What have you been up to lately with your NES/Famicom?

[Tanooki]

@zylon Ahh ok, not sure which cheapo system on a chip you have but that does make sense.  They don't have great compatibility.  Not that I think they deserve it, but the latest of those HD (and not, does both) Retron machines that just do one system their NES system is fairly solid and inexpensive, should be happier to run your multi as I don't think it's an android thing like the R5.  According to NintendoLife it is a system on a chip, but while not as bad as past units some games still have off colors/audio a bit, but it's not going to block out flash kits and multicarts since it's not a CRC checking emulation nightmare.  It's $40.  It has a more blended video/audio as if you were on a CRT that did it that way for most.  The system has both RCA and HDMI port in the rear, so it may be a wise option on the cheap.  It's not perfect, but it has a nice included controller that feels alright and responds right, and it works on old or new display tech equally well.  Mind you it's NES only.

 

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/07/hardware_review_hyperkins_retron_hd_is_the_cheapest_way_to_play_nes_in_high_def
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/02/hardware_review_hyperkin_supa_retron_hd_time_to_dust_off_those_snes_carts

 

That second link is the SNES model to the NES above it and like NES system on a chip.  Given the reviews it's rock solid very rock solid so likely it's the same chipset the Supaboy handheld uses that can run everything thrown at it legit or otherwise which is great if you're wanting a console and not a handheld.

[Austin]

Early last week I finally buckled down and stuck it out with Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril, the 2010 homebrew by Sivak. This one always intimidated me, and while I died a ton on this attempt, I ended up getting hooked on it and finished it after a couple of days. It's an interesting format, being a modern-style precision platformer, but with adventure/non-linear/Metroid-ish elements. The gameplay was responsive and the soundtrack was solid. Definitely not a game for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. Went through it a second time and did even better, finishing it in about 2.5 hours.

 

Interestingly, there are multiple revisions of this game. I was playing the 1.10 version, which is all one-hit deaths. Looking into it, the later 2.0 version released in Japan has vastly altered stage layouts, adds hit points, and has other tweaks. It was apparently released on Xbox One/Series X recently, as well as on Itch.io (which is a NES ROM download!). I'm going to have to grab that, as I really enjoyed the original and the altered layouts look cool.

 

I'm also going to have to try Battle Kid 2. It doesn't look like the carts for either game are available anymore however. Did anyone play the original or the sequel?

[zylon]

3 hours ago, Tanooki said:

@zylon Ahh ok, not sure which cheapo system on a chip you have but that does make sense.  They don't have great compatibility.  Not that I think they deserve it, but the latest of those HD (and not, does both) Retron machines that just do one system their NES system is fairly solid and inexpensive, should be happier to run your multi as I don't think it's an android thing like the R5.  According to NintendoLife it is a system on a chip, but while not as bad as past units some games still have off colors/audio a bit, but it's not going to block out flash kits and multicarts since it's not a CRC checking emulation nightmare.  It's $40.  It has a more blended video/audio as if you were on a CRT that did it that way for most.  The system has both RCA and HDMI port in the rear, so it may be a wise option on the cheap.  It's not perfect, but it has a nice included controller that feels alright and responds right, and it works on old or new display tech equally well.  Mind you it's NES only.

 

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/07/hardware_review_hyperkins_retron_hd_is_the_cheapest_way_to_play_nes_in_high_def
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/02/hardware_review_hyperkin_supa_retron_hd_time_to_dust_off_those_snes_carts

 

That second link is the SNES model to the NES above it and like NES system on a chip.  Given the reviews it's rock solid very rock solid so likely it's the same chipset the Supaboy handheld uses that can run everything thrown at it legit or otherwise which is great if you're wanting a console and not a handheld.

Here's the other newer one I have. Board looks identical to my old one, but performance is slightly less. I think these were reskinned leftover parts, but not complaining. I got it in a deal at Murphy, NC flea mkt last year.  I've heard the newer models are better in use on my old TV, but degrade less on HDMI, than going through one of those converter boxes. It is a cute lil' guy, and that crap cart it came with, looks like it belongs, lol.  The controller is surprisingly good. If I can make it to first mega bomber in 1942, on one life, with a pad, it's good.

The newer retron models look like Hyperkin finally quit using reskinned Yobos. Sounds like kids in school, with cheap shoes, we called Bobo's. "bobo's, they make yer feet feel fine.... bobo's, cost a penny an a dime..."🤣

[Tanooki]

@zylon I recognize that, it's the precursor to what they sell now.  That thing (snes one too) both had some pretty poorly done cores and had the issues you pointed out too.  It's cute, but as you said, it is a re-skin of a model of NOAC they've shoveled probably closer to a decade now and it's fairly awful.  They took the lowest hanging fruit and kept using it as long as possible until the complaints mounted or the parts stopped being made, whatever was worse first.  The one I linked up is about as good as you'll get towards an original from these cheap lines of sub $100 HD(and equally not) mini cart using consoles.  Not perfect but better than the rest at this rate without going into FPGA, original hardware, android core stuff, other modern ideas.  I don't blame you for sticking with it given how it was found, but if you ever wanted to get closer to great the other is a cheap good option.  I didn't link it but found videos on both, the NES is pretty solid, and the SNES I think is the SupaboyS/SFC core because it runs chipped games accurately, even can handle the Super Gameboy well too which was a surprise.

 

@Austin  BK1 vs BK2.  The sequel while still hard is more like a fair hard like a Capcom notable game that has better designed but non-cheap traps, enemies, attacks, pits, etc.  It has just better overall design, balance, handling in any respect to the original, so they clearly learned their lesson.  The original is more like a kaizo mega man that didn't quite get that great.  A game meant to utterly piss you off needing pixel perfection and with some harsher than fair punishments given how deaths are handed out, a real anger management test.  And it's not just because of the precision but all the stuff I said they cleaned up with improvements.

 

Neither are made by the original dude, but there are licenses active, at least in Japan/Asia areas as you can still find retail copies of them in Famicom carts.  The others people make bootlegs of them, which to be fair, is basically open season since they developer was fine with overseas copies but won't pop out more for the domestic market as far as I and I've seen others as well are concerned.

[zylon]

2 minutes ago, Tanooki said:

@zylon I recognize that, it's the precursor to what they sell now.  That thing (snes one too) both had some pretty poorly done cores and had the issues you pointed out too.  It's cute, but as you said, it is a re-skin of a model of NOAC they've shoveled probably closer to a decade now and it's fairly awful.  They took the lowest hanging fruit and kept using it as long as possible until the complaints mounted or the parts stopped being made, whatever was worse first.  The one I linked up is about as good as you'll get towards an original from these cheap lines of sub $100 HD(and equally not) mini cart using consoles.  Not perfect but better than the rest at this rate without going into FPGA, original hardware, android core stuff, other modern ideas.  I don't blame you for sticking with it given how it was found, but if you ever wanted to get closer to great the other is a cheap good option.  I didn't link it but found videos on both, the NES is pretty solid, and the SNES I think is the SupaboyS/SFC core because it runs chipped games accurately, even can handle the Super Gameboy well too which was a surprise.

Back in the day, the super GB was the only reason I'd bought an SNES. I think I paid 50 for it, from a neighbor's kid, who was trying to buy 1st car. I wasn't N fan of the consoles, but loved the handhelds' games. Way more fun and engaging, IMHO, than GG or Lynx was for me. Most of the emulators I run on Hackbox, are the handhelds.

 

The blue Retron1AV, is still a current model, just a base or intro one. I'm still using old mono CRT tv. I'll probably get one R1HD on a sale, keep it for later. We do have one TV with modern ports, but no real settings to adjust. Lag can be minimal, or huge, depending on system. I still think it's sad, that the clone mini's have better sound and picture, than the typical NES clones here, that run 2-3x as much. I play mostly the arcade-like games of the era, less buttons, the better.

The wide pic is the hdmi clone mini, and narrowest setting we have. Fantasy Zone is overwhelming, on that, lol. The other two are the older AV mini clone, and the Retro-Duo 2.0, the one with crappy shiny, glass smooth controllers. With a decent pad, the SNES side is decent. NES side is "off", and sound far worse. The Retrons beat that easily. One thing I learned today, in tinkering, is that the new Retron controllers work in new and old systems, but the original older model controllers will not work in the newer systems. Otherwise, I still can't beat SMB 🤣, nearly 40yrs later, and can still make it into the 8's, except on the HDMI one. It throws my jumps off and I end around 4-2 The hdmi 621 mini has a game selection most would argue is better than my older 620, but doesn't have as much of my faves, and lot more hacks.

[Tanooki]

@zylon Well that post is in a few pieces.

I get it, I do, Gameboy was and is magic for the way it took some (as they put it) withered technology and went to the fences with it, and then some well into the late 90s, then over the parking lot doubling to quadrupling what was offered into for the GBC and it's only on releases.  There's just so much to like, and to hate, if you don't want the tiny screen, and the SuperGB (GBC only games aside) fixed that.  I got one and I was stuck to it a lot, I still have one, not my original, but it's a compete in box bigbox and last year a hobbyist $10 kit was made I picked up, 3 drops of solder and now its internal crystal runs at the right speed (like SGB2 does.)

 

I know that AV1 is modern, it's their ghetto line basically as you kind of said, reskinning the crappy yobo to death.  The one I pointed out is their mid-tier unit I guess, while their costly one the R5 is that emulated CRC checking disaster.

 

Odds are your HDMI one, it's not the system, it is the TV.  You'll not just need to find a game mode, but if that doesn't exist or doesn't still cut it, it means what it shuts off still isn't enough.  Anything that processes, smooths, does anything to the picture or its quality will kill your session, it needs to be as raw and unfiltered as possible.  A tv that can do this should fall under at worst 30ms and for that SMB wouldn't be a problem, Tyson, maybe but not most things.  Mine runs around 25-26ms and I can handle whatever it throws at me so it's good.  I've got a stock NES on a PVM I got a couple weeks back, a FC Mobile88 which eerily is better than it should be running almost everything correctly, and then a HDMI (hi def nes kit) modded top loader on the flat panel so I have choices too.

[zylon]

13 hours ago, Tanooki said:

@zylon 

Odds are your HDMI one, it's not the system, it is the TV.  You'll not just need to find a game mode, but if that doesn't exist or doesn't still cut it, it means what it shuts off still isn't enough.  Anything that processes, smooths, does anything to the picture or its quality will kill your session, it needs to be as raw and unfiltered as possible.  A tv that can do this should fall under at worst 30ms and for that SMB wouldn't be a problem, Tyson, maybe but not most things.  Mine runs around 25-26ms and I can handle whatever it throws at me so it's good.  I've got a stock NES on a PVM I got a couple weeks back, a FC Mobile88 which eerily is better than it should be running almost everything correctly, and then a HDMI (hi def nes kit) modded top loader on the flat panel so I have choices too.

Being the price of R1hd and others, is around what a regular duo system runs, I'll probably get one at some point. I don't watch television, so my TV's tend to live forever. That one with HDMI, was the cheapest TV Walmart had in 2015. I'd bought it as something for use at a work apartment then. Otherwise, I need to just get some better controls for the Duo. For how much I actually use the SNES side, not worth going after a specific setup. All I have for it, is some red 100-in-1, and the stock pads. I ordered a much newer pad for a 3.0 Duo, which might be good enough. At least it uses stock ports for SNES.  Perhaps I can find a vendor selling new dpads. 

[Tanooki]

@zylon I get that, I'd do the same, but that's kind of a concern too the cheapest model walmart special tv too.  Those tend to have bad refresh, being cheapest parts, but maybe that would be the opposite since they'd skate out on the fluff.  There is this website that hasn't updated in years but 2015 woudl fit called displaylag.com and it would have your model listed I bet.  RTings.com is another and it has kept active.  I used that first one to buy a TV when my original one failed years back, and again when I inherited my grandmas tv finding her slightly bigger set had 1-2ms improved lag so I swapped into it.  Just something that might be worth a look, free after all, and if your tv is garbage it's not impossible to find one first or second hand using that site since you're doing old games.

 

I never realized this mess until I thought Nintendo released garbage on a disc with Mario Allstars wii, it was so lagged on this big samsung I had I thought it broken.  A couple years later I snarked and felt obligated to pick up a second copy joking on a forum, and when I eventually loaded it up to leave a review, it ran perfect...on a different tv, one i used that displaylag site for and learned the reality of crap lag on poor parts.

 

Definitely you're right, don't bother if that's it for SNES on your end, that now pretty cheap priced R1hd would be perfect and with both sets of inputs it's versatile.  And on your snes pads, they're likely fine, probably need to clean the contacts, then clean the contacts on the d-pad rubber pad inside too, and if that fails console5 and others sell reliable replacements.

[zylon]

12 hours ago, Tanooki said:

@zylon I get that, I'd do the same, but that's kind of a concern too the cheapest model walmart special tv too.  Those tend to have bad refresh, being cheapest parts, but maybe that would be the opposite since they'd skate out on the fluff.  There is this website that hasn't updated in years but 2015 woudl fit called displaylag.com and it would have your model listed I bet.  RTings.com is another and it has kept active.  I used that first one to buy a TV when my original one failed years back, and again when I inherited my grandmas tv finding her slightly bigger set had 1-2ms improved lag so I swapped into it.  Just something that might be worth a look, free after all, and if your tv is garbage it's not impossible to find one first or second hand using that site since you're doing old games.

 

I never realized this mess until I thought Nintendo released garbage on a disc with Mario Allstars wii, it was so lagged on this big samsung I had I thought it broken.  A couple years later I snarked and felt obligated to pick up a second copy joking on a forum, and when I eventually loaded it up to leave a review, it ran perfect...on a different tv, one i used that displaylag site for and learned the reality of crap lag on poor parts.

 

Definitely you're right, don't bother if that's it for SNES on your end, that now pretty cheap priced R1hd would be perfect and with both sets of inputs it's versatile.  And on your snes pads, they're likely fine, probably need to clean the contacts, then clean the contacts on the d-pad rubber pad inside too, and if that fails console5 and others sell reliable replacements.

Those pads have the no nub, hollow shaft on bottom. No rocker or circling motion possible. Other than that one component, the pads are mint, and built decent. Supposedly the 3.0 and Trio, got improved pads, so I ordered one, for under 10 shipped. It's worth a chance. Mom lived on RPG's, so I'd deemed it fine for her. She didn't do shooters, etc. Long ago, I remember being able to buy rebuild/refurb kits for NES controllers, that had new D-pads and buttons, in different colors. So, I've been half-looking.

TV is an Element Electronics, which doesn't even show in choices, lol. I've used my non-HDMI xbox 360 on it since TV was new, and ran my 5200 & C64 on it, for like 6yrs. I've never actually had am HDMI device, until this 2nd NES mini-clone. It still does a nice RF too, and my Hackbox + 2600 are on it.

Edited May 8, 2023 by zylon

[Tanooki]

10 hours ago, zylon said:

Those pads have the no nub, hollow shaft on bottom. No rocker or circling motion possible. Other than that one component, the pads are mint, and built decent. Supposedly the 3.0 and Trio, got improved pads, so I ordered one, for under 10 shipped. It's worth a chance. Mom lived on RPG's, so I'd deemed it fine for her. She didn't do shooters, etc. Long ago, I remember being able to buy rebuild/refurb kits for NES controllers, that had new D-pads and buttons, in different colors. So, I've been half-looking.

TV is an Element Electronics, which doesn't even show in choices, lol. I've used my non-HDMI xbox 360 on it since TV was new, and ran my 5200 & C64 on it, for like 6yrs. I've never actually had am HDMI device, until this 2nd NES mini-clone. It still does a nice RF too, and my Hackbox + 2600 are on it.

I get that, it's why I mentioned what I did about the wretched design of the original v1/v2 Supaboy.  3 posts about 1" long, NO nub in the center.  You can push all 4 directions at once or overly easy at least 2.  SF2 a simple fireball was a chore, trying to fly 360 wherever in Gradius III is impossible as you get stuck.  Games like Super Mario even aren't coded to deal with the bs, you'll suddenly start going the wrong direction or duck sliding when not ducking as it can't figure it out as the games spaz out.

 

Years ago (talking pre/early internet) there was one huge supplier of those refreshing kits for the inside of 8/16bit controllers -- DOC'S.  Doc's Fix-A-Pad was a fantastic repair job if you didn't realize(who would, wasn't advertised) you could get the parts from Nintendo directly cheap.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXJp4c6mdlk and these kits from DOC's did a great job, and usually they did not just innards but the buttons too, so you could make a modded custom controller in an era about a decade and a half before it became trendy online which is kind of cool if you think about it.  The video I linked is the full kit from DOC for the NES which has the inside and outside view bits and I do remember they work.  And because most people oddly don't care anymore given the trends for refreshing,  you can get a vintage kit cheap and have some retro neon looking fun.  I knew what you were thinking of, so hope that helps.

 

[zylon]

2 hours ago, Tanooki said:

I get that, it's why I mentioned what I did about the wretched design of the original v1/v2 Supaboy.  3 posts about 1" long, NO nub in the center.  You can push all 4 directions at once or overly easy at least 2.  SF2 a simple fireball was a chore, trying to fly 360 wherever in Gradius III is impossible as you get stuck.  Games like Super Mario even aren't coded to deal with the bs, you'll suddenly start going the wrong direction or duck sliding when not ducking as it can't figure it out as the games spaz out.

 

Years ago (talking pre/early internet) there was one huge supplier of those refreshing kits for the inside of 8/16bit controllers -- DOC'S.  Doc's Fix-A-Pad was a fantastic repair job if you didn't realize(who would, wasn't advertised) you could get the parts from Nintendo directly cheap.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXJp4c6mdlk and these kits from DOC's did a great job, and usually they did not just innards but the buttons too, so you could make a modded custom controller in an era about a decade and a half before it became trendy online which is kind of cool if you think about it.  The video I linked is the full kit from DOC for the NES which has the inside and outside view bits and I do remember they work.  And because most people oddly don't care anymore given the trends for refreshing,  you can get a vintage kit cheap and have some retro neon looking fun.  I knew what you were thinking of, so hope that helps.

 

Yep, I remember getting those from Jamesway, lol. The NES kit seems easiest to find in a quick search, and might have potential in upgrading my mini clone box pads.  

One of my range buddies has the recent Yobo FC twin, the one with 3 switches on top, not the problematic NES ON/OFF/SNES ON setup. Good compatibility, even Parodious runs without issue. Only my newer R1AV, runs that one good. Old R1 runs it, but lots of artifacting, and Retro-Duo 2.0 can't run it at all. Anyhoo, I borrowed one of his controllers, and it works great, compared to my RD2 ones, so I'm confident that the one I ordered will suffice.

I amost bought a Gamerz Tek HD G8 Nes clone, but having no aspect switch, leaves it no better than my current stuff. Retro-Bit stuff seems to have gotten better, but I'm not biting, beyond a pad.

[Tanooki]

@zylon Good, and you have a plan there that might just work as it makes sense as upgrades for the off brand similar sized stuff.  At the least you could take a beat NES controller and make it 1988-1990 era cool statement out of it, maybe doubled with some old copies of the Nintendo Power controller face stickers.

 

I'm surprised anything Yobo shat out has any quality other than the bare minimum.  Parodius is a tricky one, figuring you're talking about the PAL release?  it gets atrifacts on most stuff, even on a US top loader due to differences.  The JP release is a lower side VRC chip, thinking the 2, which most clones if they're not utter garbage can run fine.  I kind of wonder at this rate if that strange expensive OG nes console someone created from scratch in the last 5 years using original style parts, connectors, etc on a new tiny square board would be something to look at.

[zylon]

2 minutes ago, Tanooki said:

@zylon Good, and you have a plan there that might just work as it makes sense as upgrades for the off brand similar sized stuff.  At the least you could take a beat NES controller and make it 1988-1990 era cool statement out of it, maybe doubled with some old copies of the Nintendo Power controller face stickers.

 

I'm surprised anything Yobo shat out has any quality other than the bare minimum.  Parodius is a tricky one, figuring you're talking about the PAL release?  it gets atrifacts on most stuff, even on a US top loader due to differences.  The JP release is a lower side VRC chip, thinking the 2, which most clones if they're not utter garbage can run fine.  I kind of wonder at this rate if that strange expensive OG nes console someone created from scratch in the last 5 years using original style parts, connectors, etc on a new tiny square board would be something to look at.

I used the version on the 143-in-1 cart, guessing JP. It has value as a testor, or future trade filler. While the NES side, was the best working (reliability) feature of the Duo 2.0, it's seriously weak, even compared to my original Retron. I was kinda surprised at the current Yobo, which I've considered the Family Dollar of clones. 

Kinda like that game, even though today was my first ever play of it. I suck at most Gradius games, and never bothered with it.

[Tanooki]

20 hours ago, zylon said:

I used the version on the 143-in-1 cart, guessing JP. It has value as a testor, or future trade filler. While the NES side, was the best working (reliability) feature of the Duo 2.0, it's seriously weak, even compared to my original Retron. I was kinda surprised at the current Yobo, which I've considered the Family Dollar of clones. 

Kinda like that game, even though today was my first ever play of it. I suck at most Gradius games, and never bothered with it.

I get that, can't wait for that one I ordered on ali to show up, it's moving, got another update last night which either means it's at the port finally or outbound.  I may use my FC version the FC Ultimate Remix 1+2 with the robocop menu as a filler/seller too to get something going as the overlap is real and inferior.  That is pretty sad if that one unit gets broken up that bad with artifacts, in the 2020s, even the 2010s this shouldn't be happening on that level anymore as it shows a failure in the line they used and lack of care.

If you blow at Gradius, do NOT touch the sequel on FC it's nasty.  I have more problems just finishing the first stage than the later ones, ticks me off.  But Parodius that one is the most fair of the lot and a pretty awesome game on the eyes too.

[zylon]

6 minutes ago, Tanooki said:

I get that, can't wait for that one I ordered on ali to show up, it's moving, got another update last night which either means it's at the port finally or outbound.  I may use my FC version the FC Ultimate Remix 1+2 with the robocop menu as a filler/seller too to get something going as the overlap is real and inferior.  That is pretty sad if that one unit gets broken up that bad with artifacts, in the 2020s, even the 2010s this shouldn't be happening on that level anymore as it shows a failure in the line they used and lack of care.

If you blow at Gradius, do NOT touch the sequel on FC it's nasty.  I have more problems just finishing the first stage than the later ones, ticks me off.  But Parodius that one is the most fair of the lot and a pretty awesome game on the eyes too.

Gradius, Life Force, Sky Shark, Zanac, & others I'm sure, I maybe last a minute, counting all lives, lol. I did further testing, and that Rom on the 143 might be just tad flaky. While it runs on some perfectly, it artifacts on my longtime good silver Retron, and begins screwing up on difficulty select screen, on Duo. However, on my 150-in-1 cart, same game and title screen, runs fine on all of them In looking around on the hd nes mini clone, it has Parodiuos as well, same edition, but it encounters major slowdowns beyond stage 1. You can get out and walk faster, lol. Also seems to be possible to get stuck under the clown boss thing which I can't beat anyways, and you end up up under it, down by score. This edition of the mini clone box, also has games it can't run, such as Tengen Gauntlet. The older versions without the category menu setup, at least can run everything they include. I'm using it as parts for my older AV model, which I love.  In Mom's leftover stuff, I found a black/red Retron 2 AV, still sealed, which I'm now using as the multicart machine. When I had to clear out that house, she had enough just gaming stuff, to fill a reseller's van over 3 times. I kept what he didn't want, and sold what would.   

[Tanooki]

@zylon ROM?  Did you mean cart, or did you find a dump of that specific cart?  I know I can't openly ask but...  I'm really curious how that thing works as I have the newer 253 coming, really curious what they did to bridge the gap of finally doing it right.  From your description, you do seem to have some defect going on a ROM dump or a bad cart, or the cart is so complex the clones get pissy.  My Famcom Remix 1+2 has a slight issue with my one clone, the handheld FC Mobile88.  It works, but doesn't, in that the menu displays but not the game selection pointer so I have to manually count to a game or it's a crap shoot.

 

Wow mom was a gamer eh?  That's nice.  I can only imagine what your boxes filled, but probably not the best post for it.

[zylon]

1 hour ago, Tanooki said:

@zylon ROM?  Did you mean cart, or did you find a dump of that specific cart?  I know I can't openly ask but...  I'm really curious how that thing works as I have the newer 253 coming, really curious what they did to bridge the gap of finally doing it right.  From your description, you do seem to have some defect going on a ROM dump or a bad cart, or the cart is so complex the clones get pissy.  My Famcom Remix 1+2 has a slight issue with my one clone, the handheld FC Mobile88.  It works, but doesn't, in that the menu displays but not the game selection pointer so I have to manually count to a game or it's a crap shoot.

 

Wow mom was a gamer eh?  That's nice.  I can only imagine what your boxes filled, but probably not the best post for it.

the same game, but on two different multi-carts. Those are loaded with rom dumps at some point. In this case, one is alphabetized, and all English names, while the other is mix of English & Japanese titles, and in random order. My testing tells me that the primarily english cart's rom of parodious, is just flaky enough, to catch some machines, while not others. I use that 143-in1 for testing mainly, and my most used cart, is an older 150-in1, that has my 4 top NES games on it. I use those two, primarily to not screw up any save game I might be working on, with the big 852-in-1. I leave that, in the silver old retron, and just a switch of a cable, back in action. The dual machine was more for just quick fun plays.

Whie major gamer, Mom more hoarded stuff, than collected. Few examples would be 5gal buckets full of soap bars, over 30 xbox 360 consoles, similar numbers of Genesis and 2600's, Saturns, PS2's. it was a 4 bdrm 2-1/2 story house, packed to just little walkways, and she kinda lived in 1rm and 2 half rooms. She liked RPG's, and anything with Dragons featured, hence the clones. it took me 30 days, working 10-12hrs daily, to empty the place. Since I was the only one who helped her over the years, all her home contents, went to me. All I can say, is there's a gaming store in northeast PA, that would be the holy grail to most. I'm more an arcade, or fun gamer, heavily favoring single screen action games, like original mario bros, etc, of early 80's into early 90s. I do RPG's, but only menu-driven ones, where I issue commands per round, sit back and wait, lol. The Kind where you'd just spend few sessions, circling a town, leveling up to skate through a section, DW, FF, PS, SF, BOF, Lufia, etc.

I kept a more minimal setup, and just took unwanted clones, multicarts, and emulation. Only original stuff I took along, was things important to me, personally, like my Gen3 and carts, etc.

Edited May 9, 2023 by zylon

[CMR]

I've been playing Zelda II.

[newtmonkey]

Dragon Quest III

I've mostly been sailing around the world gathering orbs.  I must say that I'm impressed at how nonlinear the game becomes once you get the ship; it's even more of an "open world" than DQII, just because there's so much more to do and you can almost do it all in any order, since there really aren't any massive jumps in difficulty at this point.

 

I long ago found the Book of Satori, and was considering switching my priest to a sage... but I might just keep my party as is and not change classes at all.  I looked through the list of wizard spells, and the only ones I really wish I had acces to are MAHOTORA (saps MPs from enemies), SUKARA/SUKURUTO (increases defense), and BAIKIRUTO (increases attack power).  However, my two martial artists get critical hits often enough that it's like having a free BAIKIRUTO every now and then.

 

If I didn't know about the "twist" that's coming up, I'd think I was nearing the end of the game.

Edited May 10, 2023 by newtmonkey

[zylon]

testing out one of the new "fancy" tech multicarts. Supposedly, it can hold 15-25 different saves at a time, depending where I read. It does do castlevania III fine, even on the original Retron, before the numbers & goofy name versions today. Only issue I noted, was some artifacting, between story panels after powering up. I'm not good enough at this kinda stuff, to get much further, lol 

Edited May 10, 2023 by zylon

[Tanooki]

Nice to see some proof of CV3 since mine is in transit currently.

That's a fascinating board too, interesting spread of chips but then it still oddly could take a battery in the rear maybe indicating the board had an earlier use before they decided to step up and stop being cheap with the saves.

 

Been a couple days, last attempt I made I decided to dust off an old favorite not touched in way too long -- Silent Service.  Yes, some do like it, but some probably do since they know to use TWO controllers to properly use the sub to its fullest.

[zylon]

4 hours ago, Tanooki said:

Nice to see some proof of CV3 since mine is in transit currently.

That's a fascinating board too, interesting spread of chips but then it still oddly could take a battery in the rear maybe indicating the board had an earlier use before they decided to step up and stop being cheap with the saves.

 

Been a couple days, last attempt I made I decided to dust off an old favorite not touched in way too long -- Silent Service.  Yes, some do like it, but some probably do since they know to use TWO controllers to properly use the sub to its fullest.

I tried it on the old silver Retron, because it shouldn't run on it. I went with the 253-in-1, as it added more to my little library, despite having a lower number of my faves on it. My old style 150-in-1 carts have my faves covered, and I've even got a double of that one. I also did same test on the RetroDuo 2.0, and it also ran CV3 fine. Then, I tested Parodious, as the RD2 has issues with that on some carts, but it ran fine as well. The 253 only has one game I know well enough to judge timing by, 1943, and it ran spot on. I do have some actual NES carts to compare to.

I liked Silent Service, but never knew that, lol. INTV Sub Hunt was also good. 

[Tanooki]

Fair enough seems the 253 was a super smart buy on all accounts, even if I have a flash cart, sometimes it's nice not to rely on those things.  Sure it's a couple hundred games but it's still more a collated pile of gems vs overkill.  Behind me on the wall here between the NES and some FC and a few FC clones (multis not included) I've got around 100 or so games (same can be said for SNES/SFC too.)  It's not hard for me to find something fun to play there, but then you get into the other stuff and you find some amazing opportunities.  The lousy GB Boy Color made me aware of a true Kid Niki sequel GB only had, not the doesn't look like it 2 FC sequels by name only.  Liked it enough I bought the original cart.

 

Silent Service pad #2 controls looking(binoculars) without turning the sub for strafing runs and spotting really helpful and I do believe it also allows the deck gun to spin to fire too but I'd have to double check that.  Then the 9 rear torpedoes only fire using pad 2.  And when you're sinking if it's not too gaping of a hole (like real life) you can blow ballast which uncontrollably rapidly surfaces the sub which is only allowed once a patrol/game which can save you.  Most people hate on the game for having to turn to fire, no way to recover sinkings, and no use of the rear shot.  You'd think if a 2 button controller can't do it even on combos, maybe just maybe genius...try another controller, but nope...no one does. It's like Smash TV on NES,  you can play it on 1 pad, but it's bad, but you can hold two and you have dual d-pad run and fire like the arcade dual stick, it's crazy good that way.

[zylon]

7 hours ago, Tanooki said:

Fair enough seems the 253 was a super smart buy on all accounts, even if I have a flash cart, sometimes it's nice not to rely on those things.  Sure it's a couple hundred games but it's still more a collated pile of gems vs overkill.  Behind me on the wall here between the NES and some FC and a few FC clones (multis not included) I've got around 100 or so games (same can be said for SNES/SFC too.)  It's not hard for me to find something fun to play there, but then you get into the other stuff and you find some amazing opportunities.  The lousy GB Boy Color made me aware of a true Kid Niki sequel GB only had, not the doesn't look like it 2 FC sequels by name only.  Liked it enough I bought the original cart.

 

Silent Service pad #2 controls looking(binoculars) without turning the sub for strafing runs and spotting really helpful and I do believe it also allows the deck gun to spin to fire too but I'd have to double check that.  Then the 9 rear torpedoes only fire using pad 2.  And when you're sinking if it's not too gaping of a hole (like real life) you can blow ballast which uncontrollably rapidly surfaces the sub which is only allowed once a patrol/game which can save you.  Most people hate on the game for having to turn to fire, no way to recover sinkings, and no use of the rear shot.  You'd think if a 2 button controller can't do it even on combos, maybe just maybe genius...try another controller, but nope...no one does. It's like Smash TV on NES,  you can play it on 1 pad, but it's bad, but you can hold two and you have dual d-pad run and fire like the arcade dual stick, it's crazy good that way.

I've found great games on the crap multi-carts, that I'd never have even considered, such as Gun Dec, and Samurai Pizza Cats. I can do without the hacks, mostly, lol. I have roughly a shoebox of originals, both from Mom's house, and ones I acquired. Most worn one, is Wheel Of Fortune, 1st version. 

I've ordered the 239 cart as well, thus get better quality board with more of my faves on it. It also plays backup to what I would use the unique features for, on the 253. On the SNES side, still sticking with just the 110-in-1 cart. It has little bit of everything.  I'm one of the few who actually liked some of the ATGames "bonus games" on the junk sega boxes they sell. This method on old NES, is much more reliable.

Edited May 12, 2023 by zylon

[zylon]

Never knew that about the NES Smash TV, but also never played it. I know the Genesis, and possibly SMS versions did that, but I only ever bothered with the SNES port, or the arcade compilation versions. Mom liked playing that one with me, long ago. I think every multicart offers that one still.