Generation Nex?

[guitargary75]

This company has to be in real trouble now because of the release of the new Retro Duo. Do you think they have any life left in them, or will they fix their piece of crap system to work like the retro duo?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

This company has to be in real trouble now because of the release of the new Retro Duo. Do you think they have any life left in them, or will they fix their piece of crap system to work like the retro duo?

IF Messiah is interested in upgrading the hardware in their units, they'll likely need to reverse engineer the RetroDuo and see what's in there that allows it to run the way it does.

Though, I'm not sure if the initial venture with the Generation NEX was a wholly profitable one by Messiah, and whether or not that they still have a team willing or able to take the necessary steps to make a "Version 2".

Despite some minor compatibility issues, I think the Generation NEX has it's benefits, and I like mine very much. The top Famicom slot, and the built in wireless signal for their branded wireless controllers are both great ideas that were well implemented.

[bangtango]

IF Messiah is interested in upgrading the hardware in their units, they'll likely need to reverse engineer the RetroDuo and see what's in there that allows it to run the way it does.

Though, I'm not sure if the initial venture with the Generation NEX was a wholly profitable one by Messiah, and whether or not that they still have a team willing or able to take the necessary steps to make a "Version 2".

Despite some minor compatibility issues, I think the Generation NEX has it's benefits, and I like mine very much. The top Famicom slot, and the built in wireless signal for their branded wireless controllers are both great ideas that were well implemented.

Agreed on all points.

My stance is that I don't see why Messiah would bother to upgrade the unit because they'd have to not only address the NES games that the Generation NEX was incompatible with but they'd also have to address the SNES compatibility.

Plus they'd have to figure out how to incorporate their various NES-based controllers (wireless and what not). Aren't all of these dual SNES/NES clones units that only accept SNES-based controllers and NOT NES ones or am I mistaken here?

Besides they'd be playing catch up to products like the FC Twin and the RetroDuo, which have already been bought by people who may not need another similar unit. Not everybody is a clone collector like Frankie here. They'd also have to price their new unit accordingly and not at the same price the Generation NEX was selling for.

I like the Generation NEX myself but the bottom line is that the FC Twin and the RetroDuo have moved in on their market and even offer a feature (SNES compatibility) that the Generation NEX doesn't. At a lower price, no less.

[emceelokey]

Do those companies really try to compete and stay in the market? I just figured those are one shot products and if they sell then they might make more of the same thing but if not then oh well. I ust looked at those systems as consolations for not being able to find a working and complete NES or whatever.

[swlovinist]

I was one who wanted to get this sucker back in Classic Gaming Expo 2005. I waited for the NEX and was sadly dissapointed when I got the actual product(not at the show as initially promised). It was just another Nes Clone on a chip, although it has some slick packaging. Now that the Retro Duo is out, I have to say that it will be hard to look back. The only way I see them keeping in the line is to make some other system, such as Atari. The Retro Duo has set the mark as the clone to beat.

[XYXZYZ]

I still want one of those NEX Advantage joysticks.

[bangtango]

While the Retro Duo does effectively make the Generation NEX obsolete, I never saw the dire need for 2-in-1 products like the FC Twin or Retro Duo. Super NES hardware worked just fine and was reliable. Plus I loathe the idea of dual systems taking only SNES style controllers.

If Nintendo bothered releasing a new top loading NES with support for newer tv's and priced it around $40-50, somehow I think you'd see a lot of the clones disappear. It isn't like they (Nintendo) would lose money on it.

[josekortez]

I was just playing my NEX the other day, and I don't think I would buy a Retroduo unless I found one really cheap. I don't own any of the incompatible carts and I don't have any SNES carts around right now, so I don't really see the need to buy a system that plays both systems' games right now.

[Nero 99]

I myself have retro duo coming right now> Ive always been an original hardware guy myself but space has become tight in my entertainment center.:puke: I dont think messiah has to worry because even if the retro duo replaces the nex, they still have plenty of other great products like their wireless controllers for example.

[kedawa]

If Nintendo bothered releasing a new top loading NES with support for newer tv's and priced it around $40-50, somehow I think you'd see a lot of the clones disappear. It isn't like they (Nintendo) would lose money on it. They kind of would.
They'd be losing out on potential VC sales.

I wish they'd make an OLED based GameBoy, though. I need my GB Tetris.

[Artican]

The new RetroDuo does pique my interest for two reasons:
1. Increased compatability
2. SFC support w/o cutting tabs. (I know it's a simple procedure, but I can't bring myself to do it to my SNES.)

But it definitely would not replace my NEX. The NEX offers the wireless controlers, FC support, and original controller ports. I mean, how could I have a NES clone without Zapper support? Sacrilage!

So, while it might replace my SNES (I can retire it alongside my original NES), it would supplement my NEX. Each system offers it's own unique benefits.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I detailed this in the page 1 post of the RetroDuo thread yesterday,

but I got my replacement Famicom Disk System belt in the mail from Japan yesterday ... and when I finished all the repair work and got my Disk System up and running - I'm pleased to say - in this thread, where there seems to be a modicum of respect going on for the Generation NEX - that the Famicom Disk System works on the NEX but it does NOT work on the RetroDuo (with a Famicom to NES cartridge adapter).

It also works on an official US top-loader NES with the same cartridge adapter ... so it's not the adapter.

See...there ARE benefits to having multiple clone systems and variants.

The Disk System RAM adapter also looks a heck of a lot nicer on the NEX than it does sticking WAY out of either the NES 2 or the Retro Duo.

So, you can chalk that up as another reason to own a NEX: potential Fami Disk System support for those who don't own a real Famicom.

[josekortez]

I may purchase a Retro Duo since it seems my NEX doesn't want to work. I cleaned ten carts I'd found from a thrift store a few weeks ago last night, and it only played 3 out of ten, and these aren't on the incompatible list. I don't want to think my NEX is a piece of crap because I just played Pinbot on it earlier, but I'm starting to get concerned.

[digitalpress]

I may purchase a Retro Duo since it seems my NEX doesn't want to work. I cleaned ten carts I'd found from a thrift store a few weeks ago last night, and it only played 3 out of ten, and these aren't on the incompatible list. I don't want to think my NEX is a piece of crap because I just played Pinbot on it earlier, but I'm starting to get concerned.

I suggest cleaning your cartridges with rubbing alcohol and Q-tips. We've had a half dozen NEX systems running in the store and have sold ten times that many in the past year alone - no one has reported THAT bad a problem unless their cartridges are dirty (which we've cleaned and proven this fact for them on several occasions).

[Fuyukaze]

Gah! My hopes, they fail. I thought this was a thread where some company was re-releasing the turbo duo for cheap. It'd be nice if I could play my ever growing super CD games.

[Famidrive-16]

I may purchase a Retro Duo since it seems my NEX doesn't want to work. I cleaned ten carts I'd found from a thrift store a few weeks ago last night, and it only played 3 out of ten, and these aren't on the incompatible list. I don't want to think my NEX is a piece of crap because I just played Pinbot on it earlier, but I'm starting to get concerned.

What a coincidence, a bunch of NES games I bought recently worked fine on my NEX but Pinbot just isn't having it.

[josekortez]

I suggest cleaning your cartridges with rubbing alcohol and Q-tips. We've had a half dozen NEX systems running in the store and have sold ten times that many in the past year alone - no one has reported THAT bad a problem unless their cartridges are dirty (which we've cleaned and proven this fact for them on several occasions).

Yeah, I cleaned them thoroughly with rubbing alcohol and Q-Tips on three different occasions. I may try again tomorrow. Bump & Jump (one I was excited about playing because of one of your classic games you must play articles, DP) and Tom Sawyer worked right away, and Skate or Die did after the third cleaning. The others didn't, but the only one I really want to play is Gremlins 2.

I need to check that incompatibility list again. Gremlins 2 may have been on it. I remember it came out after Super Mario Bros. 3.

[boatofcar]

Sometimes alcohol and q tips aren't enough. If contacts are really dirty, a pencil eraser is your best bet.

[josekortez]

Sometimes alcohol and q tips aren't enough. If contacts are really dirty, a pencil eraser is your best bet.

Thanks, I'll try that, although I haven't owned a pencil since college.

[Famidrive-16]

Sometimes alcohol and q tips aren't enough. If contacts are really dirty, a pencil eraser is your best bet.

Really? Like one of those big individual ones? In the same way you'd clean with a q-tip?

[josekortez]

I've been having trouble with the damn AC adapter on my NEX console all day today. Once the part on the end that plugs into the console is inserted, I have to keep moving it around to get the console to stay powered on. I know this console was made in China and therefore not as reliable as the original NES, but why would it not stay powered on. This is really annoying and I might have to send the system back to Messiah if it's a console issue.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I didn't want to start a new thread in the repair section for fear that I wouldn't ever get a response...

[ApolloBoy]

I've been having trouble with the damn AC adapter on my NEX console all day today. Once the part on the end that plugs into the console is inserted, I have to keep moving it around to get the console to stay powered on. I know this console was made in China and therefore not as reliable as the original NES, but why would it not stay powered on. This is really annoying and I might have to send the system back to Messiah if it's a console issue.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I didn't want to start a new thread in the repair section for fear that I wouldn't ever get a response...

Are you moving the wire or the actual plug?

[dao2]

If the nex ever rereleased FUCKIGN FIX THE CONTROLLERS

USE A DAMN D-PAD FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST

[CDiablo]

The Dpads on the snes and nes are crap, but I still hope they release a wireless genesis controller.

[GarrettCRW]

The Dpads on the snes and nes are crap, but I still hope they release a wireless genesis controller.

And this is the problem with Messiah. They came out with the wireless NES and Super NES controllers, then teased wireless controllers for the Genny and the 2600.....and then we got the NEX. And now, they seem to be leveraging themselves into the wonderful realm of unnecessary accessories for the Wii and PS3.O_O

[dao2]

The Dpads on the snes and nes are crap, but I still hope they release a wireless genesis controller.

better then that diskus THING they have on their controllers by far.

[boatofcar]

Really? Like one of those big individual ones? In the same way you'd clean with a q-tip?

The best way to do it is to buy the NES opener bit and take the board out and clean the contacts with an eraser. I've gotten the best results from a foam eraser like this one.

http://www.myop.com.au/img/productImages/pilot/624908.jpg

If you don't have a bit for opening NES carts, you can take a pink eraser on the end of a pencil and get in there, but it won't be as good as opening a cart.

And yes, I've had carts that I've thoroughly cleaned with alcohol and q tips that would only work after I opened them and cleaned the contacts with an eraser. Just make sure you wipe up all the eraser leavings before you put the cart back together!

[digitalpress]

And yes, I've had carts that I've thoroughly cleaned with alcohol and q tips that would only work after I opened them and cleaned the contacts with an eraser. Just make sure you wipe up all the eraser leavings before you put the cart back together!

Just a quick counter-point (sorry, boatofcar!) but I've cleaned probably ten thousand NES games with alcohol and qtips at this point and I can honestly say that none of the ones that I couldn't revive were revived using an eraser of any kind. In that one in 100 scenario I do take the cart apart, but simply clean more thoroughly with alcohol. Like teeth, it's sometimes a matter of getting in under the gums. If that doesn't work, I go to the eraser method. I'm about to abandon that method, as it hasn't revived anything. Finally, I use contact cleaner (that stuff used to clean computer circuit boards, which seems to be mostly alcohol as well). This works one out of every 50 times or so (after previous methods).

In my humble opinion, the eraser method is as effective as the blowing on the cart method. That is, it probably works, but in the order of solutions I use, is never effective.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

When alcohol and cleaning pads (I use no-shed foam pads shaped like Q-tips) doesn't work for me, I move on to non-conductive metal polish that usually gets them back to factory-grade "shiny"

If the contacts are too corroded/degraded for just alcohol or polish - I use Scotch-Brite pads ... those have rescued countless cartridges from the dead for me (but in the process can strip a bit of copper off of the contacts).