Famiclone help..

[goombakid]

Well, I'm new here, although many Google searches lead me here for some of my past projects, so I'm kind of a lurker, too.

Anyway, here's my dilemma. I have both the original "toaster" NES, that, even after much cleaning, blowing, etc., still have a hard time reading the carts. I am getting a new cart connector in the future, since I'm sure that might be the main cause since I've had that console since 1986 or so.

I also have a SNES that works just fine. However, when using the A/V cables from either my N64 or Gamecube, I get several lines glitched out, like it's all garbled on several lines on the screen. I'm currently using it via RF switch and I get no glitches that way. I may open it up later and check to see if there's some connection issues there.

Anyway, I was getting tired of taking these guys out of storage to get my retro gaming on now and then, so I was looking at getting a famiclone 2-in-1 machine to bide my time. I'm hoping, from this retro gaming community, to help get consensus on which 2-in-1 clone machine to get. I think the Yobo machines are out, since most reviews I've read say that they're bad. I'm not much to playing light zapper NES games either, since I have to hunt my zapper down in my already cluttered collection.

I also just acquired a Super Everdrvie, so I'm hoping that the clone would work with it also.

Thanks for any feedback/help on this subject.

[ReddMcKnight]

I'm getting a RES (Retro Entertainment System) soon, which is made by Retrobit. Although it only plays NES Games, it also plays them from different regions, AND you can use original NES Controllers and the Zapper with it. I've been reading reviews for it, and out of the 10-15 that I read, only one was a negative review. I'd recommend it for NES Games. Can't help you with SNES Clones. Sorry.

[yomomma1]

There is the retro duo out there. Of course I broke mine, the pack in controllers are horrible, you have to use a Snes controller, the sound for nes games isn't quite right, The pins broke from pulling out the games for me, and it is sometimes impossible to get the games out. On the plus side you can play sfc games.

[Anapan]

I got a Retro Duo. It plays all my SNES games perfectly as far as I can tell. It also plays my SNES Powerpak just fine. I didn't find the controllers to be that bad - just a little stiff - the originals are of course still better, but it's not hard to find originals anyway. It does keep a death-grip on the games. I took a bad game and 10 minutes of inserting-and-removing the game to break the slot in. At first you have to be careful to pull the games out straight. The NES part is another thing entirely, but that's to be expected of a NES-on-a-chip. The sound is way off. horribly so. It does load up all my original NES carts, but it will not work with my NES Powerpak. The only plus to the NES part is it's output through S-Video. The visuals are great, on both halves of the system. I got the retro-duo because I heard it was the best of the Famiclones. I'm curious to know if there's a better one. IMO emulation on a console system is better than the bad sound of the retro-duo.
I'd suggest just getting a new connector. I've installed 3 of them and it's really easy to do. You just need the NES security-bit and a long-slim screwdriver for it. It makes a big difference. My friend's NES can play games with the toast-lever up and 100% of his well-used NES cart collection works every time now.
I've been tempted to get a FC Mobile...

[yomomma1]

I was looking at an fc mobile, too. But I haven't heard from anybody that has it, and it looks like it would be uncomfortable to hold.

[CRTGAMER]

Maybe invest in that NES connector. I purchased a used NES months ago and am happy with the 100% compatibility. There is a concern about the ineventual fail of the cart connector because of the design flaw, but I think its really not an issue. Consider when the NES was new and the primary or only console in the house. The time used back then compared to today with other consoles and computer internet all competing for play time. Hardly any milage to wear out the replacement connector.

[Limewater]

I'd suggest just getting a new connector. I've installed 3 of them and it's really easy to do. You just need the NES security-bit and a long-slim screwdriver for it. It makes a big difference.

Getting a new connector does make a huge difference. However, I've never needed a security bit to install one.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

goombakid, I wrote a review of a system that sounds like it's EXACTLY what you're looking for.

The Hyperkin RetroN 3.

http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2010 ... -3-review/

note: I reviewed version 1.0. There's newer revisions now that fix some of the minor issues I addressed. The NOAC Famiclone is better and a few other small changes. Look for a box that says "RetroN3" in blue letters rather than white. That's how you tell them apart.

[Hobie-wan]

I'd suggest just getting a new connector. I've installed 3 of them and it's really easy to do. You just need the NES security-bit and a long-slim screwdriver for it. It makes a big difference.

Getting a new connector does make a huge difference. However, I've never needed a security bit to install one.

Indeed, a NES is regular screws. I think Anapan is thinking of the SNES.

[goombakid]

I'm not worried about opening consoles up. I bought a Zoozen console tool kit, so I have every bit needed to open all consoles to now.I've already cleaned out my NES and SNES cases and dusted the insides of them. I'm sure that the connector is really bad on the NES, however, I don't know what's going on with the SNES and the video issues.

Thanks for the input. I've been kinda torn between the Retro Duo and the Retron3. I don't like the Retro Duo since you can't use NES controllers to play NES games, and the Retron3 had the Genesis input that I don't need...unless if someone has it AND a Everdrive MD to assure me that the Everdrive MD works on it, I may reconsider.