
Update [Mon 30th Sep, 2024 16:30 BST]: WeskMods is very close to finalising his unofficial Sega Saturn Slim modification.
The mod is described as "all but complete" and will offer support for the Fenrir internal ODE. It will also support the Satiator and Saroo, although the latter will require the cartridge slot to be repositioned, but this is now optional.
"The provisions for relocation still exist if you're up for the challenge, but if not, the cart port cover really adds to the design overall," says WeskMods.
"The icing on the cake is ArielAces working on super detailed decals and stickers for the final unit," he adds. "I should have all the parts for the final assembly in the coming weeks."
Original Story [Mon 16th Sep, 2024 16:30 BST]: We've already reported on WeskMod's generous donation of a SNES PlayStation 3D model to the community today, but the modder is back with what now ranks as our most desired piece of retro gaming hardware – the Sega Saturn Slim.
"I've spent the last 4 days or so working on a Sega Saturn "Slim" concept," he says. "Requires a VA-SG board, support for Saroo or Fenrir and won't require any board trimming! (removing the cart port for relocation will be challenge, though)."
This proposed mod removes the console's CD-ROM drive, giving you the option of either using a Fenrir ODE or opting for the Saroo cartridge, which allows you to load Saturn games using the cartridge slot.
"It's still early days, but early real-world fitment tests have me pretty confident that this shouldn't be much of a challenge to complete. Additional mounting and little things still need to be added (LED guides and other little finicky things)," adds WeskMods.
The modder has also shown off some alternative colour options for the concept:
It's already possible to buy modded Saturn consoles online that ditch the CD drive and reduce the height of the console, but these are often crudely finished off. We'd much prefer an elegant solution like this one.
[source x.com]
Comments 20
My God. It's majestic.
I'd prefer that Sega takes note of this and the demand and actually releases something like that themselves.
Instead re re re re re re re re re releasing the same tired megadrive games collection.
...like that will ever happen.
The Dreamcast enters the chat - "heyyyyyy baby, you're sexier than me!"
That is absolutely stunning.
The Saturn is probably the biggest hole in my retro gaming lineup. I'd love a good way to finally dip into that library.
Sega should be doing stuff like this. There's obviously a market
Is it an unpopular opinion that the Saturn was the better console between it and the Dreamcast?
Because I prefer it to the Dreamcast. Not that I don't love the Dreamcast. I just love the Saturn more for it's mid 90s Arcade goodness.
@Razieluigi
Get yourself a cheap Japanese Saturn
Kit it out with a Pico PSU and a Saroo, and youre good to go.
@PopetheRev28 I would pick the Dreamcast, but I totally get it. I feel like the Dreamcast was Sega at their creative peak, but there's no question the arcade conversions on Saturn are phenomenal, especially if you look into the Japanese library. That's the thing, too. You've got to import to get the most out of your Saturn. Less so with Dreamcast.
As for this thing, it is beautiful!
@PopetheRev28 I definitely enjoyed the Saturn more than the Dreamcast. Perhaps timing had something to do with that. There's no question the Dreamcast was more capable. Saturn had the better standard controller though. For me, it comes down to the kinds of games that were popular in the mid 1990s. When the Dreamcast came out, developers were looking to try new ideas and a lot of those weren't for me. I enjoyed the Dreamcast as well, but the library wasn't as much of what I wanted compared to the Saturn.
@PopetheRev28 The Dreamcast had more of a future going forward but the Saturn still felt like a retro games machine. The Dreamcast was the beginning of modern gaming so it doesn't interest me as much.
I would love to see new releases of old CD based consoles now that a lot of those old disc drives are going bad. Add some native HDMI support and it's a perfect solution for the modern retro gamer.
@slider1983 I think the XBOX is really when Modern gaming started. The Dreamcast still has a few tenants of Retro, amazing fighting games, racing games, Jet Set Radio it's a tad overrated but still an amazing console.
I'm completely against anything like this which results in standard consoles being gutted.
This Is not preserving the system. Just making it even rarer, more costly and ultimately more obscure.
@KitsuneNight I’m hoping for MORE new sonic games. I know I’ve missed a couple decent games, but I lost interest in Sonic after the Dreamcast. Luckily there’s a little hope in reviving some of the legacy games and yes, likely repackaging the Genesis games…I’d love some late arcade releases in a collection. Looking at some of the PS2 Japan exclusives, the Sega Ages games look really fun. They could clean some of those up and I’m interested.
beautiful work. it would be amazing to have this officially for sega and have panzer dragoon saga on it
I love how, when the same thing is made by a Western developer, it's "the thing you want most this year", but when the thing is already being done the same way by Chinese developers, it's "don't buy these!" https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/09/please-stop-buying-unofficial-saturn-mini-consoles . This is just as unofficial, and all of the same things apply to it, but now you want it? What's the difference?
@Blast16
I'd love to see the Sega ages 2500 line getting a western release.
Doubt that will ever happen though.
A Mini Saturn from Sega would be way more likely to happen.
@PopetheRev28 Dreamcast just felt a little too computer based for my liking. 🤷♂️
@akerasi Yep, I noticed! I think it's just ignorance.
@slider1983 It's really not though. I still had a non standard CPU, only a few games used that Windows SDK. It's just a really good Arcade to home console.
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