NES/Famicom Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter Teknoman
- Start date
It's a beat em up, a belt scroller as the screen moves forward all the time until the boss...and it's not as good.
Finally got a chance to sit down with the ntsc-version of Rygar, and yeah, this was a completely different experience from what I remember with the Pal-version.
Anyways, took me about 2.5 hours to beat it, and I really enjoyed it! I really like the metroidvania-level design, and while Im sure it could be confusing if you just wandered around, the manual is your friend here, and there was really only one point I wasnt 100% sure where to go next (then it was between two dungeons, which I guess can be beat in any order).
But while the level design is pretty good, and the overall structure of the game also is enjoyable, there is also quite a few flaws. The presentation is nothing special (with the music being particularly bad), very limited number of different enemies with terrible ai (if it can be called that), and very drab colors. The boss design is frankly, terrible, with almost all of them being designed to give you unavoidable hits - meaning beating them is all about grinding. The hit detection, and way enemy spawns is also pretty janky, and then there is of course stuff like dying when trying to use the pulley etc, meaning this is all in all, a game that is enjoyable to play, but had waaay more promise than actual merit as a game.
However, the game is pretty fun to play, thus making it worth playing for sure. Not sure if its worth going much back to though. Anyways glad we did it as a monthly game!
Anyways, took me about 2.5 hours to beat it, and I really enjoyed it! I really like the metroidvania-level design, and while Im sure it could be confusing if you just wandered around, the manual is your friend here, and there was really only one point I wasnt 100% sure where to go next (then it was between two dungeons, which I guess can be beat in any order).
But while the level design is pretty good, and the overall structure of the game also is enjoyable, there is also quite a few flaws. The presentation is nothing special (with the music being particularly bad), very limited number of different enemies with terrible ai (if it can be called that), and very drab colors. The boss design is frankly, terrible, with almost all of them being designed to give you unavoidable hits - meaning beating them is all about grinding. The hit detection, and way enemy spawns is also pretty janky, and then there is of course stuff like dying when trying to use the pulley etc, meaning this is all in all, a game that is enjoyable to play, but had waaay more promise than actual merit as a game.
However, the game is pretty fun to play, thus making it worth playing for sure. Not sure if its worth going much back to though. Anyways glad we did it as a monthly game!
Werewolf the Last Warrior-
Just beat this tonight. The first thing I noticed is that the attack and jump buttons are swapped from what 99% of NES games use, which is ridiculously bone-headed, but you get used to it after a bit. Apparently the JP version had that fixed.
The game is decent overall, I wouldn't call it outright bad. It controls well enough, no problems there. There's hardly any platforming until stage 4 of 5, where the game really kicks up the difficulty, with having to navigate logs falling down waterfalls, fish jumping up and attacking you, jet-pack men firing explosives at you, and death pits everywhere. This is the most frustrating section, but it ends up being the highlight of the game because many other parts are too easy. It feels great to clear it. It's not too bad once you get the hang of it. Nearly all the boss fights are brain dead once you learn their patterns and how to exploit them.
There's only 2 music tracks during the majority of the levels, corresponding to either human or wolf form. They are good, but too short. The amount of music is kind of pathetic, but it's all actually pretty great
I'd recommend it, but only if you have run out of classics and more well known "hidden gems" to play.
Just beat this tonight. The first thing I noticed is that the attack and jump buttons are swapped from what 99% of NES games use, which is ridiculously bone-headed, but you get used to it after a bit. Apparently the JP version had that fixed.
The game is decent overall, I wouldn't call it outright bad. It controls well enough, no problems there. There's hardly any platforming until stage 4 of 5, where the game really kicks up the difficulty, with having to navigate logs falling down waterfalls, fish jumping up and attacking you, jet-pack men firing explosives at you, and death pits everywhere. This is the most frustrating section, but it ends up being the highlight of the game because many other parts are too easy. It feels great to clear it. It's not too bad once you get the hang of it. Nearly all the boss fights are brain dead once you learn their patterns and how to exploit them.
There's only 2 music tracks during the majority of the levels, corresponding to either human or wolf form. They are good, but too short. The amount of music is kind of pathetic, but it's all actually pretty great
I'd recommend it, but only if you have run out of classics and more well known "hidden gems" to play.
NOLA_Gaffer
Banned
Does anyone have recommended sellers on eBay or any other places to pick up Famicom cartridges?
I found three or four sellers that are selling a bunch of Famicom carts and I'll probably pick up a few of the cheaper ones from each, but I'd love for recommendations of other sellers to look through their selection.
I found three or four sellers that are selling a bunch of Famicom carts and I'll probably pick up a few of the cheaper ones from each, but I'd love for recommendations of other sellers to look through their selection.
D.Lo
Member
Wow I finally just noticed this, yes shipping prices doubled to Australia too.
I'll see what the total is like on my latest batch.
For kicks, here's a Yamatoku invoice for something I bought in 2005:
robot
Member
Waterclocker83 is great - prices can sometimes be a few bucks higher but free shipping is great. I'd also recommend checking out the Famicom World forums - not only to buy/sell but also great place for Famicom resources.
NOLA_Gaffer
Banned
Hah, I actually have a bunch of his famicom carts in my eBay shopping cart at the moment...unfortunately Mega Man 3, Mega Man 2, Kirby, and a few others all sold before I got a chance to nab 'em.
catpurrcat
Member
I'm looking to get a second NES for another room. Currently using an sr3 clone, which is fine, minus a few video and sound glitches. I have a small collection of North American games only.
Question is, which nes to get? The clone would be a secondary system in another room for occasional use only. This new NES purchase would ideally be my primary system, so I'd love an original.
I love the quality of used Japanese stuff, so AV famicom with an adapter to read my NES games was my first choice. But do those adapters work consistently?
The US/Canada toaster NES is fine but I'm afraid of bad pins and blinking problem. Plus most NA stuff I've got from eBay or even stores is quite dirty.
Both are nearly equal in cost.
Any thoughts?
Question is, which nes to get? The clone would be a secondary system in another room for occasional use only. This new NES purchase would ideally be my primary system, so I'd love an original.
I love the quality of used Japanese stuff, so AV famicom with an adapter to read my NES games was my first choice. But do those adapters work consistently?
The US/Canada toaster NES is fine but I'm afraid of bad pins and blinking problem. Plus most NA stuff I've got from eBay or even stores is quite dirty.
Both are nearly equal in cost.
Any thoughts?
DangerJuice
Member
Get the Famicom AV. I have an adapter and have completed around 30 NTSC games using it on the AV with zero issues.
RadarScope1
Member
Most here will recommend the AV Famicom. I haven't used one but I think the adapters are pretty reliable - only 2 or 3 games have any issues. That said, a toaster is easier to get a hold of and the reliability issues are mostly overblown. Clean the connector and clean your carts and 99% of issues go away.
DangerJuice
Member
Bend all the pins inward.
elmalloc
Member
Blinking light win would also fix it, but not sure it can be installed in a top loader.
Fox Mulder
Member
Finally sat down with Felix. A fun game that's quite easy. Don't know if it's even possible to die with all the powerups they give you.
Neat stuff seeing Felix fly around in a biplane or tank. He's having so much fun. Would have loved this as a kid.
My childhood NES has been acting up and locked up well into the game. I need to get a new on or at least give it a new pin connector.
Neat stuff seeing Felix fly around in a biplane or tank. He's having so much fun. Would have loved this as a kid.
My childhood NES has been acting up and locked up well into the game. I need to get a new on or at least give it a new pin connector.
Played some Battletoads earlier today... This time on the Rare Replay collection (Which is the gift that keeps on giving). Good thing about this is that it makes capturing footage easy. Was able to get through the Turbo Tunnel without a death, and a couple button pushes lets me share it with you guys:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbNxYKiJ-Pc
I'm using Rare Replay as training, so that when I get my Analogue NT in March, I can pull out the original cart and beat the game finally. The closest I ever got on original hardware was the final boss, with no lives left and less than full health.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbNxYKiJ-Pc
I'm using Rare Replay as training, so that when I get my Analogue NT in March, I can pull out the original cart and beat the game finally. The closest I ever got on original hardware was the final boss, with no lives left and less than full health.
I had this problem with my SNES Mini a while back, and cleaning my games fixed the problem.
Not the problem. I cleaned all the games thoroughly.
NOLA_Gaffer
Banned
One of the big NES games my girlfriend seems to remember from her youth is Kickle Cubicle. I see NES carts on eBay for around $20, which is a bit more than I was hoping to pay. I also see a cart of the Famicom release for around $10. Does anyone happen to know how text-heavy the game is? Will there be an issue with us playing it if we can't read anything properly?
davidwhangchoi
Member
i seemed to recall having that problem as a kid, and opened it up to fix.
i think resetting the metal pins (where the cart connect) to the original position (and cleaning it) might've helped.
pic from: ultimate guide to restoring the nes
(link doesn't paste correctly)
I have the fc version and from what I remember it's entirely in English. Or at least I didn't have any issues playing it.
I got to the last level and it pissed me off so much that I decided to give it another go months from now, lol.
Lol, it shouldn't take me years to beat a game!
IrishNinja
Member
N8 should hopefully be here sometime this week...can't wait! have my SD all prep'd too, haha.
just but in a best offer on a dogbone controller, here's to hoping!
just but in a best offer on a dogbone controller, here's to hoping!
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
Nice! I love mine.
Got your fan translations in order too? That's the best part of a flashcart, second being not having to juggle all those carts anymore.
There was a recent English translation of the superior Japanese Contra that comes to mind. Aside from all the jRPG stuff! Thanks to my N8 I could play Final Fantasy III in English on real hardware.
The best part was how the real hardware really makes the music "sing"... can't get that on emu !
IrishNinja
Member
Nice! I love mine.
Got your fan translations in order too? That's the best part of a flashcart, second being not having to juggle all those carts anymore.
There was a recent English translation of the superior Japanese Contra that comes to mind. Aside from all the jRPG stuff! Thanks to my N8 I could play Final Fantasy III in English on real hardware.
agreed! and yeah, i found some really great everdrive starter pack collections that have nearly every hack, prototype, demo & translation i could hope for...lemme see if i got that j-contra one though!
and D-Lo told me the FDS conversions obviously won't sound right (without the audio chip) and some will play off, but i still can't wait to check em out...also, all those years of game center CX have me dying to dive into the massive famicom library!
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
There are also all these patches of Nintendo VS System games that let you play on a regular NES... so cool. http://nes.goondocks.se/patches2.php
Yeah the Everdrive doesn't emulate the Famicom audio channel perfectly. But it does okay. Do you at least have a Famicom or NES modded for its audio? Something's better than nothing. Otherwise it won't play those sound channels at all.
I've got to get an RGB mod already. I just realized why I haven't been indulging in my Everdrive + Famicom lately. Poop video ;(
I don't "feel" the flashcarts like many people do.. personally I want to browse through my shelf, pick a box/cart, pop it in the console and play. And I know my OCD nature - if I had a flashcart, I'd start to think "why do I have all these games physically, then?"
But I agree that those translated japanese-only games and various homebrews are tempting. Buuuut then again I barely have time to play my existing games...
But I agree that those translated japanese-only games and various homebrews are tempting. Buuuut then again I barely have time to play my existing games...
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
I used to be a "shelf" guy. After getting 1000s of games it just became too much eyesore in my life. I was sick of how every conversation of visitors to my house became about the game collection. More power to those with the space to pull it off (ain't nothing wrong with a man cave downstairs, etc, but I live in an apt)
So about 4 years ago I switched models: keep collecting physically, but stash the boxes away in storage, rip what I can to softmodded consoles or flashcards, and if that fails, keep a CD wallet for the rest. Then I still have my massive physical game collection... but it doesn't dominate my living space.
For me it's like the "gold standard", like how they used to keep an amount of gold in Fort Knox that represented every dollar in circulation. I still collect physical games, put in storage, and that gives me license to rip them to a flashcart or modded console hard drive.
I know how I could pirate entire romsets and put them on my flashcart. I don't do this. It's not fun. It means no game matters and you just end up "channel surfing" through them.
I only put the games on my flashcart that I own physically. So in that sense it's not unlike a CD collection ripped to iTunes.
D.Lo
Member
It does okay for cart-based chips, Akumajou Densetsu sounds pretty good, if not perfectly accurate.
But FDS expansion audio sounds atrocious. It clashes horribly, with a nasty dissonance.
As I've said before, I wouldn't even call it compatible with FDS games with expansion audio. It's the audio equivalent of blue showing as red or something. The N8 everdrive forum is full of complaints about it.
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
That's odd. You'd think the FDS sound channel, which is one single type of audio used in multitudes of games, would be okay.... but they emulate the unique Akumajou Densestu audio type and it's decent? I guess it must be Krikzz's priorities.
But I dunno. I have a cart of Akumajou Densestu, and I don't remember it sounding great on Everdrive either. Granted I haven't done A-B testing.
It's probably possible to write firmware that would fix all this. I wish the community were working on it, but it seems not....
D.Lo
Member
Yeah exactly, it does seem odd.
Much effort was put into Densetsu I assume, as it's one of the 'legendary' 'Japanese version was better' games.
Actually I think Akumajou Densetsu sounds better on the everdrive than the real cart if using an AV Famicom - the expansion channels are too loud on an AV Famicom, but the Everdrive has an option to drop expansion volume.
Basically, I still play my disks for FDS, whereas I use the everdrive for pretty much everything else.
Much effort was put into Densetsu I assume, as it's one of the 'legendary' 'Japanese version was better' games.
Actually I think Akumajou Densetsu sounds better on the everdrive than the real cart if using an AV Famicom - the expansion channels are too loud on an AV Famicom, but the Everdrive has an option to drop expansion volume.
Basically, I still play my disks for FDS, whereas I use the everdrive for pretty much everything else.
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
Yes, I think that's exactly right.
Just AV Famicom? That's what I use. Are you saying that Akumajou Densestu was intended to be quieter on an OG Famicom?
Oh goody. I still have a reason to get on the FDS train. I almost bought one in Japan 2 years ago, but I couldn't find any games for sale.
Oh, I understand. My collection still fits in one big IKEA shelf (although for not much longer.) And space is an issue. When I start getting into another new console (maybe that PC Engine) flashcart will probably be a choice. But for consoles I already have lots of boxed stuff, I'll keep doing the same.
IrishNinja
Member
damn, might play some FDS ones on mute then, haha
sadly no - bapho modded my toaster for RGB & blue screen killswitch thing, but i wasn't aware of an audio mod, past the splitter i use to get glorious mono sound out of a 7.1 system, haha...we'll see how it goes!
quite right - ive got entire shelves of games, and retro prices right now can fuck right off...if there's something in particular i love, i'll track it down (mostly loose for nintendo stuff, sega i try to do CIB), but otherwise, i just use them to experience new stuff. ill switch out for actual carts for some stuff (particularly if i have a save on it), but i gotta say, save states might change some of that on this one for when i'm in ninja dog mode, haha
yeah, i need to get pics up, but i have 1 red ikea nintnedo shelf (overpouring), 2 tight blue sega ones (with some space for TG16/PCE and atari), and one black sony one that shares some space with MS & handhelds...not counting the brown shelf in the room for books, guides & magazines. if i had infinite space, i'd have at least one more ikea shelf, but this is more than enough (and 40+ in my backlog as well), so i'm in no hurry to buy more, personally!
sadly no - bapho modded my toaster for RGB & blue screen killswitch thing, but i wasn't aware of an audio mod, past the splitter i use to get glorious mono sound out of a 7.1 system, haha...we'll see how it goes!
quite right - ive got entire shelves of games, and retro prices right now can fuck right off...if there's something in particular i love, i'll track it down (mostly loose for nintendo stuff, sega i try to do CIB), but otherwise, i just use them to experience new stuff. ill switch out for actual carts for some stuff (particularly if i have a save on it), but i gotta say, save states might change some of that on this one for when i'm in ninja dog mode, haha
yeah, i need to get pics up, but i have 1 red ikea nintnedo shelf (overpouring), 2 tight blue sega ones (with some space for TG16/PCE and atari), and one black sony one that shares some space with MS & handhelds...not counting the brown shelf in the room for books, guides & magazines. if i had infinite space, i'd have at least one more ikea shelf, but this is more than enough (and 40+ in my backlog as well), so i'm in no hurry to buy more, personally!
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
I get the reference
lol.For the NES era, aren't we all ninja dogs?
Might be worth it to see through some of the impossible-ass games of that gen!I seem to remember having save states toggled on the Everdrive broke StarTropics from booting. Just a forewarning if something doesn't work
D.Lo
Member
Yes, one of the expansion channels is too loud on AV Famicom, and the mixes are wrong. FDS is pretty much fine, but one of Akumajou Densetsu's channels is too loud, so the mix is out. It needs to be played on an OG Famicom for the correct mix. Or you can use the 'quiet' mix on the everdrive and it makes the mix right for the AV fami.
i seemed to recall having that problem as a kid, and opened it up to fix.
i think resetting the metal pins (where the cart connect) to the original position (and cleaning it) might've helped.
pic from: ultimate guide to restoring the nes
(link doesn't paste correctly)
I'm talking about in the toploader though, not the front-loading toaster. Same recommendation?
'Gratz man. That sounds awesome to have completed that.
ResidentDante
Member
Congrats! Any particular reason you went for Konami Famicom games?
Yeah, same here. I have an Everdrive N8, and it's awesome, but scrolling through text lists of games is never as good as browsing the shelf, seeing the actual games, picking one out and playing it. If I want to play a game, and I have a copy, I'll pull the Everdrive out of the system and throw in the cart. Something about it.
My Everdrive also gives me a bit of NESADD, in that I tend to jump around and play lots of things for a little while, as opposed to sitting down and focusing on one game like I like to do when playing on a real cart. The N8 is a great item, especially for translations, hacks, or games that are just way too much money for me to actually buy, but if there's a game I want to put some time into, and obtaining a cart is within reason, I'll choose that every time.
RadarScope1
Member
Nice work. Your passion for Konami in this thread, plus digging into other sources like Chrontendo and HG101 now that I am more into NES (and now FC) has opened my eyes to how awesome Konami was in those days. I already knew they were great, but I now view Famicom tiers of development like this: Nintendo, Konami and everybody else.
Looking forward to the pics and blog post.
davidwhangchoi
Member
apologies, reading @ 3am,
safest bet before bothering to open it up (4.5mm security bits) is cleaning the slot real good. take a piece of thin cardboard or stiff plastic same width or slightly smaller wrap it with cloth and soak it with whatever cleaner you feel is the safest to clean carts. insert/remove in slot several times to get any dirt off.
i read it's finicky and depending on the cart, slight tap forward on the carts the screen gets garbled and locks up.
mattiewheels
And then the LORD David Bowie saith to his Son, Jonny Depp: 'Go, and spread my image amongst the cosmos. For every living thing is in anguish and only the LIGHT shall give them reprieve.'
I see that nesreproductions.com will actually modify any famicom cart with a translation if you send it their way. Has anyone had experience with this?
NOLA_Gaffer
Banned
Rather tempted to get a Mother cart translated, and maybe one of the Final Fantasy titles. I'd love to know this as well.
Just played some Seirei densetsu Lickle / Little Samson. One of the few PAL games I have left, since both the US and the Famicom versions are super expensive in comparison (not saying the PAL cart is exactly cheap, though...)
It's really good game, tight controls, great graphics, but man is it hard. I barely scraped my way into the final fortress, fought the gauntlet but lost mouse so I couldn't kill the Dark Knight mk. 2. He seems to be the hardest boss I've fought so far. With mouse mk. 1 was easy, but without - especially with just Samson - it's super hard since I can't seem to jump over him without being killed.
It's really good game, tight controls, great graphics, but man is it hard. I barely scraped my way into the final fortress, fought the gauntlet but lost mouse so I couldn't kill the Dark Knight mk. 2. He seems to be the hardest boss I've fought so far. With mouse mk. 1 was easy, but without - especially with just Samson - it's super hard since I can't seem to jump over him without being killed.
NOLA_Gaffer
Banned
Does anyone know a reliable place to get Famicom reproductions? I'd love to order a "complete" Donkey Kong cart instead of the 80s version that's missing the Pie Factory level.