Should I get a Famicom?

[atheistgod1999]

First off, I'd like to say that I don't remember retro games from back when they were new; I was born in 1999, as my username says, so the first consoles that I remember as being current were the PS2/Xbox/Gamecube. Nostalgia isn't a factor; I just want to play awesome retro games.

Recently, I purchased an NES as well as Metroid and Super Mario Bros. I beat Mario, and now I'm working to beat Metroid. Anyway, I'm wondering if I should grab a Famicom instead. I hear the English version of Zelda was poorly translated and is nearly impossible to beat without a guide. I also FUCKING HATE censorship, and I like JRPGs. I also would like the extra sound channels in Castlevania 3 (when I get it).

Thing is, I don't know much Japanese, but I'm learning it so I can play Japanese games and watch anime without subtitles or it being dubbed. I also live in the US (Boston, to be more precise).

If I should get it, what version should I get? I know broadcast monitors don't support RF, but we have a small consumer-grade CRT with RF in the trunk of one of our cars. I'd still prefer composite, because the BVM-20F1U has a comb filter that makes a HUGE difference. I'd also like one with removable controllers, so I can replace them if needed. I'd also be using the Disk System.

[Fudoh]

If I should get it, what version should I get? I know broadcast monitors don't support RF, but we have a small consumer-grade CRT with RF in the trunk of one of our cars. I'd still prefer composite, because the BVM-20F1U has a comb filter that makes a HUGE difference. I'd also like one with removable controllers, so I can replace them if needed.

AV Famicom.

[Ghegs]

AV Famicom is the choice to go with, indeed.

You don't really need to know Japanese to get into Famicom (unless you want to get those RPGs and adventure games). I have almost 200 FC games and don't speak the language at all, action-platformers, shmups and puzzle games are of the universal language of kickass.

I'd recommend staying away from the Disk System, though. The system itself is prone to belt failure (though it can be replaced, but might require periodical readjustment) and the disks themselves are as vulnerable as any other magnetic storage medium. Even worse, you might buy a Zelda disk from eBay only to discover it has been overwritten with mahjong or a knitting program. Somebody once said you shouldn't get into FDS without being able to re-write the disks yourself.

Personally, I decided to stay away from the peripheral altogether. I don't think it has that many interesting games, and most of the good ones were re-released on carts later on, either for the Famicom or the NES. For example, Castlevania, Zelda and Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa all have both FDS and FC releases. Section Z, Metroid, Zelda 2, Kid Icarus etc. were released on cart for NES. And those are easily playable on a Famicom with an adapter.

[BrianC]

I also recommend the AV Famicom. It's good stuff and can even use standard NES controllers. The one thing with Zelda 1 is that the JP version's easier method for Pol's Voice requires the microphone on the older model Famicom. They can't be beaten with arrows like the US version. Zelda 1 has a few mistranslated or changed texts, but the much of the important clues are still there. Here is a page that compares the text from the US and JP versions.

Edit: It looks like in one place in the second quest, the US version actually has a better hint.

[cicada88]

Modded Original Red/White/Gold Famicom with Famicom Disk System would be my choice.

Such an iconic design.

The FDS is such an awesome peripheral.

Lengthen the cables on the built in controllers and ad composite out. Getting it RGB modded for use with your broadcast monitor is also a good (but more expensive) option.

AV Famicom is of course the practical choice--these guys aren't wrong.

[BryanM]

I'd say no but everyone's their own animal.

I don't think it has that many interesting games, and most of the good ones were re-released on carts later on, either for the Famicom or the NES.

Them DPCM samples tho. Made the intro theme to Icarus not so ear-bleedy.

[Ghegs]

I don't think it has that many interesting games, and most of the good ones were re-released on carts later on, either for the Famicom or the NES.

Them DPCM samples tho. Made the intro theme to Icarus not so ear-bleedy.

Sure, sure. But I'd rather have a version that's 100% reliable to work rather than futz around with the disks. Also, no need to deal with the load times. Part of why I love the FC is that I can flick the system on and be playing a game as fast as I can press the Start button.

[o.pwuaioc]

I recommend selling the NES and buying an AV Famicom + an adapter for US games. I went the difficult route, got a TopLoader, had it modded for AV, and then found a Gyromite cart with the pin adapter, but then I had to shave it down, and it looks ridiculous when I play FC games. I don't have 200 like Ghegs (I don't think there are 200 good Famicom exclusives) but about 23 and a dozen or so more I want that make doing it the way I recommended and not the way I did it totally worth it.

[Ex_Mosquito]

I'd say go for it. I picked up a Twin Famicom last year but I ended up selling it a few months later to fund a DIY project and I regretted it. I picked up another one a couple of weeks ago, an AV modded original Famicom. The AV conversion is pretty much the same quality as my old Twin as far as I can tell , and now that I have a 14" dedicated CRT set-up (Euro Sony RGB TV ftw) in the living room I may go the RGB root eventually. The originally Fammy has a certain charm to it I think. If you're into shooters then I wouldn't recommend the Fammy personally, it has a couple of decent ones but it's not its strong point imo. I was going to go the FDS route but I thought against it, like Ghegs said there is nothing really unique on the format that really sticks out that you can't get on a cart in whatever region, it does look cool though.

[evil_ash_xero]

One thing I would recommend, would to be get some kind of EverDrive. Probably this one: http://www.stoneagegamer.com/everdrive- ... on-fc.html (it's about 40 some dollars less for the non-deluxe)

That way, you can play almost 100 percent of games, for this system, without paying psycho prices on Ebay.

Also, some games that have a lot of Japanese, you can find translated to English. Pretty essential, in my opinion.

Now, that's if you get the AV Famicom. If you get a Top Loader or something, you'll need the US version. Also, I would look into getting the video quality modded.

But is it worth getting? YEAH!

[BrianC]

I still use the toaster for US games. It can be finicky at times, but it still works well and has composite. I plan to get an adapter to play US games on the JP system, but the games look and play fine on the US system.

Slightly OT, but I noticed Stone Age Gamer will be at the TooManyGames convention at Oaks PA near the end of the month. It may be possible to get the Everdrive there if you are in the area. I hope they put one on display to play.

[atheistgod1999]

Thanks for all your replies! I think I'll stick to the NES, but I might pick up a composite-modded original Famicom later on.

[xelement5x]

I will just chime in and say the Twin Fami is a really nice unit despite being larger than the original Fami or the AV version. I don't even have any FDS games, but it looks nice, plays well, and has nice composite jacks right off the system itself with no modding required.

[blackoak]

Thing is, I don't know much Japanese, but I'm learning it so I can play Japanese games and watch anime without subtitles or it being dubbed. I also live in the US (Boston, to be more precise).

You should get a Famicom for all the reasons mentioned above... simply the best 8-bit system for platformers. But as someone who started studying Japanese by (and for) video games, I wouldn't recommend it for that goal. Very few games will have kanji, and reading long sentences in pure hiragana/katakana is actually more cumbersome--not to mention confusing, since as a beginner you won't know which homonym is meant much of the time.

For learning Japanese I would stick with the SNES or PC Engine library since they have full kanji capability.