Poll

At PAX, which console should Jrlibrarian purchase?

NES
SNES
N64
Genesis

Author Topic: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?  (Read 14765 times)

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Offline jrlibrarian

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Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« on: July 18, 2010, 02:07:03 PM »
PAX Prime is quickly approaching, and as always, there is certain to be a booth selling hundreds of retro games and consoles, all refurbished and working once again. I realize that in the long run, Virtual Console would be cheaper, but I do not have a Wii and will probably never get one unless I buy it from one of my friends for much less than retail price.
 
Now on to the actual question.
 
I would like to own an older console with a few games to play on it, but I can't make up my mind. If the forums could help me decide, that would be great.
I also already own a copy of The Lion King on SNES, but don't have the ability to play it yet.
 
 
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Offline BeautifulShy

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2010, 03:36:09 PM »
Well a certain Mario enthusiast will say N64 but I'm going to ask you this.

Have you had any non Nintendo systems growing up? If not than I would go with Genesis. If you have than I would ask what types of games do you want to play?
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Offline MegaByte

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2010, 03:38:00 PM »
Sounds like you need a RetroN.
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Offline jrlibrarian

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2010, 03:56:37 PM »
Sounds like you need a RetroN.
That might be a great option for now, since it would be much cheaper. However, it won't play certain games, like Super Mario RPG, and the button mapping seems strange. But for $50, I will be able to get past those roadblocks very easily.
 
Well a certain Mario enthusiast will say N64 but I'm going to ask you this.

Have you had any non Nintendo systems growing up? If not than I would go with Genesis. If you have than I would ask what types of games do you want to play?

My first console was a 360, with a Gamecube following that about 4 months ago. I rounded out my handheld consoles with a GBC and a GBA. I have a DS lite, since my phat died about three months after I got it. It was signed by the Brain Age guy, so I couldn't really replace it that easily. (I'm still in high school, and my family didn't have the biggest budget for video games.) I really want to play as many old-school games as possible, because I feel as if I missed out on a great era of gaming.
 
 
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Offline MegaByte

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2010, 04:01:44 PM »
Sounds like you need a RetroN.
That might be a great option for now, since it would be much cheaper. However, it won't play certain games, like Super Mario RPG, and the button mapping seems strange. But for $50, I will be able to get past those roadblocks very easily.
The incompatibilities suck, but the nice thing about the RetroN is that you can use original controllers instead of the ones that come with it.
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Offline jrlibrarian

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2010, 04:03:59 PM »
Sounds like you need a RetroN.
That might be a great option for now, since it would be much cheaper. However, it won't play certain games, like Super Mario RPG, and the button mapping seems strange. But for $50, I will be able to get past those roadblocks very easily.
The incompatibilities suck, but the nice thing about the RetroN is that you can use original controllers instead of the ones that come with it.

I'm thinking Power Glove. That would be awesome.
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Offline BeautifulShy

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2010, 04:07:27 PM »
Hmm I would go with a SNES or NES. Both have a good deal of classic games while I think NES has more action type games while the SNES has more RPG titles. I think NES games are cheaper so that might be a plus for you.
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Offline ThePerm

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2010, 04:58:31 PM »
toughh choice, i would say n64 because it is my favorite system so far, but i never had an snes. Also, there is a certain datedness to n64, that may be hard for those uninitiated to get over.
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Offline Invincible Donkey Kong

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2010, 10:15:19 PM »
PAX Prime is quickly approaching, and as always, there is certain to be a booth selling hundreds of retro games and consoles, all refurbished and working once again. I realize that in the long run, Virtual Console would be cheaper, but I do not have a Wii and will probably never get one unless I buy it from one of my friends for much less than retail price.

You're going to be at PAX Prime, you say?  I'll be there waiting for you.  :reggie:
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Offline Guitar Smasher

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #9 on: July 18, 2010, 10:41:54 PM »
This shouldn't be a tough choice if you determine what games you'd like to play.

If you're just going to buy games blindly, then I suppose an SNES might suit you best.  I understand some people feel that NES and N64 games don't play well anymore.

And if you have never played The Lion King, let me confirm that it is, in fact, a fun game.

Offline jrlibrarian

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #10 on: July 18, 2010, 10:57:22 PM »
I think that I will probably go with the RetroN, since it plays games from all three systems. Hopefully the people at PAX will have a version, but if not, then I will get a copy from amazon.


Thanks everyone for the input.
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Offline TJ Spyke

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #11 on: July 19, 2010, 12:28:09 AM »
I am not sure RetroN is even technically legal. Playing NES games is fine since the related patents have expired, but the patents on SNES have not (not sure about Genesis). The RetroN doesn't let you play N64 games.

Sticking to what I know is legal, I would suggest a SNES since it has a great selection of games.
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Offline Morari

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #12 on: July 19, 2010, 02:03:20 AM »
I don't see the Dreamcast on that list.

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Offline NWR_insanolord

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #13 on: July 19, 2010, 02:53:15 AM »
I don't see the Dreamcast on that list.

Best. Console. Ever.

I never thought I'd say this about something Morari posted, but I second this.
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Offline DAaaMan64

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #14 on: July 19, 2010, 03:52:11 AM »
Good? Yes. Best? Nost.

Don't know why you'd think that.
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Offline BranDonk Kong

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #15 on: July 19, 2010, 09:21:10 AM »
I agree...Dreamcast was awesome, but not nearly as awesome as a lot of people say it is...

...anyway, go with SNES. It has probably the best game library of all time.
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Offline Sarail

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #16 on: July 19, 2010, 09:55:15 AM »
Pick up a PAL SNES... only so you can play Terranigma. :)

You'll thank me later.
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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #17 on: July 19, 2010, 03:11:00 PM »
Dreamcast isn't an option, but I recommend a DC. The games are dirt cheap when found, and often great. Just be sure you get a system with a new battery, unlike what I did. I have to enter the date and time every time I turn the damn thing on.
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Offline Louieturkey

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #18 on: July 19, 2010, 03:58:08 PM »
Dreamcast isn't an option, but I recommend a DC. The games are dirt cheap when found, and often great. Just be sure you get a system with a new battery, unlike what I did. I have to enter the date and time every time I turn the damn thing on.
Can't you just put a new battery into it like with the Saturn?

Offline Halbred

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #19 on: July 19, 2010, 04:05:44 PM »
Probably. No idea how.
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Offline Mop it up

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #20 on: July 19, 2010, 06:58:09 PM »
It's a tough choice between SNES and N64, both have a lot of good games that still hold up. It depends on what types of games you like.

The Super NES has a wide variety of great games in almost every genre imaginable. You've of course got your staples like the Mario games, Donkey Kong Country, and Zelda: Link to the Past, as well as other Nintendo greats like Super Metroid, Kirby Superstar, and more. There are some good puzzle to be had, too. There's a Tetris and Dr. Mario combo cart that gives you the two historic games in one, and there are games like Tetris Attack and Wario's Woods that are even more involving by having you line up specific colours (I'm a fan of SNES puzzlers, can you tell?). There's lots of RPGs of course, too many to even start naming.

Be forewarned however, that, of the four choices you mentioned, the SNES would be the most expensive one to build a collection. A lot of its best games (especially its RPGs) didn't sell very well, and are now highly sought-after, resulting in some relative expensive prices.

In contrast, the Nintendo 64 is a relative inexpensive system on which to build a collection. Though it lacks in a few genres, most notably RPGs and fighters. Well, there are quite a lot of fighters, but I haven't heard good things about any of them. I can't say I've played them myself (yet...), so I can't vouch if that's true, because I don't like fighters myself. Except Super Smash Brothers of course, which is a great game that still holds up. There are a handful of RPGs and none of them are anything special. Paper Mario is the only one worthwhile, though some enjoy Ogre Battle 64. It ain't cheap.

But the genres it does have, it does well. Platformers would probably be number one. And don't just stick will the well-known ones like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie either! Overlooked gems like Rocket: Robot on Wheels, Glover, and Conker's Bad Fur Day are not to be missed. And there are some like Starshot: Space Circus Fever which can be enjoyable if you overlook theirs flaws. Beyond that, the system has quite a few fun shooters. There's the obvious Perfect Dark and Goldeneye. But when I want some straight-up shooty shooty, I go for Doom 64, Quake II, or even something like BattleTanx. There aren't many puzzlers for the system, but there are still some worthwhile ones. Tetrisphere remains the single greatest puzzle game ever created, not just 3D, but period. Charlie Blast's Territory is a "block-moving" sort of game where you have to push every bomb together to be denoted all at once, there's some clever puzzles in that little game with the stupid name.

Anyways... yeah. I could go on and on about the N64, but I won't. Though if you ever want a more in-depth opinion on an SNES or N64 game, feel free to ask me.

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #21 on: July 19, 2010, 10:07:29 PM »
I seem to recall liking Fighter's Destiny on the N64.  Don't know how well it holds up now, though.

Oh, and Killer Instinct Gold. God that game was awesome.
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Offline jrlibrarian

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #22 on: July 20, 2010, 12:20:14 AM »
I realize that I still have over a month to decide, and I appreciate any continued input on my question.


I own a Gamecube and an Xbox, so I already have Banjo 1&2, and the Zelda disk with both N64 games. Also, the 3DS will have ports of 64 games, and right now I don't know if I want to spend my money twice on basically the same product, if played on different systems. Hopefully there will be ports of OgreBattle in the future.


I absolutely love 2D games, so I think the RetroN will be a great choice for me at the moment. I have been playing a lot of SOTN and Geometry Wars on my 360 because of their simplicity, but also because of their extreme difficulty. I feel that this element was lost somewhat during the switch to 3D games. I realize that there are certain games that I will not be able to play, but since there are a thousand others, I don't think that will be a problem. Also the fact that I will be able to play games from three consoles that I never got the chance to experience is a huge plus for me. I am a huge fan of AVGN, so since I will be able to play games that wouldn't go on VC because they are so bad is "good". My friends and I are possibly planning a podcast thing where we play old games. It might be a cross between AVGN and Broken Pixels, with good games thrown in too.


Now that I've gotten that out of the way, what are your favorite games for each of the three systems? Other than the obvious, (Zelda, Mario) what should I look out for?
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Offline BeautifulShy

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #23 on: July 20, 2010, 08:51:45 AM »
Hmm favorite games on the systems.

NES:

All the Ninja Gaiden games. All three are on the VC though.There is also a collection of the 3 on the SNES.

Megaman series:Megaman 3,2,4,1 are my favorites in that order.I think the first 4 are on the VC also there is a GC collection disk.

Hmm I seem to recall a game called Super Ninja Boy.It was for the NES. It was a side scrolling platformer but if I remember correctly the stages flipped so that you were on the ceiling on some stages. It was a pretty long game and challenging game.You had different ninja weapons as well.

Donkey Kong Jr. Excellent game. I could play this game for hours on end trying to get futher in the game. On VC though.

Crystalis is an action RPG that was on the NES.There was a port on the GBC though.I think there was an additional boss that NST added in the GBC version.NES version was harder though.

Pro Wrestling on the NES.I believe that this hasn't been on any other systems. It is a wrestling game. It doesn't have any wrestlers you might know.Instead there are I want to say 8 different wrestlers.I believe it supports multiplayer for 2 players.

The 3 Caslevania games are on there as well. All three are on the VC. Number 3 is the best of the lot.

The Contra series is on there. Contra and Super C are on the NES while Contra 3 is on the SNES. I think only Contra 3 is on the VC.

Double Dragon 2 and Double Dragon 3 as well. Both have co-op while the first does not.

On to SNES!

Joe and Mac is a side scrolling platformer where you are cavemen going through levels and beating up Dinos in an effort to save your girlfriends.I think the first has co-op and the second has co-op for sure.
NBA Jam TE.I remember playing this for months with friends. There is lots of replayability to it.
If you come across NBA Jam and TE get TE because it has better options than the first. Single player mode has lots of replayability.

Killer Instinct. Excellent fighting game. I use to play with Riptor,TJ Combo and B.Orchid.Also a secret character as well. Also found a stage select code that had a secret stage to it not anywhere in the game.

Spiderman and Venom:Maximum Carnage Side scrolling beat em up.You could get help from different superheroes. There was lots of different and wild bosses.

Spider-Man and Xmen:Arcades Revenge. I think this was on the SNES and NES.Might be wrong about NES. Each stage was different. Spidey had a level,Wolverine had one,Storm,Gambit had a level. Oh also Cyclops had a level. Each more different than the last.

TMNT:Tournament Fighters this was on the NES and SNES.NES I think had its own character.Hot Head. NES had the 4 turtles,Casey Jones,Hot Head, and Shredder.SNES had lots more.Some from the TMNT comic books of the time. I think there was close to 20 characters.

Of course the RPGs.
Super Mario RPG,ChronoTrigger,Earthbound,Secret of Mana,Illusion of Gaia.Oh Final Fantasy III( aka FF6 in Japan)Out of those Secret of Mana and Mario RPG are the only one on the VC.There is ChronoTrigger DS on the DS.

N64.

The N64 for me was the wrestling system.It had WCW Revenge, Wrestlemana 2000, No Mercy.There was a bug in No Mercy which deleted your created character.I think early copies had them.Mine did.

NBA Hangtime much like NBA Jam is pretty much the same thing.

Mortal Kombat Trilogy is a good buy.There is basically the same thing on the Wii in Mortal Kombat Armageddon but Armageddon has all the characters in all the games. MK Trilogy you might have more replayabilty with.

Smash bros.Nuff said.

Goldeneye and Perfect Dark.

Vigilante 8.It is basically a car combat game much like Twisted Metal. There was a second game and it boasted upgrading your vehicle but I didn't play it.Go with the first.

Thats all I can think of at the moment.
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Offline Crimm

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Re: Which Retro Console Should I Buy?
« Reply #24 on: July 20, 2010, 10:11:42 AM »
BUY A PIPPIN! DO IT! YOU'LL TOTALLY NOT REGRET IT EVER.
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