Topic: Original Systems VS Clone systems

First of I apologize if this question as been asked but I couldn't find a way to search for forum topics on this site. So here it goes.

As I have stated in several post I have a ton of NES, SNES, and Genesis cartridges in storage but I dont have any of the systems anymore due to several reasons. I have been thinking for quite some time of buying the systems to play some of these games most of them which are not available on the VC for whatever reason.

My problem is I am kinda weary of buying a used system since thats the only way to get them. I have looked on Amazon and Ebay and I do have a store near my house that sells every video game system and game that ever came out, but I dont want to deal with the hassle of dealing with the problems of a used system.

Now I have also notice what are called Clone systems mainly the Retro Duo and the Retron3 console, but I have heard mixed reviews on these. I have heard everything from it wont play some games, to there are graphical gliches, to they can ruin your games.

Ok now for my question sorry for the lengthy background. Should I just continue looking for the original systems and just prey that I dont get a bad deal or should I just get one of the clone systems. Are the clone systems just as good as the original or do they have all those flaws like I have heard about. Truthfully it doesnt matter to me if I get a Clone system or an original one but I dont want a Clone system wrecking my games nor do I want to deal with getting a original system that wont work either.

Any Advice on this subject will be helpful and I thank you for any and all.

Well, the clone systems definately won't be as good as the originals. With the Retro Duo I have heard some games won't work (I know Caslevania III doesn't) and the colors don't display as well as the original systems. I haven't heard anything about the clone systems damaging games though. Really I'm not sure how that could be possible, unless they somehow damage the connecting pins in the cartridge. I would also say that the clone systems aren't built to last forever either. They are probably made pretty cheap, so they could break down like the old systems too. If you have some patience, you could do minor repairs to the old systems to get them to work again if they break down. Sometimes you just need to clean the pins or do some minor electronics repair. But then again, the clone systems are cheaper than the actual systems.

Lol I dont expect any system to last forver. I guess what I am asking is would I be better off buying a used original system from like Amazon or somewhere like that or a new Clone system?

I've bought plenty of used systems via eBay and the like and never had problems, but i could just be lucky. I'd say go for the originals, but don't pay too much -- that way, even if you get a bum system that dies before long, you won't feel all that bad.

Clones are fine for the most part, but as brooks mentioned, there are sometimes minor compatability issues, and if you're a purist you may be bothered by the sound reproductions (clones, like emulators, frequently are just a tad "off" when it comes to in-game sound/music). Similarly, some people have reported that colors when playing on NES clones are not as vibrant as when playing on the original system.

Now for economical purposes, a clone may be the way to go, especially if you're looking for multiple systems. There's that one that plays NES, SNES and Genny games, and you can use legacy controllers if desired, which may be perfect for you.

If you buy something on ebay and it doesn't work you can always return it. I have gazillions of old consoles, I find most if them in thrift stores and rummage/garage sales... So if you look hard enough you'll find sone. And all of my consoles have worked.

Personally I'd go for original instead of the clones. So far I've yet to experience buying a bum system (my friend used to buy old systems in flea markets that worked just like new)...

Stay away from the crappy clones. Just find a nice original system. They'll last you far longer.

i got the retron3 and it plays all the games i have. it even plays battle kid: fortress of peril
i compared battle kid to what it looks like on the nes and some parts are a little rough looking on the retron3. however you can hook up the original controllers to the retron3 and they work fine. it works with nes, snes and genesis controllers. and plays 3rd party controllers and other game carts im not sure i can mention on here...on the other hand, this store where i live has a lifetime guarantee on any system you buy from them including nes snes or genesis meaning anything goes wrong with a system or game they fix it for free no matter what goes wrong with it. guess you pay a little more but i consider that a smart investment. i just use the retron3 and i ordered it as soon as i heard about it from this site.

Wow ok so stay away from the clones lol. I guess I will check out the retro video game store I have here in town since I could actually talk to the owners abut my fears of buying a used system.

Another thing that I worry about is buying a mod system. My friend bought a Wii from online just before that whole brick your system update happened he got the update and it bricked. He sent it into Nintendo to get it fixed and they refused to fix it cause it was mod. He was out some money. But I guess I wont have to deal with that cause they dont fix SNES anymore.

Thanks for the info.

i got the retron3 instead of waiting for ever for the games i want to arrive on vc.

Yeah as I stated I have the games just no systems lol and I too am tired of waiting for them to release some of the games on VC and some like Killer Instinct on SNES they never will.

The Retro Duo I bought peeled back the contacts on my Chrono Trigger cartridge. I've reviewed most of the clones for my www.super-nes.com site and I couldn't find one I'd give you a nickel for.

Yeah thats one of my fears cause alot of my games are hard to find or expensive if I do find them, like Earthbound, and Chrono Trigger just to name a few.

You could always buy a Mega Drive dirt cheap....it doesn't really matter if they don't work for a few reasons:

1) They are more or less cheap so the risk is not that great.
2) Repairs are minor if non existant.
3) Normally, the people who sell the systems mostly have parts missing to them (which you will know of but they won't), so buying the desired components on eBay/Amazon is pretty simple (they should be cheap as well).

If anything, go for the original...but make sure you review them before you buy them priced by their condition and not by their standard...a working Mega Drive normally sells at £5 at a Car Boot...normally missing the mains or AV cable.

Hope that helps.

Yeah that helped. No offense I understood everything but the last sentence. Lol I am not sure what a car boot is and I am not sure what 5 pounds equates to dollars. but thanks for the advice going to check around her in a few days for some systems.

it works for what the general public was looking for:
http://retro.nintendolife.com/news/2010/06/feature_hyperkin_r...
ive played more games on it
and ill be posting here what games i have that dont work...when i go to the store i go to, before i buy a game they will test it on their own retron3 system, to make sure it works first...i dont expect too many not to work on it.

It's normally what you call a "Junk Yard sale" but there's more then one person doing it...and it's normally done in a spacious location (a countryside).

The people involved sell their stuff on tables but their cars are always parked behind them....that is why we call it a "car boot". It's pretty nifty if you want to look for antiques or books but the ones that sell games are normally the goldmines....you never know what they might sell for cheap....Mega Drives are very common but you can find other things such as GBA's, N64's, Dreamcasts or if you are lucky....Neo Geos, Saturns, Game Gears and the like.

£5 normally equates to something like $8.

Ah ok so its like what they call a rummage sale here in the US. Interesting facts though thanks for the info.

I've never once heard anyone in the US say "rummage sale". I thought that was a British thing. I've always only heard "yard sale"

No a rummage sale is when a group of people get together and have one huge yard sale, usually its like a church group or a school sports team trying to earn money for something. I see them all the time here in California usually in like church parking lots or school lots.