snes clones

[johj1987]

I wonder if snes clones are Illegal to buy

[izarate]

They would illegal to make...if the patents were still in effect, that is.

[badinsults]

A lot of the patents have already expired, but some are still in effect for the next year or two. I believe the DSP1 chip's patent expires in 2011.

[Eyedunno]

A lot of the patents have already expired, but some are still in effect for the next year or two. I believe the DSP1 chip's patent expires in 2011.
Wow, really? So maybe flashcarts with DSP clones as well as Super Ciclones are in the cards, eh?...

And then it'll presumably be another few years before the SA-1, Super FX, and S-DD1 chips' patents expire. Ahh, the possibilities!

[badinsults]

The cost to produce the specialized coprocessors without any good documentation would probably make it so they aren't ever reproduced. The DSPx chips might be a different matter, as they are more of a math calculation thing. Even so, not everything is known to reproduce the DSP chips properly, and I doubt the algorithms alone (which are in the patent if you look it up) could allow you to remake it. It comes down to a cost/benefit thing, where there are too few games that support the chips to make it worth reproducing.

[izarate]

A lot of the patents have already expired, but some are still in effect for the next year or two. I believe the DSP1 chip's patent expires in 2011.

Yes, I know, but OP was asking about consoles. If I'm not mistaken, the only console specific part that's still covered is the CIC because the lockout code is copyrighted .

[Richter Belmount]

No no its illegal to import games.... stoped yu get sent 2 jail

[Rickstilwell1]

Hmm so the most likely reason that there are no Nintendo 64 clones yet is just because the hardware patent for that one hasn't expired yet? Maybe someday there will be a Nintendo 3-in-1, making the rare Tri-Star useless.

[HyperDuel]

I never like clone systems. I think the hardware in most of them are crap.

[Eyedunno]

I never like clone systems. I think the hardware in most of them are crap.
It's so sad though, as the console designs are often pretty good - small, sleek top-loading NES with composite outputs, sign me up! The Generation NEX is particularly tantalizing. If only it were rereleased with improved sound accuracy, compatibility, and picture fidelity, I would so buy one.

[bacteria]

Indeed, "clones" are cheap immitations and not as good as the original hardware.

Take the RetroDuo for example, it is a clone SNES, region free, etc; however many games don't play on it, and also the processor can't cope with lots on the screen before you get slowdowns on some games.

[ReTrO-pLaYeR]

I wonder if snes clones are Illegal to buy

My Slackers CDs and Games sold me a Yobo FC System- which is basically a miniature Nintendo NES, for 50 dollars (they didn't have the real ones in stock). I never found the FBI or Nintendo knocking on my door about it. Like with ROMS and Emulators, the provider is more likely to get into hot water than the buyer will. Like others are saying, the patents for these systems are outdated and therefore companies like Yobo are allowed to make their own versions of the systems.

[johj1987]

Yes, I know, but OP was asking about consoles. If I'm not mistaken, the only console specific part that's still covered is the CIC because the lockout code is copyrighted .yes i was asking about the snes console clone

[HyperDuel]

Indeed, "clones" are cheap immitations and not as good as the original hardware.

Take the RetroDuo for example, it is a clone SNES, region free, etc; however many games don't play on it, and also the processor can't cope with lots on the screen before you get slowdowns on some games.

Is it me or the video outputs on these clone systems are terrible?

When I was playing on my friend's Duo it looked like it had some RF picture interference or something like that when running on composite.