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[Kupfer]

I bought an RG35XX_SP last week solely to play retro games. It just feels better to play old games on dedicated hardware, without being online, without messages popping up - just a simple, "stupid" device for old games.

So far, it’s doing a great job. Everything up to and including the PS1 runs great, though it took me a day to get the hang of RetroArch and learn all the menus and settings.

GB, GBC, GBA, NES, SNES, and SFC games, in particular, feel right at home on the device.

For anything more recent, I use my Steam Deck, mainly because joystick controls became standard from the PS2 onwards.

I’ve also tried a few N64 and PSP games on the RG35XX_SP, but binding the D-pad as a joystick isn’t quite the same.

It’s definitely going to be my new travel companion. Even during my lunch break today, I played Tony Hawk for 20 minutes because it's so quick and easy to use.



It's impressive what you can get for €60 these days and how much such a small device can do.

I've even loaded a bunch of TV series on it, and I can’t wait to pull it out and watch something while traveling or when I have to wait - just because I can. It’s silly fun.

I never had these gadgets in my childhood, but I imagine this is how it felt for kids "back then" who had a PS1 with a flip-up screen or a portable DVD player in the car.

 

[Dural]

90+% of my gaming is retro, just not a fan of these inflated narrative driven bore fests we have today. I'll play indie platformers and racing games like FH and the few linear action games that come out but that's about it. I have a Retroid Pocket 2+ and an R36S that I got for $20 and both are great, the Pocket 2+ is more comfortable but I like the screen on the R36S more. I've been playing around with Batocera on a couple cheap mini PCs lately too to see how high the emulation can go.

My next project is turning the kids play room in the basement into a retro gaming room. I have a 36" RCA 4:3 CRT HDTV that can do 240 i/p, 480 i/p, 600p, and 1080i through VGA input so it works great for NES to PS2. I plan on putting that along with a big old couch and some other 90s retro furniture in there. I have NES, SNES, Genesis, PSX, DC, GC and Xbox but will need to get an N64 and PS2. I had a Saturn and Jaguar but can't seem to find them, likely something happened to them when I moved out years ago.

 

[a multicultural team of v]

This seems as good of a thread as any to ask in, does the Famicom have a power light? Finally brought back my old NES RF adapter to try out the system I got this summer, but I'm not getting any signal output. I can't even tell if the console has power though, which makes it difficult to troubleshoot.

Gonna have to at least try out the RF adapter on the NES over Christmas to make sure it's not the problem.

 

[MrA]

This seems as good of a thread as any to ask in, does the Famicom have a power light? Finally brought back my old NES RF adapter to try out the system I got this summer, but I'm not getting any signal output. I can't even tell if the console has power though, which makes it difficult to troubleshoot.

Gonna have to at least try out the RF adapter on the NES over Christmas to make sure it's not the problem.

which channel are you tuning into? and the Famicom has no power leds

 

[Brock2621]

Honestly obsessed with retro games. Their history and just the time of my life combine into a perfect combination of rose colored glasses. I’ve even started to dabble in collecting and just can’t help it.

 

[Deerock71]

I go as far back as SNES. Routinely play Chrono Trigger while loading games on my Steam Deck.

 

[a multicultural team of v]

which channel are you tuning into? and the Famicom has no power leds

I tried every channel in the 90s, though I think it is supposed to be 95 or 96, right?

I actually get FM interference on channel 95 (enough to actually make out music), so I am hoping it's not somehow messing with the output. Highly highly unlikely, but still.

The RF adaptor has been sitting in various boxes for probably 30 years since last use so it's very possible something is wrong with it... That said I have two power adapters (from this Famicom and a Super Famicom) and neither work, so I think it might be the Famicom. I have a modern power adapter that is compatible but haven't tried it yet.

Edit: also thanks for the info. It was kind of weird to Google if a Famicom has a power LED and I kept getting unhelpful results.

 

[MrA]

I tried every channel in the 90s, though I think it is supposed to be 95 or 96, right?

I actually get FM interference on channel 95 (enough to actually make out music), so I am hoping it's not somehow messing with the output. Highly highly unlikely, but still.

The RF adaptor has been sitting in various boxes for probably 30 years since last use so it's very possible something is wrong with it... That said I have two power adapters (from this Famicom and a Super Famicom) and neither work, so I think it might be the Famicom. I have a modern power adapter that is compatible but haven't tried it yet.

Edit: also thanks for the info. It was kind of weird to Google if a Famicom has a power LED and I kept getting unhelpful results.

okay, so you are looking in the right range okay first grab an RCA to coax adapter, they're like 5 bucks, the family signal is weak to begin with so an automatic switch box might not even pass its signal through, coupled with Japanese broadcast signals being a little off from US ones (like channel 1 or 2 isn't quite the same frequency, but with a good signal it still gets through)
an easy test is to connect the rf out to an FM radio and see if you can tune in to the famicoms music the system is okay
don't use an nes ac adapter that will kill the system in a heart beat, a genesis 1 ac adapter will handle it just fine ( or any fitting 9 or 10v 1 amp negative psu will get the job done)

 

[a multicultural team of v]

okay, so you are looking in the right range okay first grab an RCA to coax adapter, they're like 5 bucks, the family signal is weak to begin with so an automatic switch box might not even pass its signal through, coupled with Japanese broadcast signals being a little off from US ones (like channel 1 or 2 isn't quite the same frequency, but with a good signal it still gets through)
an easy test is to connect the rf out to an FM radio and see if you can tune in to the famicoms music the system is okay
don't use an nes ac adapter that will kill the system in a heart beat, a genesis 1 ac adapter will handle it just fine ( or any fitting 9 or 10v 1 amp negative psu will get the job done)

That's super helpful and makes sense - yeah the signal might be weak enough to not even trigger the RF adapter.

Is this the RCA to coax adapter I need?

I'll have to grab one, and if it still doesn't work test again when I'm at my parents for Christmas. Thanks again for the help!

 

[Spiral1407]

Yes. I have a backwards compatible PS3 and use it more than my PC

 

[MrA]

That's super helpful and makes sense - yeah the signal might be weak enough to not even trigger the RF adapter.

Is this the RCA to coax adapter I need?

I'll have to grab one, and if it still doesn't work test again when I'm at my parents for Christmas. Thanks again for the help!

you need female rca to male type f

 

[RoboFu]

I almost got all my retro consoles now. Just got a rgb modded nes. Thinking of getting a neo geo next

 

[a multicultural team of v]

you need female rca to male type f

Yeah that makes more sense, I was thinking plugging it into the system then running coax to the TV but this is much better lol

 

[tmlDan]

I have no interest in older games, there are lots of older people on this forum tho im sure they love reliving the olden days lol

nvm, i can see the poll results show that what i say is true

 

[MrA]

fixed up an atari st, playing final fight and street fighter 2 on it and regretting nothing.

 

[Havoc2049]

Yes, I play retro games and have a large retro computer and console collection, along with tons of games. Overall though, I'm still more of a modern gamer and only spend about 25% of my time playing retro games. I mainly focus on Atari and Sega consoles and Atari computers.

I should get my Atari 7800+, along with a bunch of newly released carts any day now.

 

[Krathoon]

Yes. I got my 7800+ coming in the mail too.

I am going to have an extra Crystal Quest. I may or may not keep it. It may be worth it to keep a sealed copy.

 

[Dorago]

I've been playing video games since 1986.

I revisit games I like every year, and try games I never had before from time to time.

Collections, ports, and remasters are very common on the major video game platforms.

I still have a CRT, as TinyNES, 40 games, and an Everdrive with every other game ever made on it.

Friends still have their entire collections going back to the Atari.

Emulation is cycle accurate for the popular systems, and the ROM collections are still easy to find despite Nintendo's dictatorial legal battles.

It's easier to play Retro than it has ever been.

 

[lame gag1990]

Absolutely. Great games can be enjoyed on every generation of system. It's a beautiful thing. I could play Castlevania, Bare Knuckle 3, Dino Crisis, God Hand, Tenchu Z etc. The library is so vast so I wouldn't want to limit myself to this current, quite lackluster generation.

 

[AJUMP23]

I enjoy them. I can always go back to Punch out and play.

I do like emulation, because you can have save states and take out as much challenge as you want. I would like to play Blaster Master as an invulnerable player.

 

[lame gag1990]

It's like holding onto an ex.

Imagine having this mindset. You can't watch Blade Runner, Aliens, The Godfather. You can't read To Kill a Mocking Bird, The Stand, 1984. You can't play Metal Gear Solid 3, Final Fantasy VII, Super Mario Bros. 3. You can't listen to Metallica, Michael Jackson, Tupac. All because "it's like holding onto an ex". So limited my friend.

 

[DeVeAn]

Hell yeah I am. I got a PVM CRT a couple years ago along with a MiSTer and it’s been incredible. I’ve been slowly collecting all of the older consoles I missed back in the day, too. Recently got a PC Duo and Sega Saturn.

I also bought an Analogue Pocket when it came out, and it’s easily become my favorite portable in recent time.

Retro games are the shit.

Is the Mister worth it? I own few analogue devices and used retroarch on everything I can install on.

 

[Muffdraul]

I turned 55 this year. I've been gaming since 1972. I have fond memories of old games from my younger days, but generally when I try to actually play them in the current year, I get pant-pissing bored within a few minutes. I can't get into new/modern 2D scrolling games either, it's just... ugh. To me, one of the greatest joys about video games is getting to see them evolve, for better or worse.

 

[hououinkyouma00]

I've never been able to get into anything before the SNES/SFC despite trying multiple times.

I do play a lot of 5th and 6th gen games. I've got a 20" CRT that I play on (I got super lucky with a Toshiba that a local guy had cleaned and calibrated so the geometry/colors are great and while it's not a Trinitron or have component it's great) and set up like a rolling cart that we keep in a closet and then pull out when we want it. I cable managed everything plus cables for PS1/2, N64, and GC and a power strip in a cable box at the bottom. I simply switch out the console and put the other cables in a clip so they don't hang and look like shit.

I've thought about getting a retrotink 5x but I just can't bring myself to spend the money on it.

Lately I've been playing through some of my favorite PS2 games Boku No Natsuyasumi 2 and Street Racing Syndicate and it's been awesome.

 

[Krathoon]

I wish the damn PCSX2 emulator would scale right when you change the internal resolution.

You always get seams in the menus.

The Duckstation emulator doesn't have this problem.

 

[Kagoshima_Luke]

Yep, mostly with my kids, who especially love NES games. Beat Contra with my son recently. My daughter loves Adventure Island and my son is obsessed with Mega Man. They tried Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers co-op and I had break it up because they were going to kill each other.

 

[BossLackey]

Yep, mostly with my kids, who especially love NES games. Beat Contra with my son recently. My daughter loves Adventure Island and my son is obsessed with Mega Man. They tried Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers co-op and I had break it up because they were going to kill each other.

Be honest. Did you use the Konami code?

 

[DeVeAn]

I play everything NES and after. Love replaying older games. Comfort food ya know?

 

[Kagoshima_Luke]

Be honest. Did you use the Konami code?

Yep! Messed up the first attempt at the code and immediately hit the reset button. No way I'm starting up Contra without it. lol

To be fair, I did the same as a kid. No shame then and none now.

 

[mafon2]

I am retro games. They are my blood, my flesh, my soul.

 

[BossLackey]

Yep! Messed up the first attempt at the code and immediately hit the reset button. No way I'm starting up Contra without it. lol

To be fair, I did the same as a kid. No shame then and none now.

There is zero shame in it. Beating Contra without it is masochistic.

 

[jzbadblood]

I was playing a lot of PS2 last month. Usually in December I get back into Atari 2600 and Genesis. Something about those consoles feels like Christmas. Right now though I got hooked on Far Cry 3 for no reason after never getting far when it came out.

I'd love to play some new games, but until Mafia and GTA 6 there's nothing for me on the horizon. Stalker 2 was a bust until the AI gets patched. I miss the PS2 era of crime games man.

 

[Dacvak]

Is the Mister worth it? I own few analogue devices and used retroarch on everything I can install on.

Absolutely, especially if you’re playing on CRT. If you’re mainly playing on a modern TV, you can get away with cheaper solutions, so long as you don’t mind a bit of extra input latency and/or inaccurate emulation.

But I absolutely love my MiSTer, and now that there’s a much cheaper option with the new knockoff, I think more people should consider it.