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Most software produced for the [[Sega Saturn]] and [[Sega Dreamcast]] have a '''sofware reset''' feature. As the name suggests, this involves "resetting" the "software", returning the user to an earlier state, though is implemented by software recognising button combinations, rather than through a physical switch on the hardware.

==Saturn==
The software reset was mandated by [[Sega]] for the Saturn{{fileref|ST-151-R4-020197.pdf|page=44}} and is performed by pressing {{A}}+{{B}}+{{C}}+{{start}} simultaneously. Saturn games should be able to respond to the software reset at any point (save for when memory operations are occurring{{fileref|ST-151-R4-020197.pdf|page=44}}) and return the player back to the title screen{{fileref|ST-151-R4-020197.pdf|page=44}}. If the player is already on the title screen, the software reset should send them back to the BIOS (or "audio CD control screen" as it was also called){{fileref|ST-151-R4-020197.pdf|page=44}}.

Any configured options must be retained during a software reset{{fileref|ST-151-R4-020197.pdf|page=44}}.

==Dreamcast==
The software reset was also mandated by Sega for the Dreamcast except for "cases of special processing" (memory operations){{fileref|SegaDreamcastSoftwareCreationStandards US.pdf|page=17}}. Here the command is {{A}}+{{B}}+{{X}}+{{Y}}+{{start}} through regular controllers, however variations exist for other controllers{{fileref|SegaDreamcastSoftwareCreationStandards US.pdf|page=17}}. Like the Saturn, the soft reset should return the user to the title screen, or if he/she is already at the title screen, to the BIOS{{magref|SegaDreamcastSoftwareCreationStandards US.pdf|page=19}}.

For the [[Dreamcast Keyboard]], the software reset is performed with {{key|Ctrl}}+{{key|Alt}}+{{key|Delete}}{{fileref|SegaDreamcastSoftwareCreationStandards US.pdf|page=91}}. The [[Dreamcast Gun]] requires {{A}}+{{B}}+{{start}}{{magref|SegaDreamcastSoftwareCreationStandards US.pdf|page=97}}.

The software reset is especially important with the Dreamcast as a physical reset button does not exist on the unit. This means the hardware can only be reset by turning the power on and off.

==Other systems==
It is not thought that supporting the software reset became part of Sega's development guidelines until the advent of the Sega Saturn, however some [[Sega Mega-CD]] games are known to implement one using the same {{A}}+{{B}}+{{C}}+{{start}} combination. In these cases, the player is always taken back to the title screen (or a similar point at the beginning of the game); there is typically no means of accessing the BIOS without resetting the console.

==References==
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[[Category:General interest]]