Hey guys,
I know that the world of pirated Famicom stuff is pretty vast. I know that some of you guys play pirate carts on the real hardware.
At the moment, I am almost the opposite... I more or less play legit carts on pirate consoles (most of the time, occasionally I play the one multicart I have on a pirate console). I tend to keep my Famicom well kept, and let the less expensive clones take the use.
I am interested in pirate carts. I know that there are many out there. I am not so much interested in multicarts... but the odd ball ports, and hacks. I heard that some of the original non-licensed games are kind of out there.
I have seen Super Mario World, and Street Fighter, and even a FFVII as Famicom carts.
Are these attempts at 8-bit adaptations, or are these just using the the name to try to garner attention?
I am totally new to this concept. Even considering buying pirate cartridges is a novel idea to me, and would like to do some research before attempting to find any for purchase, though I do know that they crop up on eBay from time to time. Back info, or even recommended titles are appreciated. What are the key points to look for, and is there any particular price ceiling that anyone would place for any particular recommended title?
I know this is sorta vague, but when it comes down pirate carts... I AM a noob.
There are a lot of Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat pirates, and they are indeed real and original. Same goes for Super Mario World and FFVII, but expect to have to pay a lot for them, especially FFVII.
Originals can run anywhere from $10 for a Street Fighter to around $80 for a less common game.
How do they stack up in terms of game play?
Are there any that are recommended to AVOID?
I know that there are various makers, I have heard of Gimmick, and Sachen. I think Sachen used to pirate a bunch of Atari stuff back in the day... oh yeah, and Kaiser. From your experience, would you say that a "Branded" pirate cart is better built than a generic, nondescript cased one?
Just searching for more info before I dive into anything. I know that Famicom stuff has been pirated for ages... so there has been a lot of time for stuff to be developed, built, made etc. Anyone keep a list of known pirate games? A rarity list for these sorts of things? I know that it is hard to determine scarcity of something that is illicit, but it is a neat idea.
I DO own one pirate Famicom cart... a 111-in-1, but have 2 more on the way. I also have one Atari 2600 pirate called Panda Rescue. I think it was churned out in Brazil.
There are a ton of fighters. If you've looking for good gameplay, it's best to avoid the early versions of any series. So, buying 1-3 for any fighter usually means the gameplay will be poor, while 4-10 will be better, at least in my experience. Some games only have one release, so you have no choice, really. Also, you might avoid FFVII and other RPGs because they're impossible to play unless you know Chinese.
My favorite unlicensed original is probably Earthworm Jim 3, but there are a bunch of cool ones.
Quote from: shoggoth80 on February 23, 2009, 01:00:37 pm
I am totally new to this concept. Even considering buying pirate cartridges is a novel idea to me, and would like to do some research before attempting to find any for purchase, though I do know that they crop up on eBay from time to time. Back info, or even recommended titles are appreciated. What are the key points to look for, and is there any particular price ceiling that anyone would place for any particular recommended title?
I know this is sorta vague, but when it comes down pirate carts... I AM a noob.
Well the only Pirate game I'd recommend to anyone is below, which is odd
seeing as how I'm quoting my own post from another thread here, but you
may have missed it. But here it is should you want to track one down.
Quote from: Agent X on November 18, 2008, 02:29:02 pm
Truthfully, THIS IS THE GAME I'd tell anyone who's into Famicom bootleg/pirate collecting to track down if you want an almost flawless VS. Fighting Game in terms of control execution. I guess this JY company really did their homework for the game because it's not like the horrid controls Yoko Soft did with "Street Fighter II / Master Fighter" and is worlds better than that K.O.F. 98 boot for the Mega Drive I once owned, where pulling off moves was almost non existant.
Samurai Spirits 2 (title screen says this though the box says Shodown 2) is actually mapped out from it's Super Famicom port (I'm guessing) because all of the controller motions you'd do to execute a move WORKS. The game itself is sluggish, and you can do cheap TEKKEN like attacks where a super move throws someone into the air, and you can keep hitting them on their way down... but outside of this, the game is about as close to perfect as one is going to get for a VS. FIghting game on the 8-BIT FAMICOM. The Back of the box however, shows the actual Neo:Geo MVS screens! :D It's a bloody shame this wasn't a legit release with a few more tweaks to it because I think it have sold like hot cakes. I procure most of this (bootleg) stuff from a guy I know in Hong Kong who also posts over at Neo-Geo.Com/Forums (http://www.neo-geo.com/forums), username ckchan. Great guy he is. Anyhow, here are some screen pics for you to see for yourself...
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/MX_5000/SamuraiSpirits2FC01.png)(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/MX_5000/SamuraiSpirits2FC02.png)
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/MX_5000/SamuraiSpirits2FC03.png)(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/MX_5000/SamuraiSpirits2FC04.png)
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/MX_5000/SamuraiSpirits2FC05.png)(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/MX_5000/SamuraiSpirits2FC06.png)
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/MX_5000/SamuraiSpirits2FC07.png)(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/MX_5000/SamuraiSpirits2FC08.png)
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/MX_5000/SamuraiSpirits2FC09.png)(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/MX_5000/SamuraiSpirits2FC10.png)
As you can see, the graphics are pretty good considering it's an 8-BIT version of what I'm (again) assuming to be a ported "port" of the Super Famicom version of Samurai Spirits. It flickers every now and then during a match, and for some odd reason Amakusa is named Mizuki ??? I dunno, maybe it's not supposed to be Amakusa afterall... but the on screen character select screen shows what appear to be the first South Town boss of "Art of Fighting" Todo. Go figure, but then all of these pirate/boots do weird stuff like this. In that K.O.F. 98' for Mega Drive I mentioned, Terry Bogard got renamed Treey! :D Anyhow, hope the pics and description helps you all out, it's one I'd recommend tracking down. My only gripe is that Genjuro is missing in this game! He's the reason #2 kicked ass IMO.
That is the coolest pirate I've ever seen. :O
Mari Street Fighter III is decent. Somewhat.
Wow that Samurai Spirits looks pretty awesome for an 8 bit rendition. Might have to keep an eye out for that one.
Yeah it looks ace, I'm gonna see if it'll run on my powerpak later.
Super Street Fighter Zero 2 '97 by Hummer Team is very similar to that one -- awesome graphics, near perfect gameplay, intro scenes, etc. It's easier to find than Samurai Spirits 2, if you're looking for a great fighter.
DKC 3 is decent.
Quote from: JC on February 24, 2009, 10:17:43 am
Super Street Fighter Zero 2 '97 by Hummer Team is very similar to that one -- awesome graphics, near perfect gameplay, intro scenes, etc. It's easier to find than Samurai Spirits 2, if you're looking for a great fighter.
ARE YOU SERIOUS? Holy shit I'd love to own an SF Zero game
on the 8-BIT Famicom! I'll have to contact my Hong Kong connection
and see if he can't find it for me. (*LOL: "Hummer Team")
Are the actual SF Zero 2 characters in the game though? I mean
predominately, or is it the usual, few IP correct characters and then
weird stuff like Super Mario and Barbie and some random character
from Flying Dragons and stuff? It be nice to think this Hummer Team
did play it straight as far as that goes. Links to any pics by any chance?
This has info about it but no pics:
http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=533.0
QuoteFighters: 27 peoples (9 unique -- Ryu, Chun-Li, Nash, Ken, Guy, Sagat, Sodom, Aoon, Gouki)
Quote from: JC on February 24, 2009, 03:08:59 pm
This has info about it but no pics:
http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=533.0
QuoteFighters: 27 peoples (9 unique -- Ryu, Chun-Li, Nash, Ken, Guy, Sagat, Sodom, Aoon, Gouki)
Thanks. I'm definitely going to look into that game.
Mario 8 you must have it!
Quote from: FamicomFreak on February 24, 2009, 06:15:30 pm
Mario 8 you must have it!
Anything "special" about it? You sound pretty enthusiastic
about it... got my interests now. Hope it plays/looks better
than the Hong Kong hack of
Super Mario World on the
Famicom. I mean, that one is alright, but I really wanted the
Super Famicom experience on the 8-BIT Fami.
Ah yes well the real game is Don Doko Don 2 and it's a simple yet fun hack since the sprites have been changed to a hammer wielding mario! It's a great game with mario like gameplay. The ending doesn't make much sense but the game itself is very fun and playable.
Hmm...
it plays better than mario world!
It does. I love SMW, but Mario 8 is a fun game too! (Good luck finding the ROM :P)
"Mario IV", a hack of Armadillo with Sprites of Mario and Luigi added.
Also known as "Rock and Ball Mario"
Ah yes forgot about that one. That's another good pirate!
Really? I'll go against the tide and say pretty much all the mario hacks are poo.
I do like the donkey kong country games though. Considering we saw official gameboy versions it makes sense there should've been famicom versions too really I think, even if the super famciom ahd already taken over by then!
I have not seen a Donkey Kong pirate yet. Interesting though.
I think a pirated DK game wouldn't be too horrible. I would imagine that the Famicom/NES has more power than the Gameboy did.
it's not so much power, more about collision detection and programming things like that. I actually think the gameboy versions run better and even look better too. Rare just did a better job on the gameboy than the pirates did on the famicom IMO.
Even the soundtrack is better on gameboy as basically everything was considered with more attention. You can get an idea in comparion here:
Famicom pirate version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0efyEdGSiI&feature=PlayList&p=93B604260C350A0E&playnext=1&index=7
Gameboy version (ignore sound glitches at start):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjqWN6XV9fw
Super DK 3 pirate was the best I played, but I can't find a vid of it. I did find a vid of Street Fighter zero 2 pirate someone mentioned though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IznF8gkz72c
Quote from: L___E___T on February 25, 2009, 03:14:46 pm
Super DK 3 pirate was the best I played,
WTF PICS?
i never heard of a sdk 3 pirate
YamiMario has seen it too - I can't find anything online about it though which is weird. Gimme some time to get a screengrab or something.
I have a Super DK3 port to Famicom. I don't think it's that great, though. My favorite pirates are Pokemon Blue and Red.
You have all the cool stuff Eric :P
lol...I think JC, Popi, and FamicomFreak have all the cool stuff. :P
I will admit I'm jealous of JC's Odyssey and the fact that he's owned 3 gold Punch-Outs
And FamicomFreak has boxed Mario 8 and that AWESOME PIRATE MULTI
And Popi has..well...everything else :D
Magnavox Odysseys look cool but I wouldn't use it for anything other than an ornamet. 3 gold punch outs JC!? Why?!
You still have a Serj T, I don't know anyone else with one. If you think about selling it let me know k.
Haha, I'll make sure to let you know ;) :P
I would actually play an Odyssey, it'd be a little hard and weird though..since the overlays are fit for smaller CRT TVs..
Just about everyone has a better cartridge collection then I do. The only pirate games I own are, Super Mario IV and Pokemon 4 in 1. :D
Quote from: L___E___T on February 25, 2009, 05:49:00 pm
3 gold punch outs JC!? Why?!
Purchased each trying to find a better copy, since the gold casing wears so easily and the first two I got had some gold rubbed off.
get somari even though the controls are shit and that you'll game over easy as hell :P
What kind of reccomendation is that!! Somari is a bad graphics hack, nothing more. Unless you count the awful noise as music.
It reminds me of one of those ideas you have as a kid "wouldn't it be cool if..." and then when you put it into practice you find out it fails miserably, like mixing spirits with beer to make cocktails, or seeing what ice cream is like with salt.
I know some of you guys like it, but let's face it when you look at it as a platformer it's seriously sub-par, it's a mess, especially compared to the master system sonic.
Quote from: nintendodork on February 25, 2009, 05:25:30 pm
I will admit I'm jealous of JC's Odyssey and the fact that he's owned 3 gold Punch-Outs
And FamicomFreak has boxed Mario 8 and that AWESOME PIRATE MULTI
And Popi has..well...everything else :D
Just keep working hard trying to find deals without having to blow much money on them man....it just takes time.