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My son wants the impossible to get Nintendo Classic
#11
RE: My son wants the impossible to get Nintendo Classic
You're throwing too much at something that old. I wouldn't pay more than a dollar for that ancient crap, let alone 90!
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#12
RE: My son wants the impossible to get Nintendo Classic
(December 12, 2016 at 7:22 pm)Bella Morte Wrote:
(December 12, 2016 at 7:17 pm)pocaracas Wrote: Why waste money on the pi?

It's not a waste of money though...

It is, if its only purpose is to emulate a NES.
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#13
RE: My son wants the impossible to get Nintendo Classic
(December 13, 2016 at 5:47 am)pocaracas Wrote:
(December 12, 2016 at 7:22 pm)Bella Morte Wrote: It's not a waste of money though...

It is, if its only purpose is to emulate a NES.

But it can to so much more.  First, it's not just NES it emulates.  It's basically any older gaming system.  Buy the right controller and you're set for Atari games of any flavor, Sega, Amiga, Apple II, Commodore 64, old PC and a ton of things I know nothing about.  It already has controllers for SNES, which work with NES.  It has wifi and bluetooth for connectivity.  And all you have to do is swap out the SD card and it's anything you want it to be.  If I can get him interested in something other than video games (no luck on that so far) it's a programming lab.

I'm hoping once I tell him what all it can do he'll start looking for himself what he can do with it.  It's sort of a learning toy disguised as a game, if that works, anyway.  And he's going to freak when he starts playing "Zero Wing" and realizes what game it is when the opening cut scene says, "All your base are belong to us!"

As for leaving it to him to assemble, there isn't much assembly to do.  Put the SD card in, snap the board in the case, snap the lid on the case and done.  Then you have to get the ROMs on it, which is more boring setup than assembly.  I would rather have it just ready to go.

Someone here mentioned Zelda (of course).  That's actually why he wanted it.  He loves Legend of Zelda games.  His cat is named Zelda.  He wants to play some of the older games.  Now he can play all of the older games.

So, "worth it" really depends on your perspective.  $90 to play crappy old games, no.  Probably not.  But $90 to give my 15 year old son the best present he ever got in his mind, definitely.
Have you ever noticed all the drug commercials on TV lately?  Why is it the side effects never include penile enlargement or super powers?
Side effects may include super powers or enlarged penis which may become permanent with continued use.  Stop taking Killatol immediately and consult your doctor if you experience penis enlargement of more than 3 inches, laser vision, superhuman strength, invulnerability, the ability to explode heads with your mind or time travel.  Killatoll is not for everyone, especially those who already have convertibles or vehicles of ridiculous size to supplement penis size.
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#14
RE: My son wants the impossible to get Nintendo Classic
(December 12, 2016 at 6:45 pm)Asmodee Wrote: I'm not spending $200-$300 on eBay to get this thing.  Hell, I had already decided I wasn't spending $60 on it.  Way too much for 30 old games and zero possibility of future upgrades or new features/games.

What I got him instead was a Retropie setup.  Yeah, it's $30 more, but instead of 30 games it's more like 3,000,000 (probably millions more, don't feel like looking it up and mathing) games you can put on it.  Instead of NES it's ANY old system it can emulate.  A $10 controller and a few ROM downloads and he can have a whole new(ish) emulated system.

I did some checking and this was actually a pretty good deal.  Raspberry Pi 3b was about $35, the case about $7, the power supply about $10, the controllers about $7 each, the SD card about $17 (for a card twice this size, but not sure if it was 100% compatible as that seems to be touchy).  That's already $83 and this also comes with the HDMI cable and qualified for free shipping, individual parts might not.  It also comes with Retropie already installed on the card, saving me 10 minutes plus whatever time it would have taken me to research and download it and the software I needed to put it on the card.

It's coming in Thursday.  I'll put it together if necessary, do any setup, copy over any ROMs, test it, put it back in the box and wrap it.  I expect to spend 30 minutes or less on the project since the legwork is already done, though if it has an outdated version of Retropie I might redo it with the latest version.

It was the "one thing" he wanted for Christmas and he doesn't think he's getting it because it's just not realistically available.  I think he'll be happy with what he gets instead.

Dude did you 300 for classic? Where have you been?! That's a steal! and you have to nearly as much for new stuff in the end anyway. My this me being young and taking his side but I'd say if you can squeeze let the kid have the classic.
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#15
RE: My son wants the impossible to get Nintendo Classic
My rabbit's name was Zelda and my dog was Link <3 lol

I mean I get having a system is soooo much better than just playing on a computer (sorry Poca I am a systems girl) but I just don't understand why they cost so much where you live. Have you checked all options? Still I've played the ones that have old games on newer stuff, my PS4 has a disc that let's me play the original Sonic along with a bunch of other games and I love it. I reckon your boy will have fun regardless.
“What screws us up the most in life is the picture in our head of what it's supposed to be.”

Also if your signature makes my scrolling mess up "you're tacky and I hate you."
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#16
RE: My son wants the impossible to get Nintendo Classic
(December 13, 2016 at 12:46 pm)BrokenQuill92 Wrote:
(December 12, 2016 at 6:45 pm)Asmodee Wrote: I'm not spending $200-$300 on eBay to get this thing.  Hell, I had already decided I wasn't spending $60 on it.  Way too much for 30 old games and zero possibility of future upgrades or new features/games.

What I got him instead was a Retropie setup.  Yeah, it's $30 more, but instead of 30 games it's more like 3,000,000 (probably millions more, don't feel like looking it up and mathing) games you can put on it.  Instead of NES it's ANY old system it can emulate.  A $10 controller and a few ROM downloads and he can have a whole new(ish) emulated system.

I did some checking and this was actually a pretty good deal.  Raspberry Pi 3b was about $35, the case about $7, the power supply about $10, the controllers about $7 each, the SD card about $17 (for a card twice this size, but not sure if it was 100% compatible as that seems to be touchy).  That's already $83 and this also comes with the HDMI cable and qualified for free shipping, individual parts might not.  It also comes with Retropie already installed on the card, saving me 10 minutes plus whatever time it would have taken me to research and download it and the software I needed to put it on the card.

It's coming in Thursday.  I'll put it together if necessary, do any setup, copy over any ROMs, test it, put it back in the box and wrap it.  I expect to spend 30 minutes or less on the project since the legwork is already done, though if it has an outdated version of Retropie I might redo it with the latest version.

It was the "one thing" he wanted for Christmas and he doesn't think he's getting it because it's just not realistically available.  I think he'll be happy with what he gets instead.

Dude did you 300 for classic? Where have you been?! That's a steal! and you have to nearly as much for new stuff in the end anyway. My this me being young and taking his side but I'd say if you can squeeze let the kid have the classic.

Retropie can play every one of those 30 games plus literal millions more.  Why would I spend $300 on a limited piece of junk which can never be upgraded when I can spend less than 1/3 that for something literal millions of times better?  I wouldn't have even spent $60 on the Classic.  Even before I found that they weren't readily available I didn't think $60 was a "reasonable" price and I was still considering Retropie instead.

And that is a very materialistic viewpoint.  $300 for an old gaming system is just wasteful.  It is that materialism which is literally destroying the planet and shifting all the wealth to a handful of people around the world.  The day will come, and not too far from now, I think, when people will finally realize the true cost of materialism.  When there are tornadoes in Canada in the winter and the rain forests turn to desert maybe then we will finally accept that climate change is real and caused in large part by endless excessive consumption.  Climate change isn't the fault of the corporations, nor is wealth inequality.  It is the fault of the mindless masses who buy into the idea that shopping is how you express emotions, whether it be love or loneliness or sadness or happiness or boredom, there is no emotion which can't be expressed or sated by shopping for things you neither need nor really want, things which lie forgotten almost as soon as they are purchased.

The past couple of years we have toned the Christmas shopping down considerably.  We decided it's not about a massive number of gifts or the amount we spend, it's about getting a few things they really want to make them happy.  In the end the Retropie will make my son WAY happier than the Classic would.  He couldn't play Zero Wing on the Classic, which I am quite sure will excite him to no end when he sees the origins of the popular meme in the game in front of him.  He wanted the Classic to play the old Zelda games.  On the Classic, he could play 2 of them.  On the Retropie he can play ALL of them.  It's really a no-brainer.

(December 13, 2016 at 12:56 pm)mlmooney89 Wrote: My rabbit's name was Zelda and my dog was Link <3 lol

I mean I get having a system is soooo much better than just playing on a computer (sorry Poca I am a systems girl) but I just don't understand why they cost so much where you live. Have you checked all options? Still I've played the ones that have old games on newer stuff, my PS4 has a disc that let's me play the original Sonic along with a bunch of other games and I love it. I reckon your boy will have fun regardless.

I'm a computer technician, so I used to say that I would never buy a console because the computer can do everything the console can plus some.  but I've found that just isn't true.  The console is on my big-screen TV.  I never need to buy a new video card or check the system requirements when buying a game.  It just works.  I don't have a lap-full of keyboard, mouse and controller and I'm not stuck at a desk with the console.  I don't have to learn 30 keyboard shortcuts every time I buy a new game.  The console is hands-down better in most cases.

Where the computer shines is its hackability.  With enough skill and patience I can do anything with a computer game.  I can change the text, edit my saved file, even swap out content (not that I've ever gone that far).  For many games I can make additional content of my own, albeit limited, such as new and interesting game maps.  And I just can't imagine an RTS, my favorite game genre, being even half as good without keyboard shortcuts, especially to select groups of units, adding and removing single units easily with a key and a click.

I'm not sure, based on your response, that you understand what a Retropie is.  It is a software package for the Raspberry Pi, which is a computer, but a very small one.  No keyboard and mouse, no Windows.  With Retropie installed it's just a tiny box with controllers connected to it.  Yes, it is a small computer, but Retropie actually turns it into a console.  But it can be turned into a lot of other things too.
Have you ever noticed all the drug commercials on TV lately?  Why is it the side effects never include penile enlargement or super powers?
Side effects may include super powers or enlarged penis which may become permanent with continued use.  Stop taking Killatol immediately and consult your doctor if you experience penis enlargement of more than 3 inches, laser vision, superhuman strength, invulnerability, the ability to explode heads with your mind or time travel.  Killatoll is not for everyone, especially those who already have convertibles or vehicles of ridiculous size to supplement penis size.
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#17
RE: My son wants the impossible to get Nintendo Classic
(December 13, 2016 at 1:05 pm)Asmodee Wrote:
(December 13, 2016 at 12:56 pm)mlmooney89 Wrote: My rabbit's name was Zelda and my dog was Link <3 lol

I mean I get having a system is soooo much better than just playing on a computer (sorry Poca I am a systems girl) but I just don't understand why they cost so much where you live. Have you checked all options? Still I've played the ones that have old games on newer stuff, my PS4 has a disc that let's me play the original Sonic along with a bunch of other games and I love it. I reckon your boy will have fun regardless.

I'm a computer technician, so I used to say that I would never buy a console because the computer can do everything the console can plus some.  but I've found that just isn't true.  The console is on my big-screen TV.  I never need to buy a new video card or check the system requirements when buying a game.  It just works.  I don't have a lap-full of keyboard, mouse and controller and I'm not stuck at a desk with the console.  I don't have to learn 30 keyboard shortcuts every time I buy a new game.  The console is hands-down better in most cases.

Where the computer shines is its hackability.  With enough skill and patience I can do anything with a computer game.  I can change the text, edit my saved file, even swap out content (not that I've ever gone that far).  For many games I can make additional content of my own, albeit limited, such as new and interesting game maps.  And I just can't imagine an RTS, my favorite game genre, being even half as good without keyboard shortcuts, especially to select groups of units, adding and removing single units easily with a key and a click.

I'm not sure, based on your response, that you understand what a Retropie is.  It is a software package for the Raspberry Pi, which is a computer, but a very small one.  No keyboard and mouse, no Windows.  With Retropie installed it's just a tiny box with controllers connected to it.  Yes, it is a small computer, but Retropie actually turns it into a console.  But it can be turned into a lot of other things too.

Oh no I get it, it's just I was comparing the idea of old games not on their original console and put together with hundreds of other games. I had a few 'systems' which were similar to what you are describing... one I accidently fried. Apparently you hafta use the proper power cord regardless of whether it fits or not. My step dad was not happy when smoke came out of the little box. My bad.)
“What screws us up the most in life is the picture in our head of what it's supposed to be.”

Also if your signature makes my scrolling mess up "you're tacky and I hate you."
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#18
RE: My son wants the impossible to get Nintendo Classic
(December 13, 2016 at 1:24 pm)mlmooney89 Wrote:
(December 13, 2016 at 1:05 pm)Asmodee Wrote: I'm a computer technician, so I used to say that I would never buy a console because the computer can do everything the console can plus some.  but I've found that just isn't true.  The console is on my big-screen TV.  I never need to buy a new video card or check the system requirements when buying a game.  It just works.  I don't have a lap-full of keyboard, mouse and controller and I'm not stuck at a desk with the console.  I don't have to learn 30 keyboard shortcuts every time I buy a new game.  The console is hands-down better in most cases.

Where the computer shines is its hackability.  With enough skill and patience I can do anything with a computer game.  I can change the text, edit my saved file, even swap out content (not that I've ever gone that far).  For many games I can make additional content of my own, albeit limited, such as new and interesting game maps.  And I just can't imagine an RTS, my favorite game genre, being even half as good without keyboard shortcuts, especially to select groups of units, adding and removing single units easily with a key and a click.

I'm not sure, based on your response, that you understand what a Retropie is.  It is a software package for the Raspberry Pi, which is a computer, but a very small one.  No keyboard and mouse, no Windows.  With Retropie installed it's just a tiny box with controllers connected to it.  Yes, it is a small computer, but Retropie actually turns it into a console.  But it can be turned into a lot of other things too.

Oh no I get it, it's just I was comparing the idea of old games not on their original console and put together with hundreds of other games. I had a few 'systems' which were similar to what you are describing... one I accidently fried. Apparently you hafta use the proper power cord regardless of whether it fits or not. My step dad was not happy when smoke came out of the little box. My bad.)
Lol, yeah, the output voltage is kind of important.
Have you ever noticed all the drug commercials on TV lately?  Why is it the side effects never include penile enlargement or super powers?
Side effects may include super powers or enlarged penis which may become permanent with continued use.  Stop taking Killatol immediately and consult your doctor if you experience penis enlargement of more than 3 inches, laser vision, superhuman strength, invulnerability, the ability to explode heads with your mind or time travel.  Killatoll is not for everyone, especially those who already have convertibles or vehicles of ridiculous size to supplement penis size.
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#19
RE: My son wants the impossible to get Nintendo Classic
(December 13, 2016 at 4:11 am)Atheist_BG Wrote: You're throwing too much at something that old. I wouldn't pay more than a dollar for that ancient crap, let alone 90!

lol that's only because you don't know what it means to have a soul! Tongue
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#20
RE: My son wants the impossible to get Nintendo Classic
(December 13, 2016 at 12:36 pm)Asmodee Wrote:
(December 13, 2016 at 5:47 am)pocaracas Wrote: It is, if its only purpose is to emulate a NES.

But it can to so much more.  First, it's not just NES it emulates.  It's basically any older gaming system.  Buy the right controller and you're set for Atari games of any flavor, Sega, Amiga, Apple II, Commodore 64, old PC and a ton of things I know nothing about.  It already has controllers for SNES, which work with NES.  It has wifi and bluetooth for connectivity.  And all you have to do is swap out the SD card and it's anything you want it to be.  If I can get him interested in something other than video games (no luck on that so far) it's a programming lab.

I'm hoping once I tell him what all it can do he'll start looking for himself what he can do with it.  It's sort of a learning toy disguised as a game, if that works, anyway.  And he's going to freak when he starts playing "Zero Wing" and realizes what game it is when the opening cut scene says, "All your base are belong to us!"

As for leaving it to him to assemble, there isn't much assembly to do.  Put the SD card in, snap the board in the case, snap the lid on the case and done.  Then you have to get the ROMs on it, which is more boring setup than assembly.  I would rather have it just ready to go.

Someone here mentioned Zelda (of course).  That's actually why he wanted it.  He loves Legend of Zelda games.  His cat is named Zelda.  He wants to play some of the older games.  Now he can play all of the older games.

So, "worth it" really depends on your perspective.  $90 to play crappy old games, no.  Probably not.  But $90 to give my 15 year old son the best present he ever got in his mind, definitely.

Confusedigh:
It may emulate perfectly up to the N64... but if you already have a desktop or laptop, you already have a machine that's powerful enough to emulate perfectly up to the playstation and gamecube... or even beyond those.
If it's to be a learning tool, you may already have it. Why waste mooneys on an extra device? one that will then call for a bluetooth keyboard and mouse... because you know you'll want those... more moolah!

But yeah, go ahead. The Raspberry Pi is a great little device that can run a full linux distro. I have one running right now, just so I can do ssh tunneling to my home and serve a few media files that I have on a usb stick.
I've tried the XBMC ROM on it and it played 1080p movie files flawlessly. Never did get to try emulators, because... no extra keyboard and mouse... I just used the ones connected to my main desktop computer to set up the Pi and now I only access it via SSH. It has X, so I can even run a web browser on that... but that's slow.
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