Let’s be honest — retro video game accessories are a mixed bag. Take the NES Power Glove, for example. It looked futuristic in the commercials, promised to “bring games to life,” and became a pop culture icon. But in reality? Most of us couldn’t get it to work — and our parents weren’t buying one anyway.
While the Power Glove was more style than substance, not all retro accessories were gimmicks. In fact, some became essential. For the Sega Saturn, a handful of powerful add-ons elevated the console far beyond its out-of-the-box experience.
Today, we're diving into the must-have Sega Saturn accessories every retro gamer should know about — from Saturn Backup Memory and Extended RAM cartridges to the GameShark, Action Replay Plus, the ST Key, and even the Light Gun.
The Table of Contents
What Do These Sega Saturn Accessories Do – and Why Do They Still Matter in 2025?
🎮 Saturn Backup Memory Cartridge
- Acts as a removable memory card, ideal for longer RPGs like Shining Force III.
- Offers 512KB of storage—16x more than the Saturn’s internal memory.
- Compatible with select games; others require copying from internal memory.
- Read up on how Shining Force III defined the Sega Saturn.
💾 Extended RAM Cartridges – 1MB & 4MB
- Boost Saturn’s working memory to enable arcade-perfect visuals.
- Required for games like X-Men vs. Street Fighter and Metal Slug.
- Enhances frame rate, animation, and load times in titles like Pocket Fighter.
- Japanese RAM cartridges were standalone; U.S. games bundled them in-box.
🧪 GameShark / Action Replay – Cheat Code Power
- Enables cheat codes, region-free gaming, and save backups.
- Also works as a memory card and lets you input custom GameShark codes.
- Browse codes at gamehacking.org.
🔁 Action Replay Plus – The Ultimate Saturn Cartridge
- Combines Backup Memory, RAM extension, GameShark, and region unlock.
- 4MB storage, plug-and-play simplicity, and no need for multiple accessories.
- Some models include a PC communication port for file transfer.
- See the 4-in-1 RAM Cart FAQ on IGN for technical details.
🏅 Honorable Mentions
ST Key
- Lets you play Japanese Saturn games on a U.S. system.
- Lacks RAM support, unlike the Action Replay Plus.
Sega Saturn Light Gun
- Only 8 NTSC Saturn games officially support the light gun.
- Check out our guide to the best Saturn light gun games.
- Perfect for retro CRT owners—don’t try this on your HDTV!
- Games like Revolution X and Scud: The Disposable Assassin offer nostalgic arcade thrills. Scud in particular, while flawed, has cult appeal:
- “Great comic books don't always make great video games” (GameSpot, 1997).
- Want to know why CRTs are essential for light guns? Read our Light Gun Technology Guide.
🕹️ The Retro Wrap-Up: The Best Sega Saturn Accessories 
The world of Sega Saturn accessories is a strange and wonderful place. If you grew up in the '90s like I did, you probably remember the NES Power Glove — a cool idea that rarely lived up to the hype. Thankfully, Saturn peripherals fared much better.
While not every Saturn add-on was a slam dunk, several became essential tools that truly elevated the experience.
From the Saturn Backup Memory and Extended RAM Cartridges to the ever-powerful Action Replay Plus and the nostalgic light gun, these accessories unlocked new features, improved game performance, and extended the life of the console.
Whether you're looking to revisit games like Shining Force III or dive into region-locked imports, having the right accessories transforms the Saturn from good to legendary. And if you’re ready to part ways with your collection, we make it easy.
Frequently Asked Questions – Sega Saturn Accessories & Compatibility
What is the Sega Saturn cartridge slot for?
- It's used for accessories like memory cartridges, RAM expansions, cheat devices, and region unlock tools.
Did Sega Saturn use memory cards?
- Yes. The Backup Memory Cartridge acted as a memory card for saving game progress.
Can I play Japanese games on my Sega Saturn?
- Only with a region-unlocking accessory like the ST Key or Action Replay Plus.
What is the Sega Saturn region free cartridge?
- It’s an accessory (like the ST Key or Action Replay Plus) that bypasses region lock to play import games.
What is the backup RAM for Sega Saturn?
- It's external storage used to save or transfer game save files beyond the system's internal memory.
What format are Sega Saturn games in?
- Saturn games come on CD-ROMs but may require cartridge-based RAM or region tools to run properly.
Was the Sega Saturn a flop?
- Commercially, yes. It struggled against the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 despite a solid game library.
- The answer to: Why did the Sega Saturn Fail - Despite a Strong Game Library?
