What it's the best way of buying Famicom games?

[nerdynebraskan]

Yeah, I have one of those adapters to play original NES controllers via USB too, but I haven't figured out how to use it yet. It's probably not going to work easily, if at all, for my computer since I run a Linux OS. But I'm really only wanting to play certain throwback/tribute games like Abobo's Big Adventure and Super Mario Bros. Crossover. And playing them on a keyboard definitely gets old. There's no substitute for me gaming with an NES dogbone in my hands.

I've never been into emulation. I get much more out of the experience using the original hardware. It's not an entirely rational thing to explain, and I don't necessarily recommend it to anyone else. I mean, I've blown thousands of dollars on these hunks of plastic, and I've had to dedicate an entire bedroom of my house to storing them. I'm a collector, and I freely admit that collectors are crazy.

I've never used a flashcart, and I've never given much thought to getting one. I guess I think of flashcarts as just emulating on original consoles. Which is definitely a step in the right direction, but still not quite authentic enough for me.

[Lunar Archivist]

If you can somehow make your way to Tokyo, Japan, I'd say go to "Super Potato" in Akihabara. Famicom games galore.

[fcgamer]

If you can somehow make your way to Tokyo, Japan, I'd say go to "Super Potato" in Akihabara. Famicom games galore.

Can anyone else recommend some places in Japan for getting Famicom stuff?  Maybe some day I will have to take a vacation there for a week.   

[P]

Book-Off can be pretty good for finding retro games and they are everywhere so check them as often as you can. Super Potato has better selection but it isn't as cheap. I heard Mandarake is also good but I never visited one. Various small second hand stores may also have Famicom stuff sometimes.

Forum members Manuel and Senseiman are experts in this field.

[Lunar Archivist]

Can anyone else recommend some places in Japan for getting Famicom stuff?  Maybe some day I will have to take a vacation there for a week.   

I've never been to Book-Off!, but I don't doubt P's claim.

As for Super Potato...

http://www.dannychoo.com/en/post/25827/Super+Potato.html

...somehow I'm not sure you'll be able to go anywhere else considering how broke you'll probably be after visiting it.

Still, if you want other stores, I suggest the nearby Akihabara branch of Mandarake...

http://www.mandarake.co.jp/en/shop/cmp.html

...as well as the central store in Nakano Broadway.

http://www.mandarake.co.jp/en/shop/nkn.html

And finally, here's a map of where to find stuff in that last store. It's three floors of geek paradise.

http://maidenseeker.deviantart.com/art/Map-of-Mandarake-192280458