Oh right, so you’d need a modulator that goes the other way, from RF output to composite in?
Yep.
Thanks! I’ll see what I can come across, at least it doesn’t have to be Nintendo specific so it could be amongst the many AV adapters in recycle stores’ junk sections
Picked up an AV Famicom today for 10,000 yen at a warehouse recycle store! Boxed and with two controllers, but without cables or the AC Adapter…from what I understand I can use my Super Famicom (well, VIrtual Boy) AC Adapter and N64’s composite cables do get the job done, right?
Which brings me on to another (sorry) question for the Famicom aficionados, if I picked up a solus FDS, what do I need to get it up and running?
I bought a loose block/cable connector thing that seems to connect the two together…which AC Adapter do I need or should I just use batteries?
-Also- one of the FDS systems I saw had a card tab sticking out of its disc slot, what’s up with that? I can’t remember exactly what was written on it, but iirc it requested that users don’t pull it out.
You’ll need this power supply:
I wouldn’t use batteries, personally. It’s not like it’s a handheld device that you’ll want to use away from a wall socket anyway.
N64’s composite cables will work on your Famicom AV too (enjoy!)
I am not sure about the answers to your other questions though.
I use 6 C batteries in my FDS. They last a long time. Not sure about the card sticking out of the slot.
I picked up an FDS Stick for my Disk System that is in the mail. Has anyone got any experience with them?
I could have just picked up the RAM cart but man do I love the look of the disk drive under an AV Famicom
Thanks for the info! I might have to resort to batteries until I pick up another step down transformer for the second power supply, something I hadn’t considered! Maybe the Twin would have been a more convenient idea in the short run, haha.
As for the bit of card, this is it:
The text on it basically reads something like it’s a protective seal, and remove it before use. Does that mean this was a “new” FDS? Or is it a third party protective seal?
No need for step-down transformers, just order a power supply from retro game supply dot com. There is even a two-in-one option available.
Ooh thanks! Is this what I need? (They don’t ship to my country unless you buy using eBay) Power Supply 2-in-1 for Nintendo Famicom + Disk System - UK plug | eBay
Looks good!
The card was for protection during shipping for new units. Mine had it too, but was definitely used. I think it’s just another case of where Japanese folks kept the kind of stuff most Americans would have tossed out when they opened it. It doesn’t do anything but you might as well keep it. It’s like a warranty card or something.
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Thanks for clearing that up! I guess if a unit still has a card it’s a sign the owner might have looked after it well. Probably won’t go back for that FDS though.
Finally got round to sorting out my Famicom pickups! (big box Otocky not pictured)
Thank you all for the recommendations, I’m going to have plenty to have fun with for years with this lot!
I left it too late to get an FDS so ended up with a Twin Famicom. All works fine, though I noticed the video output of the AV Famicom is simply better. Colours look accurate whereas the Twin Famicom seems to crush blues and everything else looks washed out, even after I lower the contrast on my PVM.
Is that to be expected or is it maybe the cables?
Hopefully you can see what I mean from these photos! AV Famicom first, then Twin Famicom.
Edit; I’m not sure now - one game does look more “correct” on the Twin, and that’s Dragon Slayer IV Drasle Family. On the AV Famicom the colours look too dark and crushed
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My stock NES and stock AV Famicom both output slightly different composite signals for the same games.
OG Famicom and AV Famicom also had different sound balances when using the extra audio channels.
It seems like every model does things a bit differently. It was all lossy analogue and the public was far less discerning at the time.
I imagine sharp had their own way of manufacturing things too.
There’s a page/video detailing the variation in FC/NES palette colours and video output. Sorry I can’t find it right now.
Finally finished Kid Icarus on Famicom Disc System after playing it on and off for the past month - enough to sit on it and really evaluate it.
To my surprise it ended up being one of my favourite Nintendo games of all time and I’m surprised it doesn’t get mentioned in the same breath as Metroid, another Nintendo R&D1 title for the system.
I was shocked at how much depth the game offers - was expecting a fairly straightforward action platformer but with fantastical lore propping it up. There are so many ways you can approach each stage, the way you’re secretly evaluated on shot accuracy forces you to always bring your best game to proceedings, and the variety of foes is simply fantastic.
I love the variety afforded by the treasures you can pick up, too. Things like how you might be lucky enough to get the credit card early on, which will influence the rest of your playthrough. Or the fortress stages making good on their labyrinth design with traps that’ll force you to properly explore every nook and cranny.
It’s crazy to think that its rocky development might have led to the game turning out as it is, with its strange inverted difficulty curve and, at times, maddening enemy encounters. Crouching to dodge enemy projectiles while on a cloud, only to fall through it and die, probably accounted for a third of all deaths! But it ended up being a rule I worked around, adding to the game’s unique challenge.
This game has unique qualities that go beyond just its mechanics. Returning to the Game Boy sequel, while it’s certainly more polished in many respects, it’s also sort of soulless for reasons I can’t quite place my finger on.
Rather than read more words, I must share this video of the game from HPRShredder, who articulates the appeals of the game extremely well:
Kid Icarus - A Game That Doesn’t Feel Real | NES & FDS (1986) - YouTube
On a related note, the 3D Classics version on 3DS isn’t particularly faithful to the original…
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I really loved it too when I did it on 3DS, I hope I will play it on original hardware someday.
And this youtuber does things right with the oldies, I’m annoyed by todays « modern » consensus like Metroid 1 isn’t fun or even playable (it needs a remake lol).
Edit: it already has I forgot, and a good one, but you know what I mean.
I recently bought the 3DS version before the shutdown. What are the key changes that make is less faithful?
So I was playing it on 3DS first before getting it on FDS.
Made sure to play with the original controls option. You can also choose custom which lets you shoot upward while moving, and prevents you from falling through floors unless you press A while holding down).
When I started the game on FDS, despite playing on original hardware and on a CRT, I was rubbish at it!!! And that’s due to how Pit controls, in the original game he has a slippery turning circle, whereas in the 3DS version he turns a lot faster.
So in the 3D Classics version you can confront enemies that are behind you a lot faster while also turning on tight floating platforms faster.
I also suspect the enemy behaviour is different in the 3D Classics release.
I tried the 3DS version on both my European and Japanese systems and there wasn’t any difference between the two. Both use the FDS music, though apparently the endings and ending requirements are lifted from the NES version, so no more Specknose ending!
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