Sega Saturn consoles

There exist various Sega Saturn models, which differ from each other to varying degrees.

Perhaps the most well-known difference is that between “Model 1” and “Model 2” Saturns, which are easily distinguishable through the differing designs of their Power and Reset buttons—oval in the former, round in the latter—and also differ internally, chiefly in having different types of CD cable, which can complicate efforts to install a modchip. Moreover, within the broad categories of Model 1 or 2, several types of motherboard exist, with different arrangements of components and paths.

All Sega Saturns are either NTSC or PAL. Within these categories, US and Canadian (NTSC) Saturns are identical, as are European and Australian (PAL) models. There was no SECAM Saturn: the ‘SECAM’ models released in France were simply PAL models with a bundled PAL-to-SECAM converter.

The model number is printed on the information label on the rear of the console.

Japan

Grey Japanese Saturn

The original Japanese Saturn model is grey in color—excepting the cartridge slot flap and the front, which are black—and came in a box labeled HST-0001. It has three blue buttons (Power, Open, and Reset), a drive access LED, and a non-notched power cord. Production was later ended in favor of the white Saturn.

Models:

• HST-3200: The earliest version with a VA0 motherboard. Power supply, power switch, reset switch and door switch are all mounted to the upper casing. Power and Access lights each have a pair of 2 leds.
• HST-3210: Power supply, power switch, reset switch and door switch are now mounted to the bottom casing. Power and Access lights each have 1 led. There are less vent holes on the bottom casing.

Box	Name	Date & Price	Console	Label	Hardware	Software	Documentation
	Sega Saturn			HST-0001		Control Pad
	Sega Saturn 1,000,000th Campaign Box			HST-0001		Control Pad	Virtua Fighter Remix
	Sega Saturn 1,000,000th Campaign Box			HST-0005		Control Pad	Virtua Fighter Remix	Manual
	Sega Saturn			HST-0004		Control Pad		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. The systems came packed with a matching white controller with multi-colored buttons, similar to a Super Famicom controller except only the bottom row buttons are colored: green, yellow, and blue respectively; the upper buttons are grey, as is the cartridge slot flap. Toys 'R' Us sold an exclusive white Saturn with a silhouette of Sonic printed on the drive lid.

Box	Name	Date & Price	Console	Label	Hardware	Software	Documentation
	Sega Saturn			HST-0014		Control Pad
	Sega Saturn			HST-0019		Control Pad
	Sega Saturn Bomberman Kit (サターンボンバーマンキット)			HST-0014		Control Pad'	Saturn Bomberman
	Sega Saturn Christmas Nights Campaign Box			HST-0017		Control Pad	Christmas Nights
	Sega Saturn Otoshidama Campaign Box			HST-0014		Control Pad
	Sega Saturn Sonic Toys 'R' Us			HST-0019		Control Pad

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. The exception is that both may have compatibility problems with the games Space Harrier, Metal Slug, and Outrun; however, some users have reported that their skeleton Saturn works with their copy of a particular game, so it may be that only certain consoles and/or games (or the combination thereof) were affected by this issue.

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.

Box	Name	Date & Price	Console	Label	Hardware	Software	Documentation
	Sega Saturn Skeleton (This is Cool) - 1998 Special Campaign Original			HST-0020		Control Pad
	Sega Saturn Skeleton (This is Cool)			HST-0021		Control Pad
	Sega Saturn Skeleton (Derby Stallion)			HST-0022		Control Pad

Hi-Saturn

Sega licensed the rights to produce Saturns to some of their hardware partners. One was Hitachi, who provided the CPUs and several other chips. The Hi-Saturn is yet another early style 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 an add-on LCD monitor for playing games on. The system is completely flat on top and lacks the bulge of the CD drive. The system also had a 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	Date & Price	Console	Label	Hardware	Software	Documentation
	Hi-Saturn			MMP-1		Control Pad
	Hi-Saturn - 1,000,000th Campaign Box			MMP-1		Control Pad	Virtua Fighter Remix
	GameNavi Hi-Saturn			MMP-1000NV		Control Pad
	Hi-Saturn			MMP-11		Control Pad
	Hi-Saturn Christmas Nights Campaign Box			MMP-11		Control Pad	Christmas Nights

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. The colors are different, as is the machine's circuitry, 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	Date & Price	Console	Label	Hardware	Software	Documentation
	V-Saturn			RG-JX1		Control Pad
	V-Saturn - 1,000,000th Campaign Box			RG-JX1		Control Pad	Virtua Fighter Remix
	V-Saturn			RG-JX1		Control Pad
	V-Saturn			RG-JX2		Control Pad
	V-Saturn Christmas Nights Campaign Box			RG-JX2		Control Pad	Christmas Nights
	V-Saturn Vatlva Special Pack			RG-JX2S		Control Pad	Vatlva