Nintendo Virtual Boy Link Cable, to be released soon

[Another World]

When the Nintendo Virtual Boy was cancelled, not only did it take with it a system relaunch that would have included an impressive second generation of software, but also its 2-player link cable. Thanks to some extremely talented hardware engineers, and PlanetVB members, this lost cable is about to be resurrected. The team currently has 2 working prototypes that are almost ready to go into production. The 1st cable is simply a VB-to-VB link cable. This cable will support 2-player gaming between two systems in the same room. The 2nd cable hopes to accomplish something much greater, 2-player gaming across the Internet. The VB-to-PC link cable software will still need to be written, so as of now we are not really sure how well this idea will work. Based on the talent behind the project, it is a safe bet that they will work out any kinks.

Retro gamers, Virtual Boy fans, and Homebrew developers should also take note that a Virtual Boy coding competition is currently in progress. The grand prize is a stack of 20 reproduction carts containing your winning entry. For more information on the competition and its rules, click HERE and HERE

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[Devin]

Just watched a video about the Virtual Boy the other day and now this. Glad to see stuff being made for older systems.

 

[TheBlueSky]

The real test would be to bring two Virtual Boys in one room.

 

[Foxi4]

The VB Homebrew Scene - have a taste of our home-made retina cancer. ;O;

Seriously though, this is pretty cool - rarely do we see such add-ons for systems that are long since gone, even rarer when the systems failed miserably.

 

[Xexyz]

I thought nintendo was making this ..... but anyways this is awesome!

 

[Vipera]

////

 

[Yepi69]

Now make a Micro-to-Cube cable please

You can connect GB Micro using a GBA Link to Micro converter.

 

[Wisenheimer]

Nintendo was onto something with the Virtual Boy. It just was ahead of its time. There is no way they could have created the level of quality they needed at a price point that made it affordable for families. It is the only console failure in the history of the company.

With the Wii U, Nintendo leveraged their experience in the handheld market. While I see the touchpad as rather useless, I am sure the folks at Nintendo had some stunning games in mind for it, after all, the Nintendo 64 controller is one of my all-time favorites, absolutely revolutionary for its time, and it was designed solely for one purpose: Mario 64, which was pushed back from the Super Nintendo as the designers wanted to have camera buttons.

I seriously think Nintendo should launch a Virtual-boy like attachment for the Wii U. While a lot of supposedly "hard core" gamers are content to sit on their couch and spend their money on games because they have marginally better graphics, I want a holodeck. Finding myself in a boss battle in Skyward sword and realizing my legs are tired because I've been in a fighting stance the whole time, just like if I were swinging a real sword, is an awesome realization. Now all we need is some kind of Virtual-boy like accessory for the eyes and something for the feat so that we can run in place in our living room and transfer the movement to the character, and we might not end up being the fattest generation.

 

[Another World]

you pretty much described this: http://www.gizmag.com/virtuix-omni-treadmill-vr/27214/ http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/22/4...l-oculus-rift-integration-kickstarter-pricing

my hopes are that eventually more homebrew coders realize how much information has been collected for the virtual boy, and that a handful of them come to embrace the system. the vb has so much untapped potential. there are some great ideas that would make for incredible 3d experiences.

-another world

 

[Xexyz]

you pretty much described this: http://www.gizmag.com/virtuix-omni-treadmill-vr/27214/ http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/22/4...l-oculus-rift-integration-kickstarter-pricing

my hopes are that eventually more homebrew coders realize how much information has been collected for the virtual boy, and that a handful of them come to embrace the system. the vb has so much untapped potential. there are some great ideas that would make for incredible 3d experiences.

-another world

Virtual Boy on 3DS! will never happen on virtual console

 

[Gahars]

The fan must be very pleased.

 

[tbgtbg]

The real test would be to bring two Virtual Boys in one room.

I hear that was the back up plan Egon had for defeating Gozer if crossing the streams didn't work.

 

[Veho]

That's interesting, I can't wait to see how multiplayer over the internet turns out.

The fan must be very pleased.

And he seems to be going to great lengths to play with himself.

 

[Another World]

according to the developer behind the project, he has plans to implement a few nice features into the vb-to-pc cable. he built a prototype years ago and had things like rom dumping working and the ability to read/write memory while actively running an unmodified rom. he had plans for something like game shark codes and save states. it will be interesting to see how this project turns out.

here is a photo of the cable end, with the nice vb icon.

-another world

 

[Thanatos Telos]

So, in other news, the estimated total number of pre-orders is: 3.

 

[Rockhoundhigh]

Man, when it comes to communities there's no one more dedicated than the niche crowd.

 

[SolidSnake95]

I do wish a couple games got translated like Dragon Ball

 

[Another World]

I do wish a couple games got translated

they are working on it. sd gundam just received an english cart release. space squish is soon to follow. they made great efforts to rework graphics as well, so its not just the text that was translated.

So, in other news, the estimated total number of pre-orders is: 3.

just because a niche sect of hardcore collectors and retro gamers support something, its worth ripping it down because you don't? there are well over 700,000 VB units out in the wild. when one of the reproduction carts hits eBay, it sells for over $200. there is an estimated 300+ vb flash kits in private hands and more being made each day. the process has even been streamlined to include a custom 3d printed case. when the fb+ hits ebay it almost always sells for double its current asking price. i'll admit that the vb requires a special collector who is either into 3d gaming, obscure consoles, or preserving history. the number of active vb gamers is easily challenged by ds/android/ios/etc gamers. but to say that only 3 people will be interested in this cable just shows how ignorant you are to the vb scene and now misinformed you were when you made your post.

i'll never understand how quickly someone can discount something which they have not yet experienced.

can we please keep this thread on topic. this discussion is about the link cable and the vb, not how "crappy" the vb was in your eyes or the amount of people who will be interested in the cable.

-another world

 

[Another World]

A little update. The new prototype cable arrived at the designers door. A few tweaks need to be made but they are really close to a full production run.

-Another World

 

[thaddius]

Cool. Can't wait to try it out.