(Part 3) Top products from r/retrogaming

As far as newly manufactured pads go, the CirKa SNES pads are actually pretty good, but they cost about $10 each, which is getting close to the original pads' price, and the original pads are still better. The Tomee pads are cheaper (I got a pair for $6) but they're just plain awful and you should probably steer clear unless you want some beaters for your friends/guests to abuse.

I recommend picking up an old ASCII Pad, which is a little more expensive than a standard controller but includes turbo and slow motion, for your own use.

For the cables, I agree with the other sentiments to just use whatever works with your TV in the short term and don't worry about it unless/until you're ready to drop some change on a nice CRT and/or upscaler. If your current TV has an svideo port, it's worth using it instead of composite in most cases, but you have to watch out because some of the cheaper cables just run the same composite signal through an svideo jack, so you don't get any image improvement.

A popular, inexpensive setup is a powered splitter like this one, a capture device like this one, and OBS Studio. Be sure to set the deinterlacing mode in OBS to "retro" for best results.

If you want a really high-quality capture like Darbian and Kosmic, things get a lot more expensive.

Pretty much what everyone else said... believe me, I've ran many laps around this question and tried several different cheap pieces of equipment. They don't work. Plain and simple. These are your options:

1. Get a CRT
   
   
2. Hook a PC up to your TV and just use emulation programs. RetroArch when properly configured combined with a USB adapter (http://www.amazon.com/Tomee-NES-Retro-Controller-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00HM3QCN2) for original hardware controllers can provide nearly the exact experience as Framemeister/RGB setups for a fraction of the cost. In some respects, it's a little better. If you configure RetroArch correctly and have Game Mode enabled on your LCD, input lag will not be a problem. I've given it "the Ninja Gaiden test" and it works great.
   
   
3. Save up for a Framemeister and the appropriate SCART cables and possible RGB modifications to your consoles that you are going to need to make it all work.
   
   That's it.

I mean the games look way better. Just night and day better. I even thought about getting a cheaper scaler like this Kanex

https://www.amazon.com/Kanex-Pro-Composite-Home-Theater-HDCVRYW/dp/B005KVPJSC

Which is another viable route but, S-video gets better results than Composite. If you have a wii I recommend loading it up with emulators and channel fowarders and spending a weekend of your time getting it polished.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMm7Yk8CmJI&t=395s

The HDMI adapter makes the wii look great in 480p and if you wanted the component cables to hook it up to a trinitron in RGB, they are dirt cheap to.

It really depends on what kind of subject matter and presentation you're looking for. For my money, the gold standard of all video game history books remains David Sheff's ["Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World"] (https://www.amazon.com/Game-Over-Nintendo-Conquered-World/dp/0679736220/) which, despite the ominous title, is a phenomenally well-researched and compellingly written account of how Nintendo came out of nowhere in the early 80s to resurrect and dominate the home gaming industry worldwide.

The more recent Console Wars is also a good one, covering in great detail the 90's era 16-bit rivalry between Nintendo and Sega in the US.

These are both fairly well known books; my favorite "off the beaten path" books are all 3 volumes of the "Untold History of Japanese Game Developers" series, which are giant tomes full of lengthy, staggeringly in-depth interviews with dozens and dozens of largely unknown developers behind very well known Japanese classics of the 80s and 90s. Pure treasure for anyone particularly interested in Japan's golden age output.

I love books on gaming history. If you're interested, I'd recommend Steven Kent's Ultimate History of Video Games and David Sheff's Game Over

Thanks! :)

So the book is available here if you're interested. Someone has uploaded the list of games here if you just want to see what games are in the book. I also actually have a website letsplay1001.com as an alternative place to keep track of the games I've played but it's been hard to keep the YT series up and keep the website up to date (and admittedly it's a little out of date right now).

The HD Retrovision cables have compatibility issues and are very picky about what they are hooked up to, I had to buy a Startech capture card because my old Elgato wouldn't recognize them. The Startech was well worth the upgrade and it has worked with all of my consoles, as well as the HD Retrovision cables.

Do you have the space for the consoles? If so, its the best option, if not, then i have a good alternative if you can build a pc. Buy a broken NES or other retro console and gut it, then build a pc inside of it. Put in something like this and some of these and you'll be golden

This and this are what you're referring to?

Thanks for the heads up on both.

This one, supposedly. Startech is the western branch of Micomsoft, who makes the Framemeister, so it should be a good product. As far as 240p over component, the compatibility list on HD retrovision's page says it should take the signal, and a thread on shmups forum said the same thing so hopefully it will work. It should arrive tomorrow, and I'll post my results here and probably make a post on the sub with a composite/component comparison video.

>Are there adapters that convert the white and red (i think those were for audio) to something like a headphone jack or usb port?

Yep they're actually the exact same signal as 3.5mm headphones, just over 2 connectors.

Okay, I found a solution after a bit of research. A RCA Audio Piggyback Cable, 2 RCA Male to 2 RCA Male + RCA Female Piggyback + 3.5mm Stereo Male To Dual RCA Female Audio Adapter + volume control attenuator will solve the problem, for about $20 to $30.

/u/ghostopera You might consider a light spray of UV Protectant Clear Coat, so you don't have to bleach it again.

You need an adapter like this so you can plug your NES controller into your computer.

you ll need an attenuator then like the Volbox inline audio volume control attenuator 3.5mm 1/8" aux https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XDKKQ9E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RwLPDbCVTE2YX basically you put it between your tv and the audio output

How about something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Strip-Adapters-Set-10/dp/B002BBFWFO

It looks like it's a Retro Games Controller by ThumbsUp.
https://www.amazon.com/Thumbs-Retro-Games-Controller-Cables/dp/B0122N12NG

At one point in time I wanted to play all the games in this book: https://www.amazon.com/1001-Video-Games-Must-Before/dp/0789320908

These also work well: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CEJW0WQ

https://www.amazon.com/DP3913515-Framemeister-Micomsoft-Upscaler-Japan/dp/B006H39XJS

and

https://www.amazon.com/DP3913547-Framemeister-Micomsoft-Upscaler-Denpashinbunsya/dp/B00QUBK6RK


Like i said there are many models to choose from. Not only that but I dont see option to use component on those two just hdmi and av

I ordered mine through Amazon.

They aren't available in America, so you have to have it imported from Japan.

http://www.amazon.com/DP3913515-Framemeister-Micomsoft-Upscaler-Import/dp/B006H39XJS/ref=sr_1_1?m=A1SKV2X1PW34BX&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1395588984&sr=1-1&keywords=framemeister

I ordered from this link, from this exact company. EC-Orange. International Shipping was free, and there were no duties or import charges. Amazon said it would take a month to arrive, but it only took 5 days, and I live in the middle of TN.

I use one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Quirky-Pivot-Outlet-Flexible-Protector/dp/B004ZP74UK

It's cheap but it doesn't have a surge protector (that being said, it is plugged into a strip with a surge protector becuase I have way too much stuff hooked up at all times, not just for gaming... it's not a fire hazard at all, I don't know what you're talking about).

EDIT: Got mine at a BC store called London Drugs for 20 bucks I think.

What you want are the Untold History of Japanese Game Developers books. There are 3 volumes. All almost exclusively about the era between the Famicom and Playstation 1.

I use these power strip adapters to plug in my consoles.

Really helps with all the damn power bricks.

Non-mobile: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GT15JPU/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1425556858&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=game+bit&dpPl=1&dpID=41ZWM2mV8VL&ref=plSrch

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble.

SCART cables are all pack a punches from retro gaming cables. In and Outs.

This is what I'm using for the headphone to audio splitter - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2HP1MW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1


This is the VGA to Dreamcast cable - https://www.ebay.com/itm/401507311093?ViewItem=&item=401507311093

Maybe this converter ?

Thumbsup UK, ORB, Retro TV Games, 200 Games, OR-MINITVGAME https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0122N12NG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0.c8Cb2RBET6G

Does not look good my friend...

1ft extension cords should help with your power brick woes:

https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Power-Extension-Outlet-Listed/dp/B00CEJW0WQ?crid=258GGW5T5B8WR&keywords=1ft+extension+cord&qid=1538163414&sprefix=1ft+&sr=8-1-spons&ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa&psc=1

Or buy a squid:
https://www.amazon.com/Accell-PowerSquid-Surge-Protector-Power/dp/B00ABC1LE6?crid=ZYHW7B6S8HS6&keywords=squid+surge+protector&qid=1538163486&sprefix=squid+surg&sr=8-1&ref=mp_s_a_1_1

If the damage is done by UV radiation, couldn't you just coat the cases with something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Krylon-1305-Coatings-11-Ounce-UV-Resistant/dp/B00397STRW

Notably, I didn't destroy a working SNES. I bought a broken one to use for the case.

Some tips:

1. If you're going to use the front controller ports, like I did, you'll want to cut the traces. I'll post some pictures of this when I get home.
   
2. The bill of materials was, essentially, an HDMI extension cable (short), USB extension cable, some hot glue, solder and a mayflash snes controller adapter which I sacrificed for this purpose.
   
3. Don't be like me and hot snot the raspberry pi in such a way that the microSD card is hard to reach.

Parts Needed Purchase Link

T-Molding https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074X9JNSX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Arcade buttons, Joystick, and usb adapter to connect buttons to raspberry PI https://www.ebay.com/itm/Arcade-LED-Control-kit-Compatible-with-Raspberry-PI-3-Plug-and-Play-Image-Incl/331814081782?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Speakers (any desktop speakers will work) https://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acoustics-multimedia-computer-speakers/dp/B00008MN45/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=speakers+desktop&qid=1562183686&s=electronics&sr=1-9

Arcade cabinet (with no decals) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Extra-Wide-Bartop-Arcade-Cabinet-Kit-Black-Easy-Assembly-for-22-Monitor/392268680930?hash=item5b55090ee2:g:F24AAOSwS2lcOjaJ

Decals for cabinet (you specify what artwork to use, or use their existing artwork) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Arcade-Cabinet-Sticker-Kits-Custom-Made-Bartop-Decals-Vinyl-Graphics-Full-Set/173334849324?epid=23015913882&hash=item285b8fe72c:g:9F4AAOSwMOVcNheB

22 inch monitor (any 22 inch 1080P monitor will work) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019EFMK1I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Light Strip for Marquee https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HSF65MC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

128GB flash Drive https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BGTG2A0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

256GB SD Card (if you buy an SD card this large, then you don't need the 128GB Flash drive) https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-MicroSDXC-Adapter-MB-ME256GA-AM/dp/B072HRDM55/ref=sxin_3_osp5-d036f8df_cov?ascsubtag=d036f8df-8c95-431e-8004-07311ffa309b&creativeASIN=B072HRDM55&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.d036f8df-8c95-431e-8004-07311ffa309b&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&keywords=sd+card&linkCode=oas&pd_rd_i=B072HRDM55&pd_rd_r=07e8feba-c265-4983-af93-5e16e7fd7b3b&pd_rd_w=FRnfg&pd_rd_wg=Ycuqv&pf_rd_p=43ba9e17-96f5-4491-b054-e546013f7dc4&pf_rd_r=9M7304BJA5B896489032&qid=1562184521&s=gateway&tag=androidcentralosp-20

Raspberry Pi https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Pi-MS-004-00000024-Model-Board/dp/B01LPLPBS8

Raspberry Pi Case https://www.amazon.com/iUniker-Raspberry-Cooling-Heatsink-Removable/dp/B079M96KWZ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=PI+case&qid=1562183618&s=electronics&sr=1-3

Surge Protector https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LZ5XMU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Arcade Game off/on switch https://www.ebay.com/itm/2BC3-250V-Arcade-Game-Machine-ON-OFF-Switch-Power-Socket-Module-with-Fuse-Parts/312633073711?hash=item48ca62202f:g:eh0AAOSwuHJc7ngf

Power plug for arcade game off/on switch https://www.amazon.com/TNP-Universal-Power-Cord-Feet/dp/B01EYDGO12/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=desktop+power+plug&qid=1562183995&s=electronics&sr=1-3

I got a few Belkin Pivot Strips recently. They have a lot of outlets and seem to work pretty well so far.

I really liked theQuirky Surge Protectors but I don't think they're made any more. One of my two just died on me.

I'm not a fan of the Power Squid. Takes up too much room.

I just went through the pain of finding a decent S-Video and Composite upscaler. The one you linked looks super close to one that I tried(different badging), and it was terrible, the picture was choppy and stuttered a ton. I did find this one by Kanex that works great(it doesn't keep a good 4:3 picture ratio though), and it's normally around $50.
https://www.amazon.com/Kanex-Pro-Composite-Home-Theater-HDCVRYW/dp/B005KVPJSC/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1520871155&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Kanex+pro+s-video+to+hdmi

I hope the one you chose works out, but if it doesn't, the Kanex one is a decent stop before the OSSC or XrgbMini.

That's a weird one.

I've seen this version recommended; it doesn't have a Kindle version that I know of: https://www.amazon.com/Game-Over-Press-Start-Continue/dp/0966961706/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481671222&sr=1-3&keywords=Game+over

I have the Kindle edition of this version that is still in print: https://www.amazon.com/Game-Over-Nintendo-Conquered-World-ebook/dp/B0060AY98I/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1481671157&sr=1-1&keywords=game+over+how+nintendo+conquered+the+world.

I'm not sure how similar the content is between the two. The version out of print was published in 1999 and has chapters added by a different author. I suspect it is an updated edition of the version that is still in print.

These are what you need for that. They're cheap and come in really handy. Although I haven't come across any screws inside a cartridge before. It's possible a plastic tab that keeps it in place is broke. You should be able to figure it out quickly enough. Update us if you open it up.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GT15JPU/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1425556858&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=game+bit&dpPl=1&dpID=41ZWM2mV8VL&ref=plSrch

Here is a thread posted just yesterday.

LINK

comparing the enko upscaler vs XRGB mini. The enko is $50 on Amazon.

also there is THIS
with SCART Input.

I own one myself and use it with my Sega Saturn. Even though there is lag, the lag does not bother me because i don't notice it, but then again I don't play games where lag is crucial.