Why I chose the U.S. Toaster model to be best NES model

[Purkeynator]

I've been giving a lot of thought lately to which version is the best of Nintendo's 8 bit NES/Famicom. I have considered a lot of factors such as best picture quality, best compatibility, as well as best price. Here is how I came to my conclusions. Feel free to disagree with my conclusions, in fact I welcome reasons for or against my reasons that I may have not considered.

NES toaster style
Pros
Easy to find everywhere
Cheapest version to find in the U.S.
compatible with all American accessories to include
NES Max and NES advantage
various 3rd party controllers, many with turbo
Game Genie without any expensive adapters
controller extension cables
NES Zapper without any modification
Powerpack
Can use your own high quality and long length A/V cables
Can use a splitter to get dual mono
Can do a simple mod to enable extra sound channels from Famicom VRC6 chip carts, ect

Cons
red light blinking which can be fixed with a new connector
playing imports can be done with the Gyromite adapter but can be tough to remove/install
lockout chip is present but can be disabled


NES top loader American
Pros
Excellent reliability with no red blinking light
compact style with comfy dogbone controllers
getting Gyromite adapter in and out is easier
Compatibility with almost all American accessories
No lockout chip

Cons
Expensive compared to toaster
R/F out only which can be modified with various levels of success at a premium price
Not compatible with Game Genie unless you can find expensive adapter


Original Famicom
Pros
plays Famicom games without converter
only system which has microphone on second controller
plays extra sound channels without modification

Cons
very short cords which would required modification to change
not compatible with American accessories unless you do mods
more expensive than toaster
RF picture and sound quality unless you do mods
would require adapter if you want to play American games


Famicom A/V
Pros
same as U.S. pros listed above
can use most American controllers and accessories such as extension cables, ect
A/V out without modification using standard Nintendo A/V cable
no lockout chip
plays extra sound channels without modification

Cons
can't use Zapper unless you do a mod
can't play U.S. games without adapter
expensive


Clone systems
Pros
some can play Famicom and NES carts without modification
many are compatible with most American accessories
can be found brand new
can play carts from other systems (Super NES, Genesis typically)
can use wireless controllers (Generation NEX)
most use standard RCA jack cables

Cons
spotty compatibility (Castlevania 3 among others)
sound or colors can be messed up even if game does work
no extra sound channels on Famicom carts? (not sure on that one)
no compatibility with Powerpack



These were just some thoughts I had over that past few weeks. Although I own all the systems except the Famicom A/V, I think I will do most gaming on the good ol' NES toaster style with some nice monster cable A/V cables that I picked up at the thrift store for a buck! I also enjoy using the dogbone style controllers and plan on grabbing some cheap controller extension cords. To me I think its the easiest, cheapest, way to get the best experience and compatibility for the buck. What are your thoughts? What have I missed/not considered?

[yomomma1]

A lot of the pros aren't unique, as some of the others compared also can be described that way.

[Opa Opa]

NES top loader American

Cons

R/F out only which can be modified with various levels of success at a premium price

That's really my only complaint with the top loader. It's still my favorite because of the amount of space I'm saving.

[dsheinem]

Yeah I prefer the top loader as well. Considering I played these games with an RF signal back in the day, it doesn't bother me as much as it does with other systems. On my TV at least, the RF looks pretty good (better than some composite signals have looked on other TVs in the past). I'll take reliability/form factor/novelty over the toaster. If for some reason I decide I need a pristine picture I'll emulate.

[Kid Dracula]

NES Toploader> NES Toaster

[pepharytheworm]

The top loader doesn't look bad because its RF out only,its because it puts vertical lines in games. Don't believe me hook up the Toaster and top loader with RF and see the difference.

Another Pro for the Famicoms, compatible with the Famicom Disk system, con for the others.

[irixith]

Toaster + the dogbone controllers of the toploader is a perfect combination. One can play certain NES games for a long time, and the comfort of the dogbone is most welcome over the original controller.

[Purkeynator]

Good points all around and I did forget to list compatibility with the original Famicom Disk system, however I think for me personally I might try to play those games on the toaster via the Powerpack. One thing I just realized, the toaster is the only model with RF and A/V out capability in one unit. Happy 25th birthday toaster, still awesome after all these years...

[pepharytheworm]

Whats your thoughts on the Sharp Twin Famicoms?

[dsheinem]

The top loader doesn't look bad because its RF out only,its because it puts vertical lines in games.

Does it do this as a rule? I can't say I've noticed any lines...