RUMOR ALERT: Sega Saturn Games Coming To Virtual Console

[racketboy]

I would be incredibly amazed if they could pull off Saturn emulation on a Wii, but here's what somebody is saying:
http://www.nintendoevolved.com/index.ph ... &Itemid=47

[extrarice]

If this is true, what I want to know is how Nintendo is handling the local storage requirements. IIRC, the Wii has only 512MB of onboard storage. A full CD-ROM can be over 600MB. Granted, most CD-based games do not use the full disc, but still the storage requirements for purchasing multiple CD-ROM based games is much larger than what the Wii has out of the box.

What would be cool is if Nintendo instead implemented a runtime Saturn compatability layer for the Wii that would let you run the actual Saturn CDs. "Buy Saturn compatability for 2000 points!" or somesuch.

[racketboy]

If this is true, what I want to know is how Nintendo is handling the local storage requirements. IIRC, the Wii has only 512MB of onboard storage. A full CD-ROM can be over 600MB. Granted, most CD-based games do not use the full disc, but still the storage requirements for purchasing multiple CD-ROM based games is much larger than what the Wii has out of the box.

What would be cool is if Nintendo instead implemented a runtime Saturn compatability layer for the Wii that would let you run the actual Saturn CDs. "Buy Saturn compatability for 2000 points!" or somesuch.

Yeah, that's the only thing that would make sense, but then how would they make money?!

I would think they would support Sega CD too then. The Genesis emulation is already there...

[ImportBoy]

I suppose it is possible since Sega has every little technical detail on the Saturn. Most of the games that use standard cd-audio tracks can be reduced in size considerably by compressing the audio. Virtua Fighter 2 ISO/CUE/MP3 is only like 70MB for example. Still a couple games would add up.

Unless Nintendo is planning on releasing a Wii hard drive, I think the ability to play retail Saturn discs would most likely. If so, would the Wii be able to check the copy-protection strip on Saturn discs? Or will the Wii become a new modded-Saturn?

[racketboy]

I suppose it is possible since Sega has every little technical detail on the Saturn. Most of the games that use standard cd-audio tracks can be reduced in size considerably by compressing the audio. Virtua Fighter 2 ISO/CUE/MP3 is only like 70MB for example. Still a couple games would add up.

But keep in mind, you would have to decompress them every time you played them. As if the CPU power for emulating wouldn't be enough to ask for...

Unless Nintendo is planning on releasing a Wii hard drive, I think the ability to play retail Saturn discs would most likely. If so, would the Wii be able to check the copy-protection strip on Saturn discs? Or will the Wii become a new modded-Saturn?

Yeah, I kinda doubt that they would have the Saturn copy protection built into the Wii drive. Wouldn't that be crazy though if you could play copied games? I think I would pass out from excitement if that all happened.

[metaleggman]

I would think they would use a robust audio format with a nice compression algorithm. Since MP3 pretty much sucks considering the possible options (It's quite big tbh) and the originals are simply WAVs, there is a myriad of formats SEGA could use along with a nice SS emulator. If Sega does pull this off, I think Sega will gain back quite a lot of respect it has lost from its recent travesties...Lol, all Sega needs to do next it DC emulation on the Wii.

[baphomet_irl]

If this is true, what I want to know is how Nintendo is handling the local storage requirements. IIRC, the Wii has only 512MB of onboard storage. A full CD-ROM can be over 600MB. Granted, most CD-based games do not use the full disc, but still the storage requirements for purchasing multiple CD-ROM based games is much larger than what the Wii has out of the box.

I think they would rely on you using SD cards probably

[baphomet_irl]

'Radiant Silvergun - 800 Points - Download Now'

* collapses with excitement *



on a total side note - has anyone been attempting to emulate PS2 for PSP?

I thought the PSP was pretty easily capable of running PS2 games - would it just be a matter of changing the output res (if they could get the actual ISO reading etc. working) ?

[ImportBoy]

Hmm..just a thought. Perhaps they not going to emulate at all and are just going to port select Saturn games to the Wii and sell them on the Shop Channel? Like Sega Ages for PS2. They could use superior audio/video codecs then what were availible back in the day.

on a total side note - has anyone been attempting to emulate PS2 for PSP?

Will never happen. While the PS2 and PSP practically have the specifications they are totally different systems. The PSP simply has no where near the horsepower to emulate the PS2. PS1 emulation already exists on the PSP though.

[Mozgus]

Not happening.