Retro Remake Showcase Vol.1

     For many years now several companies have been manufacturing aftermarket or third party hardware that emulates the NES, SNES, Sega Genesis or even all three in on unit.  I haven't reviewed them in any way before because...well...they just don't feel old school.  However, in the past two years some units have gotten pretty neat.  So much so that I cannot ignore them. There are quite a few units so I'll break it all up if several posts. 

     So all this new third party hardware must mean the Nintendo copyrights are expired? Some of Nintendo's patents on the Famicom expired in 2003, followed in 2005 by NES-specific patents such as those covering the 10NES lockout chip. While Nintendo still holds various related trademarks, NES hardware clones are no longer necessarily illegal on the basis of patent infringement. This matter is complicated by the effect of different patents awarded in different countries, with different expiration dates. Nintendo sued Gametech in 2005 for selling the PocketFami, despite the patent expiration. Nintendo lost this suit. However, Famiclone manufacturers who incorporate copyrighted games into the unit may still be subject to legal liability on that basis, due to copyrights having much longer terms than patents (in most countries creative works such as games are automatically in copyright for many decades, sometimes up to 95 years after their creation).

      While the old-style Famiclones continue to be found, the newly legitimized market has seen several clones that openly advertise support for original Famicom or NES games (or sometimes both), a feature not usually publicized by previous clones, which were often marketed as cheap gifts rather than Famicom-compatible systems. Examples of these newer efforts include the Generation NEX, which resembles a flattened version of the original NES and supports both NES and Famicom games, Gametech's Neo-Fami(also released in both Famicom and NES compatible versions as the "FC Game Console" by Yobo Gameware), and the handheld PocketFami, a more ambitious, albeit still slightly flawed, successor to the older TopGuy, GameAxe, and Game Theory Admiral. However, these more legitimate clones are still based on the same NES-on-a-chip architecture as the older systems, and as such still suffer from many of the same compatibility problems.  On the note of compatibility problems lets start our review with two 3-in-1 units.

YOBO NES/SNES/Genesis FC3 Plus Gaming System

System comes with all necessary cords, A/V cables w/ improved picture and sound, A/C adapter, and a free Light Gun. Everything you need to start playing is included with this system.  Brand new system that plays all of your original USA NES , Super NES, Genesis,l and G Factor games.  Top loading design eliminates the need for moving parts, which means no more blinking lights, no more blowing into your games to try and make them work!The two included specially designed controllers imitate the original Sega Genesis controllers, except that you use these controllers to play your NES/SNES games as well! The X and Y buttons act as turbo buttons when playing NES games.  Fault: Can only use in box controllers, so no Mario Paint, Lethal Enforces, R.O.B., etc.  Most of them break in the first week.

Hyperkin Retron 3 Video Game System for NES/SNES/GENESIS

Two original control ports for each gaming platform.  S-video and composite AV inputs.  Compatible with original Nintendo, SEGA Genesis or Super Nintendo controllers.  Includes two wireless controllers (batteries not included)  Faults: An entire rainbow of issues.  Most of them revolve around the included controllers having poor range.  Also the unit's controller ports have signal issues.  Other faults include one or the other console "functions" simply not working.  All that said, this unit has fewer complaints and most gross sales than the YOBO unit above.

Next Time we'll take a look at the portable aftermarket units.  That's where there may be promise for the future of the past. -kaokensho