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Which NES is the best NES?

harvestharvest By birthright,a stupendous badass.Registered User regular
edited March 2010 in Games and Technology
Right now I have an original NES. It's old and cranky and doesn't always work, and I'd like to replace it. Since the patent expired on the NES, I've thought about getting one of those reproduction/clone systems. Are they any good?

Related to this is the controllers. My old rectangular NES pads are pretty worn and I'd like to replace them with a SNES-shaped pad maybe. If I'm going to spoil myself on new hardware, what should I get for controllers?

B6yM5w2.gif
harvest on

Posts

  • elliotw2elliotw2 Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I vote a NES2, if you can find it. It's toploading, so the pins don't break like the first model NES, and it has SNES styled controllers.
    Consola_NES_2.jpg
    As seen here

    elliotw2 on
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  • harvestharvest By birthright, a stupendous badass.Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Nice. Makes me want one.

    Looking it up it seems that it only has coax output, which is no good since I don't have any displays that accept that kind of input anymore :(

    harvest on
    B6yM5w2.gif
  • maximumzeromaximumzero I...wait, what? New Orleans, LARegistered User regular
    edited March 2010
    elliotw2 wrote: »
    I vote a NES2, if you can find it. It's toploading, so the pins don't break like the first model NES, and it has SNES styled controllers.
    Consola_NES_2.jpg
    As seen here

    Beware that the NES2 lacks any sort of AV out so you're stuck with an RF connection.

    The original NES at least has Composite video out, so I'd say spend the $8 on a replacement pin connector and get some new controllers.

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  • lionheart_mlionheart_m Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    My Famicom lasted way more than my NES. I'm pretty sure if I go to my folks I'll find it still works unlike my original NES.

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  • ZombiemamboZombiemambo Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I think the Famicom looks the coolest out of any NES models.

    Zombiemambo on
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  • SteevSteev What can I do for you? Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    The lack of AV output is one of the reasons that has kept me from getting the top-loading NES.

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  • elliotw2elliotw2 Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    lionheart_m wrote: »
    My Famicom lasted way more than my NES. I'm pretty sure if I go to my folks I'll find it still works unlike my original NES.

    The reason for that is the "ZIF" cartridge slot, every time you put in a cart, it damages the pins slightly more, eventually causing them to not read games. THink of them as a needle for a record player

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  • SmokeStacksSmokeStacks Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    A $5 thrift store VCR is all it takes to fix the lack of AV output on a top loader.

    The only downside is you now have a VCR sitting in your entertainment center.

    SmokeStacks on
  • DaebunzDaebunz Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    elliotw2 wrote: »
    I vote a NES2, if you can find it. It's toploading, so the pins don't break like the first model NES, and it has SNES styled controllers.
    Consola_NES_2.jpg
    As seen here

    There's one of these sitting in a glass case at my local comic shop. They want 80 bucks for it though.

    Daebunz on
    7yh4xczljsym.png
  • elliotw2elliotw2 Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    The NES2 is one of those rare gaming treasures I want, similar to the first version of the Sega CD, which looked like a VCR with a CD tray stuck in it

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  • CouscousCouscous Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    SteevL wrote: »
    The lack of AV output is one of the reasons that has kept me from getting the top-loading NES.

    Yeah, that change kind of makes it suck.
    The RCA composite video output jacks were removed from the system as well and is the only change that is not an improvement compared with the original NES-001 model. An RF connection is the only way to connect the system to a television and scan lines appear on the TV when games are played due to poor shielding used in the RF module.


    [edit] AV Multi-Out Revision
    This version of the model NES-101 has a Nintendo AV Multi-Out port (also used on the Super NES, Nintendo 64, and Game Cube) that replaces the RF jack completely.[4] The RF module on the original model NES-101 was poorly shielded and resulted in scan lines that appear on the TV when games are played that negatively affected the picture quality. This version was made as a replacement for those who sent their original NES-101 systems to Nintendo as a result of this problem.[5] These models are extremely rare as they all came as replacement units from Nintendo and most were obtained this way.[6][7]
    The

    Couscous on
  • TaminTamin Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    elliotw2 wrote: »
    lionheart_m wrote: »
    My Famicom lasted way more than my NES. I'm pretty sure if I go to my folks I'll find it still works unlike my original NES.

    The reason for that is the "ZIF" cartridge slot, every time you put in a cart, it damages the pins slightly more, eventually causing them to not read games. THink of them as a needle for a record player

    That makes my intention to pick up a Famicom slightly more urgent. I do have a couple of questions:

    What should I pay for one?
    and
    I'm aware of the converter to play famicom games on the NES; would it work in reverse?

    Tamin on
  • harvestharvest By birthright, a stupendous badass.Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Woop I found my old RF modulator in a box in the closet. Now to find a NES-101 for a tolerable price.

    harvest on
    B6yM5w2.gif
  • elliotw2elliotw2 Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Tamin wrote: »
    elliotw2 wrote: »
    lionheart_m wrote: »
    My Famicom lasted way more than my NES. I'm pretty sure if I go to my folks I'll find it still works unlike my original NES.

    The reason for that is the "ZIF" cartridge slot, every time you put in a cart, it damages the pins slightly more, eventually causing them to not read games. THink of them as a needle for a record player

    That makes my intention to pick up a Famicom slightly more urgent. I do have a couple of questions:

    What should I pay for one?
    and
    I'm aware of the converter to play famicom games on the NES; would it work in reverse?

    There are tons of NES > Famicom converters around the place. They are common thanks to all those famiclones that come out in the US

    elliotw2 on
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  • TaminTamin Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    elliotw2 wrote: »
    Tamin wrote: »
    elliotw2 wrote: »
    lionheart_m wrote: »
    My Famicom lasted way more than my NES. I'm pretty sure if I go to my folks I'll find it still works unlike my original NES.

    The reason for that is the "ZIF" cartridge slot, every time you put in a cart, it damages the pins slightly more, eventually causing them to not read games. THink of them as a needle for a record player

    That makes my intention to pick up a Famicom slightly more urgent. I do have a couple of questions:

    What should I pay for one?
    and
    I'm aware of the converter to play famicom games on the NES; would it work in reverse?

    There are tons of NES > Famicom converters around the place. They are common thanks to all those famiclones that come out in the US

    Cool, that'll make life a bit easier.

    Tamin on
  • KrunkMcGrunkKrunkMcGrunk Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    If you can, find a shop that repairs the original NES. They can take the pins out of a Super NES, and install it in the NES. I had this done to my 1985 NES, and it works perfectly.

    Actually, you might be able to find a guide online.

    KrunkMcGrunk on
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  • TheSonicRetardTheSonicRetard Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    harvest wrote: »
    Nice. Makes me want one.

    Looking it up it seems that it only has coax output, which is no good since I don't have any displays that accept that kind of input anymore :(

    While they may look cool, those bone controllers suck major ass. They're terrible.

    TheSonicRetard on
  • harvestharvest By birthright, a stupendous badass.Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    TheSonicRetard wrote: »
    harvest wrote: »
    Nice. Makes me want one.

    Looking it up it seems that it only has coax output, which is no good since I don't have any displays that accept that kind of input anymore :(

    While they may look cool, those bone controllers suck major ass. They're terrible.

    That makes me sadface.

    Does anyone make a good replica of the original controller then? Or some alternative that doesn't suck?

    harvest on
    B6yM5w2.gif
  • yalborapyalborap Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    harvest wrote: »
    TheSonicRetard wrote: »
    harvest wrote: »
    Nice. Makes me want one.

    Looking it up it seems that it only has coax output, which is no good since I don't have any displays that accept that kind of input anymore :(

    While they may look cool, those bone controllers suck major ass. They're terrible.

    That makes me sadface.

    Does anyone make a good replica of the original controller then? Or some alternative that doesn't suck?

    I'm pretty sure some of the better famiclones have decent ones.

    yalborap on
  • DarmakDarmak RAGE vympyvvhyc vyctyvyRegistered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I was looking at getting one of these right here. I've heard good things about them and it would allow me to retire/sell/throw away my old NES and SNES.

    Darmak on
    JtgVX0H.png
  • TheSonicRetardTheSonicRetard Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    If you want the ultimate NES...

    Mod an NES2 for a/v out

    TheSonicRetard on
  • CouscousCouscous Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Darmak wrote: »
    I was looking at getting one of these right here. I've heard good things about them and it would allow me to retire/sell/throw away my old NES and SNES.

    The main problem with most of the NES clones is that they aren't compatible with some good games.

    Couscous on
  • warmakerwarmaker Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I vote a Famicon, but I might be biased because I think it looks neat.

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  • ZythonZython Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    It's also possible to repair the pins in the cartridge slot. I haven't done this myself, since the bottoms screws of my NES are stuck due to about 2 decades of grime.

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  • SteevSteev What can I do for you? Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    One time I tried getting a replacement pin connector for my old NES. Somehow I failed to fix it. I ended up buying another NES off ebay and was happy with it until I tried playing a 2-player game a few months later and realized the player 2 port was screwed up.

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  • maximumzeromaximumzero I...wait, what? New Orleans, LARegistered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Zython wrote: »
    It's also possible to repair the pins in the cartridge slot. I haven't done this myself, since the bottoms screws of my NES are stuck due to about 2 decades of grime.

    It's easier to just spend the $10.99 and just replace the whole damn thing.

    I did this about 2 years ago and the thing works like friggin' new.

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  • anoffdayanoffday To be changed whenever Anoffday gets around to it. Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    KrunkMcGrunk wrote: »
    If you can, find a shop that repairs the original NES. They can take the pins out of a Super NES, and install it in the NES. I had this done to my 1985 NES, and it works perfectly.

    Actually, you might be able to find a guide online.
    But you're destroying an awesome system. D:

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  • KrunkMcGrunkKrunkMcGrunk Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Shit happens

    KrunkMcGrunk on
    mrsatansig.png
  • Yellow RangerYellow Ranger Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    maximumzero wrote: »
    Zython wrote: »
    It's also possible to repair the pins in the cartridge slot. I haven't done this myself, since the bottoms screws of my NES are stuck due to about 2 decades of grime.

    It's easier to just spend the $10.99 and just replace the whole damn thing.

    I did this about 2 years ago and the thing works like friggin' new.

    Yeah it really is easy. No soldering or anything, just a bunch of Phillips head screws. It's worth it for no more blinking screens or cartridge blowing. When I put a game in my NES and turn it on it just works. Which is crazy.

    I also agree having av out on the NES makes a big difference. The rf out on the top loader is super shitty, with faint vertical lines and a generally washed out looking image. I have my original front loader hooked up to a 27 inch crt through the av ports, and the picture is surprisingly clean and rich.

    Yellow Ranger on
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  • anoffdayanoffday To be changed whenever Anoffday gets around to it. Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    KrunkMcGrunk wrote: »
    Shit happens
    Yeah. But in this case it doesn't have to. I guarantee there's a better way to repair a NES than to destroy the greatest system ever created.

    anoffday on
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  • ZythonZython Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    maximumzero wrote: »
    Zython wrote: »
    It's also possible to repair the pins in the cartridge slot. I haven't done this myself, since the bottoms screws of my NES are stuck due to about 2 decades of grime.

    It's easier to just spend the $10.99 and just replace the whole damn thing.

    I did this about 2 years ago and the thing works like friggin' new.

    I assume the pins on the one you linked are designed differently as to not wear out as easily?

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  • FyreWulffFyreWulff YouRegistered User, ClubPA regular
    edited March 2010
    Nah, it's just new.

    I actually installed one of those on my NES. Unfortunately, the motherboard itself went.. so one of these days I have to get around to getting that connector back out and reselling it :P

    FyreWulff on
  • Lindsay LohanLindsay Lohan Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    It's super easy to replace the connector in the old toaster style nes. The most important thing I recommend afterwards is then following that up by cleaning all the connections on your games and never put an unclean (like fresh from the flea market) game in there until you clean it too. Don't consider the NES2 - the RF quality is really bad compared to the AV of the original NES.

    In addition to the replacement connector I believe their is also a security chip in the system you can disable that reduces flashing screens too...

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  • DasBootDasBoot Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I've found that the Famiclones are nice, but tend to not have completely accurate sound/video in some games. Also, they're usually pretty poorly made and tend to wear out quicker than one would like.

    The best bet would be to just replace the pin connector as many have suggested. It is really easy. Beware though, the NES has some really cheap.. soft screws holding it together and if you're not careful you can strip them.

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  • cooljammer00cooljammer00 Hey Small Christmas-Man!Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    It seems like all the Retro Games reviewers online use the top loading NES. I found it really enticing before I found out about the lack of AV output.

    How about one of those offbrand top loading NintenClones? I figure those might have the best of both worlds, right?

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  • elliotw2elliotw2 Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Here's a write up of some of the more recent Famiclones
    http://www.racketboy.com/retro/nintendo/nes/2007/08/best-nes-clones-generation-nex-yobo-fctwin.html

    The Generation NEX machine looks neat

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  • wonderpugwonderpug Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    harvest wrote: »
    Related to this is the controllers. My old rectangular NES pads are pretty worn and I'd like to replace them with a SNES-shaped pad maybe. If I'm going to spoil myself on new hardware, what should I get for controllers?

    As far as controllers, back in the olden times the NES Max was my favorite by far. It had a goofy slidey thing on the d-pad, but if you just ignored that and used it like a big round d-pad it worked great, and the overall feel of the controller was great. The turbo placement was better than most 3rd party controllers at the time. Really easy to run with B then hit the turbo A button to fly your Raccoon Mario.

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