The Satellaview truly stands as one of the most unique and visionary peripherals Nintendo has ever developed. Downloading games from outer space (well, Low Earth Orbit if you want to be technical about it) truly sounded like science fiction back in 1995. In the five years this Japan-only add-on operated along with the Super Famicom and BS-X cartridge several titles were released, including both old offerings and unique games that remain exclusive to the system even to this day.
But even more unique were the Soundlink broadcasts. Nintendo would schedule special timed audio presentations to be played alongside some games, so Japanese players had to wait for the appropriate date and time to turn on their Super Famicoms, boot up the appropriate game and be presented with real time audio commentary by Japanese voice actors - an experience that remained unique in the industry and of course, only lucky Japanese gamers at that time could experience. Until now, that is!
After years of stunning effort and thanks to byuu's MSU-1 multimedia enhancement chip for the SNES, a group of fans have not only translated and added a CD-quality soundtrack to BS The Legend of Zelda - a Satellaview exclusive 16-bit remake of the original NES / Famicom The Legend of Zelda - but have now also completed an English dub of the original Japanese broadcasts, bringing the full experience to Western audiences for the first time ever.
You can sample a bit of the final result in the video below, showcasing several minutes and various voice-over events from the very first broadcast for the first version of BS Zelda that took place four times during the month of August, 1995.
There were another two broadcasts that offered different maps and different objectives. If you're unfamiliar with the forbidden arts of emulation, it will probably be a bit tricky to set all of this up properly. But we here at Nintendo Life tip our hat at the efforts of everyone who made this a reality, preserving an experience most believed impossible to replicate for future generations to look and reflect upon. Bravo.
[source retrocollect.com]
Comments 24
Wasn't this done some time ago? Maybe I'm wrong or maybe it's the fact that they've a complete translation. Anyway fair play to them.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE The news here is the English voice over dubs. They have finally completed them!
WOW!!! What an amazing effort this translation is!
On par with how amazing the Satellaview was!
Congratulations to the people who bought to us, today, an experience, form the past, that initially could be unthinkable to replicate - and all in understandable english!
Still amazed by this work!
All the people who paid for custom carts are gonna feel cheated.
I have this game, and Zelda Ancient Tablets from BS Satellaview, both in English as 3DS virtual console.
This one is meh- just a NES remix. But the other looks and plays like Link to the Past. It's really really difficult though.
Original version: Where do I go, what do I need to do?
Stellaview version: In this game you can do this and this and go here and there everywhere.
Now I know how Egoraptor felt about remakes and sequels.
Worf?
No dungeon music! I'm out.
@JaxonH Virtual console? Wha? How?
@Davidiam007 Funny you mention that since I was just telling the same thing to Adam from Retro Collect (the news tip source).
I'm surprised the Satellaview peripheral never made it out of Japan. Those broadcasts were likely a truly unique and fun way to experience video games at the time.
While not bad, the dub work does have room for improvement.
@FiveDigitLP @JaxonH
By using methods we are not allowed to discuss here
This game is the reason why The Legend of Zelda never got a remake!
BTW, I've always been interested in Satellaview's history.
Zelda started voice acting in games confirmed!!!
Guess they didnt have the budget for the likes of Stephan Fry or Morgan Freeman to do voice over.... XD
@FiveDigitLP
What @Meowpheel said.
But I tell you what, this here is what it's all about. I feel extremely fortunate playing games like this. You gotta figure, how many people have played this game which released only in Japan on some niche streaming add on for the SNES. It's incredible playing games like these. Feels like a true gem, buried deep where few gamers are even aware it exists.
Why the hell does Link wear a ballcap in this?
@JaxonH @Meowpheel
Yeah, I figured that was the case, but you threw me off the your use of the term "virtual console" since it's obviously not such in the official sense.
At any rate, as much as I like playing old school games on my 3DS, I'd rather not have to use such dubious means on an official console. I am interested in playing it, however, so I might try to on a more open platform...
@FiveDigitLP
Oh for sure. To each their own. Me, I don't see it as dubious. If you're gonna play the game you've gotta get the rom regardless of whether it's on 3DS, PC or a Retron console. That's the dubious part IMO and you gotta do that regardless of where you play it anyways.
But personally I feel no guilt. For games not sold? Like I always say- sell em on the eShop and I'll gladly pay but I really don't feel like waiting half my life for that to happen. Especially with fan translations (which will never happen officially).
I say virtual console because, it is, it's just not official. But it looks official and uses the official shell. Has same menu with virtual restore and perfect pixel, all that jazz.
This game lets you choose your gender. Can't fathom why that is not the case for Breath of the Wild.
Wow, this is interesting just for being a Super Nintendo remaster of the original Zelda, while the extra features really make it impressive.
@SetupDisk It is not Link. It is your BS-X avatar. You can also pick between boy or girl. The avatar walks around a Earthbound style town that is the system's hub. It's very neat. Have a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGGQlS28ykE
I'd like to see this done to Ancient Stone Tablets. I need to get an updated copy anyways. The cutscenes at the end of each week don't work
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