Your Fantasy 32-bit Console.
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:06 pm
Ever looked at all the amazing technology that was available in the early to mid '90s, and thought "wouldn't it be cool if..."
We've all dreamed of a fantasy console at some point. Your personal definition of retro gaming awesome stewed to perfection in a piece of hardware that exists only in your mind.
My question is, what would the specifications be?
Assuming you know something about technology (and I imagine you do if you're here), plan out your own fantasy console. Describe what it would be like, and discuss the designs of others!
It's a pipe dream, but if you plan it now, something might come of it someday.
Here, then, is my own console.
Name:
Horizon.
Hardware Specifications:
- 1x Motorola 68EC020 32-bit CPU.
- 2x Motorola 68EC000 16-bit embedded processors (one for sound and input processing, one for video control and as a Blitter for sprites and 3D effects).
- 2 MB of ROM (for firmware, including embedded OS and other software specs).
- 3 MB of RAM.
- 1 MB of VRAM.
- 2 MB Flash memory.
- 4x 18-pin expansion ports.
- 1x 4x speed CD-ROM drive.
- 1x 9-pin controller port.
- RCA A/V out.
- RF coaxial out.
Software Specifications:
- Amiga OS based or similar embedded OS (with internal memory manager), accessible when booting without a disc.
- MPEG-1 (VCD) compatibility.
- 24-bit color CinePak compatibility.
- CD Digital Audio compatibility.
- Photo CD compatibility.
- CD+G compatibility.
- CD-Text compatibility.
- Software VLM (Virtual Light Machine) and on-screen graphical DB meters for audio CDs.
Standard Controller:
- 8-button joy-pad (6 face buttons, 2 shoulder buttons) with standard D-Pad. Has "chording" (multiple buttons held down at once) support. Also has start button, select button, and 2nd controller input port (controllers link together, similar to the 3DO) which also handles peripherals like "rumble" packs and the like (controller peripherals have extra controller input so as not to compromise multiplayer capability).
Buttons are marked with symbols seen on CD player controls, and can be used as such for audio CD playback.
Button markings (in order):
D-Pad: left = skip backward, right = skip forward, up = scan forward, down = scan backward.
Lower Face Buttons: A = repeat 1, B = repeat A to B, C = repeat all.
Upper Face Buttons: X = program, Y = volume down, Z = volume up.
Function Buttons: play = play/pause, select = stop.
Shoulder Buttons: L = toggle CD+G settings backward, R = toggle CD+G settings forward.
When the "program" button is pushed in CD player mode, the CD automatically pauses and a menu comes up on screen. You can use the controller normally to tinker with audio and VLM settings, as well as program a sequence of play for the tracks on your CD, among other things.
Optional Peripherals:
- ReaLink 56k voice-band modem based on V.92 specifications.
- Keyboard Controller with built-in track-ball mouse.
- Horizon Helm motion-tracking VR headset video display (usable with compatible 3D software).
- Second Drive external CD drive, for making custom soundtracks for your games by assigning tracks on your favorite CDs to different levels/scenarios (usable with compatible software).
- Horizon Disk Drive 5-1/4" Floppy Disk drive, for game save backups and other applications.
- A/V Expansion Pack, with RGB out and in, S-Video out and in, RCA A/V in, RF coaxial in, stereo microphone port, MIDI port, (auxiliary) RCA stereo line in, and A/V editing software and output control software.
- Ace Advantage analog joystick controller.
- Race Wheel analog driving controller.
- Crosshair light gun controller.
- Kick Pack force-feedback controller expansion (for use with normal joy-pad, Ace Advantage joystick, Race Wheel driving controller or Crosshair light gun).
Description:
My console, currently named the Horizon, is a 32-bit game machine with a myriad of functions. It is designed primarily as a 2D powerhouse, with 3D capabilities comparable (but somewhat superior) to the Sega 32X. Games would be available on CD, with generous internal flash memory for game saves, and an external floppy drive peripheral for backups (and "other applications"). In its base form, it would be fairly basic in its capabilities, with simple RF and RCA A/V video and audio output. It is highly expandable, however, with 4 18-pin expansion ports on the back, and one on each controller (which connect to one-another like 3DO controllers).
Internal software allows for compatibility with CD+G, VCD, CD-Text and Photo CD, and the system comes with an embedded, cut down but still functional operating system similar to (or even based on) the old Amiga OS. When not playing games, one could use the system (especially equipped with the optional keyboard controller and 56k modem) as a standard computer, and perhaps do a little hobbyist programming for it.
The aforementioned modem can also be used for direct-dial 2+ player matches, among other things.
*Specifications subject to change.
Anyway, that's my fantasy machine. What do you think? And further, what's yours?
We've all dreamed of a fantasy console at some point. Your personal definition of retro gaming awesome stewed to perfection in a piece of hardware that exists only in your mind.
My question is, what would the specifications be?
Assuming you know something about technology (and I imagine you do if you're here), plan out your own fantasy console. Describe what it would be like, and discuss the designs of others!
It's a pipe dream, but if you plan it now, something might come of it someday.
Here, then, is my own console.
Name:
Horizon.
Hardware Specifications:
- 1x Motorola 68EC020 32-bit CPU.
- 2x Motorola 68EC000 16-bit embedded processors (one for sound and input processing, one for video control and as a Blitter for sprites and 3D effects).
- 2 MB of ROM (for firmware, including embedded OS and other software specs).
- 3 MB of RAM.
- 1 MB of VRAM.
- 2 MB Flash memory.
- 4x 18-pin expansion ports.
- 1x 4x speed CD-ROM drive.
- 1x 9-pin controller port.
- RCA A/V out.
- RF coaxial out.
Software Specifications:
- Amiga OS based or similar embedded OS (with internal memory manager), accessible when booting without a disc.
- MPEG-1 (VCD) compatibility.
- 24-bit color CinePak compatibility.
- CD Digital Audio compatibility.
- Photo CD compatibility.
- CD+G compatibility.
- CD-Text compatibility.
- Software VLM (Virtual Light Machine) and on-screen graphical DB meters for audio CDs.
Standard Controller:
- 8-button joy-pad (6 face buttons, 2 shoulder buttons) with standard D-Pad. Has "chording" (multiple buttons held down at once) support. Also has start button, select button, and 2nd controller input port (controllers link together, similar to the 3DO) which also handles peripherals like "rumble" packs and the like (controller peripherals have extra controller input so as not to compromise multiplayer capability).
Buttons are marked with symbols seen on CD player controls, and can be used as such for audio CD playback.
Button markings (in order):
D-Pad: left = skip backward, right = skip forward, up = scan forward, down = scan backward.
Lower Face Buttons: A = repeat 1, B = repeat A to B, C = repeat all.
Upper Face Buttons: X = program, Y = volume down, Z = volume up.
Function Buttons: play = play/pause, select = stop.
Shoulder Buttons: L = toggle CD+G settings backward, R = toggle CD+G settings forward.
When the "program" button is pushed in CD player mode, the CD automatically pauses and a menu comes up on screen. You can use the controller normally to tinker with audio and VLM settings, as well as program a sequence of play for the tracks on your CD, among other things.
Optional Peripherals:
- ReaLink 56k voice-band modem based on V.92 specifications.
- Keyboard Controller with built-in track-ball mouse.
- Horizon Helm motion-tracking VR headset video display (usable with compatible 3D software).
- Second Drive external CD drive, for making custom soundtracks for your games by assigning tracks on your favorite CDs to different levels/scenarios (usable with compatible software).
- Horizon Disk Drive 5-1/4" Floppy Disk drive, for game save backups and other applications.
- A/V Expansion Pack, with RGB out and in, S-Video out and in, RCA A/V in, RF coaxial in, stereo microphone port, MIDI port, (auxiliary) RCA stereo line in, and A/V editing software and output control software.
- Ace Advantage analog joystick controller.
- Race Wheel analog driving controller.
- Crosshair light gun controller.
- Kick Pack force-feedback controller expansion (for use with normal joy-pad, Ace Advantage joystick, Race Wheel driving controller or Crosshair light gun).
Description:
My console, currently named the Horizon, is a 32-bit game machine with a myriad of functions. It is designed primarily as a 2D powerhouse, with 3D capabilities comparable (but somewhat superior) to the Sega 32X. Games would be available on CD, with generous internal flash memory for game saves, and an external floppy drive peripheral for backups (and "other applications"). In its base form, it would be fairly basic in its capabilities, with simple RF and RCA A/V video and audio output. It is highly expandable, however, with 4 18-pin expansion ports on the back, and one on each controller (which connect to one-another like 3DO controllers).
Internal software allows for compatibility with CD+G, VCD, CD-Text and Photo CD, and the system comes with an embedded, cut down but still functional operating system similar to (or even based on) the old Amiga OS. When not playing games, one could use the system (especially equipped with the optional keyboard controller and 56k modem) as a standard computer, and perhaps do a little hobbyist programming for it.
The aforementioned modem can also be used for direct-dial 2+ player matches, among other things.
*Specifications subject to change.
Anyway, that's my fantasy machine. What do you think? And further, what's yours?