aktick

Cleaning out the attic yesterday, I found my old NES and games. The NES doesn't work, but I've got like 80 games. I've been buying NES games from the Wii Store, but it seems to make more sense just to be playing my old games if I want to play NES.

So.....is eBay the way to go? Or are there better places to try finding a working NES?

Thanks.

darkside

Ebay or Pawn Shop. If you can (and it will be tough) try and find the second version of the NES that is top loading. I have one of those and it works perfectly. None of the blow in the cart problems with the original design.

If you are willing to buy a non Nintendo piece of hardware I think there are some really good and affordable NES/SNES units out there for $40.

Absolute Zero

I've got an NES that I'll give you if you cover the shipping.

DarthMarino

Keep in mind they removed the RCA composite outputs when they shrunk it down to the toploader.

GreenMonkey

The RF output is also prone to have a lot of noise in it (something to do with inadequate shielding).

The toploader is much better for reliability, but poorer video PQ for bigger TVs. Mine went to ebay some years ago and I got a boxy NES with a new connector from my local mom n pop.

PixyJunket

Yes, search out an OG NES and buy a replacement cartridge connecter, MUCH better than the top loader. In fact, check out the eBay for a replacement cartridge connecter first, try replacing that on your current NES, that might just be all you need to do.

DVD Josh

Seconded. couldn't be easier to replace and works pretty darn well.

Quack

I actually picked up a 3rd party console with was put out by YOGA or something like that and it's a top loader and it plays 90% of my games without a hitch...only cost me 20 bucks I think on eBay.

zero

This is the N.E.X made by Messiah. This while not exactly an NES it works just as well. Games load from the front and the top slot loads Famicom carts. It does support older controllers and zappers, and can support the wireless pads made by Messiah (which I got a chance to use and they are pretty sweet).The N.E.X uses AV's rather than RF. I know nothing tops having the original, but if repair and replacing end up costing too much this is another option. I've sold maybe three of these and each customer has come back saying how much they enjoy having a machine that plays there old NES carts.

PixyJunket

The NEX is a piece of crap. It's the same machine as the $20 piece of crap that Quack posted about in a very nice case. The video, colors and sound of these machines is horrible, many games play with glitches and some games will not play at all. There is no reason not to go with a real NES unless you are planning to do the absolute minimum of casual NES gaming, we're talking maybe half a dozen games that you might play once in a blue moon. And in that case, get one of the cheap after-markets; don't waste the money on the NEX, there's no reason to pay an extra $40 for a nice plastic shell.

zero

I recommended NOT to go with the original NES was because of cost. Some ebay auctions go for the ammount of the NEX itself, and even then not every seller is going to be honest. At least with the NEX they give you what they claim is a lifetime garuntee (who knows for sure how long the company will be around anyway). I dont know how causual or hardcore aktick will be about hunting down NES carts. Care to share what games DONT work with the system? I honestly havent had one come back yet.

GreenMonkey

Castlevania IV, off the top of my head, along with a bunch of others.

Colors and sounds are a bit wrong on many games as well on any of the Famiclones.

The NEX has the same chip in it as all the other 'Famiclones'. If you want a famiclone buy the YOBO one or any of the other ones for $20. The NEX is just the best marketed one.

I got a boxy NES from my mom n pop store with a new connector in it. Think it cost me $40. That's the way to go. The newer connector lasts a lot longer than the original one. Should be good for many years.

zero

Im going to assume you meant Castlevania III right? Why buy the Yobo if all the "Famiclones" have the same chip set and the YOBO is no different?

PixyJunket

Because the YOBO isn't a $20 piece of crap in a $60 case, it's just a $20 piece of crap. River City Ransom doesn't work either.. if I recall. And the problems go beyond a few games that won't play at all.. I've tested an NES and an NEX side to side.. the video on the NEX with RCA is actually worse than the top-loader through RF. Many games exhibit graphics glitches during play and the sound and color are usually off. Granted, the last three aren't discernible unless you side by side the machines.. but they're there.

PixyJunket

Wow.

So basically.. because the NES MAY (stress: may) cost as much as the inferior product.. you should buy the inferior product? That's amazing logic. And the bit about eBay sellers is fairly nonsensical.

zero

Glad I got a laugh out of you, and try not to choke while laughing at my next post.

I understand the want (or in some cases need) for the original NES. While most of these products may or may not ever hold a candle to the original gray box huting down said system can be costly. Maybe because i've lost my edge (stress:maybe) I'm just trying to help out a fellow poster by posting about an "inferior" product that does'nt work 100% is more of a reason to think I'm completely out of my mind. But I thank you for shedding light on the NEX's flaws I'll have to look into this at work if I have time tomorrow.

The Cow

Seriously...

Costly? We are talking $20-$30 dollars, right? (probably cheaper if you hit a flea market)

zero

If only you knew me better. I give up.

The Cow

Don't give up. I don't know you at all!

What are you trying to get at? No worries here.

aktick

I just got around to ordering the 72 pin thingy this week, installed it this afternoon, seems to work.

One issue - my Zapper doesn't seem to work. I hooked it up in a spare bedroom to a CRT HDTV. Is it because it's an HDTV that it's not working? I mean, it clicks on screen and everything, but I know I'm not THAT bad at Duck Hunt.

The Bus

I would think recommending these non-NES products would be akin to linking to a modchip vendor.

GreenMonkey

Lightguns don't work on non-interlaced HDTVs. They're based off a principle that depends on interlacing.

There's some work arounds out there now but any of the lightguns from the pre-HDTV era are a no go. I've heard of some people having success with 1080i CRT RPTVs with some newer lightguns, but that's about it.

Breakfast with Girls

Emulation is perfectly legal, which is why these companies are still in business.

j123vt_99

Perfectly legal? It is kind of a grey area.

HE Pennypacker

http://www.virtualnes.com/