Satellaview
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Basic Description
In 1995, Nintendo released the Satellaview, an add-on for the Super Famicom, in Japan. Officially abbreviated BS-X (Broadcast Satellite-X), the Satellaview's main function was that of a satellite modem. It could receive broadcasts from St. GIGA, a subsidiary of TV station WOWOW. Originally priced between ¥14,000 and 18,000 (equivalent to between $141 and $182 USD), the Satellaview sold relatively well for several years, but by mid-2000, St. GIGA stopped broadcasting signals to its BS-X.
Games
Nine application cartridges were released for the BS-X between 1995 and 1997. These included such games as Derby Stallion '96 and Shigesato Itoi's No. 1 Bass Fishing.BS-X: Sore wa Namae o Nusumareta Machi no Monogatari was bundled with the system and was used mainly as a menu for the console, allowing users to download games or game data, or digital magazines. Three titles from the popular Legend of Zelda series were among the larger library of titles available for download. They were entitled BS Zelda no Densetsu, BS Zelda no Densetsu: MAP2, and BS Zelda no Densetsu: Inishie no Sekiba, and were released between 1995 and 1999. A fourth title, known as Zelda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Triforce, was also available for download. Additional data could be downloaded for BS-X titles such as new playable characters and levels.
Bundled Items
The Satellaview came bundled with an A/V Selector, a Memory Pack, an AC Adapter, a Power Supply Relay Box, and a cassette which functioned as an interface cartridge. The cassette was known as BS-X: Sore wa Namae o Nusumareta Machi no Monogatari, and was an interface for the system's menu. A user created an avatar and entered buildings to select options. Two versions of this cassette were released, one before 1996 and one afterwards.
Marketing
As the BS-X was released only in Japan, it had a limited market. It is unknown whether Nintendo planned to eventually release the add-on in other regions. A commercial was shown for the BS-X in Japan, which may be found here.
Sources
Wikipedia article on the Satellaview