So here is my review with photos of Hyperkin's new handheld system, the FC Mobile II. It plays Nintendo Entertainment System games.
I payed around 55 bucks for this system and I am very, very pleased with it. Here is what you get:
- FC Mobile II system
- 2 Wireless controllers
- A wireless zapper
- AC Adaptor
- AV Out cord
The FC Mobile II when used portably requires 4 AA size batteries. The controllers require 2 AAA size batteries each and the Zapper requires 3 AAA's.
The system itself is extremely solid feeling and very easy to use. It is a definite cosmetic improvement over its predecessor. The buttons and d-pad on the system work and feel great. I had some reservations due to the D-pads PlayStation styling but, in my opinion, it kicks the crap out of the PlayStation d-pad. Much easier to use and control. Playing cartridges in it is pretty easy and their can be the usual NES style problems. It does hold the cartridges very firmly but once and a while you will have to blow on the cart or reseat it on the connectors to get the game to play but I am pretty sure we are all used to that
The screen is beautiful and crisp with minimal blur. Its very bright too so its a joy to play in any light setting.
(FC Mobile II screen closeup)
I found only 3 things with the system itself that bug me. There is an inconvienent screw on the battery compartment which I think is unnecessary because the compartment is latched on by a normal remote style clip anyways. (I removed the screw)
The second thing is that the images displayed by the systems screen seem a little shifted to the left at times. Not really a big problem and it is barely noticeable most of the time. Its a very small shift too. Just thought I should make it known. The third thing is that there is a bit of noise when using the headphone jack.
The Zapper I have yet to use due to my current lack of availiable CRT television. The two controllers are light weight but work very well with the buttons being basically the same as the system itself. They are infrared and respond quickly. The only problem I found with the controllers is that the d-pad does feel a little bit cheap and slippy at times. After playing with the controllers for a while and utilizing the av-out on the system to my lcd tv, I didnt find that the controller's d-pad detracted from the game play at all. The controllers and zapper also have the odd screw on the battery compartment which includes the remote style clip.
I have played many games of mine and here are the ones I have found to work: Super Mario Bros, SMB 2, SMB 3, SMB/DH/World Class Track Meet, SMB/DH, Donkey Kong Classics, TMNT, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Castlevania.
I could not get my only multigame to work and I have not been able to play Gradius on it yet. I have been informed by a fellow DP'er that it does work. Probably just my cart.
(av out above to my lcd)
(FC Mobile II screen closeup)
So all in all Its a must buy for any NES fan. Its an excellent little system and a real joy to play. The detractors are minimal compared to the benefits and fun you can get out of this thing at such a cheap price. If you already have the FC Mobile original, buy this one and if you dont have any portable NES yet... Buy this one. Its really worth it!
Anyone who has purchased and used this already, post the games that you have found to work and not work so we can get a good compatability list going.