Long before the Dreamcast/PlayStation 2 era, folks were taking their consoles ‘online’ via XBAND, a modem cartridge peripheral released for the SEGA Genesis, Super Nintendo & SEGA Saturn, that allowed cross-country head-to-head matchups over telephone line! Today, folks have managed to get this service working again over the internet and are going head-to-head in 2 (and even 4) player match-ups!
Here is the story of how Joe (SEGA RPG Fan) got this working…
Here’s are some performance examples for this tunneling method:
Here’s a list of NetPlay compatible Saturn games:
- Daytona USA: Circuit Edition For Sega Networks (NTSC-J)
- Daytona USA C.C.E NetLink Edition (NTSC-U)
- Decathlete For Sega Networks (NTSC-J)
- Duke Nukem 3D (NTSC-U)
- Puyo Puyo Sun For Sega Networks (NTSC-J)
- Puzzle Bobble For Sega Networks (NTSC-J)
- Saturn Bomberman For Sega Networks (NTSC-J)
- Saturn Bomberman (NTSC-U)
- Sega Rally Championship Plus For Sega Networks (NTSC-J)
- Sega Rally Championship NetLink Edition (NTSC-U)
- Sega Worldwide Soccer ’98 For Sega Networks (NTSC-J)
- Shadows of the Tusk For Sega Networks (NTSC-J)
- Virtua Fighter Remix For Sega Networks (NTSC-J)
- Virtual On: Cyber Troopers For Sega Networks (NTSC-J)
- Virtual On: Cyber Troopers NetLink Edition (NTSC-U)
- Battle Cubes (XBand Performance Test Prototype)
Here’s the Basic Setup:
It’s actually pretty simple to play your Saturn online, as long as you have a few necessary things. Here’s a pictorial diagram to give you a good idea of what the entire setup looks like:
Before getting everything set up, make sure you have the following things:
- 1) A Saturn Console
- 2) A Way to Boot Backups
- 3) A Modem Cart
- 4) A USB Modem (with Line Voltage)
- 5) A Computer (with internet connection)
- 6) NetBand Software Package
1. SEGA Saturn Console
This the NetBand Tunnel is currently designed for use with REAL HARDWARE and assumes you have a working SEGA Saturn (emulators / MiSTer FPGA core are not supported at present).
2. A Method for Booting Backups (ISOs)
This method requires patched game images in order to work (so original retail game discs are NOT supported). You’ll need a way to boot backups on your SEGA Saturn. (NOTE: Since your Saturn’s cart slot will be occupied with the Modem Cart, Action Replay / Pseudo Saturn carts are out… Sorry.)
- A. Modchip + CD-R – Also known as a ‘hard-mod’, the Phantom Universal Modchip sits in-between the Saturn’s CD-ROM drive and the motherboard (internally), hijacking the boot process and satisfying the Saturn’s security check. This allows you to boot a patched game image burned to a standard CD-R. This is the cheapest option, if you are able to install it yourself. Installation Guide.
- B. Fenrir ODE – The Fenrir Optical Drive Emulator completely replaces your Saturn’s CD-ROM drive and boots all disc images off of an SD Card. This typically results in faster boot & load times and is completely solid-state, with no moving parts to wear out over time.
- C. MODE ODE – The MODE Optical Drive Emulator completely replaces your Saturn’s CD-ROM drive and boots all disc images off of an SD Card, USB Stick or SATA SSD. This typically results in faster boot & load times and is completely solid-state, with moving parts to wear out over time.
- D. Satiator – The Satiator is not really a ‘Drive Emulator’, but more or less a ‘Flash Cart’, as it leaves your Saturn’s CD-ROM drive completely intact. Rather than using the Saturn’s cartridge slot, like most Boot Carts, it opts for the VCD Card Slot, located in back behind the clock battery door. It takes control from the CD Block very early in the boot process, and boots all disc images off of an SD Card. This typically results in faster boot & load times and is completely solid-state, with moving parts to wear out over time. This is also the most expensive option of the bunch, at over $275 after taxes & shipping.
3. Saturn Modem Cart
The Saturn XBand Modem Cartridge came in two ‘flavors’… US & JP. Both work just fine, but you’ll need to have one or the other for online play, so grab a US NetLink Modem (Model #MK-80118 / Part #G2883) or the JP Sega Saturn Modem (Model #HSS-0127 / HSS-0148). Listings: eBay , Yahoo Auctions , Mercari , etc…
4. USB Voice Capable Modem (with Line Voltage)
Next, you’ll need a relatively cheap USB Voice Capable Modem (Conexant RD02-D400 or Zoom 3095). These come in many different casings, since several companies (DELL, Lenovo, StarTech, US Robotics, etc.) have rebadged and sold them under their various individual brands. eBay, Amazon, etc.
(NOTE: we cannot guarantee that any other USB modem will work in this setup).
You’ll also need phone line voltage to carry the data from the Saturn Modem Cart to the USB Modem. Luckily, you may be able to purchase (subject to availability) a ready-made “Dreamcast Live USB Modem” with line voltage built-in…
However, if you’re unable to acquire one of these, here’s a guide on how to create your own line voltage.
5. Computer Connected to Internet
Next you’ll need an internet-connected computer to run the NetBand Tunnel software. The NetBand Tunnel has been designed specifically for use with DreamPi, an easy and nearly plug-n-play solution that many folks already use to get their Dreamcast online. However, a standard Windows PC may also be used.
- A. DreamPi – DreamPi is based on a Raspberry Pi (a tiny Linux computer) and runs dedicated software for getting your Dreamcast (and now Saturn) online with ease. These can be purchased or you can build your own.
- B. Windows Computer – A Windows (7 or newer) Laptop or Desktop PC with available USB port and capable of running the NetBand Tunnel software.
6. NetBand Tunnel Software Package
The NetBand Tunnel has been written using Python 2.7 for compatibility with DreamPi, and SEGARPGFAN (aka eaudunord) has made it super simple for folks, by creating a portable executable that is capable of receiving automatic push updates!
If you’re using a DreamPi to connect, you’ll need to flash the SD card with the latest DreamPi Image
If you’re using a Windows PC to connect, you will need to download the latest NetBand Tunnel Release
The Setup…
Now that you have everything you need to get your Saturn back online, your setup should look something like this…
Follow These Steps…
Step 1. Connect your DreamPi or PC to your router via WIRED ETHERNET
(wi-fi will work, but performance will be very inconsistent)
Step 2. Connect the USB Modem (with Line Voltage) to an available USB port on DreamPi or PC
Step 3. Connect a standard RJ11 telephone cable from the USB Modem to the Saturn Modem Cart
(if you need to create your own line voltage, see our Line Voltage Guide for connection configuration)
Step 4. Insert NetLink Modem Cartridge into SEGA Saturn’s cartridge slot.
(it MUST be carefully & properly seated in order for it to boot into NetLink/XBand menu)
Step 5. In your Network Router under “Port Forwarding”, you will need to forward a few external ports to your PC’s internal IP address (or if using DreamPi to the pi LAN IP – this will not be x.98 or x.99). If you need help with this step, some simple guides to port forwarding may be found here & here.
Ports to Forward: UDP = Ports 20001-20002 / TCP = Port 65432
Step 6. Power on all hardware (Saturn, DreamPi/PC & LVI Solution if applicable) & boot patched game
Step 7. Launch NetBand Tunnel Script on PC (if using PC) by double-clicking Run_Tunnel.bat
(once launched, you may need to hit enter a few times to perform any necessary auto-updates)
Step 8. Once the XBAND Software loads up, you will need to dial an opponent or wait to be dialed…
Dialing Instructions for Japanese Games (NTSC-J)
For all Japanese games (NTSC-J), you will need 2 Separate Player IDs:
sp & mp#000000000000#
sp = slave player (this side waits for call)
Once you create a new player ID with the name sp, you can select it and then select “challenge” in order to wait for your opponent to dial your public IP address.
mp#000000000000# = master player + opponent’s public IP address (this side dials out)
You’ll need to replace 000000000000 with your opponent’s public IP address with each 3-character group padded out with zeros and no decimals.
Example: 192.168.0.1 –> 192.168.000.001 –> 192168000001 –> mp#192168000001#
Once you create a new player ID with the name mp#192168000001#, you can select it and then select “challenge” in order to dial your opponent’s public IP address.
Dialing Instructions for US Games (NTSC-U)
For all US games (NTSC-U), you’ll need to select QuickLink to enter the XBAND menu.
Then you’ll select Wait to wait for a call, or Dial to dial your opponent’s IP address.
Your opponent’s public IP address must be dialed like this: #000000000000#, where 000000000000 is replaced with the IP address, and each 3-character group is padded out with zeros and no decimals.
Example: 192.168.0.1 –> 192.168.000.001 –> 192168000001 –> #192168000001#
Now sit back and revel in the fact that you’re now playing a console released in 1994/95 over the internet through this amazing NetBand Tunnel! Out of this world!!!