Sega Saturn Modem

Sega Saturn Modem
Made for: Sega Saturn
Manufacturer: Sega
Release Date RRP Code JP 1996-07-27 ¥14,800 (15,244)14,800e HSS-0127

The Sega Saturn Modem (セガサターンモデム) is a modem attachment for the Sega Saturn which allows the system to connect to the internet. It was only released in Japan, with its North American, equivalent being the NetLink Internet Modem.

Hardware

The Sega Saturn Modem is a grey 14.4kbps modem designed to be placed in the Saturn's cartridge port, and is built upon the XBAND technology used for North American Sega Mega Drives (Genesis). It was originally bundled with Sega Saturn Internet Vol. 1 (software that allows access to the world wide web and email), the SegaNet version of Virtua Fighter Remix (not sold separately) and Pad Nifty. Later it was released with Sega Saturn Internet 2 and the SegaNet version of Virtua Fighter Remix and Decathlete. The latter version is extremely rare.

In order to use the device with games, users were forced to purchase "Sega Saturn Media Cards" (セガサターン メディアカード) for ¥2,000 each. Much like telephone cards, these allowed the user to connect to Sega's online network and play against other users for a specified amount of time. Cards are inserted into the modem from the side - a similar system may have been planned for the Genesis in North America (as a card slot exists), but instead users were offered monthly subscriptions through the phone line.

Compatible games

There are more Japanese games which make use of the peripheral than US games using NetLink. Games that support it sport a "SegaSaturn Networks" logo on the box.

• Daytona USA Circuit Edition
• Decathlete
• Dennou Senki Virtual-On
• Dennou Senki Virtual-On Media Card Pack
• Habitat II
• Pad Nifty
• Pad Nifty 1.1 & Habitat II
• Puyo Puyo Sun
• Puzzle Bobble 3
• Saturn Bomberman
• Sega Rally Championship Plus
• Sega Saturn Internet 2
• Sega Saturn Internet Vol. 1
• Sega Worldwide Soccer '98
• Shadows of the Tusk
• Special Disc with Sega Saturn Internet 2
• Virtua Fighter Remix

Photo gallery

• 

  Back of unit

Media Cards

• 

  Sega Rally Championship (1) (front)

• 

  Sega Rally Championship (1) (back)

• 

  Sega Rally Championship (2) (front)

• 

  Sega Rally Championship (2) (back)

• 

  Virtua Fighter 2 (1) (front)

• 

  Virtua Fighter 2 (1) (back)

• 

  Virtua Fighter 2 (2) (front)

• 

  Virtua Fighter 2 (2) (back)

Promotional material

Print advert in Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) #1996-13: "1996-13 (1996-08-09)" (1996-07-26)

Physical scans

Saturn, JP (1)
Cover
Modem Internet Vol. 1 Virtua Fighter Remix Pad Nifty

Saturn, JP (2)
Cover
Modem Internet 2 Virtua Fighter Remix Decathlete