How Is Your SNES Gaming Going?

[RCBH928]

Does any one use WiiU - Wii to play their SNES games off VC?
Or are you all hardcore with the original console and cartridge? I usually like things as they were intended to, but the "save anywhere" and speeding options really helped specially in games where you need to backtrack.

I own an SNES... and play all my SNES games on my Wii. Component video out and the option to switch between 240p and 480p is sweet, fan translations are awesome, etc.

I don't use the VC titles though, I use an emulator.

I got the emulator too , how do you switch between 240p and 480p? which is better?

[dunpeal2064]

It is usually in video options, in the emulator. You'll have to switch it for each one.

CRT = 240p for scanline goodness

LCD/Plasma/LED = 480p no scanlines (of course), but a super clean image.

[Ack]

Original hardware for me, fellas. In fact, my SNES has probably gotten the heaviest use of all my consoles this year.

[alienjesus]

[quote="RCBH928"]Does any one use WiiU - Wii to play their SNES games off VC?
Or are you all hardcore with the original console and cartridge? I usually like things as they were intended to, but the "save anywhere" and speeding options really helped specially in games where you need to backtrack.[/quote

Depends. Some games I only have on VC (Wild Guns) or SNES (Super Ghouls n' Ghosts), so I obviously play those on their respective systems.

For the few I own on both (Mario World, DKC, DKC3) I generally play them on VC unless my SNES is actually set up. I only have enough space to set up about 4 or 5 consoles at once, so if my SNES isn't in the current rotation, I'll just play them on my Wii or Wii U, both of which have a permanent spot under the TV.

[Sano]

RetroDuo with a flahcart, muy bueno! Soo many SNES RPGs to play, so little time.

There are a few titles I would like the actual cart for though:
Zelda
Lufia1 & 2

Hmm, that is all I cant think of at the moment.

[BurningDoom]

I usually use the original hardware. Nothing beats using a real SNES controller, and there's no weird glitches like can be found on some emulated games. (Plus I'm addicted to collecting.)

But in the cases of the rare and expensive games, if I can get it for much cheaper on Wii Virtual Console, then I will. That's how I got Lords of Thunder, Chrono Trigger, Breath of Fire II, and Super Mario RPG; just for that reason.

[SNESdrunk]

I use original hardware (except recording, then it's SNES9x) but I'd like to be able to retire my original SNES from December '91 while it still works. I just dread the day it doesn't turn on or doesn't work, that would just destroy me. May have to see how the Retron 5 looks.

[fastbilly1]

Most of my solo SNES gaming is on my Wii. However when people come over, its all about the original system with original SFC controllers and a combination of Super Bomberman 5, Battle Circuit, Battle Jockey, Panel De Pon, Mario Kart, and Tetris/Dr Mario. WE play more five player SFC games than anything, and some just dont emulate well (Battle Circuit for example does not work well on the Wii emulator).

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

I use original hardware (except recording, then it's SNES9x) but I'd like to be able to retire my original SNES from December '91 while it still works. I just dread the day it doesn't turn on or doesn't work, that would just destroy me. May have to see how the Retron 5 looks.

You can't and won't break your SNES or just about any other cartridge based console from just using it, that's a bad myth that never seems to die. If you pick up a Retron you'll be greeted with lousy sound, crappy video output and glitchy half-baked game compatibility all laughing at the $50 or more you just wasted on it.

When it comes to your original SNES there are no moving parts to wear out. Also there are several replacement parts such as cartridge slot connectors, fuses, power socket panels, controller ports and more readily available for breakdowns or freak accidents. Not to mention you'll likely die before any of the chips or mask roms in your system and it's games (respectively) begin failing from legitimate causes.

The one and only thing guaranteed to kill your SNES would be capacitor failure, and even then it would be a temporary breakdown at worst. This results in the infamous red (or some other color depending on what went out) screen on power up, dead video while the sound plays (and vice versa), or no reaction whatsoever even when the system is turned on and the power light is illuminated.

This can be fixed with simple and basic soldering skills that can be learned over the course of a free weekend. Various kits are available online for $15 or less with all the parts you would ever need to fix your particular SNES and it's board revision. The end-result will be a cleaner, brighter picture like when new, and strong, crisp, clean sound for a one-two punch in the AV department.

Similarly, any issues with the power supply can be fixed as well. If your AC Adapter ever dies you can just pop it open and fix it in no time flat as all of the parts are 100% replaceable. Modern equivalents are also of a much higher quality so they provide cleaner power, and perform far more efficiently as well.

A great place to get capacitor-kits, replacement parts and more is: http://console5.com/store/

I recently bought a pair of capacitor kits to fix both my Game Gear and Turbo Duo, and the results are astounding. The Game Gear which was completely dead now looks and sound as good if not better than new. The screen is very bright and ghosts much less than any comparable working Game Gear I can find, and the sound is practically loud enough to deafen me. The results are the same with the Turbo Duo as well. Replacing the junk-grade capacitors NEC originally used with modern high quality equivalents means that not only does it literally look and sound better than new but it will last for far longer as a result.

In short, don't be scared that something will break down in your console and simply enjoy it for what it is. But, if it does fail then there are so many ways to easily fix it you still shouldn't be worried if it does.

[BurningDoom]

^ The SNES won't wear out as easily or quickly as a disc-based system, for sure. But it still can go out from usage. Chips can short out, things can overheat, and cords and soldering can come loose.

I've been through 2 different Commodore 64s because of chips shorting out (and I'm talking the base unit, not the moving disk driving).