Chaotic-Strike
Banned
You know I could live without ever touching a N64 controller ever again.
It's as bad as the Xbox Duke controller in my book.
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NES/Famicom Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter Teknoman
- Start date
You know I could live without ever touching a N64 controller ever again.
It's as bad as the Xbox Duke controller in my book.
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
8bitDo Retro Receiver + Wiimote + NES mini controller
= Official wireless NES controller? I think so.
Chaotic-Strike
Banned
So whats the best website to ship off to get your NES modded? Right now I don't have a PVM or anything like that to utilise RGB on and the framemeister is way too expensive on its own.
Any suggestion for the cheapest option available that will get me something better than composite?
Any suggestion for the cheapest option available that will get me something better than composite?
AFAIK it's the same kit/s for any upgrade, so you may as well go RGB. No cheap alternatives that I'm aware of.
Chaotic-Strike
Banned
Alright thanks I'll check around then.
GAF user Baphomet does RGB modding if you're looking for someone who can do yours. He's done a number of them for other members, and is currently working on mine. He's an absolute pleasure to deal with too!
Yep baphomet is awesome.
Shin Johnpv
Member
I do believe the RGB mod can have a component video daughter board added to it. I don't think it adds a lot to the expense, ask who ever you get to mod it. I will third that Baphomet does awesome work.
RadarScope1
Member
I believe Retro Fixes offers an RGB mod that also outputs s-video.
Chaotic-Strike
Banned
Thanks for the replies. I was also considering the Hi Def Nes HDMI mod.
Right now I'm currently saving up for one so it's nothing immediate just yet. I just needed to know what options were available.
Right now I'm currently saving up for one so it's nothing immediate just yet. I just needed to know what options were available.
I should have clarified these are available as add ons to the RGB mod, but aren't cheaper alternatives as they require the same kit to be installed.
RadarScope1
Member
So is anyone playing Adventure Island yet? I now know why I didn't spend much time with it back in the day -- it's Nintendo hard. No continues, either. But the control and feel of the game are really good. It's clearly coming in the post-SMB time when stiff controls wouldn't cut it in platformers anymore. The run/shoot mechanic feels very much like SMB, too. But the flow of it and the difficulty are giving me a Spelunky vibe ... especially when I have to start from the damn beginning of the whole game...
Enjoying going back to this one.
Enjoying going back to this one.
StAidan
Member
One of my favorite classics. You can actually unlock an infinite continue code (a code, not a menu option) by collecting a hidden Hudson Bee item at the end of the first level. Last time I played the game, though, I was trying to see how far I could get without continuing. Stage 2-4 was my limit, lol. It's a tough game, all right.
Are those pigs wearing speedos?
Shadow Hog
Member
How does it stack up against technically-the-exact-same-game Wonder Boy, out of curiosity?
(As if I've played either.)
(As if I've played either.)
RadarScope1
Member
The arcade and SMS versions of WB have more vibrant colors compared to the somewhat duller NES color palate but form what I can see in videos the gameplay appears to be the same. I haven't actually played those other versions, though.
A Black Falcon
Member
The gameplay is the same, pretty much, but Wonder Boy for the SMS has significantly better graphics. I've always thought Adventure Island / Wonder Boy is kind of bad, on any platform, but the NES version is not that great on top of that...
On Gun Nac, does anyone know what Turbo Power does? It's the second option in the shop. Googling it just turns up some people taking their best guesses on what it does, but I can't find anything too concrete.
From the manual:
2) Fire Power Increases ($6 each)
You can increase the fire power to one of the 5 levels. The fire power
depends on the type of weapon you have. The increased fire power is
retained when you restart the game
Since I see no noticeable change in speed or rate of fire when experimenting, I'm thinking maybe it makes bullets stronger? Thought someone here might know for sure.
From the manual:
2) Fire Power Increases ($6 each)
You can increase the fire power to one of the 5 levels. The fire power
depends on the type of weapon you have. The increased fire power is
retained when you restart the game
Since I see no noticeable change in speed or rate of fire when experimenting, I'm thinking maybe it makes bullets stronger? Thought someone here might know for sure.
RoryDropkick
Member
It increases your rate of fire. For example weapon 4, the Fire weapon only stays extended for a set amount of time when you hold down the fire button. The more turbo power you have, the longer it stays extended. Max turbo power out and it will remain extended as long as you hold the fire button. This is weapon I usually use to beat the game.
I'm sure that's possible on something like Bizhawk and RetroArch.
shanafan
Member
I am using the Nestopia core with Retroarch (launching through LaunchBox). Guess I need to look into tweaking the graphical settings.
NOLA_Gaffer
Banned
Thinking about buying a AV Famicom for shits/giggles even though the only real reason for me to own one is for interchangeable controllers and just the design of it.
I guess I'm better putting cash into a Disk System first.
Oh hell just take that AV Famicom money and wait it out for the AVS instead.
I guess I'm better putting cash into a Disk System first.
Oh hell just take that AV Famicom money and wait it out for the AVS instead.
I mean.. Where do you think the emulators in the Retron5 came from?
IrishNinja
Member
where's he gone off to? haven't seen him in far too long, great dude
sixteen-bit
Member
yeah wasn't there some controversy about them using some non-commercial emulation code?
Yep! Stolen code!!!
RadarScope1
Member
Jeremy Parish just posted his Good Nintentions script for Super Mario Bros to Patreon supporters. I hope the video will be up in the coming week or so. It's going to be epic.
I think I just saw a post from him a week or so ago, but yeah, he's not posting much. Probably to busy doing mods for paying customers!
I think I just saw a post from him a week or so ago, but yeah, he's not posting much. Probably to busy doing mods for paying customers!
He's just finishing a Famicom AV for me: last I heard the mod was complete and he just had to reassemble the casing (apparently it needs a bit of modification itself so everything fits back together with the RGB Board).
Need to play either this or Bio Hazard Battle tonight!
RoryDropkick
Member
Hit Classic Game Fest yesterday, had a decent time. Didn't come back with anything NES related but did see a lot of sellers. Tried to look for a copy of Shadow of the Ninja for a friend but came up with nothing. I was wearing a blue Game Center CX t-shirt if anyone else was there.
I was there too, and I almost bought five of the six NES Megaman games from a vendor on an impulse buy. I knew they were a little overpriced, but I've been wanting that set for a while.
RoryDropkick
Member
I think I know which vendor you are talking about. I already have 1-6 on Fami so I just passed on that, but it was pretty neat to see them. I did see at least one vendor had Little Samson as well but I didn't even bother to ask the price.
Pretty pleased at myself, I managed to 1CC Gun-Nac on normal difficulty last night on my stream. The rest of the night was trash though when I was playing S.C.A.T. and Legendary Wings, but I chalk that up to being tired. :/
PumpkinSpice
Banned
So I decided to buy an FDSStick + FDS Ram Adapter to give this a shot. We'll see how much the disk flip button bothers me but the audio pitch being right should be nice.
RadarScope1
Member
PLEASE post your impressions. Been dying for someone to talk about this thing. Don't like emulators either but this seems like such a good way to go for FDS. I own a drive but I get a few glitches here and there....
RoryDropkick
Member
I own one, it's pretty reliable. I've been using it for a few months and it's been great to have less wear and tear on my actual drive.
I have an older version.
The device basically works as advertised, but the version I have has no on-screen GUI so you need to press a button a precise number of times in order to reach the game you want to play.
Other than this inconvenience, it's fairly nice, and takes very little space.
However...
What kind of glitches are you mentioning with your FDS?
There's a fairly widespread issue with sprite corruption. If it's that, chances are you'll be out of luck with the FDSStick too.
Those graphical errors occur when some models of the RAM adapter are paired with certain Famicom revisions.
Basically, the only Famicoms affected are later models (those with the FF logo on the front). And if memory serves, the RAM adapters affected are those with the smooth plastic shell.
The easiest way around is to find a RAM adapter with a rough plastic shell.
Another (cheaper) workaround involves soldering a resistor array to a bunch of pins.
Fake edit: found the thread where a bunch of people and I performed various tests in order to try and pinpoint the cause of the glitches on another forum a couple of years ago.
Here's a direct link to the resistor array solution:
http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=10607.msg153257#msg153257
PumpkinSpice
Banned
The one I bought is supposed to have an OSD.
I thought the older ones were upgradable as well.
I thought the older ones were upgradable as well.
I had no idea.
I just checked the recent developments of the FDSStick. Holy crap, those things sure seem to have improved a lot. They're available in 256Mbit size?!
I ordered mine back in September 2015; I don't think it can hold more than 8 or 16 disks.
To be honest, I bought it because I thought it was a neat item, but I still prefer to rock disks. Stupid nostalgia, I guess.
RadarScope1
Member
Yes, it's mainly sprites that appear glitched. Huh. I use an AV Famicom. Not sure about the shell. I will have to research, or I can post a photo. I also get disk read errors that don't allow the game to load sometimes, too, though. I have considered trying to open it up to adjust the drive head or even just thought about buying an all new one from a US seller (less wear and tear in the post) that has definitely been tuned correctly (or at least claimed as such in the listing on eBay or wherever I buy from...)
EDIT: OK, can't find any info about RAM adaptor variants in a quick search. How can I tell which type I have?
For the RAM Adapter, the easiest way to see which variant you own is to simply look at the casing. If it's smooth to the touch, it's an early model, and will probably cause problems with later revisions of the Famicom (FF logo red/white Famicoms and Famicom AV).
I'm currently abroad so I can't take my own pictures, but I found a small one with both models next to each other on Google. I tried to enlarge it a little bit. Sorry for the quality.
(image source: http://rockn69.blog54.fc2.com/blog-entry-512.html)
Left=smooth texture, early revision, prone to problems with later Famicoms
Right=grainy texture, later revision
As for the errors, they're usually a sign of improperly repaired FDS.
The FDS drive is basically a flat cassette reader; unlike most floppy drives, it reads data sequentially.
One single misplaced or misaligned element might cause errors, especially on larger games (Akumajo Dracula, Palutena no Kagami). Saving a game on an improperly calibrated FDS can also cause read errors on other drives.
Up until at least a couple of years ago, a lot of FDSs were repaired according to outdated, incomplete guidelines which would result in most drives being able to read at least smaller games, at which point they were considered "working" when they really weren't.
If you don't feel like tinkering with calibration yourself, just go the FDSStick route, you'll save yourself plenty of time. Just get a "grainy" casing RAM Adapter and you should be good to go.
RadarScope1
Member
Thanks, Oare.
I definitely have the grainy version. And I am using an unmodified AV Famicom. I haven't given the drive a shot in a while. Maybe I'll fire it up again to re-test it and do more research.
So is there any way I can try to fix this as a noob at these things? Or is there any rock-solid seller that we know has done the repairs the correct way? You always see listings for drives that have new belts, but it's my understanding that the disk head is also an issue. I've checked out the videos on this on YT ... looks kind of daunting.
I guess I can just do $35 on the FDS Stick and see what happens. Cheap enough to give it a shot.
I definitely have the grainy version. And I am using an unmodified AV Famicom. I haven't given the drive a shot in a while. Maybe I'll fire it up again to re-test it and do more research.
So is there any way I can try to fix this as a noob at these things? Or is there any rock-solid seller that we know has done the repairs the correct way? You always see listings for drives that have new belts, but it's my understanding that the disk head is also an issue. I've checked out the videos on this on YT ... looks kind of daunting.
I guess I can just do $35 on the FDS Stick and see what happens. Cheap enough to give it a shot.
Hey! It's August! Zanac is finished, did you enjoy your time with it?
Well, keep going if you wish, but we're moving on to the odd Wonder Boy port
Adventure Island by Hudson Soft!
Well, keep going if you wish, but we're moving on to the odd Wonder Boy port
Adventure Island by Hudson Soft!
Let's get dat Wikipedia description up and moving:
Master Higgins (the player character) loses a life whenever he touches an enemy, an enemy's attack or a fire roast, or when he falls into a pitfall or a body of water. Moreover, the player also has a health gauge that starts out with 11 points, which gradually depletes over time or whenever Higgins trips on a rock in his path. When Higgins' health gauge reaches zero, he will lose a life as well. If Higgins still has extra lives left, he will revive at the last checkpoint he passed through.
The game ends when all of Higgins' lives runs out. To replenish his health, Higgins can pick up numerous fruits (or a milk bottle) on his path (his maximum health reaches up to 13 points). When the player's score reaches 50,000 points, 100,000 points, and 200,000 points, Higgins will receive an extra life. Finding a bee-like fairy known as Honey Girl will grant Higgins invincibility for fifteen seconds and allow him to kill enemies with a single touch. Also hidden somewhere in each stage is a special pot, which, when collected, gives the player a bonus, effectively doubling their stage score.
The game ends when all of Higgins' lives runs out. To replenish his health, Higgins can pick up numerous fruits (or a milk bottle) on his path (his maximum health reaches up to 13 points). When the player's score reaches 50,000 points, 100,000 points, and 200,000 points, Higgins will receive an extra life. Finding a bee-like fairy known as Honey Girl will grant Higgins invincibility for fifteen seconds and allow him to kill enemies with a single touch. Also hidden somewhere in each stage is a special pot, which, when collected, gives the player a bonus, effectively doubling their stage score.
Here's how the voting shook out for anyone interested.
Header image by D Lo, Monthly image made
by Wanyodos. Guidelines below by RavenholmDX. Selection Process by OnPoint.
Thanks guys!
by Wanyodos. Guidelines below by RavenholmDX. Selection Process by OnPoint.
Thanks guys!
RadarScope1
Member
Been playing a lot of this one! Finally back into the club after a few months out. The game is simple but quite fun. Love the feel and tight controls.
Many people are probably aware, but being as there might be others who (like me) didn't play the game much as a kid, you should know about the secret continue cheat. Stand just at the right-hand side of the last pit on the first level and jump up. You'll get a hidden egg. Then you can hold any direction on the d-pad when pressing start at the game over or title screen and continue on same level rather than the beginning of the game. It's unlimited as far as I know.
We should compete for high score on this one. That would challenge people to start from the beginning after we git gud.
Many people are probably aware, but being as there might be others who (like me) didn't play the game much as a kid, you should know about the secret continue cheat. Stand just at the right-hand side of the last pit on the first level and jump up. You'll get a hidden egg. Then you can hold any direction on the d-pad when pressing start at the game over or title screen and continue on same level rather than the beginning of the game. It's unlimited as far as I know.
We should compete for high score on this one. That would challenge people to start from the beginning after we git gud.