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Retro collecting or virtual console?
- Thread starter StarryNightshade
- Start date
dust1n
Zindīq
Depends on what you are playing. PS games would probably be harder. N64 maybe. Anything less, you're not going to run into problems.
illykitty
RF's pet cat
Well, I don't know what you'll decide doing after all of the other poster's suggestions, but I'd advice to maybe not get a WiiU... Unless you REALLY want it. Well, you can play Wii games on it as well but it's own library has been really dry. But yes it does have virtual console, which the Wii has as well (and you can grab that for £25 here, don't know how much elsewhere and I don't know if the library of virtual games is extensive enough).
I mean the Nintendo NX is going to be announced next year, we only have the name for now... So maybe the WiiU will become dirt cheap, but I've been disappointed in the lack of (dedicated) games. If that doesn't bother you, then maybe wait for next year... The NX will come out soon so it's going to drop in price.
I mean the Nintendo NX is going to be announced next year, we only have the name for now... So maybe the WiiU will become dirt cheap, but I've been disappointed in the lack of (dedicated) games. If that doesn't bother you, then maybe wait for next year... The NX will come out soon so it's going to drop in price.
There are a few games for WIIU that I wanted, but if a new system is coming out soon, then I may just wait for the price to drop.
As for what I'm going to do? I'll look around town for SNES's and N64's to find one for a reasonable price and do the same for games. If I can't find them, then I may look into the retroN that was mentioned earlier or even emulators.
Whether you want to go for the Virtual Console or with retro collecting is a matter of minor details that may or may not be important to you, and the console itself.
Personally, if I have the choice, I'd much prefer to play these games not only on the original console, but also on a CRT TV. Games that were designed around 4:3 resolution (if you don't know what that means, it basically just means "a square screen") and the inherent fuzziness of those old screens honestly look significantly better on them, than they do on modern screens where all the pixels are exaggerated. An analogy I love to use, stolen somewhat from internet critic SF Debris, is that playing a game, or watching a movie/show, on the screen it was designed for, is the difference between Kirk and Khan getting into a fight, and Kirk and Khan starting to fight but then cutting to an identical room with Kirk and Khan cosplayers doing the actual fighting. However, that's not going to be a problem for some people, and Virtual Console ports often had some work put into them to make them look good in their own ways. For example, the colors are often much more vibrant, which can give new aesthetic life to these games.
For me, there's also something... intimate (to use a word that's unfortunately kinda creepy in this context, I know) about grabbing the cartridge off the shelf, putting it in the console itself, turning the console on, grabbing the controller, sitting back in whatever you have, and playing the game (which should have fully loaded up by then). If SNES is what you're really going for, you're also in a lot of luck, in that that console and those cartridges are incredibly functional; I've never once had a game crash or not turn on, and I've never heard of the need to blow on those games specifically from other retroers. (I didn't own a SNES as a kid; I was a late Genesis kid during the PSX-N64 era, so I missed the Bit Wars). ...speaking of Genesis...
When it comes to anything Sega, I ... honestly can't stress this enough: GET A REAL BLOODY GENESIS! Any of the three models should do. Every single port of Genesis games that I've played (specifically Sonic games, but it's happened to me with some others, too), whether on a Nintendo console, on Steam, or on tablets, has been nearly unplayable for me just by making the controls ever so slightly stickier than the original. It's easy to see why "younger" gamers wouldn't like these games now if they're only familiar with the newer ports, but they legitimately worked great back then.
Also get a real N64 if you can. I've had similar problems with sticky controls on VC ports of those games, too (most evident in the original Smash Bros). Most N64 games were designed specifically with that console's unique controller in mind, and it really shows when trying to play them with just about anything else. You'll want to get the controllers refurbished if not somehow brand-new, however, because the joystick is kinda fragile, and a lot of older ones don't work so great, anymore.
All of these are technical details, though, and if they're not really things that you care about, then Virtual Console is probably cheaper in the long run. The games are more consistently priced (a physical copy of Earthbound STILL runs close to 200 US dollars, while the WiiU Virtual Console release is 10... and Earthbound is well worth the price of a WiiU IMO), and you only need one console as opposed to many. With the WiiU, you can also use the Tablet Controller, and if you don't have that console, you simply don't understand how amazingly convenient that bit of subtle ingenuity truly is (some games, such as classic JRPGs, are really best played while reclining rather than sitting full up). You are, however, limited to what gets released on the VC; there are 92 NES games for the Wii's Virtual Console and 65 (by my count) on the WiiU VC, while the original console sports *826* games, including unlicensed games, and not including Famicom games that never made it over to the States. The VC releases, however, also support "save states", which allow you to save your progress anywhere, as opposed to arbitrary "save points" the original games might have had, if they had any save function at all. That can SERIOUSLY cut down on frustration for some of these games. Also, the original NES model is notoriously fickle in its functionality, so keep that in mind.
As for emulators on computers, the legality of that is still rather touchy, so while it's not really enforced (I've never heard of anyone getting arrested for confessing on multiple youtube videos that they emulated games illegally, let alone simply getting them), I wouldn't recommend it. It's also probably not the best solution if you're really tech-illiterate, as getting some of these emulators working at all (particularly anything that's not NES, SNES, or Genesis) can be a PAIN. As stated previously, emulators aren't themselves illegal, and are often used by developers and hackers. ROMs are only illegal if you obtain them from any source other than "dumping" (not what it sounds like) them yourself, which requires specialized equipment and a lot of tech know-how. Hacked ROMs, however, are fully legal (to my knowledge), and can be a lot of great fun.
Personally, if I have the choice, I'd much prefer to play these games not only on the original console, but also on a CRT TV. Games that were designed around 4:3 resolution (if you don't know what that means, it basically just means "a square screen") and the inherent fuzziness of those old screens honestly look significantly better on them, than they do on modern screens where all the pixels are exaggerated. An analogy I love to use, stolen somewhat from internet critic SF Debris, is that playing a game, or watching a movie/show, on the screen it was designed for, is the difference between Kirk and Khan getting into a fight, and Kirk and Khan starting to fight but then cutting to an identical room with Kirk and Khan cosplayers doing the actual fighting. However, that's not going to be a problem for some people, and Virtual Console ports often had some work put into them to make them look good in their own ways. For example, the colors are often much more vibrant, which can give new aesthetic life to these games.
For me, there's also something... intimate (to use a word that's unfortunately kinda creepy in this context, I know) about grabbing the cartridge off the shelf, putting it in the console itself, turning the console on, grabbing the controller, sitting back in whatever you have, and playing the game (which should have fully loaded up by then). If SNES is what you're really going for, you're also in a lot of luck, in that that console and those cartridges are incredibly functional; I've never once had a game crash or not turn on, and I've never heard of the need to blow on those games specifically from other retroers. (I didn't own a SNES as a kid; I was a late Genesis kid during the PSX-N64 era, so I missed the Bit Wars). ...speaking of Genesis...
When it comes to anything Sega, I ... honestly can't stress this enough: GET A REAL BLOODY GENESIS! Any of the three models should do. Every single port of Genesis games that I've played (specifically Sonic games, but it's happened to me with some others, too), whether on a Nintendo console, on Steam, or on tablets, has been nearly unplayable for me just by making the controls ever so slightly stickier than the original. It's easy to see why "younger" gamers wouldn't like these games now if they're only familiar with the newer ports, but they legitimately worked great back then.
Also get a real N64 if you can. I've had similar problems with sticky controls on VC ports of those games, too (most evident in the original Smash Bros). Most N64 games were designed specifically with that console's unique controller in mind, and it really shows when trying to play them with just about anything else. You'll want to get the controllers refurbished if not somehow brand-new, however, because the joystick is kinda fragile, and a lot of older ones don't work so great, anymore.
All of these are technical details, though, and if they're not really things that you care about, then Virtual Console is probably cheaper in the long run. The games are more consistently priced (a physical copy of Earthbound STILL runs close to 200 US dollars, while the WiiU Virtual Console release is 10... and Earthbound is well worth the price of a WiiU IMO), and you only need one console as opposed to many. With the WiiU, you can also use the Tablet Controller, and if you don't have that console, you simply don't understand how amazingly convenient that bit of subtle ingenuity truly is (some games, such as classic JRPGs, are really best played while reclining rather than sitting full up). You are, however, limited to what gets released on the VC; there are 92 NES games for the Wii's Virtual Console and 65 (by my count) on the WiiU VC, while the original console sports *826* games, including unlicensed games, and not including Famicom games that never made it over to the States. The VC releases, however, also support "save states", which allow you to save your progress anywhere, as opposed to arbitrary "save points" the original games might have had, if they had any save function at all. That can SERIOUSLY cut down on frustration for some of these games. Also, the original NES model is notoriously fickle in its functionality, so keep that in mind.
As for emulators on computers, the legality of that is still rather touchy, so while it's not really enforced (I've never heard of anyone getting arrested for confessing on multiple youtube videos that they emulated games illegally, let alone simply getting them), I wouldn't recommend it. It's also probably not the best solution if you're really tech-illiterate, as getting some of these emulators working at all (particularly anything that's not NES, SNES, or Genesis) can be a PAIN. As stated previously, emulators aren't themselves illegal, and are often used by developers and hackers. ROMs are only illegal if you obtain them from any source other than "dumping" (not what it sounds like) them yourself, which requires specialized equipment and a lot of tech know-how. Hacked ROMs, however, are fully legal (to my knowledge), and can be a lot of great fun.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber
I have a NES, Genesis, and GBA emulator on my PSP; all of those as well as SNES, N64,and PS1 on my XBox; I also have a NES emulator on my Wii (it will do more, but I don't like it that well since I don't have a classic controller). I see no reason as to why a Mac wouldn't run them. As long as your system is about three times as powerful as what you are emulating (what I have read on emulation forums), you're good to go.
And the Retron systems work great. I have a Retron 3, and though I've read many people having complaints, I've not experienced any of the problem I've read about with mine. And the best part of them is that they have controller slots for the different systems, meaning you can use NES controllers for NES games, Genesis controller for Genesis games, and so on.
You're not the only one who thinks this. I'd much rather play the older games on an older TV, just because with that being what they were made for they do look better. It's like looking at a piece of art that isn't displayed under the correct lighting (especially glass).
It is technically piracy. Personally I think they need to update the laws, because they help keep many of those games alive, and some of them are incredibly hard to find, and you'll likely never be able to play them unless you emulate them. And because Nintendo isn't exactly making money off the sales of physical NES cartridges anymore, I say the laws definitely need updating.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber
We use the same site, lol.
Their are also the Dos emulators DosBox and ScummVM, although ScummVM is more for point-and-click games like Kings Quest or The 7th Guest (if you haven't played that one, make the effort to find and play it). And ScummVM is also available on Android, which works great for many point-and-click games (as long as you don't have to type any inputs in).
dust1n
Zindīq
The chances of me coming out of a Witcher hole anytime soon as slim. Have to avoid the damn console lest I get lost.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber
The 7th Guest might just do it for you, but only to suck you into another hole. It's a game with an extremely interesting story of a toy maker, a grizzly event of happenings, CGI and animations that were ground breaking back in the day, and 20-some logic puzzles, some very easy, and some that will glue you to the monitor in curious fascination and frustration trying to figure them out. Fortunately though, one of the hardest ones, Infection, similar to the game Ataxx, you don't have to beat it to advance, but it's so hard that after spending some time with it you'll be able to breeze through anything else that is similar.
If you have an Android device, the game Mind Games has several puzzles that were taken directly from The 7th Guest and its sequel, The 11th Hour (as was the sound track, which is also very worthy of praise). But Infection (or just the Microscope Puzzle) was toned down significantly on difficulty.
Curious George
Veteran Member
Lol, have fun grinding for pink tails.
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
Yarr!
Yesterday, I went and bought a Retron system. While it's definitely not as good as the real systems, it'll be good enough until I can find an actual NES and SNES. It plays the games just fine, and that's all I'm looking for as of now.
Although, the controllers that came with it are kinda terrible and I'll probably need to invest in actual licensed controllers.
Although, the controllers that came with it are kinda terrible and I'll probably need to invest in actual licensed controllers.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber
You should. The controllers mine came with work for the Genesis, since they are the same size and shape of 6-button Genesis controller, but for NES and SNES you need the real thing.
3rd party controllers are almost always flimsy pieces of plastic with some compatible chips inside. They're rarely as good as the real thing.
The thing is, though, when they are "as good" as the real ones, it's more often the case that they're better.
The thing is, though, when they are "as good" as the real ones, it's more often the case that they're better.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber
It's been YEARS since I have found one of those better 3rd party controllers. A few people have gotten the wrong impression about me that have to have the real thing for a controller, which isn't the case it's just that it's really hard to find a third party controller that's even half as good. I think the best third party controllers I have gotten were from Gameshark, with their wireless PS2 controller being the best controller I've ever had (and still have).
I kinda miss back during the days of the Gamecube/PS2/XBox the odd craze of making all sorts of different controllers, like the controller with the air flow to cool the hands and the really small controllers.
dust1n
Zindīq
What platform again? Just android?
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber
Mind Games is only Android, maybe also for the iStuff. 7th Guest and 11th Hour are PC. ScummVC is at least PC and Android.
dust1n
Zindīq
Couldn't find 11th Hour for some reason. Gonna check out 7th guest though, looks cool.
dust1n
Zindīq
Thanks. Though Riverwolf is more a resident, technical master than myself. I can search stuff up quickly.