Difference between revisions of "Saturn Floppy Drive"

From Sega Retro

(Updated the list of supported games. (Source: used a regular expression to find all of the games on the Madroms database with a peripheral code of 'F', which is the peripheral code for the Floppy Drive.))
(updated the main text to reflect the fact that the Floppy Drive is compatible with all versions of Panzer Dragoon Saga, and not just the Japanese version.)
Line 17: Line 17:
 
The drive appears to have been planned from the beginning of the Saturn's lifespan, being documented within Saturn development kits and supported through libraries in the Saturn's BIOS, however the peripheral was not released to the Japanese public until mid-1996, and was not widely supported by commercial software. Furthermore Sega appears to have downplayed the Saturn FDD's existence in the later years of the system, omitting it from lists of peripherals. It is now very rare to find working units.
 
The drive appears to have been planned from the beginning of the Saturn's lifespan, being documented within Saturn development kits and supported through libraries in the Saturn's BIOS, however the peripheral was not released to the Japanese public until mid-1996, and was not widely supported by commercial software. Furthermore Sega appears to have downplayed the Saturn FDD's existence in the later years of the system, omitting it from lists of peripherals. It is now very rare to find working units.
  
Only a handful of games can communicate directly with the Saturn FDD, such as the Japanese version of  ''[[Panzer Dragoon Saga]]'' and ''[[Dezaemon 2]]'''s shooter construction kit.
+
Only a handful of games can communicate directly with the Saturn FDD, such as ''[[Panzer Dragoon Saga]]'' and ''[[Dezaemon 2]]'''s shooter construction kit.
  
 
External storage was also offered by Sega in the form of [[Saturn Backup Memory]] cartridges, which although can't hold as much data (512kB vs. 1.44MB) and may have worked out as being more expensive in the long-run, ultimately proved more popular.
 
External storage was also offered by Sega in the form of [[Saturn Backup Memory]] cartridges, which although can't hold as much data (512kB vs. 1.44MB) and may have worked out as being more expensive in the long-run, ultimately proved more popular.

Revision as of 17:24, 14 June 2018

Saturn HSS-0128.jpg
Saturn Floppy Drive
Made for: Sega Saturn
Manufacturer: Sega
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Saturn
JP
¥9,8009,800[1] HSS-0128

The Saturn Floppy Disk Drive (Saturn FDD) peripheral is an add-on to the Sega Saturn console, allowing for data to be saved to commercially-available 3.5-inch floppy disks (MF-2HD). It was only released in Japan, debuting on July 27, 1996, for ¥9,800[1].

The floppy disk drive connects to the Saturn using the console's rear extension communication terminal, however requires its own AC adaptor to function. Also included in the package is a FDD Operator CD-ROM, allowing users to manage data. Primarily the Saturn FDD acts as a substitute for the console's internal save memory, with a floppy disk offering 50 times more storage for save games or online data.

The drive appears to have been planned from the beginning of the Saturn's lifespan, being documented within Saturn development kits and supported through libraries in the Saturn's BIOS, however the peripheral was not released to the Japanese public until mid-1996, and was not widely supported by commercial software. Furthermore Sega appears to have downplayed the Saturn FDD's existence in the later years of the system, omitting it from lists of peripherals. It is now very rare to find working units.

Only a handful of games can communicate directly with the Saturn FDD, such as Panzer Dragoon Saga and Dezaemon 2's shooter construction kit.

External storage was also offered by Sega in the form of Saturn Backup Memory cartridges, which although can't hold as much data (512kB vs. 1.44MB) and may have worked out as being more expensive in the long-run, ultimately proved more popular.

Supported games

Physical scans

Saturn, JP
Saturn HSS-0128 box-1.jpg
Cover
SSFDDop Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
SSFDDop Saturn JP Box Back.jpg
Jewel Case

Screenshot

References


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
Hardware Japan | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | South America | Asia | South Korea | Australasia | Africa

HiSaturn Navi | SunSeibu SGX | Sega Titan Video

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