SharkWire Online
WebTV | |
| Website | Archived March 4, 2000, at the Wayback Machine |
|---|---|
SharkWire Online is a specialized GameShark device with a serial port and modem added, accompanied by a now-defunct dialup Internet portal service. Launched in January 2000,
History
The SharkWire Online's Nintendo 64 accessories were developed by Datel in the UK, for InterAct to sell in the US. The now-defunct dialup portal system was developed between InterAct and its communications partners:
The SharkWire Online was presented to the public at the
The company ran a $5–10 million advertising campaign created by advertising agency
In 2003, SharkWire Online and all other trademarks of GameShark were sold to Mad Catz, and InterAct ceased operations.[7]
Usage
The SharkWire Online product is based on a Nintendo 64 cartridge, which contains a modem[1] and the Mosaic web browser licensed by Spyglass, Inc. The product's operation requires Nintendo's Expansion Pak for RAM.[5] Because the SharkWire Online cartridge is unlicensed by Nintendo, a security workaround is achieved when the user inserts a Nintendo 64 video game cartridge into the SharkWire's rear slot, with the label facing up. The keyboard and telephone cords are plugged directly into the SharkWire Online cartridge. To navigate the menus, Controller 1 must be attached to the Nintendo 64 console.
The accompanying dialup service was intended as a safely proxied and customized Internet access method for children aged 7 to 14 years. The service allowed the player to upload and download game save data via their
However, due to the continual updating of Nintendo's security chips to lock out unlicensed products, even since the time of the product's release, it is incompatible with the following games:[10]
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Yoshi's Story
- Major League Baseball Featuring Ken Griffey, Jr.
- Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside
- F-Zero X
- Diddy Kong Racing
- Cruis'n World
- Banjo-Kazooie
- 1080° Snowboarding
To bypass these lockouts, would require the re-manufacturing of the SharkWire cartridge's hardware. While subsequent GameSharks were released for the N64, the SharkWire Online cartridge was not updated, and more Nintendo 64 games were produced that it is unable to unlock and play with.
Reception
A review by Oklahoma City television station KOTV's news operation found the online portal content to be well-written and suitable more for young children, although very limited in content and scope and less suitable for more mature gamers. The review found the email functionality to be good once the faulty keyboard was replaced, and also well suited for children.[5]
See also
- Randnet
References
- ^ a b "FCC Application notice for SharkWire Online". Archived from the original on October 3, 2006.
- ^ "SharkWire For N64 Provides E-Mail, Gaming Community". Twice. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
- ^ a b c "SharkWire Online(TM) by InterAct Allows Gamers To Get Online, In-Touch and Out Ahead" (Press release). Hunt Valley, MD: InterAct Accessories, Inc. PR Newswire. May 12, 1999. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^ a b "Q64". Vol. 3. Winter 1999.
{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help) - ^ a b c d Godinez, Victor (April 2, 2000). "Review: SharkWire promising but needs fine-tuning". News On 6. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
- ^ Dawson, Angela (December 6, 1999). "JWT Cracks the Code". Retrieved January 7, 2015.
- ^ "Mad Catz Interactive Inc – '20-F' for 3/31/03 – EX-4.17". March 31, 2003. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
- ^ "Cyberspace Via Nintendo". The Washington Post. October 7, 1999.
- ^ "Just When You Thought It Was Safe..." IGN. October 7, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
- ^ SharkWire Online instruction manual. InterAct. 1999.
Further reading
- "New Online Access Tool", Education Technology News, August 4, 1999