Setup advice for the casual non-emulator collector/gamer.
I think it's safe to say that many members here have extensive collections, or what the casual collector/gamer would call an extensive collection. In this case, I am using the term casual, as a 70% gamer 30% collector who uses original cartridges and controllers and maybe has 5-10 of their favorite games (or games they grew up with) for a few different systems. If you had this casual style, or needed to advise someone with it, what would you suggest? I've come up with a list of the pros and cons of a few different setups.
ORIGINAL HARDWARE
Pros: 100% compatibility, Has the authentic nostalgic "feel". Nothing beats the originals!
Cons: No desire or space for many different systems, May only have an HDTV, NES's can be finicky
Analysis: For the gamer that has a dedicated room, and/or an extra CRT this is the way to go, but many people only have one living room, and one tv availible for gaming, and that's probably a flat screen which may or may not have the proper hookups, and if so, may only have one of them. I can't really recommend this for occassional players.
WII/WIIU Virtual Console
Pros: Easily hooks up to the tv, plays current generation games, prices are cheap enough, don't have to worry about disfunction or poor reliability.
Cons: Limited availibility of games, to access Wii virtual console ob WIIU, can be a chore.
Analysis: I really want to reccommend this setup, but if I doesn't have that one game from your childhood that YOU remember, you're SOL.
Retro USB AVS
Pros; New hardware and all the perks that come with it, classic design, looks cool, hooks up to HDTV.
Cons: Only plays NES, have to buy through website
Analysis: Another great choice, but if you have 5 NES games and 5 SNES games, it wouldn't really fit the bill
Retron 5
Pros: New hardware, plays multiple systems, hooks up to HDTV
Cons: User interface may be hard to understand for newbies, Deathgrip on carts
Analysis: This would get my vote for a casual setup, but having never used it myself, I would find it hard to reccomend a system that can purportedly damage games. Also, while it may sound simple to you and I, it is not 100% plug and play.
So, what kind of a setup would you reccommend to a casual gamer. One of the above, something different. Remember to keep in mind the audience.
ORIGINAL HARDWARE
Pros: 100% compatibility, Has the authentic nostalgic "feel". Nothing beats the originals!
Cons: No desire or space for many different systems, May only have an HDTV, NES's can be finicky
Analysis: For the gamer that has a dedicated room, and/or an extra CRT this is the way to go, but many people only have one living room, and one tv availible for gaming, and that's probably a flat screen which may or may not have the proper hookups, and if so, may only have one of them. I can't really recommend this for occassional players.
WII/WIIU Virtual Console
Pros: Easily hooks up to the tv, plays current generation games, prices are cheap enough, don't have to worry about disfunction or poor reliability.
Cons: Limited availibility of games, to access Wii virtual console ob WIIU, can be a chore.
Analysis: I really want to reccommend this setup, but if I doesn't have that one game from your childhood that YOU remember, you're SOL.
Retro USB AVS
Pros; New hardware and all the perks that come with it, classic design, looks cool, hooks up to HDTV.
Cons: Only plays NES, have to buy through website
Analysis: Another great choice, but if you have 5 NES games and 5 SNES games, it wouldn't really fit the bill
Retron 5
Pros: New hardware, plays multiple systems, hooks up to HDTV
Cons: User interface may be hard to understand for newbies, Deathgrip on carts
Analysis: This would get my vote for a casual setup, but having never used it myself, I would find it hard to reccomend a system that can purportedly damage games. Also, while it may sound simple to you and I, it is not 100% plug and play.
So, what kind of a setup would you reccommend to a casual gamer. One of the above, something different. Remember to keep in mind the audience.
Comments
Otherwise, it's emulation using Wii VC, Retron 5, PC, Ouya, RasPI, etc. If using physical carts isn't a concern, I would think the Wii would certainly have less latency than the Retron 5 or PC.
Since your thread says no emulation though, i'd say a small CRT TV with original hardware is the best method.
So for me, it's new!3DS and Wii U for games on Virtual Console, Retron 5 for Famicom games or FC/SFC/MD games that stand to benefit from English fan translations (Alcahest), and original hardware for US version games or English-friendly Japanese games.
If the games you love aren't based on a licensed property, extremely obscure, or in purgatory, Virtual Console is the way to go, IMO. So many great games on the Wii Shop and Wii U/3DS eShop. Where else can you get Rondo of Blood for 10 bucks?
2. Retron 5. If you don't already own the systems, have the right connections, or space is an issue this is an excellent alternative.
3. AVS. If your focus is NES, it is suppose to be great. It does nothing for your other systems, and the price is a little too much if you just have a couple of games.
4. Wii VC. Only benefit here is cost/availiblity since Wii's are easy to find and since you are going digital, you will have access to hundreds of games at your fingertips for cheap. Not sure that this counts if you are going for non-emulator.
If you are going emulation then PSP or NVidia Shield and you got yourself a portable solution to boot.