Famicom questions-disk system especially

[otaku]

So about the famicom disk system do I need a regular famicom to use it? How much do the belts run and are they easy to install? Good games and costs?

[ooXxXoo]

You can use either an older Rf FC system, a properly AV modded FC system, an AV famicom system, with converters: NES2 top Loader system and even the NES front loader...Plenty of possibilities really....The FDS works with some Famiclones as well....A brand new belt should last a good couple of years with normal wear use...The belt replacement can be a bit tricky and in some cases a bit messy :D ....

[Tupin]

It's best used with a Famicom, but it's possible to hook it up to a top-loading NES or even a frontloader with the correct converter.

Belts are finicky, best to buy one that already works. Expect to pay in the neighborhood of $50-$80 to buy one loose.

Try the real Super Mario Bros. 2, Otocky, Ultraman, and Ai Senshi Nicol.

[otaku]

would it work with a Genex by messiah?

[todesengel]

Yeah replacing the drive belt can take a good 30 minutes but luckily they only cost about $10-12 for a replacement belt and last a good while before needing to be replaced again. But as stated earlier definitely get a system that has already had it's belt repaired before buying one.

[InsaneDavid]

Go for a Twin Famicom instead. Famicom with AV jacks and Famicom Disk System in one.

[namzep]

Go for a Twin Famicom instead. Famicom with AV jacks and Famicom Disk System in one.
I agree. Plus, they are so much prettier looking than the two hooked together:

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u202/namzep69/forums/new090206a.jpg

[otaku]

tend to be pretty expensive though

[ooXxXoo]

would it work with a Genex by messiah?

Tested that combo for ya....It works just fine, but I don't think it adds the FDS system extra audio sound channel, like it would do to a normal Famicom system...

[Mathius]

I got my Twin Famicom for $60 off eBay. It's clean and in great condition but I'll need to get the belt replaced. However the store I bought it from always gives you a new belt with purchase. I have already found a guy to do the job, all you got to do is ask around:)

btw- Does anybody here no if the pack-in AC adapter will work in the US? My Twin Famicom just got shipped and I'd like to be ready when it gets here. Thanks!

[aclbandit]

I agree. Plus, they are so much prettier looking than the two hooked together:

I'd actually disagree -- I'm of the (rather limited) camp which really loves the Famicom/FDS Black/red/white/gold stack. ^^

But yeah, the Twin is the easiest way to go. And also its video output is MUCH better. So even though I love my setup... most people would be happier to buy a Twin :P

[Sonicwolf]

What is it with this belt thing? I am not yet a FDS/FC owner and I just was wanting to know if belt failure/problems were a commonality in ownership of this console.

[todesengel]

What is it with this belt thing? I am not yet a FDS/FC owner and I just was wanting to know if belt failure/problems were a commonality in ownership of this console.
The belts where pretty shoddy and will eventually snap apart just from regular use and sadly is a very common issue with the system. Up until like 2002 you where able to still send them in to Nintendo if you lived in Japan to get them fixed for somewhere around $10.

[Mathius]

The belts usually last around 5 years if you use the system on a regular basis.

[Sonicwolf]

The belts usually last around 5 years if you use the system on a regular basis.

Thats kind of harsh, Does any company still make them?

[ApolloBoy]

I'd actually disagree -- I'm of the (rather limited) camp which really loves the Famicom/FDS Black/red/white/gold stack. ^^

But yeah, the Twin is the easiest way to go. And also its video output is MUCH better. So even though I love my setup... most people would be happier to buy a Twin :P
I'm surprised nobody's really brought up the AV Fami+FDS setup, which is what I use. It has AV out like the Twin Fami, but you can use NES controllers which have much longer cords than the Twin Fami controllers. Plus, it's much smaller and with an NES converter, you have yourself what is perhaps the best NES/Famicom setup.

[todesengel]

Thats kind of harsh, Does any company still make them?
famicomshop.com usually has them for about $12.

[Sonicwolf]

famicomshop.com usually has them for about $12.

Thats pretty good. Some company should really start producing large amounts of retro necessities like this. There is always a list of infamous things for retro gaming that need to be dealt with by average gamers.

- Nintendo 64 ram expansion or lack thereof
- Nintendo 64 controller stick wear-out
- Annoying power bricks for old consoles

Wouldnt it be amazing if some company just started to make PlayStation 2 slim style power supplies for old consoles? The ones with the brick in the middle of the cord and a normal tip on the end? Now that would be worth paying money for... Especially when you have a Sega CD, Genesis and 32X all hooked up at once. LOL

[aclbandit]

The ones with the brick in the middle of the cord and a normal tip on the end? Now that would be worth paying money for... Especially when you have a Sega CD, Genesis and 32X all hooked up at once. LOL

Amen to that. It eats SO MANY SLOTS.

[InsaneDavid]

I'm surprised nobody's really brought up the AV Fami+FDS setup, which is what I use. It has AV out like the Twin Fami, but you can use NES controllers which have much longer cords than the Twin Fami controllers. Plus, it's much smaller and with an NES converter, you have yourself what is perhaps the best NES/Famicom setup.

Yeah, but with the Twin Famicom AN-505 models they have built in rapid fire controllers. Remember, if it's built in then it's not cheating. Also, of course, you lose the microphone on controller 2 with an AV Famicom.

[SparTonberry]

Not sure how many games actually used the microphone.
Supposedly Takeshi's Challenge, Palutena's Mirror (Kid Icarus) and Zelda FDS.
(I heard the microphone was used to insta-kill the Pols Voices. I know the arrow weakness was added for the NES version (ineffective in FDS version). Not sure about the FC cart version.)

[Mathius]

Thats kind of harsh, Does any company still make them?

Not that I know of. But, lots of Japanese stores still carry them.

[rbudrick]

Not only do the belts wear out, but occasionally, the head needs to be retuned...which isn't for everyone.

I toiled and spent many months in my dungeon coming up with a fail-safe solution for drive head tuning, and I created a guide if anyone wants it:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TFFT5C5U

I figured the world needed a good method for this, as many years of frustration made me almost insane in trying to solve this little mofo. ;)

For those who have no technical ability and can't take the heartache of a non-working system, the PowerPak now supports FDS images. I know it's not the same as the "real thing," but it's still bounds better than emulation.

-Rob

[Ze_ro]

A few questions of my own:
Do these belts break because they're simply poor quality, or are they under too much stress in the FDS? Is there any way to extend their life span? (ie, soaking them in oil or something to soften them)
If I'm not mistaken, the Twin Famicom is also subject to broken belts... is it any easier to replace them on a Twin Famicom than it is on a regular FDS?
When the belt does break, does it cause any other damage inside the machine that should be looked after? (rbudrick: Is this the retuning you speak of, or is that simply a matter of the head falling out of alignment over time?)
I assume the Twin Famicom uses a single power cord, while the Famicom+FDS uses two? Or did people actually run the FDS on batteries?

--Zero

[Mathius]

A few questions of my own:
Do these belts break because they're simply poor quality, or are they under too much stress in the FDS? Is there any way to extend their life span? (ie, soaking them in oil or something to soften them)
If I'm not mistaken, the Twin Famicom is also subject to broken belts... is it any easier to replace them on a Twin Famicom than it is on a regular FDS?
When the belt does break, does it cause any other damage inside the machine that should be looked after? (rbudrick: Is this the retuning you speak of, or is that simply a matter of the head falling out of alignment over time?)
I assume the Twin Famicom uses a single power cord, while the Famicom+FDS uses two? Or did people actually run the FDS on batteries?

--Zero

For the Twin Famicom, the belt swap is identical to the FDS. Lukemorse1 has a great You-Tube vid for the belt swap:)

[Sonicwolf]

Is the Twin Famicom just as prone to belt snappage?

[rbudrick]

Well, considering the drive mechanism is identical, I would have to say yes. This is just educated speculation, though I couldn't imagine any other scenario.

-Rob