What's the best NES clone?....

[ataridave]

In terms of compatibility and audio and video quality? I don't care if it plays games from other systems, like the SNES or Genesis, or not, or if you can use original NES controllers. I'm just looking for the most reliable unit. I wasn't sure if I should post this in hardware or here, so I apologize if it's in the wrong place.

[Arkhan]

The Retron 3 or the FC Twin are pretty great.

 

I have both, and they've been solid. Side by Side wise, you can't tell the difference with the audio.

 

and they only have issues with certain games. The usual. (Star Fox, CV3)

[Rex Dart]

Why exactly are you looking for a clone, and not an original unit?

[Nateo]

I'm a big fan of the Retron 1. Stone Age Gamer sells 'em cheap!

[ataridave]

Why exactly are you looking for a clone, and not an original unit?

 

Just because I'm sick of messing around with the original Nintendo units. I don't want to shell out for a top-loader NES, and I have no interest in trying to fix that NES that I got from 4jays. Anyhow, thanks for the suggestions folks!

[Reaperman]

I'm a fan of the FC-Mobile II myself. It's got pretty good compatibility and is handheld with a tv-out.

I'm not such a fan of it's IR wireless controllers, however. (2.4ghz or original controller jacks would have been better)

 

It's about time that system was redesigned again, anybody heard any news of an FC-Mobile III?

Edited June 25, 2012 by Reaperman

[Arkhan]

These famiclones are almost as much as a TopLoader. You might want to just get one of those. Especially if you want to play Castlevania 3.

[+Gemintronic]

I have a Hyperkin Retron 3 (NES/SNES/Genesis) and think it's pretty okay. It plays SOME of the games on my NES PowerPak and used to play the ROMs on my EverDrive Genesis flashcart. Now it just doesn't read the EverDrive at all. Normal Genesis games work. Joystick support for NES is hit or miss. Infrared sucks as the range is pretty poor.

 

My favorite NES clone is the PowerPlayer:

http://en.wikipedia....r_Super_Joy_III

 

It takes batteries and has pirated rip-off games built in. On the bottom is a Famicom cartridge slot that can take an adapter to normal NES games. Best of all, it looks like an N64 controller!

Edited June 25, 2012 by theloon

[Arkhan]

Best of all, it looks like an N64 controller!

 

That's the best part?

 

yikes, lol.

[ataridave]

These famiclones are almost as much as a TopLoader. You might want to just get one of those. Especially if you want to play Castlevania 3.

 

Not really, most of the famiclones are around $50.00, whereas the top-loaders go for around $100.00 So you're talking about a $50 price difference between the two. Another issue with the top-loader is the picture quality-I don't mind using RF, but the top-loader has those lines in the picture. So even for RF out, the picture stinks.

[Arkhan]

These famiclones are almost as much as a TopLoader. You might want to just get one of those. Especially if you want to play Castlevania 3.

 

Not really, most of the famiclones are around $50.00, whereas the top-loaders go for around $100.00 So you're talking about a $50 price difference between the two. Another issue with the top-loader is the picture quality-I don't mind using RF, but the top-loader has those lines in the picture. So even for RF out, the picture stinks.

 

Man. When did TopLoaders start costing 100 money? That's kind of nuts.

 

You could always get a frontloader for nothing and a new 72-pin connector and just replace everything on the cheap.

[StoneAgeGamer]

If you are talking strictly NES-only clones that are still being made. They are all basically the exact same and I believe they actually come from the same factory. They all even look very similar. RetroN1 (Hyperkin), FC Game Console (Yobo), and Retro Entertainment System (Innex/Retrobit).

 

We sell RetroN1 for $15.

 

I mean you get what you pay for. You can't expect Nintendo quality from a $15 clone. If you are someone who just wants to play game here or there they are great. If you want a top quality piece that will last 20 years, these probably aren't the products for you. If you want a bit better quality in a clone you will want to either go with one of the 2-in-1s or 3-in-1s. If you do 3-in-1 I highly suggest RetroN3 over FC3 because of controller ports for each system. FC3 uses proprietary controllers.

 

Clones are weird. Some people get them and they work out great and customer is happy. Some get them they break in a month and they take that stance that they hate all clones and they will never buy one again. I am somewhat cynical when it comes to clones. Whenever a new one comes out it appears to do things better than its predecessors, but in almost all cases it improves on some things, but then somehow regresses in other areas. I really think to keep costs down the R&D is very limited on these and this is why this happens. I think with a few tweaks the RetroN3 could be a pretty good clone. First dump the junk IR controllers. If you want wireless, do RF wireless like the FC-16 Go, those work great -OR- just dump wireless altogether, lower cost, and allow at least the SNES controllers to be used for all 3 systems and pack in some good SNES-style controllers. Obviously still keep controller ports for all 3 systems. It would be nice if they moved all 6 ports to front of system as well.

 

I understand that it is hard to make any item like these for a niche market. You need to keep cost down as much as possible and make more profit per unit. So I do understand why the quality isn't up to a high-end electronics quality. However sometimes the designs often seem to lack knowledge of what the consumer wants and sometimes even seem to lack common sense in their designs. The Generation NEX was the closest someone came to a quality clone, too bad the compatibility was bad and the company went belly up so quickly.

Edited June 25, 2012 by StoneAgeGamer

[ataridave]

If you are talking strictly NES-only clones that are still being made. They are all basically the exact same and I believe they actually come from the same factory. They all even look very similar. RetroN1 (Hyperkin), FC Game Console (Yobo), and Retro Entertainment System (Innex/Retrobit).

 

We sell RetroN1 for $15.

 

I mean you get what you pay for. You can't expect Nintendo quality from a $15 clone. If you are someone who just wants to play game here or there they are great. If you want a top quality piece that will last 20 years, these probably aren't the products for you. If you want a bit better quality in a clone you will want to either go with one of the 2-in-1s or 3-in-1s. If you do 3-in-1 I highly suggest RetroN3 over FC3 because of controller ports for each system. FC3 uses proprietary controllers.

 

Clones are weird. Some people get them and they work out great and customer is happy. Some get them they break in a month and they take that stance that they hate all clones and they will never buy one again. I am somewhat cynical when it comes to clones. Whenever a new one comes out it appears to do things better than its predecessors, but in almost all cases it improves on some things, but then somehow regresses in other areas. I really think to keep costs down the R&D is very limited on these and this is why this happens. I think with a few tweaks the RetroN3 could be a pretty good clone. First dump the junk IR controllers. If you want wireless, do RF wireless like the FC-16 Go, those work great -OR- just dump wireless altogether, lower cost, and allow at least the SNES controllers to be used for all 3 systems and pack in some good SNES-style controllers. Obviously still keep controller ports for all 3 systems. It would be nice if they moved all 6 ports to front of system as well.

 

I understand that it is hard to make any item like these for a niche market. You need to keep cost down as much as possible and make more profit per unit. So I do understand why the quality isn't up to a high-end electronics quality. However sometimes the designs often seem to lack knowledge of what the consumer wants and sometimes even seem to lack common sense in their designs. The Generation NEX was the closest someone came to a quality clone, too bad the compatibility was bad and the company went belly up so quickly.

 

OK, thanks for the reply, and all the info! And I know what you mean about clones being weird, because I got a Generation NEX a few years ago at a GameForce store, and hated it.

 

As far as the high price of the NES top-loader, it's been at about 100 for at least the last ten years. I think people charge so much because it works so well-maybe there were not that many made, which would also up the price.

Edited June 25, 2012 by ataridave

[MagitekAngel]

Toploader? I'd rather fix up a frontloader anyway, for the built-in composite and admittedly for the nostalgia.

That being said, the FC Twin is pretty decent. Just remember to BYOC (Bring your own controllers, Famiclone pack-in pads are a universial source of constant fail and suck)

[genesisguy]

Just learn how to fix a toaster. I wanted to retire my childhood NES so I got a few clones. They never sounded right and weren't compatable with the powerpak. So I got a Top Loader. The RF wasn't bad, it was the verticle lines present on the screen. I sold it for like 100 bucks on ebay and bought 3 Toasters. One I replaced the pin connector with a new one. I don't like the death grip on those so I put it on eBay. The second I tried the pin bending technique(google it) and that worked pretty good. The third for some reason was in really good shape. I just cleaned the original connector with rubbing alcohol and most of my games work first try. I've heard there is a technique where you boil the old connector and it gets it working like new and you don't have to bend the pins. I'll probably try that if this connector gets bad.

 

The built in composite on the original toaster is a beautiful thing. I don't know why it's so good. My Genesis model ones aren't even that clean composite not my SNES model 1s. There's something beautiful about the original toaster... till this day.

[HatefulGravey]

Sounds like you just need to emulate the games on a PC. You are going to get picture and sound that are atleast as good as a clone, and you aren't going to spend money. The cost of the top loader is too high, and the trouble of fixing a toaster up right is too much. Sounds like emulation is the way for you to be. If you are going to play an NES game on anything but an NES then you might as well be playing a ROM image in a PC.

[+wood_jl]

My favorite NES clone is the PowerPlayer:

http://en.wikipedia....r_Super_Joy_III

 

It takes batteries and has pirated rip-off games built in. On the bottom is a Famicom cartridge slot that can take an adapter to normal NES games. Best of all, it looks like an N64 controller!

 

I have something that looks like that which I paid $2 for at Goodwill. Never tried it though. I like how the N64 controller-looking part has the fake analog stick, and the 2nd player controller looks like a Genesis!

[Rex Dart]

If you are going to play an NES game on anything but an NES then you might as well be playing a ROM image in a PC.

 

Nesticle (or some other outdated emu), at that.

[godslabrat]

It's been a while since the release of the Retro N3, and that was (I think?) the most recent NES clone. I'm kinda curious to see what's in development. It's a morbid curiosity, to be sure, but a curiosity nonetheless.

[Rex Dart]

An improved Generation NEX type unit would be great. I picked up a non-working one with the hope of fixing it a while back, and the build quality IS pretty great. Just wish I could get some video out of it still. Guess it's not that great.

[HatefulGravey]

I liked the look of the Generation NEX more then any other I have seen, and I have heard tons of good things about the Retron 3. I just can't make myself get one. It feels like cheating on the real stuff. Atleast the Retron 3 lets you use the original controllers.

[Rex Dart]

You know, I might have a Retron 3 by now if they weren't so damned ugly. Has anybody made an alternate housing for the guts, even as a one-time project? I'd rather plug my carts into a shoebox.

[godslabrat]

You know, I might have a Retron 3 by now if they weren't so damned ugly. Has anybody made an alternate housing for the guts, even as a one-time project? I'd rather plug my carts into a shoebox.

 

My big beef with the Retro N3 was that apparently the controller buttons were swapped... but I haven't heard about this recently, so I'm guessing it was fixed with the revision? I'm also not crazy about the controller ports being on the side, but that's more of a "kinda silly, but whatever" complaint.

 

Looks? Eh, not an issue. It's pretty cool-looking.

[StoneAgeGamer]

It's been a while since the release of the Retro N3, and that was (I think?) the most recent NES clone. I'm kinda curious to see what's in development. It's a morbid curiosity, to be sure, but a curiosity nonetheless.

 

Only new clone I know of is RetroN2 that is coming out. NES + SNES, nothing really special about it.

 

I have always wondered what the interest, especially for the original front load NES, to make a new shell that modernized the system a bit. Still keep the NES style (two-tone gray/black) but new shell would allow you to mount front load NES motherboard inside. Eliminate that crap 72-pin connector design and either make it top load or make better front load design. Possible add some extra functionality like GOOD RF wireless controllers (of course it would still have controller ports as well) and maybe have a slot for Famicom games as well. I have seen some people design some cool looking modernized designs of classic systems that keep the classic look.

 

I know there are purists that only want original system as it was designed, but I know there are also a lot of people that like the ideas of a modernized system like a clone. Wonder if there would be people interested in a kit as a mentioned above. Probably would have to have someone do a design and show it to people to see if they were interested in such a thing. Market research ftw.

[Nateo]

You know, I might have a Retron 3 by now if they weren't so damned ugly. Has anybody made an alternate housing for the guts, even as a one-time project? I'd rather plug my carts into a shoebox.

 

I did just that for my NES clone... maybe I should post some pics?