Sega Saturn

From Sega Retro

Saturn.jpg
Sega Saturn
Manufacturer: Sega
Variants: Sega Titan Video
Add-ons: Backup Memory, PriFun, Video CD Card, Extended RAM Cartridge, ROM Cartridge
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Saturn
JP 		¥80,80080,800
Sega Saturn
US 		$399.99399.99[1]
Sega Saturn
EU
Sega Saturn
DE 		DM 699699[6]
Sega Saturn
ES 		79,900Ptas79,900[8]
Sega Saturn
FR 		3,390F3,390[5]
Sega Saturn
AU
Sega Saturn
BR 		R$899.99899.99[4]
Sega Saturn
KR 		₩550,000550,000 SPC-ST
Sega Saturn
AS

The Sega Saturn (セガサターン), is a video game console manufactured by Sega and was the successor to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis (as opposed to add-ons such as the Sega 32X and Mega-CD). Initially released in 1994, the Saturn was a 32-bit compact disc-based system, and was a key player in what is now widely known as the fifth generation of video game consoles. The Saturn was first released on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe.

Depending on where you live, the Saturn could be described as either Sega's most successful console of all time (Japan) or one of their biggest commercial failures (North America). Despite being powerful for its time, its complex hardware and inability to meet rapidly evolving consumer expectations and demands put it in a distant third place in the Western world, but a combination of 2D sprite games, 3D arcade ports and strong marketing campaigns made the Saturn the most successful Sega console in Japan. Estimates for the total number of Saturns sold worldwide range from 9.5 million to 17 million.[9]

The Saturn's main competitors were Sony's PlayStation released just a week after the Saturn in Japan, and the Nintendo 64 from September 1996. Its arcade counterpart was the Sega Titan Video (ST-V) system. It was succeeded by the Sega Dreamcast in late 1998.

Hardware

The Sega Saturn is the successor to the Mega Drive, though as a video game system it is almost entirely different. It is a "32-bit" console, marketed in such a way that it appeared to be an evolution of the "16-bit" era of video gaming dominated by the Mega Drive and Super NES (which in turn succeeded the "8-bit" Master System and NES, respectively).

This description, however, was initially fabricated - Sega of Japan originally claimed the Saturn was a "64-bit" console[10] and some within Sega even chose to call it an "128-bit" machine,[11] a number arrived at by cumulating processors rather than simply picking the main CPU. Alternatively some areas of Sega simply went down the "multi-processor" route, refusing to get drawn into the perceived differences between 32-bit and 64-bit.[12] This was incidentally the last video game generation where these so-called "bit wars" were considered to matter.

The system uses CD-ROMs as its primary choice of media. Though it contains a cartridge slot, this is not used for games, but rather backup memory or RAM cartridges. The former was to extend the space for save games beyond that of the Saturn's internal memory, while the latter was used to augment the Saturn's limited memory and to avoid long CD load times.

The Saturn has two controller ports, and the standard Saturn controller builds on that seen in the six button Sega Mega Drive controller. It adds two shoulder buttons, first seen on the Super NES controller, bringing the amount of buttons up to nine. The 3D Control Pad, released later with NiGHTS into Dreams, would supply the console with an analogue stick and analogue shoulder buttons, the latter later being used in the Sega Dreamcast before being adopted by Nintendo and Microsoft for their GameCube and Xbox consoles, respectively.

The Sega Saturn hardware combined features from several Sega arcade systems.[13] It has a multi-processor system, like arcade machines. Its geometry engine consists of three DSP math processors, two inside both Hitachi SH-2 CPU and one inside the SCU, which were all intended to be programmed in parallel using complex assembly language, similar to how Sega programmed 3D arcade games at the time.

The VDP1 combined features from the Sega System 32 and the Sega Model series, with a quad polygon engine based on the Model 1, and texture mapping capability based on the Model 2 and System 32. The VDP1 is capable of drawing more polygons than the Model 1, but less than the Model 2. The Saturn was also influenced by the Sega Model 1's use of a separate graphics processor for the 2D backgrounds (based on the Sega System 24). The quad polygons are drawn with edge anti‑aliasing (for smoother edges), forward texture mapping (a form of perspective correction), bilinear approximation (reduces texture warping), and medium polygon accuracy (resulting in seamless polygons).[14]

The Saturn's VDP2 was based on Sega System 32 technology (an evolution of Super Scaler technology), used for both 2D backgrounds and 3D planes; the latter can be manipulated as polygon objects. The VDP2's tiled infinite plane engine uses tilemap compression and a form of scanline/tiled rendering to draw large, detailed, 3D texture-mapped infinite planes (for things such as grounds, seas, walls, ceilings, skies, etc.), with perspective correction and a virtually unlimited draw distance (and capable of effects such as transparency, parallax scrolling, reflective water surfaces, fog/misting,[15] fire, and heat haze), at a very high tile fillrate for its time.

The VDP2 draws 3D infinite planes as large as 4096×4096 pixels at 30 FPS, equivalent to a fillrate of over 500 MPixels/s, significantly larger than what any console or PC hardware were capable of with polygons at the time. It requires 1 million texture-mapped polygons/sec, with 500 pixels per polygon, to draw a texture-mapped 4096×4096 infinite plane at 30 FPS; the Dreamcast was the first home system capable of doing this with polygons, as it was the first home system that exceeded 500 MPixels/s polygon fillrate (using tiled rendering).

The Saturn was known for its difficult 3D development environment (especially for third-party developers), including its complex parallel processing hardware architecture, requiring familiarity with assembly language, lack of an operating system, and initial lack of C language support, useful development tools and graphics software libraries. Sega eventually provided DTS support for these features in late 1995. However, the C language development tools were not very well optimized for Saturn hardware, only tapping into a fraction of the Saturn's power, compared to assembly language which could tap into most of the Saturn's power. For example, the libraries did not use the SCU DSP, nor were they well-optimized for a multi-core CPU setup.[16] Some of the advanced techniques used by Sega's first-party AM studios did not become available until the introduction of SGL (Saturn Graphics Library).[17]

Only a handful of developers were able to squeeze most of the power out of the second SH-2 CPU, and even fewer utilized the SCU DSP, as its assembly code was more complex than the SH-2. Assembly language was often used by Japanese and British developers, but rarely used by American developers who preferred C language.[18] The VDP1 rendered quadrilateral polygons, which, despite being used by the most powerful gaming system at the time (Sega Model 2 arcade system), did not become industry standard for 3D graphics, compared to the more widely used triangle polygons.

The VDP2's tiled infinite plane engine, which could draw large 3D infinite planes with a much higher draw distance, texture details and fillrate than polygons at the time, was unfamiliar to most developers who relied on polygons to construct 3D planes. Sega's first-party 3D games often utilized both CPU, the DSP, and/or both VDP, but the hardware's complexity and difficult 3D development environment led to most third-party developers only utilizing a single CPU and the VDP1, just a portion of the Saturn's power, for 3D games. This was also partly due to the advanced techniques used by Sega's first-party studios being unavailable to third-party developers until the introduction of SGL.[17] While the VDP2 was under-utilized for 3D games, it was frequently used for 2D games, where the VDP1 draws sprites and the VDP2 draws scrolling backgrounds.

Models

Main article: Sega Saturn consoles.

There are a variety of Sega Saturn models of different shapes and colours, as well as novelty units, such as the Game & Car Navi HiSaturn. Differences between systems are not as drastic as seen with the Sega Mega Drive - the same basic feature set and component designs were used throughout the console's lifespan in all regions.

HST-3200/HST-3210

First seen on launch day in Japan (1994-11-22), the HST-3200 (later revised and released as the HST-3210, although the differences aside from a BIOS update are not fully understood), commonly referred to as the "grey Saturn" (although during development it had a metallic finish), was the basis for all Sega Saturns released between the Japanese launch and early 1996. These Saturns use blue "oval" buttons, mounted to black plastic at the front of the unit, and have both "power" and "access" LEDs similar to the Sega Mega-CD.

The Saturn saw variants produced by Hitachi and Victor as the HiSaturn and V-Saturn respectively, though aside from altered BIOSes and aesthetics (and bundles/pricing) these do not deviate much from the Sega designs. Novelty value sees these models worth slightly more in pre-owned markets - fewer were produced than the Sega models, but compatibility rates are much the same.

Overseas versions are physically identical (save for region encoding), but use black plastic throughout.

  • Japanese model

  • Japanese V-Saturn model

  • Japanese HiSaturn model

  • Overseas model

  • Korean model

HST-3220

Released in March 1996, the HST-3220 stands as the only significant change to the Saturn's design, although functionality wise, the only feature omitted is the "access" LED seen in previous models. Reportedly the change in colour scheme was made to appeal to younger and female demographics.[19]

These "white" Saturns likely cost less to produce (they were certainly sold for a lot less in Japan), but from a user perspective the change is largely negligible - the console is roughly the same size and has no problems running any Saturn software. White Saturns opt for grey "circle" power and reset buttons and a pink "open" button for lifting the lid.

It is rumoured, though not proven, that the HST-3220 has a faster disc reading time than its earlier counterparts, meaning quicker loading screens in games.

When brought overseas the console continued to be shipped only in black, although the North American and European models have different coloured buttons. In 1998 Sega started releasing special versions of these consoles with semi-transparent plastic under the "This is cool" brand - only 30,000 units were produced. Again aside from aesthetic differences the consoles are interchangeable.

Some of the Japanese colour designs were also brought to Brazil.

  • Japanese model

  • Japanese V-Saturn model

  • Japanese HiSaturn model

  • North American model

  • European model

  • Japanese "This is Cool" model

Technical specifications

Processors

  • Main CPU: 2× Hitachi SH-2 @ 28.63636 MHz[20][21][22]
    • Configuration: Master/Slave
    • 2x CPU cores: 32‑bit RISC instructions/registers, 74.454536 MIPS (37.227268 MIPS each, 1.3 MIPS per MHz),[23][24] up to 4 instructions/cycle (2 instructions/cycle per SH-2)[25]
    • 2x DMA units: 2x DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller),[26] parallel processing[27]
    • 4x internal fixed‑point math processors:[28] 2x MULT multiplier DSP,[26][29][30] 2x DIVU division units,[26][29] parallel processing[31]
      • 2x MULT multiplier DSP: 57.27272 MOPS[fn 1] fixed-point math (28.63636 MOPS per SH-2)[fn 2]
      • 2x DIVU division units: 16/32/64-bit division,[31] 1,468,531 divides/sec[fn 3]
    • Bus width: 64‑bit (2× 32‑bit) internal, 32‑bit external[34]
    • Word length: 32-bit
  • System coprocesor: Custom Saturn Control Unit (SCU), with DSP for geometry processing and DMA controller for system control[34][28][35]
    • System control processor: 32‑bit fixed‑point registers/instructions, interrupt controller, DMA controller, 3 DMA channels
    • Math coprocessor: Geometry DSP @ 14.31818 MHz, 32‑bit fixed‑point instructions, 6 parallel instructions per cycle,[36] 85.90908 MIPS (6 MIPS per MHz)
  • CD‑ROM CPU: Hitachi SH-1 32‑bit RISC processor @ 20 MHz (20 MIPS)[21] (controlling the CD‑ROM)
    • Contains internal DAC and internal math processor[28]
    • Bus width: 32‑bit internal, 16‑bit external[34]
  • Microcontroller: Hitachi HD404920[37] (4‑bit MCU) "System Manager & Peripheral Control" (SMPC) @ 4 MHz[28]
    • RTC: 1 MHz[34] (real‑time clock)
    • Instruction set: 4‑bit instructions, 890 ns per instruction,[38] 1.123595 MIPS
    • Bus width: 10‑bit internal, 8‑bit external[28]
  • Optional MPEG Video CD Card:[39][20]
    • MPEG Video decoder: Sega P/N 315-5765 (Hitachi HD814101FE)
    • MPEG Audio decoder: Hitachi HD814102F
Audio
  • Sound processor: Yamaha SCSP (Saturn Custom Sound Processor) YMF292[40]
    • Sound DSP: Yamaha FH1 DSP (Digital Signal Processor) @ 22.58 MHz[41][34] (24‑bit, 128‑step,[42] 4 parallel instructions)
    • Bus width: 24‑bit internal, 16‑bit external[28]
  • Sound CPU: Motorola 68EC000 (16/32‑bit CISC) sound processor @ 11.29 MHz[34] (1.97575 MIPS[43])
    • Bus width: 16‑bit internal, 16‑bit external
Video
  • Sega/Hitachi VDP1 @ 28.63636 MHz: Handles sprite/texture and polygon drawing[44][37]
    • Bus width: 48‑bit (3x 16‑bit)[28]
    • Word length: 16-bit
  • Sega/Yamaha VDP2 @ 28.63636 MHz: Backgrounds, scrolling, handles background, scroll and 3D rotation planes[45][37]
    • Bus width: 32‑bit[28]
    • Word length: 32-bit
  • Sony CXA1645M RGB‑Composite Video Encoder[37]

Graphics

  • Graphics pipeline:
    • 3 DSP geometry processors: 2× SH-2 DSP, SCU DSP
    • 2 VDP rendering processors: VDP1 for sprites/textures/polygons, VDP2 for planes/backgrounds/textures
  • Video clock rate: 28.63636 MHz MHz (NTSC),[46][20] 28.4375 MHz (PAL)[46]
    • NTSC dot clock: 7.15909 MHz (lo-res),[20] 14.31818 MHz (hi-res)
    • PAL dot clock: 7.109375 MHz (lo-res), 14.21875 MHz (hi-res)
  • Display resolutions: 320×224 to 704×480 (see Resolutions)[46][47]
    • NTSC overscan resolution: 453×263 (lo-res),[20] 907×263 (hi-res)
    • PAL overscan resolution: 454×313 (lo-res), 908×313 (hi-res)
  • Refresh rate: 30–60 Hz (NTSC), 25–50 Hz (PAL)[48]
    • Maximum frame rate: 60 FPS (NTSC), 50 FPS (PAL)
  • Color depth: 15-bit RGB to 32‑bit RGBA (24‑bit color with 8‑bit alpha transparency)[42]
    • Color palette: 16,777,216 (VDP2), 32,768 (VDP1)
    • Colors on screen: 256 to 16,777,216 (VDP2), 256 to 32,768 (VDP1)
    • VDP2 colors per background: 16 colors (4-bit) to 16,777,216 colors (24-bit)[49][50]
    • VDP1 colors per sprite/polygon: 16 colors (4-bit) to 32,768 colors (15-bit)[51][52]
    • CLUT: Virtually unlimited number of CLUTs[53]
  • DSP geometry processing: 188 MIPS (million instructions per second)[fn 4]
    • Fixed-point operations: 114 MOPS (million operations per second)[fn 5]
    • Additions: 85 million adds/sec[fn 6]
    • Multiplications: 85 million multiplies/sec[fn 7]
    • 16-bit divisions: 5 million divides/sec[fn 8]
  • Geometry calculations: 114 MOPS fixed-point calculations[fn 9]
  • Transmission bus bandwidth: 143 MB/s
  • Fillrate:
  • Optional MPEG Video CD Card: 704×480 resolution, 30 frames/sec, 16‑bit audio with 44.1 kHz sampling,[66] up to 72 minutes on one CD[39]
SCU DSP
  • SCU math coprocessor: Geometry DSP @ 14.31818 MHz, 32‑bit fixed‑point instructions[35][67][68]
    • Parallel units: 32/48-bit ALU (arithmetic logic unit), 48/64‑bit Multiplier, 32-bit instruction decoder
  • Buses:[67][69]
    • Internal: 4 parallel buses, 32-bit per bus, 128-bit overall bus width, 3 buses at 14.31818 MHz, 1 bus at 28.63636 MHz
    • External: 32-bit, 28.63636 MHz
  • Cache RAM: 2 KB (1 KB data, 1 KB program)[70]
  • Instructions: 6 parallel instructions/cycle (one instruction per unit/bus),[36] 85.90908 MIPS (6 MIPS/MHz)
    • Fixed-point operations: 28.63636 MOPS (million operations per second), 2 MOPS/MHz (2 parallel operations/cycle)
  • Capabilities: Matrix and vector calculations, 3D point transformations, lighting calculations, fixed-point calculations,[68] faster than SH-2,[71] can use DMA to directly fetch and store vertex data, floating-point operations, geometry transformations, voxel rendering acceleration, fast coordinate transformations, lighting computations,[72] transparency calculations[16]
  • Notes: Can only be programmed with assembly language, more difficult to program than SH-2[68]
VDP1
Main article: VDP1 (Saturn).
  • VDP1 @ 28.63636 MHz: Handles sprite/texture and polygon drawing,[44] color calculation and shading,[28] geometry[53]
    • Versions: Sega 315‑5883 (Hitachi HD64440) Video Display Processor 1 (VDP1),[37] Sega 315‑5689 VDP1[28]
    • Adjustable video clock rate: 28.63636 MHz or 26.8465875 MHz (NTSC),[46][20] 28.4375 MHz or 26.8426 MHz (PAL)[46]
    • Parallel data bus structure: 3 parallel data buses (dual framebuffers, texture cache), 48-bit data bus width (16-bit per bus),[73] 171.8184 MB/s bandwidth[fn 18]
    • Parallel data bus cycles: 85.90908 million bus cycles/sec[fn 19]
  • Color palette: 32,768 colors (15-bit RGB) to 16,777,216 (24-bit VDP2 CRAM palette, accessible by VDP1)[74]
    • Colors on screen: 32,768 colors (15-bit RGB) to 1,048,576 colors (15-bit RGB, 32 transparency levels using VDP2 palette)[75]
    • Colors per pixel: 32,768 colors (16bpp, 15-bit RGB), 256 colors (8bpp, 8-bit palette)
  • Features: Alpha blending, clipping, luminance,[52] shadows,[76] transparency[77] (3 alpha levels, or 32 alpha levels using VDP2 palette),[75] per-pixel transparency[78]
  • Framebuffer capabilities: Double buffering, dual 256 KB framebuffers, rotation & scaling,[52] VDP1 framebuffer can be rotated as bitmap layer by VDP2[83]
    • Framebuffer resolution: 512×256, 512×512, 1024×256[84]
    • Overscan resolution: 1708×263 (NTSC), 1820×313 (PAL), 852×525 (31KC), 848×562 (HDTV)[47]
  • Sprite/Texture capabilities: Rotation & scaling, flipping, distortion,[44][52] warping, vertical and horizontal line scrolling, virtually unlimited color lookup tables,[53][85] System 24/32 sprite rendering system[86]
    • Sprite/Texture size: 8×1 to 504×255 texels[87]
    • Colors per sprite/texture in Lo-Res: 16, 64, 128, 256, and 32,768[51]
    • Colors per sprite/texture in Hi-Res: 16, 64, 128, and 256[88]
    • Maximum texels per scanline: 1812 (NTSC),[46] 1820 (PAL)[47]
    • Maximum sprites/textures per scanline: 226 (NTSC), 227 (PAL)
  • Texture cache VRAM: 512 KB[89]
    • Sprite/Polygon size: 32 bytes (flat shading),[65][90] 40 bytes (Gouraud shading),[91] 64–96 bytes (shadows),[78] 72–104 bytes (shadows, Gouraud shading)
    • Texture size: 4 bytes (8×1 texels, 16 colors) to 251.02 KB (504×255 texels, 32,758 colors)[90]
    • Maximum sprites per frame: 16,383 (virtually unlimited),[53] 13,106 (Gouraud shading), 5461–8191 (shadows)
    • Maximum polygons per frame: 16,384 (flat shading), 16,383 (texture mapping), 13,107 (Gouraud shading), 13,106 (texture mapping, Gouraud shading), 8192 (shadows), 8191 (texture mapping, shadows), 7281 (texture mapping, shadows, Gouraud shading)
  • Framebuffer fillrate: 28.63636 MPixels/s (16bpp),[fn 20] 35.6465 MPixels/s (8bpp)[fn 21]
    • Gouraud shading: 28 MPixels/s (512×512 polygons),
      16 MPixels/s (10×10 polygons)[fn 22]
    • Shadows/Translucency: 28 MPixels/s (VDP2 palette), 5 MPixels/s (RGB)[fn 23]
  • Texture fillrate: 19 MTexels/s (504×255 textures), 14 MTexels/s (10×10 textures), 12 MTexels/s (8×8 textures)[fn 24]
    • Gouraud shading: 19 MTexels/s (504×255 textures), 9 MTexels/s (10×10 textures)[fn 25]
  • Polygon rendering performance: Lighting[65][fn 26]
    • 800,000 polygons/s: Flat shading, 32-pixel polygons
    • 500,000 polygons/s: Flat shading,[99][53] 50-pixel polygons
    • 200,000 polygons/s: Gouraud shading, 32-pixel polygons[fn 27]
  • Texture mapping performance: Lighting[81][97]
    • 300,000 polygons/s: 32-texel textures[fn 28]
    • 200,000 polygons/s: 70-texel textures[fn 29]
    • 140,000 polygons/s: Gouraud shading, 32-texel textures[fn 30]
VDP2
Main article: VDP2 (Saturn).
  • VDP2 @ 57.27272 MHz: Handles background, scroll and 3D rotation planes[45]
    • Versions: Sega 315‑5890 (Yamaha) Video Display Processor 2 (VDP2),[37] Yamaha 315‑5690 VDP2[28]
    • Video clock rate: 26.8426–28.63636 MHz (NTSC), 26.6564–28.4375 MHz (PAL)[46][20]
    • Memory clock rate: 53.6852–57.27272 MHz (NTSC), 53.3128–56.875 MHz (PAL)[fn 31]
  • VDP2 cores: 4 parallel cores (17 units), 28.63636 MHz per core[102]
    • Bus control
    • H/V counter & timing generator
    • Scroll picture block: 8 units (Normal picture coordinate calculation, Rotation picture coordinate calculation, Pattern name control, Window control, Character control, Line picture control, VRAM control, Dot data control)
    • Video process: 7 units (Color offset & shadow, Output data control, Color computing control, Color RAM, Priority control, Color RAM control, Sprite control)
  • Features: Transparency (32 levels of transparency, can also be applied to VDP1 polygons/sprites),[75] shadowing, 2 windows for special calculations,[50] matrix calculations,[103] multi-texturing,[104] bump mapping,[16] color gradients
    • 3D infinite planes: Can be manipulated as large polygon objects,[105] with perspective transformation[106][107] and rotation. Can have curved surface and bumps,[108] and be used for grounds, walls, ceilings, seas, skies, etc.
    • Visual effects: Water, fire, fog, heat haze, misting, reflective water surfaces[18]
  • Rotation picture coordinate calculation: Geometry processing unit within Scroll picture block,[102] rotation and transformation of 3D planes,[106] manipulates 3D planes as very large polygons,[105] 24-bit fixed-point operations,[106] 28.63636 MOPS (million operations per second)
  • Planes: 7 layers, 2–6 simultaneous layers (1–4 scrolling 2D backgrounds, 1–2 rotating 3D playfields, 1 back screen)[50][49][109]
    • 2D scrolling backgrounds: Scrolling, parallax scrolling, single-axis 2D rotation[110]
      • NBG0: 16–16,777,216 colors, tilemap (1024×1024 to 2048×2048) or bitmap (512×256 to 1024×512), column/row/line scrolling, scaling
      • NBG1: 16–32,768 colors, tilemap (1024×1024 to 2048×2048) or bitmap (512×256 to 1024×512), column/row/line scrolling, scaling
      • NBG2/NBG3: 16–256 colors, tilemap (1024×1024 to 2048×2048)
    • 3D rotating playfields: Scrolling, scaling, dual-axis 3D rotation,[110] three-axis 3D rotation,[111] 3D infinite ground planes, perspective correct 3D rotation, can be manipulated as large polygon objects,[105] perspective transformation,[106][107] can have curved surface and bumps[108]
      • RBG0: 16–16,777,216 colors, tilemap (2048×2048 to 4096×4096) or bitmap (512×256 to 512×512)
      • RBG1: 16–16,777,216 colors, tilemap (2048×2048 to 4096×4096)
    • Back screen: 1 plain background,[112] 1 to 240 colors (1 color/scanline)
  • Tile capabilities: 8×8 and 16×16 tile sizes,[49] scroll plane up to 8192×8192 pixels,[113] rotating 3D infinite planes up to 4096×4096 pixels each,[109] tile compression, tile-based texture compression, tiled rendering, virtually unlimited draw distance
  • Bitmap capabilities: Bitmap layers can be used as additional framebuffer[114] (with full transparency), displays VDP1 framebuffer as additional bitmap layer, can rotate VDP1 framebuffer[83]
  • Color palette: 16,777,216 colors (24-bit), 32,768 colors (15-bit), 65,536 colors (15-bit with transparency)
    • Colors per plane: 16,777,216 colors (3 planes, Lo-Res), 32,768 colors (4 planes), 16–256 colors (6 planes)[115][116]
  • Bitmap fillrate:
    • 2D scrolling planes: 26.8426–229.09088 MPixels/s
      • 16,777,216 colors on screen: 26.8426–28.63636 MPixels/s[fn 32]
      • 32,768 colors per plane: 53.6852–57.27272 MPixels/s[fn 33]
      • 256 colors per plane: 107.3704–114.54544 MPixels/s[fn 34]
      • 16 colors per plane: 214.7408–229.09088 MPixels/s[fn 35]
    • 3D rotation planes: 26.8426–28.63636 MPixels/s[fn 36]
  • Tile fillrate: 251.65824–534.77376 MPixels/s[fn 37]
    • 2D scrolling planes: 251.65824–503.31648 MPixels/s[fn 38]
      • Tile fillrate: 3,932,160 tiles/sec, 65,536 tiles per frame[fn 39]
    • 3D rotating playfields: 251.65824–503.31648 MPixels/s[fn 40]
      • Effective polygon fillrate: 1 million texture-mapped polygons/sec (500-texel polygons)

Resolutions

The Saturn supported the following display resolutions:[119]

Progressive
  • 320×224 (Lo‑Res)
  • 320×240 (Lo‑Res)
  • 320×256 (Lo-Res, PAL)
  • 352×224 (Lo‑Res)
  • 352×240 (Lo‑Res)
  • 352×256 (PAL)
  • 640×224
  • 640×240
  • 640×256 (PAL)
  • 704×224
  • 704×240
  • 704×256 (PAL)
Interlaced
  • 320×448
  • 320×512 (PAL)
  • 320×480
  • 352×448
  • 320×480
  • 352×512 (PAL)
  • 640×448 (Hi‑Res)
  • 640×480 (Hi‑Res)
  • 640×512 (Hi‑Res, PAL)
  • 704×448 (Hi‑Res)
  • 704×480 (Hi‑Res)
  • 704×512 (Hi‑Res, PAL)

Sound

Main article: Saturn Custom Sound Processor.
  • SCSP @ 22.58 MHz:[41][40]
  • CD‑DA: 1 streaming CD‑DA channel (16‑bit PCM, 44.1 kHz) from CD
  • Stereo audio output

Memory

Configuration

System RAM buses, all connected through the SCU:[34][63][28]

  • System bus[fn 41]
    • SH2 (×2), SCU, SMPC <–> Work RAM,[fn 55] battery backup SRAM
  • Video sub‑system buses[fn 56][44]
    • SCU <–> VDP1, VDP2[fn 57]
    • VDP1 <–> Texture cache VRAM[fn 58]
    • VDP1 <–> Framebuffer 0 VRAM[fn 58]
    • VDP1 <–> Framebuffer 1 VRAM[fn 58]
    • VDP2 <–> Background cache VRAM[fn 59]
  • Sound sub‑system bus — SCU, 68EC000, SCSP <‑> Sound RAM[fn 60]
  • CD‑ROM sub‑system bus — SCU, SH1 <‑> CD‑ROM cache/buffer RAM[fn 60]
Bandwidth

Storage

Input/Output

Main article: List of Sega Saturn accessories.
  • Two 16‑bit bidirectional parallel I/O ports
  • High-speed serial communications port (Both SH2 SCI channels and SCSP MIDI)
  • Cartridge connector
  • Internal expansion port for video decoder card
  • Composite video/stereo (JP Part No: HSS-0106)
  • NTSC/PAL RF (US Part No.: MK-80116, JP Part No.: HSS-0110)
  • S-Video compatible (JP Part No.: HSS-0105)
  • RGB compatible (JP Part No.: HSS-0109)
  • EDTV compatible (optional)

Peripherals

Main article: List of Sega Saturn accessories.

Power source

  • AC120 volts; 60 Hz (US)
  • AC240 volts; 50 Hz (EU)
  • AC200 volts; 60 Hz (JP)
  • 4 volt lithium battery to power non-volatile RAM and SMPC internal real-time clock
  • Power Consumption: 25 W

Dimensions

US/European model:

  • Width: 260 mm (10.2 in)
  • Length: 230 mm (9.0 in)
  • Height: 89 mm (3.2 in)

BIOS

BIOS Revisions
BIOS Version Machine Download
1.00 Sega Saturn (Japan) 1.00 (Asian Saturn) (info) ("Sega Saturn BIOS (1.00) (J).zip" does not exist)
1.00a Sega Saturn (NA & EU) 1.00a (NA & EU Saturn) (info) ("Sega Saturn BIOS (1.00a) (UE).zip" does not exist)
1.003 Sega Saturn Devkit (Japan) 1.003 (Asian Devkit) (info) ("Sega Saturn BIOS (1.003) (J).zip" does not exist)
1.01 Sega Saturn (Japan), HiSaturn (Japan), V-Saturn (Japan) 1.01 (Asian Saturn) (info) ("Sega Saturn BIOS (1.01) (J).zip" does not exist)
1.01 (Asian HiSaturn) (info) ("HI-Saturn BIOS (1.01) (J).zip" does not exist)
1.01 (Asian V-Saturn) (info) ("V-Saturn BIOS (1.01) (J).zip" does not exist)
1.01a Sega Saturn (NA & EU) 1.01a (NA & EU Saturn) (info) ("Sega Saturn BIOS (1.01a) (UE).zip" does not exist)
1.02 HiSaturn (Japan) 1.02 (JP HiSaturn) (info) ("Bios_Hi-Saturn_1.02_(J).rar" does not exist)
1.03 HiSaturn Navi (Japan) 1.03 (JP HiSaturn Navi) (info) ("Bios_GameNavi_HiSaturn_1.03.rar" does not exist)

Errata

See VDP1 Errata

VDP1 transparency rendering quirk causes strips of pixels to be rewritten to framebuffer for 2-point (scaled) and 4-point (quadrangle) "sprites", applying the transparency effect multiple times. Rarely seen in commercial games (e.g. Robotica explosions), later titles implemented software transparency to correctly render transparent polygons (e.g. Dural in Virtua Fighter Kids).

The VDP1 supports per-pixel transparency between different polygons/sprites in the VDP1 framebuffer, or between VDP1 and VDP2 layers, but not both at the same time, with the VDP2's transparency overriding the VDP1's transparency. There are several ways to overcome this issue. The most common method used by Saturn games is to fake transparency with dithering, using a mesh that gets blended by a television's Composite or S-Video cable. Another method is using a VDP2 bitmap layer as an additional transparent framebuffer, copying transparent assets from the VDP1 framebuffer to a VDP2 bitmap framebuffer layer (e.g. the transparent polygons in Burning Rangers). Another method is software transparency, programming the CPU with software code.

Technical comparison

Main article: Sega Saturn/Hardware comparison.

History

Main article: History of the Sega Saturn.

Game packaging

Japanese packaging

Japanese Saturn software usually came packaged in standard jewel cases, much like music CDs. They also came with spinecards - three-fold pieces of light cardboard that hug the spine of the jewel case. These are very valuable for collectors who wish to claim a game is "complete". The spinecard also indicates that the CD is for use with a Sega Saturn console - specifically Japanese NTSC systems. There were also jewel case quad CD cases, and a variant of the single case which was slightly thicker and VERY hard to replace.

Most of the time the spinecard will have a gold and black background with the Japanese Saturn logo and lettering printed vertically. Saturn collection games will have red and white spinecard with white lettering, the Saturn Collection logo under that, and the 2,800 yen price featured prominently. Manual is included with the cover seen through the front of the jewel case. The left side of the manual will usually have a bar similar in design to the spinecard. The Japanese SEGA rating, if there is one, will be included on the manual front (usually on one of the corners). There is also the insert on the back which may feature artwork or screenshots from the game. A black bar on the bottom of the insert contains information much like the spinecard, licensing information, et cetera.

The Japanese packaging was adopted in smaller Asian markets such as South Korea and China.

North American packaging

Sega of America adopted very simple packaging in the beginning, the likes of which hadn't been seen since the Sega Master System.

The US used much larger jewel cases identical to the US Sega Mega-CD jewel cases, since many of these were in fact leftover Sega CD jewel cases. The US case has a white spine containing a 30 degree stripe pattern in gray, with white outlined lettering displaying the words "Sega Saturn". Oddly some US packaging seems to have taken a step backwards in terms of aesthetics - with minimal front artwork almost akin to the Sega Master System.

There are many flaws with the US packaging:

  • Their sheer size made them more vulnerable to cracking.
  • The mechanism that keeps the cover closed wears out quickly if the cover is opened and closed too much
  • There is too much empty space inside the case. If the CD ever came off the case's spindle on its own (caused by rough handling of the case), the CD ends up being tossed around the inside of the case, causing either huge amount of scratches on the disc from careful handling of the case or shattering the disc from continued rough handling of the case.

European packaging

European cases come in two variants, both designed and engineered by Sega. One has a strong plastic design similar to the cases used with the Mega Drive and Master System (but taller, thinner and slightly more secure). The other feels far cheaper, being literally two pieces of plastic held together by a cardboard cover. Though the former was more preferred by the consumer, the latter was more common as it was cheaper to produce.

Both European cases has a solid black spine, with white lettering displaying the words "Sega Saturn". The manual slides in the case just like a normal jewel case and there is a back insert with information about the game. Like the American cases they are still too big and can lead to discs moving about and becoming scratched, though this may be to compensate for large multi-language manuals.

Some European boxes were wrapped in a transparent plastic shell after manufacture for extra security.

Brazillian packaging

Brazilian games were packaged in cardboard boxes, with a CD sleeve inside to keep the disc secure.

Emulation

The Saturn is notoriously hard to emulate due to its complex architecture (dual processors, etc.), but four notable emulators do exist:

  • SSF is a highly compatible emulator, which is in continual development by a single developer.
  • GiriGiri was initially based on an abandoned emulator by Sega themselves, and was considered the best until development ceased and SSF overtook it.
  • Yabause is an open-source effort to create a Saturn emulator.
  • Mednafen Sega Saturn is still in an experimental stage, but already highly compatible and can play games that don't work properly with SSF or Yabause.

Software that plays files in the Saturn Sound Format, which stores audio ripped from games, does so through emulation of the audio-related code only.

Games

List of games

Main article: List of Saturn games.

Launch titles

Japan

North America

Europe

Brazil

[137]

Magazine articles

Main article: Sega Saturn/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Print advertisements

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #24: "May 1995" (1995-xx-xx)
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Print advert in Game Players (US) #0811: "Vol. 8 No. 11 November 1995" (1995-1x-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
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Print advert in Next Generation (US) #11: "November 1995" (1995-10-24)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
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Print advert in Next Generation (US) #18: "June 1996" (1996-05-21)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
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Print advert in Player One (FR) #57: "Octobre 1995" (1995-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
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Print advert in CD Consoles (FR) #12: "Décembre 1995" (1995-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
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Print advert in Hobby Consolas (ES) #46: "Julio 1995" (1995-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Hyper (AU) #21: "August 1995" (1995-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
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Print advert in Ação Games (BR) #91: "Setembro 1995" (1995-09-16)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Pamphlets

  • EU (1996)

  • EU (1997-01)

  • EU (1997)

  • AU

Television advertisements

  • JP (launch)

  • US (1)

  • US (2)

  • US (Who?)

  • US (Who? 15 second variant)

  • UK (launch; long)

  • UK (launch; short)

Artwork

  • Japanese logo

  • North American/European/Australian/Brazilian logo

External links

  • Dave's Sega Saturn Page - Famous fansite that was extremely popular during the Saturn's heyday (no longer updated).

Footnotes

  1. ↑ [MOPS (million operations per second) MOPS (million operations per second)]
  2. ↑ [1 operation per cycle[32] 1 operation per cycle[32]]
  3. ↑ [39 cycles per divide[33] 39 cycles per divide[33]]
  4. ↑ [74.454536 MIPS SH-2, 85.90908 MIPS SCU, 28.63636 MIPS VDP2 74.454536 MIPS SH-2, 85.90908 MIPS SCU, 28.63636 MIPS VDP2]
  5. ↑ [2x SH-2 MULT: 57.27272 MOPS[54]
    2x SH-2 DIVU: 1.468531 MOPS (39 cycles per divide)[55]
    SCU DSP: 28.63636 MOPS (add and multiply per cycle)
    VDP2: 28.63636 MOPS 2x SH-2 MULT: 57.27272 MOPS[54]
    2x SH-2 DIVU: 1.468531 MOPS (39 cycles per divide)[55]
    SCU DSP: 28.63636 MOPS (add and multiply per cycle)
    VDP2: 28.63636 MOPS]
  6. ↑ [2x SH-2: 57,272,720 adds/sec (1 cycle per multiply)[54]
    SCU DSP: 14,318,180 multiplies/sec (1 cycle per multiply)
    VDP2: 14.31818 adds/sec 2x SH-2: 57,272,720 adds/sec (1 cycle per multiply)[54]
    SCU DSP: 14,318,180 multiplies/sec (1 cycle per multiply)
    VDP2: 14.31818 adds/sec]
  7. ↑ [2x SH-2: 57,272,720 multiplies/sec (1 cycle per multiply)[56]
    SCU DSP: 14,318,180 multiplies/sec (1 cycle per multiply)
    VDP2: 14.31818 multiplies/sec 2x SH-2: 57,272,720 multiplies/sec (1 cycle per multiply)[56]
    SCU DSP: 14,318,180 multiplies/sec (1 cycle per multiply)
    VDP2: 14.31818 multiplies/sec]
  8. ↑ [2x CPU: 3,579,545 divides/sec (16 cycles per 16-bit divide)[33]
    2x DIVU: 1,468,531 divides/sec (39 cycles per divide)[55] 2x CPU: 3,579,545 divides/sec (16 cycles per 16-bit divide)[33]
    2x DIVU: 1,468,531 divides/sec (39 cycles per divide)[55]]
  9. ↑ [2x SH-2 MULT: 57.27272 MOPS (million operations per second)[54]
    2x SH-2 DIVU: 1.468531 MOPS (39 cycles per divide)[55]
    SCU DSP: 28.63636 MOPS (add and multiply per cycle)
    VDP2: 28.63636 MOPS (only for VDP2's 3D planes) 2x SH-2 MULT: 57.27272 MOPS (million operations per second)[54]
    2x SH-2 DIVU: 1.468531 MOPS (39 cycles per divide)[55]
    SCU DSP: 28.63636 MOPS (add and multiply per cycle)
    VDP2: 28.63636 MOPS (only for VDP2's 3D planes)]
  10. ↑ [Transformation (21 adds/multiplies),[57] projection (4 adds/multiplies)[58] and perspective division (1 divide)[59] per vertex:
    • 894,886 vertices/sec: 894,886 SCU DSP transformations (14 cycles per transform,[57] 2 cycles per projection), 894,886 SH-2 DIVU divisions (1 divide per vertex)
    • 573,644 vertices/sec: 14,341,100 SH-2 MULT DSP transform/projection operations (25 cycles per vertex), 573,644 SH-2 DIVU divisions (1 divide per vertex)
    • 1,011,294 vertices/sec: 41,463,054 SH-2 transform/projection/divide cycles (41 cycles per vertex)
    Transformation (21 adds/multiplies),[57] projection (4 adds/multiplies)[58] and perspective division (1 divide)[59] per vertex:
    • 894,886 vertices/sec: 894,886 SCU DSP transformations (14 cycles per transform,[57] 2 cycles per projection), 894,886 SH-2 DIVU divisions (1 divide per vertex)
    • 573,644 vertices/sec: 14,341,100 SH-2 MULT DSP transform/projection operations (25 cycles per vertex), 573,644 SH-2 DIVU divisions (1 divide per vertex)
    • 1,011,294 vertices/sec: 41,463,054 SH-2 transform/projection/divide cycles (41 cycles per vertex)]
  11. ↑ [8 vertices per cube (6 quad polygons)[60] 8 vertices per cube (6 quad polygons)[60]]
  12. ↑ [8 transformations (168 adds/multiplies), 6 surface normals (72 multiplies, 36 adds),[61] 6 light sources (72 adds/multiplies),[62] 8 projections (32 adds/multiplies) and 8 perspective divisions (24 divides)[58] per cube with 8 vertices and 6 quad polygons:
    • 52,640 cubes/sec: 52,640 SCU DSP cubes (112 transform cycles, 72 surface normal cycles, 72 light source cycles,[62] 16 projection cycles), 1,263,360 SH-2 DIVU divisions (24 divides per cube)
    • 8548 cubes/sec: 2,940,512 SH-2 MULT DSP transform/projection operations (347 cycles per cube), 205,152 SH-2 DIVU divisions (24 divides per cube)
    • 72,614 cubes/sec: 52,862,992 SH-2 transform/projection/divide cycles (728 cycles per cube)
    8 transformations (168 adds/multiplies), 6 surface normals (72 multiplies, 36 adds),[61] 6 light sources (72 adds/multiplies),[62] 8 projections (32 adds/multiplies) and 8 perspective divisions (24 divides)[58] per cube with 8 vertices and 6 quad polygons:
    • 52,640 cubes/sec: 52,640 SCU DSP cubes (112 transform cycles, 72 surface normal cycles, 72 light source cycles,[62] 16 projection cycles), 1,263,360 SH-2 DIVU divisions (24 divides per cube)
    • 8548 cubes/sec: 2,940,512 SH-2 MULT DSP transform/projection operations (347 cycles per cube), 205,152 SH-2 DIVU divisions (24 divides per cube)
    • 72,614 cubes/sec: 52,862,992 SH-2 transform/projection/divide cycles (728 cycles per cube)]
  13. ↑ [8 transformations (168 adds/multiplies), 8 surface normals (96 multiplies, 48 adds), 8 light sources (96 adds/multiplies), 8 projections (32 adds/multiplies) and 8 perspective divisions (24 divides) per cube with 8 vertices and 6 quad polygons:
    • 44,744 cubes/sec: 44,744 SCU DSP cubes (112 transform cycles, 96 surface normal cycles, 96 light source cycles, 16 projection cycles), 1,073,856 SH-2 DIVU divisions (24 divides per cube)
    • 16,444 cubes/sec: 7,235,360 SH-2 MULT DSP transform/projection operations (440 cycles per cube), 394,675 SH-2 DIVU divisions (8 divides per cube)
    • 58,942 cubes/sec: 48,568,208 SH-2 transform/projection/divide cycles (824 cycles per cube)
    8 transformations (168 adds/multiplies), 8 surface normals (96 multiplies, 48 adds), 8 light sources (96 adds/multiplies), 8 projections (32 adds/multiplies) and 8 perspective divisions (24 divides) per cube with 8 vertices and 6 quad polygons:
    • 44,744 cubes/sec: 44,744 SCU DSP cubes (112 transform cycles, 96 surface normal cycles, 96 light source cycles, 16 projection cycles), 1,073,856 SH-2 DIVU divisions (24 divides per cube)
    • 16,444 cubes/sec: 7,235,360 SH-2 MULT DSP transform/projection operations (440 cycles per cube), 394,675 SH-2 DIVU divisions (8 divides per cube)
    • 58,942 cubes/sec: 48,568,208 SH-2 transform/projection/divide cycles (824 cycles per cube)]
  14. ↑ [Multiplexed (57.27272 MB/s VDP1, 57.27272 MB/s VDP2), 16-bit per VDP, 28.63636 MHz[63][64]
    • Maximum VDP1 polygon transfer: 1,789,772 polygons/sec (57.272704 MB/s, 32 bytes per polygon)[65]
    Multiplexed (57.27272 MB/s VDP1, 57.27272 MB/s VDP2), 16-bit per VDP, 28.63636 MHz[63][64]
    • Maximum VDP1 polygon transfer: 1,789,772 polygons/sec (57.272704 MB/s, 32 bytes per polygon)[65]]
  15. ↑ [8-bit, 28.63636 MHz[64] 8-bit, 28.63636 MHz[64]]
  16. ↑ VDP1: 28.63636 MPixels/s (15-bit color), 35.6465 MPixels/s (8-bit color)
    VDP2: 26.8426–28.63636 MPixels/s (24-bit color), 53.6852–57.27272 MPixels/s (15-bit color), 107.3704–114.54544 MPixels/s (8-bit color), 214.7408–229.09088 MPixels/s (4-bit color)
  17. ↑ [VDP1: 28.63636–35.6465 MPixels/s
    VDP2: 251.65824–534.77376 MPixels/s VDP1: 28.63636–35.6465 MPixels/s
    VDP2: 251.65824–534.77376 MPixels/s]
  18. ↑ [57.27272 MB/s per bus 57.27272 MB/s per bus]
  19. ↑ [28.63636 MHz texture cache, 28.63636 MHz draw/render framebuffer, 28.63636 MHz display/erase framebuffer[48] 28.63636 MHz texture cache, 28.63636 MHz draw/render framebuffer, 28.63636 MHz display/erase framebuffer[48]]
  20. ↑ [1 cycle per pixel[46][92][47] 1 cycle per pixel[46][92][47]]
  21. ↑ [28.63636 MPixels/s draw, 14.418 MPixels/s erase/write[93][94] 28.63636 MPixels/s draw, 14.418 MPixels/s erase/write[93][94]]
  22. ↑ [164,576 Gouraud-shaded 10×10 polygons/sec: 57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec, 248 cycles overhead per polygon (16 cycles command table fetch,[95] 232 cycles Gouraud shading),[96] 348 cycles per polygon (100 cycles drawing per 100-pixel polygon)[97] 164,576 Gouraud-shaded 10×10 polygons/sec: 57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec, 248 cycles overhead per polygon (16 cycles command table fetch,[95] 232 cycles Gouraud shading),[96] 348 cycles per polygon (100 cycles drawing per 100-pixel polygon)[97]]
  23. ↑ [Takes six times longer when using VDP1's RGB mode.[78] When using VDP2 palette mode, the VDP1 draws shadowed/translucent objects at full speed. Takes six times longer when using VDP1's RGB mode.[78] When using VDP2 palette mode, the VDP1 draws shadowed/translucent objects at full speed.]
  24. ↑ [Drawing process is asynchronous,[95] commands/textures read from texture cache and pixels/texels written to rendering framebuffer in parallel (57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec),[98] 148 textured 504×255 polygons/sec (386,905 parallel cycles per polygon), 136,363 textured 10×10 polygons/sec (420 parallel cycles per polygon), 189,644 textured 8×8 polygons/sec (302 parallel cycles per polygon)[96] Drawing process is asynchronous,[95] commands/textures read from texture cache and pixels/texels written to rendering framebuffer in parallel (57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec),[98] 148 textured 504×255 polygons/sec (386,905 parallel cycles per polygon), 136,363 textured 10×10 polygons/sec (420 parallel cycles per polygon), 189,644 textured 8×8 polygons/sec (302 parallel cycles per polygon)[96]]
  25. ↑ [57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec, 147 textured 504×255 polygons/sec (387,137 parallel cycles per polygon), 87,841 textured 10×10 polygons/sec (652 parallel cycles per polygon)[96][97] 57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec, 147 textured 504×255 polygons/sec (387,137 parallel cycles per polygon), 87,841 textured 10×10 polygons/sec (652 parallel cycles per polygon)[96][97]]
  26. ↑ [Flat shading: 16 cycles per polygon in 28.63636 MHz texture cache,[95] 1 cycle per pixel in 28.63636 MHz framebuffer Flat shading: 16 cycles per polygon in 28.63636 MHz texture cache,[95] 1 cycle per pixel in 28.63636 MHz framebuffer]
  27. ↑ [57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec, 248 cycles overhead per polygon (16 cycles command table fetch,[95] 232 cycles Gouraud shading),[96] 32 cycles drawing per 32-pixel polygon[97] 57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec, 248 cycles overhead per polygon (16 cycles command table fetch,[95] 232 cycles Gouraud shading),[96] 32 cycles drawing per 32-pixel polygon[97]]
  28. ↑ [57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec, 171 parallel cycles per polygon[96] 57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec, 171 parallel cycles per polygon[96]]
  29. ↑ [200,000 texture-mapped polygons/sec,[99][53] 57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec, 285 parallel cycles per polygon[96] 200,000 texture-mapped polygons/sec,[99][53] 57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec, 285 parallel cycles per polygon[96]]
  30. ↑ [57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec, 403 parallel cycles per polygon[96][97] 57.27272 million parallel bus cycles/sec, 403 parallel cycles per polygon[96][97]]
  31. ↑ [4 system cycles per per display pixel,[20] 8 VDP2 memory cycles per lo-res display pixel, 4 VDP2 memory cycles per hi-res display pixel,[100] VDP2 memory clock twice as high as system clock, 16-bit access per memory cycle[101] 4 system cycles per per display pixel,[20] 8 VDP2 memory cycles per lo-res display pixel, 4 VDP2 memory cycles per hi-res display pixel,[100] VDP2 memory clock twice as high as system clock, 16-bit access per memory cycle[101]]
  32. ↑ [2 memory cycles per pixel (8 memory cycles per 4 pixels)[100][117] 2 memory cycles per pixel (8 memory cycles per 4 pixels)[100][117]]
  33. ↑ [1 pixel per memory cycle (4 pixels per 4 memory cycles)[100][117] 1 pixel per memory cycle (4 pixels per 4 memory cycles)[100][117]]
  34. ↑ [2 pixels per memory cycle (4 pixels per 2 memory cycles)[100][117] 2 pixels per memory cycle (4 pixels per 2 memory cycles)[100][117]]
  35. ↑ [4 pixels per memory cycle[100][117] 4 pixels per memory cycle[100][117]]
  36. ↑ [2 memory cycles per pixel (8 memory cycles per 4 pixels)[100][117] 2 memory cycles per pixel (8 memory cycles per 4 pixels)[100][117]]
  37. ↑ [4096×4096 texel texture, 1024×1024 texel texture, 30 frames per second[118] 4096×4096 texel texture, 1024×1024 texel texture, 30 frames per second[118]]
  38. ↑ [1024×1024 to 2048×2048 pixel tilemaps 1024×1024 to 2048×2048 pixel tilemaps]
  39. ↑ [4x 128×128 tiles[109] 4x 128×128 tiles[109]]
  40. ↑ [2048×2048 to 4096×4096 texel textures 2048×2048 to 4096×4096 texel textures]
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 [32‑bit, 28.63636 MHz 32‑bit, 28.63636 MHz]
  42. ↑ [28.63636 MHz, 34 ns[120][121][122] 28.63636 MHz, 34 ns[120][121][122]]
  43. ↑ [22.222222 MHz, 45 ns cycles, 70 ns access[123][124][125] 22.222222 MHz, 45 ns cycles, 70 ns access[123][124][125]]
  44. ↑ [SDRAM, 80-bit SDRAM, 80-bit]
  45. ↑ [16‑bit, 28.63636 MHz, 34 ns[120][121][122] 16‑bit, 28.63636 MHz, 34 ns[120][121][122]]
  46. ↑ [32‑bit, 28.63636 MHz (2x 16-bit), 34 ns[126][122] 32‑bit, 28.63636 MHz (2x 16-bit), 34 ns[126][122]]
  47. ↑ [32‑bit (2x 16-bit), 57.27272 MHz, 17 ns,[126][122] 4 system cycles per per display pixel,[20] 8 VDP2 memory cycles per lo-res display pixel, 4 VDP2 memory cycles per hi-res display pixel,[100] VDP2 memory clock twice as high as system clock, 16-bit access per memory cycle[101] 32‑bit (2x 16-bit), 57.27272 MHz, 17 ns,[126][122] 4 system cycles per per display pixel,[20] 8 VDP2 memory cycles per lo-res display pixel, 4 VDP2 memory cycles per hi-res display pixel,[100] VDP2 memory clock twice as high as system clock, 16-bit access per memory cycle[101]]
  48. ↑ [17 MB textures (4096×4096 and 1024×1024 texels, 8-bit palettes) compressed in 512 KB VDP2 memory 17 MB textures (4096×4096 and 1024×1024 texels, 8-bit palettes) compressed in 512 KB VDP2 memory]
  49. ↑ [FPM DRAM, 16‑bit, 20 MHz, 50 ns cycles, 70 ns access[127][128] FPM DRAM, 16‑bit, 20 MHz, 50 ns cycles, 70 ns access[127][128]]
  50. ↑ [FPM DRAM, 16‑bit, 20 MHz, 50 ns cycles, 80 ns access[129][125] FPM DRAM, 16‑bit, 20 MHz, 50 ns cycles, 80 ns access[129][125]]
  51. ↑ NVRAM, 8‑bit, 10 MHz, 100 ns[130][131]
  52. ↑ MROM/EPROM, 16‑bit, 10 MHz[37][132]
  53. ↑ [FPM DRAM, 16-bit, 22.222222 MHz, 45 ns cycles, 70 ns access[133][134] FPM DRAM, 16-bit, 22.222222 MHz, 45 ns cycles, 70 ns access[133][134]]
  54. ↑ [FPM DRAM, 16-bit, 25 MHz, 40 ns cycles, 60 ns access[63][135][136] FPM DRAM, 16-bit, 25 MHz, 40 ns cycles, 60 ns access[63][135][136]]
  55. ↑ [2× SDRAM, 2× FPM DRAM 2× SDRAM, 2× FPM DRAM]
  56. ↑ [80-bit 80-bit]
  57. ↑ [16-bit, 28.63636 MHz 16-bit, 28.63636 MHz]
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 [SDRAM, 16-bit, 28.63636 MHz SDRAM, 16-bit, 28.63636 MHz]
  59. ↑ [2x SDRAM, 32-bit (2x 16-bit),[45] 57.27272 MHz (2x 28.63636 MHz), 4 system cycles per per display pixel,[20] 8 VDP2 memory cycles per lo-res display pixel, 4 VDP2 memory cycles per hi-res display pixel,[100] VDP2 memory clock twice as high as system clock, 16-bit access per memory cycle[101] 2x SDRAM, 32-bit (2x 16-bit),[45] 57.27272 MHz (2x 28.63636 MHz), 4 system cycles per per display pixel,[20] 8 VDP2 memory cycles per lo-res display pixel, 4 VDP2 memory cycles per hi-res display pixel,[100] VDP2 memory clock twice as high as system clock, 16-bit access per memory cycle[101]]
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 [FPM DRAM, 16-bit, 28.63636 MHz FPM DRAM, 16-bit, 28.63636 MHz]
  61. ↑ [7 buses, 144-bit bus width 7 buses, 144-bit bus width]
  62. ↑ [114.54544 MB/s SDRAM, 88.888888 MB/s FPM DRAM 114.54544 MB/s SDRAM, 88.888888 MB/s FPM DRAM]
  63. ↑ [8‑bit, 10 MHz 8‑bit, 10 MHz]
  64. ↑ [SDRAM, 4 buses, 80-bit bus width, 28.63636 MHz SDRAM, 4 buses, 80-bit bus width, 28.63636 MHz]
  65. ↑ [114.54544 MB/s framebuffers, 57.27272 MB/s texture cache, 48-bit bus width 114.54544 MB/s framebuffers, 57.27272 MB/s texture cache, 48-bit bus width]
  66. ↑ [32-bit bus width, 57.27272 MHz (2x 28.63636 MHz), 4 system cycles per per display pixel,[20] 8 VDP2 memory cycles per lo-res display pixel, 4 VDP2 memory cycles per hi-res display pixel,[100] VDP2 memory clock twice as high as system clock, 16-bit access per memory cycle[101] 32-bit bus width, 57.27272 MHz (2x 28.63636 MHz), 4 system cycles per per display pixel,[20] 8 VDP2 memory cycles per lo-res display pixel, 4 VDP2 memory cycles per hi-res display pixel,[100] VDP2 memory clock twice as high as system clock, 16-bit access per memory cycle[101]]
  67. ↑ [534.77376 megapixels/sec fillrate, 8-bit palettes 534.77376 megapixels/sec fillrate, 8-bit palettes]
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 [FPM DRAM, 16‑bit, 20 MHz FPM DRAM, 16‑bit, 20 MHz]
  69. ↑ [114.54544 MB/s per SH2 114.54544 MB/s per SH2]
  70. ↑ [32‑bit, 20 MHz 32‑bit, 20 MHz]
  71. ↑ [171.81816 MB/s for 3 buses, 114.54544 MB/s for 1 bus 171.81816 MB/s for 3 buses, 114.54544 MB/s for 1 bus]
  72. ↑ [2 MB/s RAM, 5 MB/s ROM 2 MB/s RAM, 5 MB/s ROM]
  73. ↑ [16‑bit, 11.29 MHz 16‑bit, 11.29 MHz]
  74. ↑ [24‑bit, 22.58 MHz 24‑bit, 22.58 MHz]
  75. ↑ [171.81816 MB/s VDP1, 114.54544 MB/s VDP2 color RAM cache 171.81816 MB/s VDP1, 114.54544 MB/s VDP2 color RAM cache]
  76. ↑ [16‑bit, 10 MHz 16‑bit, 10 MHz]
  77. ↑ [FPM DRAM, 16-bit, 22.222222 MHz FPM DRAM, 16-bit, 22.222222 MHz]
  78. ↑ [FPM DRAM, 16-bit, 25 MHz FPM DRAM, 16-bit, 25 MHz]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 File:CVG UK 164.pdf, page 7
  2. ↑ File:CVG UK 165.pdf, page 30
  3. ↑ File:AcaoGames BR 091.pdf, page 10
  4. ↑ File:VideoGame BR 54.pdf, page 36
  5. ↑ File:ConsolesMicro FR 01.pdf, page 13
  6. ↑ File:SegaMagazin DE 21.pdf, page 6
  7. ↑ File:HobbyConsolas ES 046.pdf, page 28
  8. ↑ File:HobbyConsolas ES 050.pdf, page 26
  9. ↑ History of the Sega Saturn/Decline and legacy
  10. ↑ File:SegaSaturn94JPCatalog.pdf
  11. ↑ File:Edge UK 024.pdf, page 9
  12. ↑ File:Hyper AU 003.pdf, page 8
  13. ↑ Technology That Defines the Next Generation: The Sega Saturn White Paper
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Sega Saturn 3D Capabilities
  15. ↑ File:SSM UK 24.pdf, page 25
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Pure Entertainment Interview
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Jason Gosling (Core Design) Interview (Edge)
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 File:Edge UK 030.pdf, page 99
  19. ↑ File:MAXIMUM UK 06.pdf, page 127
  20. ↑ 20.00 20.01 20.02 20.03 20.04 20.05 20.06 20.07 20.08 20.09 20.10 20.11 Sega Saturn hardware notes (2004-04-27)
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 File:Hitachi SuperH Programming Manual.pdf
  22. ↑ File:SH7604 Hardware Manual.pdf
  23. ↑ File:SH-2A.pdf, page 2
  24. ↑ SH7040, SH7041, SH7042, SH7043, SH7044, SH7045, Renesas
  25. ↑ File:Hitachi SuperH Programming Manual.pdf, page 390
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 File:SH7604 Hardware Manual.pdf, page 3
  27. ↑ File:SH7604 Hardware Manual.pdf, page 219
  28. ↑ 28.00 28.01 28.02 28.03 28.04 28.05 28.06 28.07 28.08 28.09 28.10 28.11 28.12 28.13 File:Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn (PAL) - 013-1 - June 1995.pdf
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 File:SH7604 Hardware Manual.pdf, page 22
  30. ↑ File:ST-103-R1-040194.pdf, page 23
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 File:SH7604 Hardware Manual.pdf, page 303
  32. ↑ File:Hitachi SuperH Programming Manual.pdf, page 31
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 File:Hitachi SuperH Programming Manual.pdf, page 155
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 34.5 34.6 34.7 File:ST-103-R1-040194.pdf
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 File:ST-097-R5-072694.pdf
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 File:ST-TECH.pdf, page 157
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 37.6 37.7 Sega Saturn (MAME)
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 File:HD40491 datasheet.pdf
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 File:Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn (PAL) - 013-1 - June 1995.pdf, page 12
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 File:ST-077-R2-052594.pdf
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 File:Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn (PAL) - 013-1 - June 1995.pdf, page 42
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Sega Saturn FAQ (January 8, 2000)
  43. ↑ Obsolete Microprocessors
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 44.4 File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 File:ST-058-R2-060194.pdf
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 46.4 46.5 46.6 46.7 File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 52
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 64
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 6
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 File:ST-058-R2-060194.pdf, page 24
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 STV VDP2 (MAME)
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 18
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 52.3 STV VDP1 (MAME)
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 53.3 53.4 53.5 53.6 File:NextGeneration US 24.pdf, page 64
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 File:SH7604 Hardware Manual.pdf, page 51
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 55.2 File:Hitachi SuperH Programming Manual.pdf, page 308
  56. ↑ File:SH7604 Hardware Manual.pdf, page 36
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 File:ST-240-A-SP1-052295.pdf, page 8
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 Design of Digital Systems and Devices (page 97)
  59. ↑ 3D Polygon Rendering Pipeline (page 50)
  60. ↑ File:ST-237-R1-051795.pdf, page 51
  61. ↑ Design of Digital Systems and Devices (page 95)
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 [Sega DTS, March 1996, DSP Demo Sega DTS, March 1996, DSP Demo]
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 File:13-APR-94.pdf, page 8
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 File:Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn (PAL) - 013-1 - June 1995.pdf, page 14
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 65.2 File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 40
  66. ↑ File:ST-103-R1-040194.pdf, page 17
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 File:ST-097-R5-072694.pdf, page 93
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 68.2 File:ST-TECH.pdf, page 149
  69. ↑ File:ST-TECH.pdf, page 152
  70. ↑ File:ST-103-R1-040194.pdf, page 25
  71. ↑ File:ST-TECH.pdf, page 163
  72. ↑ The State of Sega Saturn Homebrew
  73. ↑ File:Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn (PAL) - 013-1 - June 1995.pdf, page 34
  74. ↑ File:TUTORIAL.pdf, page 11
  75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 75.2 File:ST-TECH.pdf, page 147
  76. ↑ File:ST-TECH.pdf, page 135
  77. ↑ File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 34
  78. ↑ 78.0 78.1 78.2 78.3 File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 110
  79. ↑ File:ST-238-R1-051795.pdf
  80. ↑ 80.0 80.1 File:ST-238-R1-051795.pdf, page 232
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 41
  82. ↑ File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 24
  83. ↑ 83.0 83.1 File:ST-058-R2-060194.pdf, page 177
  84. ↑ File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 149
  85. ↑ Sega Saturn Tech Specs
  86. ↑ Sega System 24 Hardware Notes (2013-06-16)
  87. ↑ File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 119
  88. ↑ File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 29
  89. ↑ File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 81
  90. ↑ 90.0 90.1 File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 75
  91. ↑ File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 39
  92. ↑ File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 35
  93. ↑ File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 65
  94. ↑ File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 61
  95. ↑ 95.0 95.1 95.2 95.3 File:TUTORIAL.pdf, page 15
  96. ↑ 96.0 96.1 96.2 96.3 96.4 96.5 96.6 File:TUTORIAL.pdf, page 8
  97. ↑ 97.0 97.1 97.2 97.3 97.4 Saturn VDP1 hardware notes (2003-05-17)
  98. ↑ File:ST-013-R3-061694.pdf, page 44
  99. ↑ 99.0 99.1 File:SegaVisions US 24.pdf, page 14
  100. ↑ 100.0 100.1 100.2 100.3 100.4 100.5 100.6 100.7 100.8 File:ST-TECH.pdf, page 142
  101. ↑ 101.0 101.1 101.2 101.3 File:ST-058-R2-060194.pdf, page 162
  102. ↑ 102.0 102.1 File:Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn (PAL) - 013-1 - June 1995.pdf, page 38
  103. ↑ File:ST-058-R2-060194.pdf, page 163
  104. ↑ Sonic R
  105. ↑ 105.0 105.1 105.2 File:TUTORIAL.pdf, page 223
  106. ↑ 106.0 106.1 106.2 106.3 File:ST-TECH.pdf, page 165
  107. ↑ 107.0 107.1 [Mass Destruction, developer note Mass Destruction, developer note]
  108. ↑ 108.0 108.1 [Sega DTS, March 1996, Coefficient Table Madness Demo Sega DTS, March 1996, Coefficient Table Madness Demo]
  109. ↑ 109.0 109.1 109.2 File:ST-058-R2-060194.pdf, page 132
  110. ↑ 110.0 110.1 File:13-APR-94.pdf, page 12
  111. ↑ [Sega DTS, March 1996, Dual Rotating Background Demos Sega DTS, March 1996, Dual Rotating Background Demos]
  112. ↑ File:ST-058-R2-060194.pdf, page 23
  113. ↑ File:13-APR-94.pdf, page 28
  114. ↑ File:ST-058-R2-060194.pdf, page 54
  115. ↑ File:ST-058-R2-060194.pdf, page 79
  116. ↑ File:ST-058-R2-060194.pdf, page 360
  117. ↑ 117.0 117.1 117.2 117.3 117.4 File:ST-058-R2-060194.pdf, page 49
  118. ↑ Sega Saturn interesting finds
  119. ↑ File:ST-103-R1-040194.pdf, page 39
  120. ↑ 120.0 120.1 File:Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn (PAL) - 013-1 - June 1995.pdf, page 26
  121. ↑ 121.0 121.1 File:HM5241605 datasheet.pdf
  122. ↑ 122.0 122.1 122.2 122.3 File:UPD4504161 datasheet.pdf
  123. ↑ File:Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn (PAL) - 013-1 - June 1995.pdf, page 51
  124. ↑ File:TC514260B datasheet.pdf
  125. ↑ 125.0 125.1 File:HM514260 datasheet.pdf
  126. ↑ 126.0 126.1 File:Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn (PAL) - 013-1 - June 1995.pdf, page 37
  127. ↑ File:Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn (PAL) - 013-1 - June 1995.pdf, page 46
  128. ↑ File:HM514270D datasheet.pdf
  129. ↑ File:Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn (PAL) - 013-1 - June 1995.pdf, page 55
  130. ↑ File:Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn (PAL) - 013-1 - June 1995.pdf, page 32
  131. ↑ File:SRM20256L datasheet.pdf
  132. ↑ File:TC574200D datasheet.pdf
  133. ↑ 「セガサターン拡張RAMカートリッジ　回路図」
  134. ↑ File:HM514260C datasheet.pdf
  135. ↑ Sega Saturn Memory Cartridge Interface
  136. ↑ File:KM48C2100A datasheet.pdf
  137. ↑ File:SuperGamePower BR 019.pdf, page 10
  138. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 64
  139. ↑ GamePro, "June 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 22
  140. ↑ CD Consoles, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 89
  141. ↑ Hyper, "July 1995" (AU; 1995-xx-xx), page 11
  142. ↑ SuperGamePower, "Outubro 1995" (BR; 1995-xx-xx), page 20
  143. ↑ Video Game, "Outubro 1995" (BR; 1995-xx-xx), page 2
Sega Home Video Game Systems
83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
SG-1000 SG-1000 II Mega Drive Mega Drive II
SC-3000 Mega-CD Mega-CD II Genesis 3
Sega Mark III 32X Dreamcast
Master System Master System II
AI Computer Game Gear
Saturn
Pico Beena


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
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