Difference between revisions of "Saturn consoles in South Korea"
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Revision as of 03:23, 10 July 2017
Samsung Saturn
In 1995, while LG was distributing the 3DO in Korea and Nintendo was distributed by Hyundai, Samsung (who previously distributed both the Master System and Mega Drive) distributed the Saturn. It was released as the Samsung Saturn (삼성새턴) in November 10th 1995 and was made only for South Korea. The console uses region code 2 (Asia) and the bios is v1.02a. The bios is unique in that it disables the Japanese language option when the console is set to the default region 2 code (it reappears if the region code is set to anything other than region 2). There was no Korean language option added. The bootup sequence and main menu are identical to the American and PAL version. All Samsung Saturns are part of the VA1 hardware generation. It's power supply is unique in that it is capable of handling 110v-220v. This is because South Korea was in the process of converting it's power grid from 110v to 220v, so most South Korean retro game consoles come with a multi-voltage power supply.
There are 4 different model numbers of the Samsung Saturn (SPC-SATURN, SPC-SATURN II, SPC-ST, SPC-ST2), although the consoles themselves are identical. The model number only indicates whether the console was packaged with a game or a Saturn region converter cartridges (this can be seen in old magazine advertisements). SPC-SATURN and SPC-SATURN II were the initial released models. SPC-ST and SPC-ST2 were later released models and both came with a ST-KEY region converter cartridge (hence the model name), with SPC-ST2 also including 1 game.
It is compatible with all Samsung Saturn games as well as all Korean Sega Saturn games (non-Samsung branded). There are also a few Japanese, Asian and American games that were also coded for region 2, which will play on Samsung Saturn without the need for a region converter cartridge.
The Samsung Saturn was released on November 10th 1995. Launch games included Daytona USA, Panzer Dragoon, Virtua Fighter Remix and Worldwide Soccer: Sega International Victory Goal Edition.
Initially retailing for up to ₩595,000 the Samsung Saturn was a commercial failure due to the high price and limited number of available games. Most people instead imported the cheaper Japanese consoles.
By February 1997, Samsung completely exited the gaming business due to the failure of the Samsung Saturn and the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
Models:
- SPC-SATURN/SPC-SATURN II: These two models were the initial releases. SPC-SATURN was the core console, while SPC-SATURN II included Virtua Fighter Remix.
- SPC-ST/SPC-ST2: These two models were the late releases. SPC-ST included a region converter cartridge, while SPC-ST2 included a region converter cartridge and 1 game.
| Reference | Designation | Bios | Date | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPC-SATURN | Samsung Saturn console | 1.02a | 11/10/1995 | ₩550,000 | |
| SPC-SATURN II | Samsung Saturn console | 1.02a | 11/10/1995 | ₩595,000 | includes Virtua Fighter Remix |
| SPC-ST | Samsung Saturn console | 1.02a | ? | ₩418,000 | includes region converter cartridge |
| SPC-ST2 | Samsung Saturn console | 1.02a | ? | ₩451,000 | included region converter cartridge and 1 game |
| SamsungSaturn, KR (SPC-Saturn) |
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| SamsungSaturn, KR (SPC-ST2) |
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Sega Saturn
In September 1997, Kama Entertainment (카마 엔터테인먼트) distributed the model 2 Sega Saturn in South Korea. It looks similar to the North American model 2 console but has the Japanese-style Sega Saturn logo, has a 220v power supply, and uses region code 1 (Japan) and v1.01 bios. It was released at a cheaper price of ₩349,000. It has the standard Sega Saturn branding (세가새턴) instead of Samsung Saturn (삼성새턴). Kama Entertainment and Wooyoung System also distributed a handful of games under the Sega Saturn branding. Some consoles were also bundled with Sega Rally or Virtua Cop 2.
| Reference | Designation | Bios | Date | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MK-80226-08 | Sega Saturn console - MK-80200A-08 | 1.01 | September 1997 | ₩349,000 | |
| MK-80226-08 | Sega Saturn console + Virtua Cop 2 - MK-80200A-08 | 1.01 | 1997 | ? | |
| MK-80226-08 | Sega Saturn console + Sega Rally - MK-80200A-08 | 1.01 | 1997 | ? |
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| Sega Saturn + Virtua Cop 2, KR |
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