Let's talk Famicom

[Flam]

So I purchased a NES Famicom converter a while back and now I need some suggestions on good Famicom titles. Only reason I really got the thing was because I got the Little Samson Famicom, and now that I have the converter I might as well pick up a few good Famicom games.

I found this site http://www.usfami.com/category.wml/storeid/12644/categoryid/88900/US-Famicom/Famicom.htm?SessionID=0a2cc1ae07dd081d15070a2fcec

but again, not sure what is good and what is not.

[Rickstilwell1]

Gradius II is really hard but it is a Famicom/PC Engine exclusive where you have to go Japanese either way (for a physical copy at least). If you liked Gradius on NES and Gradius 3 on SNES then you would like it.

[buzz_n64]

I recommend the following:

SAMURAI PIZZA CATS
WOODY POKO
SPLATTERHOUSE: WANPAKU GRAFITTI
CRISIS FORCE
CONTRA
KART FIGHTER (Pirate cart)
SUPER MARIO WORLD (pirate cart)

[bb_hood]

Takeshi no Chosenjo is probably the best famicom game out there.

[The Adventurer]

I picked up a copy of Duck Hunk with a Famicom Converter inside, what kind of things would I need to build my own Famicom converter device that doesn't fall apart inside my NES?

[Tron 2.0]

Wai Wai World 1&2
Holy Diver
Akumajou Dracula Densetsu,JP CV3 that has the better music but beware a modded nes is needed to play it's music right.
Don Doko Don II
Arkanoid II
The Goonies

[davidbrit2]

I picked up a copy of Duck Hunk with a Famicom Converter inside, what kind of things would I need to build my own Famicom converter device that doesn't fall apart inside my NES?

The easiest thing to do is just remove the top half of the system's case. Then you can get the game + adapter in and out easily. I just run my NES open like that to make it easy to play FC carts.

There are really mountains of cool FC games never released in the US that are also dirt common, and cheap even from ebay. And some FC games are way cheaper than their NES counterparts (e.g. Adventure Island III).

A few suggestions:

Zombie Hunter
Dig Dug
Mappy
Taito Gran Prix
Family Circuit
Atlantis no Nazo
Pac Land
Wing of Madoola
Antarctic Adventure
Aigiina no Yogen
Battle City
Doraemon
Challenger
Route 16 Turbo
Majou Densetsu II (Maze of Galious)

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Once again I'd like to point out the top 100 NES and Famicom editorial I spend several months writing to be the most comphensive guide to the best games in both Famicom and NES formats. This guide covers many of the best Famicom exclusives as well. Anyone who is looking for Famicom games would do well to read over this editorial.

http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/top-100-nesfamicom-games-list-all-in-one/

[davidbrit2]

Once again I'd like to point out the top 100 NES and Famicom editorial I spend several months writing to be the most comphensive guide to the best games in both Famicom and NES formats. This guide covers many of the best Famicom exclusives as well. Anyone who is looking for Famicom games would do well to read over this editorial.

http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/top-100-nesfamicom-games-list-all-in-one/

If you strip out all the US releases, FDS games, prohibitively expensive rarities, pirate hacks, and stuff mentioned in this thread already, you're basically left with Hi no Tori, Getsu Fuuma Den, and Famicom Wars.

[Atarileaf]

Arkanoid II


I was told that the US vaus controller won't work with famicom arkanoid II on a US system. Is this true?

Also, another game to mention for the OP - if you like old school space shooters ala Galaga, definitely pick up Exerion.

[SparTonberry]

Nope, it probably won't.
US Arkanoid controller routine uses bits 3 and 4 of controller port 2 to read the controller.
JP Arkanoid uses bit 1 of port 1 and bit 1 of port 2.
Arkanoid II uses bit 1 of port 1 and bit 1, 3 and 4 of port 2.

From what I've read, the NES controller ports do not support bit 1, just 3 and 4, because the Zapper needs them.
(I thought port 1 only supported bit 0, the standard controller buttons.
But then that doesn't explain how Chiller can support two Zappers.)

[goldenband]

Takeshi no Chosenjo is probably the best famicom game out there.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REvmhBO99I4

[Tron 2.0]

I was told that the US vaus controller won't work with famicom arkanoid II on a US system. Is this true?

Also, another game to mention for the OP - if you like old school space shooters ala Galaga, definitely pick up Exerion.
I think so,but i'm not sure unless you need a modded vaus controller from the japanese version to do so.

[Ed Oscuro]

I picked up Hi no Tori by accident; I really wanted the MSX2 one. Haven't played it - I'll go for it sometime. Its aesthetics didn't appeal to me immediately. Thanks for the reminder that I've been looking at that one on my shelf for a while!

Getsu Fuuma Den seems like it's got a bit of a language barrier as I remember, and the mazes might be a bit bewildering as well.

There's a couple games I didn't see mentioned - Gimmick, 53 Stations of the Toukaidou, Ikki. (Ikki is considered "the original" kusoge by many but it's actually quite fun.)

[davidbrit2]

53 Stations of the Toukaidou, Ikki. (Ikki is considered "the original" kusoge by many but it's actually quite fun.)

Those are both absurdly hard, but they're cheap, and worth grabbing if you're into quirky games.

[MidnightRider]

How has it gotten this far and no one suggested any Technos Nekketsu/Kunio games? Especially if you plan to get a 4 player adapter(if it'll work with your setup), you got the original Smash Bros. in Nekketsu Kakutou Densetsu (though it does make you enter a name, date of birth, and other stuff, so it could be tough going without any Japanese language knowledge).

Wagyan Land - seems like some cool platformers, if cute things don't bother you.

Mad City - though story heavy, is a better version of Bayou Billy than we got(no crocodile fighting if you don't actually want to).

Akumajou Special: Boku Dracula-kun - The original Kid Dracula, the Game Boy version having had a localization.

Kaiketsu Yanchamaru 2: Karakuri Land, & Kaiketsu Yanchamaru 3: Taiketsu! Zouringen - Kid Niki sequels.

Spartan X 2 - sequel to Kung Fu, if you liked that, has a lot more to it than the original.

Mickey Mouse 3: Dream Balloon - The original version of Kid Klown

[bb_hood]

Getsu Fuuma Den seems like it's got a bit of a language barrier as I remember, and the mazes might be a bit bewildering as well.



There is a english hacked version that can be played with an emulator or power pak.
Getsu Fuuma Den is an excellent game. It does offer some challenge but its not impossibly hard like some people say.
You would probably need to glance at a faq guide to figure out what the items do.

[Lady Jaye]

Takeshi no Chosenjo is probably the best famicom game out there.

Of course, that'd be kind of tough to finish at all without a Famicom controller with the integrated mike... ;)

[davidbrit2]

Of course, that'd be kind of tough to finish at all without a Famicom controller with the integrated mike... ;)

I think there's a code or something that allows you to use the controller buttons instead of the mic. I haven't tried it myself.

[Lady Jaye]

Well, either way, I think that for the vast majority of people, watching the challenge in Game Center CX is more than enough... :P And it's a karaoke challenge within the game, so unless there's a way to emulate notes with the buttons, I doni't see how there's a walkaround (not that I've looked for one, though).

[davidbrit2]

Well, either way, I think that for the vast majority of people, watching the challenge in Game Center CX is more than enough... :P And it's a karaoke challenge within the game, so unless there's a way to emulate notes with the buttons, I doni't see how there's a walkaround (not that I've looked for one, though).

Yeah, the button trick doesn't exactly make it much more worth playing, just more feasible.

I'm not sure how the Famicom mic actually works, but I've heard it only really picks up on volume, so if that's the case, then the game is probably just listening to your rhythm accuracy. Playing it with the buttons would end up being like Parappa the Salaryman.

[Ed Oscuro]

Those are both absurdly hard, but they're cheap, and worth grabbing if you're into quirky games.
Ikki is absurdly hard? I don't remember this. Did you get to the bonus round, or how long do you have to play before it gets absurdly hard?

I always had fun with it (both arcade and FC versions) because I viewed it as a twin-stick free-roaming shooter without the second stick for aiming. My only real complaint is that many of the gameplay elements are just based on the old arcade idea of "you need annoying things to impede your progress," instead of working to put more enemies and challenge onscreen. But given the setting, the "annoying" stuff like the woman who keeps chasing you actually adds to the charm, if not the playability, so it's kind of a wash.

[davidbrit2]

Ikki is absurdly hard? I don't remember this. Did you get to the bonus round, or how long do you have to play before it gets absurdly hard?

I always had fun with it (both arcade and FC versions) because I viewed it as a twin-stick free-roaming shooter without the second stick for aiming. My only real complaint is that many of the gameplay elements are just based on the old arcade idea of "you need annoying things to impede your progress," instead of working to put more enemies and challenge onscreen. But given the setting, the "annoying" stuff like the woman who keeps chasing you actually adds to the charm, if not the playability, so it's kind of a wash.

The main issue with Ikki is that you have to be about half an inch from the edge of the screen to make it scroll. Surprise attacks can be VERY hard to dodge. Enemies appear from the top, so it helps to carefully work your way to the top of the stage, then sweep back and forth as you head downward looking for coins. This is less feasible on the maze stage.

[SparTonberry]

I think there's a code or something that allows you to use the controller buttons instead of the mic. I haven't tried it myself.

Yes there is or I'd have never finished making a translation patch for the game.
I believe it was Down+A on controller 2 (or else it was Up+A), then you mash A on controller 2.

The Game Boy version of Kid Dracula was a sequel (and they weren't afraid to leave that in the localization, despite that the original was never officially released in English).

Spartan X2 is fun but fairly easy (at least on normal, but hard is the same, just that enemies take more hits and/or do more damage), but it's getting pretty expensive so it's hard to say if it's worth it. Possibly the reason the official localization was canned.

[Alpha2099]

Wait, all these posts and nobody's mentioned Transformers or Star Wars? </kidding>

On a more serious note, you could get the original version of Sweet Home. Although -- someone help me out on this -- is there a physical translated cart of that game floating around?

[SparTonberry]

Legally, no. I think almost any repro seller will make an illegal copy of that game (though I don't advocate that route. I'd get a flash cart if I decided emulators weren't enough for my patch-playing needs.)

[Tron 2.0]

Wait, all these posts and nobody's mentioned Transformers or Star Wars? </kidding>

On a more serious note, you could get the original version of Sweet Home. Although -- someone help me out on this -- is there a physical translated cart of that game floating around?
There are reproductions of sweet home that use the rom hack.Few years ago i bought a original copy,but then of last year i sent it to (nesreproductions.com) and i had the game converted to english.

[Immutable]

A lot of good titles on this thread!

I would add "WIT'S" and "Quarth".

[Koa Zo]

yeah, and WITS is 4-player too!
Athena is an often overlooked developer/publisher. They did most of the popular bowling games from FC up through N64, and a bunch of shmups, and other genre games.

[Doommaster1994]

I enjoyed Kamen no Ninja: Akakage, though the game uses the Fist of the North Star engine, a game that was shunned by many gamers, but I personally enjoyed. Moeru! Oniisan is also a pretty good one, though it's just the Japanese version of Circus Caper, with both minor and major changes. I would also recommend Pool of Radiance, but that was also released in the United States so I guess it doesn't count. Speaking of AD&D games, Dragons of Flame is also a good one, but if you know where you're going in the last part of the game, it becomes possibly one of the shortest Famicom game ever.

[Gunstar Hero]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Moon Crystal yet. It's a fantastic game that can be played without needing to understand japanese (though it does have a cool opening sequence with a story). The game plays like Prince Of Persia but with more platforming elements, smoother controls, and to top it off a killer soundtrack. I would recomend this

[bigbadbear9885]

On a more serious note, you could get the original version of Sweet Home. Although -- someone help me out on this -- is there a physical translated cart of that game floating around?

Here's this repro site right here that has a translated Sweet Home for 30$ (Was their first repro haha) and a whole lot of other ones. Very much worth checking out
http://www.lostclassicvgs.com/collections/nes/products/sweet-home

[Flam]

The easiest thing to do is just remove the top half of the system's case. Then you can get the game + adapter in and out easily. I just run my NES open like that to make it easy to play FC carts.

There are really mountains of cool FC games never released in the US that are also dirt common, and cheap even from ebay. And some FC games are way cheaper than their NES counterparts (e.g. Adventure Island III).

A few suggestions:

Zombie Hunter
Dig Dug
Mappy
Taito Gran Prix
Family Circuit
Atlantis no Nazo
Pac Land
Wing of Madoola
Antarctic Adventure
Aigiina no Yogen
Battle City
Doraemon
Challenger
Route 16 Turbo
Majou Densetsu II (Maze of Galious)

How does the Famicom converter work? Does the Nintendo lable face up, then you connect the cart to it facing downward? I'm not sure about the combination. FYI, I have a toaster; I'm having problems getting my Famicom game to play, not sure if its the converter or jsut not inserting it right.

[SparTonberry]

Been awhile since I've used it so I can't remember which way the convertor goes (I used one of the official converters, that I bought on ebay years ago PCB only, connected to a Game Genie) but the Famicom cart definitely goes in back side up.

I also remember I had to file down the plastic on the Famicom end of the converter just a bit so the Famicom cart with the plastic casing would fit all the way.

[davidbrit2]

Been awhile since I've used it so I can't remember which way the convertor goes (I used one of the official converters, that I bought on ebay years ago PCB only, connected to a Game Genie) but the Famicom cart definitely goes in back side up.

I also remember I had to file down the plastic on the Famicom end of the converter just a bit so the Famicom cart with the plastic casing would fit all the way.

Yeah, I had to file mine down a little to allow for an easier fit.

And yes, the main front label of the Famicom cart should face down, while the chips on the adapter should face up (assuming it's the same as the one I pulled from Gyromite).

[brainerdrainer]

I love Mappy, Parodius, and Akumajō Special: Boku Dracula-kun

[blue lander]

Famicom converters are fine for dipping your toes in, but you won't want to use it on a regular basis if you really get in to Famicom games. They're unreliable and a pain in the butt to use. You'd ultimately want to get a "real" AV capable Famicom. I use a Sharp Twin Famicom, which also has an FDS built in.

As for game suggestions, just go to Satoshi Matrix's web site. It is definitive.

[Doommaster1994]

I love Mappy, Parodius, and Akumajō Special: Boku Dracula-kun

Oh yeah, Parodius Da! is a good one for sure. One of my favorites on the Famicom. People often complain about the slow-down it has but I don't really mind it. If anything, it helps you.