Basic Famiclone Question(s)

[Tansut]

Howdy,

I'm new to the whole Famiclone business, so I was just wondering if they worked on US TVs/outlets, or if they're incompatibile.  I was thinking about buying this particular Famiclone off of somebody, but if it doesn't work then I don't think I'd bother.

My second question is if any Famiclones come with a mic in the controller like the original Famicom.




Thanks for any info guys!

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Tansut

Oct 5 2011, 05:32:18 PM

I'm new to the whole Famiclone business, so I was just wondering if they worked on US TVs/outlets, or if they're incompatibile.  I was thinking about buying this particular Famiclone off of somebody, but if it doesn't work then I don't think I'd bother.[/quote]That depends on whether the Famiclone is PAL or NTSC and/or your TV is capable of a PAL output.

Tansut

 

My second question is if any Famiclones come with a mic in the controller like the original Famicom.[/quote]
A couple of early Micro Genius ones might, but your bog standard one certainly doesn't.

[Pepper-98]

1. I own two famiclones, and they both work on my TVs.  Just be sure to check the power reigon for the system, as you may need a converter or universal AC adaptor to run it.

2. To my knowledge, they don't contain the microphone.  Mine don't, and I think the mic was only used for one or two games.  The only FC system to have the mic is the original Famicom system, as far as I know.

[taizou]

Yeah, I think even the earliest clones lacked the mic. Some Micro Geniuses did have a headphone port on one of the controllers though.Oh and judging from the Japanese text on the "Fanstation", it was probably intended for Japan, so it should work fine in the US even if your TV doesn't support PAL (Japan being NTSC and having the same plug type and close enough voltage to the US that it usually doesn't matter).

[Matias]

Here in Argentina, most Famiclones are just PAL-N, but there is both kind of Famiclones, such as NTSC and also I think PAL-M (Brazil).

As for the mic, never saw It on a Famiclone version really.

[Tansut]

Okay, I think I just have one final question; so the voltage is 100v, is that close enough to work in the US?

[Pepper-98]

Tansut

Oct 6 2011, 07:02:23 PM

Okay, I think I just have one final question; so the voltage is 100v, is that close enough to work in the US?[/quote]Yeah, if it's something like 100 or 120, it's NTSC based.  If it's something like 200 or 240, it's for PAL regions.

[taizou]

Yeah, US is 110v and 10v doesn't make too much of a difference - people use Japanese 100v consoles in the US all the time with no ill effects as far as I know. Maybe just keep an eye on the AC adapter and make sure it doesn't get too hot, since it's cheap.

[Tansut]

Okay so I guess I lied, I do have oooone more question.  I have a Famicom to NES converter, which is how I played all my Famicom games years ago.  Is there any advantage to owning a Famiclone or would I just be ahead to save the money and dig it out?

[Pepper-98]

Tansut

Oct 6 2011, 08:15:29 PM

Okay so I guess I lied, I do have oooone more question.  I have a Famicom to NES converter, which is how I played all my Famicom games years ago.  Is there any advantage to owning a Famiclone or would I just be ahead to save the money and dig it out?[/quote]The only advantage to owning a famiclone is the fact that you own one.  They tend to have compatibility issues and weird sound emulation, if my Power Joy and Good Boy systems are any proof.  I thought there were some games that had copy protection, but I might be thinking of the toaster-NES' 10NES chip.  If you have the old NES system, or if you *must* get a FC system, get an AV Famicom instead (or original if the microphone is that important.  The AV model has detachable controllers).  Otherwise just dig out your converter.  I'm sure someone will correct me if I made a mistake.

[taizou]

well there is one thing a Famicom->NES converter won't do (unless you mod your NES) and that's extra sound chips, as used in Akumajou Densetsu (Japanese Castlevania 3) and a few other games. the Famicom Disk System also uses it and that's tricky to use with a front loading NES anyway. I *think* famiclones can usually handle it, could be wrong though.

[Pepper-98]

taizou

Oct 7 2011, 02:49:33 AM

well there is one thing a Famicom->NES converter won't do (unless you mod your NES) and that's extra sound chips, as used in Akumajou Densetsu (Japanese Castlevania 3) and a few other games. the Famicom Disk System also uses it and that's tricky to use with a front loading NES anyway. I *think* famiclones can usually handle it, could be wrong though.[/quote]Ah, I didn't even think about the add-ons or the sound chips.  I thought I heard that famiclones usually had a problem with those extra sound chips, but I could be wrong.

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Qiezei

Oct 7 2011, 08:30:19 AM

taizou

Oct 7 2011, 02:49:33 AM

well there is one thing a Famicom->NES converter won't do (unless you mod your NES) and that's extra sound chips, as used in Akumajou Densetsu (Japanese Castlevania 3) and a few other games. the Famicom Disk System also uses it and that's tricky to use with a front loading NES anyway. I *think* famiclones can usually handle it, could be wrong though.[/quote]Ah, I didn't even think about the add-ons or the sound chips.  I thought I heard that famiclones usually had a problem with those extra sound chips, but I could be wrong.[/quote]I'd say it's one of the reasons why the real thing is superior. I think the only real things that Famiclones have over a real Famicom is that certain carts don't work on the latter, (from what I've noticed, these carts are either Korean or over 4MB) and a lot of them come with light guns.