Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 41

Thread: SNES PowerPak vs. Buying Games

  1. #1
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    30
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default SNES PowerPak vs. Buying Games

    hello everyone!

    After several months of lurking I figured it was time I register. It's good to be at a place where other people appreciate the best type of gaming: classic gaming.

    So recently I've been considering buying the snes powerpak but I'm not sure if I should dish out $140+ for the thing!

    On the one hand, it'll allow me to play almost any game(excluding the special chips ones), but it's a hefty price to pay.

    I really would like to own the actual game cartridges, but that has a negative as well. The games I really want to own are Mega man 7, X2, and X3...all rare games and quite expensive too!

    So basically I just need some advice or general words of wisdom regarding my situation. Note, I'm not made of money so both options are not viable. Which one should I purchase? Anyone know if the powerpak will drop in price anytime soon?

    thanks!

  2. #2
    Cherry (Level 1) JimmyDean's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    274
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Classic gaming is the best! Anyway, the powerpak won't support x2 or x3 because they had coprocessors on board... However, it will support DPS-1 games such as Mario Kart.

  3. #3
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    30
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    thanks jimmy!

    I didn't even know it doesn't support those Mega man games. That changes the balance of where I'm leaning.

    I guess the other reason I wanted to get the powerpak is to try rpg's...yet another category where the carts are expensive.

    I'm not too knowledgeable when it comes to all the specs and chips, but I'm assuming games like Lufia, Earthbound, BOF, Secret of Mana etc ARE compatible with the powerpak. But that thing is so damn expensive.

  4. #4
    Cherry (Level 1) bartre's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    204
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    as far as RPGs go, the only one that i know of that it might not support would be Star Ocean.
    imo, if you were gonna get a powerpak, i'd just recommend you get an original xbox, and mod it, most likely cheaper, plus it would support all the games.

  5. #5
    ServBot (Level 11) badinsults's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Somewhere on planet Earth / #vbender
    Posts
    3,986
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Star Ocean is supported if you use the patch that expands the graphics and removes the need for the SDD-1.

    Really, if all you care about is playing games, but want to ensure that the games play properly, you should really give the emulator bsnes a try. Bsnes is designed to emulate snes hardware almost identically. The powerpak is also a good choice if you want to play on a real system, and the vast majority of games should work. I would say that the xbox is only just adequate, as the emulators that are compatible with it are not perfect (I've notices some sound issues, for instance).
    <Evan_G> i keep my games in an inaccessable crate where i can't play them

  6. #6
    Pretzel (Level 4) shopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    810
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    If you're going to emulate, just emulate. I don't see the need for this expensive extra step.

  7. #7
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    159
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shopkins View Post
    If you're going to emulate, just emulate. I don't see the need for this expensive extra step.
    The SNES is not powerful enough to emulate itself. What you get from the PowerPak is the games running completely natively.

    Anyway, as for RPGs, Super Mario RPG is not supported. Star Ocean is only supported through neviksti's 96 meg ROM hacks. It's a fine hack though. Also, I believe one of the Dai Kaijuu Monogatari games has a real-time clock, and is thus not supported. That's all I can think of off the top of my head; other RPGs should work.

    Edit: I should add that RPGs (and other games that save) are the chief reason I bought my PowerPak. It doesn't use a battery, so saves should stick around indefinitely and be easily backed up as well. I bought a Mash-Mods programmer as well to back up my surviving saves, so now I have no worries about losing anything.
    Last edited by Eyedunno; 05-24-2010 at 11:50 AM.

  8. #8
    Reticulating Splines BetaWolf47's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Naples, FL
    Posts
    2,810
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    PowerPak is good for being able to play imports, hacks, fan translations, and homebrew games too. It's either that or making a repro.
    Selling gaming accessories. Click

  9. #9
    Banana (Level 7) fahlim003's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    The sinking old sanctuary
    Posts
    1,509
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BetaWolf47 View Post
    PowerPak is good for being able to play hacks, fan translations, and homebrew games too.
    Fixed. This is a good reason to own it I suppose, and to try some more expensive games out before buying them. It's good it has DSP-1 support but not crucial since most games with that chip are cheap/domestic.
    Whaddya mean invalid parameters?!

    9,000 gigs of ram and it still can't answer a simple question!

  10. #10
    Pretzel (Level 4) shopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    810
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BetaWolf47 View Post
    PowerPak is good for being able to play imports, hacks, fan translations, and homebrew games too. It's either that or making a repro.
    You can play those on your computer, too, though, right? If you're not actually going to collect it, I just don't see the point of buying a device like this. It can't be just to play it on a TV, there are lots of easier, cheaper ways to do that including just picking up a few bucks of RadioShack hardware.

  11. #11
    Reticulating Splines BetaWolf47's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Naples, FL
    Posts
    2,810
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shopkins View Post
    You can play those on your computer, too, though, right? If you're not actually going to collect it, I just don't see the point of buying a device like this. It can't be just to play it on a TV, there are lots of easier, cheaper ways to do that including just picking up a few bucks of RadioShack hardware.
    Connecting it to your TV may be cheaper, but then you're still stuck with the inherent flaws of emulation. Not to mention, for it to be comparable, you also have to track down a quality PC gamepad.
    Selling gaming accessories. Click

  12. #12
    ServBot (Level 11) Steven's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    3,209
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    I might have to hunt down a PowerPak eventually. How does it work transferring your files to the PowerPak? I'm very unsavvy with these things, lol. Do you just put the flash card in your PC and click on some buttons? Is it as simple as it sounds?

    RVGFANATIC: SNES, Saturn, mad ramblings and more
    RELIVE | REMEMBER | REPLAY

    Brand new URL!

  13. #13
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    30
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Yeah, I used to emulate also, but there's just something special about playing it on my old snes that makes the experience more enjoyable. I dunno, maybe I'm being picky or weird. I mean, I'm definitely not one of these purists, but I just can't do emulators.

    I guess the powerpak is a form of emulation also, but the fact that I can play it on my snes and hold the game cart somehow makes it acceptable.

    Are all games rare now? Or am I having bad luck selecting games? Seems like every game I want to play is rare and priced up the ying yang. R-type 3, Mega Man 7, X2, X3, Earthbound...etc etc

    damnit. I just realized that I'm going to have to drop tons of $$$ to play these games. Seems like there's no way around it.

  14. #14
    Pear (Level 6) OldSchoolGamer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Kelowna B.C. Canada
    Posts
    1,313
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    126
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    12
    Thanked in
    9 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shopkins View Post
    You can play those on your computer, too, though, right? If you're not actually going to collect it, I just don't see the point of buying a device like this. It can't be just to play it on a TV, there are lots of easier, cheaper ways to do that including just picking up a few bucks of RadioShack hardware.
    Well obviously some of us do see the point. For me it is simply using the original hardware which I prefer but I do not necessarily like to take the time to track down all the cartridges. Also just convenience of having all the titles for readily available on a single cart saving room as well as I like just only needing the one cart and saving wear and tear on the cart slot. These as well as the other points mentioned. The may seem insignificant to you or not worth the price for what they do but many of do obviously enjoy these products. I have one for Colecovision, Atari and plan on getting the one for Atari 5200, megacart for Vic 20 etc. Love the convenience and ease of use. No one is looking to change your mind or sell it to you but hey it is simply different strokes for different folks here.
    My DP Refs MaximumRD Classic Gaming and Computing Me in a Nutshell (NOT LITERALLY!) http://about.me/maximumrd
    WHERE DID THEIR HAIR GO?

  15. #15
    ServBot (Level 11) Steven's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    3,209
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by OldSchoolGamer View Post
    just convenience of having all the titles for readily available on a single cart saving room as well as I like just only needing the one cart and saving wear and tear on the cart slot.

    The (future) wife would appreciate that greatly, especially if you're like me and have over 500 carts lying around, !

    RVGFANATIC: SNES, Saturn, mad ramblings and more
    RELIVE | REMEMBER | REPLAY

    Brand new URL!

  16. #16
    Peach (Level 3)
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    742
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    5
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    8
    Thanked in
    8 Posts

    Default

    You'll never convince me that the PowerPak is a good choice over a modded XBOX. If you just want access to a ton of games easily, mod an XBOX.

    The PowerPak is a ripoff. It's priced high because it can be, there isn't exactly a ton of competition in the SNES flash cart market. If a bunch of other guys started making/selling them, you'd see the price drop. Remember how expensive GBA and DS flashcarts were a few years ago? They can be had for peanuts now.

    You really need to decide if you are more collector or gamer. If you just want to play (and cheat ) it's hard to beat a softmodded original XBOX. I'm sure a working XBOX with a controller or two (and probably a couple games) can be had on CL for under $50. The softmodding process can be done in an afternoon (maybe less depending on which version) and then some time tinkering and you're good to go. Pretty much the entire pre-N64 library at your fingertips (N64 and PS1 emulation is sketchy) with full GG/AR functionality, save/load state, etc.

    If you want to collect and play, well start saving your pennies. I pieced my collection together over the course of about 3 years (NES, SNES, TG/PCE). Some games were bought in bulk eBay or Craigslist lots (then extras were sold-off/relisted), some were bought/traded here on DP, and a small portion were bought individually. If I knew I'd have invested as much as I finally did, I probably never would've started. But the 'hunt' for games was a lot of fun.

    If you don't go the XBOX route, you can always try-before-you-buy with any PC emulator.


    As funny as this sounds, I'm not too big a fan of emulation nowadays, but emulation is what got me BACK INTO collecting carts after many years.
    Last edited by jperryss; 05-24-2010 at 02:58 PM.

  17. #17
    Insert Coin (Level 0) Bugbear's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    23
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    ...but hey it is simply different strokes for different folks here.
    The stroke's the word.

    I cannot begin to imagine the value of a SNES powerpak for convenience purposes. I refuse to play some games on emulators, but I can't expect to afford all of the rare titles that I'm after.
    I would really want the carts, because the games mean a lot to me, but to have all of them, expensive or not, when it makes me cry to see the total of the games I'd like, I'm willing to improvise. They're getting very expensive, and because they're good, sought after games.

  18. #18
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    5
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jperryss View Post
    The PowerPak is a ripoff. It's priced high because it can be, there isn't exactly a ton of competition in the SNES flash cart market. If a bunch of other guys started making/selling them, you'd see the price drop. Remember how expensive GBA and DS flashcarts were a few years ago? They can be had for peanuts now.
    You may not be interested in buying one, but you apparently don't even understand the market. There are currently at least 4 different SNES flash carts in production (Mash Mods, Tototek, Neoflash, RetroZone). The PowerPak is high priced because its damn complicated and uses expensive components, and is still cheaper than the chinese neoflash cart. The other 2 are the cheapest, but do not use memory cards. The PowerPak price is right in line or cheaper than flash carts for every other retro system.

    DS flash carts are cheap because they are simple and made by the MILLIONS by chinese companies. The production volume for retro carts just doesn't exist for huge discounts.

  19. #19
    Red (Level 21) Jorpho's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    We're all mad here
    Posts
    13,554
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    2
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BacteriaInfection View Post
    The games I really want to own are Mega man 7, X2, and X3...all rare games and quite expensive too!
    If those are principally what you're after, you do realize that you should be able to pick up the Mega Man and Mega Man X compilations released for the last gen fairly easily, right?
    "There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge." --Bertrand Russel (attributed)

  20. #20
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    159
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Steven View Post
    I might have to hunt down a PowerPak eventually. How does it work transferring your files to the PowerPak? I'm very unsavvy with these things, lol. Do you just put the flash card in your PC and click on some buttons? Is it as simple as it sounds?
    Well, basically yes. It's at least far less complicated than any of the other mentioned alternatives, and you can store far more games. Basically just have a CF card formatted to FAT32, copy the files however you like, put in some save files for the games that need them (you can make blank save files by just opening each ROM for a second in an emulator), and you're good to go.

    A few caveats though:
    • Some people have had issues with certain CF cards/certain SNESes (particularly modded SNESes, where moving the cartridge slot apparently creates timing issues). But compatibility has improved, and I'm not one of those anymore (my Super Famicom Jr. now works), so I can't speak much about it.
    • Files on the drive will not appear sorted on the PowerPak (as they do on flashcarts for more powerful systems), so unless you use a sorting app, they will appear in the order you added them. This is for your benefit, to speed up menu loading. There are free applications available to organize FAT drives; I use DriveSort for Windows.
    • If you have a lot of ROMs on the card, it's to your advantage to sort them into folders to speed up navigation. :P Personally, I have fewer than 50 games (I only put three ROMs on that I don't actually own), and I sort them into directories called ROMS_A-M and ROMS_N-Z. If you plan to add your 500, you will have an easier time with a lot more folders. :P
    • Saving is a little weird. The SRAM is not battery-backed and the reset button functions normally for the most part (for games where you might need it). To save, you have to HOLD the reset button for five seconds, then when you release it, you will be back at the PowerPak menu with a prompt to move data to CF. I actually love this system though - batteries are finicky, and I've played through several RPGs from beginning to end on the PowerPak.


    As I said before, I originally got my PowerPak because of battery save worries (not to mention actual data loss), but now I think I love it as much for the ability to have almost all of my games (aside from Star Fox and Street Fighter Zero 2) in one place. Most of the convenience of emulation with none of the setbacks, gotta love it!

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-07-2013, 05:38 PM
  2. Earthbound + SNES powerpak?
    By charles__99 in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 03-29-2012, 06:56 AM
  3. SNES Powerpak is now available
    By jeffg in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 391
    Last Post: 05-30-2011, 10:43 AM
  4. WTB: SNES PowerPak
    By WarriorFan in forum Buying and Selling
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 11-13-2010, 06:05 PM
  5. WTB: SNES PowerPak
    By Neonite in forum Buying and Selling
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-19-2010, 04:06 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •