Awesome stuff you've just bought (+pics please)

[Astraea FGA Mk. I]

Is anyone able to answer the question from my previous post?

Do you guys think it is worth getting the Sanwa octagonal gate for the lever* ? I have only used square gates but it seems like it must be way better. An Extra £6 each.

*Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT

[Drachenherz]

Hard question to answer, actually, as it boils down to preference. As I was used to the square gate, it wasn 't worth it for me. But really, just take the plunge and see for yourself.

Is anyone able to answer the question from my previous post?

Do you guys think it is worth getting the Sanwa octagonal gate for the lever* ? I have only used square gates but it seems like it must be way better. An Extra £6 each.

*Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT

[KindGrind]

Emulation© - the go to solution for that collectors itch. Found at your local pharmacy/apotheke.

At least Metal Storm and Fire N Ice are decent - ultimately at this point in the game it's quite worthwhile for an NES/FC flash cartridge than shelling out large dollar on games like and beyond these. Still, I can sympathize in ownership ideas.

I do like all these games - played and beat most of them. Most of these carts I acquired in trades, or via selling some other games that were collecting dust. I couldn't/wouldn't inject new $ into the hobby at this point for a few reasons... Prices being what they are and weakness of the CAD being the main ones.

I will definitely turn to an Everdrive when I want to play the big ticket NES games (Little Samson, Panic Restaurant, etc). Makes little sense to shell out a mortgage payment to have some random retro fun, but the itch you mention is one that's not easily scratched away. Proof of this can be seen all over this thread!

[Immryr]

am i the only person who doesn't see the value in things like an everdrive? why would you spend £90 or w/e on something to emulate games when you can do that on your pc / wii / xbox / psp / whatever?

[Fudoh]

because you're still playing on the actual hardware, with no lag whatsoever (contrary to all emulation), original controller and original video output. It's really quite convenient.

[cicada88]

EverDrives are the greatest. It still blows my mind that they exist--and for nearly every console now.

It's also not emulation.

Can't wait till these CD-ROM replacement (PS1, DC, Saturn etc) flash solutions become more widespread too.

[trap15]

Everdrive isn't emulation. It just fakes the cartridges, which means it's still all on the console. In the case of games with expansion chips, it does have to do some emulation, but it's still quite close (and most expansion chips are simple enough that they're hard to do wrong).

[rancor]

am i the only person who doesn't see the value in things like an everdrive?

I'm quite the opposite, in that I don't see the value in paying $$$ for games when non-emulation solutions such as the Everdrive exist. I will buy a flash cart over an overpriced original retro-game any day. The only problem I see with it is that when I have access to 1000's of games, I enjoy none of them. The games I enjoy most are the PCBs I own and have invested time into.

[JBC]

Depends on the way you use the Everdrive. I'm getting them for a few reasons beyond having total access to a system's library in true form. One, these things are great when you have a friend over who requests to play a game you don't actually own. Two, when posting to the high scores thread no one can think, "PFF! Probably used save states to get that one!" & most important of all - three, the Everdrive allows you check out games you're curious about but may regret shelling out the cash to own the real deal.

I'm a true collector & oftentimes I've paid too much for a title that ended up being crummy. Now I'll know for sure whether I like a game or not - it's all about the pride I have in my shelf. Everything on my shelf should have some redeeming quality about it. That would be like proudly displaying Final Fight Streetwise just because it's a game I bought without knowing it was totally embarrassing.

All that said - I just ordered my real deal copy of Mercenary Force for the original GameBoy because I want that in my collection despite access to Everdrives & emulators.

[Ghegs]

^- Emulation works for just checking out a game just as well.

The only reason I'd get an EverDrive would be to play some romhacks. Otherwise I want the original console and original game. Even though it's mostly the same thing (other than the expansion chip thing trap mentioned), it seems weird from a philosophical point to spend money and effort in acquiring and setting up the the original hardware, controllers, maybe even a CRT, etc. and then just download a bunch of romz from your favorite warez site.

Like rancor, I enjoy games a lot more when I have acquired them properly.

[JBC]

I guess that depends on how much it bothers you to play console games on a pc. Emulators are fine for checking out a game but if I can play it on a CRT I'd much rather. If I can play it on a CRT, the actual hardware, with the actual controller meant for the game - I'll take the latter. Feels like a video store rental from back when those consoles had thier heyday. In the instance of handhelds it's no contest.

[Astraea FGA Mk. I]

am i the only person who doesn't see the value in things like an everdrive?

I'm quite the opposite, in that I don't see the value in paying $$$ for games when non-emulation solutions such as the Everdrive exist. I will buy a flash cart over an overpriced original retro-game any day. The only problem I see with it is that when I have access to 1000's of games, I enjoy none of them. The games I enjoy most are the PCBs I own and have invested time into.

This is exactly how I am when I have far too many games available to me. I bought an SD2SNES a little while ago and it is brilliant but I need discipline to enjoy it properly. It devalues the experience. The times I enjoyed gaming the most was when I was poor and only had a small handful of games, and that it was a special occasion when I got a new game, it was thrilling.

[cicada88]

This is exactly how I am when I have far too many games available to me. I bought an SD2SNES a little while ago and it is brilliant but I need discipline to enjoy it properly. It devalues the experience. The times I enjoyed gaming the most was when I was poor and only had a small handful of games, and that it was a special occasion when I got a new game, it was thrilling.

While I understand the concept of an embarrassment of riches, in the flash cart case it really seems psychological.

If the games are good and you really want to play them for gameplays sake, then it shouldn't be a problem. Just be conscious about the phenomenon and pair down your game list into folders.

When I first got my EverDrive Famicom, I was really jumping around trying all these imports and obscure games I have never played. Then I just started to focus on 1 or 2 games at a time until I was burnt out or had finished one.

And honestly, I can say I have done this in the past when I had a bunch of uncompleted physical games too.

[KindGrind]

I need discipline to enjoy it properly.

Definitely.

I know of a few other people collecting games, and they have far more extensive collections than I do. I remember visiting, and we look at the shelf with complete libraries of NTSC games, and we wouldn't know what to play. The person in question admitted he never had time to play anything, and just choosing a game took more time than he had on his hands to play. Having too many is worse than not having enough at times, I feel.

It's easy to play something for 5 minutes, dismiss it and never come back to it. When you don't really have a choice because you own 8 games, you play them over and over and get a real feel for them. Flash carts give you access to everything. In and of itself this is absolutely amazing, but you have to pace yourself. A great way to experience new games before buying, or play games you could never afford, that's for sure.

Rancor mentions PCBs; I understand the love for them, but to me, they're just bigger "carts" without a shell. When the price is reasonable, I don't mind buying an original retro cart, and judging from the price hike on Turbo/Neo/NES/SNES, it doesn't look like I'm the only one. People have different thresholds when it comes to gaming - I know I would think twice before shelling out 1,000$ for a PCB...

[KennyMan666]

I got a thing.



Haven't tried playing with it yet, but it shall be done. And then try it with the PC too.

[Icarus]

Just got an email notifying me that the joystick that was part of the crowdfunding donation incentive for last year's Stunfest has finally shipped.



Can't wait to put it through its paces.

[drauch]

The only reason I'd get an EverDrive would be to play some romhacks. Otherwise I want the original console and original game. Even though it's mostly the same thing (other than the expansion chip thing trap mentioned), it seems weird from a philosophical point to spend money and effort in acquiring and setting up the the original hardware, controllers, maybe even a CRT, etc. and then just download a bunch of romz from your favorite warez site..

Yeah, I feel the same way, but you could do that whole setup for the price of one single great game nowadays... it sucks, but I'm debating one of these bad boys now as well due to the insane rising cost.

[Ghegs]

The only reason I'd get an EverDrive would be to play some romhacks. Otherwise I want the original console and original game. Even though it's mostly the same thing (other than the expansion chip thing trap mentioned), it seems weird from a philosophical point to spend money and effort in acquiring and setting up the the original hardware, controllers, maybe even a CRT, etc. and then just download a bunch of romz from your favorite warez site..

Yeah, I feel the same way, but you could do that whole setup for the price of one single great game nowadays... it sucks, but I'm debating one of these bad boys now as well due to the insane rising cost.

Hobbies can get expensive, sure. And there are some titles that have absolutely bonkers prices. But there are still great retro games that are completely affordable, especially if you ignore CIB and just go for loose carts. And you can find some good deals if you're persistent, patient and a bit lucky. Heck, just the other day I finally managed to grab a CIB* Famicom title at a price I considered acceptable, and I had been keeping my eyes open for such an opportunity for two years...

I'll certainly think of the game in a completely different light, compared to had I just downloaded a rom.

*Don't do CIB, kids. That way lies madness.

[Necronopticous]

[mnneurope]

UK amazon is having a "promotion", 2 BR for 10£ for selected titles, which is an ok price in my opinion, so I grabbed some
*all of them are region free

[RealPlumpBox]

New Seattle Mariners hat.



New music



New game



And I got this tattoo finished last night.

[drauch]

Calves as bad as everyone says?

[KindGrind]

How long does it take for a brew?

I've always found those interesting, but time is of the essence for me. My trusty Saeco Aroma semi-auto has died in combat after 10+ years of services rendered, and I've been looking for a replacement.

I'm drawn to super automatics, but I can't justify the $ for one these days.

[BIL]

*Don't do CIB, kids. That way lies madness.

Truth.

Leave it to we who were mad to start with and be thankful the CIB life didn't choose you. ^_~ See you in hell gentlemen!

[RealPlumpBox]

Calves as bad as everyone says?

Yes! Second most painful tattoo I got. Chest being the first.

[drauch]

Calves as bad as everyone says?

Yes! Second most painful tattoo I got. Chest being the first.

That's all I've heard. Where did you get one on your chest? On a pec, or in the middle? Was thinking of going that route at some point, so just gauging what I should expect.

[drauch]

*Don't do CIB, kids. That way lies madness.

Truth.

Leave it to we who were mad to start with and be thankful the CIB life didn't choose you. ^_~ See you in hell gentlemen!

Ha, I read that and thought RUH-ROH, where's BIL? I'm almost completely CIB/life for big box PC games, but that's a muuuuuch cheaper market than console gaming, although it's steadily gaining popularity due to fuckin' Youtube shiteaters. Just takes up like 5 times the room, which I'm hoping will eventually sort out the p0s3r5. Different sorta madness, I suppose.

[BIL]

Still got all my vintage 90s FPS stuff proudly hoggin' the top shelf (the DEPTHS OF DOOM monstrosity, plus Wolf3D, Final DOOM, Heretic Deathkings, Quake + Expansions and Descent II). ^__^ Definite charm to the old big boxes... modern DVD cases are weinerville, kinda like going from rovely MD snapcases to Saturn generica.

[drauch]

There's typically always so many goodies inside and some of the fattest manuals in existence. I swear, Sim Ant weighs like a pound. Really love some of the custom stuff as well, like the triangle Eidos ones (Thief, Tomb Raider, etc.), or really any that open up like a book for that matter. Speaking of books, love that Heretic looks like a tome. Too cool. I'd be CIB all the way with console as well if most of my load wasn't blown on DVDs and Blurays. I get all teary eyed seeing everyone's sexy minty boxes and some of that awesome MD art like El Viento or Alisia Dragoon, to name a few off my head that I've lusted after. Had to pick my poison, I suppose. The life of a hobbyist is a rough one, indeed.

[RealPlumpBox]

Calves as bad as everyone says?

Yes! Second most painful tattoo I got. Chest being the first.

That's all I've heard. Where did you get one on your chest? On a pec, or in the middle? Was thinking of going that route at some point, so just gauging what I should expect.

My chest is right in the center on the sternum and just off to each side about 2 inches under my collar bone. I hated my chest. I shattered my pinky knuckle socket in 7 places and that was less painful.