Kinda ...
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143042
http://www.playmessiah.com/onlinestore/index.htm
(http://www.playmessiah.com/images/onlinestore/ps-GNEX.jpg)
(http://www.playmessiah.com/images/onlinestore/NEXproduct4shots.gif)
$59.99 for an NES clone that plays NES and Famicom carts and includes a wireless controller. Adds new features (e.g. 16 colors per tile/sprite instead of 4, stereo sound, rumble) that new software can take advantage of. Ships in September.
Sexy.
Edit: I lied; it doesn't include a wireless controller. It has built-in wireless support though, so I assume you can order wireless controllers from them without some bulky adapter plugging in to your controller ports.
Nightwulf
Looks like you will be able to use the original controller with it, correct?
Well screw getting a backup NES on Ebay, I'll just wait and get one of these. It would be nice if they could get some Tengen rights to make updated version of RBI.
thats sweet. in the past couple years used nintendos have gone through the roof at our used game shop. i keep wanting to pick one up but i was sure the thing would just go to shit if it hadn't already.
are they planning on rereleasing any of the titles?
It really is a great idea, simply for the design and wireless. The rumble, stereo and increased colors don't seem that important to me since old games won't take advantage. Are people really going to write new games for it?
The ability to play ROMs off a CF or SD memory card would have been huge, but I might consider getting one. Shit, you gotta pay almost $50 for a NES on Ebay now if you buy one with two controllers and a new 72-pin connector...
Back in February, I got my NES rehabbed for $30, otherwise I might consider getting this new one.
Quote from: Gantry on 08/23/05, 01:18:22 PM
Are people really going to write new games for it?
From the article, it sounds like they are considering it, he mentions trying getting rights to make an updated Contra.
Even if they do, are you going to shell out cash to buy a new contra cart? Obviously I can see RBI, but if we really wanted to we could do it now. And by me, I mean nightwulf doing 95% of the work and spending 20hrs a week on it...
I personally just don't see new carts catching on. I still like the products, but again a memory slot for ROMs would have been 100 times more valuable than a rumble pack or stereo sound...
There's no way they'll be releasing "legitimate" old NES titles. The licensing costs alone would be ridiculous. There's a huge NES homebrew scene though. People are still writing NES software today, eleven years after the console went out of production (in America anyway). I'm sure you won't see any major game developers releasing new NES software, but you'd be surprised how many homebrew projects might turn up.
The upgrades are definitely interesting. I'm dying to see the technical docs. Maybe we can give RBI an overhaul.
The ability to read software from anything but a cartridge would send Nintendo screaming down their throats, and I imagine they're halfway there already. As much as I love them, Nintendo will beat the shit out of anyone who gets remotely close to encouraging piracy. They're not always right, but it doesn't matter when it's Joe Shmoe vs. Nintendo's legal budget. Especially with their new console playing old titles, I bet they're itching to jump on piracy groups again since they have a legitimate claim that their 8-bit software is making money again.
Nightwulf
Quote from: ultimate7 on 08/23/05, 01:21:22 PM
From the article, it sounds like they are considering it, he mentions trying getting rights to make an updated Contra.
Yeah, he can mention that all he wants, but I'll probably be a ballerina dancer before Konami licenses Contra out at a price these people can afford, particularly since Nintendo will be needing the same thing to provide it for Revolution. At least that's my best assumption; details are still sketchy on Revolution's older titles.
Nightwulf
I didn't know this homebrew scene was that popular, got any links? Do they release titles in cart form or ROM form?
You are right about Nintendo's legal department, I'm sure they is why they didn't include a memory slot or ethernet...
Regarding RBI, I just don't see the new features being terribly useful to extend the cart. The biggest obstacle to me are adding more teams, which I don't think the new console will help with. That is more trudging through old code and finding a spot to inster new instructions and teams. And even if you do take the time to add new music (which is sorely needed) and the like, so few people on here would be able to play it...
Obviously I still think any sort of upgrade to RBI would be cool, hope I'm not sounding like a party pooper here. What do you think you can do with the beefed up colors per sprite?
the only upgrade in rbi im all in favor of seeing is morgana the kissing bandit making and apperance.
The "biggest" homebrew title I've heard of recently is NeSnake 2. The author's homepage is here (http://elazulspad.net/matrixz/), and the thread discussing the release on the NES development boards is here (http://nesdev.parodius.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=420). Memblers, who runs the NES dev site and is quite active in the community, recently sold (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4315&item=8207551746) carts containing three homebrewn games to finance other projects.
I can't think of anything else off the top of my head, but NesDev (http://nesdev.parodius.com/) is always a good place to look.
More colors per sprite can make "prettier" graphics. There really isn't a more exciting way to describe it. Specific to RBI, nothing earthshaking is coming to mind. The real question is whether we'll still be restricted to 16 (well, really 13) color palettes. If palettes are reworked, you could start getting into more detailed uniforms, much better graphics all around, black/hispanic players finally appearing black/hispanic, all kinds of things. The new sound capabilities are nifty too, as you could sample just about any music and/or sound effects you want, instead of trying to figure out how to "make" music via coding it.
Nightwulf
If you guys are going to buy one of those, then you should bid on this:
Click me (http://cgi.ebay.com/2080-NINTENDO-GAMES-NES-SNES-AND-N64_W0QQitemZ8212202820QQcategoryZ62053QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
shortened link -nightwulf
would there be anything better than the same style rbi game, but with all the teams? different stadiums would have been cool too.
i disagree with gantry, i think the music is fine the way it is. although, remixes might be ok. perhaps a death metal version could be recorded for TBT and myself?
The stereo handles all my music needs quite well...
the only reason that i don't want to buy this is because it doesn't look exactly like the old NES. if mine died and i couldn't get a "new" one affordably, i might buy it. until then...nope. it just wouldn't feel right.
Quote from: Strassy on 08/25/05, 11:41:05 AM
the only reason that i don't want to buy this is because it doesn't look exactly like the old NES. if mine died and i couldn't get a "new" one affordably, i might buy it. until then...nope. it just wouldn't feel right.
"Change? We fear change!"
-Garth Algar
So is anyone planning to order one of these, I think being able to play Famicom games my be the biggest benefit, but I probably want to wait to make sure it's working well before I shell out $60.
I assume no one here knows anyone that bought one of these?
I forgot all about this bad boy... If my NES breaks I would definitely buy it, but it's not enough of an upgrade to justify buying outright. The fkn wireless controllers cost as much as the console, that sucks balls...
Looking at the game compatibility list (http://www.playmessiah.com/onlinestore/gnex_faq-chart.htm), both versions of RBI were tested and working...
I'm glad you bumped this, 'cause I'd forgotten that I'd posted about it here. The Nex has shipped, and the reviews aren't all that favorable. Then again, I'm coming from the point of view of an NES nerd, so maybe I'm overly harsh.
The system is not 100% compatible with all software. You ever see the little vendors at the mall selling devices that look like a controller (often an N64 controller) and plug into your TV, and have like 100 NES games? Those use a chipset referred to as NOAC (NES on a chip). It's (obviously) not licensed by Nintendo, and it's basically just another NES emulator. The pre-launch hype from Messiah led us to believe that the Nex had a brand new chip designed from scratch to emulate the NES, but it turns out that it's basically just another generic NOAC. So, there's a few software problems (the backlash from which caused Messiah to release a compatibility list (http://www.playmessiah.com/onlinestore/gnex_faq-chart.htm) after the system launched).
Notably, Castlevania III does not work (and despite the fact that the compatibility list leads you to believe that they may have a bad copy and it might work for you, it won't). Several other games don't work simply because of a very small hardware problem, which could've and should've been identified and corrected before shipping.
There are many good threads about the Nex on various gaming sites. Here (http://nesdev.parodius.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=698) is a thread from nesdev (an NES development community), and here (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72550&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=50) is another good one from Digital Press (a classic game system community).
So I'm a little upset over the system. Internally it's very similar to the cheap knock-off NESes in the malls, and compatibility suffers. However, it does have built-in wireless support, and cartridge slots for both NES and Famicom titles. Famicom compatibility hasn't been thoroughly tested (since this is an American product, and no one has a mountain of Famicom carts to test, or hasn't spoke up about it anyway), but there are likely to be problems there as well.
But again, this is coming from a self-described NES nerd. If all the games you'd like to play are marked as "compatible" on their list, then this might be a good buy. Frankly I'd just as soon pick up a refurbished toaster (front-loading NES).
Nice writeup nightwulf... Are there any clock speed or timing issues from using the NOAC over the real deal? Meaning would an RBI guru know that the pitching/batting movement was a little off?
It's still a nice product at a nice price, but I'm really disgruntled at the price of the wireless controllers. At the price of the system, it pretty much makes it a no go, and that removes half the appeal of the system (the other being Famicom compatibility since I've yet to play my FS 87 cart).
Well in addition, I'd be worried about our "homemade" games working since I already have an Arcade cartridge and was thinking about getting another cartridge for another ROM.
There should be no noticable issues at all in any version of RBI, whether the original or the specially-built cartridges. To the best of my knowledge anyway.
bumpst...gantry and i saw a bunch of these at that montrose/harlem video game store yesterday. i am enticed by it now for 3 reasons:
1) i want to have an NES in my bedroom as well as in the living room
2) i want to be able to play famicom games (i own 5, including the original family stadium, but haven't played them since my NES/famicom adapter disappeared like 10 years ago)
3) the wireless arcade stick that came out took me straight to bonertown. it costs an extra 50 bucks, but it seems to be a very high quality build, it feels like an actual arcade joystick.
i started a thread about it on digital press, let's see if i get some good reviews
If your looking onto buying a NES clone, check out something called an "FC twin". it is a toploader that has a slot for both the NES and the SNES. Its only 50 bucks or so on amazon. It doesnt look as cool, but it is two consoles in one.
I dont know about the quality of it, but Im sure you could read some reviews.
Does it play Famicom?
the fc twin does not play famicom, based off an exhaustive internet search, also the guy at the store confirmed my findings.
Quote from: Strassy on 02/14/08, 09:35:37 AM
the fc twin does not play famicom, based off an exhaustive internet search, also the guy at the store confirmed my findings.
yeah, it plays NES and SNES american games. If you want to play famicom games on it you have to get a converter. 72 pin to 60 pin converter, they sell them on ebay.
Quote from: Slims on 02/14/08, 03:48:05 PM
yeah, it plays NES and SNES american games. If you want to play famicom games on it you have to get a converter. 72 pin to 60 pin converter, they sell them on ebay.
Or you could get any SNES and a Super 8, so you'd at least have one actual console and not those stupid fucking clone chipsets ...
or you could not suck and take care of your old consoles...
Hey, i own an NES and a SNES. I bought the nex so i could have a NES in my room and so i could play famicom games. I've had a famicom converter before and it never worked very well for me. Suck it trebek
Quote from: nightwulf on 02/15/08, 03:01:09 AM
Quote from: Slims on 02/14/08, 03:48:05 PM
yeah, it plays NES and SNES american games. If you want to play famicom games on it you have to get a converter. 72 pin to 60 pin converter, they sell them on ebay.
Or you could get any SNES and a Super 8, so you'd at least have one actual console and not those stupid fucking clone chipsets ...
Rad, but a super 8 for 100+ bucks if you can find it anywhere to begin with, and use the same stupid fucking clone chipset that you seem to hate anyway, since that is what is in a super 8. But hey, at least the stupid fucking clone chipset is sitting on a genuine SNES right?
Quote from: Slims on 02/16/08, 02:00:34 AM
Quote from: nightwulf on 02/15/08, 03:01:09 AM
Or you could get any SNES and a Super 8, so you'd at least have one actual console and not those stupid fucking clone chipsets ...
Rad, but a super 8 for 100+ bucks if you can find it anywhere to begin with, and use the same stupid fucking clone chipset that you seem to hate anyway, since that is what is in a super 8. But hey, at least the stupid fucking clone chipset is sitting on a genuine SNES right?
The phrase "at least one actual console" would be referring to the actual SNES. Congrats.
Quote from: nightwulf on 02/16/08, 03:20:11 AM
Quote from: Slims on 02/16/08, 02:00:34 AM
Quote from: nightwulf on 02/15/08, 03:01:09 AM
Or you could get any SNES and a Super 8, so you'd at least have one actual console and not those stupid fucking clone chipsets ...
Rad, but a super 8 for 100+ bucks if you can find it anywhere to begin with, and use the same stupid fucking clone chipset that you seem to hate anyway, since that is what is in a super 8. But hey, at least the stupid fucking clone chipset is sitting on a genuine SNES right?
The phrase "at least one actual console" would be referring to the actual SNES. Congrats.
Thanks. And congrats to you on your awesome economics proficiency.
i sense a storm rising...
My buddy bought one of those things and loves it. His mom chucked his NES years ago when he moved out and he wanted to start playing again. I have yet to play it myself but it sounds like a good alternative.