Battery
Tools
These are some common tools used to work on this device. You might not need every tool for every procedure.
Troubleshooting
Experiencing troubles with this device? Check out our '''TROUBLESHOOTING PAGE''' to see what might be some common problems users experience with the Sega Saturn.
Background and Identification
Released in late 1994 in Japan, the Sega Saturn was made to succeed the Sega Genesis with it’s new 32-bit system over the previous 16-bit and using CDs as opposed to ROMs. The Sega Saturn had backwards-compatibility, keeping the ROM slot from the Sega Genesis on the top of the console. This was lost in the Sega Dreamcast, the successor to the Sega Saturn.
Later released in 1995 for North America and Europe, the Sega Saturn was advertised in two colors, black and white, with it’s second VDP (video display processor) and Dual CPU (central processing unit) to enhance both 2D and 3D rendering and performance. The price began at $399, only to fall later to $299 until it was discontinued in 1998 outside of Japan, mostly due to the release of the Nintendo 64 eclipsing Sega Saturn sales. The console was fully discontinued in 2000, without a single release of a Sonic Game for the console.
Specifications
The Sega Saturn our guide was based upon was a VA15 (15th version of the device) and can have varying parts from other versions of the Sega Saturn. For a well composed guide to what parts were in each version, see this post on the Sega Retro website. You can always find the VA of your device printed on the motherboard of your Sega Saturn. Please follow our guide on replacing the motherboard to get to your motherboard safely to see the version of your Sega Saturn (just look at the motherboard, don’t remove it).
The VA15 Sega Saturn has the following parts:
Main CPU: Hitachi SH-2 Dual CPU @ 28.6 MHz
RAM: 2MB RAM, 1.5MB VRAM with slot for external expansion
CD Drive: JVC HQA-001A HQ100002-002 610-6294-20 (Sanyo 610-6294-30)
Sound Processor: Yamaha SCSP (Saturn Custom Sound Processor) YMF292
Sound CPU: Motorola 68EC000
Additional Information
These links were used in the creation of these guides and may provide further insight to a specific problem or further your knowledge of the device.