Play XBAND Online Free for Super Nintendo.
XBAND hits different when it boots instantly in your browser. Released in 1994 on the Super Nintendo, this retro classic from its publisher is ready the second you press start — no downloads, no setup.
It is the only modem released in America to have been officially licensed by Nintendo. XBAND was one of the first competitive online console gaming networks and was available for the Genesis and Super NES.
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| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| D-Pad Up | ↑ | D-Pad up |
| D-Pad Down | ↓ | D-Pad down |
| D-Pad Left | ← | D-Pad left |
| D-Pad Right | → | D-Pad right |
| B (bottom) | X | Bottom face |
| A (right) | Z | Right face |
| Y (left) | S | Left face |
| X (top) | A | Top face |
| L | Q | Left shoulder |
| R | E | Right shoulder |
| Start | Enter | Start |
| Select | V | Select |
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The Story Behind XBAND
The following games have been analyzed, and online compatibility provided, by XBAND. A major issue for the XBAND service was free long-distance phone calls. This information allowed anyone to access long-distance phone calls that were charged to Catapult.
The client-side system worked by manipulating the game's memory in a way similar to Game Genie or third-party computer game modifications do. In response to complaints, the company developed a program which would detect such forced disconnections and assign a loss to the perpetrator and a win to the victim. The Genesis version also works with the Genesis Nomad.
How XBAND Plays
According to Next Generation, XBAND "never turned a significant profit". In Brazil the Mega Drive service was released as the Mega Net 2, named after the Sega Meganet. When connecting to play, unless specifying a particular user from the friend list, players were matched with a random player elsewhere in the country (or the player's local area code depending on preference) who was also connecting to play the same game.
The modem features built-in storage for up to four user codenames. XBAND had an official website to check other players' statistics, along with other information and updates that were not viewable on consoles. The top-ranked gamers of the previous month were published starting in January 1996 in Game Zero and, starting in early 1996, in Tips & Tricks magazine.
Why Players Still Load It Up
The following games have been analyzed, and online compatibility provided, by XBAND. Heavy contributors to XBAND's demise were the lack of support from game developers and limited internal resources. In Brazil the Mega Drive service was released as the Mega Net 2, named after the Sega Meganet.
Text entry is done either through an on-screen keyboard or an optional XBAND keyboard add-on ($29.95 MSRP) released later in the network's lifespan. A common complaint was that if a player was losing a match, they could simply pull their phone cord out or reset their system. In 1995, Catapult Entertainment signed a deal with General Instrument, producers of the Sega Channel, which stipulated that the XBAND modem would henceforth be built into new Sega Channel adapters, and that the top 5 to 10 games offered by Sega Channel each month would be playable over XBAND.
XBAND — Frequently Asked Questions
How many players does XBAND support?
XBAND supports 1 player(s) in this browser version.
Can I play XBAND online for free?
Absolutely. The full game loads in the player at the top of this page and runs right in your browser — no installs, no plugins, no waiting.
Do I need a controller to play XBAND?
No. Keyboard controls work out of the box (see the controls panel), and any USB or Bluetooth gamepad is detected automatically.
Who developed XBAND?
Development was handled by Catapult Entertainment, with its publisher publishing the release.