Today @mcmrc1 dropped by our Shoutbox and let us know that after a whopping 20 years the Sega Saturn CD system has been hacked by JHL / Dr Abrasive (aka cTrix) with a demonstration video below.
Here's a bit more from HackADay.com on this amazing feat, to quote:
"With a little bit of work, a fast ARM microcontroller, and a CPLD for all the logic glue, [jhl] built an adapter to push CD data to the Saturn through this internal expansion port. Not only is this a boon for homebrew Saturn development, but this build also completely replaces the CD drive in the Saturn – a common failure point in this 20-year-old machine.
The formal release for this ultimate Saturn crack isn’t out yet, but it’s coming shortly, allowing anyone who still has a Saturn to enjoy all those very blocky games and develop their own games."
In a brief footnote, @Chaos Kid also mentioned the open-source project Pseudo Saturn Kai by CyberWarriorX is worth looking into for fellow Sega Saturn hackers.
Here's a bit more from HackADay.com on this amazing feat, to quote:
"With a little bit of work, a fast ARM microcontroller, and a CPLD for all the logic glue, [jhl] built an adapter to push CD data to the Saturn through this internal expansion port. Not only is this a boon for homebrew Saturn development, but this build also completely replaces the CD drive in the Saturn – a common failure point in this 20-year-old machine.
The formal release for this ultimate Saturn crack isn’t out yet, but it’s coming shortly, allowing anyone who still has a Saturn to enjoy all those very blocky games and develop their own games."
In a brief footnote, @Chaos Kid also mentioned the open-source project Pseudo Saturn Kai by CyberWarriorX is worth looking into for fellow Sega Saturn hackers.