Re-Releasing Old Consoles

[greatdevourer]

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/games/2005-09-22-atari-flashback_x.htm

Here's Atari's one, and, due to the NES patent running out, a company from somewhere is making those :p

[Studawg7]

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/games/2005-09-22-atari-flashback_x.htm

Here's Atari's one, and, due to the NES patent running out, a company from somewhere is making those :p


that would be cool, but then again i still run my old consoles including my atari jaguar :eek: i mean, come on, i get to play the original doom!

the market has shown that the atari stuff has been doing really well.

[woxel1]

You can get many legacy consoles in Japan, still factory sealed.

[Dagless]

although with Nintendo releasing all the old games again i can see the NES patent thing being renewed. if such thing can happen, i know nothing about legal things.

still... old consoles are bloomin fantastic

[GFLPraxis]

Don't patents last 75 years before becoming public domain?

[Guitarius]

My old NES and SNES and Master and Genisis and... still work perfectly but I would love to see something like that come out for the NES. I'd like to see it include all of the NES games, including the 3rd party ones. That would be great.

That they had some great games back then, and I still have a lot of them today, but the simple fact of the matter is that I can't own all of them on the cartridge. Just isn't possible.

I'd even be willing to spend around $100 if it was well done with all the games.

[Dagless]

My old NES and SNES and Master and Genisis and... still work perfectly but I would love to see something like that come out for the NES. I'd like to see it include all of the NES games, including the 3rd party ones. That would be great.

That they had some great games back then, and I still have a lot of them today, but the simple fact of the matter is that I can't own all of them on the cartridge. Just isn't possible.

I'd even be willing to spend around $100 if it was well done with all the games.

that would also be huge. A quick search on LimeWire shows 700 NES roms which take up 200mb and thats not close to every single NES rom. thats if its not 200mb of dirty movies.

I think the Rev will have close to a perfect NES system. maybe have all the games stored on servers and the console merely copies them across for play and deletes them when the system is turned off? the end user will not have to pay for huge storage that way. perhaps?

[Whyren]

Don't patents last 75 years before becoming public domain?

I think it depends on the patent type. For instance, if I remember correctly some software patents only last for 17 years.

Is re-releasing anything new? Both Nintendo and Sony seem to be fond of re-releasing redesigns of their old consoles, but I suppose this relates more to releasing the old designs themselves.

[GFLPraxis]

that would also be huge. A quick search on LimeWire shows 700 NES roms which take up 200mb and thats not close to every single NES rom. thats if its not 200mb of dirty movies.

I think the Rev will have close to a perfect NES system. maybe have all the games stored on servers and the console merely copies them across for play and deletes them when the system is turned off? the end user will not have to pay for huge storage that way. perhaps?

You actually could do this on the DS at this point (and it would take about $130), or on the GBA (for much less but you couldn't put anything higher than NES as the GBA couldn't handle SNES games).

M3 Adapter + PassKey = $99. + $30 CompactFlash card. Download an emulator, stuff games on there, and pop it in the DS.

The only problem is ripping the games. It's illegal to download them and very difficult to rip them yourself.

[mrgreen4242]

I'd like to see a NES/SNES rerelease that has the system in the controller, and has some built in games and an expansion port to add more ROMs. The feature that would make something like this worth buying would be to make it broadcast the video/audio signal wirelessly to your TV (broadcast on a selectable unused TV frequency over a very short range, maybe 10-12 feet). Quality wouldn't be great, but these old systems are pretty low resolution and detail anyway, so it would be worth it for the convenience factor.

[GFLPraxis]

Nintendo should release a flash cart or SD card adapter for the DS slot (like the play yan, but without the multimedia chip because the DS processor is fast enough). They can prevent it from running pirated stuff(and homebrew altogether if needed) but keep the movie/music/images stuff intact...and most importantly, allow you to stick games you've downloaded from the Revolution onto that SD card and take every one you have on the DS :D

[Guitarius]

It wouldn't be that big. Just make it like a computer system. A small hard drive. You say 200mb of roms out there? Meh. Maybe a gig? A stylish retro case with controllers and stuff.

Wouldn't be too difficult to make. Might not be that cheap, and doubt it would sell enough, but it would be cool. I'd buy one.

Or maybe to expound on what Green said, have little GBA or DS sized cartridges with 10 or 20 games a piece. That would be maybe 50 carts total? I'm just estimating. That would work. I'd like that.

I hear the with the Revolution you can download the games for around a buck a piece, and play them on there, but that controller is butt ugly and you don't get the same feeling. You know what I mean? Which is why I go on E-Bay and garage sales to find the old ones instead of just downloading roms. I like the feeling of the old controllers and such. Call me an elitist if you want, but it's just my preference.

If all the old systems that I have and love were to get released like that in some way, I'd buy them all in a heartbeat and put the stuff I have now up in storage.

[skubish]

Don't patents last 75 years before becoming public domain?

I think you are thinking of copyrights. I don't think there are any patents that are longer than 25 years. Remember the purpose of patents is to grant the inventor and exclusive license for a limited time in exchange for disclosure of the invention to the public.

[Guitarius]

I think you are thinking of copyrights. I don't think there are any patents that are longer than 25 years. Remember the purpose of patents is to grant the inventor and exclusive license for a limited time in exchange for disclosure of the invention to the public.
Actually, copyrights last the original author's life plus 50 years.

[Studawg7]

actually patents are 20 years

here is the link to the patent office info (http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/index.html#patent)

[Mavimao]

There actually IS a company making a new NES. It's called the Generation NEX, and I've already ordered one (in a drunken stupor nonetheless...someone take my credit card away!)

Here's the link:

http://www.playmessiah.com/index2.htm

It's compatible with all NTSC NES and Famicom cartridges! Yay!

[widgetguy]

yea patents are 20 years but i wouldn't buy any wack ass old system i was born in the atari days but nes days yea i'll just modd the xbox 360 to play it hehe!!!

[Guitarius]

There actually IS a company making a new NES. It's called the Generation NEX, and I've already ordered one (in a drunken stupor nonetheless...someone take my credit card away!)

Here's the link:

http://www.playmessiah.com/index2.htm

It's compatible with all NTSC NES and Famicom cartridges! Yay!
Though that is cool indeed, and I might order one just because, the problem is not that I need a new system. I just want to buy a system with all the NES games that I can plug right in and play, so I don't have to keep scouring all over the place for game that may or may not work.

Though I guess that's part of the fun of being into old-school gaming.

[madmax_2069]

There actually IS a company making a new NES. It's called the Generation NEX, and I've already ordered one (in a drunken stupor nonetheless...someone take my credit card away!)

Here's the link:

http://www.playmessiah.com/index2.htm

It's compatible with all NTSC NES and Famicom cartridges! Yay!

hell i am up for one. i even got the orignal i bought new back in the day that still works.i wish they would bring more old consoles out like the snes the jaguar the 3DO and others now that would rock

[Dagless]

whoah! a NES... with 2.4ghz wireles... wireless controllers... DUAL MONO!!! (if thats anything likes my uncles amp then wow) ... i want it. badly.

*eagerly looks forward to Messiah SNES!*

hey wonder if the patents for the Amiga are up for grabs? or probably not since they released that AmigaONE not so long ago.

[Mavimao]

What's even cooler, and I don't remember them ever really mentioning it on their site but they've said it in interviews, is that they've bumped up the processor to support more colors, sprites, etc. Obviously, this won't affect classic games since they're not programmed to display more than they're supposed to, but they're letting 3rd parties develop new games for it!

Hmmm..... can't wait to see what kind of games people will make (or even remake).

[dmw007]

Wow, that is some pretty cool stuff- the Generation NEX especially. :)

[Guitarius]

I was looking at the game list on that thing and it's missing one classic game that should have been on there. If they ever do a Flashback 3.0, it needs to be included.

ET. The worst game ever made.

[Sdashiki]

its called a modded xbox, with emulators and roms.

Get one.

Or try it on your mac if you dont want to use a TV!

Dont pay for old school games unless you want to collect the physical carts. There is no point in paying for stuff that is available "free" if you know where to look.

[TEG]

I would love to see a rerelease of either the NES or the NESII, mine is suffering from the flashes of death, and I'd love to keep it around for several more years.

SNES on the other hand, still works perfectly, and you can pick up a used one for $20 at any pawn shop.

TEG

[combatcolin]

Everyone, repeat after me//

NEO GEO
NEO GEO
NEO GEO
NEO GEO

SNK Playmore, you know it makes sense!

[Sdashiki]

NEO GEO = FLOP

NEO GEO = $700+

NEO GEO = some good games, get MAME and NEOGEO.bios

[Mavimao]

I would love to see a rerelease of either the NES or the NESII, mine is suffering from the flashes of death, and I'd love to keep it around for several more years.
TEG

This problem is actually fixable. It's the spring loaded mechanism inside the NES that's worn out and doesn't make contact with the pins. Here's a link on how to fix it.

http://www.classicgaming.com/features/articles/nesrepair/

[combatcolin]

NEO GEO = FLOP

NEO GEO = $700+

NEO GEO = some good games, get MAME and NEOGEO.bios

Takes Sdashhiki outside and gives him a stern talking to.

[Guitarius]

Neo Geo is too expensive and not work it because they don't have enough good stuff.

[Macmaniac]

Maybe Nintendo will extend the patent because they will use all the old Nintendo games on the Revolution. I heard you will be able to download old Nintendo games onto the Revolutions HD and play them for free. So they may renew some patents.

[GFLPraxis]

Well the Revolution has a flash drive, not a hard drive, but yes, you are correct.

[Guitarius]

Yeah, but that controller is so butt ugly, makes me not want to play them on the Revolution.

[GFLPraxis]

It may be ugly but it looks very fun to play with.

[Guitarius]

Maybe. I guess I need to use it before I knock at it, but man...it makes me throw up in the back of my mouth. I must admit though, the idea of being able to plug in different things like joysticks and sucks really opens up the possiblity of various peripherals. Donkey Konga and DDR were just the begining...

[greatdevourer]

Yeah, but that controller is so butt ugly, makes me not want to play them on the Revolution. Moo

[Guitarius]

Moo
Moo?

[Dagless]

its called a modded xbox, with emulators and roms.

Get one.

Or try it on your mac if you dont want to use a TV!

Dont pay for old school games unless you want to collect the physical carts. There is no point in paying for stuff that is available "free" if you know where to look.

that makes you sound like such a lemon. yea because playing a Modded Xbox with emulators has the same charm as the real thing! YEAXXORS!1 lol.

maybe its just me but i feel so dirty playing emulators, or playing games I dont own in cart form at least.

[combatcolin]

Neo Geo is too expensive and not work it because they don't have enough good stuff.

Simply because the Neo Geo was (is) so expensive means that it has the most chance of a succesful re-release.

In Japan and the UK the machine was marketed at the very high end, but in the states SNK made a massive error in trying to take on the Megadrive and Super Nes.

£200 for a Neo Geo with a CD ROM drive tastefully incorperated into the original design with 2 of the original joystick and copy of Metal Slug and they would sell to the right audience.

[kgarner]

Maybe Nintendo will extend the patent because they will use all the old Nintendo games on the Revolution. I heard you will be able to download old Nintendo games onto the Revolutions HD and play them for free. So they may renew some patents.
The patents would only apply to the hardware which I doubt they are concerned about anymore. The games will be protected under copyright for another 55 years (75 years total). So I doubt they'll lose much sleep over someone re-issuing the hardware as long as they don't try to re-issue the cartridges.

[Guitarius]

Simply because the Neo Geo was (is) so expensive means that it has the most chance of a succesful re-release.

In Japan and the UK the machine was marketed at the very high end, but in the states SNK made a massive error in trying to take on the Megadrive and Super Nes.

£200 for a Neo Geo with a CD ROM drive tastefully incorperated into the original design with 2 of the original joystick and copy of Metal Slug and they would sell to the right audience.
So you were saying it needs a re-release. I kinda mis-understood you there. Yeah. If they made it cheaper, it would rule.

[GFLPraxis]

that makes you sound like such a lemon. yea because playing a Modded Xbox with emulators has the same charm as the real thing! YEAXXORS!1 lol.

maybe its just me but i feel so dirty playing emulators, or playing games I dont own in cart form at least.

Won't a modded XBox get you insta-banned from XBox Live?

And isn't it completely illegal and against the rules to speak of on MR?

[Guitarius]

that makes you sound like such a lemon. yea because playing a Modded Xbox with emulators has the same charm as the real thing! YEAXXORS!1 lol.

maybe its just me but i feel so dirty playing emulators, or playing games I dont own in cart form at least.
I know what you're saying. I feel the same way. There's just something about using the old gear.

[combatcolin]

Now that the 360 is almost out of the starting gates picking up a cheap xBox and modding it becomes a lot more attractive.

And who cares if Live dosn't like it? Just buy another one!!

[dogbone]

If only I could get a copy of Elevator Action that would run on my Mac, my life would be complete.

[Dagless]

Won't a modded XBox get you insta-banned from XBox Live?

And isn't it completely illegal and against the rules to speak of on MR?

I cant use Live. not that i'd want it. Xlink whilst being overly confusing for just playing games online is fine for me. that said I haven't been online since the novelty of Halo 2 wore off.

[Guitarius]

Reminds me I need to cancel my Live subscription...I don't have an X-Box anymore...

[dizastor]

that Messiah NEX console looks pretty damn sweet, only 1.5 inches tall. I think I'll wait to see what the final specs of the revolution are before jumping into any impulsive "ooh look how sexy that thing is" purchases.

Wireless nes controllers too... mmmm.

[Guitarius]

that Messiah NEX console looks pretty damn sweet, only 1.5 inches tall. I think I'll wait to see what the final specs of the revolution are before jumping into any impulsive "ooh look how sexy that thing is" purchases.

Wireless nes controllers too... mmmm.
Yeah. Same here. Though I'll probably not buy it anyway because I lost my entire NES game collection. I had FFI too. A lot of great games. Oh well. That's what they make E-Bay for! :D Gotta spend that FEMA money somehow.

[7on]

its called a modded xbox, with emulators and roms.

Get one.

Or try it on your mac if you dont want to use a TV!

Dont pay for old school games unless you want to collect the physical carts. There is no point in paying for stuff that is available "free" if you know where to look.


ROMs and the use of emulators are illegal and no different than music piracy. Just pointing out that some people view thievery as bad.

[GFLPraxis]

ROMs and the use of emulators are illegal and no different than music piracy. Just pointing out that some people view thievery as bad.

Thank you.

[combatcolin]

Emulating current hardware that retails in the shops is a moral iffy one.

Emulating "dead" consoles no longer generating income for the companys that made them is fair game.

Why?

Mr John Doe releases a blues record in 1932 that sells nicely.

Now that record may or may not be availible in HMV but it would not be difficult to track down a copy, a copy that has most probably been pressed recently and that copy of Mr John Does blues record will generate income for his dependants, the record company, the retail company and the Taxman.

Now to games, if you wanted to buy a compy of a game from 1985, that you really liked - how do you buy it new?

Software companys are sitting on a goldmine of titles that (and Midway, Atari, Sega and others) have shown can still generate £££, - but they need to go further.

Hopefully Nintendo will do a "iTunes" and show how much money can be made out of old games if buying them and playing them is straightforward and an enjoyable online retail experience.

Untill it is as easy as buying an old album people will emulate old consoles - and i feel no problem in sharing my Roms.

Or, to put it in a nutshell - how can you take money away a company that isn't making money on the thing you want?

Now if SNK playmore actually realised that that still can make money on the more-than-a-decade-old Neo Geo...

[Bakey]

Any how!

Is the Atari unit available in the UK? Is so, does anybody know where from??

Ta ;)

[Dagless]

Emulating current hardware that retails in the shops is a moral iffy one.

Emulating "dead" consoles no longer generating income for the companys that made them is fair game.

Why?

Mr John Doe releases a blues record in 1932 that sells nicely.

Now that record may or may not be availible in HMV but it would not be difficult to track down a copy, a copy that has most probably been pressed recently and that copy of Mr John Does blues record will generate income for his dependants, the record company, the retail company and the Taxman.

Now to games, if you wanted to buy a compy of a game from 1985, that you really liked - how do you buy it new?

Software companys are sitting on a goldmine of titles that (and Midway, Atari, Sega and others) have shown can still generate £££, - but they need to go further.

Hopefully Nintendo will do a "iTunes" and show how much money can be made out of old games if buying them and playing them is straightforward and an enjoyable online retail experience.

Untill it is as easy as buying an old album people will emulate old consoles - and i feel no problem in sharing my Roms.

Or, to put it in a nutshell - how can you take money away a company that isn't making money on the thing you want?

Now if SNK playmore actually realised that that still can make money on the more-than-a-decade-old Neo Geo...

thats where eBay and becoming a rare game collector comes in. its not hard. get the right contacts and you can pick up a boxed and sealed mint condition Zelda I for £75 no worries. you just have to look ;) and ask.
and if you live in the UK; Gamestation sell all the old games. tattered Zelda goes for £30, the rest for £3-6. its not exactly breaking the bank if you really want to play old games.
If Nintendo are not making profit on 2nd hand games then so what? you're still downloading roms of games you don't have. thats the simple black and white law right there.

all that being said; i dont even think Nintendo let you keep backup copies of games like other companies do. though im not sure there.

[combatcolin]

Yes there is eBay and 2nd hand shops, but the argument im trying to make is that a game released today might be in the shops for under a year new .

After that your forced to hunt it down 2nd hand or emulate.

Compare that with books, films and music.

They get re-printed every few years.

Why can't old games?

We know theres a market for them, and we also know there is money to be made.

And i still want my Neo Geo... :)

[katchow]

After that your forced to hunt it down 2nd hand or emulate.

Compare that with books, films and music.

They get re-printed every few years.

Why can't old games?


for the same reason nobody reprints 8-track casettes.

[Guitarius]

for the same reason nobody reprints 8-track casettes.
Ah, but when records get re-pressed they always update them somehow. Re-Mastering, Vinyl -> CD, lots of other stuff. DVDs come out with collector editions with new features, books get new cover art and introductions (okay, it's a stretch). That is what they should with video games.

[katchow]

Ah, but when records get re-pressed they always update them somehow. Re-Mastering, Vinyl -> CD, lots of other stuff. DVDs come out with collector editions with new features, books get new cover art and introductions (okay, it's a stretch). That is what they should with video games.

some do, intellivision has a greatest hits and maybe atari? I could see nintendo doing this someday, but currently it seems like they're content to rehash a lot of their best-sellers to their handhelds.

i think the problem is finding a suitable system to port everything to and without bundling a lot of the games together they probably wouldn't make enough to cover material costs.

An online service would be the way to go.

[Sdashiki]

who said anything about ROMs one didnt own?

not me, I just said modded xbox, emulators.

So get off the soapbox, we all know ROMs you dont own are illegal.

[GFLPraxis]

who said anything about ROMs one didnt own?

not me, I just said modded xbox, emulators.

So get off the soapbox, we all know ROMs you dont own are illegal.

Unless you ripped the ROM off your own cartridge, it is still illegal. Look up the laws.

[combatcolin]

There is money to be made in well packaged re-releases of old games aimed at the correct market.

Espicaily the Neo Geo...Hint Hint..

[ijimk]

there is also a way to play the roms on sega dreamcast which is pretty kool. i play the snes from time to time. :D