Any Chance For Disc-Based System Clones?

[Weekend_Warrior]

We've all seen the clone systems for the cartridge-based systems like the NES, SNES, Genesis, etc.

But do you think there's a chance we could see clone systems for the Sega CD, 3DO, Saturn, Dreamcast, PS1, etc?

[AppleQueso]

The reason you don't see most disc based clones I think is the same reason you don't see any TurboGrafx or Sega Master System clone consoles. They just weren't very popular for the most part.

Of those systems, only the ps1 really had the popularity that the SNES, NES, and Genesis had. It's probably the only system I could see ever having clones, and even then I kinda doubt there's much market for it considering ps1 games are still playable on a modern console.

Well, I guess MAYBE the dreamcast is possible to see, but I think sheer costs make that one unlikely.

[Lone Wanderer]

Well there's the treamcast

[Damm64]

Well there's the treamcast

We are in the same page

Well i allways see a pirate famicom called POLYSTATION, it has the shape of the PS1 but has a cartridge slot and is a NOAC. It counts?

[D.D.D.]

Well there's the treamcast

Coulda sworn the Treamcast had DC guts in their Treamcast shell + LCD... Dunno for sure though.

[neilencio]

I think that all the proprietary stuff inside newer disc based consoles would make it difficult for people to clone the systems. A 6502 is readily available but an Emotion Engine, not so much.

Also, a lot of newer consoles make the manufacturers lose money, which they just recoup with software sales. A clone system is not good business, since they'll lose money for every console, and they have no software sales to compensate for it.

[Croooow!]

I'm still waiting for Sega to release a disc system clone combo that plays Sega CD, Saturn, and Dreamcast games. A guy can dream right?

[AppleQueso]

I'm still waiting for Sega to release a disc system clone combo that plays Sega CD, Saturn, and Dreamcast games. A guy can dream right?

Throw a genesis cart slot onto that and you'll have the perfect sega system.

[Breetai]

The reason you don't see most disc based clones I think is the same reason you don't see any TurboGrafx or Sega Master System clone consoles. They just weren't very popular for the most part.

It was plenty popular in the east. Get ready to get schooled on BOTH counts!!!:

Turbografx-16/PC Engine







Technically this one wasn't a clone, but it is pretty cool:






Master System


(licensed clone)




(technically not a clone, but I bet you've never seen one before! Maybe molotovwars has.)

This next two are licensed, but are made by TecToy in Brazil. They are licensed clones:

[isiolia]

Also, a lot of newer consoles make the manufacturers lose money, which they just recoup with software sales. A clone system is not good business, since they'll lose money for every console, and they have no software sales to compensate for it.

Well, they lose money initially - as technology progresses, the console's internals become cheaper to make and build cost would be lower. Obviously, something on the NES level is still going to cost less to make than even a PSX, so while it might not be a loss, the margins will be slimmer.

Generally though, I just think there's relatively little market for clone systems. Most of them are available in reasonable proportion to the software available. People don't complain about the cost of collecting for the Saturn due to the hardware being rare and expensive, for instance. With disc based consoles, playing legit copies on emulators is also a lot more feasible.