Back in the 16-bit era Interactive media artist Toshio Iwai designed a SNES music composition tool that was to be released along with the SNES mouse in a bundle package, just like Mario Paint. There was even a US trademark filled for the game's western release under the name Sound Factory. Sadly, it never got released and has faded away from our 16-bit realities ever since.
Until now, that is. A prototype cartridge showed up on eBay some time ago and the ROM was duly dumped. KiroBomber made it publicly available today - as you can see from the video below.
We can but speculate that perhaps the nature of such a unique concept and the fact that in the '90s there probably wouldn't be any sort of public to buy this made Nintendo scrap the whole project, but we have to admit we've been mesmerized by the whole experience. It's rather soothing. Whatever your opinion, this is another title that was lost to the general public but is now forever preserved for future generations.
Toshio Iwai would return with a vengeance to Nintendo platforms in a time where the public was far more receptive to such delightful sound toys. He was responsible for the rather unique 2005 DS title Electroplankton.
[source snescentral.com]
Comments 16
this is really neat
Wonder if chiptune artists will begin to incorporate this in their studios...
Very cool.
Honestly; I wish I ran Nintendo because this would be released on the VC/eShop service for both 3DS and Wii U as I type. I mean honestly, how easy would it be to just uploaded this on the service and sell it for a couple of bucks.
It's like Nintendo wants to make lots of money but keeps missing easy opportunities.
PS. Electroplankton was a great little unique experience on DS
Edit: How in the hell have I not heard of SimTunes before?! https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=SimTunes
This is just like sim tunes I remember playing that for hours on our PC
@Kirk releasing anything nowadays requires certification in most countries. Here in Europe Nintendo has to get age certificates from four or five different boards and the procedure and timeframes vary wildly between them. So it really is not that simple.
Fantastic. I love the way you can be as loose and scribbly or as tight and pernickety as you like and get pleasing results. Reminds me of the background music to Adventure Time.
There was a thing on the web where you could build a Heath Robinson / Rube Goldbeg style instrument out of pipes, fans, strings etc, with coloured beans flowing through it, similar to the bugs in this one. Made by a couple of French dudes iirc. Anyone know what I'm on about? Probably 10 yrs ago now, I'd love to find it again.
@Kirk
I agree. They would definitely make their money back, for what it would take to get it on the VC. That's why they should release games like Star Fox 2 on there. I realize that they used some of the assets for it for Command, but how many of us would buy it if it appeared? Even if they charged $10 instead of $8. The eshop/VC is the perfect place for them to release all their old games even if they have to tweak them or complete them.
This game was released in the form of SimTunes and Electroplankton
@Mk_II Even with that "massive" obstacle to overcome, it's still not that difficult.
randomly misses Electroplankton, now, lol
That looks really cool. But, as I saw the title, I thought:
"What about Electroplankton on the Wii U?"
It could be like what they did on DSiWare - small, cheap games that are little instruments.
Hm, good thing I recently bought Electroplankton. laughs at everyone else
If you want to know more about this one, SNES Central has just updated the information on this title, definitely give it a read! I am have been having way too much with it today.
Ooh! This could be a fun little thing to add to my Ouya, I've been looking for an excuse to use the mouse I bought with it.
Sounds good but I feel like this would get a little tiresome and boring. Glad Electroplankton ended up happening, that made more sense.
Wow very cool, would love music-based games like this where you can be super creative.
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