What Do Retro Gamers Want?

[Zayitz]

Hey!

I'm probably going to end up with a booth the CGE2k5. I make mods for commodore, atari and nes cotrollers/systems etc.

What I'm wondering is, while I tinker with my soldering iron, what is it that retrogamers want? What is it that you people would buy in a heartbeat at the expo?

Basically, I leave this open. I want to make things--anything--that you guys recommend would be a cool idea for the classic gamer. Please post here or email me (in my profile.)

Thanks!

[Cmosfm]

What is it that you people would buy in a heartbeat at the expo?

Ariel Andrews

EDIT: Personally, I want a USB NES controller, I've been wanting one for a long long time. :(

[Raccoon Lad]

Ssssssssssaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy-Guuuuuuuhhhh!!!
(Sega)


And booze!
And arcade marquees!
and more Sega!
and Z-80 processors
and more booze!
and more Sega!

[Flack]

First of all, what kind of mods do you do?

Second of all, the idea I came up with one time was selling bundled systems. For example, you would have a C64 on display, and then have a bundled package with a drive, computer, cables, intstructions on how to hook it up, and a few games. That way people at the show might see a new system they aren't familiar with, and can pick everything up at one time to go home and play with.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Ssssssssssaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy-Guuuuuuuhhhh!!!
(Sega)


And booze!
And arcade marquees!
and more Sega!
and Z-80 processors
and more booze!
and more Sega!

:cheers: Let me buy you a drink...give that man an award for speaking what's on my mind too!

[Zayitz]

I make case mods, mostly, and like stuffing things in places they don't belong. I've done a lot of controler modding; redesigning controllers for specific purposes (I've made a working PowerGlove for example.)

I've gone pretty crazy too... I once made a phone out of an atari (where the atari was the base and a catridge was the phone). I at least liked it.

[MarioAllStar2600]

Color themed consoles are always a hit. With some leds to!

Seriously if your good at spray painting systems do that..... pick one or two colors and paint the system (NES looks amazing painted). Some painted controllers always look nice to (matching obviously). Maybe throw some leds in there. I know if you do that and your prices are right yhou definatly have a sale from me, I have wanted a painted NES for a while now.

Doing region free mods wouldn't be a bad idea either. But everyone already has the systems so if you give out buisness cards with a website and email it would make the most sense. This way they can send you there consoles to mod after CGE. Bring some example though, so people know what your work looks like.

Hope that helps!

[puxley]

Personally, I drool over people with retro consoles rigged for composite outputs, or S-Video, or that chocolate puddin' stuff.
I'd buy a console I already had if it had upgraded outputs.

Good luck with whatever you try. I'll see you at the CGE!

[RetroYoungen]

The USB NES pad idea, I love.

Colored systems, lovely.

Arcade marquees, beautiful.

Home systems in a more portable form? :rocker: :rocker: :rocker: :-P

Me liiiiiike.

[Ed Oscuro]

Ssssssssssaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy-Guuuuuuuhhhh!!!
(Sega)

And booze!
And arcade marquees!
and more Sega!
and Z-80 processors
and more booze!
and more Sega!

:cheers: Let me buy you a drink...give that man an award for speaking what's on my mind too!
...though I'd be game for a USB controller. Actually, I'd like to have a USB SNES controller, w00t! (Though, I'm probably a dumby and haven't noticed similar enough gamepads, lol)

[GarrettCRW]

Personally, I drool over people with retro consoles rigged for composite outputs, or S-Video, or that chocolate puddin' stuff.
I'd buy a console I already had if it had upgraded outputs.

Good luck with whatever you try. I'll see you at the CGE!

What he said. (Sometimes it's just as well to quote and agree. :D)

[DeputyMoniker]

NES :
Build one of those MAME NES's where the DVD drive comes out the front loader door. Gut it and stuff it with a mobo, HDD, Video card, soundcard...etc. Give it a couple controller ports too since the regular NES pads wouldn't do you much good with MAME.
Yeah, I'd buy it in a heartbeat BUUUUUUUUUT I'm a cheapass. Actually I'm not a cheapass, I'm a pretty big spender. I just already spent my $$ on a motorcycle. :P

[Cthulhu]

I second (third, fourth, whatever) the USB NES controller. I've got one of the USB Saturn pads and it's very nice... a NES one would be excellent too.

How about "fixed" NES machines? By that I mean systems where the contacts have been cleaned so as to avoid the flickering screen problem. Not very original but always useful. I don't know how long it takes to do that, so you might be able to get a whole bunch together to sell if it can be done quickly.

Standard AV cable Sega Master Systems would be nice too, as RF is no fun. :D

[Zayitz]

Thanks for the input. I'll definitly bring a few NES USB controllers, then.

Thanks so far. Anything else?

[Daft Punk]

Tecmo bowl and tecmo super bowl nes version's for gba. 8-)

[o2william]

Personally, I drool over people with retro consoles rigged for composite outputs, or S-Video, or that chocolate puddin' stuff.
I'd buy a console I already had if it had upgraded outputs.
DING DING DING!

If somebody had a booth at CGE that either A) sold modified consoles or B) would take my personal unmodded console and mod it while I waited, I would gladly pay good money. I lackz the mad soldering skillz to do it myself. If the booth went with option A it would be cool if they'd accept my old unmodded console as a trade-in for a discount.

Good mods would include the composite/S-Video/R.G.B. mods or common fixes like ColecoVision power switches. Controller mods (like Genesis pads modded to work on a Vectrex) would be welcome too.

[DeputyMoniker]

How some Intellivision USB controllers?

[Zayitz]

@ o2william: Well good, you got yourself such a booth.

As far as usb controllers, I'll make sure I bring a selection of all the consoles I can get controllers from.

Thanks people. I'll see ya at the convention!

[o2william]

@ o2william: Well good, you got yourself such a booth.
:D :D :dance:

So do you plan to go for my option A (sell pre-modded consoles), or option B (bring in your own consoles to be modded)? Which consoles are eligible? That is, if you know yet...

[swlovinist]

vintage modded systems that are upgraded with svideo/av
vintage modded systems that are upgraded with svideo/av
vintage modded systems that are upgraded with svideo/av
vintage modded systems that are upgraded with svideo/av
vintage modded systems that are upgraded with svideo/av


nes, genesis, intellivision, atati, coleco...I think I made myself clear :D

[Zayitz]

So do you plan to go for my option A (sell pre-modded consoles), or option B (bring in your own consoles to be modded)? Which consoles are eligible? That is, if you know yet...

I'm probably do both methods. most consoles should be eligible, too.

[Fuyukaze]

Custom system shells would be nice. Something along the lines of the color variations that were released for the DC and PS. Only, for older systems like the SNES, NES, and such. Who wouldnt want a kick ass looking NES system that was translucent? Or had neon lighting in it? I for one love special cases on my systems. Also, adding multi-taps to systems which only contained 2 controler ports would be nice as well. These are not controler related though so I doubt this helps you any.

[CartCollector]

Faster 1541 drive, maybe?

[Jorpho]

Perhaps some people might be interested in some of those new Commmodore 64 DTV units, modded with keyboard and 1541 ports? Detailed instructions are available.