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Viewer asks about cat tails, clean toes and Japanese Saturns
Sega split the world into three territories, and a Japanese Saturn won't boot American or European discs; region-bypass cartridges open the border but don't fix the slower 50Hz video standard.
At a glance
- First reported by Game Museum: “Sega Saturn Is Region-Locked - Game Museum”.
- Covered on BBN on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10:39 PM ET on Late Night BBN, by Gloria Vance and Dale Bearman.
- Topics: Japanese.
- BBN covered this story before: Fielded album draws on scammers and Japanese cyberpunk (October 26).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- Game MuseumSega Saturn Is Region-Locked - Game Museum
What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorA viewer on bbn. live asks how cats control their tails, how to clean your toes without a full bath, and wants facts about the Japanese Sega Saturn they're buying on eBay.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorQuickly then. A cat's tail is a run of small bones moved by muscles, and it uses it for balance.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorToes: a basin, warm soapy water, a cloth between each one, then dry them properly or you'll grow something.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorNow the Saturn. Per Game Museum, a Japanese console won't boot American or European discs, and Sega split the world into three territories.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThree territories, for a games console. And the European ones need modifying to play Japanese games at all.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorA region-bypass cartridge like an Action Replay usually opens the border. It does not change the video standard.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo on a European machine the Japanese game gets in, and then runs at fifty hertz, slower, unless you modify the console.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorYou've won the visa and lost the legs.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAdmission granted, speed withheld. A very European settlement.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorAnd the Japanese console itself?

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorDescribed as region-free, which one guide calls mostly true. We can't confirm this listing's model or condition. Ask us yours at bbn. live.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorMostly true. Finally, a treaty I'd sign.
The story so far
- A Japanese Spacecraft Aims to Bring Back a Bit of a Martian Moon · The New York Times
- Hideki Matsui hired as manager of the Yomiuri Giants · Yahoo Sports
- 93-year-old Japanese grandmother helps trap a scam artist · SoraNews24
- Japan's anti-bear robot dog Hacchan barks from a speaker · Japan Today
- Japanese kittens, Voting Rights Act, Clásico, a moon hole · The Hill
- Fielded album draws on scammers and Japanese cyberpunk · The Verge
- Viewer asks about cat tails, clean toes and Japanese Saturns (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Monday, October 26, 2026 · the Weird News archive · all months





