Saturn consoles in Japan
From Sega Retro
Contents
Grey Japanese Saturn
The original Japanese Saturn model is grey in color—excepting the cartridge slot flap and the front, which are black. It has three blue buttons (Power, Open, and Reset), and a drive access led. Production was later ended in favor of the white Saturn. Model numbers/revisions: HST-3200 (VA0), HST-3210 (VA1, VA2, VA3).
| Box | Name | Distributor | Date & Price | Console | Label | Hardware | Software | Documentation | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sega Saturn (HST-0001) セガサターン (HST-0001) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. |  JP: ¥44,80044,800 (1994-11-22) |
 HST-3200 |
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Sega Saturn 1,000,000th Campaign Box Including Virtua Fighter Remix (HST-0001) セガサターン100万台！バーチャファイター リミックスゲームCD付 (HST-0001) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: ¥34,80034,800 (1995-06-16) |
HST-3200 |
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Sega Saturn 1,000,000th Campaign Box Including Virtua Fighter Remix (HST-0005) セガサターン100万台！バーチャファイター リミックスゲームCD付 (HST-0005) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: ¥34,80034,800 (1995-06-16) |
HST-3200 |
 Manual |
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Sega Saturn (HST-0004) セガサターン (HST-0004) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: ¥34,80034,800 (1995-07-05) |
HST-3200/HST-3210 |
Manual |
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Sega Saturn Multimedia Set (HST-0013) セガサターンマルチメディアセット (HST-0013) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: (≥ 1995) |
HST-3200/HST-3210 |
Manual |
White Japanese Saturn
‘White’ Saturns are no more white in reality than Dreamcasts are: both are, in fact, a very light gray. It has round gray Power and Reset buttons, a pink Open button, and no drive access led. Toys 'R' Us sold an exclusive white Saturn with a silhouette of Sonic printed on the drive lid. Model number/revisions: HST-3220 (VA4, VA5, VA6, VA7, VA8, VA9, VA10, VA11, VA13, VA15). Note: the integrated sound block on revisions VA13 and VA15 has a bug in certain 68000 commands. The result is that certain games are incompatible with these boards. The Japanese only releases of Metal Slug, Space Harrier and Outrun are the only ones that come to mind, and all have received second pressings that eliminate this bug and work in all machines equally
| Box | Name | Distributor | Date & Price | Console | Label | Hardware | Software | Documentation | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
      |
Sega Saturn (HST-0014) セガサターン (HST-0014) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: ¥20,00020,000 (1996-03-22) |
 HST-3220 |
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Sega Saturn +1 Limited Edition (HST-0014) セガサターンプラスワン限定セット (HST-0014) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: (≥ 1996) |
HST-3220 |
 unknown |
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Saturn Bomberman Kit (HST-0014) サターンボンバーマンキット (HST-0014) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: (≥ 1996) |
HST-3220 |
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Sega Saturn - Flash Sega Saturn: Ochikadzuki-hen (HST-0014) セガサターン - フラッシュセガサターン おちかづき編 (HST-0014) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: (≥ 1996) |
HST-3220 |
unknown |
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Sega Saturn - Flash Sega Saturn: Ochikadzuki-hen (HST-0014) セガサターン - フラッシュセガサターン おちかづき編 (HST-0014) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: (≥ 1996) |
HST-3220 |
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Sega Saturn Hello! Mac (HST-0014) セガサターン Hello! Mac (HST-0014) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: (≥ 1996) |
 HST-3220 |
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| Sega Saturn Lawson Ice Cream & Softdrink Summer Present (HST-0014) セガサターン (HST-0014) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: (≥ 1996) |
HST-3220 |
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Sega Saturn Christmas Nights Winter Limited Edition Set (HST-0014) セガサターンクリスマスナイツ冬季限定版セット (HST-0014) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: (≥ 1996) |
HST-3220 |
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Sega Saturn Sega Rally Pack (HST-0014) セガサターンセガラリーパック (HST-0014) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: (≥ 1996) |
HST-3220 |
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Sega Saturn (HST-0019-like slip cover) (HST-0014) セガサターン (HST-0014) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: (≥ 1997) |
HST-3220 |
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Sega Saturn Christmas Nights Winter Limited Edition Present (HST-0017) セガサターンクリスマスナイツ冬季限定版プレゼント (HST-0017) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: ¥20,00020,000 (1996-11-22) |
HST-3220 |
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Sega Saturn (HST-0019) セガサターン (HST-0019) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: ¥20,00020,000 (1997-07-10) |
HST-3220 |
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Sega Saturn +1 Limited Edition Set (HST-0019) セガサターンプラスワン限定セット (HST-0019) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: (≥ 1997) |
HST-3220 |
unknown |
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Sega Saturn Otoshidama Campaign (HST-0014) セガサターンお年玉キャンペーン (HST-0014) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: (≥ 1997) |
HST-3220 |
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Sega Saturn Sonic Toys 'R' Us (HST-0019) セガサターン (HST-0019) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: ¥20,00020,000 (≥ 1997) |
 HST-3220 |
Skeleton Saturn
The two ‘Skeleton Saturns’ were the final models to be produced in Japan (and hence the world), and they were the only non-standard models brought to other regions(?). They are a valuable collector’s item, being quite rare. The unique feature that provides their name are their see-through body and matching controllers. Other than that, they’re basically identical to the second version of the white Saturn. Model number/revisions: HST-3220 (VA13, VA15). Note: the integrated sound block on revisions VA13 and VA15 has a bug in certain 68000 commands. The result is that certain games are incompatible with these boards. The Japanese only releases of Metal Slug, Space Harrier and Outrun are the only ones that come to mind, and all have received second pressings that eliminate this bug and work in all machines equally.[2].
Models:
- HST-0020/HST-0021: These two models were both translucent smoky grey, with “This is Cool” printed on the CD drive lid and the controllers. Approximately 30,000 units were produced. HST-0020 was not for sale and only given away as a prize in a contest. HST-0021 was released in Japan on 4 April 1998 retailing at ¥20,000.
- HST-0022: This model was a promotional tie-in with ASCII's popular Derby Stallion horse racing simulation franchise; it came with stickers for the game. The console differs in the hue of its transparent case and also does not have the line “This is Cool” printed anywhere on it. Approximately 20,000 were produced for Japan. This model was released in Japan on 25 March 1999 retailing at ¥20,000. An unknown number of units were imported by Tectoy then modified, repackaged and sold in Brazil.
| Box | Name | Distributor | Date & Price | Console | Label | Hardware | Software | Documentation | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sega Saturn 1998 Special Campaign Original (HST-0020) セガサターン 1998 Special Campaign Original (HST-0020) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | N/A (≥ 1998) |  HST-3220 |
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Sega Saturn (HST-0021) セガサターン (HST-0021) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: ¥20,00020,000 (1998-04-04) |
HST-3220 |
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Sega Saturn Derby Stallion Release Commemoration Special Limited Edition (HST-0022) セガ サターン ダービースタリオン発売記念 特別限定版 (HST-0022) |
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | JP: ¥20,00020,000 (1999-03-25) |
 HST-3220 |
Hi-Saturn
Sega licensed the rights to produce Saturns to some of their hardware partners. One was Hitachi, who provided the CPUs, disc drives and several other chips. The Hi-Saturn is yet another Saturn but with the Video CD Card included, and Hi-Saturn printed on the CD drive lid. It was sold at high-end department stores and was marketed as a multimedia player instead of just a video game console.
The start up screen is different as well. Instead of a bunch of pieces forming together, the word Hi-Saturn shoots out from the middle of the screen and then flips around 'till it's readable and then it flashes on screen like other Saturns do.
Models:
- MMP-1: These models are based on the first major Saturn model, with oval buttons and Drive Access LED and is two toned charcoal gray with black as the bottom color.
- MMP-11: This model is based on the second major Saturn model, with round buttons and is two toned charcoal gray with black as the bottom color.
- MMP-1000NV: Known as the Game & Car Navi Hi-Saturn (ゲーム＆カーナビ ハイサターン), this model is much different from all other Saturn models, both in design and funcionality. It has a lower, more square profile and the system is completely flat on top and lacks the bulge of the CD drive. The system also had a LCD monitor and GPS receiver sold separately (with only Japanese regional software being available). 2000 units were produced by Hitachi each month, while the LCD screens had a run of 1000 per month.
| Box | Name | Distributor | Date & Price | Console | Label | Hardware | Software | Documentation | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
      |
Hi-Saturn (MMP-1) ハイサターン (MMP-1) |
Hitachi | JP: ¥64,80064,800 (1995-04-01) |
 MMP-1 |
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Hi-Saturn 1,000,000th Campaign Box Including Virtua Fighter Remix (MMP-1) ハイサターン100万台！バーチャファイター リミックスゲームCD付 (MMP-1) |
Hitachi | JP: ¥64,80064,800 (1995-06-16) |
MMP-1-1 |
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Game & Car Navi Hi-Saturn (MMP-1000NV) ゲーム＆カーナビ ハイサターン (MMP-1000NV) |
Hitachi | JP: ¥150,000150,000 (1995-12-06) |
 MMP-1000NV |
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Hi-Saturn (MMP-11) ハイサターン (MMP-11) |
Hitachi | JP: (≥ 1996) |
 MMP-11 |
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Hi-Saturn Christmas Nights Winter Limited Edition Present (MMP-11) ハイサターンクリスマスナイツ冬季限定版プレゼント (MMP-11) |
Hitachi | JP: (≥ 1996) |
MMP-11 |
JVC/Victor V-Saturn
JVC-Victor also produced their own version of the Saturn hardware called the V-Saturn. There are two versions of this system. The casing is similar to that of any standard Saturn, except for the front fascia which has a different mold and is matte instead of glossy. The colors are different and "V-Saturn" is printed on top of the machine.
The boot-up sequence on a V-Saturn has the polygons form a V-Saturn logo instead of the Sega Saturn logo.
Models:
- RG-JX1: This model is based on the first major Saturn model, with Drive Access LED and oval buttons and is two toned blueish gray and dark gray as the bottom color.
- RG-JX2: This model is based on the second major Saturn model, with round buttons and is two toned light gray with darker gray as bottom color.
| Box | Name | Distributor | Date & Price | Console | Label | Hardware | Software | Documentation | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
      |
V-Saturn (RG-JX1) Vサターン (RG-JX1) |
JVC | JP: ¥44,80044,800 (1994-11-22) |
 RG-JX1 |
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V-Saturn 1,000,000th Campaign Box Including Virtua Fighter Remix (RG-JX1) Vサターン100万台！バーチャファイター リミックスゲームCD付 (RG-JX1) |
JVC | JP: ¥34,80034,800 (1995-06-16) |
RG-JX1 |
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V-Saturn (RG-JX1) Vサターン (RG-JX1) |
JVC | JP: (≥ 1995) |
RG-JX1 |
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V-Saturn (RG-JX2) Vサターン (RG-JX2) |
JVC | JP: (1996-06-07) |
 RG-JX2 |
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V-Saturn Christmas Nights Winter Limited Edition Present (RG-JX2) Vサターンクリスマスナイツ冬季限定版プレゼント (RG-JX2) |
JVC | JP: (≥ 1996) |
RG-JX2 |
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V-Saturn Special Pack (RG-JX2S) Vサターンスペシャルパック (RG-JX2S) |
JVC | JP: (≥ 1996) |
RG-JX2 |
References