Huggers
Member
The difficulty of this part is really overblown. I'm not especially good at games and I've never used holy water on the boss. Just got to get your technique down
NES/Famicom Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter Teknoman
- Start date
The difficulty of this part is really overblown. I'm not especially good at games and I've never used holy water on the boss. Just got to get your technique down
Strange that you think so, I feel like Im pretty decent at games, and have no trouble with considered hard stuff, but this section always messed me up. Maybe youree right though, that Imjust need more trainig.
The hallway itself is though but fair. You just need to manage the placement of the medusa heads while being conscious of the axes being thrown at you. It's the classic pat-your-head-rub-your-belly-something-else-with-your-third-arm struggle we all know and love.
The boss fight, now I'm not saying I haven't beat it without the holy water -- I only learned just last year that you can kill Death easily with it and I've been playing this game for like 25 years so I certainly have -- but the scythes spawn placement has insane randomness and will often spawn right in your jump arc (which as we know, is bad since you can't change direction). You have to be ON to beat that boss. Straight up ON.
theSlacker
Member
Is there crossover between those two demographics?
Huggers
Member
I remember finding it impossible to start with. I posted this the other day but you might be interested. If you skip to 17:49 in this vid it's me doing that part of the game. As you'll see I'm definitely no pro but I get the job done, just!
https://youtu.be/v54DDg1_7xY
Also. There must be a retro scene in Finland. Hot a message tonight on Ebay from someone wondering whether I'd post to Finland
I'm not saying it's not doable. I've done it before myself. Again, I've been playing the game for well over two decades. That fight is just not fun though.
As for your beating Death there, that was cool to watch. The cross is the second most broken weapon in the game and you used it well there, plus getting that III really helped.
As an aside, as practice for my run for ExtraLife, I've beat the game three times today. We'll see if I can do the No Death run on stream.
Huggers
Member
Yeah it's not an especially hard NES game. There's way worse! The II and III appear the more you use the special weapon.
Sir Ilpalazzo
Member
I can't agree. It's the most chaotic portion of the game, but it's not uncontrollable. If you aren't willing to overwhelm him with the holy water or cross, beating Death is "just" a matter of leading the scythes and moving conservatively. It's a great, intense battle.
There is (not many polar bears collecting, although some of my friends are pretty hairy) I don't know if you're in the US, but we generally feel that the Global shipping program has discouraged our purchases from eBay US sellers a lot. Postage fees for a simple NES cart are out of this world. Personally I buy a lot of stuff from Japan, but I'd like to get more US stuff, if the price was right. Text-heavy games for example.
The collector scene in Finland is kinda two-fold - some more "advanced" collectors collect USA and/or japanese imports for the sake of running the games at 60 hz and some - especially those that have started later - collect purely the PAL B (SCN) releases that sold here originally. The inflation on some releases, like Mega Man games, is through the roof. That's why I've been unloading what PAL releases I have left for the NES, since I am getting that RGB modded AV Famicom as well.
That's why I did figure that maybe a fellow collector would have a spare Power Blade for me. I'd of course pay honest shipping fees.
Huggers
Member
Nah I'm in the UK so have the same issue as you getting things shipped from the US. Sometimes it is ridiculous money and yeah that global shipping program is bullshit! Import taxes here I heavy too. Annoying as I've gone full NTSC on the NES now.
That's awesome man, I have an RGB modded Famicom. I use it mainly with an adaptor to play NTSC stuff to save my front loader from getting too much use. Another Gaffer RGB modded that for me which was cool.
I'm on the hunt for Power Blade myself. Annoyingly the PAL version is super cheap compared to the NTSC one I'm after
Huggers
Member
Bingo. I've never done it using just the whip as I'm too shit but that part of the game isn't unfair, just tough
Yes. I wonder though, how do PAL games generally behave on an (AV) Famicom with an adapter? I know some of them are so fast they're unplayable (Shadow Warriors) or downright glitchy as hell (Battletoads) but maybe you could play the non-optimized PAL games like you would any NTSC USA games? I dunno which category Power Blade falls into.
Huggers
Member
Yeah you're spot on. A lot of PAL games music runs way too fast. Batman and Bucky O'Hare are good examples of this. Other titles, Castlevania for example, run at the correct speed despite being PAL cartridges. It's why I pretty much only buy NTSC now. Have to say aside from the NTSC Castlevania 3, I haven't encountered too many other issues playing US games on a Famicom
The scythes and Death both do crazy damage leaving your margin of error slim. OK, I guess that's to be expected from the last boss in the game. But the scythes themselves stop and move erratically. Oh, and if you kill one, they spawn wherever they damn well feel like. Feels like 50 percent of the time right in your path. And they move right away giving you little time to react. Oh, and Death? Sometimes he changes direction in his pattern. He might jump off the top left toward the middle, and the decide to go right back in the same direction, hitting you while you're jumping to attack him.
It is an intense battle. No question. But the chaos is WHY it doesn't fit in this game. The only other thing in the game that's this chaotic is the Frankenstein's Monster fight and even that isn't nearly as bad. Everything else is methodical and allows you to learn patterns and practice play. This fight is always by the skin of your teeth because it's so unpredictable. I won't fault someone for enjoying that aspect, but in terms of the pure design, of which I think Castlevania is mostly perfect, this fight is one of the main reasons I have to use "mostly". It stands in stark contrast to what is otherwise a pretty perfectly designed game.
Kontergurke
Member
Just to chip in, Power Blade was PAL-optimized, meaning the music plays at the correct speed on a PAL NES. Which means it would run too fast on a NTSC console.
I wish there was a way to mod a PAL NES with a 50/60Hz-switch like it's possible with the SNES. This is basically the only reason holding me back from collecting old NES games. (Well, aside from the ridiculous prices.)
drhankmccoyphd
Member
Does anyone have experience with the reliability of the famicom disk system and games? I found a sharp twin for cheap and just had it repaired and rgb modded but some of the horror stories about corrupted disks and the drive needing to be recalibrated frequently has me reconsidering the purchase.
D.Lo
Member
My main FDS has had no belt change in the 20 years I've owned it and works like a charm. My twin I don't use much but has had no issues either.
I've had more carts not work than disks. I have used hundreds and 2-3 didn't work.
I swear people left their disks in the sun or walk on them or live inside a solenoid or something.
Shadowman16
Member
So I now am in posession of a wonderful AC Famicom modded for RGB output. I've been told that a Mega Drive 1 PSU will work on it, however I'm being careful as I don't want to fry it! Anyone have any experience using different PSU's with the AV Famicom?
D.Lo
Member
Mega Drive 1 PSU works perfectly. Assuming you mean AV Famicom.
The thing that will fry it is a US/PAL NES or PAL SNES power supply.
I wrote this in the PCE thread a couple of days ago, applies here as well:
Mega Drive 1 PSU from your region is appropriate for:
Famicom
NES
Super Famicom
PAL SNES
PCE (core units)
Mega Drive
Master System
Mark III
SG1000
SG1000 II
Mega Drive 2 PSU from your region is suitable for:
MD2
PCE Duo R
PCE Duo RX
The thing that will fry it is a US/PAL NES or PAL SNES power supply.
I wrote this in the PCE thread a couple of days ago, applies here as well:
Mega Drive 1 PSU from your region is appropriate for:
Famicom
NES
Super Famicom
PAL SNES
PCE (core units)
Mega Drive
Master System
Mark III
SG1000
SG1000 II
Mega Drive 2 PSU from your region is suitable for:
MD2
PCE Duo R
PCE Duo RX
Shadowman16
Member
So just to check your saying that a UK MD1 PSU will work with no issues? As I just find it a tad odd that a UK PSU wouldn't fry the thing!
*Edit* Didn#t see your detailed explanation above! Time to give the console a try
The rubber they originally used for the drive belts turns to crap and breaks, replacement belts shouldn't have that problem because of more resilient materials used for the new ones. I actually just replaced the belt in a FDS last weekend. I bought it on the cheap from a Japanese seller who said it wouldn't read disks and of course it was just a broken belt.
Of the 5 FDS games I have so far they all seem to work perfectly, and from what I've read here and other places the FDS disks are actually pretty hardy, the ones that are likely to be unreadable are disks that have been rewritten.
sixteen-bit
Member
So I can use a JP MD1 power cable on a JP PCE (OG white core unit)?
Shadowman16
Member
Ok, I didn't think RGB picture quality on my Famicom would be such a step up but damn! I'm really impressed with how sharp and clean the picture looks on my CRT TV compared to composite on my old Famicom. I guess its time to replay the Mega Man series once more in that case!
D.Lo
Member
Yep.
I recently picked up an RGB modded AV Famicom as well. Combined with my PVM-20M4E I believe I'm getting close to enlightment on how good 8-bit games can look, a sort of CRTvana if you will.
cartman414
Member
That and the enemy damage structure.
Then of course there's also the final battle against Drac. Very little room for error.
I totally don't understand what you mean with the first one.
The second one just highlights why I love the game. If you know the pattern and execute you don't have to worry about error. You'll be fine.
IrishNinja
Member
out of curiosity, anyone know how save states on an N8 work? ive read it's tricky/per game or something
I bought a Famicom Disk System in Japan and it worked fine, but it didn't survive being shipped back to Canada. It's a shame.
cartman414
Member
By enemy damage structure I'm talking about how every couple levels the damage inflicted by enemies increases by a point. Simon goes from taking 6 to 4 hits when you reach the 5th stage.
Dracula's triple fireballs could be annoying to deal with on a regular basis. Doable, but annoying.
Well, yeah. The game gets harder as you go. It's a difficulty curve.
And as for Dracula's triple fireballs, you just jump over them. It's all timing.
So wheres everyone else in Faxanadu so far?
I'm at this mist covered purpley area that just feels much more oppressive than any NES area i've ever been in. I think I might be slightly lost again. Also I see why people who upload gameplay often take awhile to get videos up. You have the footage, but then it needs to be edited, double checked for visual glitches, processed, uploaded, and so on.
Not that I didnt know, but you really dont have a feel for even the smallest amount of work until you start trying lol.
I'm at this mist covered purpley area that just feels much more oppressive than any NES area i've ever been in. I think I might be slightly lost again. Also I see why people who upload gameplay often take awhile to get videos up. You have the footage, but then it needs to be edited, double checked for visual glitches, processed, uploaded, and so on.
Not that I didnt know, but you really dont have a feel for even the smallest amount of work until you start trying lol.
Sir Ilpalazzo
Member
Just finished clearing Street Fighter 2010. What an excellent game. Learning its unorthodox controls is fun as hell, your character's moveset is great (I love having to carefully aim your single strong aerial shots and the invincible backflip is really enjoyable to work with), there's a ton of great stage variety and interesting bosses (my personal favorite is definitely the giant sky-filling eyeball monster; keeping track of everything going on in that fight is great), and the game has great atmosphere for an NES action game - fantastic music, and I love the little bits of creepiness the music-cutting, potential insta-death teleporters add.
Definitely one of the NES's best games. I need to try for a no-death run; I came moderately close just now.
Definitely one of the NES's best games. I need to try for a no-death run; I came moderately close just now.
Ha, I'm about to no death that soon.=p
RoryDropkick
Member
Faxanadu is on hold at the moment, due to the fact that on Wednesday night, my wife had an emergency c-section and our twin boys were delievered. Still in the hospital at the moment, and the boys wonr be home until the end of December, but I should be able to get back to the game this week
entremet
Member
CongratsFaxanadu is on hold at the moment, due to the fact that on Wednesday night, my wife had an emergency c-section and our twin boys were delievered. Still in the hospital at the moment, and the boys wonr be home until the end of December, but I should be able to get back to the game this week
theSlacker
Member
Faxanadu is on hold at the moment, due to the fact that on Wednesday night, my wife had an emergency c-section and our twin boys were delievered. Still in the hospital at the moment, and the boys wonr be home until the end of December, but I should be able to get back to the game this week
Congratulations!
Wow, major congrats man.Faxanadu is on hold at the moment, due to the fact that on Wednesday night, my wife had an emergency c-section and our twin boys were delievered. Still in the hospital at the moment, and the boys wonr be home until the end of December, but I should be able to get back to the game this week
Huggers
Member
Faxanadu is on hold at the moment, due to the fact that on Wednesday night, my wife had an emergency c-section and our twin boys were delievered. Still in the hospital at the moment, and the boys wonr be home until the end of December, but I should be able to get back to the game this week
Congratulations dude! Hope everyone is well
Congrats, it was definitely a tough game for me but I managed to it earlier this year as well. I'm debating how to do my 1CC of it though.
Huggers
Member
I think it's one of the tougher NES games I've finished. Haha dude a 1CC will be TOUGH. Youtube it if you take it on
I can do it as I came close months ago, but it's so hard that I decided to try to get it right next year, lol.
Faxanadu is on hold at the moment, due to the fact that on Wednesday night, my wife had an emergency c-section and our twin boys were delievered. Still in the hospital at the moment, and the boys wonr be home until the end of December, but I should be able to get back to the game this week
Congrats. You won't have much time for games in the near future!
Of course going by friends and relatives, it gets a lot better in several years when your kids have normal sleep schedules and become old enough to join you in gameplay sessions.
PepsimanVsJoe
Member
I remember when I received Faxanadu.
Originally I thought it was a console port of Wardner (also known as Pyros). I didn't even like Wardner that much, but I was a broke kid so any new game was a cause for celebration.
Things turned out to be a little different when I discovered that I had to find the king to get money for a weapon. After about an hour or so it kinda clicked.
I never actually beat the game until I stumbled upon a password for the final boss + all equipment & spells. Originally I only got as far as the tree branches (second to last area). My passwords were always garbage too so I kept starting over. After cheating to see the end, I somehow put 2 and 2 together to legitimately complete the entire game.
One of the quirks I had when I played this game was that I always bought the really expensive shield early on. This required a lot of grinding the first boss in order to afford. It wasn't that useful, and the hero looked ridiculous holding a giant shield, but wielding a tiny dagger and still wearing his skivvies. I also bought the death spell early, which was infinitely more useful (killed a lot of bosses in a couple hits).
Only aspect that I really hated was the one-use keys.
Originally I thought it was a console port of Wardner (also known as Pyros). I didn't even like Wardner that much, but I was a broke kid so any new game was a cause for celebration.
Things turned out to be a little different when I discovered that I had to find the king to get money for a weapon. After about an hour or so it kinda clicked.
I never actually beat the game until I stumbled upon a password for the final boss + all equipment & spells. Originally I only got as far as the tree branches (second to last area). My passwords were always garbage too so I kept starting over. After cheating to see the end, I somehow put 2 and 2 together to legitimately complete the entire game.
One of the quirks I had when I played this game was that I always bought the really expensive shield early on. This required a lot of grinding the first boss in order to afford. It wasn't that useful, and the hero looked ridiculous holding a giant shield, but wielding a tiny dagger and still wearing his skivvies. I also bought the death spell early, which was infinitely more useful (killed a lot of bosses in a couple hits).
Only aspect that I really hated was the one-use keys.