Difference between revisions of "Saturn consoles in South Korea"

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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. There are a lot of rumors about what is inside these, but all units that have been seen opened up were all completely stock Japanese VA1 motherboards (171-7006C 837-11613-01), had everything intact, with only the region jumpers and the BIOS rom being different. The region is set to 2 for Korea, and the BIOS version states v1.02a and looks like the USA/PAL version rather than the Japanese one. 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. 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. Units produced: unknown, probably ~3,000-4,000, but there might have been a lot more.
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==Samsung Saturn==
  
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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|region converter cartridge]] (the only Saturn console release to do so). SPC-SATURN and SPC-SATURN II were the initial released models, with SPC-SATURN II including [[Virtua Fighter Remix]]. 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 one game.  
+
In 1995, while LG was distributing the 3DO in Korea and Nintendo was distributed by Hyundai, [[Samsung]] (who previously distributed both the [[Master System consoles in Asia#South_Korea|Master System]] and [[Mega Drive consoles in South Korea|Mega Drive]]) distributed the Saturn. It was released as the Samsung Saturn (삼성새턴) in November 10th 1995 and was made only for South Korea.
 +
 
 +
There are a lot of rumors about what is inside these, but all units that have been seen opened up were all completely stock Japanese VA1 motherboards (171-7006C 837-11613-01), had everything intact, with only the region jumpers and the BIOS rom being different. The region is set to 2 for Korea, and has bios version 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 start up screen and interface is identical to the North American/European version. It's power supply is unique in that it is capable of handling 110v-220v, and was made in South Korea. This was due to South Korea converting it's power grid from 110v to 220v, so most South Korean retro game consoles came 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 other than a few differences on the stickers between the SPC-SATURN/SPC-SATURN II and SPC-ST/SPC-ST2 models. The model number only indicates whether the console was packaged with a game or a region converter cartridge (the only Saturn console release to do so). SPC-SATURN and SPC-SATURN II were the initial released models in 1995, with SPC-SATURN II including [[Virtua Fighter Remix]]. SPC-ST and SPC-ST2 were later released models in 1996 and both came with a region converter cartridge (made by [[HiCom]]), with SPC-ST2 also including one game (unknown at this time).  
  
 
Launch games included [[Daytona USA]], [[Panzer Dragoon]], [[Virtua Fighter Remix]] and [[Worldwide Soccer: Sega International Victory Goal Edition]].
 
Launch games included [[Daytona USA]], [[Panzer Dragoon]], [[Virtua Fighter Remix]] and [[Worldwide Soccer: Sega International Victory Goal Edition]].
  
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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.
+
It is compatible with all Samsung Saturn games as well as all South Korean Sega Saturn games (non-Samsung branded). There are also a few Japanese, Asian and North American games that were also coded for region 2, which will play on Samsung Saturn without the need for a region converter cartridge; this can lead to confusion as some believe the console is region-free.
 +
 
 +
Units produced: unknown, probably ~3,000-4,000, but there might have been a lot more.
  
−
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.
+
Initially retailing for up to ₩595,000 the Samsung Saturn was a commercial failure due to the high price, limited number of available games and the console's incompatibility with Japanese imported games (an issue later addressed by including a region converter cartridge with sale of the console). 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.  
 
By February 1997, Samsung completely exited the gaming business due to the failure of the Samsung Saturn and the 1997 Asian financial crisis.  
  
−
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, uses VA13 motherboards with the region code set to 1 for Japan and bios v1.01. 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.
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{{ConsoleReleaseTable|
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{| class="prettytable sortable"
 
−
!Box
 
−
!Name
 
−
!Date & Price
 
−
!Console
 
−
!Label
 
−
!Hardware
 
−
!Software
 
−
!Documentation
 
−
|-
 
 
{{ConsoleRelease
 
{{ConsoleRelease
 
| front=SS KR Samsung Saturn SPC SATURN Box Front.png
 
| front=SS KR Samsung Saturn SPC SATURN Box Front.png
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| square=yes
 
| square=yes
  
−
| name=Samsung Saturn (삼성새턴)
+
| name=Samsung Saturn  
 +
| name2=삼성새턴
 +
| distributor=[[Samsung]]
  
−
| dateprice1=₩550,000 (1995-11-10)
+
| dateprice={{DatePrice|KR|550,000{{fileref|GameChamp KR 1996-01.pdf|page=02}}|1995-11-10}}{{DatePrice|KR|418,000{{fileref|GameChamp KR 1996-05.pdf|page=02}}|1996-05}}
  
 
| console=Sega Saturn Samsung.jpg
 
| console=Sega Saturn Samsung.jpg
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| hard1=ControlPad Saturn KR.jpg
 
| hard1=ControlPad Saturn KR.jpg
−
| hard1name=''[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]''
+
| hard1name=[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{ConsoleRelease
 
{{ConsoleRelease
−
| front=
+
| front=Notavailable.svg
 
| back=
 
| back=
−
| spine=
 
−
| spine2=
 
−
| top=
 
−
| bottom=
 
 
| square=yes
 
| square=yes
  
−
| name=Samsung Saturn (삼성새턴)
+
| name=Samsung Saturn  
 +
| name2=삼성새턴
 +
| distributor=[[Samsung]]
  
−
| dateprice1=₩595,000 (1995-11-10)
+
| dateprice={{DatePrice|KR|595,000{{fileref|GameChamp KR 1996-01.pdf|page=02}}|1995-11-10}}{{DatePrice|KR|451,000{{fileref|GameChamp KR 1996-05.pdf|page=02}}|1996-05}}
  
 
| console=Sega Saturn Samsung.jpg
 
| console=Sega Saturn Samsung.jpg
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| hard1=ControlPad Saturn KR.jpg
 
| hard1=ControlPad Saturn KR.jpg
−
| hard1name=''[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]''
+
| hard1name=[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]
  
 
| soft1=VirtuaFighterRemix Saturn KR Box Front.jpg
 
| soft1=VirtuaFighterRemix Saturn KR Box Front.jpg
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| square=yes
 
| square=yes
  
−
| name=Samsung Saturn (삼성새턴)
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| name=Samsung Saturn  
 +
| name2=삼성새턴
 +
| distributor=[[Samsung]]
  
−
| dateprice1=₩418,000 (>= 1995)
+
| dateprice={{DatePrice|KR|359,000{{fileref|GameChamp KR 1996-08.pdf|page=42}}|1996-08}}
  
 
| console=Sega Saturn Samsung.jpg
 
| console=Sega Saturn Samsung.jpg
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| hard1=ControlPad Saturn KR.jpg
 
| hard1=ControlPad Saturn KR.jpg
−
| hard1name=''[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]''
+
| hard1name=[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]
  
 
| hard2=Samsung Saturn Mega Converter Front.jpg
 
| hard2=Samsung Saturn Mega Converter Front.jpg
−
| hard2name=''[[Samsung Saturn Mega Converter Front.jpg|Converter]]''
+
| hard2name=Converter
 
}}
 
}}
  
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| square=yes
 
| square=yes
  
−
| name=Samsung Saturn (삼성새턴)
+
| name=Samsung Saturn  
 +
| name2=삼성새턴
 +
| distributor=[[Samsung]]
  
−
| dateprice1=₩451,000 (>= 1995)
+
| dateprice={{DatePrice|KR|389,000{{fileref|GameChamp KR 1996-08.pdf|page=42}}|1996-08}}
  
 
| console=Sega Saturn Samsung.jpg
 
| console=Sega Saturn Samsung.jpg
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| hard1=ControlPad Saturn KR.jpg
 
| hard1=ControlPad Saturn KR.jpg
−
| hard1name=''[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]''
+
| hard1name=[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]
  
 
| hard2=Samsung Saturn Mega Converter Front.jpg
 
| hard2=Samsung Saturn Mega Converter Front.jpg
−
| hard2name=''[[Samsung Saturn Mega Converter Front.jpg|Converter]]''
+
| hard2name=Converter
  
 
| soft1=Notavailable.svg
 
| soft1=Notavailable.svg
−
| soft1name=unknown
+
| soft1name=
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 +
==Sega Saturn==
 +
From September 1997, [[Kama Entertainment]] (카마 엔터테인먼트) distributed the model 2 Sega Saturn in South Korea, known unofficially as the Kama Saturn. It looks similar to the North American model 2 console but has the Japanese-style Sega Saturn logo. It has a 220v power supply instead of the 110-220v power supply of the Samsung Saturn (possibly by this point in time all of South Korea had transitioned to 220v). The motherboard is VA13 with Japanese bios v1.01 and the region code set to 1 for Japan. It was released at a cheaper price of ₩349,000. By this time the restrictions on the sale of Japanese products had relaxed, so they were able to distribute it with the Sega branding. The Japanese language option for the system menu was left intact. Kama Entertainment and [[Wooyoung System]] also distributed a handful of games under the Sega Saturn branding, with some of them being officially translated into Korean. Some consoles were also bundled with [[Sega Rally]] or [[Virtua Cop 2]]. It was rumored that Kama Saturns were sold with modchips pre-installed.
 +
 +
{{ConsoleReleaseTable|
 
{{ConsoleRelease
 
{{ConsoleRelease
 
| front=Saturn KR Box Front Kama.jpg
 
| front=Saturn KR Box Front Kama.jpg
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| square=yes
 
| square=yes
  
−
| name=Sega Saturn (세가새턴)
+
| name=Sega Saturn  
 +
| name2=세가새턴
 +
| distributor=[[Kama Entertainment]]
  
−
| dateprice1=₩349,000 (1997-09)
+
| dateprice={{DatePrice|KR|349,000|1997-09}}
  
 
| console=Saturn KR Kama.jpg
 
| console=Saturn KR Kama.jpg
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| hard1=Control Pad Saturn HSS-0101 KR.jpg
 
| hard1=Control Pad Saturn HSS-0101 KR.jpg
−
| hard1name=''[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]''
+
| hard1name=[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
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| square=yes
 
| square=yes
  
−
| name=Sega Saturn +1 Virtua Cop 2 (세가새턴 +1 버쳐캅2)
+
| name=Sega Saturn +1 Virtua Cop 2  
 +
| name2=세가새턴 +1 버쳐캅2
 +
| distributor=[[Kama Entertainment]]
  
−
| dateprice1=? (>= 1997)
+
| dateprice={{DatePrice|KR||{{gte}} 1997}}
  
 
| console=Saturn KR Kama.jpg
 
| console=Saturn KR Kama.jpg
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| hard1=Control Pad Saturn HSS-0101 KR.jpg
 
| hard1=Control Pad Saturn HSS-0101 KR.jpg
−
| hard1name=''[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]''
+
| hard1name=[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]
  
 
| soft1=VirtuaCop2 Saturn KR Box Front Alt.jpg
 
| soft1=VirtuaCop2 Saturn KR Box Front Alt.jpg
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| square=yes
 
| square=yes
  
−
| name=Sega Saturn +1 Sega Rally (세가새턴 +1 세가 랠리)
+
| name=Sega Saturn +1 Sega Rally  
 +
| name2=세가새턴 +1 세가 랠리
 +
| distributor=[[Kama Entertainment]]
  
−
| dateprice1=? (>= 1997)
+
| dateprice={{DatePrice|KR||{{gte}} 1997}}
  
 
| console=Saturn KR Kama.jpg
 
| console=Saturn KR Kama.jpg
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| hard1=Control Pad Saturn HSS-0101 KR.jpg
 
| hard1=Control Pad Saturn HSS-0101 KR.jpg
−
| hard1name=''[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]''
+
| hard1name=[[Control Pad (Saturn)|Control Pad]]
  
 
| soft1=Notavailable.svg
 
| soft1=Notavailable.svg
 
| soft1name=''[[Sega Rally Championship]]''
 
| soft1name=''[[Sega Rally Championship]]''
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
|}
+
==References==
 +
<references />
  
 
{{Saturn}}
 
{{Saturn}}
 
[[Category:Sega Saturn]]
 
[[Category:Sega Saturn]]

Revision as of 20:25, 17 February 2024

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.

There are a lot of rumors about what is inside these, but all units that have been seen opened up were all completely stock Japanese VA1 motherboards (171-7006C 837-11613-01), had everything intact, with only the region jumpers and the BIOS rom being different. The region is set to 2 for Korea, and has bios version 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 start up screen and interface is identical to the North American/European version. It's power supply is unique in that it is capable of handling 110v-220v, and was made in South Korea. This was due to South Korea converting it's power grid from 110v to 220v, so most South Korean retro game consoles came 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 other than a few differences on the stickers between the SPC-SATURN/SPC-SATURN II and SPC-ST/SPC-ST2 models. The model number only indicates whether the console was packaged with a game or a region converter cartridge (the only Saturn console release to do so). SPC-SATURN and SPC-SATURN II were the initial released models in 1995, with SPC-SATURN II including Virtua Fighter Remix. SPC-ST and SPC-ST2 were later released models in 1996 and both came with a region converter cartridge (made by HiCom), with SPC-ST2 also including one game (unknown at this time).

Launch games included Daytona USA, Panzer Dragoon, Virtua Fighter Remix and Worldwide Soccer: Sega International Victory Goal Edition.

It is compatible with all Samsung Saturn games as well as all South Korean Sega Saturn games (non-Samsung branded). There are also a few Japanese, Asian and North American games that were also coded for region 2, which will play on Samsung Saturn without the need for a region converter cartridge; this can lead to confusion as some believe the console is region-free.

Units produced: unknown, probably ~3,000-4,000, but there might have been a lot more.

Initially retailing for up to ₩595,000 the Samsung Saturn was a commercial failure due to the high price, limited number of available games and the console's incompatibility with Japanese imported games (an issue later addressed by including a region converter cartridge with sale of the console). 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.

Box Name Distributor Date & Price Console Label Hardware Software Documentation Comments
SS KR Samsung Saturn SPC SATURN Box Front.png
 Samsung Saturn
삼성새턴 		Samsung
South Korea KR: ₩550,000550,000[1] (1995-11-10)
South Korea KR: ₩418,000418,000[2] (1996-05)
Sega Saturn Samsung.jpg
SPC-SATURN
Notavailable.svg
 Samsung Saturn
삼성새턴 		Samsung
South Korea KR: ₩595,000595,000[1] (1995-11-10)
South Korea KR: ₩451,000451,000[2] (1996-05)
Sega Saturn Samsung.jpg
SPC-SATURN II
Saturn KR Box Front ST.jpg
 Samsung Saturn
삼성새턴 		Samsung
South Korea KR: ₩359,000359,000[3] (1996-08)
Sega Saturn Samsung.jpg
SPC-ST
Samsung Saturn Mega Converter Front.jpg
Converter
SamsungSaturn KR Box Top.jpg
SamsungSaturn KR Box Left.jpgSamsungSaturn KR Box Front.jpgSamsungSaturn KR Box Right.jpg
SamsungSaturn KR Box Bottom.jpg
 Samsung Saturn
삼성새턴 		Samsung
South Korea KR: ₩389,000389,000[3] (1996-08)
Sega Saturn Samsung.jpg
SPC-ST2
Samsung Saturn Mega Converter Front.jpg
Converter
Notavailable.svg

Sega Saturn

From September 1997, Kama Entertainment (카마 엔터테인먼트) distributed the model 2 Sega Saturn in South Korea, known unofficially as the Kama Saturn. It looks similar to the North American model 2 console but has the Japanese-style Sega Saturn logo. It has a 220v power supply instead of the 110-220v power supply of the Samsung Saturn (possibly by this point in time all of South Korea had transitioned to 220v). The motherboard is VA13 with Japanese bios v1.01 and the region code set to 1 for Japan. It was released at a cheaper price of ₩349,000. By this time the restrictions on the sale of Japanese products had relaxed, so they were able to distribute it with the Sega branding. The Japanese language option for the system menu was left intact. Kama Entertainment and Wooyoung System also distributed a handful of games under the Sega Saturn branding, with some of them being officially translated into Korean. Some consoles were also bundled with Sega Rally or Virtua Cop 2. It was rumored that Kama Saturns were sold with modchips pre-installed.

Box Name Distributor Date & Price Console Label Hardware Software Documentation Comments
Saturn KR Box Top Kama.jpg
Saturn KR Box Back Kama.jpgSaturn KR Box Left Kama.jpgSaturn KR Box Front Kama.jpgSaturn KR Box Right Kama.jpg
Saturn KR Box Bottom Kama.jpg
 Sega Saturn
세가새턴 		Kama Entertainment
South Korea KR: ₩349,000349,000 (1997-09)
Saturn KR Kama.jpg
MK-80226-08
Saturn KR Box Top Kama VC2.jpg
Saturn KR Box Back Kama VC2.jpgSaturn KR Box Left Kama VC2.jpgSaturn KR Box Front Kama VC2.jpgSaturn KR Box Right Kama VC2.jpg
Saturn KR Box Bottom Kama VC2.jpg
 Sega Saturn +1 Virtua Cop 2
세가새턴 +1 버쳐캅2 		Kama Entertainment
South Korea KR: (≥ 1997)
Saturn KR Kama.jpg
MK-80226-08
Saturn KR Box Front Kama SR.jpg
 Sega Saturn +1 Sega Rally
세가새턴 +1 세가 랠리 		Kama Entertainment
South Korea KR: (≥ 1997)
Saturn KR Kama.jpg
MK-80226-08

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 File:GameChamp KR 1996-01.pdf, page 02
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 File:GameChamp KR 1996-05.pdf, page 02
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 File:GameChamp KR 1996-08.pdf, page 42


Sega Saturn
Topics Technical Specifications (Hardware Comparison) | History (Development | Release | Decline and legacy) | List of games (A-M) | List of games (N-Z) | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise
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Add-ons Backup Memory (third-party) | Sega PriFun | Video CD Card (third-party) | Extended RAM Cartridge (third-party) | Twin Advanced ROM System
Controllers Control Pad | Control Pad (Australia) | 3D Control Pad | Arcade Racer | Infrared Control Pad | Mission Stick | Shuttle Mouse | Twin Stick | Virtua Gun | Virtua Stick | Virtua Stick Pro
Online Services/Add-ons NetLink Internet Modem (NetLink Keyboard | NetLink Keyboard Adapter | NetLink Mouse) | Saturn Modem (Floppy Drive | Keyboard)
Connector Cables 21 Pin RGB Cable | Monaural AV Cable | RF Unit | Stereo AV Cable | S-Video Cable | Taisen Cable
Development Hardware Programming Box | Sound Box | E7000 | CartDev | SNASM2 | Address Checker | PSY-Q Development System | MIRAGE Universal CD Emulator
Misc. Hardware 6Player | SBom Multitap‎ | Saturn region converter cartridges | Action Replay | Pro Action Replay | Action Replay Plus | X-Terminator (Version 3) | S-S Promoter | Other cartridges
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