Attack of the Famiclones - Generation NEX and Controllers Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ส.ค. 2024
- Here's a quick look at the Generation NEX Famiclone from 2005, as well as all three controllers Messiah made including the wired, wireless, and arcade stick. This is what happens if I make a video without a script. Enjoy(?)
6:38 it wouldn’t surprise me if there were one or two screws hidden under the sticker in the middle. This is often used to hide screws in consumer tech.
Make your selection now "No i don't think we will" hahaha that cracked me up!
I'm glad people found that funny. I'm pretty terrible when it comes to cracking jokes, so when the unintentional jokes are funny, it's a blessing.
Adrean Vega
Yes, and other clones too. Mad City is just a common MMC3 board.
The unit that I have is compatible with Famicom games like Akumajou Densetsu and Lagrange Point and even outputs Expansion Audio from games that support it. It even works with the RAM Adapter for the FDS and outputs decent sounding Expansion Audio as well.
It's legal to play copywritten software on clone hardware once the original design patents have expired, a period of 20 years. The Famicom's popularity lead to man illegal clones in the 90s, but they were made and sold worldwide in unstoppable numbers. The NEX is merely one of the first legally produced Famiclones because it was designed after the patents expired, and didn't include any built in games Messiah didn't have copyrights to use, a problem with many other clones (Power Joy series).
I dont know what you're talking about. In this video alone I show Megaman 2, Rockman 2, Robocop 3, Tengen Tetris, Action 52, and Battle Kid. The reason those specific games were chosen is that they represent a wide spectrum without making the video extremely long. I show licensed second party, licensed third party, unlicensed quality checked, unlicensed no quality check, and recent homebrew.
I could show hundreds of games but this is to make the video quick and concise.
The front loading system has been reinvented by messiah with all the benefits of the top loading system.
Seriously, nintendo should,ve to admit that this front loading system is just the best.
Not really, they just copied the front loading system of the NASA and Creation NES clones from the ‘90s.
Maybe it's just how it sounds through the camera, but the music in Rock Man 2 seems a little... off. Then again, I've never played the Famicom version...
One thing I should mention is that for whatever reason, prices of the NEX seem to have skyrocketed in the past year. Average prices are now well over $100, and as the video explains, the NEX's NOAC is completely average. As I said, watch my Super 8 video review. It has many things in common with the NEX, but has a much stronger NOAC.
One thing I should mention is that for whatever reason, the online prices of the NEX seem to have skyrocketed in the past year. Average prices are now well over $100, and as the video explains, the NEX's NOAC is completely average. As I said, watch my Super 8 video review. It has many things in common with the NEX, but has a much stronger NOAC.
For all the the things it got right, the NEX has a very average Nintendo-on-a-Chip. The NEX' pulse wave duty cycles are reversed in oscillation, resulting in noticeable audio differences from the real hardware like in Rockman 2, as you pointed out.
That said, the NEX has both 60 & 72 pin ports, built in 2.4Ghz wireless for 4021 signals, stereo separation, and has 64K RAM to the original Famicom's measly 2K RAM. I have video reviews of more accurate Famiclones like RetroDuo. Check 'em out!
Hey thanks. I'm glad you find it entertaining! My goal is to be informative first and foremost and everything else is sort of secondary to that. If you like this video, be sure to check out the rest of my work. Even going way back when I first tarted five years ago, my goal was to be as informative as possible.
Three ways to answer that:
Favorite Famiclone Design: The Generation NEX as shown
Favorite Famiclone controller: The Wired Generation NEX pad.
Favorite Famiclone based on preformance: The RetroDuo.
Oh I quite agree. The NEX is a beautiful Famiclone and an awesome looking piece of tech. It's just such a shame the NOAC is such junk. I'm waiting for the day when I can find a very small NOAC that's good and replace the entire motherboard in my NEX.
I appreciate the helpful nature of your carefully crafted comment, but in all the years I and many others have been blowing on carts, I've never once came across an NES game that wouldn't work after cleaning it with the method shown in my newest video. Cartridges are pretty resilient.
A better option is the Japanese version, the HVC-101 commonly known as the AV Famicom. As its name implies, it supports composite, and even uses the same multi-video out cable the Super Famciom, N64 and Gamecube use.
@clicklyes the controllers work on a 2.4 GHz frequency. That's an entirely separate system than TVs use, so yes, the NEX wireless controllers should operate on any television, HD or otherwise. Try replacing the batteries, changing the frequency range on the controller or checking your surroundings for interference from other wireless signals. Also make sure the wireless receiver switch is turned on on the NEX itself.
Doing so could be disastrous. one of two things would happen:
1. Nothing; neither game would turn on, neither would work.
2. Sending low logic and 5v to two sources at once could potentially permanently destroy the system and even the game cartridges.
Obviously, putting in both a Famicom and NES game and turning them on simultaneously is a truly terrible idea.
100% compatibility is a near-impossible goal for a NOAC Famiclone. Unlike other systems, the NES achieved its advances in graphics due to the invention of memory mappers - assistant processors that act to give the game capabilities not otherwise possible, like multi-directional scrolling. Because of the myriad of hundreds of mappers full compatibility is something that will probably never be archived.
@21stgear I assume you mean "use"? I use the top loader far more often. When you own multiple NES systems, the NEX is only a novelty.
+Owen O'Barr
I got it at a local game store several years ago. Didn't pay even half of what it's worth to boot.
+Satoshi Matrix Oh c'mon It's the greatest NES game ever! 52 games! One of which doesn't even boot! It's AWESOME!
"Make your selection..now!"
Well it is true that for whatever reason, the NEX has skyrocketed in price in the past year. Just check ebay. Messiah hasn't been around since 2005, so I am really puzzled why the value of their stuff goes nuts in 2012.
@JonJon2627 I didn't show it, but yes, game genie works perfectly on the NEX.
If the advantage clone wasn't wireless.. That thing is beast. It's like a status symbol of nerdom.
I've always found these clone systems very interesting. Whenever a new one comes out, I always look forward to see what new features they add in. But of course, that usually means it costs more.
Wow, finally someone who knows how to do a review/unboxing video. Great work, really entertaining and informative!
@clicklyes not if you're playing on a Generation NEX, no. The wireless receivers that Messiah sold once upon a time were for getting the wireless controllers to operate on the real NES hardware. The NEX has a receiver built in, but of course the real hardware doesn't.
the White and Yellow of the Generation Nex font on the joystick reminds me of Subway
haha, I guess more than I was consciously aware. I don't script these reviews.
retro gaming forums buy/sell/trade threads. You can get them on amazon or ebay, but the price has skyrocketed in the last year for some reason. Maybe everyone's watching my video review and going out to buy one? ;)
I appreciate you're trying to be helpful, but that comment is just kind of cute. The NEX routes NES and Famicom game mono audio through both mono (white) and stereo (red) jacks at once in a process called dual mono, sometimes called amplified mono.
NES produces audio in stereo but routes to mono to cut costs. The NEX doesn't. Planned games made for the NEX that would be stereo, but this ultimately never happened as Messiah went bankrupt and the concept was left on the table unused. Too bad.
The game itself works, but the noac on the NEX cannot produce expansion audio, so Konami's VRC6 and VRC7 will not work correctly.
Both. Famiclones have been around almost as long as the Famicom itself has. There are far more blatant copy Famiclones than the NEX. Just google image search the word "Famiclone" to see some prime examples of what I mean. Most of the hits will be mine.
The NEX itself is one of the first legally made Famiclones and was meant to offer both Famicom and NES support as well as a new hardware basis superior to the original. However, the company went bankruppt and the ideas were left on the table.
Yes, but since GameGenie grips more tightly on the cart connector that standard games, getting it out of the NEX is a huge pain, which is why I didn't show it. I would recommend not using it.
No it does not, but Messiah sold wireless adapters separately for use with the original NES. However, those are extremely rare. You probably won't be able to find one.
I hate when companies try to make the controllers look like controllers that aren't really compatible with it. "ex. Genesis controller for powerjoy and N64 for power joy" I really hate that, but the wireless Generation NEX is a normal NES controller, it is an okay Famiclone.
Of course I upload new videos. New stuff get's posted all the time. What you probably have is a diescrrete clone that copies the entire chipset rather than relying on a NOAC. They're pretty common from the early 90s. Depending on the motherboard, you might even be able to desolder the clone CPU and PPU and replace them with actual Richoh chips to turn that Famiclone into a real Famicom. Won't help the controller though. LIghtguns in Japan often look like actual firearms, yeah.
Um, yes, I'm a major collector. I don't know what you're talking about that I don't "seem like one". Take a look through my channel of all my videos.
The profile photo is a stylistic Famicom with a hand gripping a Famicom controller between a Shinto Arch with cherry blossoms. How you concluded it's a anime girl is beyond me.
I review Famiclones only when they are notable - most aren't. Next time I review one will be whenever I come across one that stands out amongst clones.
Not the Nex, I was talking about the Action 52. Sorry.
"CHEAP"?! LOL
GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.
Since there demise, Messiah's NEX and related products have shot up in value considerably. If you want what I show here, you'll need to spend around $200.
Nope. Since this review, i got ahold of a NEX controller that was broken. After prying it apart with a chisel, I discovered that it's completely screwless - It's held together like Famicom cartridges are.
@SatoshiMatrix1 Is VRC7 game Lagrange Point works on Generation NEX too?
5:35 I don't think that is really how it works. Not an expert, but I do know that a lossless signal from an NES is going to be digital. These old systems then converted the signal to analog for a CRT tv. Now with LCDs, the problem is that most do not display 240p (the resolution of an NES and most 8-bit/16-bit systems), instead they incorrectly interpret it as 480i.
They should have put in a special choice screen for when you have both an NES and Famicom cartridge in the system.
They really should have made that joystick where you could put the system inside it like you suggested. That would of been awesome. It would let you change out your games without having to go to the system each time, just do it from your seat. Provided your AV/power cables are long enough. Nice review by the way. It should be said if this kind of system holds up over time or not. The original NES of course has connection problems that will happen by design so this may be appealing if it lacks that problem and is durable.
Action 52 contains many Atari 2600 quality shooters and some truly awful platformers, but it's hardly the worst game ever made. I like it because it's amazingly rare, and has a so-bad-its-good feel about it.
UV radiation breaks down fire retardant solutions in plastics over time, oxidizing the surfaces and thus discoloring them. The effect can be seen in discolored consoles such as the gray Super NES.the especially the bright white Famicom.
Luckily, the cosmetic discoloration can be reversed by soaking the plastics in Retr0bright, which is a solution of Hydrogen Peroxide and a small amount of an ‘active oxygen' laundry booster such as Oxy Clean. It's a bit of effort, but it DOES work.
4:07 the caption says the start/select stuff was useless, but i think you ment useful! nice vid!
The Generation NEX joystick is like the biggest NES controller I have seen. Not only that it is bigger than Generation NEX itself, but I think it is also bigger than the original NES!
What I don't understand, especially with regards to how it's presented in this review - is why that's a good thing. I guess to give you that "arcade table" feel rather than it being just another controller? It's definitely made for use on the coffee table rather than for holding in your lap.
Poet Plays
Like all good home arcade sticks, it's either or. The stick has enough size and weight that you can use it on a coffee table, or just in your lap. That's how I most often use the NEX stick and other arcade sticks. Anything worth owning offers this versatility.
Now maybe you're not an arcade stick guy. That's fine, not everyone is. But if you are, the NEX stick's bulk and weight are very much good things.
The biggest, most obvious problem with the Generation NEX arcade-style stick is that it's wireless instead of wired, which means that you can't plug it in to the other NES systems like the original NES hardware, the toploader, or the Super Retro Trio. If that controller is wired, it would have been so useful for playing NES games when you're not using the Generation NEX. It's definitely a much larger version of the NES Advantage.
Dawn111
That's not an issue. Before they went under, Messiah did make wireless receivers with the NES standard 7-pin plug for their wireless controllers. I don't recall if I showed them at the end of the video, but I own them and they let you use the stick or the wireless controllers with any NES or Famiclone. Or with emulators.
Ahh okay, nevermind. Sorry if I didn't know that. Now I know that the Generation NEX arcade stick is really good that it can play any NES hardware with the wireless receiver.
Yes - but the NEX is clocked at 1.79 Mhz NTSC, not 1.66 Mhz PAL. PAL NES games on NTSC systems respond as follows:
1. Due to the differences in the processor speeds, MOST PAL games were made for the slower PAL processor, and therefore will play 17% faster than they should.
2. SOME PAL games will play at full NTSC speed if they were directly ported to the PAL systems without taking into account of the slower processor.
3. Very few have major graphical glitches rendering them unplayable.
Personally I like the penguin Famiclone with the creepy LED eyes.
One of the few OKAY famiclones, it's not absolute crap, but I'd have to say this! Not sure if I have told you before, but there is a Famiclone, perhaps better than the Famicom or NES themselves! The MicroGenius had better hardware, used good controllers, good similar design, big, had 3 av cables, could plug in headphones! It was made in the 1980s, one of the first Famiclones! If you want to find it just type in "NES clone from the 1980s!?!?" Or "Micro Genius NES clone"
The screws for the controller are located under the label.
Awesome video, looks like the wood age of gaming is making a come back.
It looks way better than the original. Good on them!
Both are unlicensed yes. Tengen were just the first to make unlicensed NES games and reverse engineer the NES-10 lockout chip. For the most part, Tengen games also tend to be higher quality than other unlicensed games. Games like Rolling Thunder, Pacland, Tetris and Ultimate Stuntman are just a few examples.
most still do. microprocessors don't really age. PAL systems will play NTSC games, but they have a slower processor than the NTSC version, meaning you'll run into speed issues between games.
I use Megaman games as examples because I like the series and more importantly because they are good examples of showcasing turbo controllers.
40$! Wow, that thing goes for a fortune online. I hope you keep that to sell when it's even MORE rare.
You're technically right, but in practice it doesn't really have any noticeable impact. If you check my channel I actually posted an extremely effective cleaning solution for cartridge contact pins, but setting that aside, occasionally blowing on cartridges ultimately doesn't impact them, especially if you control your mouth how you blow and the distance from the cart. Cleaning is important, but I think people demonize blowing on cartridges based on theoretical impacts rather than reality.
Yup. The NEX is a sexy looking Famiclone, but it's not a great NOAC.
i think the shoulder buttons were supposed to be used together with the turbo function(That is what think it was in their mind when they put those there.)
+Heseth If not that's still a really good suggestion.
While I enjoy the ability to play Tetris with two players on the Tengen version, I prefer the look and sound of the Nintendo version. With that said, the Tengen version is one of my most prized games in my collection. :D
Depends on the TV. Every HDTV handle SD signals differently, some better than others. In my opinion though, don't. Go check your local listings for someone trying to get rid of a nice CRT and go pick one up. Retro consoles ALWAYS look better on CRTs. If you're going to game retro, an HDTV is a poor substitute for a nice CRT with crisp composite and S-video.
You must not have even watched the video. The Generation NEX is a Famiclone that plays NES and Famicom games. It does not run Super NES or Super Famicom games. Why you would even ask that is beyond me.
Firing three shots per scanline = the norm for 8-bit processors. Turbo dictates the speed which bullets are fired; since Megama games are platformers, I can control the pace of the action. Space shooters are always auto scrolling, making the point moot. But anyway, I do that. Again, check out my channel. Videos such as the Adapter Factor and Controller Chronicles illustrate this quiet well and show of a good array of games, not to mention my newer series such as Uncommon Game Showcase.
Yeah, GG works because its not dependent on the hardware, only the software.
I just thought of a use for the shoulder buttons. In Tetris or other puzzle games, the buttons would correspond to the direction you rotate the pieces.
...Or you could just use the face B and A buttons.
Satoshi Matrix
True, but it might feel more natural to some people who have played more recent puzzle games that let you use the shoulder buttons. But, whatever. To each his own.
@TheAwesomeGameGuy202 Oh yeah, I know they're both rare. Thanks for saying so! Those two are probably the rarest NES games I own, along with Rescue Rangers 2 and Panic Restaurant.
Oh okay. I paid $40 at a yard sale, which again is less than half of it's going rate. Action 52 is abysmal, but the fact that it's so over-the-top bad makes it nevetheless special. Kinda so-bad-it's-good. I like to show it to off at gamer parties just to get people's reactions to it.
I need the jaws of life to take that NES cart out on a few games. Its good it connects but damn I thought I would never take Slalom out.
Then you're doing it wrong. The MegaDrive dpad was one of the msot comfertable dpads ever made. The original NES one could get so uncomfertable there was entire condition named for those who suffered pain after game sessons: NES thumb. Nintendo did what Genneydon't.
I recently picked one of these up and have a few questions? Would a Genesis 2/3 PSU rated at DC 9V-850mAh Center Pin: Positive, work as a backup PSU for the Generation NEX? Also have you been able to test the Everdrive N8 or Power Pak on this system? I'm almost positive that the Power Pak won't work, but I'm curious about the EDN8? Thank you for your time and making this great video!
I really liked the NEX. It's too bad the company went under, I think it could've been improved greatly with further revisions.
I'm kind of surprised they didn't think of an NES/Famicom switch for the console, or at least separate power buttons. That would have made it damn near impossible to have the two of them working at once.
And Tengen Tetris was also an unlicensed game. One that caused an ENORMOUS stink, IIRC.
It's not possible to do that in hardware since unlike none of the data lines carry vcc like other systems, and even if that were the case they are two input sources for the same input. on the motherboard, there's even data lines shared between the two. What you're saying is nice in theory but doesn't actually work with this, or any other system design.
Even the upcoming RetroN5 only allows you to have one cartridge input at a time.
Tengen's Tetris was unlicensed, yes. but it's vastly superior to the Nintendo R&D1 version. It ranked #7 in my top 100 NES/Famicom games of all time editorial I wrote a few years ago.
It's a good read if you want to learn more about it and its colorful history.
satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/top-100-nesfamicom-games-list-7/
Satoshi Matrix
Oh the Tengen version is quite amazing. It's pretty easy to see why Nintendo was upset. *Laughs* They got upstaged!
Again, MicroGenius was the name of the Famiclone maker, NOT the name of a unit itself. I have a chip-for-chip clone from that era too.
Chip-for-chip desecrate clones began to appear in 1989, copying the HVC-001 design but adding minor improvements such as AV, mono (the other cable is actually RF), turbo, and sometimes headphones.
However, the audio is awful, and the PPU clones are horrible. Luckily, one can simply replace these with a real NES CPU and PPU. Turn a Famiclone into a Famicom!
the shoulder buttons are to be used in combination with the turbo i'd guess.
I don't ever plan on selling it. Action 52 is one of the highlights of my NES collection Afterall, I did name it #1 in my top 100 NES games list I wrote on my blog ;) go check that out if you haven't.
"Turbo fuck-turbo start button"
No, the NEX is not the best Famiclone by a LONG shot. The NEX is simply the best LOOKING Famiclone and given its features should be the best IN THEORY. The reason its not lies in improperly wired cartridge connectors and a run-of-the-mill NOAC no better than $5 Famiclones you can find in Chinese markets, complete with reverse audio duty cycles and improper color pallets for complex games like Kirby's Adventure. The RetroDuo vastly outperforms the NEX. Buy a NEX only if you collect Famiclones.
Hey, that inverted sound is like from a chineese NES/Famicom!
This is 1 of 2 clones you might want to get when looking to buy clones. Try the Genration NEX and the retro duo. The case design is nice, it plays games nicely and RELIABLY, and most of all, is cheap.
Yes it is. See my video "Uncommon Game Showcase Tetris, Tetris and Tetris" for more information.
Yeah that is true, I forgot about that. But for a clone, that is pretty good.
The NEX is a beautiful Famiclone. It's just too bad the NOAC itself sucks.
Looks like a pretty neat system. :)
Hope I'll ever come across one! I'd definitely pick it up! You still have yours, Satoshi?
Yes. In a few more years, it's very possible you'll see clone N64s and PS1s. The fake Wiis and PS3s and whatnot are typically Famiclones in cases made to look like modern consoles. The technology inside them is legal, but the shaping of them as modern systems still very much under patient is suspect at best.
Can you hear Power Blade Sector 3 Music sounds on the Generation NEX for me?
Again, what? Action 52 isn't "fake" it was a mulitcart produced by a small independent developer called Active Enterprises. It may feature 52 (or 51, depending on your revision) low quality games, but there's nothing fake about it. Also what is your point? I don't understand why you even mentioned Action 52.
This is the first video of yours I've seen, and I just wanted to say I think you do a good job talking about stuff.
I'd actually call it dual-mono rather than amplified mono, but who cares. lol
Under the console it is a mark thet says Pal version. But you can play other regions as well. My famiclone plays nearly all of the Pal, USA, Asia games. Only one game didnt start up and the game was Panic restaurant (Pal version). This is the only game that wont boot up. Some of the games buildt in the console is: Tengen Tetris, Gradius, SMB 1, Karateka, Tennis, Star force, star soldier, adv island and many more (No repeats).... The console is now over 20 years old but it still works fine :-)
I want to buy this system without the controllers and just regular controllers. I will never get used to that button layout.
That NES advantage knock off looks AMAZING! Its a shame it is wireless... SM, Do you know of any ways one could solder and hack it to be wired?
Have you play a Retro Duo with the audio damper mod? It's a MUCH better clone than the NEX. The NEX just looks really cool - its actually one of the crappier NOAC based Famiclones.
good eye! I did indeed mean useful in certain games.
I was talking about the infamous Action 52 (fake NES game with 52 games built in)
The NES is DC as well, there's probably just a difference between voltage or polarity.
No. The NES was DC as well because it has to be. AC power supplies are like that.
Right, that's what I was saying. They're both DC. He said that the Generation NEX was DC where as the NES was AC...
I really wanted to see what happens when you start together a Famicom and a NES game.... :(
you could make a big hole in your desk and put the big joy skick controller in like an arcade machine
Um....yes...you _could_ carve a hole in your desk. You could.
Very cool, you know your stuff. I'll still call it the MicroGenius though, sounds cooler.
ah yes, i did google that and personally the 'nintendo polystation' cracked me up the most.thanks for the info :)