elite 64gb from the seller you've recommended. $120 AU posted to my door, as you mentioned, is a no brainer.
Thanks for linking to the store! I've had a Saturn lying around for a while and now I'll finally be able to play the games I want on it.
Thank you for linking to the specific Saroo you got! That was my only hesitation was not knowing which one to get, but now i feel pretty confident in getting the one you used here.
Cheers
Thanks man, happy birthday, great video, I love my Saturn. I really appreciate your point of views. Keep it up.
Ty for reviewing this, really hopeful they get the comparability up to match the other products on the market.
Thanks for the review and the specific product link; ordered it, and very satisfied with it, playing only Saturn games for a week now :) Awesome product.
Thanks for making this. Just ordered one. Can’t wait to play all the games I missed out on
i love @ 0:40 how you were probably looking at the video feed and tried to insert the cartridge well off to the side haha :)
Received mine last week. I'm loving it 😊
Awesome video! What a nice coincidence that I just bought a Saturn ^^ Definitely buying one of these!
Great video and overview of the Saroo. Mine is arriving today so I'm excited to explore the library of Saturn games. My system has been mostly gathering dust since original games are so pricey.
Really do appreciate the info and the link!
An outstanding video! Well done and sincere thanks. Funny timing as i have been studying ODE options the last week & was starting to go around in circles. I really wanted to try the Satiator but couldn’t stomach the price! I'll definitely try one of these beauty's now! Cheers!
Awesome video MVG! I really love that shirt too!
I ordered one, thanks for the heads up!
this is my type of video! that translucent sega saturn is SICK! I definitely need something like this for my saturn! awesome video
I would love for someone to manufacture a high quality replacement to the SAT Cart connector. The day when people no longer need to deal with the Sat's old finicky connector. Saroo will be the best option available. If not one of the best on the market.
Only reason I don't own a saroo yet...that cart socket is ridiculously prone to failure. I've smashed 3 saturns due to this very reason lol.
@@otherreality yea yea sure you have, I broke 20 of them, believe me? No? Good, cause no one believes you
@@ramrodbldm9876 you need something to chill you out...Why would I lie about sth like this, also, you must never owned a saturn because the you'd just knew.
You just have to get it seated properly and then never touch it again. I've had an Action Replay PseudoSaturn cart for years and made the mistake once of pulling it out to play around with the NetLink modem. It was such a pain to get the AR cart back in that I would never touch it again without good reason. Getting a Saroo, I think, would be a good reason.
A replacement would be great though.
@@otherrealitySomeone who smashed gaming consoles telling someone else to chill? 😂
Seriously. Anyone who would smash a console has anger management issues.
Great video and amazing shirt 👍
I just bought mine from the link your shared! Thank you so much!
I got the black elite 32gig with SD card, I assume that 32gig will be more than enough for my needs!
Thanks again!!!
Nice review as always, ordered one to try.
You'er the best! And happy belated Birthday!
Awesome. I only have two Saturn games because they are just so expensive. I thought about getting the Satiator but the price tag deterred me. I will definitely be getting the Saroo. I'm looking forward to playing some more Saturn games, thanks for the info!
I really love these videos about such devices or history of gaming.
Glad to hear. I ordered one about a week back and it's still on its way.
Awesome timing! I discovered this a week or so agao on there when looking around and got very curios, but not much covering.
Thank you my good Sir. for making this video and as always, great covering 👍
Videos about saroo are really old now. Also vmg did it for himself, for money. Not for you.
Stop simping.
Get out, touch grass and make real friends.
@@suprememasteroftheuniverse Wow, someone really stepped on your toes apperently (!) So hey why all this dish-out?
This is cool. I just hooked my Sega Saturn back up in my setup about three weeks ago. Perfect timing.
Absolutely!! I have the Sega Bundle with Daytona/Virtual Cop/Virtua Fighter and I love it to death. I wanted an option where I did NOT have to lose my CD drive. I considered the Satiate but its really too pricy for what you get. The Fenrir was my next choice if my CD had died. But now, with your demo of Saroo? I just ordered one from eBay. The Elite was offered for a bit more, so I got that one.
So now I can enjoy my CD collection for Saturn without having to use my discs. Thank you!!
Oh baby, this is a game changer. Ordering asap, thanks!
I'm glad you liked this one, I was interested in your opinion after getting mine. So far, I love it, and I imagine 100% compatibility isn't far off.
This will come in handy to test my mods without having to burn dozens of disks, thanks for the hards up!
Thanks for the video mate. I did not know about that.
Where can i get that shirt?!? Also great video you have convinced me it’s time to get a Saroo. The compatibility issue and finding a reputable source were my main concern. You addressed both and i trust your expertise.
Great video! I installed a Fenrir in my US Saturn last year. I love that there was no soldering. I might get this for my Japanese Saturn.
Dang man, you been playing some cool games with your saturn cart! 😅 That Looks amazing, especially with those blazing load times!🎉
Symphony of the Night plays WAAAAAY better with this card.
I picked mine up using your link to ali express. Thanks a bunch!
Very nice, mate. I'm gonna snag one for my Saturn, quick smart.
Nice to see it improved , I being waiting ....
Thanks for posting this. I thought this device was just another expensive ODE that required soldering and removing parts. Looks like it’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for.
I've been looking at the Satiator for a long time but I didn't wanna drop too much cash on it as I've got an Action Replay Cart with Pseudo Saturn installed on it. But I can't use the extra ram and saving on it. Plus this also helps if the laser stops working. Thank you for yet another amazing video! (Just ordered one!)
I have owned the Satiator for around a year and right now it is still the creme of the crop device (in my humble opinion) because it's compatibility is near 100%, its a modless solution (like the Saroo), but most importantly is the menu. I use Satiator Rings and with the speed and ease of navigating multiple folders, screenshots and so on it is just awesome. I have a fairly large collection of Saturn dumps on a 512GB SD card in mine, organized with A-Z and multidisc folders.
When I first saw the Saroo I was excited, but then I saw the menu system. Ugh. I mean it would be great for someone throwing a few dozen games on it I suppose, but that menu system is no good at all for a large curated collection.
When the menu system meets up with the "everdrive standard" I will jump on the bandwagon, but as it stands now it just could not handle my collection.
Also, I think you are spot on that they need to provide an option to slow the games down to their normal load speeds. This has to be causing at least some the various compatibility issues I have been reading about.
Thanks for the review...always dig your videos!
Fantastic, as always!
Will have to give this cart a try. Bought 2 broken model 1 Saturn's for $100 off eBay and Frankensteined them to get one solid working one. Was going to spend the 260 for the satiator but this may suit my needs and my budget better. Thank you for this!
After watching your video and Sega Lord X's, I pulled the trigger and bought a Japanese Saturn and a Saroo elite edition. Thanks!
Great vid MVG
Wow I didn't know this existed. Will definitely pick one up, thanks!
You can have both ODE and Optical with Fenrir. I have a Fenrir and my original optical drive installed in the same machine using Will's Console Mods Saturn Switcher. Works great!
Love your t-shirt! ♥
Guess I should mention that how the PCB itself is make is very important. The saturn cart port is very fragile and if the pcb is too thic it can damage the pins, that was a common problems with gameshark carts. If you wanna buy a Saroo please do a bunch of research to find a seller with a good pcb and stock firmware
I do have one SAROO and I have played and recorded over 400 games, and yes... sometimes it won't boot due to bad contact with the Saturn Cart Port. But the cleaner contacts or isopropyl alcohol does fix that.
Is there a particular seller you could recommend?
The Saroo is on its merry way to glory!
This is really awesome! Thanks for the recommendation and coverage. The Action Replay + burned disks is sometimes a bit spotty. Maybe my burned games aren't burnt right or that poor 30 year old CD rom drive in my Saturn is just tired. Can't wait to try this out.
Watched 1 min in, quickly bought it via your link lol it's about to shoot up in prices I bet!
The guy with that particular Ali express listing that mvg mentioned has hit the jackpot. It went from 32 sold to over 700 sold in a day haha.
There was a Saturn switcher released by wills console mods that allowed you to keep your disc drive and use the fenrir at the same time unfortunately it’s now out of print.
Love your content.. got any Amiga CD32 vids coming up by any chance ? Or any Amiga vids really
I’ve had a fenrir in my Saturn (which I’ve had since launch) for quite a while. The Saturn went from my least to most favorite vintage system. All the fantastic fan translations means I finally get to enjoy the library as it should have been (rather than how it ended up) There are some fantastic Japanese only games that make the console a whole different experience
Nice, I am ordering one. Thanks!
I was a Satiator contributor and havent been disappointed. I am a little jealous of the load times.
You’re lookin’ fit, man!!! 💪
I wish my cousin still had their Saturn, because this is flash cart is cool. The system’s Achilles heel was their dual CPU that scared third party developers from making games in America!
It wasn't the 2 SuperH processors because most developers just ignored the second one. It was that typical black jack dealer memory management (SCU) and the difficulty in drawing images to the screen.
@@MaxAbramson3 but it was still hard for American developers to make games on Saturn compared to the PlayStation and even N64! He bought the Saturn first, and barely played Saturn games and then got PlayStation and N64.
@@Markimark151 So many people trash the $160 32X or complain that the $50 SVP LockOn cart wouldn't have been "enough" to take on the PlayStation. Incredibly, most people don't realize that nearly all of the launch titles and first year PS1 (and contemporary PC games) were drawing 5-20,000 polygons per second, well within the range of the Sega CD+SVP. In fact, both the Sega CD and SVP were also capable of adding 3,000 Gauroud textured, shaded polgyons per second each.
Third party developers and SoA already had 4-6 games developed fro the LockOn when SoJ canceled the anticipated plug in. Devs could've taken existing Sega CD and Genesis titles and added arcade sound and 3D scaled backgrounds (using the Sega CD) and the SVP LockOn to add up to 20,000 flat shaded polygons per second, or make 20fps versions of most of the late 90s AAA titles. Indeed, top selling games like FF7 and Resident Evil would've worked just fine on the Sega CD+SVP.
All that horsepower in the Saturn was economically useless when 90% of devs couldn't get it all working, and most would just jump ship and go for PC and PS1, which were at least easier to develop games on.
Great stuff as usual, i hope almost all shmup do works as well.
Thanks for all you do homie!!!
I'm excited to order one of these ASAP. I just found my in the box American Saturn.... this is gonna be awesome!!
Are older rips (early 2000s) working on these Saru units?
Thanks for posting a link to the unit you purchased. I was really interested in getting one, but the sea of results on aliexpress was a little overwhelming.
So if you buy a Saroo And you can’t play a certain game through the SD card, at least you can burn the game and run it through the disc Drive that way. So really this thing does have 100% compatibility!
No, it's doesn't have 100% compatibility, because there's no public list with 100% of games test recorded. You can read burnt CDs IF your Saturn is (chip) modded to do that. If your Saturn can't read burnt discs, SAROO won't read as well.
@@chap3lSaroo lets you play burned games. It’s on their product description page and MVG says it in the video.
@@VIRACYTV No. It doesn't. I have SAROO since last October 2023 and had tested/recorded over 400 games. I have some original disks and a plenty of burnt CD-Rs and it doesn't boots the pirates since my Saturn is not modded. Also there's no thing about running CD-R discs on the github page, which is the official SAROO source of information.
Love the Subscriber/View count sign :)
The captures you've got of the Saturn here look incredible 😍 Was this done with the new Retrotink?
very cool, i have a mode which i've used in my saturn and dreamcast - currently had the mode in my dreamcast. i'd enjoy buying this solution for my saturn so i dont need to switch between the two. best of both worlds!
My favourite console of all time. Miss it so much.
I use the MODE for Dreamcast and Satiator for the Saturn. Super satisfied with both. Highly recommend.
Black in the day I used a Magic Card that allowed to run backup cd's. I had to use some tape for the system wouldnt detect that the drive lid was opened. It worked like a charm!
so glad i kept my saturn cant wait to get this!
I have the Satiator, and it was a good investment! I love it, really easy and simple to use.
I got a Japanese SEGA Saturn last year and I've been loving the console since, so I think I might get this product since I tend to get failed reads with a burn disc + Action Replay cart flashed, this seems extra convenient tbh
For burning disc specifically i am advising you to use Taiyo Yuden disc CD-R's from JVC. Absolute quality CD-R's.
Love the content as always. Question: Ever thought about doing a video about how the JTAG or RGH3 hacks work? Not a tutorial, more from a console security perspective
I bought one in AliExpress' Anniversary Sale and it's one of the best £63 I ever spent. I love it!
Great overview! You mentioned the ProAction Replay, does the Sairoo also have cheat code functions?