Line #17 Platform/Satellaview


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/satellaview_0.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:300:[-The Satellaview setup: a Platform/SuperFamicom, the Satellaview device itself attached beneath it, and the ''BS-X'' cartridge with a memory pack inserted into the Super Famicom. Not pictured: [[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Satellaview_system.png the rest of the incredibly-complicated setup.]]-] ]]
3
4	->''[...] what the future used to look like.''
5	-->--The description of the in-game Satellaview Suit in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey''
6
7	For a long time, even most hardcore Creator/{{Nintendo}} fans didn't know what this was, never mind having actually played one, partly due to a combination of NoExportForYou and one of the more bizarre examples of KeepCirculatingTheTapes in video game history.
8
9	Some time after the Platform/{{SNESCDROM}} was canned (cue EpilepticTrees about a Plan B), Nintendo signed a deal with St.GIGA (a now-defunct Japanese Satellite Radio company) to have a Platform/SuperFamicom add-on which allowed users to both download software and stream Satellite Radio. This setup was eventually released in 1995 as a special-mail-order, subscription-based service.
10
11	The add-on had a bit of an unusual setup — downloads were broadcast in timeslots much like radio and TV shows. Some downloads were expected things like old Super Famicom releases, demos of new games, and original game content. On the stranger side were some downloadable magazines full of Japanese celebrities drawing {{Squick}}y pictures of [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]] with an Asian face. While snagging all this content, the Satellite Radio would stream various programs which attempted to tailor to the gamers' tastes and were hosted by J-Pop Idols and comedians.
12
13	Eventually the bright idea came around to have a game set up to play alongside the Satellite Radio playing unique game-specific audio, and thus the Satellaview's most remarkable and famous accomplishment was noted — the [=SoundLink=] games, which did just that, using the functionality to bring new stories for some of the Super Famicom's most prominent titles, like ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI'' and ''VideoGame/FireEmblemMysteryOfTheEmblem''.
14
15	Unfortunately, most of the Satellaview's unique features came with "catches" that would lead many to turn "BS" into a {{pun}} (for reference, the original meaning is a generic Japanese term for "Broadcasting Satellite", tagged onto various programs transferred via satellite). The Satellaview is one of the first notable examples of DRM used in console gaming - many games were set up to have limited boot-ups, and many others were only allowed to play at the specific broadcast times. Much of the contents are presumed to be lost forever because of the limitations of people merely being able to download data. [[note]](Well, at least more of it was recovered than the [[Platform/OtherSegaSystems Sega Channel]].)[[/note]]
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17	Much of the actual capabilities of the Satellaview were unknown to the non-Japanese for the longest time, leading to various rumors and [[BlatantLies misinformation]]. Fortunately, quite a lot of the issues can be cleared up by watching various video archives of gameplay from the original broadcasts on Platform/NicoNicoDouga. The [[http://superfamicom.org/blog/ Satellablog]] is devoted to recovering and archiving footage of and info about the Satellaview, and is perhaps the most complete English-language resource on the Satellaview there is; it's related to a project which aims to eventually restore as much functionality as possible to Satellaview emulation, possibly including [=SoundLink=] transmission. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellaview Wikipedia's page on the Satellaview]] has some very in-depth information on the technical side of the system. An equivalent for the Platform/Nintendo64 was apparently planned (with cable and internet hookups!), [[https://nintendosoup.com/first-photos-of-satellaview-2-0-nintendo-64-prototype-emerge/ but never progressed beyond prototype stage.]]
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19	To date, only two Satellaview titles have been rereleased in any form: the four ''BS Franchise/FireEmblem'' chapters, remade as bonus content in the 2010 Platform/NintendoDS remake of ''VideoGame/FireEmblemMysteryOfTheEmblem'' (though lacking the original voice acting); and ''VisualNovel/RadicalDreamers'', as part of an HD remastered version of ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' released in 2022.
20	----
21	!!Games:
22	* The Satellaview's user interface is presented as a game itself, titled ''BS-X: The Story of The Town Whose Name Has Been Stolen''. The system's content and options menus were accessed by visiting buildings around the town, which all looks rather reminiscent of ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994''.
23	[[index]]
24	* Numerous [=SoundLink=] titles, where the game was played alongside radio-streamed audio; such include:
25	** ''BS VideoGame/FZero''
26	** ''VideoGame/BSSuperMarioUSA''
27	* ''VideoGame/BSTheLegendOfZelda'', basically a SNES-powered third quest/fourth quest for the original ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI Zelda]]''. Notable for being the first game where one can play as a girl.
28	* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaAncientStoneTablets'', a MissionPackSequel for ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast''.
29	* ''VisualNovel/RadicalDreamers'', ''Koi ha Balance'', and ''Treasure Conflix'', three Creator/SquareSoft original releases. Plus a ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' beastiary, sound library, and a standalone version of the Jet Bike minigame.
30	* ''Satella-Q'', perhaps one of the most obscure Mario spinoff games ever - a J-Poppy quiz game starring Toad.
31	* ''Excitebike [=BunBun=] Mario Battle Stadium'', a 16-bit entry in the ''VideoGame/{{Excitebike}}'' series with Mario characters and ''Mario Kart 64'' voice effects.
32	* ''VisualNovel/BSDetectiveClubLostMemoriesInTheSnow''
33	* ''Shitamachi Ninjō Gekijō'', an obscure virtual magazine featuring ''Mario'' characters that utilizes adult-oriented humor. One of the broadcasts uses a [[Manga/TensaiBakabon Bakabon]] plush toy to represent Creator/{{Microsoft}} founder Bill Gates.
34	* ''VideoGame/SutteHakkun''
35	* ''VideoGame/GenjuuRyodan''
36	* ''[[VideoGame/MarvelousAnotherTreasureIsland Marvelous]] Time Athletic'' and ''Marvelous Camp Arnold''
37	* ''Franchise/{{Kirby}} no Omocha Bako'', a series of mini-games starring Kirby.
38	* An adaptation of ''Series/WinLoseOrDraw'', of all shows, considering it was never imported to Japan.
39	* Special variants of games, such as ''VideoGame/WariosWoods'', with celebrity cameos or other changes.
40	* ''BS Shiren the Wanderer: Save Surala'', an immediate sequel to the first game in the ''VideoGame/ShirenTheWanderer'' series.
41	[[/index]]

Context Platform / Satellaview