Nintendo - I aim to play the classics from each gen, thoughts on what to buy etc.

dowie

dowie

dowie

Caporegime
Joined
29 Jan 2008
Posts
59,130
I've decided that over the course of 2025 I'd like to experience some of the Nintendo classics so I've done a bit of research and am just outlining my thoughts re: what to get. As a kid I had a BBC B, MegaDrive, Amiga and PC - I did play a bit of SNES and N64 with the kids a couple of doors down but that was more Mario Kart, SF2 etc. I've not really sat down and played through the Zelda games for example and only partially the Mario/Super Mario.

Ideally, I'd like to play the main Mario Games, Zelda and Mario Kart plus maybe a few standout games from the various generations. I don't own a Switch, I'll maybe get the Switch 2 later this year since it's backwards compatible but the focus for this thread is mostly Retro gaming on the appropriate hardware (not emulation save for SNES and NES mini and not interested in piracy either.)

Portable Systems

Not a priority really but the jist of it is that I gather the DS Lite covers everything going back from it to GBA and (not retro but for the sake of completeness) the 3DS covers everything going back to DS.
So perhaps just need to buy 2 portable devices - though there are some GameCube games that use the GBA I guess.

Main Consoles

NES and SNES - I have no interest in the original UK hardware because of the PAL issue, didn't realize it as a kid that we were playing slow/crippled versions of games made for the US/Japan but no need to tolerate it now.

I own a NES and SNES mini which solves this issue - plays the games at 60Hz and HDMI out... I think that's me sorted for the moment as they each have the main Mario/Zelda games + classics like SF2 and F-Zero on SNES.

(Not really interested in the NES beyond classic Mario + Zelda but I guess if there are other SNES games worth trying and not included in the SNES Classic bundle then either importing a US SNES + upscaler or an Analogue Super Nt second-hand + US NSTC carts are probably the only good options here - though this is only a "maybe" and certainly not a priority.)

Solution - stick with NES/SNES Classic

N64 - PAL issues apparently not as bad with the main titles as they've adjusted game speed to deal with 50Hz output + letterboxing, but still a couple of classics I would want beyond Mario/Zelda though are GoldenEye and Star Wars Rouge Squadron which I read do have issues - so I guess either import one from the US or look at getting the new Analogue 3D console + US NTSC carts.

Solution - compromised option - cheap UK N64 from eBay, ideal - US import N64 + upscaler or Analogue 3D

Game Cube - Bizarrely these are more expensive than the Wii but I'm not sure there is any point in getting one given the Wii is backwards compatible.

Solution - don't bother; buy a Wii

Wii - UK version supports PAL60 (480i + 60Hz) and 480p output via component - I have a good CRT monitor at parent's house (surprisingly, similar one goes for £500 on ebay lol) or could get a component -> HDMI upscaler - seems like a no-brainer for playing Game Cube games given it shares hardware with the Game Cube, can take the controllers and most are backwards compatible.

Solution - buy a Wii :)

Wii U - Another iteration of the previous two, technically backwards compatible with both, in theory, this should be optimal and render both the Wii and GC pointless but in reality, it seems the upscaled HDMI output is just some basic upscaling, lacks full RGB etc.. (see here: YouTube Wii vs Wii U comparison) and it doesn't take Game Cube disks even though it could play the games. So I'm better off with the original Wii for Wii + GC games which is a nice cheap option. :)

Secondly, (slightly off-topic) the main Mario/Zelda Wii U games are also on the Switch (and therefore Switch 2 when it comes out). Back to retro; there are however two HD remakes of classic Zelda GC games; The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. The latter also has an original Wii version released at the same time as the GC one which some say is better (has motion control etc.) - I understand the Wii U HD version is based on the GC game and also the former has rumours of a Switch version being made. So not sure there is much point in a Wii U - maybe the controller screen with inventory items might be nice etc..?

Solution - don't bother; buy a Wii for Wii and Game Cube games (and Switch 2 for recent Switch/Wii U games when released).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So I think my next steps for this exploration of the main Nintendo classics from each generation this year is to first play through the Mario and Zelda games on the NES/SNES mini this month and next then look at getting a Wii (and come back to the N64 after that)... will try and update + please feel free to share any thoughts, I've shared views here based on research done online but happy to hear suggestions etc.. :)
 
Last edited:
dowie said:
Game Cube - Bizarrely these are more expensive than the Wii but I'm not sure there is any point in getting one given the Wii is backwards compatible.

Solution - don't bother; buy a Wii
Click to expand...
How much more expensive, I think I've still got my GC kicking around somewhere but guess they're not worth all that much if not boxed etc.
 
Kenai said:
How much more expensive, I think I've still got my GC kicking around somewhere but guess they're not worth all that much if not boxed etc.
Click to expand...

Not much, like without games, box etc.. it seems to be £50 ish for a Wii and £80 ish for a GC from the well-known second-hand store which at face value is a bit odd but I guess there are more Wii consoles around.

No doubt more potential for Wii bargains on fleabay or local FB groups etc..
 
For your N64 issues with 50hz and PAL just buy an Everdrive and play the USA dumps of your cartridges on your PAL system.
 
steinooo said:
SNES : donkey king country
Click to expand...

No that's valid, I've just checked and I've got it included in the package of games on my SNES mini.

My main aim across this year is to play the Nintendo classics + any standout games for the various systems and I'm currently focused on SNES/NES so will take a look at Donkey Kong too.

@Kyle009 - I don't have one yet though do have a family member who might part with one inc a load of games - I'll need to look into things like RGB mods for it etc.. I'm not sure if all of them can handle 60Hz, but maybe if they can then I can consider one. A MiSTer or the Analogue console would be cool too.

@d_brennen why though? I have considered it but it seems the Wii is slightly better for both GC and Wii games, if not for that then I'd get a WiiU as having all three in one would be useful + the inventory/second screen on Zelda games sounds fun.

At the moment though it seems like all the good Wii U games are available on Switch (and I intend to get a Switch 2 later) or indeed those two Zelda games were ports of GC/Wii games - I might be missing something though a- are there some other Wii U games not on Switch that are standout games to try?
 
Ahead of Zelda and Mario Kart, Super Metroid was, and is, my favourite SNES game. So a recommendation there

Until about 5 years ago, it remained the only Metroid I'd played. I've since gone through Fusion and Zero Mission on the GBA (and Dread, but that's not retro), and both are fantastic (Super still better, though).

In terms of other classics, Donkey Kong Country has been mentioned. The second one is regarded as best. I only had the third one back in the day, haven't played the others.

If JRPGs appeal, Chrono Trigger and Earthbound are top of the list. Replayed CT recently and it's still great, but haven't played Earthbound for 20+ years so can't remember much.
 
Last edited:
cheesyboy said:
Ahead of Zelda and Mario Kart, Super Metroid was, and is, my favourite SNES game. So a recommendation there
Click to expand...

Thanks, that one is on my SNES mini too.

cheesyboy said:
If JRPGs appeal, Chrono Trigger and Earthbound are top of the list. Replayed CT recently and it's still great, but haven't played Earthbound for 20+ years so can't remember much.
Click to expand...

Not so sure about these but I do have Earthbound on the SNES mini so will give it a go. :)
 
dowie said:
@Kyle009 - I don't have one yet though do have a family member who might part with one inc a load of games - I'll need to look into things like RGB mods for it etc.. I'm not sure if all of them can handle 60Hz, but maybe if they can then I can consider one. A MiSTer or the Analogue console would be cool too.
Click to expand...
With a PAL N64 you can still output 60hz without any mods if you're using an Everdrive. The USA carts wont fit into the tray but an Everdrive running USA roms will work fine.
 
The Kaico Wii to HDMI adapter works well for me. Both video & audio through the hdmi unlike some.
Not sure how it copes with Wii store games or GC games but assume it'll work just the same.
 
@Kyle009 ChatGPT seems to suggest that doens't always work, do you know if it's specific PAL consoles that can output 60Hz fine? It's not completely clear that doing so is trouble-free.

Kamakazie! said:
The Kaico Wii to HDMI adapter works well for me. Both video & audio through the hdmi unlike some.
Not sure how it copes with Wii store games or GC games but assume it'll work just the same.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure the Wii store still exists, I guess it "works" but the side-by-side comparison doesn't look good and that's the adapter at 480p vs component at 480i - see 60:30 onwards in the below video review:


It's arguably worse than the component cable because of the colour/contrast issues, AFAIK RGB is best for the original wii (and/or with an upscaler) and after that probably just playing Wii games via the Wii U.
 
The insanity of retro pricing - Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess - prices as per well known second hand store:

Wii Version - £8 (motion control for the sword, flipped so Link is right-handed I believe)

Wii U version - £60 (HD version of the GameCube game but has the inventory/map on the second screen on the Wii U controller)

GameCube version - £80 - WTF.... :D
 
Last edited:
dowie said:
I'm not sure the Wii store still exists, I guess it "works" but the side-by-side comparison doesn't look good and that's the adapter at 480p vs component at 480i - see 60:30 onwards in the below video review:


It's arguably worse than the component cable because of the colour/contrast issues, AFAIK RGB is best for the original wii (and/or with an upscaler) and after that probably just playing Wii games via the Wii U.
Click to expand...
Could be worse, I don't have component inputs anymore so had to use this and it does the job.
 
dowie said:
The insanity of retro pricing - Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess - prices as per well known second hand store:

Wii Version - £8 (motion control for the sword, flipped so Link is right-handed I believe)

Wii U version - £60 (HD version of the GameCube game but has the inventory/map on the second screen on the Wii U controller)

GameCube version - £80 - WTF.... :D
Click to expand...

I think I have just found the wii u version in a box, unopened! It's some kind of bundle with a wolf amibo? I doubt it's going to match the sealed copy of deadpool on the PS4 I found last year, but hopefully it's worth a fair bit :)
 
casper_uk said:
I think I have just found the wii u version in a box, unopened! It's some kind of bundle with a wolf amibo? I doubt it's going to match the sealed copy of deadpool on the PS4 I found last year, but hopefully it's worth a fair bit :)
Click to expand...

Looks like there are some of those on fleabay for £80+
 
dowie said:
@Kyle009 ChatGPT seems to suggest that doens't always work, do you know if it's specific PAL consoles that can output 60Hz fine? It's not completely clear that doing so is trouble-free.



I'm not sure the Wii store still exists, I guess it "works" but the side-by-side comparison doesn't look good and that's the adapter at 480p vs component at 480i - see 60:30 onwards in the below video review:


It's arguably worse than the component cable because of the colour/contrast issues, AFAIK RGB is best for the original wii (and/or with an upscaler) and after that probably just playing Wii games via the Wii U.
Click to expand...

I can't say for certain on every game but my overdrive works absolutely fine in my friends PAL N64 with NTSC games and my Japanese N64 plays PAL games absolutely fine.

I imagine there may have been issues in the past with TVs not being able to display NTSC and PAL signals
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom