Thoughts about Messiah Entertainment...

[dave4shmups]

Does anyone else on here think that this Messiah would've done NES fans a lot better by making a converter that would allow people to play their NES games on the SNES? I mean, it's been over 15 years since the SNES came out over here, and we STILL don't have a converter that'll let people play NES games on the SNES!

With all the mixed reviews that the NEX has gotten, I think Messiah should've done this instead. I'm quite surprised that no one else ever has after all these years.

[it290]

What would be the point? I'm quite sure most SNES owners who are interested in the NES already have an NES. The main draw of the NEX was the wireless controllers... other than those, it's really no better than the majority of Famiclones. Any SNES-to-NES adapter would have to have the majority of a Famiclone's circuitry in it, so why not just make it a standalone device?

[BrianC]

and wasn't there already some unlincensed adapter to play NES games on the SNES? Wasn't it called something like Tristar or Super 8? Or was that for N64?

[dave4shmups]

and wasn't there already some unlincensed adapter to play NES games on the SNES? Wasn't it called something like Tristar or Super 8? Or was that for N64?

Yeah, it's the Tristar, for N64-but it usually runs about 100$ on Ebay, and for that price you could easily buy all 3 systems.

@it290-Good points, but I'm just surprised that no one's ever come up with this. I mean, heck, you can purchase Genesis-SMS converters on Lik-Sang.com that aren't Power Base Converter's, so obviously some one thought that that was worth the money, even though there was an existing converter out there. Granted, those are for Genesis model 2's, but still.

[it290]

That's because the Genesis already has all the hardware necessary to operate in SMS mode inside. All the converter does is converts the cartridge port and activates a pin that tells the Genesis to switch to SMS mode. Nintendo planned that kind of compatibility for the NES, and the CPU is mostly compatible, but they didn't manage to get the rest working. I suspect part of the difficulty was probably due to all the different mapper types used on the NES.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

Just buy a NES. 100% compatibility and you won't have to take out any converters if you want to play your SNES.

[FRO]

Does anyone else on here think that this Messiah would've done NES fans a lot better by making a converter that would allow people to play their NES games on the SNES? I mean, it's been over 15 years since the SNES came out over here, and we STILL don't have a converter that'll let people play NES games on the SNES!

With all the mixed reviews that the NEX has gotten, I think Messiah should've done this instead. I'm quite surprised that no one else ever has after all these years.

Seconded. I would pay $20-$30 for a SNES adapter that plays NES games - that way I could have S-Video & stereo audio output for NES games - no other solution can provide that (at least none I'm aware of).

[it290]

You can't have stereo audio output since the NES only does mono. I guess you could split the channels into L/R, but that would sound pretty weird since none of the games are designed for it.

[BrianC]

Just buy a NES. 100% compatibility and you won't have to take out any converters if you want to play your SNES.

100% compatibility with most US games (though some unlincensed games may not work on the NES 2, but I haven't confirmed this. All of the Tengen and Codemasters games I tried work on it), but for Japanese games you need an adapter (can be found inside some older NES games). Some Famicom games are double sized and won't fit in the older model NES. The older models also have some kind of region protection, though, oddly enough, the model 2 NES doesn't have any region protection. I also heard that some games like Akumajo Denetsu (Castlevania III) for the Famicom don't play sound properly on the US NES.

[nZero]

I also heard that some games like Akumajo Denetsu (Castlevania III) for the Famicom don't play sound properly on the US NES.

True, games that use external chips for sound don't have a path to output on the NES. A quick system and cartridge converter mod will fix that quite nicely, though.

[dave4shmups]

Just buy a NES. 100% compatibility and you won't have to take out any converters if you want to play your SNES.

100% compatibility with most US games (though some unlincensed games may not work on the NES 2, but I haven't confirmed this. All of the Tengen and Codemasters games I tried work on it), but for Japanese games you need an adapter (can be found inside some older NES games). Some Famicom games are double sized and won't fit in the older model NES. The older models also have some kind of region protection, though, oddly enough, the model 2 NES doesn't have any region protection. I also heard that some games like Akumajo Denetsu (Castlevania III) for the Famicom don't play sound properly on the US NES.

Yeah, getting an adapter from an old NES cartridge isn't too hard; I've seen a webpage that shows you how to do it, and what games usually have one inside (Gyromite is one, for example.).

I might go for a NES that has a new PIN installed; there are plenty of those on Ebay, and AFIK, it's like getting a brand new NES. Although you are supposed to only use clean games on it-that's a bit worrying; what it if the game isn't totally 110% clean?

I'd definately go for the old toaster model; the Top-loader is way too expensive, especially given the fact that it I'd have to get it modded for AV. And I've had a Famicom, with adapter before, but I had to blow in Famicom and NES games and the adapter to get it to work, so I might as well go for the original model.

[FRO]

You can't have stereo audio output since the NES only does mono. I guess you could split the channels into L/R, but that would sound pretty weird since none of the games are designed for it.

True, but if it could replicate the sound to both L & R channels, that would be enough. I've tried using a splitter to duplicate the signal to both red & white ports on a switch-box I use for game systems, & it doesn't work. I only get sound from one speaker on my sound system. I try just using the single cable in the white port (since that's the mono port by default) & that doesn't work either. I still get sound only out of one side. The point is, I'd like something that would at least pump the audio out in a stereo format (i.e. through both channels) so at least the audio would be even. The only way the audio is even for me is to use RF, which then passes responsibility for how the audio is handled to the TV itself.

[BrianC]

And I've had a Famicom, with adapter before, but I had to blow in Famicom and NES games and the adapter to get it to work, so I might as well go for the original model.

Actual Famicom or Famiclone? I didn't think you would have to blow in every game to get the real top loading Famicom to work. Also, I heard that the actual Famicom AV (not the clones) and adapter for playing US NES games on it are worth the price.

[it290]

True, but if it could replicate the sound to both L & R channels, that would be enough. I've tried using a splitter to duplicate the signal to both red & white ports on a switch-box I use for game systems, & it doesn't work. I only get sound from one speaker on my sound system. I try just using the single cable in the white port (since that's the mono port by default) & that doesn't work either. I still get sound only out of one side. The point is, I'd like something that would at least pump the audio out in a stereo format (i.e. through both channels) so at least the audio would be even. The only way the audio is even for me is to use RF, which then passes responsibility for how the audio is handled to the TV itself.

If a splitter doesn't work, then you've definitely got some other problem going on. That should work for any mono source and it definitely works for me (not just with the NES, but anything else I hook up that way).

[undamned]

and wasn't there already some unlincensed adapter to play NES games on the SNES? Wasn't it called something like Tristar or Super 8? Or was that for N64?

It doesn't convert anything, as far as I've read. It supposedly has a famicom-on-a-chip inside, so the Tristar is doing the work, not your N64, and the Tristar has it's own video outputs, so you aren't even sharing the same video cables! Basically the only thing it remedies is that you can use the same controlers. Dumb, IMO.
-ud

[PaCrappa]

What would be the point?

A $20 converter would clearly be waaaay more awesome than a ten dollar NES.

Pa

[BrianC]

Are those Sharp Twin Famicoms any good? They usually go for over 100 bucks, but they sound like they could be worth it for playing both Famicom disc games and Japanese Famicom games.

[dave4shmups]

And I've had a Famicom, with adapter before, but I had to blow in Famicom and NES games and the adapter to get it to work, so I might as well go for the original model.

Actual Famicom or Famiclone? I didn't think you would have to blow in every game to get the real top loading Famicom to work. Also, I heard that the actual Famicom AV (not the clones) and adapter for playing US NES games on it are worth the price.

No, this was an actual top-loading Famicom; the white one with AV outputs. It was in MINT condition, I just had to blow in the converter and the games, so I don't see the point in getting one of those again. Also, I felt like I just about had to rip the NES cartridges off the converter, so I don't know how long the converter would've lasted. Then again, I've read that NES's with new PINs installed are "sticky" as well.

I agree with Pa, but you're going to pay more then $10 for an NES if you want one in good condition-more around $40-$50. Which is still isn't bad, though.

[FRO]

If a splitter doesn't work, then you've definitely got some other problem going on. That should work for any mono source and it definitely works for me (not just with the NES, but anything else I hook up that way).

Well, then it's either the splitter I have, or it's the fact that I'm using a crappy $20 non-powered RCA switchbox I bought from Wal-Mart rather than a powered one (those $100 8-port powered boxes I've seen at Best Buy are awesome). Does anybody know w/ those powered adapters if they'll allow you to mix technologies? In other words, I was planning on purchasing a unit for Component, a unit for S-Video, and a unit for standard composite output. However, do any of the powered adapters allow you to put both S-Video & composite on the same box (inputs) but output S-Video? I know the non-powered boxes are finicky about that & generally don't allow for that, but I wondered if the powered boxes would compensate (or do the conversion before it hits the TV)...

[PaCrappa]

I agree with Pa, but you're going to pay more then $10 for an NES if you want one in good condition-more around $40-$50. Which is still isn't bad, though.

Garage sale NES = $10
New 72 pin connector = $11
Playing your games on the hardware they were made for = Priceless.

Pa

[it290]

Well, I use a couple of non-powered switchboxes, and I have mixed Svideo and composite on them with no real problems. The only issue is that the composite inputs tend not to look quite as good as they would if you just plugged them directly into the TV, but it's not major.

[undamned]

Playing your games on the hardware they were made for = Priceless.

Reprezent.
-ud

[Neon]

I agree with Pa, but you're going to pay more then $10 for an NES if you want one in good condition-more around $40-$50. Which is still isn't bad, though.

Garage sale NES = $10
New 72 pin connector = $11
Playing your games on the hardware they were made for = Priceless.

Pa

Well, one could say the only way to get NES to output RGB properly is emulation (installing a new video chip fucks certain colors). Last time I checked my Fami A/V doesn't do savestates either.

I really need to sell that fucking thing. The Japanese versions of games are hard to find and the converter connector is so tight you have to break the cart to get it off pretty much.

[Neon]

double post, sorry.

[BrianC]

Anyway, what about my Twin Famicom question? From the sounds of it, it might not be worth bothering with that lik-sang Famicom adapter to play NES games on a Japanese Famicom. It might be better just to go and find one of those Nintendo made Famicom adapters to play Famicom games on my NES 2.

Neon, Japanese games aren't THAT hard to find. I have seen a few legit ones on ebay recently like Gradius II and Super Xevious.