Compiling a retro console collection

timmy880

Hi all,

I've been interested for years in building a retro console collection and finally in a position financially to start doing this. Just wondering where is the best place to start and what to look out for so I know I'm getting good deals etc. The prices seem to vary considerably on adverts/ebay for old Nintendo consoles and the various sega mega drives. Any advices would be appreciated!

Thanks

o1s1n

Ebay advanced search is your friend.

Go into advanced search and there's a button you can click to show auctions which have ended (I go for the ones that have sold)

This will let you see the true market price of an item and you'll then be able to avoid the gougers.

What console are you looking to collect for? The Megadrive is a great one to start with as the games are generally quite cheap, complete in box.

timmy880

o1s1n wrote: »

Ebay advanced search is your friend.

Go into advanced search and there's a button you can click to show auctions which have ended (I go for the ones that have sold)

This will let you see the true market price of an item and you'll then be able to avoid the gougers.

What console are you looking to collect for? The Megadrive is a great one to start with as the games are generally quite cheap, complete in box.

Thanks for that. That's great advice! Would never have thought of that!

The mega drive would be top of the list alright to get started and seems to be straight forward enough to get and purchase games as long as you're willing to pay! That and the NES are where I'm trying to start at the moment!

o1s1n

Another thing to keep in mind, are you up on the differences between PAL and NTSC consoles?

PAL run in 50hz letterboxed, NTSC 60hz full screen.

50Hz is also 17% slower than 60Hz. As the games were designed for NTSC 60Hz, you're actually not playing the games as they were intended if you're using PAL 50Hz. (they've been slowed down considerably and don't take up the whole screen picture)

It's definitely recommended that you get your PAL Megadrive & Snes modded if you want to collect PAL games.

Also make sure to invest in proper RGB scart cables for the best picture quality, the difference between them and the RF cable that comes with those consoles is like night and day.

Retr0gamer

I'd be looking at what consoles to buy as well.

You'll really want to play all your games at 60Hz. Something like the Megadrive and SNES can be easily modified down the road to run at 60 Hz and the PAL Playstation will run NTSC games in 60Hz once it's chipped. However consoles like the N64 you really need to be buying a US or Japanese machine.

Also when it comes to the Playstation you really should be getting all your games from the US so you can play them in 60Hz.

You might think it's a bit pedantic but down the line you'll get annoyed once you realise how terrible games in 50 Hz are compared to 60 Hz games.

One other thing to look out for is Japanese versions of games can be a hell of a lot cheaper than the US or European counterparts. Most are in English or don't require English to play so it's a no brainer.

timmy880

o1s1n wrote: »

Another thing to keep in mind, are you up on the differences between PAL and NTSC consoles?

PAL run in 50hz letterboxed, NTSC 60hz full screen.

50Hz is also 17% slower than 60Hz. As the games were designed for NTSC 60Hz, you're actually not playing the games as they were intended if you're using PAL 50Hz. (they've been slowed down considerably and don't take up the whole screen picture)

It's definitely recommended that you get your PAL Megadrive & Snes modded if you want to collect PAL games.

Also make sure to invest in proper RGB scart cables for the best picture quality, the difference between them and the RF cable that comes with those consoles is like night and day.

No, I wasn't aware of those differences! Thanks for all that. That's a great help!

timmy880

Retr0gamer wrote: »

I'd be looking at what consoles to buy as well.

You'll really want to play all your games at 60Hz. Something like the Megadrive and SNES can be easily modified down the road to run at 60 Hz and the PAL Playstation will run NTSC games in 60Hz once it's chipped. However consoles like the N64 you really need to be buying a US or Japanese machine.

Also when it comes to the Playstation you really should be getting all your games from the US so you can play them in 60Hz.

You might think it's a bit pedantic but down the line you'll get annoyed once you realise how terrible games in 50 Hz are compared to 60 Hz games.

One other thing to look out for is Japanese versions of games can be a hell of a lot cheaper than the US or European counterparts. Most are in English or don't require English to play so it's a no brainer.

Great! Is shipping an issue from the US though? I've bought the old final fantasy games that were recreated to work on playstation through Asian before and they've worked perfectly and were in English. I've had more trouble through the states for games though.

o1s1n

No worries

It's a good thing to know when you're starting off as there are some pitfalls to be avoided, like the one Retr0 mentioned and the Playstation (you can't mod a playstation to play your PAL games in 60Hz, so a PAL collection is forever stuck in 50hz, like my one! )

Atavan-Halen

timmy880 wrote: »

Great! Is shipping an issue from the US though? I've bought the old final fantasy games that were recreated to work on playstation through Asian before and they've worked perfectly and were in English. I've had more trouble through the states for games though.

Shipping from the us can be expensive and is liable for customs on the pricier items. Try and avoid eBay listings from the US where it adds in the customs charges automatically. These are shipped by a different company and they tend to repackage things and charge more for postage.

CiDeRmAn

If starting a retro collection a Jap Megadrive is a great great start.
As mentioned above with a few cuts it'll play everything and with a switch less modification it'll run it all at the right speed as well.
Games are easily found, especially on Adverts and here in our Marketplace.

As another option might I suggest a Gameboy Pocket
It is a lovely compact machine, there's a massive library of games, the screen is great, it uses 2 AAA batteries but they last ages.
Also it can be picked up for small money with a few games on Adverts Pokemon , Zelda, Mario and the rest all appeared on the machine and it's well worth the investment, and €50 would see you set up with a Gameboy Pocket and a few decent games.

Retr0gamer

timmy880 wrote: »

Great! Is shipping an issue from the US though? I've bought the old final fantasy games that were recreated to work on playstation through Asian before and they've worked perfectly and were in English. I've had more trouble through the states for games though.

If you avoid the ebay sellers that automatically add customs then most games will be significantly cheaper from the US even with postage factored on top.

Those Final Fantasy games you bought are copies and aren't worth the price of the CD they are printed on.

US playstation games won't work on a stock Playstation but you can get it chipped so that they will work. There's a few people that can help you with that. Seriously if you are just starting, do not buy any PAL European PS1 games, you will regret it down the line.... most of us here do. The extra expense and hassle of getting the PS1 chipped is worth it.

Andrew76

I'd definitely echo the lads when it comes to 60Hz, whether it's via a modded PAL console or an NTSC one, it's well worth it in the long run.

Also, have a think about the TV you plan to use. I'm a firm believer in using an RGB cable + CRT as being the best (and cheapest) route to go. It's how the games were meant to be played and you'll get the best picture from that combination. A 20" Sony Trinitron for €40/€30 or less from Adverts or wherever is perfect. They take up very little space too.

If a CRT isn't an option and you have to use your main flat screen tv then RGB might not be an option. I'll let the flat screen infidels experts elaborate on what might be needed cable wise there. :P You'll also have no scanlines without an extra device of some sort (SLG or whatever), if that matters to you.

Oh and don't forget to have fun with the endeavour, otherwise what's the point.

Retr0gamer

RGB is the best picture quality you will get even on a LCD without resorting to spending hundreds on scalers and scanline generators. AV composite looks absolutely digusting on a LCD so RGB is pretty much essential.

I've noticed a lot of TV manufacturers not putting much effort into analogue signals recently. My new Samsung which is a great TV has a pretty naff RGB output. It's perfect at the bottom of the TV but near the top there's some dot crawl. Not the quality you'd expect from Samsung.

murphyebass

Probably a stupid question but does a PS2 run in 50 or 60htz?

I get a question when I play some games asking about the 50/60htz and if I click 60htz it kinda sits off centre.

My TV is/was an expensive LG one. I purposely spent getting one that I was 99% sure ran 60htz.

Tekken 5 on PS2 came with the arcade versions of 1,2 and 3 included. What are they running at?

Also what about the newer consoles like the 360. They run in 60htz right?

Sorry for all the questions. Like the OP until recently I knew nothing of this hence buying an N64 in Pal stupidly. Couldnt be bothered going back now though as theres not a lot of games I play on it. Was more nostalgia tbh. That and Lylat wars as I dont have a 3DS.

Just waiting on my cable from ebay for the modded Mega Drive I got from Keithgeoto play that at the proper speed. Cant wait!!

timmy880

Andrew76 wrote: »

I'd definitely echo the lads when it comes to 60Hz, whether it's via a modded PAL console or an NTSC one, it's well worth it in the long run.

Also, have a think about the TV you plan to use. I'm a firm believer in using an RGB cable + CRT as being the best (and cheapest) route to go. It's how the games were meant to be played and you'll get the best picture from that combination. A 20" Sony Trinitron for €40/€30 or less from Adverts or wherever is perfect. They take up very little space too.

If a CRT isn't an option and you have to use your main flat screen tv then RGB might not be an option. I'll let the flat screen infidels experts elaborate on what might be needed cable wise there. :P You'll also have no scanlines without an extra device of some sort (SLG or whatever), if that matters to you.

Oh and don't forget to have fun with the endeavour, otherwise what's the point.

Thanks! Im a bit stressed already haha but everybodys advice has been great and very helpful

Hank Scorpio

Here's a good video demonstrating the difference, like yourself I had no idea about this until I met the gurus on this forum a few years ago. The difference is unreal in most games on the snes and megadrive from my experience

Retr0gamer

murphyebass wrote: »

Probably a stupid question but does a PS2 run in 50 or 60htz?

It depends on the game. NTSC games will run in 60 Hz. PAL games will run in 50 but the majority give you the option to run in 60 Hz. Also the PS2 is very easy to soft mod with a hard disk mod and free MC boot so a PAL console is a good way to go.

PAL PS2 games to avoid are early PS2 games like the original DMC and all Squaresoft games and a few other RPGs that play much better in 60 Hz.

krudler

Retr0gamer wrote: »

I'd be looking at what consoles to buy as well.

You'll really want to play all your games at 60Hz. Something like the Megadrive and SNES can be easily modified down the road to run at 60 Hz and the PAL Playstation will run NTSC games in 60Hz once it's chipped. However consoles like the N64 you really need to be buying a US or Japanese machine.

Also when it comes to the Playstation you really should be getting all your games from the US so you can play them in 60Hz.

You might think it's a bit pedantic but down the line you'll get annoyed once you realise how terrible games in 50 Hz are compared to 60 Hz games.

One other thing to look out for is Japanese versions of games can be a hell of a lot cheaper than the US or European counterparts. Most are in English or don't require English to play so it's a no brainer.

Question, when emulating games does the rom file in question have a bearing on whether it's 50/60hz? or does the emulator do the work? like say Street Fighter 2, the PAL version had godawful huge black bars on the SNES version.

CiDeRmAn

Retr0gamer wrote: »

It depends on the game. NTSC games will run in 60 Hz. PAL games will run in 50 but the majority give you the option to run in 60 Hz. Also the PS2 is very easy to soft mod with a hard disk mod and free MC boot so a PAL console is a good way to go.

PAL PS2 games to avoid are early PS2 games like the original DMC and all Squaresoft games and a few other RPGs that play much better in 60 Hz.

Or watch out for a TEST PS2, it'll run any region straight away, no need for modifications.

o1s1n

Its all hardware with the SNES, so 100% the emulator. (Unless the game had been n PAL optimized of course, most aren't)

Retr0gamer

Some emulators will default to the regions settings but you can force PAL games to play in 60 Hz. Really just play the US versions of the roms and you should be fine.

timmy880

This has been a great help... Thanks very much for all the helpful responses

julan

Retro games are awesome! it brings back a lot of childhood memories. Good luck on building them timmy

timmy880

julan wrote: »

Retro games are awesome! it brings back a lot of childhood memories. Good luck on building them timmy

Cheers Julan! I've already been excited as a kid going through all the old consoles online!

timmy880

I'm not sure is it against board rules to post links but if I find what I think is a good deal can one of ye check it out for me if I pm?

Cheers

julan

I think you can links already since you already have more than 50 post

timmy880

http://www.adverts.ie/arcade-retro/sega-mega-drive-2-16-bit-2-controllers-4-games/6169239?notification=7ead7554b110f9beb0a031f4e64d096b-1408531323#comment_34591019

Yay or nay on this????? It would be my first purchase..... I've always had a soft spot for a mega drive and this guy can post it to Dublin for me.....

julan

Wow timmy that's great.

Myrddin

timmy880 wrote: »

http://www.adverts.ie/arcade-retro/sega-mega-drive-2-16-bit-2-controllers-4-games/6169239?notification=7ead7554b110f9beb0a031f4e64d096b-1408531323#comment_34591019

Yay or nay on this????? It would be my first purchase..... I've always had a soft spot for a mega drive and this guy can post it to Dublin for me.....

I'd hold out for a Megadrive 1 to be honest, though the above is an OK price, it's not bargain of the century but not a rip off either.

timmy880

Myrddin wrote: »

I'd hold out for a Megadrive 1 to be honest, though the above is an OK price, it's not bargain of the century but not a rip off either.

Thanks for that.... Think I'll go for it. Have to get started somewhere. Doesn't appear I'm getting ripped off from what I've seen on other sites.

Tipsy McSwagger

What about this http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Sega-Mega-Drive-II-console-Boxed-ALADDIN-bundle-good-condition-/111440065712?pt=UK_VideoGames_VideoGameConsoles_VideoGameConsoles&hash=item19f25874b0

Save on P&P by using Parcel Motel.

timmy880

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

What about this http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Sega-Mega-Drive-II-console-Boxed-ALADDIN-bundle-good-condition-/111440065712?pt=UK_VideoGames_VideoGameConsoles_VideoGameConsoles&hash=item19f25874b0

Save on P&P by using Parcel Motel.

Thanks for that... I've taken a chance on the one on adverts though as of this morning! Hopefully turns out ok! If you spot any other good deals on consoles please let me know though!

Thanks

timmy880

Trying to go after the old Nintendo Entertainment System. Really loved that console and had one as a kid that broke unfortunately. There are a couple on adverts that are coming in at €250 quid so I'm going the ebay route on this one. Hopefully can pick up something cheaper with a few games also!

Andrew76

timmy880 wrote: »

Trying to go after the old Nintendo Entertainment System. Really loved that console and had one as a kid that broke unfortunately. There are a couple on adverts that are coming in at €250 quid so I'm going the ebay route on this one. Hopefully can pick up something cheaper with a few games also!

€250 for a NES? Was it made of gold or something... Some amount of chancing gits out there.

If it's unboxed, I wouldn't pay more than €40 for one.

julan

I think that 250 for NES is way too much timmy

timmy880

Andrew76 wrote: »

€250 for a NES? Was it made of gold or something... Some amount of chancing gits out there.

If it's unboxed, I wouldn't pay more than €40 for one.

Well I won't get one for 40 from what I've seen online but can definitely do better than 250 (http://www.adverts.ie/arcade-retro/nintendo-nes-boxed-complete/6217039)

Kimbot

Timmy if you have no luck with the megadrive drop me a pm, I have about 3 there and I will be selling whats left of my collection over the next little while.

o1s1n

Had a quick look, here's one for £27 Buy it now. (€43 after postage & Parcel motel brings it up to €46.50 - not too far off 40!)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nintendo-NES-Deluxe-Grey-Console-PAL-/251621401021?pt=UK_VideoGames_VideoGameConsoles_VideoGameConsoles&hash=item3a95cde1bd

Edit - damn, the dust flap is missing from that one. Will take another look...

julan

I remember that I have a lot of NES games and I even have a joystick. My friend borrowed all of it and he didn't return it.

timmy880

jonny24ie wrote: »

Timmy if you have no luck with the megadrive drop me a pm, I have about 3 there and I will be selling whats left of my collection over the next little while.

Thanks for that... I just made an offer on adverts If it falls through though I'll definitely be in touch

timmy880

julan wrote: »

I remember that I have a lot of NES games and I even have a joystick. My friend borrowed all of it and he didn't return it.

Ya there used to be loads of them about years ago and were always at car boot sales!

Tomo.Murphy

Don't the rage sell NES consoles around that price?

No harm in sending them a message on Facebook to see what they sell them for or if they sell it as one of their console bundles with €40 worth of games.

timmy880

Tomo.Murphy wrote: »

Don't the rage sell NES consoles around that price?

No harm in sending them a message on Facebook to see what they sell them for or if they sell it as one of their console bundles with €40 worth of games.

Thanks I'll give them a message. Might be other good stuff they sell as well

Tomo.Murphy

timmy880 wrote: »

Thanks I'll give them a message. Might be other good stuff they sell as well

No problem. Their prices run a little high most of the time, but their NES consoles are far from €250, ha.

CathalDublin

timmy880 wrote: »

Well I won't get one for 40 from what I've seen online but can definitely do better than 250 (http://www.adverts.ie/arcade-retro/nintendo-nes-boxed-complete/6217039)

You will definitely get a nes for €40 or less on adverts, just setup adverts to notify you of newly created adverts with the words nes in them, ones with a game or 2 generally sell for €50-60, if you dont mind fixing the flashing red light which you will more than likely have to do at some stage anyway you should pick one up for about €20, its a simple easy fix and good practice for when you have to do it again.

Recently sold items on adverts:
http://www.adverts.ie/nintendo/nes-console/5247311
http://www.adverts.ie/nintendo/nes-console-only/3825929
http://www.adverts.ie/nintendo/nes-console/5511227
http://www.adverts.ie/nintendo/nintendo-nes-console-faulty-flashing-red-light/2636930

Kimbot

timmy880 wrote: »

Thanks for that... I just made an offer on adverts If it falls through though I'll definitely be in touch

No problem, what are you looking for collection wise as I have a crate of stuff there?

timmy880

Rage got back to me and are offering the NES for €69 which includes multi-region unlock, new 72-pin connectors, 2 controllers and all required cables or a bundle deal with €40 worth of games also..... Looking like a no brainer based on what I've seen on adverts and ebay?

timmy880

jonny24ie wrote: »

No problem, what are you looking for collection wise as I have a crate of stuff there?

I'm just starting out so I'd take anything off your hands that's in good condition. PM me what you're looking to get rid of.

Thanks

Kimbot

timmy880 wrote: »

Rage got back to me and are offering the NES for €69 which includes multi-region unlock, new 72-pin connectors, 2 controllers and all required cables or a bundle deal with €40 worth of games also..... Looking like a no brainer based on what I've seen on adverts and ebay?

Thats a very good price.

Retr0gamer

Definitely do not buy the NES. It will be a PAL version locked at 50Hz. There's no way to mod a NES to play games at 60Hz. My advice is get either a US NES but shipping will be a bit of an expense and dealing with 72 pin connectors is a pain in the ass.

What you are better off getting is getting either a top loading US NES (they can be expensive though) or do like me and get a Famicom with a converter to play NES games. Neither of them have connection problems (trust me after a month that 72 pin connector will be giving trouble and will need to be replaced with in 6-12 months) and neither need a region unlocking mod. Postage of a famicom from japan should be cheap enough.

Optimus Prime

Plus you can do that region mod yourself with a scissors! you just pull one leg off a chip. Though i have to say its not the worst price for a Pal nes, they must have a load of them or something.