Satellaview

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The Satellaview (サテラビュー Saterabyū) is a satellite modem add-on for Nintendo's Super Famicom system that was released in Japan in 1995. The name Satellaview is a portmanteau of "Satellite" and "view," and the official abbreviation for the system is "BS-X". "BS" stands for Broadcast Satellite, a common name of one of the direct broadcast satellites in Japan, and "X" represents the figurative "unknown" or "nameless." In other vernaculars, the X can stand for "transfer", thus "Broadcast Satellite Transfer."

The BS-X would be connected to the St.GIGA satellite station between 4:00-7:00 PM. During this time, a player could download and play content. The BS-X system broadcasted for 5 years, up until June 2000.

Broadcasts

Main article: List of Satellaview broadcasts

The Satellaview broadcast content including video games, magazines, many of which were exclusive to the service. It also included software (games and magazines) with streamed satellite radio, such as BS The Legend of Zelda. This feature was known as SoundLink, though not all games were compatible with SoundLink.

BS-X: Sore wa Namae o Nusumareta Machi no Monogatari

Main article: BS-X: Sore wa Namae o Nusumareta Machi no Monogatari

The Satellaview service required a special Game Pak containing the software BS-X: Sore wa Namae o Nusumareta Machi no Monogatari. In BS-X: Sore wa Namae o Nusumareta Machi no Monogatari, the player explores an interactive town filled with people and objects, and interacts with the menus to download and play software.

Storage

Content can be stored using the 8M Memory Pack. Content stored on the 8M Memory Pack may also include a use limit, similar to digital demos by Nintendo.

Broadcasts

• List of Satellaview broadcasts

References

Nintendo online services

• Famicom Network System (Famicom, 1988)  • Satellaview (Super Famicom, 1995) (scheduled satellite broadcast/download, but not Internet)  • Randnet (Nintendo 64DD 1999)  • Mobile System GB (Game Boy Color/Game Boy Advance w/Mobile GB Adapter and mobile phone, 2001)  • Online Nintendo GameCube gameplay (Nintendo GameCube, w/GameCube Broadband Adapter/Modem Adapter, 2002)  • Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (Wii, Nintendo DS Lite, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL optionally w/Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector, Nintendo DS & DSi Browser, 2006)  • Nintendo Network (Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, Web, 2012/3)  • Nintendo Switch Online (2018; Nintendo Switch)  • Websites (Nintendo web browser games)