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Top Loader or regular NES?
- Thread starter Jack_AG
- Start date
test_account
XP-39C²
The NES Top Loader is also region free, if that is a factor to concider. It is very easy to make a NES toaster region free anyway though, but with the Top Loader, at least you dont have to do anything extra.
VARIA
Member
Can anyone confirm this? I thought Japanese games needed a 60pin to 72 pin converter?
Dark Octave
Banned
I played through the original Castlevania last summer on my childhood NES. I never got further than a couple levels when I was a kid.
I couldn't believe how hard that final level is. I played until about three in the night but had to quit because my fingers were forming blisters. holy heck.
I put the game on pause and slept for a good 9 hours. Got up the next day, ran errands, came back in the afternoon and unpaused the game.
I beat it later that night.
Pretty cool that a well cleaned and cared for NES can be paused for nearly a day. A 25 year old electronic...
I remember a AVGN episode where he says the top-loader will play anything, and then he gives the thumbs up.
One cool trick for people wanting to play famicom games on a classic NES, the first batch of Gyromite games came with a converter built in. Some do and some don't. You can tell by feeling the weight of the Cart. Simply take it apart and pull out the converter. Since the game is usually about $0.50 at a flea market, it is a cheap option.
I couldn't believe how hard that final level is. I played until about three in the night but had to quit because my fingers were forming blisters. holy heck.
I put the game on pause and slept for a good 9 hours. Got up the next day, ran errands, came back in the afternoon and unpaused the game.
I beat it later that night.
Pretty cool that a well cleaned and cared for NES can be paused for nearly a day. A 25 year old electronic...
I remember a AVGN episode where he says the top-loader will play anything, and then he gives the thumbs up.
One cool trick for people wanting to play famicom games on a classic NES, the first batch of Gyromite games came with a converter built in. Some do and some don't. You can tell by feeling the weight of the Cart. Simply take it apart and pull out the converter. Since the game is usually about $0.50 at a flea market, it is a cheap option.
Here are some tips on how to find such a cart -
http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/23
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/hacks/gyromite-nes-import-adapter-guide
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Just replace the 72pin connector like others have suggested. It's cheap, and it seems to last. I replaced mine at least 6 years ago, if not longer, and it still works perfect every time. I also clean every new game I get with alcohol and water and have those black dust covers for every game to keep them from getting dirty again.
There is more good to be had from the top loader. For one thing, it plays games from other regions without needing an adapter.
Guys, guys - FAMICOM TITLER: Internally generates RGB; S-Video output.
Wow, that looks so 1980's it should be wearing sunglasses at night.
I love how 1980's tech looks, for the record.
Top loader for sure. An AV mod takes care of the RF-only issue, and with the right amp circuit the video out will look every bit as good as the toaster. I took this route myself recently.
It's not too hard to keep the toaster working, but you have to stay on top of maintaining it, keeping your carts clean, etc. It's way too easy to dirty those pins up and have to open the whole thing all over again. Top loader is a bit more hassle free and I'm glad I made the jump.
RGB PPU mods have terrible colors and I'm bothered by the idea of destroying a Playchoice 10 board to get it.
It's not too hard to keep the toaster working, but you have to stay on top of maintaining it, keeping your carts clean, etc. It's way too easy to dirty those pins up and have to open the whole thing all over again. Top loader is a bit more hassle free and I'm glad I made the jump.
RGB PPU mods have terrible colors and I'm bothered by the idea of destroying a Playchoice 10 board to get it.
test_account
XP-39C²
Sure, you need a 60pin to 72pin converter for Famicom games, but that is because of a physical barrier (a 60pin game wont fit into a 72 pin connector and vice versa). NES consoles are region locked through a "lockout-chip", which results in playing PAL games on a NTSC NES toaster (or vice versa, NTSC games on a PAL NES toaster) wont work without modification on the NES toaster. On a NES Top Loader you dont need to do any modifications.
I own both a NTSC and a PAL NES Top Loader, so i can confirm that it works
terrisus
Member
Top-loader is definitely much easier to get working, and will last longer in the long-run.
On the down side, it removed the Composite output, only defaultly outputting RF, and, due to the placement of some internal parts, has some issues with lines on the screen.
On the other hand, I got a top-loader (a Nintendo one, not one of the knock-off ones) modded to output Composite and remove the lines, so, that took care of those issues and is the best of both worlds.
On the down side, it removed the Composite output, only defaultly outputting RF, and, due to the placement of some internal parts, has some issues with lines on the screen.
On the other hand, I got a top-loader (a Nintendo one, not one of the knock-off ones) modded to output Composite and remove the lines, so, that took care of those issues and is the best of both worlds.
Teenage Riot
Neo Member
I tried to replace the 72 pin connector on an original-style NES a while back, but the screws were stripped and seemingly impossible to get out. Any tips regarding dealing with stripped screws deep in the NES case?
VARIA
Member
Sure, you need a 60pin to 72pin converter for Famicom games, but that is because of a physical barrier (a 60pin game wont fit into a 72 pin connector and vice versa). NES consoles are region locked through a "lockout-chip", which results in playing PAL games on a NTSC NES toaster (or vice versa, NTSC games on a PAL NES toaster) wont work without modification on the NES toaster. On a NES Top Loader you dont need to do any modifications.
I own both a NTSC and a PAL NES Top Loader, so i can confirm that it works
I learned something new today. Thank you good sir.
MvmntInGrn
Member
This is what I've got. Only issues I've heard about is some off audio in a few titles. I like having a top loader and easily removable controllers (and it fits so nicely on top of the FDS).
There sure are quite a few NES/Famicom mods out there. I'll have to do some research about them sometime.
Wow. Probably a bit too pricey for me though (especially considering that while I own an AV Famicom I haven't given it the kind of attention it deserves).Guys, guys - FAMICOM TITLER: Internally generates RGB; S-Video output.
I have one of these but you better believe I'd trade it for a Titler.
Titler?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rELRYZUN1kM
But really:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famicom_Titler
The youtube video is interesting.
Roll a tiny bit of putty into a ball and drop it into the hole. Then, press a really fat philips head bit into it hard and rotate. Keep only the good screws. You only need two.
DidntKnowJack
Member
Oh God. Top loader all the way.
Red Chocobo
Banned
Or how about an original NES that is also a top loader....
Modders will always find a way.
Modders will always find a way.
OK - a friend of mine took a look and says he's almost 100% sure its the connector so i'm going to try throwing on a new one myself.
Had this puppy since it was new as a child so i'm fairly attached to it. I might pick up a top loader and mod it on the side or buy a 2nd toaster to mod it for fun.
Thanks for the help all!
Had this puppy since it was new as a child so i'm fairly attached to it. I might pick up a top loader and mod it on the side or buy a 2nd toaster to mod it for fun.
Thanks for the help all!
D.Lo
Member
Well yes, and I'd also like a gold plated rolls royce.
Thanks. That's the one I bought, but I can't get it to work on my AV Famicom with my Dragon Warriors
First you have to make sure your games/adapter/system slot is clean. There are some good guides online about cleaning the contacts properly with both alcohol and swabs as well as that brass polishing stuff.
The other thing you have to do is make sure the carts are facing the right (wrong as they face the back of the system) way, this fooled me when I first got my adapter. lol spent like an hour trying to get Dragon Warrior 2 to work until I realized I had to turn the game cart around.
Lastly, as they are cheaply made, you have to sort of find a "sweet spot" to get them to work properly. Sometimes that means pulling it out slightly from the cartridge slot, sometimes it's one side has to be up a little more than the other, etc.
I have all the NA Dragon Warrior games, and I've played them all on my AV Famicom with that adapter, so I know it works.
The other possibility is of course that over time that adapter may have changed slightly. From slightly different parts to it being made slightly differently or an entirely different brand/manufacturer. Maybe I'm lucky and got a half way decent one.
Good luck getting your Dragon Warrior games to work man, it's my favorite game series of all time so I sympathize with you!
lol I know what you mean!
It's a small trade off though for having the probably second best possible Famicom/NES set up though
I'm also a big fan of the top loader / AV Famicom's design. It's not as iconic as the original Famicom's, but there's just something about it that appeals to me.
It was a hard choice when I visited Osaka this year between buying an AV Famicom, a Twin Famicom (for disc system games) and a PC Engine Duo. I (obviously) went with the AV Famicom. I do still really want a PCE Duo though... (I will get to play Genpei Tōma Den on real hardware someday!)
Thanks SO much for this! I had NO idea the US carts should be inserted the wrong way round! I'll try this weekend as boxed away and I have a 2,500 word essay to begin and finish today, and let you know!First you have to make sure your games/adapter/system slot is clean. There are some good guides online about cleaning the contacts properly with both alcohol and swabs as well as that brass polishing stuff.
The other thing you have to do is make sure the carts are facing the right (wrong as they face the back of the system) way, this fooled me when I first got my adapter. lol spent like an hour trying to get Dragon Warrior 2 to work until I realized I had to turn the game cart around.
Lastly, as they are cheaply made, you have to sort of find a "sweet spot" to get them to work properly. Sometimes that means pulling it out slightly from the cartridge slot, sometimes it's one side has to be up a little more than the other, etc.
I have all the NA Dragon Warrior games, and I've played them all on my AV Famicom with that adapter, so I know it works.
The other possibility is of course that over time that adapter may have changed slightly. From slightly different parts to it being made slightly differently or an entirely different brand/manufacturer. Maybe I'm lucky and got a half way decent one.
Good luck getting your Dragon Warrior games to work man, it's my favorite game series of all time so I sympathize with you!
A Black Falcon
Member
Similarly, when using Famicom carts on a NES through a 72 to 60 pin adapter, you also put the FC cart backwards.First you have to make sure your games/adapter/system slot is clean. There are some good guides online about cleaning the contacts properly with both alcohol and swabs as well as that brass polishing stuff.
The other thing you have to do is make sure the carts are facing the right (wrong as they face the back of the system) way, this fooled me when I first got my adapter. lol spent like an hour trying to get Dragon Warrior 2 to work until I realized I had to turn the game cart around.
Lastly, as they are cheaply made, you have to sort of find a "sweet spot" to get them to work properly. Sometimes that means pulling it out slightly from the cartridge slot, sometimes it's one side has to be up a little more than the other, etc.
I have all the NA Dragon Warrior games, and I've played them all on my AV Famicom with that adapter, so I know it works.
The other possibility is of course that over time that adapter may have changed slightly. From slightly different parts to it being made slightly differently or an entirely different brand/manufacturer. Maybe I'm lucky and got a half way decent one.
Good luck getting your Dragon Warrior games to work man, it's my favorite game series of all time so I sympathize with you!
For the price of a PC Engine Duo you might be better off getting the arcade board instead!
test_account
XP-39C²
No problem
Chittagong
Gold Member
I can't believe I have never known of Famicom Titler, how wonderfully random it is.
Also, had no idea PlayChoice was RGB, explains why it looked always so good I guess!
Also, had no idea PlayChoice was RGB, explains why it looked always so good I guess!
I use the one earlier in the thread (http://stoneagegamer.com/nestofamicomconverter72-pinto60-pin.aspx), such a niggly little thing but at least I can kill some Slimes now
MegaKungFuRadio
Member
I miss my NES. It was a damned art to get a game to load on it.
crimsondynamics
Member
Guys, guys - FAMICOM TITLER: Internally generates RGB; S-Video output.
Wow, never saw that one in the wild before. Sure looks slick.
Personally this is my favorite flavor of "NES":
I loved having the built-in floppy disc drive.
But yeah, top-loading for sure.
Awesome!
Quarantine
Member
I'd stick with the original NES. If you need to switch the case it's ungodly easy. Basically just a few screws, take them out and the board comes right out, then just move it to the other case.
Like other said, it could just need a new 72 pin, which is also a pretty straight forward install.
Like other said, it could just need a new 72 pin, which is also a pretty straight forward install.
Man what I would do for an Astro City cab in great condition and a Genpei Tōma Den board... a man can dream.
metsallica
Member
Where's a good place to buy an AV Famicom? What do they generally run?
Yeah, I pretty much mastered it. You just had to load the cartridge and turn the system on with the flap still open. While it was still on you have to nudge the cartridge around until the title screen is clear. The game will be frozen but as soon as you hit reset the game will load up perfectly.