Hyperkin 3 vs. NES toaster?

[AppleQueso]

I don't know, I think if that were the case we'd have a lot more messed up carts out there than we actually do.

The toaster can be awfully finnicky though. Everything works great provided you're good about staying on top of keeping all of your carts and pins cleaned. One or two dirty games though and you're opening up the whole NES to clean that cart slot all over again.

Those official toploaders are pretty nice, but they're also pricey and require a mod to get normal composite video. I wouldn't go telling noise to pick one up if all he wants it Tetris right now. I didn't feel I could justify the cost until recently after my NES collection ballooned up a bit..

[brunoafh]

I wouldn't go telling noise to pick one up if all he wants it Tetris right now.

I didn't... I suggested the toaster if his main intent is Tetris. What I was getting at mainly is that for serious NES gaming/collecting, a toploader is the way to go.

[KDub]

They wouldn't and don't damage the game carts. I mean all the tray does is cause the pins to bend down to the game board. It isn't that tight and in fact is not as tight as top loaders or clone systems which is where the issues come from.

The original NES isn't as bad as it is made out to be I know plenty of people who still have their same NES with the same pin connector that functions fine, I'm one of those people.

[AppleQueso]

They wouldn't and don't damage the game carts. I mean all the tray does is cause the pins to bend down to the game board. It isn't that tight and in fact is not as tight as top loaders or clone systems which is where the issues come from.

The original NES isn't as bad as it is made out to be I know plenty of people who still have their same NES with the same pin connector that functions fine, I'm one of those people.

I don't mean to exaggerate the toaster's failings. I just find that they're consistently less reliable than my other consoles.

[Hobie-wan]

They wouldn't and don't damage the game carts. I mean all the tray does is cause the pins to bend down to the game board. It isn't that tight and in fact is not as tight as top loaders or clone systems which is where the issues come from.

The original NES isn't as bad as it is made out to be I know plenty of people who still have their same NES with the same pin connector that functions fine, I'm one of those people.

Exactly, the problem is the connector. With a little maintenance it will be fine. Blowing on the carts to try and band aid a connector that needs a little touch up then corrodes the cart and the connector and makes things worse. But even then, as long as you don't start using things that are corrosive or leave scratchy solids behind like so many misguided people to clean stuff, you can get things going again.

[mjmjr25]

I've had the hyperkin 3. Miserable. The ac cable wire is about as thick as one strand of angel hair pasta. The controller ports are not exact (flimsy, unsnug fit). It grabs NES carts for dear life and you feel like your going to collapse the cheap plastic trying to pull the game back out. Miserable product.

[AppleQueso]

I've had the hyperkin 3. Miserable. The ac cable wire is about as thick as one strand of angel hair pasta. The controller ports are not exact (flimsy, unsnug fit). It grabs NES carts for dear life and you feel like your going to collapse the cheap plastic trying to pull the game back out. Miserable product.

Sounds pretty consistent with every one of those cheapo clones I've tried out.

I remember selling one that just played NES to someone on here once. Thing started smoking out the back and I had to get him a refund.

[CRTGAMER]

My wife really wants NES Tetris again. She was curious about the Hyperkin 3 which I've read is a pretty good fake-NES (plus has SNES and Genesis support, and can take real controllers). Mostly her thought is that this is a "new" console rather than an aged console. I have no idea honestly, as NES isn't my area of expertise. So for those of you really into the console, and keeping in mind she's mostly just looking to play Tetris, which route would you go?

Yet another vote for the NES Toaster. It has the best compatibility, who knows you might eventually pick up more games for it in the future or go nuts and get the robot. Since It is not the only game console on the shelf, a working unit should last for many years due to the lower mileage of the cart insert and removal.

I do not like NES replacement connectors. They might not be as durable as the original and most tend to be too tight and kills the ZIF capability in the up position. As a preventative measure, just take any game cart you purchase apart and clean the contacts with a pencil eraser before inserting. Good to remove or at least pop up the game cart when the console will not be played for a while. This prevents the connector springs from retaining "memory" bent apart around the cart connector.

Out of curiosity which Tetris? The official Nintendo or the better Tengen version that has simultaneous two player support? My favorite NES cart are pirated multi game carts loaded with various games, most include "Tetris 2" which is usually the expensive Tengen Tetris. Not worth much as an official collectable, just so much more convenient in choosing a different game off the menu. Sometimes there is an unknown import hidden gem that is fun to play. The multi game cart also reduces that connector game cart change bend mileage.

[o.pwuaioc]

Noise, if she's only really interested in Tetris, instead of getting an NES, get the superior Game Boy cart and a Super Game Boy.

[foxhound1022]

You could get the Tetris/Dr. Mario combo cart for SNES as well.