Famicom advice!

[sbk]

I am planning on getting myself a Famicom for my birthday. I have been doing research and checking Ebay and so forth, but the best tips always come from you guys. So give me tips and hints on the best way to get it and what to look for (and out for) as my birthday gift from the Racketboy members! Also is there anyway to get one with out that $60 shipping? Oh and feel free to recomend some games to me! If you happen yo be selling a Famicom let me know!

[Ziggy]

All I can tell you is my personal experience with the Famicom...

There was basically one reason I wanted a Famicom: Akumajo Densetsu. Better known as Castlevania III. The Famicom version has badass audio (so much better than the NES counterpart) and some other minor differences. I'm a huge Castlevania fan, so I really wanted it. But like you, I didn't wanna pay over $100 for one on eBay. Especially since I'm sure they sell for like $10 in Japan.

I was eventually lucky enough to score one from the forums here. IIRC, I got it for about $30 shipped (no power adapter). I've seen them for sale on the forums here from time to time for around the same price. If you're patient, and put the word out, I'm sure you'll eventually find one here as well.

The original model Famicom has some major drawbacks though. The attached controllers are just horrific to use. The cord length isn't even the worst part. It's the the wire goes into the side of the controller, so it makes it very uncomfortable to use. The other major drawback is that it only outputs RF, which is very lame by today's standards. Don't forget, it's not just the video that suffers, the audio suffers as well.

Then there's the "AV Famicom" which looks like a top loader NES. This has NES controller ports and outputs composite video, so it takes care of the two major problems that I have with the original Famicom. The thing is though, as far as I can tell, you can never get one as cheap as the original Famicom.

But here's the deal: The problems with the original model Famicom can be easily corrected, IF you can do the work yourself. It's a pretty simple task to modify the console to output composite video if you know how to solder. It'll cost maybe $10 in parts. As for the controllers, it's pretty easy to get NES controller ports on the Famicom, but again, if you can do it yourself. If you have to pay some one to do these mods for you, then buying an AV Famicom would probably be a better choice.

Having said all that, I rarely use my Famicom anymore. The RetroZone PowerPak has come a long way. I played through the translated Akumajo Densetsu on it without noticing a single difference from play the real cart on a Famicom. The few other games I have exclusively for the Famicom work just as well on the PowerPak (translated Contra, translated Kid Dracula). The PowerPak can even play a lot of FDS games. I keep my Famicom around more or less for the novelty.

I mean, if you don't mind the controllers and RF output of the original Famicom, then that'll be your cheapest option. But I find that these drawbacks of the original Famicom really make it hard to enjoy playing. The AV Famicom would be your best bet, but it's a little more expensive (I see them for $100 and up plus shipping on eBay). And the PowerPak will cost just as much (about $150 new) but you'll be using your NES and have to worry about one less console. With the PowerPak, you'll also enjoy the benefit of being able to play FDS games without having to own the expensive hardware that, from what I've heard, it's prone to failure.

So that's my main points to make about the Famicom, from my own personal experience with it.

[cookie monster]

There are other options for playing famicom games you can get the 60-72 adaptor to play on your regular nes i use a power games system it is a cheap knock off of a
famicom it comes in many shapes and sizes mine has been going strong for 5+yrs

[sbk]

Thats good to know. I don't know how to do any kind of mods though. I would pay 100 shipped for a Famicom AV or an original Famicom if it came with a few games. I am completely willing to do $100 on it if I can get with the extras. I was worried about the controllers on the Famicom. I need to look into the cords for both Famicoms so I can find out what works with what and what I can substitute. I think I should make a wanted post in the BST. I would prefer to get it on here then Ebay.

[sbk]

There are other options for playing famicom games you can get the 60-72 adaptor to play on your regular nes i use a power games system it is a cheap knock off of a
famicom it comes in many shapes and sizes mine has been going strong for 5+yrs

I really want an actual Famicom though. I thought about the adapter pin but I decided against it because I wanted to play on the real thing.

[Ziggy]

Thats good to know. I don't know how to do any kind of mods though. I would pay 100 shipped for a Famicom AV or an original Famicom if it came with a few games. I am completely willing to do $100 on it if I can get with the extras. I was worried about the controllers on the Famicom. I need to look into the cords for both Famicoms so I can find out what works with what and what I can substitute. I think I should make a wanted post in the BST. I would prefer to get it on here then Ebay.

I don't know the going rate of the AV Famicom, maybe you can get one that's already here in the states for $100 shipped. But the ones I've seen on eBay recently are $100 plus shipping from Japan. Either way, if you're willing to spend the money, the AV Famicom is the way to go.

The original Famicom has the attached controllers and a front controller port. You can get a Famicom controller for it, such as this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HORI-Controller ... 484754c0eb

The wires aren't as long as NES controllers though, so it still can be a little annoying. Though not nearly as annoying as using the stock Famicom controllers.

The AV Famicom though, like I said, has standard NES controller ports. You can use your regular old NES controllers with it.

I really want an actual Famicom though. I thought about the adapter pin but I decided against it because I wanted to play on the real thing.

The pin adapter isn't ideal anyway. Some games wont work, or wont work properly, due to the differences between the Famicom and NES. Akumajo Densetsu, for example, wont work properly on a NES. Played on the PowerPak, however, works perfectly.


If you don't have the ability yourself, or have a friend that could help you out with the modifying, then the AV Famicom is definitely the way to go. You'll get the best experience with it.

[Breetai]

Especially since I'm sure they sell for like $10 in Japan.

$4 at Hard-Off for a loose untested one in various cosmetic conditions at the very cheapest. Of course, it might take some serious cleaning, maybe some parts swapping/case swapping/controller swapping to make a nice one. That would involve buying 3-4 $4 Famicoms. That's $15 or so right there (I averaged and rounded). Plus, the train ticket to the Hard-Off and back and the $1.50 to spend on a Pocari Sweat since you'll have to walk for 30 minutes form the nearest train station. That's probably $10 more ($25 so far). Plus, that's like an hour or more of your time gone. So, $25 more (I'm seriously undervaluing my time!!!), but minus $20 because I bought some stuff for myself at the Hard-Off ($30 so far).

So, a loose Famicom in Japan in decent condition is $30 from Hard-Off. Probably $40-50 from a dedicated game shop. Plus shipping is another $20 or so.

An AV Famicom in decent shape in Japan should be $50-100 with a couple controllers.

I'd say look to pay $50-100, plus shipping probably, for a Famicom lot with some games thrown in. That's what I've charged in the past.

[Duke.Togo]

There are several sellers over at Famicom World that came make you a very reasonable deal on a Famicom, either original or AV. I've bought from all of these sellers over there, and couldn't be happier: 80sFreak, senseiman, Manuel

This is by far the best place to go, wonderful folks to deal with.

[Breetai]

There are several sellers over at Famicom World that came make you a very reasonable deal on a Famicom, either original or AV. I've bought from all of these sellers over there, and couldn't be happier: 80sFreak, senseiman, Manuel

This is by far the best place to go, wonderful folks to deal with.

I'm pretty sure that senseiman is also on this site.

[Duke.Togo]

I think he is, too. He is moving soon and going to stop selling I think based on his posts over on Famicom World, so now would be the time depending on what hardware he has left.

Do yourself a huge favor and get an AV Famicom or Twin Famicom. You won't regret it.