Starting a Famicom collection

[LocalToast]

Hello everyone, I'm pretty new here. I stumbled upon this site somehow and I'm really glad I did. For a while now I've been intrigued by the Famicom and all of its retro glory, and what a useful tool this community is! So anyway, it seems you guys have been around for several years, so I'm sure you're all very well-educated in the field of the Family Computer. I've got a few concerns, mainly what to buy and where to buy it. Keep in mind that I'm pretty broke at the moment, so I'm not in a position to buy anything anytime soon.

First of all, in order to kick off my Famicom collection, I would need a Famicom. Right now I really just want an original Famicom. Box/manual isn't really a concern (if it is going to add to the price), but I would like to know where I could go about finding one to purchase.

Secondly, what sort of cables would I need to play on a regular US TV in my US household? By cables I pretty much mean A/V and power adapters.

After I've aquired the system and proper cables, I'd also want to add some accessories to my collection before I really get into gaming. Weird as it sounds, that's my outlook on things. Here's a list of accessories that are high on my list:

• Famicom Disk System (7201 chip, preferably)


• Family BASIC Set (Is this worthwhile? I think it'd be fun)


• Famicom Data Recorder + Hudson tape (at some point)


• 3D System


• 72-60 pin adapter


• R.O.B.

Some questions: Would it be possible to use a 72-60 pin adapter and use something like the Game Genie or the Powerpak? Also, are all R.O.B.'s "region-free", as in, can I use either with an NES or Famicom?

One thing I'm a little worried about is how much Japanese I'll need to know to play the games. I don't know any Japanese at all, so would this greatly affect the way I play games? Or in most cases is it fairly easy to play? I know for RPG's and the like, Japanese would be a huge barrier.

I'm pretty sure that sums up my intentions. I just want to get started with a Famicom collection, but I don't know if it's going to take a long time or if I can find everything with relative ease. I've checked out sites like RisingStuff and Japan Game Stock, but I'm wondering if there's anything else (besides the occasionally good auctions on eBay from Japan-Games and others). Thanks in advance for your help!

EDIT: So I just found out about Shopping Mall Japan and similar services... browsing Yahoo Japan, I'm finding incredible deals that seem too good to be true! Considering I am low on funds, I don't think this is an option, but I'm guessing this will be an invaluable tool in my quest to start a Famicom collection! Are their rates pretty good?

[nintendodork]

Whoa...let's get started

First of all...since you live in the U.S, make sure you visit www.Famicomshop.com, it's based in the U.S and has good deals on Famcom games, systems, etc.  Right now, though, I don't think he has a Famicom in stock...sorry..

Cables: In order to play your Famicom on an American TV, there are a few ways you can go about doing this....
For a power supply, you need to use a Famicom power adapter, a Super Famicom power adapter, or a Turbografx16 power adapter..I'm sure there are a few more you can use, so I'm sure someone else will come along and add to this.  As for A/V cables, you can only use these if you have an AV-modded original Famicom, or a toploading AV Famicom.  I have the first of the two, and it works great.  If your original Famicom isn't modded, a NES R/F switch will work just fine.  DO NOT USE A NES POWER ADAPTER ON A FAMICOM, this will fry your Famicom!!

Also, you may or may not (I recommend it) want to purchase a stepdown converter.  This will convert the Famicom's voltage output to the correct U.S output.  There is only a small difference between the two, but I use one just to be safe; it's not required.  I got mine for $25 shipped

I do recommend getting a FDS, as it has a lot of great games.  Family BASIC is good if you already know BASIC..sort of...but it's a PITA to read the manual, since it's all in Japanese (Assuming you don't know Japanese ) You can really only rely on pictures...and this is one of the very few reasons you need a Data Recorder...and most any standard tape player will work.  A 3D System is great, if you can find one, because it adds a very cool touch to some Famicom games, keep in mind though, that most games that use the 3D System are FDS disks, so you'd get more out of it if you had an FDS...unless you really like the cart games

A converter is useful for playing NES games on the Famicom, so you can have everything on one system.  The GG and PowerPak do work on a Famicom with a converter...but the Game Genie won't have a fair list of codes for Japanese games, since there may be some stuff in the games that are different. (I assume, anyway)  The only downside to this is there is no NES light gun support...Famicom guns are quite expensive and rare, due to their appearance.

ROB/Family Robot  is, indeed, universal, I have a NES one, and I've used it on my Famicom.  Many Famicom games do not require the ability to understand Japanese in order to play.  Some games have very small amounts of text, and sometimes are all in English!  Just make sure to stay clear of RPGs,  or get English translated ROMs on a PowerPak, or a NES repro and converter.  Some platforming games may also have a fair amount of Japanese in them to the point where you may struggle, but nothing a quick Google search can't fix.

As for buying stuff, like I said, go to Famicomshop, and keep checking eBay.  You will find gems on there every once in awhile, a good seller on eBay in the U.S is featherplucknfillms.  He's on this forum, albeit he doesn't post often, but he is nonetheless.  He has some great deals too.

I hope this helped, because I had most of the same questions when I started collecting this stuff, which was only a few months ago, so it just goes to show that you learn fast here!

I'm a 13 year old American with no knowledge of Japanese whatsoever, and I play the Famicom just fine.

Good luck!!

EDIT:  I just noticed your edit, and YHJ can be pricey if you buy in small quantities, as you would end up spending the same amount there as if you bought something here for a higher price.

[LocalToast]

Wow, thanks so much for your input! I can't sit still knowing there's so much Famicom stuff to discover and the only thing stopping me is my income and availability.

I do have an NES R/F adapter, so I'm good there. I guess I'll have to pick up a power adapter, so I'll keep my eyes peeled for an auction that has one. I will definitely consider a stepdown converter. Also, I can probably find a tape player lying around or at Goodwill, etc. in lieu of a Data Recorder, if it ever comes to that point.

Thanks again for your response. On a note related to games, can you recommend some good racing titles? I know 3D Hot Rally looks like fun (and is in 3D), but I'm wondering if there are any other good ones out there that I should consider.

[133MHz]

Highway Star is a great racing game too.

[nintendodork]

Highway Star also uses the 3D System, and it's a cart.  It came to America as "Rad Racer", because Deep Purple has a song called Highway Star, they wouldn't let the company use it for the title of a game.  I like Famicom Championships II: F1 Race -- the disk.  Not the cart...they're two entirely different games...the cart version is more like Pole Position for the 2600....

[LocalToast]

I like Famicom Championships II: F1 Race -- the disk.  Not the cart...they're two entirely different games...the cart version is more like Pole Position for the 2600....

Hmm... I can't find any info on that by searching Google with that title. Do you have any links/additional info? Side-note: I really enjoy Pole Position, so either way it sounds good to me.

[nintendodork]

Ack, I got mixed up, the actual title is Famicom Grand Prix: F1 Race, the second one is 3D Hot Rally, the full title being Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally

Anyway, here are a couple links about FGP: F1 Race
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famicom_Grand_Prix_-_F1_Race
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W89Q7MrxN0M

[LocalToast]

So far I've come up with a list of several racing games that look like fun (or I have enjoyed them previously): Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally, Vs. Excitebike, Spy Hunter, Highway Star/Rad Racer, Famicom Grand Prix: F-1 Race, F1 Circus, R.C. Pro-Am, Micro Machines, Super Off Road, Cobra Triangle.

Most of them are actually US NES games, but whatever. Any others? I guess I shouldn't get too wrapped up in a topic that could be better-suited for an entirely different thread.

[UglyJoe]

• Family BASIC Set (Is this worthwhile? I think it'd be fun)


• Famicom Data Recorder + Hudson tape (at some point)

From what I can judge from people on this forum who have a Family BASIC set (myself included), it seems it's only worthwhile if you already have programming experience. 

The Famicom Data Recorder is nothing but a shoebox recorder, so it's really a collectors-only sort of thing.  You can use any tape recorder you want (or use your computer) to save/load your data.

[JC]

Gekitotsu!! Yonku Battle is kinda racing, only not on a course. It's my favorite of the racing car games.

[LocalToast]

Regarding the Family BASIC set, it's not really a huge priority for me, but I am interested in it. I could definitely settle for a standard tape player, yet there's something about the Famicom Data Recorder that appeals to me. I guess having it just for the sake of having is the proper mentality of a collector.

Gekitotsu!! Yonku Battle does indeed look fun, sort of like a top-down battle mode from Mario Kart. Apparently it's called "Bom Mom Car" on a pirate cart? I searched on YouTube and that's the only result. Still, looks pretty fun.

[nintendodork]

Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally, Vs. Excitebike, Spy Hunter, Highway Star/Rad Racer, Famicom Grand Prix: F-1 Race, R.C. Pro-Am

I can only say positive things about those games.  I have VS. Excitebike (MUCH better than Excitebike), Spy Hunter, Rad Racer, R.C Pro-AM, and I've both of the FGPs on my computer, and they're all great games!  Out of all of those, I like VS. Excitebike the best, because I played Excitebike with my brother all the time on his NES, and VS. Excitebike is a huge improvement from it.  I can't recommend it enough!

[LocalToast]

Excitebike is one of my favorite NES games, so the fact that I can create and (finally) save courses, in addition to having head-to-head races with a friend just adds to the reasons why I will end up getting this game.

[Blue Protoman]

Get MOTHER.  Actually, the game's entirely in Japanese.  But there is an English prototype.  Just download that and play it on an emulator.

[TanookiSuitSam]

Or be a real man and get a repro cart of it for the NES like I did so you can get the somewhat accurate experience rather then enjoy the fakenessof it all from your computer.

The powerpak option is there too, but i wouldnt bother with it unless you wanna put rare/hard to find games on it and save yourself the trouble of having to track it down. I'd still prefer having the actual cart/disk but I'm a collector of sorts =)

What ever you decided should be fine and suit your needs!