Famicom or American NES?

[Erik_Twice]

I've been checking prices and such and I'm a bit dissapointed, it doesn't seem like a Famicom is much cheaper than an American NES, at least not to the degree the Super Famicom is.

I'm also not quite sure about the usefulness of Disk system. I know that many games were originally released for the Disk but I'm not sure of what advantege there is in being able to play games on it instead of the cartridges.

In my searching, S-video is not a feature on any famicom system or clone.

The Titler does have S-Video, but I don't think it's within your budget. It's certainly not within mine!

[Gunstar Green]

As others have said you can replace it with a USB drive.

You can still get some good deals on Famicom lots occasionally or try your luck with Yahoo Auctions Japan. (I've never been a fan, Yahoo's buyer protection pretty much doesn't exist.)

Unfortunately in recent years the Japanese have become wise to the western retro game market which has affected their prices and from what I understand has had a pretty substantial negative impact on retro game stores in Japan since people over there aren't as willing to pay the inflated prices.

I still think Famicom games are largely cheaper for but the gap is nowhere near as wide as it used to be.

[Tanooki]

Well for whatever reason even as accurate as it is my castlevania 3 (vrc6) cart won't work on it, but that FC Mobile 88 is cheap and great, but it won't use any plugged in controllers but the d-pad and buttons on it are excellent.

Sadly if you're using real carts I imagine, there is no good choice other than importing a real Famicom or using a NES with a Famicom adapter. All the classic pre-last couple years NOAC clones are plain and simple crap.

Since you're using old 90s TVs (CRT) you could get a real Famicom, just set I think the TV to channel 99 since it uses RF(coax) so it works, or get an AV famicom which isn't so cheap and like the top loader uses the RCA cables. Save money getting a yellow one, then just get some sally beauty supply creme that has peroxide in it and a UV lamp (or a good summer day) and it'll get white again. The AV Famicom uses the NES style controller ports while the original the controllers are anchored to it.

[nightrnr]

The Titler does have S-Video, but I don't think it's within your budget. It's certainly not within mine!

Holy 4 digit price tag, Batman!
Yeah, I think I'll pass on that . Good to know what's out there though.

Sadly if you're using real carts I imagine, there is no good choice other than importing a real Famicom or using a NES with a Famicom adapter. All the classic pre-last couple years NOAC clones are plain and simple crap.

Since you're using old 90s TVs (CRT) you could get a real Famicom, just set I think the TV to channel 99 since it uses RF(coax) so it works, or get an AV famicom which isn't so cheap and like the top loader uses the RCA cables. Save money getting a yellow one, then just get some sally beauty supply creme that has peroxide in it and a UV lamp (or a good summer day) and it'll get white again. The AV Famicom uses the NES style controller ports while the original the controllers are anchored to it.

I have had the worst of luck with RF signals. I deal with it when necessary, but the effort to limit the interference is not worth it on anything more robust than a 2600.

I may get an AV famicom at some point. I forgot that they use the same controller ports as the US ones; very nice.

I stayed up very late looking up info on the Famicom Disk System. All I really knew about it is that Zelda was on it before SRAM saves were a common thing and that the belts are always going out.
I definitely need to dive into the library sometime (especially with the translated games), but haven't decided the best route for me. I really like the idea of a dedicated system. However, for the cost of the RAM adapter and the FDSstick, you are halfway to an everdrive. And yet, I like the limitation/focus and using my actual famicom carts.

If I did acquire a dedicated FDS setup, I could tolerate an original Famicom model. But I'd either want it pretty cheap, or else AV modded.

Much to consider...

For now, I did end up hooking my ghetto system to a 19" TV and it actually looks decent on that one. I may just deal with it for now.
It's just weird, on so many of my systems I go with "real hardware"/"digital software" and for Famicom it's completely opposite at present.

[Tanooki]

Definitely weird feeling totally get that. I know at some point I may put myself in the same boat really as I still would love a Duo again someday. Problem is the game prices are unjustifiably insane so I'd get a turbo everdrive and burn discs and probably own nothing or close to it on original media. I doubt I'd ever get comfy with it, probably why I haven't done it.

[ApolloBoy]

The Titler does have S-Video, but I don't think it's within your budget. It's certainly not within mine!

The NESRGB has rendered the Titler a moot point anyway, it's nothing more than a collector's item these days.

[nightrnr]

So I decided on an original Famicom and I'm going to AV mod the thing. I found a tutorial and it looks like a very simple project. Definitely in my skill level.
http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/gui ... com.49263/

I love how it even uses the existing RF port for video out.

As far as controllers go, I've had enough luck fixing controllers that using my own isn't absolutely necessary. The built-in setup is kind of cool anyways (and the mic in the 2nd controller; Zelda will finally make sense now... only in Japanese ).

Not sure if I'll mod it right away. but it will be soon-ish (next couple months).

So I also ordered a Famicom Ram Cart and a FDSstick in anticipation. I'm kind of excited about it .
...Waiting for all 3 in the mail and I still need to order a couple caps and resistors.