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Post by krimpov on Dec 19, 2016 16:09:50 GMT -5
Since we were getting a bit off-topic in the Deals and coupons with our talk about the Famicom Mini - available at AmiAmi... check the restocks! - I'm starting a new thread.
This is about the NES Classic Edition and its Japanese counterpart, the Famicom Mini. It's also the place to talk about other "plug&play" retro consoles like the Flashback line (Atari, Intellivision, Collecovision), Namco "TV Games" or even modern Plug&Play TV games if you find one that doesn't suck. Or even if it does suck.
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Post by krimpov on Dec 19, 2016 16:58:43 GMT -5
Attachment DeletedA quick comparison between the North-American NES Classic Edition and the Japanese Famicom Mini. Aside from the obvious difference in looks (being based on either the US NES or the Japanese Famicom), here are the differences : 1) The Games.
Most games are featured on both versions, but some are exclusives to one version. (List from Wikipedia.) BOTH :Balloon Fight Castlevania Donkey Kong Double Dragon II: The Revenge Dr. Mario Excitebike Galaga Ghosts 'n Goblins Gradius Ice Climber Kirby's Adventure Mario Bros. Mega Man 2 Metroid Ninja Gaiden Pac-Man Super C Super Mario Bros. Super Mario Bros. 2 Super Mario Bros. 3 The Legend of Zelda Zelda II: The Adventure of Link NES Classic Edition exclusives :
Bubble Bobble Castlevania II: Simon's Quest Donkey Kong Jr. Final Fantasy Kid Icarus Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream StarTropics Tecmo Bowl Famicom Mini exclusivesAtlantis no Nazo Downtown Nekketsu Kōshinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundōkai Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari (River City Ransom) Final Fantasy III Mario Open Gold (NES Open Tournament Golf) Solomon's Key Tsuppari Ōzumō (sumo wrestling game) Yie Ar Kung-Fu 2) The controllers.
The NES Classic includes only one controller. For two-players games, extra controllers are sold separately. But since they are only slightly less difficult to find than the console itself, good luck! They are full-size replicas of the original '80s NES controller. The console's controller ports are actually Wiimote ports. So you can also use them with a Wii or Wii U. Unfortunately, that means they will not work on an original NES console, unless someone makes an adapter for that. And someone should. Come on. Do it. For the Famicom Mini, Nintendo made the weird decision to shrink down the controllers along with the console. So the Famicom Mini controllers are much smaller. Honestly, they look painfully small:  To mimic the original console, the Japanese controller cords are hardwired into the console. So, no Wii/WiiU compatibility. Despite featuring the same "MIC." label as the original console, the Famicom Mini's second controller does NOT have a working microphone. The Japanese will have to shoot those rabbit heads with arrows in The Legend of Zelda, just like we did. 3) Playing with power.
Both the NES Classic Edition and the Famicom Mini use a Micro USB port for power - a cable is included with both versions. The NES Classic comes with a USB AC adapter, but the Famicom Mini does NOT. An official Nintendo AC USB adapter is sold separately, but any AC USB adapter will do. Although Japanese electrical standards are different, they're similar enough to the North-American ones that most Japanese game consoles will work fine as-is (without a converter) in US outlets. But it's still safer (and cheaper) to use a North-American AC USB adapter to power your Famicom Mini.
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Post by krimpov on Dec 19, 2016 17:19:47 GMT -5
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Post by supergetterv on Dec 19, 2016 19:24:45 GMT -5
The thing is, the main draw for the NES Classic is from Nostalgia. I owned a NES as a kid and that's the one I want. The Famicom Mini just isn't the same. According to my dad, he told me that my old NES is still in the garage somewhere in the old house. That plus I still have my PSP with emulator with a full Library of all NES Roms and Famicon ROM places this console way down on my want list. I definitely pick one up once there is an abundance of them on the shelf sometime next year.
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Post by krimpov on Dec 20, 2016 11:27:21 GMT -5
Playing with the real vintage hardware always has that special, authentic feeling, that emulators have a hard time duplicating. But for some, especially those who sold/traded their old games, it would cost much more to get a NES and all those games on original carts (even loose). Not to mention that the original NES, on composite video, doesn't look that great on most modern HDTVs and most people would rather not keep a big old CRT TV around just for their old consoles. So for a lot of people, that is the best, cheapest, LEGAL way.
If you want to pirate the games, that's your choice, but that is what it is : piracy. I see you want to get a NES Classic anyway. That's pretty much what I'm doing too : I'm not paying the scalper tax or fighting the hordes to get one during the holidays. When I'll be able to get one easily, I will. In the meantime, if I get the urge to play some of those games I don't already own, I'll just download the ROMs. But I see lots of "warez dudez" on other boards and comment sections trying to ridicule the mere existence of the thing based on the fact that they can get all those games for free on the Internet. I just hate people saying that the availability of those ROMs makes stupid and futile any legitimate - paid - way to get the games : ANY way. Even when you could get the Sega Genesis Collection for around $10 on Steam, you'd see that "argument" pop up again. Paying $10 for around 60 games was stupid, because you could get them for free on the Intarwebz.
What I like about that NES Classic edition is that it's the closest thing to a "NES Greatest Hits" collection we ever got. I wish Nintendo would get its head out of its ass and do what lots of companies (Sega, Capcom, Konami, SNK, etc) have already done, instead of asking $5 a pop for NES games on their Virtual Console. But I don't expect them to do that anytime soon. They're probably making a lot more money that way, unfortunately, and they're going to milk those games for as much as they can. I mean, how long has the Virtual Console been around? Yet they're still trying to milk the pennies out of their butchered NES port of Donkey Kong when Sega has been releasing the original arcade version of their hits for years. If MAME can play the game with near-perfect emulation, there's no reason Nintendo themselves couldn't. Yet, they don't.
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Post by krimpov on Dec 20, 2016 11:29:30 GMT -5
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Post by coldiron on Dec 26, 2016 13:39:18 GMT -5
So I have an original NES, and a slew of cartridges but I still think this is a cool concept, especially for those who just want something simple.
I actually want the controller for to use on the Wii. I have an adapter that lets me use famicon and snes controllers on my wii, but its a little buggy. Nintendo club japan made an SNES controller that has a wii port years ago, but they go around 70usd for a single controller last time I checked.
I like the idea of these controllers working on the wii due to the classic games on it. Plus my wii has been modded to emulate other consoles, and the nes controller works well for many games. The rumor is there will be more of these classic nes unit to follow with other games installed, and possibly a SNES version. I am hoping this is the case so there is an affordable snes controller that can also work on a Wii.
I also have a wiiU, and I think these controllers would be a nice addition to use on many of the classic and indie games I have bought.
I know they avoided upgradability due to the likely hood of hacking and pirating. It makes good business sense, but I do wish these functioned online and allowed you to buy more games from their nintendo store. I don't know if I would had kept my nes or snes if they offered it to work like that.
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Jan 23, 2017 11:31:03 GMT -5
I still have my original NES with a mix of some classic titles and also a few rare games that I enjoy playing. Once the price comes back down on these I will probably pick one up.
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Post by mazingetter on Jan 26, 2017 12:48:05 GMT -5
What's the advantage of these "mini-consoles" over emulators?
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Jan 26, 2017 13:23:27 GMT -5
Cheap nostalgia, good quality and avoids having an original console and 30 cartridges laying around. Ideal for kids or small apartments or people who don't want to go buy a full size one.
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Post by mazingetter on Jan 26, 2017 13:50:42 GMT -5
I should point out that by "emulators", I meant those various free console/handheld emulation programs that allow you play video game ROMs on your PC or laptop.
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Post by supergetterv on Jan 26, 2017 14:41:19 GMT -5
I should point out that by "emulators", I meant those various free console/handheld emulation programs that allow you play video game ROMs on your PC or laptop. not much advantage at all if you are comparing the NES Classic to a PC or Laptop running emulators. You can get replica USB NES Classic controller for the PC so that cover that. Perhaps ease of hook up? PC with HDMI hook up to modern tv just as easily. So no advantage there. Maybe smaller size make it easier to carry around, but so are laptops. Anyway, people aren't buying the NES Classic for any competition advantages over emulators. People want it cause it's nostalgic and a piece of hardware that reminds them of the 80's. |
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Post by mazingetter on Jan 26, 2017 22:15:09 GMT -5
I wouldn't use the classic NES controller again. It's not an ergonomic design and would sometimes give me the dreaded Nintendo thumb. The Famicom one, though, is a bit more comfortable.
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Jan 27, 2017 0:30:16 GMT -5
The classic NES controller is not that bad if you are used to it. When I play my original NES now, I usually use an NES Max (vintage) controller, it's more responsive/ergonomic.
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Post by mazingetter on Jan 27, 2017 2:50:30 GMT -5
I've used the classic NES controller for about 3 years and it has frequently struck me with the Nintendo thumb. Once I got an NES-to-FC converter, I ended up playing on the Famicom exclusively because its controllers were a bit more comfortable.
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Post by krimpov on Jan 30, 2017 14:59:18 GMT -5
For those who would like to add games to their NES Classic or Famicom Mini : HakChi2 (2.11)No need for anything other than : 1) a NES Classic or Famicom Mini (obviously) 2) a micro USB cable (which should be included with your console) 3) a PC (running Windows; not sure if it works on other OS) 4) HakChi2 software (latest version, 2.11, available at the link above) 5) ROM files (of your legally owned games) If you need instructions on how to make it work, look it up on Youtube. There are many helpful videos there, but it really is pretty easy and self-explanatory. The NES Classic's internal memory is approximately 300MB. Some people claim to have put over 700 games on their Nes Classic. However, if you do this, the system may not have enough space left for save states or game saves (on Famicom disc system games or US games originally with an internal battery, like Zelda and Dragon Warrior) and may cause problems. Nintendo's emulator was only made to work with the 30 games included and does not support many of the mappers other games use. Some games need to be patched to work, which Hakchi2 will do automatically, but some are just not supported. Nice surprise : Castlevania 3 does work, even though none of the original 30 games (of either console model) uses its MMC5 mapper. NES games will work on the Famicom Mini and vice-versa. Not all European PAL games will work; those that will most likely will run at the wrong speed. Use NTSC US or japanese versions, if possible. Hakchi2 supports ZIP files. However, be warned that if there are many files in the .ZIP (many versions of the same game), it will transfer them ALL. You can backup your console's kernel and uninstall Hakchi2 to return it to its original state if you ever wish to do so. The software will search for box art on the Internet, or you can use your own images. It can also add some special button combinations, such as : - Reset (return to system menu / game selection screen)
- Autofire (also adds autofire to X and Y buttons on a Wii classic controller)
- 2nd controller START button (non-existent on the Famicom Mini and needed for some US games)
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Post by quinjester on Feb 13, 2017 12:42:08 GMT -5
I never managed to find an NES classic and now it looks like Nintendo is already ceasing production... go figure.
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Post by krimpov on Apr 13, 2017 19:25:13 GMT -5
Yeah, looks like it's official now... According to IGN, quoting a Nintendo representative : Screw them. Aaaand he conveniently forgets that time when Nintendo told people not to worry and to hold off buying from resellers because more stocks were on the way. I guess he was TECHNICALLY right. More stock DID come. I never saw a single one in stock in store or online, but I suppose it doesn't matter. Tsss... It's like they WANT me to pirate their games. OK Nintendo, you won... PS: And look at those prices on Ebay. At least Nintendo is making the scalpers happy. |
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Post by repairtechjon on Apr 13, 2017 22:34:17 GMT -5
This whole release of the NES in the US, is totally goofy. What a stupid bunch of buyers, when there's over a thousand listings on ebay, and others on Amazon, etc. Yet, still bidding up to 300-400 for them. I can see a bit more if it's modded with a whole gigantic library of games in one little unit, that's cool, but not for just the standard 30.
I can see the appeal, I want one, less fuss with no cartridges, and still get the play feel. Playing an emulator on a pc or laptop is a total turnoff to many, myself included. Falls totally flat, pushing keys, or using a mouse? no thanks. The nostalgia feel is in the TV, and handheld controller being seperate.
I think it's great though, that if someone wants to just check a game out,they can do it on a pc, just not getting the full fun feel in my opinion.
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Post by supergetterv on Apr 13, 2017 23:17:21 GMT -5
This whole release of the NES in the US, is totally goofy. What a stupid bunch of buyers, when there's over a thousand listings on ebay, and others on Amazon, etc. Yet, still bidding up to 300-400 for them. I can see a bit more if it's modded with a whole gigantic library of games in one little unit, that's cool, but not for just the standard 30. I can see the appeal, I want one, less fuss with no cartridges, and still get the play feel. Playing an emulator on a pc or laptop is a total turnoff to many, myself included. Falls totally flat, pushing keys, or using a mouse? no thanks. The nostalgia feel is in the TV, and handheld controller being seperate. I think it's great though, that if someone wants to just check a game out,they can do it on a pc, just not getting the full fun feel in my opinion. Agree with your point about emulators on PC or laptop. Which is why I run them on my PSP for portability and my modded Wii if I want to play on a tv. Classic control works just as good and the PSP controls are also really responsive. I can't play games using keyboard. |
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