Retro Gaming

[wiggum]

Well, I've been thinking about trying to get into some retro games. When I say that I mean pretty much anything before the current generation of consols. Specifically I'd like to get a SNES and a Genisis. I know I could just get an emulator for the games I'm interested in, but I would like to actually hold the real controllers in my hands...

I'm curious about the best place to actually get my hands on these wonderful devices. Ebay is the obvious place, but I was wondering if anyone knew of a reputable place that actually specializes in these kinds of things?

Thanks in advance.

[Arshes Nei]

There used to be a ton of old gaming stores around this area. They've since gone under, but yeah Ebay is one good spot. As far as controllers, I recall them having them for PC too.

http://amzn.com/B002JAU20W

So I guess Amazon would be another spot too. Just make sure you go into sellers stores with the A-Z guarantee, because Amazon will refund the money if any disputes happen.

[FightingSeraph]

I happen to be into retro gaming myself, and I was wondering when someone was going to start a thread. For an old videogame shop, I know one that opened in Gulfport, MS called Game Warehouse. Of course, the Wii has the virtual console, but it could use more than three releases per week. As for emulators, try SNES9X, ZSNES, Gens, Nesten, FCE Ultra, Kega Lazurus, and MAME.

[Mr.Delicious]

I use Amazon and Video Game Central (http://video-game-central.com/used-snes-games-k.html).

I've got a ton of old games and systems... Too many D:

[wiggum]

Well, I'm more interested in actually owning the actual origional consols. I see that there are Retro Duo systems, but I don't know if these things are any good. And actually, come to think of it, will these systems even work on a new TV? I have a 46" LCD that I got a deal on last year, but will I have to get an old tube tv to play these systems?

[FightingSeraph]

My Super NES runs fine on my new TV believe it or not. However, I haven't tried the Super Scope yet, so that may be out of the question. By the way, what Super NES games are you looking for?

[wiggum]

So does the SNES just hook up with normal AV cables? Does it do that thing where it has the black bars on either side? I'm not really concerned about the light guns. If I'm really dying to get them then I'll fish an old TV out of a relative's basement.

As far as older games I really want to play, here is a short list:
Super Castlevania 4 (SNES)
Mega Man X (SNES)
TMNT: Turtles in Time (SNES)
Super Mario Bros (SNES)
Legend of Zelda: A link to the Past (SNES)
Yoshi's Island (SNES)
Starfox 64 (N64)
Ocarina of Time (N64)
I don't know if it counts as retro yet, but I've been dying to play the Zelda Games for the Gamecube, actually there are a lot of first party Gamecube games I want. Maybe I should just start there. I imagine some of these games are pretty hard to get ahold of.

[Arshes Nei]

I still have a Dreamcast, it's outlasted all the other fools who have spent few hundred on their consoles with hard drive crashes and RLoDs.

[Mr.Delicious]

All systems can hook up to new tvs. As long as you have AV input. Otherwise you can always get an adapter to hook into the cable/antenna input.

And the new Retro Duo systems were basically made because hardly anybody has old working NES systems. The Retro Duo's work great and are a hell of a lot better than trying to play the same game a 100 times only to run into a crap load of freezes and glitches. Nevermind when somebody accidently steps too hard on the floor.

Thats crazy you never got to play those games, I kinda wish I didn't remember them :O. Snes games are my all time favorites... Add Super Metroid and Kirby Super Star to that list for must havesss.

I've been replaying Demon's Crest, you should check that out as well :).

[Ardescoere]

I collect the old systems too! I thought I was one of the few nerds who did hehe.

SNES is my favourite, I still have days where I absolutely have to play the old Donkey Kong for that. I just hope the cartridge continues to live, as I'm sure eventually it will fail me.

I've always found that if you go on craigslist or even to garage sales you find a suprising amount of old school video games if you're looking for a cheap fix too.

[wiggum]

All systems can hook up to new tvs. As long as you have AV input. Otherwise you can always get an adapter to hook into the cable/antenna input.

And the new Retro Duo systems were basically made because hardly anybody has old working NES systems. The Retro Duo's work great and are a hell of a lot better than trying to play the same game a 100 times only to run into a crap load of freezes and glitches. Nevermind when somebody accidently steps too hard on the floor.

Thats crazy you never got to play those games, I kinda wish I didn't remember them :O. Snes games are my all time favorites... Add Super Metroid and Kirby Super Star to that list for must havesss.

I've been replaying Demon's Crest, you should check that out as well :).

Maybe I will try the Retro Duo...its going to be a while before I can get the money together to start this little dream of mine.

The first console I ever had was the N64, first game I ever actually beat was Ocarina of Time. That game is still among my absolute favorite games of all time (I imagine there are a lot of nostalgic nerds who can say the same). I never really got that many games for the N64, and at the time I wasn't really able to tell the good games from the bad.

Basically I just plain missed out on everything that came before the N64 because my family just couldn't afford any of them before that time. Now that I have some money, and some spare time I would love to go back and see what I missed.

[FightingSeraph]

Another place to find old video games is a flea market, which usually has old games for a good bargain. However, don't expect to find any obscure titles that few people have heard of. Of course, I still have my old systems to this very day.

[wiggum]

Well, over the last couple weeks I managed to find a couple incredible deals. I am now the proud owner of a Nintendo Gamecube and Sega Genisis 3. I also have a line and some more systems that could be had for next to nothing (Dreamcast, SNES and PS2)...Guess I'm going to need a switchbox.

Anyways, I have a few games and maybe I'll do some reviews once I get through them. probably going to start with Vectorman on the Genesis.

[Flake]

If you haven't played it on the N64 "Goldeneye" is a game you need.

[Sanny]

I still have a Dreamcast, it's outlasted all the other fools who have spent few hundred on their consoles with hard drive crashes and RLoDs.

Modern consoles feels like they are built with the love and care of a mcdonalds hamburger, the 360 in particular, its not bad and has great games but its feels so shoddy built.

Turok 1 and 2 on n64 is great allso, 2 is still vissualy intresting, had heap of n64 titels i tihnk i can give seom pointers of good titels. theo i have a hard time recomend perfect dark, i never enjoyed it as much as golden eye, may be the ovius unatended buggs it has.

If you like racing games then try find Road Rash 64 its a real gem, its horrid in term of looks but hard to beat on pure entertainment.

[FightingSeraph]

The Nintendo 64 is the most underrated game system around, with the Atari Lynx in second place.

[VideroBoy]

At my company we have an internal classifieds web site. A couple of weeks ago someone in our other office was selling an original NES and a bunch of games for a hundred dollars, including all three Super Mario Bros. Sold.

I had to replace the pin connector the cartridge plugs into though. I was able to find someone in my city that was selling one, but it was a frustrating experience nonetheless.

[Mr.Delicious]

Hundred dollars is pretty steep for an nes. Theres this junkyard near my hometown that had a section of free stuff laid out on tables. Got an nes, sega master system, nintendo 64, and a playstation for free(plus tons of games for each) from the dump. Best part was they all worked! If you got a wealthy town around you then try and check out the dump. If its anything like that one theres new stuff like that every week D:. Totally awesome.

Side note- Just realized the other day that I can play any Japanese Snes game on my Snes by carving slots under the holes on the bottom/back of the cartridge. So I've been playing Gundam Wing Endless Duel all week :D

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[Flake]

The Nintendo 64 is the most underrated game system around, with the Atari Lynx in second place.

Goldeneye was the best multiplayer FPS for years , bearing in mind the intertubes didn't even really exist back then.

I still haven't unlocked bits of that 15 years later..I still have the original cartridge..We brought it out for a laugh one day, it was still great.

Someone needs to port it to todays mad consoles and affordable HD tvs..*
"Turok" was pretty sweet too, that and "1080 Snowboarding"

"Fighters Destiny", anyone remember that?


* I remember someone trying to port it to Half Life2 : Source, but I don't think they ever finished it..

[wiggum]

Well, there is a suprising side effect to taking up retro gaming though. I made the mistake of having a DQ Blizzard (which I haven't had in like 10 years) right before firing up Vectorman (which I only played a couple times like 14 years ago). The resulting nostalgia trip drove me to the very brink of insanity.

Okay that is a bit of an exaggeration, but it was still a pretty strange experience. Maybe I'll have to eat a nostalgic treat every time I start up game I haven't played in over a decade and I can duplicate it. I'll have to find a copy of The Lost Vikings and get on of those Screwball icecream treats (do they even still make those?).

Anyways, I finished up Vectorman the other day, great game, I'll try and get a review or something up when I can.

[D.C.]

....
Side note- Just realized the other day that I can play any Japanese Snes game on my Snes by carving slots under the holes on the bottom/back of the cartridge. So I've been playing Gundam Wing Endless Duel all week :D


Damn you and your NTSC compatibility :P. I've still got my NES in the original box, but it's been broken for years now. Someday I'll change the pin-connector an get it fired up again. Got plenty of games for it.
I did buy a SNES (PAL) 2 summers ago with "Super Mario World", "Turtles In Time" and "Street Fighter II Turbo". Played it all summer. Good times. Unfortunately my TV died, still have to buy a replacement.

[Mr.Delicious]

Damn you and your NTSC compatibility :P. I've still got my NES in the original box, but it's been broken for years now. Someday I'll change the pin-connector an get it fired up again. Got plenty of games for it.
I did buy a SNES (PAL) 2 summers ago with "Super Mario World", "Turtles In Time" and "Street Fighter II Turbo". Played it all summer. Good times. Unfortunately my TV died, still have to buy a replacement.

Goddd I want a PAL system so I can buy Terranigma :O. Been wanting that cart for a looong time.

[D.C.]

I only recently learned of Terranigma's existence. The game looks great and is definitely on my to play list. Unfortunately the English version cartridge is quite expensive, as is with most SNES games that are somewhat rare. There is always the localized German version which is much cheaper, although I don't have that much faith in my grasp of the German language :P .

[Mr.Delicious]

Yea its real good. Just wish that they released it in the US :(. I also want Seiken Densetsu 3(think its just Secret of Mana 3), that game is sooo good.

You can always get the english translation of it through an emulator

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[D.C.]

So many great games, so little time (unless you count procrastination :) ). Something like this would be quite handy for those rare games: http://www.tototek.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_8_11&products_id=39

I've been thinking of making my own someday, but I'm just too lazy to figure all this shit out :P .

[Sanny]

Goddd I want a PAL system so I can buy Terranigma :O. Been wanting that cart for a looong time.

that game is a masterpeice, i still regret i sold my snes now as the prices of the game has gone insane.

[LORD M]

Bought Final Fantasy VII to see what all the fuzz is about - and it was suprisingly good, almost finished it now, and then it's time for FF IX. :)

[JJacks]

Lord M, IX is my all time favorite FF. I love it! I hope you do too. :)

I'm playing Kid Chameleon again! My sister and I used to take shifts playing it because it was so long. My genesis is still kicking.

[wiggum]

I've been playing Dynamite Heady (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7fg4SRzEy4) and Rocket Knight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6PAkzY--ck) on my Genesis. I simply can't believe I've never heard of them before.

Seriously, I got these for pretty cheap at an indoor flea market, $10 for both. Easily worth 10 times that!

[Psychotime]

You must hang out with the wrong people if you've never heard of those.

Also, 6 is the best Final Fantasy.

[Psychotime]

Just to toss some more SNES stuff:

Demon's Crest
UN Squadron
The Magical Quest Series
Gradius 3
Gokujou Parodious (I guess emulators are your best bet for that one.)
Any Kirby game on the system.

[Mr.Delicious]

Agreed on the Final Fantasy 6 and Demon's Crest. Heres one I've been playing a lot recently - Dungeons and Dragons Shadow Over Mystara. Atari owns the rights to D&D so Capcom hasn't put it out since the arcade and Saturn versions. But you can always get MAME and use an xbox 360 controller to play it(get a friend to play as well).

If you don't know what it is, check the video below because its probably the best beat em up I've ever played :D

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[Psychotime]

I've TRIED getting roms for them, but they're always broken. Anyone know a place to get them?

Wait, can you even post them?

Oh, one good beat em up that I discovered a few months ago was Ninja Baseball Bat Man.

[Mr.Delicious]

Hmmm, can we not talk about that stuff? Theres really no other way to get that game other than buyin a Saturn and getting a japanese version for a ton of money haha... Or buy the whole arcade setup. But I found it on cool roms.

[Jazz]

Ahhhh, this thread drives me CRAZY with nostalgia!

I still have my SNES and N64...wish I didn't lend out Yoshi's Island cuz I think the person I lent it to stole it. Never again will I lend to distant cousins. -_-

Anyway, I was actually thinking of playing some games of old, and I'm big on most of the Mario games...except...Mario Hotel... Dear Lord that game looked off. Really OFF. ;_;

I wanna play DK 64 as well, the only Donkey Kong game I'm good at. Though to try the old SNES versions once again might be a step to admitting my shortcoming there.

[FightingSeraph]

@Psychotime: Ninja Baseball Bat Man was, and still is, pretty badass. Plus, it was made by Irem, the same people behind R-Type, Image Fight, Kung Fu, In the Hunt, Disaster Report, and Steambot Chronicles.

[Psychotime]

Honestly, I don't care for R-Type. Maybe I'm just too much of a Gradius/Salamander/Lifeforce fanboy.

[wiggum]

Anybody notice how much better licenced games used to be? I've been playing Aladdin and MickeyMania on my Genesis and they are both very solid platformers.

MickeyMania in particular impresses me with its graphics, controls and general tone. You have to go through various phases of Mickey Mouse cartoons rescuing different versions of the Mickey. Yes Mickey is rescuing Mickey, I think you rescue Pluto at one point as well, but now I don't remember...

Its cool how they attempt to capture the feel of each cartoon for each level, it works best in the Steamboat Willy level (except Peg-Leg Pete is no longer a peg-leg...apparently having a crippled villian isn't very PC).

I personally find this game insanely difficult though. I find Contra: Hard Corps and Castlevania: Bloodlines easy by comparison. I'm not really sure why either, game doesn't seem like it should be that hard. I think most of the issue is that it is really easy to take damage (seriously, every fucking thing in this game wants you dead!), and the game is stingy with continues (you get one...then your done).

Its not as good a game as Sonic or Rocket Knight Adventures. But a very good, challenging platformer thats worth checking out, especially if you happen to be a fan of early Disney cartoons.

[Psychotime]

Yes, Mickey Mania is pretty good. Never tried the Genesis version, if it's any different.

I can't say I can site Mania as an example, but those were the days when licensed games were done by companies with good games already under their belt more often than not. There were still some bad ones, but the good ones seemed to outnumber them.

Oh, Hard Corps is the best Contra, hands down.

[FightingSeraph]

I just started playing Earthbound again, and I have to say, that has to be an underrated series. I'm also a fan of the NES game that almost got released, but didn't.