Jake, thanks for the kind words about my blog -- I really appreciate it. I definitely respect your review of the NEX as well. It is indeed a glass half-full or half-empty issue. I was mainly reviewing it on the basis of the NEX being a complete original NES replacement, which the Messiah folks seemed to be marketing it as. But if you're happy with it, warts and all, then that's fine as well. Happy gaming.

River City Ransom and Zelda (Gold cartdridge I see)
sweeeeeeet.

I was also looking for a way to play Famicom games and the adaptors are super hard to get these days so I was willing to get one just to play them.

Great review, Jake. It looks like it's a hate it or love it thing, and I'm not sure if I'll spend $60 bucks on it just yet.

Great taste on the Zelda though.

Good to know you're happy with your purchase. The only dissapointing thing for me is that Messiah went on and on how the Generation NEX is NOT built around a NES-on-a-chip (NOAC). They made sure to make a point that it wasn't. Then the Generation NEX is released and....... it's built around a NOAC. I feel a little decieved by what has been an otherwise excellent company. Oh well, it is what it is and at least you got to play your copy of Chou Jikuu Yousai Macross.

Hmm, whilst you're entitled to your view jake that having 'something is better than nothing' I can't help but think you're not being harsh enough when judging this system.

The fact that it's a remake of a very basic system, some 20 years later, and it isn't 100% compatible doesn't seem like an achievement to me in the slightest.

It should be taken as read that this system that is designed purely to play NES and Famicom games, should play all NES and Famicom games...

At least that's what I'd think, anyhow.

Nintendo has not let them use the data that they would need to design a 100%perfect NES clone.

Hell just look at the bad compatibility between the Xbox and Xbox 360. the Generation NEX is getting beaten up over a 95% compatibility rate while Microsoft is less than 40%.

If Nintendo aren't allowing to use the data to create a perfect clone, surely that's indicative that they're not overly happy about 3rd parties making new versions of their systems (?) which, therefore, almost makes this system akin to one of the various pirate systems?

I note your point about the Xbox 360, but whereas the Xbox 360 is designed for new games and has the 'added bonus' it may be able to play some old xbox games through emulation, the generation Nex is a proprietary system built specicfically to play NES/Famicom games and it doesn't play them all.

Like I say everyone's entitled to their opinion, but I've always thought the overwhelming advantage of consoles over PC's is that compatibility isn't an issue - it would appear with the generation Nex, that this advantage is not longer prevalent. Although I suppose at least you have the bonus that you'll know what does and doesn't work prior to purchase at least :)

It is not a pirate system. The patent on the NES hardware has expired and the generation NEX is totally legal.

It has over a 95% compatibility rate with NES games. That hardly qualifies as "it doesn't play them all".

You can't find a NES and a Famicom adaptor for less than 60 bucks.

I just got my Generation NEX today. I am *VERY* happy with the purchase. Dude, 95%+ compatibility covering how many hundreds of games? And you guys are complaining!?

This thing rocks! For 60 bucks, it plays all of the games I wanna play, is wireless capable, it looks cool enough so that I don't have to hide the darn thing when I'm not using it. The unit is beautiful, and the packaging and manual were a definate plus! Not to mention it can play famicom titles should I decide to expand my Nintendo gaming titles to that genre.. And also there's no more friggen blowing on carts or compulsive cleaning of contacts, replacing connectors, etc.

As soon as I got mine, I plugged it in, threw in "super mario/duck hunt", and it booted like normal, the graphics were crisp, the sound and colors were fine, and I went to town blasting some ducks. I can't wait to play some Castlevania and Zelda next, followed by some SMB3. I think it was outright irresponsible for the guys who smashed it on their blogs- that no doubt will scare off potential buyers who are NOT members of the .003% NES elite, those potential buyers who would enjoy the system just fine as it is. I'm positively glad I bought mine. If anyone out there is gonna pop a bean over this thing not running the Japanese version of Castlevania 3, then just keep a real NES around just for that, OK?

Jason

I just got a generation nex yesterday, and I think its great, sure it can't play Castlevania 3, but it can play almost all of the games, the sound isn't 100 percent perfect, but it sounds better then Yobo or Family Boy's NES sound quality. The picture quality is also the best I seen in a NES clone. In fact I can play Commando even though the list from their site it can't play it, and River City Ransom ran without glitches.

I was so close to going to CGE to pick up a Generation NEX, but things happened and I wasn't able to. Time passed and I wondered how well the system worked. Then I saw the dreaded words: Castlevania 3 doesn't work. If there's a game I was getting this for, it was CV3. The Japanese version won't play correctly on anything but a Famicom, not even a NES. I was hoping that they would have found out what made the custom sound chip work, but if the game doesn't work to begin with... If they released an updated one that CV3 worked on I'd buy it in a heartbeat, but as of right now I can't spend $60 on a system that won't play it.

I would have been an NES convert if it wasnt for that blasted flickering. When I was a kid, I was Master System. I wonder if they will make a Master System clone that can play PAL games (lord knows I want Sonic for Master System).

BTW, How can anyone expect the NEX to be exactly like the NES? It would have to use all the same IC's and converters to give you the same results. I recall similar arguments when it comes to Analog Synths and emulations.

Hi Jake,

maybe something you like?
http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=182&products_id=4755

I still have a toaster nes. The trick is not blow on and let the connectors get dirty and oxidized. Whenever I get another game, I clean the hell out of it's connectors until it works easily. Then it's a matter of keeping the connectors from being exposed to the open air so they don't oxidise. My games work either the first time, or with just a little wiggle. But the NEX, I won't get getting one due to the price, and the fact I already have a working NES.

I am considering purchasing a Messiah system becuae I have already been through one NES system i bought from a thrift store and am onto another. I mean, let's face it- the original NES systems are 20 years old. They aren't going to last much longer. So, I am just wondering if it would really be worth the $60 to know that no matter what happens with my original NES system, I will have a back-up. Does any think that Nintendo will ever come out with their own updated system that will be compatible with the old games?

"Does any think that Nintendo will ever come out with their own updated system that will be compatible with the old games?"

Yes, the Wii:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii#Wii_Channels

See the "Virtual Console Channel" subheading.

This system loks pretty sweet, even if it has a 95% compatibility rate. I just really want to play Splatterhouse Wanpaku Graffitti without the ugly Stack-Up adapter. Plus, a wireless controller hub is really cool.

And to whoever it was that blasted in their review that it doesn't have the 15-pin expansion port located on the famicom, the system is meant for gamers in the US region who play American games, and Famicom support is a nice bonus. However, the Famicom had some kickass accessories. If I get one this Christmas, I'll finally see if it's as good/bad as they say it is.

I have had my NEX for about a year now. I have been nothing but happy with my system. It plays all my games with the excption of one or two. It plays all my favorites. (Super Mario 3 being THE Favorite) I bought a Japanese game just for it. (again Mario 3) In a time when these hi-tech 3D games reign, I still love playing the old NES and SNES games.

If you don't think the NEX is worth the $60 then get a Yobo FC Game Console for less than half the price. The only real advantage with the NEX is it's a really sleek looking product designed to play to a geek's nostalgia and it doesn't feel as cheaply built.

Other than that the Yobo machine can do everything the NEX can (except for Famicom games) and you can also find them sitting around in some indie game shops or plastered all over eBay.

The other option of course is spending $8-15 on a new 72 pin cartridge slot for an old NES. They're ridiculously easy to replace. I just did it on an NES that a friend of mine got on ebay and it works like it's brand new.

If you already have an NES, just replace the cartridge slot. If you don't and you're on a budget then get a Yobo. If you're willing to spend more then you need to weigh the decision of getting a real NES or an NEX that will have the same problems as the Yobo with the exceptions of Famicom compatibility and being built sturdier.

I just got one and I have to say that the emulation isn't 100% perfect even on games that it actually plays. I have a working NES so I can test games side by side. The emulation in the NEX is far from perfect. I got the NEX solely for Famicom games, so that doesn't really bother me too much but I'm wondering if I should just go buy a Famicom system instead. (I traded some cheap games off to a friend to get this system, otherwise I would have bought a Famicom to begin with.)

I honestly don't see what the draw for this thing really is. I just bought an NES for $25 with a bunch of controllers and four games off Craigslist and the console works fine. The only real problem w/ NES consoles is actually from the carts themselves (usually) and this is fixed w/ a Q-Tip and some rubbing alcohol (and keeping the game in a dust sleeve). There's really no point to settling for a system that only plays 95% of the NES games (according to Messiah, who knows what the real figure is) and doesn't emulate the games it DOES play properly.

It's not emulation. It's a hardware clone.