I've been lucky enough to get hold of not one but two machines to work with! One is just a console as is, which powers and has a broken drive which I will use for testing with, the second is a mint in box JP machine with all the manuals which will be the final one I plan on doing all the modifications to, as long as I don't break it on the first one.
I'm asking for some amazing advice, again from you very knowledgable members on a big question I really don't know enough about to commit to: fenrir or MODE? I've read good and bad points for both but don't know anyone who has used a MODE to comment.
Appreciate any and all feedback on this one, really is helping me get back into playing the Saturn again. Well WILL do!
@tomjonjon satiator rules. I owned one, and had to sell it. now I swap MODE between two consoles like a poor persron (lol). I’ve been meaning to buy another satiator, but I'd be a fool to do that instead of putting that money into savings when I have a MODE already.
@tomjonjon This looks quite tempting, thanks for the suggestion. I don‘t plan on buying many, if any disc based games so losing the drive isn’t the worst thing in the world for me - but this looks a LOT cleaner too!
The only downside I can see, and this is me being picky is that I have an SSD which holds a large amount of games... well all of them, and I'd love having everything in one place.
Not ruling this out at all though, thanks again :)
Hey @Tomofthefog , just wanted to chime in because I have some experience with Saturn modding–feel free to check out my post here and ask about any of the specific components I've used. This one is pretty much my ideal setup, though I also have an unmodded US model 1 (my original Saturn) with a Satiator. The Satiator is fantastic and works just as advertised (can also backup the internal save ram to SD using it), though I prefer the larger capacity and slightly better interface of the MODE+SSD(+SD for easily adding games without disassembly). At some point I might put together an additional system that can play region free and burned discs (since the MODE replaces the disc assembly)–I also have this gaudy translucent orange shell that I wanted to do something with, so that might be just the project for it
@kory That‘s not a chime, that’s a choir of angels there! That‘s a beautiful build, thanks so much for mentioning it. I especially love the MODE setup and how clean it looks with the mount inside.
I’m actually going to try a few options, one with a Fenrir/mount I‘ve found (Didn’t realise it was French so have to spend some money here on it), one with a MODE and possibly a third with a Satiator, provided I can find a perfect machine to not modify physically that is.
I cannot stress enough how impressed I am with your build there - I tip my hat to you!
If you don’t have a Dreamcast, I recommend going with Satiator.
MODE has a lot going against it and IMO it’s value comes from the ghetto ability to swap between consoles if you’re not rich enough to own separate devices.
I do not think MODE has a more attractive design in any way, and their customer relations are abusive and the company itself is dubious.
The implementation of advertised bonus features range from blatant false advertisement or borderline false advertisement. Cover art implementation is advertised front and center, yet it is very poorly and stupidly implemented and broken, and when I brought it up the terraonion cronies were jerks to me about it.
Terraonion has peaked and I do not believe any of their products will have any major future improvements like other devices tend to have with ongoing development. Terraonion would rather release a new, more expensive product.
I have completely invested in the terraonion ecosystem with MODE, MEGASD, Super Sd system 3, and I regret it.
I‘ve said it elsewhere, bus Pseudo Saturn Kai is a good option for people who want to play backups/region free but don’t want to do hardware mods. You can install it yourself if you have an Action Replay, or just buy one that's preinstalled.
@TomoftheFog thanks, it was a really fun project! I have my sights set on a pair of 3DO's I have lying around next…
have to agree with @treefroggy on principle here...I invested in MODEs for my DC and Saturn before I knew much about how sketchy Terraonion was. They get the job done and I don't mess with cover art, so I can't complain about performance, but in the future I would definitely try and support _cool_ people/companies when possible. Professor Abrasive (of the Satiator) seems legit (plus the packaging and sparkly plastic shell are adorable).
@treefroggy I‘ve read some bits on Terraonion and wasn’t sure how true it was, but it is pretty much along the lines of what you have said there, thank you. One thing I was really hoping for was cover art, but if it‘s really a bad feature then I can live without it! Sorry to hear it’s really not worked out for you, but again appreciate the honesty about it.
@kory but in the future I would definitely try and support cool people/companies when possible
I actually decided to do this just before I read your post! For the first build, am going with a Fenrir - but this was mostly because I found this and fell in love with it instantly.
I haven't ever done serious physical moding to a machine before so going in gently at first to see what happens. As I've said before, being outside the US when it comes to US/JP machines my biggest issue is power but after that the way it plays games is very important and I'm learning a LOT about it, which is great.
Really appreciate everyone here taking the time to advise on this one, I will be happy to share what I do as I go. Provided I don't blow anything/one up!
I am not saying anything regarding drama or moral opinions on the company, I am only speaking personal anecdotes based on the video game devices and associated customer service they provide. I am not usually one to make moral judgements based on hearsay or tweets. I ignore that stuff. Again, I am only speaking in the way which I feel burned by my investments in their devices– on a hardware level.
@treefroggy I would still value a moral opinion on something like this, as clearly it‘s something which we are all very passionate about. It sounds like your experience is bad because the company didn’t help you, which to me is a very important factor and helps me vote with my wallet!
I'd love to be able to pay Sega to play their games again but as they probably won't do a Saturn Mini this is the best alternative.
This is a newb question but can you have can save files be kept on the Satiator? I‘ve read that Action Replay can mess up with the Satiator a bit - so I’m aiming for a Satiator + that 4ram upgrade in my console.
@kory I did want to ask about the RetroTink and how good the image actually is on a new TV? I‘m looking to get a CRT TV for this but if a converter is good enough to do the picture justice I’d like to save some space and use what I have at home. For now at least.
@TomoftheFog The RetroTINK is great–I have the 5X and it outputs an essentially perfect HDMI signal from component and RGB and a shockingly clean signal from s-video and composite as well. I don‘t really use the scanlines or other CRT sims with this device, but the upcoming RetroTINK 4K has incredible CRT simulations (though it’s quite an investment at $750). Bob from RetroRGB actually just put up a video covering scalers yesterday–I haven‘t watched it yet, but I trust that it’s very informative:
@kory That‘s a great video, thanks for sharing it! I’ve heard good things about the 5X and as I'll being using composite to start with it seems the best option. Their 4K model is tempting, as I do have a 4K screen I use for “work” on my desk but the price right now and not seeing it fully in action is going to be hard to justify, especially if I do decide to then get a CRT.
Like you, I doubt I'd use any of the image filtering around, just because it never really did feel like an old CRT to me - maybe the slight curve in the screen, the different lighting I don't know. But who knows, may give it a try.
