ULTIMATE SEGA SATURN
- info172511
- May 17
- 2 min read
Updated: May 20
Creating the Ultimate Sega Saturn
For this MOD I want to make the best possible Sega Saturn. I've already got the best looking Saturn, that being the Model 1 NTSC-J in grey, but there's a lot more required than just having the best looking Saturn. I want to bring it up to date and modernize the original hardware to output to modern tvs, have the whole back catalogue on the system and the best player experience with the least amount of fuss.
List of MODS
Fenrir ODE:
The Fenrir is and Optical Disc Emulator enabling you to load games directly from a microSD card, meaning you can store and entire game collection on the console with no need to change discs.
Saturn Switcher:
The Fenrir ODE is a fantastic bit of equipment, however it has one major flaw (as do most ODEs). Once it's installed, you have to remove the laser disc reader from the console, meaning you can no longer play discs on the machine. The Saturn Switcher relocates the Fenrir into a void within the console and adds a switch that lets you switch between the laser disc reader, and the ODE. Just got to make sure I get the right one ( 20 or 21 Pin version)
USB C Power Supply:
As my Saturn is a Japanese import, it uses a different power supply then us here in the UK. I have been using a power step-down converter, but let's be honest, it's far from ideal. It's bulky and is one extra piece of equipment that needs to be carted around if I move the Saturn to a different room. The USB C universal power supply mod replaces the internal PSU with a modern power converter that can take power from a USB plug and convert it to the appropriate voltage for whatever Sega Saturn you have (USA/Japanese)
Additional Add-ons
RAD2X RetroTink HDMI cable:
Unfortunately there isn't a HDMI mod available for the Sega Saturn, and to my limited understanding there never will be. It's something to do with the way the Saturn renders images, there isn't one single place that an internal upscaler can tap directly into as with other HDMI mods. Thankfully, the stock Saturn output is the cleanest of it's generation and the chaps at RetroTink have managed to shrink some of their technology into a single cable. That makes the RAD2X RetroTink HDMI cable the best, simplest way to get an upscaled hi-def image out of a Saturn without having to have an expensive separate upscaler box.
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