\ Segs ST-V System and Games FAQ /

\--------------------------------------------------/
\ Segs ST-V System and Games FAQ /
> by Chris Mullins, copyright 1999 <
/ VERSION 1.1a e-mail:[email protected] \
/ -------------------------------------------------\

Want to see my other FAQs I made? If so, then go here:
http://members.aol.com/CMull11217/private/index.htm

Last updated 11/17/99

This faq is made by Chris Mullins for reading to anyone
who wants to know about the Sega ST-V System, by Sega. Happy reading!

16 QUESTIONS INDEXED

Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

Game List

Market Prices
Phone Numbers
Past Updates
Coming Soon To My FAQ!

Frequently Asked Questions

----What is the SEGA ST-V system, and what are the specs for it?
The SEGA ST-V System(Sega TITAN in the US) is Sega's newest hardware for the
arcade. Capable of near-perfect Saturn conversions, this was Sega's machine for
the decade..:)
The board itself, is about as big as a CPS3 full kit board, and has
cartridges that plug into it(carts are encased in white). The carts are about the
size of a Sega Genesis cart that is wider.
There are specialty type games for this system, but EVERY game is low resolution,
meaning that you can run all of these on your Super Gun!
If anyone has the EXACT ST-V specs, please let me know. I'll credit you to the
fullest.

----What does the SEGA ST-V system set look like?
Well, imagine the Taito F3 system, combine it with the Neo-Geo, and this is what you
get. The carts are very small, yet hold a lot of megabits for the count. It is straight
JAMMA, meaning that you can play it on your Super Gun!

----How much does a SEGA ST-V system cost?
Well, since the Sega ST-V system has been defunct for about 8 months, the prices
have absolutely plummeted. The motherboards are about $250, and the carts are from $20-50.
US TITAN prices are not much more, as it has been dead in the US for years now.

----Is the SEGA ST-V JAMMA-compatible?
Yes, it is indeed JAMMA, and even with certain special hook-ups, you can play
any game on your Super Gun!

----Are the ST-V->Saturn conversions perfect, all the time?
Well, yes. ST-V to Saturn conversions are practically flawless, with winners
like Baku Baku Animal, Astra Superstars, Batman Forever, Elandoree, etc. In fact,
Radiant Silvergun was originally made on the Saturn, then converted to the ST-V arcade
platform!!

----Are there any Third Party Game Manufacturers for the SEGA ST-V?
Yes, there are third party companies for the Sega ST-V, but only one
American company released an arcade ST-V game(Acclaim released Batman Forever,
to HORRID sales). Sega, Compile, and Treasure did the rest, practically.

----How do I design a game for the SEGA ST-V?
Whoa, whoa, settle down! Remember, this is a topic, which has a
lot more to it than the space I've devoted here on it. I'll give you the
rundown on the sequence of events, in order to program a game for the
ST-V:
1. Get a developers' kit from Sega, so you have the exact programs and
tools that Sega uses themselves to make games for the ST-V(This
step can be sidestepped, but making a game compatible with the ST-V later
can be quite a hassle). Make sure you have an EXTREMELY powerful computer,
or even trying to program a ST-V game will be futile.
2. Now, get some developers' programs, load your computer up with RAM,
and get a very good graphics card. Also, start learning to program in C
(ANSI C, or Objective C), because you'll have to program the game this way(maybe
Assembly code?).
3. Get an EPROM burner, which programs the ROMs needed for an ST-V cart.
You'll have to use a better, more finished ROM for the finished product,
and construct a cartridge.
4. Playtesting. You have to playtest this game for bugs, and to test
certain spots in a game, a LOT! But, if you need to test something that's
far in the game, that's what codes are for, to get there in a flash(they are
programmed in the game). Afterwards, you're almost done, but you may need to
do a couple more steps.
5. Design the artwork for the game. Make sure that it looks professional.
This is very important, as good artwork complements a good game, but bad
artwork will make a good game look bad.
6. The final step, is to either send the EPROM to Sega, and they may buy
the rights to the game(for some good money), or you can pay the licensing
fee, and make ST-V Carts as a company. But, the licensing fee will
run, on an average, over $500,000, so for most people, that is not a feasible
option anymore.
Hope this helps, if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me,
I know some more about the subject, and I can share that with you, if you're
interested.

----How do I play the SEGA ST-V setup on my TV?
You need a machine called the Super NOVA(Super Gun), which is an RGB->NTSC
converter, and JAMMA harness all in one! You get 2 heavy duty joysticks with it as well!
It comes with also the extra button wiring(if you don't have one, ask [email protected]
for one, he has many of them).
How do you get one of these? Well, for $295, you can get one from MAS Systems
(the innovator of the Super Gun), at (714)831-5760. And sorry, you can't get a cheaper
model in the U.S.A. :( I'd advise you to get an S-Video capable TV, otherwise your arcade
games will look like shit(yes, making it composite will make it look like pure dog poop.
Trust me on that one.

----Why can't I find my favorite SEGA ST-V kit?
Most arcade vendors still don't want to take a chance on getting a ST-V kit,
but there are some places that do have them in stock. Look below for places, or ask
on the newsgroups throughout the internet, and try to make good contacts. They will
most likely get the items you need.
Getting cartridges is harder, rather because distributors want to sell kits,
to get rid of motherboards, and selling just the carts do not sell motherboards. ;(
It would be easier to buy Japanese stuff, as in the US, only 6 games were released.

----I bought BATMAN FOREVER, but it's not an ST-V cart?!
Well, that is the ONLY game on Sega ST-V that is a PC Board, NOT a cart.
It attaches onto the ST'V motherboard, but it is NOT a cartridge.

----How come my SEGA ST-V games don't work?
Well, you have to clean the games! I can speak from experience, and
carts can get very dirty, and cleaning them shows you how much dirt
there is on them. You take a solution of Isopropyl Alcohol and
water, and clean the contacts with a Q-Tip. Also, if you just yank out
the games instead of taking them out carefully, contacts, over time,
will partly come off. So treat your carts well, and they will last a long time!
Or, you could have pushed the cartridge too far in, which
will make games screw up. Put the carts in ALMOST all the way, and push
them back up a LITTLE bit to make them work. Always put the cartridge in, game logo in
front, or else you may mess up the system contacts.
Also, maybe the monitor you're using is not set for the right resolution, either
15 KHz, or 24 KHz....where applicable, of course...:)
And, always check your power supply, and other connections. If that
doesn't work, return to your arcade distributor or Sega for repair.

----What's the current status of the SEGA ST-V?
The current status of the ST-V is dead. Deader than a doornail. Capcom
was thinking of making one more ST-V game, but canceled the idea after they wanted
to do it on the NAOMI instead. But, you can get ST-V games for a song now, so buy
now, and buy heartily! :)

----I want to get a SEGA ST-V system(Arcade machine or Super Gun->ST-V board),
but where, or how do I go about finding one?
That's a tough call. First, decide if you have enough money
($3500 or so for a new SEGA ST-V with a 50" monitor), and the space
to hold a big arcade machine. If not, you can purchase a Super Gun
system from MAS Systems, and attach a ST-V board to it, in order to play
ST-V carts on your TV(costs $1000+ for the package).
If you want the Super Gun package, you can find it pretty
easily. You call up MAS Systems, order the Super Gun, then you buy an
ST-V board and cartridges from the places listed below. But, if you want
an arcade machine for ST-V games, that's another matter......
Call up all the "Amusement Machines" dealers in the phone book
in your area, and ask them these questions:
1. Ask if there are any arcade auctions in the area.
2. See if there are any machines for sale at the dealer.
3. Ask if any other dealers in your area might have what you're
looking for.
Then, you can check out the dealers(including the ones I listed
below, and across the internet), and see if buying used, or buying
one new makes sense.
But, shipping is the most important deal, when it comes to
purchasing an arcade machine. And, it's not cheap, not at all.
Even if you buy one locally, you need to find a way to pick it up, and deliver
it safely to your destination. If you buy one from a dealer that's more than 100 or
so miles away, the most(seemingly)effective way of shipping is by freight truck.
Well, that adds about 2 weeks to your delivery time, and costs about $250 or so to
ship. It costs money to actually get the machine, you know.
So, you can make the most cost-effective decision that way, by knowing
about your choices, and making the right one. But, please remember, that
a video game is JUST a video game.....

----Aw come on! I want cheap Japanese boards in my arcades! It'll save me money....
I'm sure it will save you money too. But, the reason why it is comprehended as
copyright infringement, is that it's taking away from Sega of America's sales,
and giving some to the Japanese, which is something that Sega doesn't like. Also, who
wants to see Japanese kanji in an American arcade, when 95% of the population has no
Japanese learning experience whatsoever?
Some places it is allowed, when Japanese majority is over 75% of a certain place.
But when you get Japanese boards, Sega of America REFUSES to service them, so
there's another reason to get U.S.A. boards. If you're a collector, then Japanese or Asian
boards are right for you. But, U.S.A. boards are worth the extra money, as they are easily
serviceable, don't depreciate as much, and are more lucrative as a whole. Perfect for the
arcade, and for distinguished collectors. Sure, Japanese and Asian boards work on the
motherboards(or US games on Japanese boards, I think), but get US stuff, if you can.

----I'm tired of my SEGA ST-V Cart. Where do I sell it?
Well, I'm assuming that you don't know anyone else with
the SEGA NAOMI system. What you do, is follow this
checklist below:
1. Make sure that you WANT to sell the game(s) in question.
2. Try to determine a good market value for your game, by
checking out the various newsgroups associated with this(rec.games-
video.marketplace comes to mind), and go from there.
3. Put Ads over the internet, telling how good of condition
it is in, the price, does it come w/ box or instructions, and other
general info that the people may need to make a judgment on the
game.
4. Contact me! Depending on the game, I'll pay a good price
for the SEGA ST-V game. Just ask!

That should be enough to get you on your way to selling
games over the internet.

----Can I Contact SEGA?
Of course you can, below are the respective addresses for inquiry to
SEGA's PCBs and inquiries to other Sega-made products.

Sega of America, Inc.
P.O. Box 7654
San Francisco, CA 94129-7654

Game List
This is a list of all the SEGA ST-V games out now, or are coming out soon.
Beside them, are ratings for the games...all names in JAPANESE.

42 Separate Games Indexed
Rating(1 worst-10 best)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Japan Pro Wrestling featuring VIRTUA 5 (okay wrestling game)
Astra Superstars 9 (excellent fighter, sequel to Waku Waku 7)
Baku Baku Animal 7 (good puzzler)
Batman Forever 4 (poor American only side-scroller)
Columns '97 6 (okay rendition of Columns)
Cotton 2 7 (good shooter)
Cotton Boomerang 9 (excellent rendition of the above)
Dead or Alive ++ 8 (Tecmo's wonderful fighter)
Decathlete 4 (first-gen ST-V game)
Dynamite Deka 6 (plays sloppily, graphics good)
Ejihon Detective Agency 6 (decent Quiz game)
Elandoree 9 (last fighter, and best fighter)
Final Arch 8 (surprisingly good baseball game)
Final Fight Revenge 10 (the LAST ST-V game, by Capcom, great 3D fighter)
Find Love 7 (nice looking girls...:))
Funky Head Boxers 4 (poor boxing sim)
Golden Axe: The Duel 7 (first-gen game not bad at all)
Groove On Fight! 8 (good fighter, cheap)
Guardian Force 8 (good shooter)
Karaoke Quiz Intro: DONDON! 7 (Karaoke game, first of its kind)
Let's Play Othello 9 (GREAT Othello conversion)
Maruchan de Guu! 5 (mundane Anime-based game)
Mausuka's Ojamazawarudo 6 (I give up, it looks okay at least??)
Pebble Beach: The Great Shot 7 (pretty good golf game)
Princess Kurara Daisakusen 7 (pretty good looking girls as well :))
Pro Mahjong Extreme S 6 (Mahjong, serious style)
Puyo Puyo Sun 9 (GREAT puzzle game)
Radiant Silvergun 10 (damn good shooter)
Sakura Wars Hanagumi Taisen Columns 7 (good rendition of Columns)
Sandoaaru 6 (graphics okay on this multi-genre title)
Sea Bass Fishing 4 (poor fishing game)
Shanghai 9 (GREAT Shanghai rendition, too expensive)
Shienryu 6 (okay shooter)
Soukyugurentai 8 (pretty good shooter)
Suikoenbu 4 (a fighter that doesn't get my respect)
Taisen Tantoaaru Sashissu 7 (multi-genre game)
Virtua Fighter Kids 5 (I don't like SD games, this is poor)
Virtua Fighter Remix 6 (not needed on this platform)
Virtual Mahjong 4 (old Mahjong)
Virtual Mahjong 2: My Fair Lady 9 (very well done, classy Mahjong)
Winter Heat 5 (okay winter sports game)
World Soccer '98 9 (GREAT soccer game)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese-American Name Translations: following, are translations to American, if
there is an AMERICAN release, if not, it's JAPANESE only)

Batman Forever is AMERICAN only.
Dynamite Deka=Die Hard Arcade
Final Arch=Super Major League Baseball
Funky Head Boxers has the same name.
Virtua Fighter Kids has the same name.
Virtua Fighter Remix has the same name.
World Soccer '98 has the same name.

----------
Market Prices

This is an accurate listing of what SEGA ST-V Hardware and software run, pricewise I mean.

First price is BUY CART price, second is SELL CART USED price, third is SELL NEW price
(all PCB NAMES ARE IN AMERICAN.....if they are RELEASED in America)

SEGA ST-V Motherboard 100 150 249

All Japan Pro Wrestling featuring VIRTUA 10 25 50
Astra Superstars 40 80 90
Baku Baku Animal 20 40 55
Batman Forever 35 60 80
Columns '97 20 35 50
Cotton 2 15 25 35
Cotton Boomerang 65 100 125
Dead or Alive ++ 50 75 105
Decathlete 5 15 25
Die Hard Arcade 15 25 40
Ejihon Detective Agency 25 50 70
Elandoree 50 80 105
Find Love 15 25 40
Final Fight Revenge 450 799 1099
Funky Head Boxers 10 15 25
Golden Axe: The Duel 5 15 25
Groove On Fight! 10 20 30
Guardian Force 25 50 70
Karaoke Quiz Intro: DONDON! 20 40 60
Let's Play Othello 90 140 185
Maruchan de Guu! 35 60 80
Mausuka's Ojamazawarudo 20 50 70
Pebble Beach: The Great Shot 5 15 25
Princess Kurara Daisakusen 15 25 40
Pro Mahjong Extreme S 35 55 80
Puyo Puyo Sun 20 40 55
Radiant Silvergun 40 65 90
Sakura Wars Hanagumi Taisen Columns 15 30 45
Sandoaaru 25 50 80
Sea Bass Fishing 10 25 35
Shanghai 100 165 200
Shienryu 10 35 50
Soukyugurentai 15 35 50
Suikoenbu 5 15 25
Super Major League Baseball 5 20 30
Taisen Tantoaaru Sashissu 20 45 70
Virtua Fighter Kids 5 10 15
Virtua Fighter Remix 5 10 15
Virtual Mahjong 25 40 50
Virtual Mahjong 2: My Fair Lady 60 95 140
Winter Heat 15 45 60
World Soccer '98 65 90 165
------------
Phone Numbers

These are all retailers that should carry the SEGA ST-V system, or has at
one time carried it. Please enjoy!
You can ask SEGA of a list of arcade distributors that carry SEGA ST-V products,
which is recommended.

50th State Coin-op:(800)424-5050 (doesn't have a good selection at all)"www.gamegod.com"
Automaticos Valls:(34)96-291-7026 (this place in Spain has got the goods)"www.automaticosvalls.com"
Bondeal: no phone # (a great source for arcade stuff)"www.bondeal.com.hk"
Bumper:(61)3-9696-9690 (Australia's best Source)"www.bumper.com.au"
Coinop International:(612)321-9632 (very good source of stuff, great to deal with)"www.coinopintl.com"
Cosmic Amusements: (852)2388-2101 (lackluster source)"home.netvigator.com/~cosmicco"
Creideas: no phone # (great foreign source for equipment)"www.vnet.es/creideas"
Fuuki: no phone # (excellent Japanese Source)"www.mediawars.or.jp/~fuukico/"
Game City:(626)573-3832 (has boards and other video games)"www.gamescity.com"
Great Western Trading:(541)726-1813 (has some boards)"www.gwtrading.com"
Hugo Neumann:(800)998-4846 (good, but high priced carts sometimes)
Kimble:(353)42-36574 (Ireland's finest supplier of arcade equipment)"www.kimble.ie"
MAS Systems:(714)831-5760 (accessories, and the Super NOVA dealer!)"www.massystems.com"
Midwest Amusements:(847)364-7722 (has some carts, a couple rare ones)"www.midwestamusement.com"
MHP Ent. Ltd.:(44)125-45-6029 (another source in the UK, call for info)"www.mhpuk.mcmail.com"
Mondial Group:(914)738-7411 (is a little high in the price department)"www.mondialgroup.com"
Outer Limits Amusements:(800)474-2637 (has some decent stuff, nothing special)"www.outerlimitsgames.com"
Rent-A-Game:(416)650-3718 (Canadian supplier of units)"www.rent-a-game.com"
Sage Electronik AG:(41)61-691-1555 (Swiss dealer)"www.sage-ag.ch"
State Sales and Coin:(410)646-4100 (boards, complete machines)"www.sscoin.com"
Tuning:(49)89-311073 (Germany's source of good boards, quality, and sometimes high priced)"www.tuning.com/english"
Video Connection:(800)444-6854 (everything, board prices are good)"www.videoconnect.com"

Past Updates

v.1.0-1.0a: This is the first iteration of my SEGA ST-V FAQ! (6/18/99)
v.1.1-1.1a: More questions added as I get the system!(current)

Coming Soon to my FAQ!

v.1.2: More questions added.

THIS FAQ IS NOT ENDORSED OR MADE BY SEGA!!!!!!

I would wish to thank MAS Systems, Steve Eisner, and Chris Ray.
Any comments or questions about this FAQ and the SEGA ST-V? E-mail me at
[email protected]. Happy gaming!

|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
<Copyrighted 1997, 1998, 1999 by Chris Mullins, all rights reserved. Any republication of>
<this material, without written consent from myself(Chris Mullins), and credit to myself,>
<will be subject to fines and/or sentencing due to plagiarism. >
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

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