a few more pages on the SNES CD-ROM

Sienar · Apr 8, 2009

Barc0de said:

I m skeptical about the above picture depicting the SNES-CD. There's nothing SNES-CD about it, just happens to have a prototype PSX controller NEXT to it.

with the deals nintendo made at the time, the SNES-CD wouldn't have prototype PSX controllers, but standard SNES controllers and variants.

the little cut-out on the top looks like something that would print receipts it is actually the LCD screen's place, just like a discman. (?)

additionally, as with all these "snes-cd" units, there's no clear indication of what the unit's purpose actually is, even for a prototype. (!)

Firstly, a SNES-CD devkit would have used CD emulation like all CD-based console development kits, irrespective of an actual CD drive, hence requiring some sort of SCSI-like connection to a host computer.

Also, "Play/Pause", "FF(fast forward)" "FR(Fast rewind)" and "Stop" are typical of music and video players - the SNES-CD had proprietary Nintendo CD's in an enclosure, and was never intended to playback media like movies or music.

I m surprised no one has bothered cross-checking the picture with the known facts about the unit, it just doesn't add up.

PS: it looks like someone's attempt at inter-species marriage between a Super Famicom and a regular audio CD player

PS II: The triangular "Start" button on the controller, found on all PS controllers is a design direction that was adopted when Sony was developing their own Play Station afaik.
Click to expand...

The LED screen and the playback buttons match up with the patents and pictures of the early mock ups though.

Barc0de · Apr 9, 2009

that doesn't mean much, considering that all audio/V CD players need to control CDs. What struck me as odd was the fact that nintendo intended to use disc caddies for their proprietary CD-ROM format, making it moot to have a control player of a music/video player. Besides, I m not sure I ve EVER heard that the SNES-CD was capable of playing back audio CDs (no mention of special audio chips in the specs, although I admit that I don't know if the SNES audio chip could handle redbook audio)

MottZilla · Apr 11, 2009

SNES has an audio mixing pin like the Famicom did. I imagine that's how CD audio would be mixed in.

Barc0de · Apr 12, 2009

and decoded in the CD-Drive itself?

I m just playing the devil's advocate here regarding this particular top-loaded unit. In my view there's equal amounts of contradicting evidence and I can't say with certaintity whether it is or it isn't a SNES-CD prototype - it's annoying not having an opinion about such an interesting subject.

Radar · May 7, 2009

Really hoping this gets scanned and distributed but I'm not hopeful
http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=143489

karsten · May 7, 2009

damn interesting!

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a few more pages on the SNES CD-ROM

Sienar Robust Member

Barc0de gigalo mascarading as a simple gamer

MottZilla Guardian of the Forum

Barc0de gigalo mascarading as a simple gamer

Radar Active Member

karsten Member of The Cult Of Kefka Staff Member

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a few more pages on the SNES CD-ROM

Sienar Robust Member

Barc0de gigalo mascarading as a simple gamer

MottZilla Guardian of the Forum

Barc0de gigalo mascarading as a simple gamer

Radar Active Member

karsten Member of The Cult Of Kefka Staff Member

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