My wife tells me I've got too many video game systems around here, so I bravely defied her and bought another one off of eBay tonight.I couldn't help it.
Let me explain. I've got an Atari 2600, an Atari 7800, a Nintendo Enterainment System (NES), a Sega Genesis, a Sony Playstation, a Nintendo 64, a Sega Dreamcast, a Nintendo Game Cube and a Nintendo Wii around here. A few years ago, I sold my Magnavox Odyssey 2 (because it wasn't that great) and my ColecoVision blew up. I also got rid of an Atari Jaguar because it is the Chrysler Sebring of the gaming world. As for handhelds, I've got an Atari Lynx, Sega Game Gear and Nintendo Game Boy SP.
With all that and the tons of games stored all over the place, why would I go out and buy another system? That's kind of complicated.
Not too long ago, our beloved 29" RCA television gave up the ghost. We've got to replace it and we're getting one of those huge, HDTV things in the next week or two. I thought the NES would look great on it, but there's a problem there.
As any NES fan knows, the original, front loading systems are problematic when they get older -- that 72-pin monstrosity that curves all over the place just plain goes bad after a time. A few years ago, I picked up a much more reliable top loader unit, but there is a problem with that system in that it has no RCA plugs. You've got to rely on that weird RF box to connect the thing to a television set and I'm afraid it would look absolutely horrible on a huge screen. If it doesn't look to great on an old 29" television, how bad will it be on a large high definition set?
So, I went out and bought the beautiful red and gold system pictured above -- the Retro Duo. Believe it or not, that thing has S-Video outputs and (I'm told) can play both NES and SNES games and use all those cool SNES controllers. So I plunked down $45 on eBay and got one tonight. I'll have flawless video and the reviews on it make me hopeful I can play SNES and Super Famicon games as well as my existing NES library. Not bad, huh?
Hey, there's not much I can do for the old Ataris and my trusty Sega Genesis has RCA plugs built it. And, of course, there are no connectivity issues with the newer systems I own. I figure replacing my old top loader NES with the Retro Duo was a good move.
It's too bad my wife doesn't agree. We'll see what she thinks when we're playing Super Mario Kart or she's zipping through a Zelda adventure, huh?
Of course, I'll post up a full review of the thing once it comes in. I can hardly wait.
11 comments:
I just bought my first Sony PS. You're way ahead of me, but I can see why you would "collect" game consoles. Are you kidding me? They're great!!! Fun to play even :)
I got a Famicom system because the old NES way of loading the games never worked too well. What's your favorite game?
Don -- Hey, the first PS is one of the best systems out there. I'm surprised I haven't worn out mine yet. And, yeah, I wind up playing a lot of games and they're mostly older. The Wii gets pulled out from time to time, but not as much as my "vintage" systems.
Harrison -- Wise move with the Famicon. My favorite games? Geez. Hard to say. My sentimental favorite is likely StarMaster for the Atari 2600 -- that was the first one I had that offered a degree of strategy and complexity -- odd for games back then.
Then there's Kool-Aid Man for the 2600, a game I spent all one summer saving up Kool-Aid points to buy (yes, I had to drink a ton of that stuff). Road Rash on the Playstation is a favorite, then there's Tecmo Super Bowl for the NES, Galaga for the Atari 7800...
You do have way to may game consoles and games for that matter... You need to quit collecting stuff or we are going to have to buy a bigger house. And since I refuse to move again, you are going to have to quit bringing that crap home. It's not just the games it's the comic books too...
Dear Anonymous Wife -- Phooey.
Are you a game-a-holic? I think so. Sounds like you have fun.
Sherry at EX Marks the Spot
Sherry -- I may well be. Hey, there are worse addictions to have.
that's a nice purchase. me, i've been raiding the bargain bins for games. found madden '03 for 50 cents for gamecube the other day. only thing wrong was that it didn't have the instruction.
i need to get one of those, though. i miss playing the simpler games like mario 2 and such
I like NES Play Action Football and MULE for NES.
Hey there Hawg. I think it's a woman (I think I wife would be a better term) thing to hate on our game systems. lol But this... this is a thing of beauty. I didn't know this existed. That's definitely a great buy!
Mystery Man -- I haven't bought a football game (well, a new one at least) since the Dreamcast was a current system. Maybe I should.
I still love the classics, however.
Harrison -- M.U.L.E.? I'm jealous. That's worth a bit these days!
Metallman -- I think you may be right -- my wife never has loved my adoration of old video games. I got the Retro Duo in today -- works like a charm, although the NES slot grabs on to those carts very tightly. Also, it's one of those lightweight things made in China, so who knows how long it will last?
So far, so good, though.
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