Sega Saturn Netlink: What is it, how it works and some online matches

[SamuraiGamer21]

It's sad that the Saturn has better online than the Wii.

[TheCoolguywithshades]

wow... i thought the dreamcast was the first for online multiplayer.

[alec1382]

Actually, the spotter on Sega Rally is saying 'maybe'. I think this means that as far as "easy rights" go, this one is sharper than most.

[allboutk]

this video is a gift to the internet, thank you

[JerryTerrifying]

@allboutk I have a better version that's about 30 minutes long and more well put together. I'm working on an even better more concise version now that I've actually been dicking around with video editing lol. But thanks man I really appreciate that kind words and you're welcome . :D

[allboutk]

@JerryTerrifying Please leave this video up if you can as it shows the whole process of loading finding and starting a game, its very through and is like having your own saturn to play with. I like the fact you showed menus and gave a comentary when playing.

I look forward tot he shorter version, in the meantime have fun with saturn bomberman ;)

[donpalmera]

My takeaway from this is that electricity is very dangerous!

[TheContradictator]

Holy shit I'm in ohio too I need to play some games with you lol

[JerryTerrifying]

@TheContradictator Where at in Ohio? If neither of us have to pay long distance I'll netlink all the God damn time. I'm in Dayton.

[TheContradictator]

I don't wanna sound like a dumb fuck but could you play a ps2 game wwe smackdown 2006 online plz u probably know but some ps2 games have their own server

[TGsasuke5655]

oh that sounds safe here lets go on my sega satern give out my phone number and play video games with you

[JerryTerrifying]

@TGsasuke5655 What's unsafe about giving out a phone number? In 1997 it wasn't exactly easy to get a lot of information about people based on just a phone number. I've never, ever had a problem with netlinking.

[TGsasuke5655]

flash started in 96

[MrDavidtron7]

im getting one

[GAMERSHARK100]

LOL Old Xbox live dont work but this!! XD

[AydanWatkins]

FANTASTIC video dude! I'm a HUGE Saturn fan since way back in 95/96. The idea of playing "online" multiplayer with the Saturn is awesome. I live in the UK though so I have a few questions.

I use a UK PAL Saturn However I can run multi-region games and in 60hz so that's no issue running the US games, but would the netlink actually work in a pal saturn or is it US only?

Can you only ring US phone numbers or could US people ring a UK line and play across the water? dont think any UK people own 1

[JerryTerrifying]

@AydanWatkins You'd have to have two copies of the American games, two saturns capable of playing them(modded or imported), two Netlinks and a friend that's interested.

I can't imagine how expensive it would be to make an international call long enough to get in some Saturn gaming lol. But I don't know if the timing would be thrown off by the huge distance. When the Netlink starts to lag the game freezes up until the connection stabilizes so it might just be unplayably laggy.

[JerryTerrifying]

@AydanWatkins What you could do is build or buy a telephone simulator which is basically your own private two number phone line. So in effect it'd be a big bulky expensive System Link using the Netlink. Again the only Netlink playable games are US versions so you'd need US hardware or a saturn with a region switch in it.

If you used import Saturns you'd have to worry about the PAL/NTSC issues as well.

[abedjan]

I got one of those Netlinks and I would like to jump on a match with Duke Nukem... I got to test it out..thanks for the review

[SamuraiSam]

Awesome video! Long live the Saturn!

[hateWinVista]

I wonder whether the saturn network system still works or not?

[JerryTerrifying]

@hateWinVista You can still connect with other Netlinkers and play games. The Saturn zone website and server are long long long gone.

[lookatmeanimator]

@hateWinVista yeah? if you got a land line.

[JerryTerrifying]

@lookatmeanimator Yes if you have a landline you can still play the netlink games. It's peer to peer over analog phone lines. As long as two people have all the hardware, software and analog phone lines it will always work.

[JDOGFTW]

Jerry Terrifying got owned at the 50 min well worth the price of my 50 mins.

[JerryTerrifying]

@JDOGFTW I got my ass kicked at Sega Rally...bad. But I think I did ok at Virtual On and Saturn Bomberman.  That was my very first time playing Sega Rally at all...I don't do racing games as you can tell.

[Snotnarok]

Makes me wish Sega Channel worked still, le sigh.

[funvinny]

Anyone know about hooking up two saturns using the link cable, will i need netlink games to connect or are these things two totally separate things?

[ExtremeBogom]

Very very interesting. Thanks a lot for this!

[tigyi]

Vonage does work with Dial-up! - You can receive FAXES and Everything!... I knew there was a reason I didn't sell my Netlink... thinking of doing that simulator thing you were talking about! I love Exclamation Marks!!!!!!

[JerryTerrifying]

@tigyi don't be heart broken if Vonage doesn't work. The Netlink needs precise timing to work where as a fax doesn't. The netlink might work over smaller distances but maybe not a coast to coast call. So it's worth a shot and just might work out for you...but don't be heartbroken if it doesn't work or lags out.

[RandomXv]

What is a good price for a sega saturn it looks bad ass.

[shinoco420]

It's not all digital lines, I have Brighthouse, check their website its all digital, and it works fine.

[JerryTerrifying]

@shinoco420 What kind of distances are you playing? I've heard that over short distances digital will work but lets say you're on the East coast playing someone on the West coast, would it work?

Either way an analog phone line is 100% effective. :D

[shinoco420]

I played Warp from Saturn league, so not exactly sure it was states away though. Also, I'd love to further test it if I could find someone further away.

[davidnabbit]

Sorry about the multiple comments. When I was trying to post, it didn't seem to be working. If you can figure out a way to delete the duplicates, go ahead.

[uberpubert69]

This is indeed very cool, but only 5 games supporting the thing isn't really something that makes me want to run out and buy one :P

[JerryTerrifying]

@uberpubert69 You can get a Netlink for around $5 for just the modem itself. I got mine factory sealed for $20 shipped. It's not an expensive scene to get into. :D

[uberpubert69]

@JerryTerrifying Oh, damn..... I might have to just get myself one then >:D

[wip3outguy7]

I bought my 2nd Netlink game yesterday - Sega Rally Championship: Netlink Edition. I have owned Duke Nukem 3D for years. I'm going to start hunting for a cheap Netlink and Virtual On: Netlink.

Surprisingly, the Netlink version of Sega Rally is fully compatible with the 3D analog controller. It is not compatible with the regular edition's game saves, however. So I have to first place the entire game again to unlock the Stratos. :(

[JerryTerrifying]

@wip3outguy7 You know someday you'll have to school my ass at some Virtual On. :D Just as expected my girlfriend was about ten million times better than I am at Sega Rally.

[davidnabbit]

Nice overview of the NetLink, although it could be about 1/2 hour shorter if you edited out the boring parts.

I bought Saturn Bomberman back in the day, and was intrigued by the idea of NetLink, but none of my friends had a Saturn, so I never got one. Now I have the added barrier of not having a landline. Still, it's cool that people are still playing games via NetLink.

[JerryTerrifying]

@davidnabbit The dirty secret of my videos is I never do any editing. Ever. :D so I didn't know that would happen during the Duke Nukem match. I would have liked that bit to be shorter though.

[davidnabbit]

Nice overview of the NetLink, although it could be about 1/2 hour shorter if you edited out the boring parts.

I bought Saturn Bomberman back in the day, and was intrigued by the idea of NetLink, but none of my friends had a Saturn, so I never got one. Now I have the added barrier of not having a landline. Still, it's cool that people are still playing games via NetLink.

[MaikBey]

hi, very nice video, watched the whole 1 hour :-D

are there still people who play that online? And does netlink find player automaticly?

[JerryTerrifying]

@MaikBey You have to know the other persons phone number. So when I set those matches up I sent my internet friend an email and we set up a time when we'd both be free...then both bot on AIM so I could go into wait mode and tell him I was ready to be dialed.

[MaikBey]

@JerryTerrifying oh i see, thanks for the answer

[DeathAdder83]

I love your love for Sega........fuck Nintendo, Nintendo is for queers and women! Nah Nintendo is okay...but my alliances will always lie with Sega. Great video man, any spoilers on who you'll have on the next Mondo Cool Cast?

[JerryTerrifying]

@DeathAdder83 Hell yeah that's cool you're down with Sega. I'm way late to the Sega party but now that I'm here I'm loving it!

Next guest will be MN12Bird. :D

[bmwlova3]

this is an hour!

[JerryTerrifying]

@bmwlova3 Fuck yeah it's an hour! And hour of FUCKING RADICAL.

[xboxmodder02]

I have an ISO of the netlink version of Daytona i got the complete USA saturn set from the Pleasuredome torrent tracker.Let me know if you want a copy of it.

[MN12BIRD]

Great video I especially loved watching Duke Nukem 3D. Hey can't you dial something in with the phone number to disable call waiting on a call?

[JerryTerrifying]

@MN12BIRD Hmm! That's something I'll have to run by him. I don't have fancy things like call waiting on my land line. I'll ask the dude I played about it and maybe do a little googling.

[dommiesan]

I thought the Atari GameLine for the 2600 supported some multiplayer. The Xband for the SNES and Genesis definitely supported online play as well. Not sure if they were officially supported though. They weren't built by Nintendo or Sega, but they were commercially available for sure.

But the Japanese Famicom definitely had a satellite modem available in Japan only that was an official Nintendo product. Not sure if you could play multiplayer on it though.

[JerryTerrifying]

@dommiesan GameLine was a download service only. Intellivision had a download service like that too and was the first console to go online. Satelleview only worked for two hours a day while the satelite was over Japan and was a download service only. You're forgetting Sega Channel...another download only service. Xband modems were not supported by Nintendo or Sega. Sega did however partner with Xband to make the Netlink and officially supported it...whcih is why it's built into the games.

[911BONEZ]

@JerryTerrifying The Intellivision was online? What was that service called, and how did people access it?

[JerryTerrifying]

@911BONEZ It had a modem that plugged in to the cart slot...you could just download games. Kind of like Sega Channel.

[GameStarUK06]

Awesome vid man! I really wish the Sega Saturn Netlink came out over here in the UK, I'd love to try out saturn bomberman online with someone.

[underpathunderpath]

I hate to say this, but Sega Saturn is the only mainstream console that I have never TOUCHED. The closest I got was VF2 via emulation and that sucked the big fat one.  I should buy one. This thing looks so cool.

[nensondubois]

Epic video.

[sinistermoon]

EASY LEFT! EASY RIGHT!

Way awesome video man. Usually long videos on youtube don't hold my interest, but this one for sure did. Loved seeing the games in action. I really want one of those Sega keyboards!

[KieranD212]

Saturn Bomberman is awesome its supposed to be the best bomberman i certainly think it is

its kinda expensive over here though

cool netlink videos i remember when you did the older videos on it

[supersonictomlad]

amazing. well done jerry!

[kubevubin]

Kicks are severely underrated. I never really got into Duke Nukem 3D, but I loved using the kick in Return to Castle Wolfenstein. It added a cool dimension to the game play, whether you were using it to jump kick people to death, open doors more quickly or add an extra hit in from time to time when I was attempting my knife-only run. XD

[kubevubin]

Cool video. I've never played a Virtual On game, but I think that I might buy one now. And no worries about the racing footage: I'm horrible at racing games, for the most part, especially Sega Rally. In fact, my experience with those games is limited to having purchased the games and played them for 1-2 minutes to make sure that the discs worked. XD

[vinnieblacklodge]

i played net link staurn bomberman at my friends house a ton one childhood winter, he also had duke nukem and those were the only 2 games . he dad ended up selling it because there were no games for it and they couldnt afford the hourly internet charges. though we did play warcraft2 online for days

[iglofiscj]

how can he upload an hour long video?

[vinnieblacklodge]

@iglofiscj have to become a member of youtube sometime b4 1997 however you accomplish it.

[NotPotter]

I've got the japanese daytona netlink game, if that'd work for you, you're welcome to it..

[DragonHunterG]

lol i had a rough time during duke nukem too. good idea turned out very bad. i thought we needed a little company to spice things up in dukematch, but wow. so much fun though! love all the netlink games :D

[wip3outguy7]

@DragonHunterG Did you record some of this, too?

[DragonHunterG]

@wip3outguy7 nah, didnt record anything. only playing a few games with jerry :) if you ever want to play, just let me know.

[youtubasoarus]

Pretty awesome stuff.

[deathmetal925]

More videos like this please. Learning about older systems like this really spark my interests. I was all about the Game Gear when I was younger :)

[mjdoomreviews]

You should get an analogue controller it makes almost every game it uses better.

[JerryTerrifying]

@mjdoomreviews I acutally have one but only use it with NiGHTS. I just don't really care for it.

[wip3outguy7]

This is an epic, epic, epic video. Easily the best netlink video on the web. You pulled out all the stops on this one. Thumbs up and fave'd.

GET HYPE! Jerry wrecked some shit in Virtual On!

God I wish Saturn Bomberman wasn't so pricey.

I definitely need to get a netlink and some games so I can tag along.

[JerryTerrifying]

@wip3outguy7 Yeah man its hard to get people to make the plunge into netlinking. The most expensive part is definitely the games ( and the long distance lol). But you could really fuck shit up in Virtual On based on what I've seen in your videos. None of us would stand a chance!

[dde12321]

lol

Xband = Xbox

[Leethellama]

Oh and fucking great video man I love videos like this.

[Leethellama]

How can it find a modem like that??? thats crazy how is that posible it would have no idea where to find the number it would have to search the whole country!

[kubevubin]

@Leethellama - It's just dialing the other person's phone number. It's handled just like a phone call.

[MaximumRD]

Kick ass video man! Very cool your playing online!

[strictlysega]

fantastic video mate,,, i really want that keyboard... btw,, Daytona championship circuit edition was the really rare game yeh?..i heard its the most rare game on the Saturn..would be great if Sega took advantage of the comm port on the back aye?

[JerryTerrifying]

@strictlysega There's a few Japanese games that use the Comm port for system link. Also the rare floppy disc drive uses the comm port. But yeah it would have been nice if the netlink games supported the comm port as well.

I don't know what shipping would cost but there's a seller on ebay that's got a ton of thsoe keyboards and is selling them for $20 bucks. I'd get one now while he's still got them. It's a very nice and clicky keyboard if you like that kinda thing :D

[thejimmysmit]

I had no idea they had chat rooms set up to facilitate matches, that's really awesome. I'm going to keep my eyes out for a cheap NetLink.

[JerryTerrifying]

@thejimmysmit Yeah it really must have been amazing back in 1997 when it first rolled out. I wish I was aware of this stuff back then!

[deathmetal925]

Pretty awesome! Very informative.

[JerryTerrifying]

@deathmetal925 thanks :D