Finding older systems

[RockyTop411]

Anyone have tips or bought an older system online before? I’m looking for a Nintendo 64 and a Gameboy Advance. Anyone have any experience with DK Oldies?

TIA

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Anyone have tips or bought an older system online before? I’m looking for a Nintendo 64 and a Gameboy Advance. Anyone have any experience with DK Oldies?

TIA

I've bought legacy consoles and handhelds from McKay's before. I'm in Nashville, but they also have stores in some other cities. I like them because they have a 30-day return policy, which gives plenty of time to test the system.

 

[RockyTop411]

I've bought legacy consoles and handhelds from McKay's before. I'm in Nashville, but they also have stores in some other cities. I like them because they have a 30-day return policy, which gives plenty of time to test the system.

Appreciate this. I may have to stop in next time I’m in Nashville from Murfreesboro. I went to GameTrader today and some of these older games are crazy expensive. Lol

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

Ebay

 

[Sgt_Nick_Fury]

Gotten some awesome deals on old Atari stuff on the Bay. Even a NOS 130xe that was never used. Mkays started here in Chatt they do have some stuff, but at times it feels over priced. Their a go to for controllers and accessories though.

My honest suggestion is first find forums for the system you want. there's usually a club or group for every older system. There's usually people who collect them who have extras, and also know the best ways to repair or upgrade the units. Depending on how old you go back, this can be important as power supplies can fail etc. Lots of great deals on the forums in those communities. Like for N64 I know have seen people with upgraded units with built in drives with pretty much every N64 game built in.

Lastly depending on what you play there's some great video jukeboxes. I have a video game unit based on a Smart TV unit that got hacked and redone. It has pretty much every Gaming system through PS2 and just about every ROM for every one of them, and then on top of that arcade quality HAP joysticks and buttons. It even has all the gameboy stuff. And will hook up to any HDMI.

Custom one I had done for me...it's certainly a lot easier to play this way then going through the old systems.....

 

[Sgt_Nick_Fury]

But Sometimes you just got to get the old stuff out...

 

[Sgt_Nick_Fury]

Unless you just really want to roll up your sleeves and deal with the isues of old electronics (stuff goes bad, needs repair etc) though I kinda recommend getting an emulator system. It plays faster, and is just easier to deal with.

This is the place that did my custom unit. ANd this is the video on MY unit. I wanted a retro look, but they usually do the flashy arcade stuff if that's more your thing.

 

[Sgt_Nick_Fury]

It's all built on a hacked Android TV unit...T95 I think. And yeah it has all the N64, and gameboy stuff on it.

 

[OptimusPrimerib]

Unless you just really want to roll up your sleeves and deal with the isues of old electronics (stuff goes bad, needs repair etc) though I kinda recommend getting an emulator system. It plays faster, and is just easier to deal with.

This is the place that did my custom unit. ANd this is the video on MY unit. I wanted a retro look, but they usually do the flashy arcade stuff if that's more your thing.

Agree on emulators for PC

 

[BruiserVol]

Unless you just really want to roll up your sleeves and deal with the isues of old electronics (stuff goes bad, needs repair etc) though I kinda recommend getting an emulator system. It plays faster, and is just easier to deal with.

This is the place that did my custom unit. ANd this is the video on MY unit. I wanted a retro look, but they usually do the flashy arcade stuff if that's more your thing.

IDK man. I have tossed my snes in a backpack with the cartridges carefully placed in it as well and moved it with me every time I have moved houses. And when I dig it out of storage it is still going strong. Had it since I was 5 and I’m 29 now. Never been super nice to it. Same with my old ps1 and ps2. Now with my ps4 and 5 I have had to baby them because I just feel like they are not going to even work if I do half of what I’ve done to those older systems. I crack out my Super Nintendo, blow into the slot and slap a game in. Never once question whether it’s going to work lol

 

[Sgt_Nick_Fury]

IDK man. I have tossed my snes in a backpack with the cartridges carefully placed in it as well and moved it with me every time I have moved houses. And when I dig it out of storage it is still going strong. Had it since I was 5 and I’m 29 now. Never been super nice to it. Same with my old ps1 and ps2. Now with my ps4 and 5 I have had to baby them because I just feel like they are not going to even work if I do half of what I’ve done to those older systems. I crack out my Super Nintendo, blow into the slot and slap a game in. Never once question whether it’s going to work lol

Well as you can see I have my original hardware stuff as well...and nothing is going to match that nostalgia. So if that's what you want go for it, but I would recommend checking out the forums for whatever system and collectors. Also replace powersupllies ASAP for any systems that need them. You can kill an old system by using original power supply (dunno if N64 is old enough or not) You may run across some good deals, and fellow collectors also care more about supporting the community then making a bunch of cash. I have had people sell me stuff at cost, because they didn't need it, and they just wanted someone who appreciated it to have it.

For just playing though.....the emulators to me are a better experience, if only because you have a library of EVERYTHING console or Arcade in one place. It also makes it play a bit different in that you can sit up and use a traditional joystick, (you can plug in an xbox controller as well, which is usually an upgrade on any traditional controller). It's also great for 2 person games, and my son was more likely to play it with me that way, as he has no nostalgia for the old stuff. However, I am also the first to admit some games really don't play well that way. Like for me being an Atari fan, I have GOT to have a trackball for centipede missile command etc. Or some early Videogame/home computer games require a keyboard etc. So Good luck! No matter which way ya go it's a fun hobby.

Someday I still hope to get into actually having the Arcade machines, when space will allow it. Tron, Disks of Tron, Star Wars etc just only play right on the actual arcade machines. I envy the people who can do their own arcades.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Anyone have tips or bought an older system online before? I’m looking for a Nintendo 64 and a Gameboy Advance. Anyone have any experience with DK Oldies?

TIA

Do you not have a game store near you that deals in legacy consoles? Something like CM Games or 2nd & Charles? I personally wouldn't buy an older system online simply because you never know what you might end up with. At least a local store will demo it for you to make sure it works.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

Do you not have a game store near you that deals in legacy consoles? Something like CM Games or 2nd & Charles? I personally wouldn't buy an older system online simply because you never know what you might end up with. At least a local store will demo it for you to make sure it works.

If you're buying on eBay it's a good idea to only buy from people with 98% or higher positive feedback. Ebay also has buyer protection on most items.

 

[NEO]

Anyone have tips or bought an older system online before? I’m looking for a Nintendo 64 and a Gameboy Advance. Anyone have any experience with DK Oldies?

TIA

If you live in the Nashville area The Great Escape sells old systems and old games plus toys and comics. Awesome store!

 

[Sgt_Nick_Fury]

So just got this baby as a gift for sister's family.....but it's much less headache then my own retro arcade, might have a smaller games list, but it has all the games I'd actually play pretty much. But the best part is it's pretty much idiot proof, no setup just plug and play and teh abaility to one button switch on vertical is amazing for classic arcade games. You can finally play Pac-Man, SHMUP's, donkey kong, time pilot, galaga, etc etc in proper vertical orientation with one button and a rotating monitor. In any case I highly recommend..... it says sold out but they come in multiple flavors and like all amazon arcade units preloaded they just keep getting new entries. Look Up Pandora 3D Saga DX. It runs fantastic, and I love that this version has a trackball and I can play centipede vertical in proper ball fashion.

Also sound on board is good (no need for monitor with sound), and the led button light up room like an arcade.

Amazon.com
(says no longer avail but just look up the new entry....likely video game companies complain and so they just keep switching company names.)

Costs more but here it is on ebay

Pandora Saga DX 516 Vertical + 3000 Horizontal games,3 Side Cocktails Trackball | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Pandora Saga DX 516 Vertical + 3000 Horizontal games,3 Side Cocktails Trackball at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Ali cheaper might wait longer
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808854960848.html
It's not that big a console so two adults are kinda snug side by side. If you don't care about vertical gaming, and track ball and plan on using with a TV, and sorting through a massive library and filler games...this is cheaper option with 4 times the games.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809091754510.html

Joysticks and buttons are fully functionalable and replacing with Sanwa parts if needed later looks to be easy.

Cheapest way to get full nostalgia arcade and all the games I know of without the headache of building/ managing your own system.

 

[Sgt_Nick_Fury]

On the trackball version last time atari released something similar it sold out fast if you want the trackball I'd jump on it as the amazon seller already sold out.

 

[Sgt_Nick_Fury]

Also about to upgrade my hyperspin mess of a unit, (see above) it has been great but management is a headache settings can be a headache and I don't play 80% of games on it.
Enter Pandora 10th Anniversary edition, Jamma for cabs, or "Home" version for TV units like my retro console above. Should run 3d titles much more smooth.....and the real plus is this allows light guns. Works great with retroshooter units. Looking forward to adding light guns to my unit.



10th anniversary is in huge demand right now (mostly jamma/chamma version for cabs, and kinda hard to find on it's own and unless you go through a home arcade builder company there's no finished units. But you can just buy one and a power supply and some HID compliant controllers and your GTG. It's not difficult at all to use with a Controller button kit and swap out with units like above, or 1up etc. I got mine ordered via DHgate
"DIY 2-Player Home Arcade Console Kit with Integrated Joysticks and Buttons for Classic Gaming"

https://www.dhgate.com/product/simple-diy-kit-for-home-2p-arcade-game-console/993776163.html