What is your position on modding your consoles?

[SlowCoder]

Just wondering what you guys think about modding our older consoles? Do you feel your console should remain as original as possible, and not be changed unless it is required to keep it working? Do you like to be able to mod your console for better playing (e.g. upgrade your controller with a new handle to make it more comfortable, or a pause button)? Or do you think it would be neat to have flashy lights, or a new design cut into it to make it truly yours? Maybe you'd like to add legs to it or see if it will do your dishes?

 

Personally, while I'd love for my console to make my bed and brush my teeth, I think I mostly prefer to only mod for functionality upgrades where I feel it will best work for my setups. But I am also in for trying some cosmetic mods that I can reversed easily and return the system to its original state.

[+Random Terrain]

I bought a modded Atari 2600, but the sound chip died soon after and it was the kind that couldn't be popped out and replaced, so I was out over 100 bucks.

 

I'll buy one again if I ever get the money, but I hope the next one will have better S-Video quality and it will live longer than a few months.

 

If I get a new computer, I'd like to be able to hook a modded Atari 2600 to it and capture gameplay footage to put on YouTube.

[oldjd]

Problem I have seen is that unless the mod is done under the cover,most look bad.

If its for your own personal use,then do what you want.But if your going to try and sell it,I think the average person will not understand/appreciate any mods and would be reluctant to buy.Just my opinion

[Algus]

Well I don't feel that consoles should never be modded but I personally have no interest in modding mine. I want them to function as they were intended to. If I had more space and money I might be willing to consider purchasing a second unit and modding that, especially for the 2nd generation machines just so I'd have an easier time playing them on newer televisions.

[toiletunes]

X = Number of consoles

Y = Number of people wanting said consoles

 

As long as X > Y by a wide margin, mod guilt-free.

[BrianC]

I only had a Genesis and SNES mod for imports and the SNES was only two tabs in the cart slot with no mod to internal hardware. I prefer to mod when I have more than one of a system.

Edited June 20, 2011 by BrianC

[zylon]

I modded a l6er that someone used as an ashtray, literally. No one would've wanted it as it was. One day I needed a ch.3 only rf modulator for something else, so I removed the one from the ashtray 6er and av modded it afterwards. I now use it as my travel-system since it can be easily hooked up to most tv's. 2 systems have life where otherwise they would be junk.

[Sonic R]

I don't prefer modification to my own personal consoles - but I don't mind others who choose to do so… I even soldered a region switch and back up chip into my friends Saturn while I went and purchased a Japanese Saturn for my import playing…

 

I have no desire or interest on the modification of my personal consoles, I am happy with their out-the-box performance

 

the only work I'll do is service and repair a console so it may perform as it was intended to

 

in regards to appearance, I prefer the original stock appearance… I am the same way with cars - I like the stock look… I dislike people who buy a car and modify it's appearance - if you cannot like the original look, then why buy something you do not really like…

[Schizophretard]

On the one hand I like modifications but on the other hand I want to preserve systems for future generations. Zero mods would be bad but every system modified would be worse. There needs to be a balance somewhere in the middle. My personal balance is this: The more rare a system is the less likely it is that I'll do permanent modifications and the more common a system is the more likely it is that I'll do permanent modifications but if a modification can be done in a reversible way then that method is preferred. Also, I prefer to have one modified system out of a type. For an example, I collect VCSs so I would have a double of my most common one as my modified system but since I bought the Coleco Sagittarius I'll just use that as my modified system and keep my VCSs stock. Also, I might be willing to do modifications on broken units that someone was going to throw away anyway.

[Schizophretard]

X = Number of consoles

Y = Number of people wanting said consoles

 

As long as X > Y by a wide margin, mod guilt-free.

 

That math is impossible because you would have to know how many people in the future will want the consoles.

[nathanallan]

I'll do mods if they improve something about the system. LEDs sure, AV maybe if it needs it. Paint maybe if the case is scuffed or damaged badly. Nothing at all against modding. Makes the gaming scene more fun.

[+Random Terrain]

That math is impossible because you would have to know how many people in the future will want the consoles.

Just chisel the question into stone and put it in a safe place so it won't be destroyed when global nuclear war happens in 2015, then John Titor will read it in 2036 and come back with the answer.

[BydoEmpire]

Unless it's an extremely rare system or prototype or something, why not mod if you want to? It's not like 2600s are hard to come by. Generally these systems are meant to be used an enjoyed, not stuck in a display case. Modding a classic console can be a fun project. I obviously wouldn't mod something that's extremely rare.

[HatefulGravey]

If the system if older then 16 bit I only mod it if that is the only way to fix the system. 16 Bit era forward I'll only add A/V and things like that.

 

I had a soft modded xBox when that was all the rage and I quickly found that they only good reason to do things like that was theft. I have thought about getting a mod chip for other systems to play back ups, but at the end of the day theft of the games isn't near as much fun as ownership of the real game.

[Reaperman]

I'd rather have modded systems myself, and will generally pay much more for them. Most of the systems that I regularly use are moderately to heavily modded.

[Rex Dart]

I voted for "Mod that sucker, permanent is A-OK". Nearly all of my consoles are modded in some way. Clipped my NES' lockout chip, yanked the tabs from my SNES, region mods on Saturn, Genesis, Gamecube, and modchips in my PS1, PS2, Xbox. Composite video on my 7800. Bought a Lynx for $5 with the power jack missing, cut some traces & re-wired it to take power through the headphone jack. And the only one I regret is the location where I placed the switch on my Genesis, but it's not that bad.

[keilbaca]

I voted for permanently mod, cosmetic mod, all is ok.

 

I only do these mods to those that needs some TLC. I would never mod my CIB 4 switch Atari 2600. That thing is clean, pristine, and complete. However, the Sears Video Arcade II that I got off of a friend not too long ago... with a cracked case, that is going to be fitted with an S-Video mod, and pause mod very soon. I have another that I basically turned into a dirt bath into clean again, but the orange trimming is all gone, and it had a few little pieces of plastic taken off of it. That one currently has an A/V mod on it. I've also done a power led, difficulty switch LED's, battery operated, a/v mod atari. Once again.... it was one that needed TLC. I also have one in my computer... Atari 2600 4 switcher that had all the switches on the front smashed in, solder joints broken, etc.

 

I've overclocked an NES, and done other various mods, everything from soldering controllers to arcade buttons, to... well I forget everything I actually did. The list is large... and all hand me downs.

Edited June 20, 2011 by keilbaca

[SlowCoder]

I've overclocked an NES

 

Hmmm. What benefit was this? I'm only asking because I've never heard of any use of a NES other than to play NES games, which likely wouldn't benefit from overclocking unless you wanted to play SMB super speed.

Edited June 20, 2011 by SlowCoder

[Hatta]

Many NES games suffer from slowdown. Consider SMB3 when you're on an airship and there are tons of bullets flying every which way. The overclock will make that play smooth. Unfortunately, the audio on the NES is controlled by the CPU, so there's no way to do the overclock without increasing the audio pitch too.

[keilbaca]

I've overclocked an NES

 

Hmmm. What benefit was this? I'm only asking because I've never heard of any use of a NES other than to play NES games, which likely wouldn't benefit from overclocking unless you wanted to play SMB super speed.

 

Have you ever played Kirby? Ever throw fire and the entire playfield slows down to 5 frames a second? It doesn't make SMB go super speed, it makes the processor strong enough that it allows it to process more information. It'll allow Kirby to run at 15-20 fps, not 5.

 

And yes it does affect the audio... nothing can stop that... but I prefer playable games rather than correct sound. I also have a switch installed, so that I can kick it back to normal when its a game that the nes can play it, at good speeds.

 

EDIT:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqVp2M8NYSM

 

Edited June 20, 2011 by keilbaca

[+wood_jl]

Just opinion, but 2 things are silly to me:

 

1) Over-valuing common items, be they game consoles or teacups. So if I have my Atari (etc.) completely original, I can hold it up and show someone and tell them it's original.....if I can find someone who will give a shit either way. I like stuff in mint condition that LOOKS original, and I hate sloppy mods. But thinking I'm sitting on a gold mine with my mass-produced item - and maintaining its fictional "value" by not modding it....HA HA HA HA.

 

2) Gussied-up cosmetic mods that do nothing but make things look tacky and add zero to functionality. What for? I want stuff to look (as close as possible if modded) to the original, but I don't understand wasting the time if there's no additional utility from the device.

 

 

My vote is for: "NEATLY-DONE MODS THAT ENHANCE FUNCTION/QUALITY WHILE MAINTAINING ORIGINAL APPEARANCE AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE."

Edited June 20, 2011 by wood_jl

[TheGameCollector]

I don't see an option in the poll, but personally I like to keep an original and if I have an extra I will have that modded. For example a modded Xbox and a plain Xbox, a modded PSP and a plain PSP. I don't want to AV mod my NES toploader. I'll just buy an AV Famicom and converter cart for US games so I can play both.

Edited June 20, 2011 by TheGameCollector

[SlowCoder]

I've overclocked an NES

 

Hmmm. What benefit was this? I'm only asking because I've never heard of any use of a NES other than to play NES games, which likely wouldn't benefit from overclocking unless you wanted to play SMB super speed.

 

Have you ever played Kirby? Ever throw fire and the entire playfield slows down to 5 frames a second? It doesn't make SMB go super speed, it makes the processor strong enough that it allows it to process more information. It'll allow Kirby to run at 15-20 fps, not 5.

 

And yes it does affect the audio... nothing can stop that... but I prefer playable games rather than correct sound. I also have a switch installed, so that I can kick it back to normal when its a game that the nes can play it, at good speeds.

Well explained.

[Seob]

I will only mod a system if i have a spare one that stays original. Parts that i remove will be stored for repairs on the unmodded console.

I recently modded a videopac g7000, with a powerswitch (it doesn't have one), detachable atari compatible joystick ports and a av mod. I will add a mains socket on it as well, so i can pick it out easily and connect it fast without having to untangle a gazillion meters of cable. I also have 4 or 5 unmodded g7000 so i have originals as well.

Edited June 20, 2011 by Seob

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

I have done a few mods on some of my stuff. My personal feeling is: whatever you want to do, go for it. It is your system, enjoy it. This being said, the mods that I have done, I have done in a way to leave them units appearing stock as much as possible. I have changed the power LED on my sports model Dreamcast from orange to blue, added a mod chip to one of my Saturns, and done a US/JPN region mod to the card portion of my X'Eye. That one I accomplished my using a very small switch and placing in the disc tray area so that it is not seen. I am in the concept stage for a totally hidden automatic US/JPN region switch for the Genesis, but who knows if that ever makes it anywhere.

 

JY

Edited June 21, 2011 by Jimmy Yakapucci