Not your normal Console Selection help topic

[fastbilly1]

Ok folks I need some help here. Throughout the year I give a dozen or so panels on retrogaming throughout the southeast at conventions of all kind. Last year the only complaint I was given, apart from occasionally talking to fast, was that I had no AV portion to the presentation. So this year I am updating the panel a bit. I am adding videos of games people may not have heard of, or that I talk about during the panel. Alittle Talking Classics, per Nathan Barnett, and I am trying to decide on a console to let people play (before, after, or near the end, not during the entire thing).

Typically when traveling I try to fit everything for the con into one bag (sans personal belongs), think of it like a laptop bag for a 15 inch laptop, so we can maximize space for what we sell/how many people we bring. So I need something that is small, durable, and outputs RCA/Composite – most projectors don’t take kindly to rf.

The three most common suggestions I have been given by others are:
1. Core Grafx
2. SNES Jr
3. CD-X

I own 0 games for the PC-engine, and only a handful of TG16 titles. For the SNES/SFC I own over 100 and the Genesis/Sega CD I own about 50.

I am open to other suggestions, I have most of the major consoles released and a lot of the minor ones, these are simply the ones suggested to me the most. I am wanting to spend $100 or less on the console and atleast one game (and controller for Core Grafx). I know that they all go for cheaper, and believe you me I will be trying to get it as cheap as possible. Right now I am leaning toward the Snes Jr, since I own the most for it, I like the style of it, I can get one locally right now, and it gives me even more of an excuse to drop the coin on Sutte Hakkun.

So my question to yall is this. If you went to a panel at say an Anime convention and you were given the chance to play something, what would entice you the most? Both console and gamewise.

I should add – I envisioned this as a single player experience, but multiplayer is fine. Once I find a proper case for what I am doing, I might actually be able to fit more than one console in (depending on game count). Everything will be legit - no flashcarts. All backups will only be games that I own.

Also if you have a favorite Talking Classics, or one that you think is the best on its own, Ill add it. I am grabbing them all from Nathan and will use the Neo Geo one as my safety.

[pepharytheworm]

The PC-engine would be a more novel experience for the guest, but I suggest the Dreamcast since you can back up your Genesis, Master System, NES, and Neo Geo games fairly well on the console. Or better yet if you have a lot of virtual console games bring your Wii. Its small and you don't need to bring all the extra pieces if you have a classic controller, plus you said you had a multi adapter to use NES and SNES pads.

[MrPopo]

I'd say go with the Genesis, as it's simpler control scheme would allow people to pick up and play easier.

[fastbilly1]

That adapter has input lag, though I could drop the coin on Raphnet adapters instead of a new console.

I am trying to not do emulation in any way, shape, or form, even with the real controller. Even though they are technically the same thing, it is a different experience. That and my Wii is softmodded. If push comes to shove, Ill do that, but I would like to be able to offer the real deal.

[alienjesus]

I think if I were to attend a retrogaming panel, i'd want to play something new and exciting, so out of those suggestions, the core grafx would be the one I'd recommend.

[newt42]

Or better yet if you have a lot of virtual console games bring your Wii. Its small and you don't need to bring all the extra pieces if you have a classic controller, plus you said you had a multi adapter to use NES and SNES pads.

This.

[Xonticus]

I might also add, I think something cool for the Sega Saturn, like maybe:
Sonic Jam,
NIGHTs,
Road Rash,
Daytona USA,
Alien trilogy,
Three Dirty Dwarves
or some Fighters Megamix would be neat.

Also maybe an import title would be pretty interesting to show off... if you get the Action Replay 4 in 1 cart for it.

HA! oh maybe the Segata Sanshiro game imported would be a neat show!

[GamerMON]

If you get a cdx, get one of the sega game gear bags to put it in all. They are cheap and abundant on ebay (plus you usually can pick up some cheap game gear junk). Then you have some nice sega branded bag.

[Hobie-wan]

I would be hesitant carrying a CDx to a convention for fear of it getting damaged in transit or accidentally while people are playing it. A Core Grafx is bulletproof, tiny, and will be novel to more people. Plus the system and the games will take up very little space.

[fastbilly1]

Core Grafx seems to be the favorite by the vast majority, with the SNES Mini/SFC Jr being a distant second. So it looks like Core Grafx it is. Thanks for the help all.