Saturn BIOS in update_all changed?

[Cyber Akuma]

I noticed that when I was running update_all, it said that it had an update to the Saturn's boot.rom, but that it would not download the update because an older file existed and I needed to manually remove it.

I did and noticed that the new BIOS that update_all replaced it with did not appear to be the standard consumer models but the Hi-Saturn variant. And not just any Hi-Saturn but apparently an obscure variant that was... meant to be installed in cars or motorboats?

The old BIOS file that update_all used to install was just the standard US/UK consumer model BIOS.

Anyone have any idea why the BIOS file was swapped from the common consumer models to this obscure one? Is there some additional benefit or something to using this BIOS instead?

[theypsilon]

There wasn't a Saturn bios in the BIOS DB until recently. I don't manage that DB, but I've read that that bios is more compatible than others. In any case, since it's marked to not be overridden, you may keep the one you prefer instead.

[gamesfan]

the hi saturn was a different model , newer and had capability to decode mpeg2 video i believe.
for a regular saturn you needed a expansion card
there are a few games that have hires video that take advantage of that. i believe Lunar is one example.

while the saturn core supports the bios . i dont think it does the video. so those game variants dont boot.

also the bios is region free i believe so you dont have to specify different bios for different games

[limi]

It’s likely because it is region free. It also has better debugging capabilities, but that’s probably relevant to fewer people.

[UberNeuman]

I changed over to the Hi-Saturn just to keep in line with what the developers are using.