How should I play NES games?
October 12, 2022 11:11 AM Subscribe
After getting into watching speedruns and gaming streams by players like Kosmic, I'm interested in playing some NES games myself, but unsure about how to approach it…
On one end of the spectrum is the fast/cheap option of running an emulator on my computer. On the other is investing in authentic original hardware. I don't think I want to go to either extreme, but there seem to be a lot of options in the middle and I'm curious to hear from others how different approaches have worked.
I grew up with an NES, so I would definitely like an authentic-feeling controller and to play on my TV so it could be a social activity with friends. Also, while I don't think I'm into the competitive angle of speed running, the idea of building mastery in classic games from my childhood as a relaxing pastime sounds interesting to me, so I want an authentic enough experience to exploit all the kinds of glitches used by high-level speed runners. Finally, I've been intrigued by all the SMB1 ROM hacks I've seen Kosmic play and would possibly like to play some myself or even try my hand at programming something original. I think that may require a console which accommodates original cartridges and something like the EverDrive. However, that's not my primary interest, so I think putting that off as a further investment later makes sense.
Initially, I've been considering the NES Classic Edition which sells on Amazon for $165. That seems a tad overpriced, but also like a simple way to get something that would feel authentic and work with a modern TV. I'm not particularly interested in getting a Switch to play NES games because I don't really want to play modern games or do anything online, and particularly don't want another subscription service.
Are there other options worth considering? What have people's experiences with different approaches been?
On one end of the spectrum is the fast/cheap option of running an emulator on my computer. On the other is investing in authentic original hardware. I don't think I want to go to either extreme, but there seem to be a lot of options in the middle and I'm curious to hear from others how different approaches have worked.
I grew up with an NES, so I would definitely like an authentic-feeling controller and to play on my TV so it could be a social activity with friends. Also, while I don't think I'm into the competitive angle of speed running, the idea of building mastery in classic games from my childhood as a relaxing pastime sounds interesting to me, so I want an authentic enough experience to exploit all the kinds of glitches used by high-level speed runners. Finally, I've been intrigued by all the SMB1 ROM hacks I've seen Kosmic play and would possibly like to play some myself or even try my hand at programming something original. I think that may require a console which accommodates original cartridges and something like the EverDrive. However, that's not my primary interest, so I think putting that off as a further investment later makes sense.
Initially, I've been considering the NES Classic Edition which sells on Amazon for $165. That seems a tad overpriced, but also like a simple way to get something that would feel authentic and work with a modern TV. I'm not particularly interested in getting a Switch to play NES games because I don't really want to play modern games or do anything online, and particularly don't want another subscription service.
Are there other options worth considering? What have people's experiences with different approaches been?
I would start with this handy guide if you want to go emulator, otherwise the Switch has a decent list available through a Nintendo Switch Online Subscription.
posted by zenon at 11:27 AM on October 12, 2022
posted by zenon at 11:27 AM on October 12, 2022
Have you looked at all into a RetroPie setup? you have to supply your own game roms (which are pretty easy to find) and you can get USB versions of the original style controllers.
posted by Captain_Science at 11:28 AM on October 12, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Captain_Science at 11:28 AM on October 12, 2022 [2 favorites]
Emulators have come a long way from the days of NESticle, and today they're more flexible, accurate, and reliable than many of the official re-releases sold by game companies. If you want compatibility with most of the system's library and (relative) convenience, consider hooking a Raspberry Pi 4 to your TV and installing RetroPie. USB Knock-offs of NES controllers of varying qualities can be found all over Amazon and eBay, but if you want the real thing you could get a USB adapter.
posted by jy4m at 11:28 AM on October 12, 2022
posted by jy4m at 11:28 AM on October 12, 2022
Best answer: I have a NES Classic. IMO a lot of the included games aren't very good, and have low replay value. So I'd recommend an emulator. The upside is they feel exactly the same as the originals, at least the ones I had then did.
They definitely aren't all bad, but $165 is a steep price to pay for a few good games, lots of ok ones, and lots of actively bad ones.
The actively bad ones IMO:
Final Fantasy - boring. Most fights are so slow.
Star Tropics: terrible controls that seriously detract from what could be a decent game
Ghosts and Goblins -
Too many arcade games- PacMan, Gradius, Galaga, DonkeyKong, ExciteBike, IceClimber.
posted by The_Vegetables at 12:17 PM on October 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
They definitely aren't all bad, but $165 is a steep price to pay for a few good games, lots of ok ones, and lots of actively bad ones.
The actively bad ones IMO:
Final Fantasy - boring. Most fights are so slow.
Star Tropics: terrible controls that seriously detract from what could be a decent game
Ghosts and Goblins -
Too many arcade games- PacMan, Gradius, Galaga, DonkeyKong, ExciteBike, IceClimber.
posted by The_Vegetables at 12:17 PM on October 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
I splurged (not much of a splurge...it was about $45) and got an 8bitdo controller and it is so much better than other options I'd tried. Great feel in the hand and responsive like I'd expect playing on the real S/NES hardware, even when using an emulator on my not-very-high-end android cell phone.
posted by msbrauer at 1:07 PM on October 12, 2022
posted by msbrauer at 1:07 PM on October 12, 2022
I set up a RetroPie a few years back and it is still going strong. Getting one set up is pretty straightforward and you can get kits that will provide everything you need. You can even get cases that look like your favourite old console.
posted by synecdoche at 1:46 PM on October 12, 2022
posted by synecdoche at 1:46 PM on October 12, 2022
Best answer: I'd get a retron HD and real cartridges. BUT I would check out games via emulation before purchasing a cart. Only get a copy of games that you will truly enjoy.
I've found that a more limited selection and using a physical game helps me focus and play the way I did when I was younger, with a limited selection of games. The infinite options available via emulation often lead to me being distracted, trying 10 games in 10 minutes and then doing something else.
This is what I've done with my Gamecube and Gameboy collection- its super small but mostly every game I have I enjoy sitting down with, and if I don't I'll get rid of it. This is only good advice if you also like going to game shops and having old shit laying around your house.
Kind of like a book collection! Only keep books you'll read.
If you don't like the collecting aspect, retron with a flash drive would be the best way to play in the living room.
posted by kittensofthenight at 1:47 PM on October 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
I've found that a more limited selection and using a physical game helps me focus and play the way I did when I was younger, with a limited selection of games. The infinite options available via emulation often lead to me being distracted, trying 10 games in 10 minutes and then doing something else.
This is what I've done with my Gamecube and Gameboy collection- its super small but mostly every game I have I enjoy sitting down with, and if I don't I'll get rid of it. This is only good advice if you also like going to game shops and having old shit laying around your house.
Kind of like a book collection! Only keep books you'll read.
If you don't like the collecting aspect, retron with a flash drive would be the best way to play in the living room.
posted by kittensofthenight at 1:47 PM on October 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you can get a NES classic they are easy to add games to, and the emulation is good. The controllers are also excellent.
You could get a cartridge-based one and also buy a flash cart, that way you're getting a pretty authentic experience with less emulation.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 4:49 PM on October 12, 2022
You could get a cartridge-based one and also buy a flash cart, that way you're getting a pretty authentic experience with less emulation.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 4:49 PM on October 12, 2022
Response by poster: The retron HD looks like a potentially good balance between hardware and emulation. Where do y'all buy NES cartridges?
posted by Cogito at 5:43 PM on October 12, 2022
posted by Cogito at 5:43 PM on October 12, 2022
If you're in the US, retro game shops, probably at a strip mall. Wont have much luck at thrift stores or garage sales any more. Antique Malls will often have 1 or 2 retro game stalls.
But honestly Ebay, although thats not very fun.
posted by kittensofthenight at 5:48 PM on October 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
But honestly Ebay, although thats not very fun.
posted by kittensofthenight at 5:48 PM on October 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you're in Seattle there are a ton of awesome places! Pink Gorilla in ID and U District rules, its local and awesome.
posted by kittensofthenight at 5:50 PM on October 12, 2022
posted by kittensofthenight at 5:50 PM on October 12, 2022
I use an original NES and an EverDrive cartridge, although it looks like those are much pricier now than they were when I bought mine. I have a box of original carts, but they never get used since I got the EverDrive.
posted by fimbulvetr at 7:15 PM on October 12, 2022
posted by fimbulvetr at 7:15 PM on October 12, 2022
One interesting option is the MiSTer FPGA. This is a combination of hardware and software that lets you play games from many classic systems. It's kind of a step above an emulator, as it doesn't really emulate those systems so much as actually re-create them in hardware, at the gate level, using an FPGA.
Advantages are cycle-accurate reproduction of the behavior of the original systems, support for lots of classic computers, consoles and coin-op games, good documentation and an actively developed software ecosystem.
Disadvantages include non-trivial setup, somewhat high cost and possible hassles with availability of hardware.
posted by sourcequench at 9:11 AM on October 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
Advantages are cycle-accurate reproduction of the behavior of the original systems, support for lots of classic computers, consoles and coin-op games, good documentation and an actively developed software ecosystem.
Disadvantages include non-trivial setup, somewhat high cost and possible hassles with availability of hardware.
posted by sourcequench at 9:11 AM on October 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
Do you have, or can you acquire, a Wii or a Wii U? They are dead easy to hack through software-only means so that you can put emulators on them. You can then use either a Wiimote or a corded controller to play the game. The original wii doesn't have native HDMI output (it does have component), but you can get adapters for that.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 10:01 AM on October 13, 2022
posted by ArgentCorvid at 10:01 AM on October 13, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
I would also recommend getting a cheap CRT bc many of the best games had art design that leveraged CRT technology (pixels are round blobs with dark space around them) and will never look right on non-CRT displays. See eg here or Google around a bit for lots more examples and discussion.
posted by SaltySalticid at 11:24 AM on October 12, 2022 [1 favorite]