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    Strawberry (Level 2) Compute's Avatar
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    Default NES solutions for a 9-year old

    So get this,

    My 9-year old niece has recently become obsessed with Angry Video Game Nerd. Her parents don't seem to mind the language, so whatever I guess. Anyway, she's saving up to buy her own NES. She's already expressed interest in having a "toaster" model, but may accept a famiclone. As of now, she's raised $32 of her own money. I need some feedback on some scenarios:

    1) Purchase a used toaster, maybe have to replace the 72pin connector or a cap or something. I only worry as my toaster needs some work, and I'd hate to go through all the trouble (and spend her money) to get a turd. Can I count on it to be reliable?

    2) Purchase a famiclone. I know some dork out there has a problem with how it renders the magic shot sound in legacy of the wizard or whatever, but would a 9-year old notice? Would I be in bigger trouble as far as reliability goes? If I find one with NES ports, I have a few extra controllers so that is not a problem. Furthermore, is there one famiclone that's "better" than others?

    3) Make an emulator pack with usb NES controller or controller adaptor. Again, the emul-haters will be out on this one, but it would give her access to the whole library. This one is an easy win, but I think she would value the tangibility of the carts more so I don't like this one as much.

    Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated. I really haven't looked much at prices for stuff, but locally an NES runs in the $40-60 range. Famiclones cost as much as they do anywhere. Thanks!
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    Yeah, Im gonna be biased and say go with Nestopia and spend the money on a GOOD NES usb controller or read up on how to make a real one end with a usb connector.

    You should tell her though not to try and emulate newer systems, theres no emulators for PSP, 3DS, 360 and PS3.
    Last edited by IHatedSega; 12-24-2012 at 08:04 AM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by IHatedSega View Post
    Yeah, Im gonna be biased and say go with Nestopia and spend the money on a GOOD NES usb controller or read up on how to make a real one end with a usb connector.

    You should tell her though not to try and emulate newer systems, theres no emulators for PSP, 3DS, 360 and PS3.
    I think you mean Vita, because there is a PSP emulator. Possibly 2.

    As for the topic, that's a tough call. If she's watching his videos, does that mean she expects the console/cartridges like he has?

    I suppose in the end, you could try the emulation thing, and if she's disappointed by it, eventually try to get her the real deal.

    Also, he reviews god awful games, what exactly are her expectations?

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    Don't use Nestopia. She won't find any value in, or appreciate any of the games if she has access to a thousand at once. Make her have to work for it.

    I think a front-loader with a new connector would be best. In my experience the clone systems aren't any easier to get games to play than a refurbished front-loader.

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    Test the NES before buying
    This will confirm if it works. Get a Toaster for the originality and complete compatibility of all the NES carts. If the contacts has problems with games you can bend each contact slightly with a pin. Replacement connectors tend to be too tight and wipe out the "ZIFF" capability compared to the factory connector.
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    Peach (Level 3) Flam's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CRTGAMER View Post
    Test the NES before buying and wipe out the "ZIFF" capability compared to the factory connector.
    What is "ZIFF"?

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    Don't make the mistake of trying to improve on what she wants, she'll ultimately become disappointed.

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    Will you be helping her with this setup?

    The reason I'm asking is sure a real NES (1st or 2nd) model would be nice, the NES-2 style rarely doesn't pull up a game which may help but goes for a little more like $60 without the new style controllers unless you get a little lucky. That said, if you're helping I can think of two good choices. You could go the emulator route, not so much on the PC, but if she has a GBA already you could setup PocketNES for her which works fantastic and requires no added steps to load/save games with a battery.

    Another choice, but this would require more time due to needing more cash, get the girl a retrousb.com NES PowerPak. That thing can load up basically any NES game except for MMC5 titles(Castlevania 3 works though), Famicom, and Famicom Disk System games. The menu maybe boring and simple to look at, but at her age I"m sure she can read through the directories and pick a game to use. The only other problem is the saving/loading on it kind of sucks and it's a pirate device in the ends being used that way.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Compute View Post
    She's already expressed interest in having a "toaster" model, but may accept a famiclone.
    I say then go with a toaster. If you have to fix one up, fine, fix it up. It just sounds she's excited about the prospect of a toaster, and I can understand that (I remember how "magical" the whole ZIF thing seemed when I was 12 or so vs the way carts just plug in the top of every other cart based system ever) and would hate for her to feel disappointed at a top loader or worse clone that doesn't play things right.

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    While I wouldn't personally turn my nose up at the prospect of buying a Retro-Bit entertainment system (they run about $20) and outfitting it with 2 actual NES controllers (you said you have a few lying around) for cost and convenience...



    ULTIMATELY I think a toaster with a new set of pins is the best option overall.

    It'll probably cost a bit more in the end, but probably weighs out with the most positives.

    Like the famiclone, you get the composite A/V out on the toaster NES, and you won't have to worry about any compatibility issues.
    "And the book says: 'We may be through with the past, but the past ain't through with us.'"


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    Great Puma (Level 12) jb143's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Compute View Post
    3) Make an emulator pack with usb NES controller or controller adaptor. Again, the emul-haters will be out on this one, but it would give her access to the whole library. This one is an easy win, but I think she would value the tangibility of the carts more so I don't like this one as much.
    The other problem with this scenario is the paradox of choice. With so many games to choose from she would likely only spend a little bit of time with a lot of games before getting bored with it rather than spending a lot of time with a few good games.
    "Game programmers are generally lazy individuals. That's right. It's true. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Since the dawn of computer games, game programmers have looked for shortcuts to coolness." Kurt Arnlund - Game programmer for Activision, Accolade...

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    i would skip the toaster, more trouble than it is worth, specially for a 9 year old. She'll become annoyed and give up quickly if she starts getting the flashing light of doom.

    help he get a retro portable 2.0, hooks up to TV and can be taken anywhere.

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    ServBot (Level 11) kedawa's Avatar
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    The physical object is just as important as the experience of playing the game for a kid that age.
    Get a toaster and fix it up or jam a Game Genie in it.

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    Pretty sure the majority of us here were at some point all 9 year olds with tempermental toasters. The op knows the child best and whether or not she has the paitence to handle the occasional flashing blue screen- which she shouldn't encounter that often with a new pin set and clean games.

    I say if the girl wants an original NES, why disuade her?

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    Go original all the way! Fuck those cheap bullshit clone machines with crappy controllers.

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