Neep help: refurbished original NES retailer list

[Jagasian]

I made a post in buying and selling about compiling a list of reliable retailers of refurbished and modded NES systems:
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=75697

...however, that forum seems to be only read by people looking to buy specific items or sell specific items, and I don't think the sellers read other threads. Hence I am not getting any replies. I need help compiling a list of retailers, so if you know a reliable retailer of refurbished and modded original NES systems, please let me know so that I can add them to the list.

If people have a reliable source for perfectly working classic NES systems, then I think it will help revive NES gaming the way it should be, that is, on an official NES.

[goatdan]

I personally do the refurbishing for all of the GOAT Store's NESes, and we have decided that we don't sell them anymore if they aren't refurbished because they break so easily. I currently have a stack of over 25 waiting for me to get around to doing them, which will be soon. Part of those better be up this week, as we just announced that we are adding $25,000 worth of inventory, and those are a nice chunk of that :)

[goatdan]

Just noticed this -- we do not disable the lockout chip in our refurbishment. Unfortunately, (or fortunately) I work too closely with large companies that potentially could have problems with us doing such work, so we avoid it to not raise any issues.

The rest, we do. A usual refurbished system runs $50.00 in good condition with controller and hookups, less if it is in poor condition.

[omnedon]

http://www.oldschoolgamer.ca/information.aspx?SID=16

[Jagasian]

Just noticed this -- we do not disable the lockout chip in our refurbishment. Unfortunately, (or fortunately) I work too closely with large companies that potentially could have problems with us doing such work, so we avoid it to not raise any issues.

The only company that I think would even remotely care about disabling the lockout chip is Nintendo, but even then, the lockout chip is only there to force game developers to pay Nintendo licensing fees for developing for the NES. It in no way prevents piracy. The top loading NES doesn't even have the lockout chip, which is one of the reasons why it is more reliable for playing NES games. The other reason, of course, is due to the different style of cart connector used. This is why the most desirable NES system is a refurbished _and_ modded front loader.

The lockout chip uses a few pins on the 72-pin connector, and if those pins get too dirty, it will cause the NES to blink. In fact, the lockout chip is exactly why the front loading NES blinks. Have you ever had an NES game load with perfect graphics, but reset, i.e., blink over and over again? If the lockout chip was disabled that would not happen. However, a dirty cart can cause other problems, like corrupted graphics and solid colored screens.

I will still add your store to my list, but I will note that you don't disable the lockout chip.

[mr_pollock]

I'm curious what is included in a typical modded/refurb'd NES?

[Jagasian]

I'm curious what is included in a typical modded/refurb'd NES?

Barebones would be an original front loading NES that has been cleaned and has had the 72-pin cart connector restored to perfectly working condition or replaced entirely. The modding consists of just clipping a pin on one of the chips (the lockout chip), so that the NES can play unlicensed games and other carts lacking the cart-side lockout chip without any problem. The additional benefit is that, as stated, if the cart pins or connector pins that connect the cart's lockout chip with the console's lockout chip become dirty or damaged, on an unmodded NES, the console thinks that the cart is unlicensed and therefore causes the NES to rapidly reset over and over again. So disabling the lockout chip prevents this problem.

Most people just think that front loading NES's have problems because of their 72-pin connector, but in fact the other reason is due to the lockout chip. Disable that and fix the other and you are good to go.

Accessories typically include at least an AC power adapter, AV cables, and a controller. So all you need for some NES gaming is a game.

[Leo_A]

Do you guys still sell a console even if it's not in good cosmetic condition even after being cleaned (Like a faded yellow SNES for example, not sure if NES consoles suffer from similar issues)?

[mr_pollock]

Thanks Jag.

[omnedon]

OSG *only* sells cosmetically aesthetic machines. Tthat is why I don't push volume. I'm picky.

[Leo_A]

Yeah, your site makes that clear, I would like to eventually take you up on one of those Nes bundles with the Messiah controllers (I guess I could get used to their d pad, but I sure wish it was more traditional).

It was aimed at Goatdan, since I'm sure a lot of people primarily only care about it functioning correctly so perhaps don't worry about the cosmetic condition, so thought I'd ask how he handles that.

Myself I would only want one that looks like it's been well taken care of and is as close to new looking as is reasonable for a system that could be 20 years old. Using the SNES for a example here, I'd hate to buy one that's in full working order but is half faded (Once again I don't mean you OSG, since your descriptions are very clear and your systems sound like they look and function as they did when new).

[goatdan]

It was aimed at Goatdan, since I'm sure a lot of people primarily only care about it functioning correctly so perhaps don't worry about the cosmetic condition, so thought I'd ask how he handles that.

We have a different price structure for each. Lemme look at our inventory prices real quick...

We have two price tiers (not counting box / instructions / whatever else):

Refurbished (good condition)
Refurbished (yellowed / poor condition)

Usually, we try to couple the good condition ones as complete and the poor as core systems, because usually people want their first system to be nice looking and if they get a second, they are okay with it being not so nice because it will be the one "just in case" or used in a room where it isn't seen or whatever.

One of the big things that got Gary and I to start the GOAT Store was that at the time we were both collecting for the Jaguar, and the only place to find Jaguar stuff was online. We would go to various sites and see things like, "Alien Vs. Predator - Used" and have no clue what we'd get with it. Since I'm extremely anal about wanting my collection to be as perfect as possible, we decided to make a site for collectors. Thus, you know when you buy from us if you are getting something in good condition, poor condition or whatever, and exactly what it contains.

Believe it or not, our poor labeled games are some of our best sellers -- it's mostly gamers looking for that cheap game just to play, not to collect. After that is the more pricey complete stuff usually.

It's fun :) We do what we can to help out everyone, and so far it's been working. Amazingly (or disgustingly, if you're my wife) we have amassed a ton of stuff through doing this, and we actually haven't ever made a dime from the company. We really do it just for fun as a hobby. :)

[Jagasian]

(I guess I could get used to their d pad, but I sure wish it was more traditional).

I was an early adopter of the Messiah wireless pad for the SNES. I used it for about 30 hours of total gameplay time. However, after that I realized that no matter how much time I spent, for most games the D-pad was not good. In Street Fighter, you will accidentally jump or crouch, when walking forward or backward, as the diagonals are too easy to accidentally press. Similarly, you can't double-tap a direction, which is required in Street Fighter and other games. For the NES, you need to be able to double tap forward to start running, if I remember correctly. There is also an incompatibility issue when using the controllers with non-USA NES systems, but USA NES systems are better anyway so that matters little. If the controller used a SNES-style D-pad, I'd use it as my main controller, as I love everything about the controller except for the D-pad, which prevents me from using it.

Original NES controllers are pretty safe to buy online. They are really hard to break. If you are going to use original NES controllers, which is what I do, then I suggest also buying some NES extension cords off of Ebay. They are rare, but they pop up every now and then and cost no more than $10 a pair. With the extension cords, you get roughly 10 feet of controller cord total.

Also, never put a game into your NES if the cart has not been recently cleaned. Sticking to that will make your working NES stay working. A toaster NES really is better, but it requires more care.

[omnedon]

There is also an incompatibility issue when using the controllers with non-USA NES systems, but USA NES systems are better anyway so that matters little.

Confirmed wrong. That thread that you made earlier that was locked (with good reason) claimed that they did not work on Canadian NES's and others. Totally incorrect and fabricated, confirmed with many Mattel distributed Canadian NES's.

However playing loose with facts is what you like to do online, so I guess it's to be expected. It's kind of too bad that earlier thread was locked, as your credibility was likely rescued somewhat by that lock.

I dislike responding to you, but the active disinformation you like to post (usually on the exact same subject) makes me nauseous. You should not need to make stuff up. If you dislike something, fine. making stuff up to discredit something is kind of sad.

[bunnyboy]

For Mattel NES systems from Australia it was tested, confirmed TRUE, and a hardware fix found. See the thread at NES Dev. (http://nesdev.parodius.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=772) Every NES system that comes with the NES004E controller should be incompatible with the wireless controllers. Havent seen anyone mention the Canadian Mattel NES systems and I dont have one (yet), got a link to some comments?


Dont see why the original thread was locked. Jagasian was asking for info or confirmation, not making any claims of facts...

[Videogamerdaryll]

I am not a retailer..but I mainly sell refurbished NOT modded NES systems: (been doing this for many years)
I have stacks of NES systems,but I can only get to one at a time..

I get many orders(off ebay/personal orders)..Some I fulfill,some I don't...Mainly because it makes no sense to me to sell a refurbished NES system for a low price off Ebay when I can get more selling them "on" Ebay..
As I won't sell someone junk otherwise just to make a sale..
I can't please everyone who wants to buy a refurbished NES system "off" Ebay for a cheap price though my name was recommended to them..

My Complete package contains
A system ... cosmetically very clean/I'm picky about what I sell and have a ton of crap NES top covers that I'll never sell on a system.(once in awhile I'll sell one with a chip somewhere on the top case ,because cosmetically it's still very clean .... but I'll note on it)
2 controllers
1 power adapter,
1 SMB-DK Cart ....though I've been adding Tetris also..
1 Standard RF Switch...
The system is refurbished ...The 72-pins are in perfectly working condition, I fix them myself..
They work without trouble (no blowing, etc), when a clean game cart is played on the system.

[Jagasian]

For Mattel NES systems from Australia it was tested, confirmed TRUE, and a hardware fix found. See the thread at NES Dev. (http://nesdev.parodius.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=772) Every NES system that comes with the NES004E controller should be incompatible with the wireless controllers. Havent seen anyone mention the Canadian Mattel NES systems and I dont have one (yet), got a link to some comments?


Dont see why the original thread was locked. Jagasian was asking for info or confirmation, not making any claims of facts...

A board administrator, Captain Yashiro, locked the thread because of my username, not because of the content of the thread. He claimed in a series of PM's that we exchanged, that my thread was locked because I didn't need to start another thread about the NEX system. The fact that the thread was not about the NEX, but instead was about a completely different product didn't seem to be of concern to Captain Yashiro.

According to board rules, when such an abuse of administration powers occurs, you are to report it to another admin. I did so, and reported it to Flack. Of course, he immediately allied himself with Captain Yashiro, and claimed that my thread was locked because it was yet another thread about the NEX system. I explained, in detail, the difference, and he smuggly responded that he didn't have time to argue with me and neglected to do his duty.

In the end, I basically told them both to f**k off for abusing their administration powers to personally attack me, and that was the end of that.

I am not surprised that the wireless controllers are compatible with some non-USA country's NES systems, which is exactly why I started that thread. The only way to know for sure is to get people talking, and build a compatibility list. People like Captain Yashiro, Flack, and omnedon personally attack anybody that voices anything that doesn't reflect positively on Messiah's products... they effectively put an end to such a compatibility list, just as they did when questions were originally raised about compatibility issues with the NEX.

My question is, why would Mattel manufacture the Canadian NES and the Australian NES differently, so that one is compatible and the other is not? Maybe they knew that there would be a good chance that USA controllers would be purchased by Canadians, who would be angry when they didn't work with their Canadian NES system? Are we sure that all Canadian NES systems are the same? Maybe Mattel changed the manufacturing a bit later on.

Lastly, omnedon. Your credibility is hurt by the fact that you continue to attack anybody that does not reflect positively on Messiah's products. If you had the information that the Canadian NES has been tested with Messiah's controllers and confirmed to work, then why didn't you reply to my post that asked if people had tested with other non-USA NES systems? Don't you realize how childish and irrational you are being? I am not spreading lies and being loose with the facts. I am not the one abusing aministration powers to personally attack others and to censor the truth. I am the one that is unbiased to the fact and have even listed your company as a trusted source for refurbished and modded NES systems. You need to stop attacking me, and engage me purely based on the facts of the discussion at hand.

[Jagasian]

Confirmed wrong. That thread that you made earlier that was locked (with good reason) claimed that they did not work on Canadian NES's and others. Totally incorrect and fabricated, confirmed with many Mattel distributed Canadian NES's.

However playing loose with facts is what you like to do online, so I guess it's to be expected. It's kind of too bad that earlier thread was locked, as your credibility was likely rescued somewhat by that lock.

I dislike responding to you, but the active disinformation you like to post (usually on the exact same subject) makes me nauseous. You should not need to make stuff up. If you dislike something, fine. making stuff up to discredit something is kind of sad.

Here is the thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74474) that you referred to, quoted word for word:

I've heard rumors at NES Dev that the Messiah wireless NES controllers are incompatible with the Australian NES. Are there any Aussies here that can confirm or deny this? Are there any other official NES systems that the controllers are incompatible with? Possibly the Canadian NES or one of the European NES systems?

Read that one more time and tell me again, how I fabricated anything. I was asking for people to test and report compatibility with non-USA NES systems. I stated that rumors were that the controllers were not compatible with Australian NES systems, which in fact turns out to be true. bunnyboy even came up with a simple and elegant modification that fixes the problem.

Oh and why was it a good reason that that thread was locked? If you are going to make such a claim, you need to back it up with facts.

[omnedon]

Read that one more time and tell me again, how I fabricated anything.

Tell you what. I'll answer that if you back this up with quoted evidence in any thread anywhere:

Jagasian:

People like Captain Yashiro, Flack, and omnedon personally attack anybody that voices anything that doesn't reflect positively on Messiah's products... they effectively put an end to such a compatibility list, just as they did when questions were originally raised about compatibility issues with the NEX.


Please search for and find any one time I have called you name, or *attacked* you as you so dramatically put it. I have questioned your credibility, your single minded obsession for this one subject, your professional abilities to actually try to bring a product to market, and to do more than to simply denigrate the efforts of others. I have NEVER attacked you personally. That is beneath me.

The fact that any credibility you may have once had in my eyes is vanished, is not an attack, but a statement of fact. The way the moderators of Classic gaming handled your thread (I have ZERO pull with moderation in other forums) is a direct indication of how regular, expereinced, mod empowered and level headed forum members here see your posts in regards to Messiah in general. I warned you early on that your ''heat'' was hurting your credibility, and now the damage is obviously done, at least in the eyes of those who pay attention around here. You may have to go start your own forum now, that is run Jagasian syle I guess.

I do not care what the mob here says in your vendetta threads. My rep speaks for itself. My professional reputation is solid. Do your worst.


/waits for the anti OSG threads to pop up all suspiciously from the same source. A source that has never used the service. Apparently not owning or buying an NEX does not preclude someone from railing against it over and over, so why will OSG be any different?

Sad.

[Jagasian]

omnedon,

I'll take it that you stand corrected on the Messiah wireless NES controller compatibility issue? You prove my point when you deny attacking people, and then refer to those that pointed out the flaws with the NEX or wireless controllers as a "mob", of which you do not care to listen to.

The fact that I do not try to design, manufacture, or sell video game hardware is of no consequence to the discussion. Is it unacceptable for Consumer Reports magazine to point out the flaws in a company's product because Consumer Reports themselves does not make and sell a similar product? Such reasoning is obviously confused at best.

Every fact that I have stated about the flaws of the NEX or the wireless NES controllers is true. I am sorry that you seem to feel that the truth hurts. I bet you blame those who gave the NEX a regative review, for the reason why Lik-sang decided to not stock and sell the NEX. You blame attack the messenger because you hate to acknowledge the truth.

The best part of your post is that you make a snide implication that I will start posting anti-OSG threads using multiple accounts. Firstly, in the digitpress forum, I have only one account and only post under it as "Jagasian". Secondly the most ironic aspect of your implication is that you make it in a thread that I have started, which promotes and recommends OSG and other companies that sell professionally refurbished and modded original NES systems. From the information that I have, I have no doubt that OSG is one of the best sources for buying a perfectly working NES system.

However, on a personal level, I have have no doubt that you are a bitter person who is apparently starting to become detached from reality.

[Pantechnicon]

In the end, I basically told them both to f**k off for abusing their administration powers to personally attack me, and that was the end of that.

:hmm:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/pzcortez/AP92Glengarry01.jpg
Oh what a BIG MAN you are! Hey, lemme a buy ya a pack of gum. I'll show you how to chew it.

Dude...you are seriously making me reconsider whether I even want to invest in an NEX or not. Technical issues aside, I'm starting to think every time I hook the thing up I'm going to waste two seconds of my life recalling the association between it and your militant fanboy/mod victim disposition. Something tells me I'd rather not have that vibe in my console collection. I wonder how many others like me are actually being put off the NEX altogether by you and your crusade?

[omnedon]

Answer my challenge Jagasian if you can. It's big forum out there with many threads. Please cut and paste these dramatic attacks that have apparently victimized you. Get to it, or cork it.

I do not need your refurbished NES register or your endorsement either.

[Jagasian]

Answer my challenge Jagasian if you can. It's big forum out there with many threads. Please cut and paste these dramatic attacks that have apparently victimized you. Get to it, or cork it.

I do not need your refurbished NES register or your endorsement either.
Again, I pointed out that you attacked said people even in this very thread.



Oh what a BIG MAN you are! Hey, lemme a buy ya a pack of gum. I'll show you how to chew it.
What other recourse did I have? I played by the rules, as stated in the forum FAQ, and both admins refused to abide by the rules. I am sorry that you feel the need to personally insult me for being the one to bring up the lies surrounding the NEX hype, and for being upset that I was personally attacked, even by board moderators, for doing so. If you feel that it is a noble cause to be a sycophant and support those who attempt to hide the truth, then go right ahead.

[omnedon]

Quote me.

[Arcade Antics]

In the end, I basically told them both to f**k off for abusing their administration powers to personally attack me, and that was the end of that.
Wrong again.

You've been warned about attacking people here countless times, yet you've continued to do it. If you think I'm gonna sit here while you continue to attack our staff, you're wrong yet again. Now you're all done. So long, and thanks for all the fish.

>>>LOCK<<<

[Flack]

Right. Here's just one of the PM's Jagasian sent me while pleading his case about his locked thread like a mature adult.


I am sorry that your level of literacy prevents you from reading my original post and noticing that Yashiro and you are wrong. My post had nothing to do with the NEX, and yet you wrote a lengthy PM to me, stating that it did. That is pathetic.

It is apparent from your picture that you spend too much time eating. Maybe spending a little less time on that would help improve your health and improve your ability to properly admin. You are nothing more than an angry fat man who compensates by abusing his administration privileges. I truly feel sorry for you.