Ep.87 – Episodic Gaming: Why the Satellaview Was Ahead of Its Time
Satellaview (1995)
A Trip Down Memory Card Lane · David Kassin and Robert Kassin
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Show Notes
In 1995, Nintendo released the Satellaview, a peripheral for the Super Famicom that let players download games from satellite broadcasts. We revisit how Nintendo partnered with St.GIGA, a satellite radio company best known for ambient soundscapes, to bring a new kind of interactive service to living rooms. The episode highlights how players used the BS-X application cartridge to explore a hub town, download content, and even play SoundLink games narrated live by voice actors. Our conversation explores the unique library of 114 titles, including episodic takes on Dragon Quest, F-Zero, and Harvest Moon, along with oddities like Radical Dreamers and Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Stadium. We also talk about preservation efforts and what was lost when broadcasts ended. Join us as we tune in, log on, and play along on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.