December 2012 pickups

[irvgotti452]

I bought an NES top loader for $65.  I've been looking for an NES for a while because I haven't had an original one in a long time.  I bought an old model at Game Exchange, but it kept giving me the blinking light.  The cartridge input was really tight too.  I ended up exchanging it twice, with the two others being exactly the same.  Makes me wonder if they tried to replace the 72 pin connectors and did a bad job.

It's just too bad I have to use RF.  Does anyone know if there's a way to boost the RF signal to improve the picture (such as maybe running it through an RF modulator)?  Would a new RF unit give a better picture than the 20 year old one that the console came with?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eig-VDCWfoo

Quick and simple.

[AO007]

As enticing as a top-loader NES sounds, I think buying the physical cartridges(For collector's sake/library representation) and then just downloading the virtual console versions to be more optimal(Possibly even cheaper). That and compilations like Mega Man Anniversary and Super Mario All-Stars.

I mean, sideways Wii Remote and a NES controller function the same, only the Wii Remote is more comfortable. XD

[Nacho3]

As enticing as a top-loader NES sounds, I think buying the physical cartridges(For collector's sake/library representation) and then just downloading the virtual console versions to be more optimal(Possibly even cheaper). That and compilations like Mega Man Anniversary and Super Mario All-Stars.

I mean, sideways Wii Remote and a NES controller function the same, only the Wii Remote is more comfortable. XD

I usually use emulators to actually play my retro games whether it's virtual console or flash cards then keep my physical copies for display purposes.

[redsox2012]

I do play NES games on emulators, but I like to play cartridges on the original hardware as well.  I guess I'm just nostalgic that way.  Plus, the Zapper games don't work because my emulators are played on LCD screens (although Duck Hunt on MAME with a mouse + cursor is pretty fun).  My 5 year old son and I have a lot of fun picking up the old guns and controllers (NES & Genesis) and playing my cartridges.

I've also tried a clone console, and while it did work, it wasn't 100% compatible with all games (my Tengen games didn't work on it).  Plus, it was really flimsy - the cartridge wiggled in the slot, and if you moved it while playing it would glitch.

I've seen the videos on AV modding the NES, but I have no soldering experience, and I don't trust myself enough to fiddle with the circuitry.  I'm going to keep my eyes open for a good original NES with AV, then maybe I'll sell or trade the top loader.

[tbonesteak4dinner]

And for those of us who are REALLY sensitive (a.k.a totally anal retentive ), playing on an emulator does feel different from the real thing. For instance, the early 3D systems (the N64 and PS1 in particular), the framerate was actually pretty variable, and this factors into how certain levels and boss fights feel. The framerate would either speed up or drop in certain places consistently, making that part of the overall "vibe." Emulators in generally will feel very smoothed out, and sometimes a little fake feeling to those who played the game on the original hardware. To me emulators don't feel fake, they just feel a little "off" as they kind of remove the little quirks that made the original systems unique. The other approach would say an older game on an emulator is how the game was originally supposed to be experienced, without the limitations of the console's hardware and everything running at a rock solid framerate at all times. To each their own I guess.

Sound is another big thing. Earlier consoles had dedicated synthesizer chips for sound. Emulators either use recorded samples to give off a vintage vibe, or they have their own synthesizer which has its own sound entirely. For me, being an audio guy for a living (both in performing music and recording), emulators sound funny to me - they don't quite match the sound of real hardware and on top of that they'll sometimes miss notes and sound effects.

[scarmullet]

To me, its the experience. You can emulate the games, but you can not emulate the experience of

finding an open plug to fit your wall wart
finding empty jacks on your TV
blowing on your cart, turning it on and off till it comes on...and then spending 30 minutes searching for a controller.

Emulation is pure convenience, and I use it like a rental service. I try games out, and if I like it...I buy the cart.

[larryinc64]

I used to play on emulates, that's how I really got into retro games, But I prefer the console experience, I tend to play games longer when you spent a hour trying to get it to work, and you have to get up and change the cart. And its harder to cheat, I remember I was playing Zelda 2 a long time ago and got to death mountain and deiced to moon jump over everything. It ruined the game. I recently was trying to set up a Dreamcast emulater to test a Iso, and Its a huge pain for CD games, struggling with Bios, Gfx options, ect.

The feel is similar to vinyl, how its more enjoyable to put in more effort.

[Lumberjack42]

Picked these up at a Tulsa store for 35.00. Only one game had no manual.



Lumberjack42

[AO007]

SNES and N64 emulate the "Blow the cart to get it to work!" aspect quite well. 

Of course, nowadays most people have upgraded to just cleaning carts with Q-tips and alcohol.

[mojoeskateco]

I do play NES games on emulators, but I like to play cartridges on the original hardware as well.  I guess I'm just nostalgic that way.  Plus, the Zapper games don't work because my emulators are played on LCD screens (although Duck Hunt on MAME with a mouse + cursor is pretty fun).  My 5 year old son and I have a lot of fun picking up the old guns and controllers (NES & Genesis) and playing my cartridges.

I've also tried a clone console, and while it did work, it wasn't 100% compatible with all games (my Tengen games didn't work on it).  Plus, it was really flimsy - the cartridge wiggled in the slot, and if you moved it while playing it would glitch.

I've seen the videos on AV modding the NES, but I have no soldering experience, and I don't trust myself enough to fiddle with the circuitry.  I'm going to keep my eyes open for a good original NES with AV, then maybe I'll sell or trade the top loader.

You can turn almost any nes into one that works like a brand new one.  You just have to take it apart clean the pin connector with rubbing alcohol and bend the pins back into place to give the game a tighter fit.   Then just make sure that all the games you put into it have been cleaned as well. This will keep it clean going forward. 

I've done this recently with about 12 consoles and all but 1 worked like a brand new one.

[palmer6strings]

I got a great pickup today... a $110 ticket from the highway patrol. Though it was my fault, I'm not mad at him. Just sucks because that's coming out of my fun money...
Couch here I come for about 2 weeks.

[larryinc64]

I may have picked up a job as a dishwasher! My drama club was having a fundraiser at a local diner, were we take over as the staff and get the tips, and I got stuck with dish washing duties, and I was so good I got a free meal and potentially a job!

It's not that bad of a job, its strangely fun.

[Mick Dundee]

My first over the table job was a Dish Bitch.....i recall free food, simple work, and being one of the last people to go home.

 All in all I miss it because I had no responsibilities, the free food helped and the people i worked with were generally nice to me.

[wiggy]

I may have picked up a job as a dishwasher! My drama club was having a fundraiser at a local diner, were we take over as the staff and get the tips, and I got stuck with dish washing duties, and I was so good I got a free meal and potentially a job!

It's not that bad of a job, its strangely fun.

Congrats!  I just installed a new dishwasher

[AO007]

I ordered Final Fantasy V, and thank god it wasen't a bootleg! Even came with the manual. Really digging the gameplay of it, as well.

To keep up this streak of buying good games in December, I decided to purchase (Or re-purchase in this case...) Zelda: Oracle of Seasons. Hopefully this time I get one that won't require a battery change. >:/

I also pray that the 3rd Final Fantasy VI cart I ordered isn't also a bootleg. Seriously, I'm probaly saving people by being so unlucky. lol