Expert: Octane - 12/15/2009

Question
Hello,

Im an avid gamer but i've been out of touch for awhile but now but im getting myself back into it and i'm really enjoying it. I own a few consoles and was wondering if i could please ask some questions and hope you have answers for them. Much appreciated if you could help or direct me to someone who could.


What is the difference between the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and the Nintendo Entertainment System 2 (NES 2) ? Whats better in your opinion ?

What is the difference between the Sega Genesis a.k.a. Mega Drive and the Sega Genesis 2 a.k.a. Mega Drive 2 ? Whats better in your opinion ?

These are all the systems i wish to own in the future:

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Model 2

Sega Genesis a.k.a. Mega Drive

Sega Dreamcast

Nintendo Wii

Nintendo 64

Nintendo Game Cube

Microsoft X-Box 360

PSP

Sony PSone

Sony Playsation 2

Sony Playstation 3

Do you think i have left anything out to make my collection complete ?

If i have a Xbox 360 would it be worthwhile to get the first regular Xbox or just stay with the 360 ?

Are you familiar with the entire Final Fantasy series ? eg. what games go with what console etc ?

To purchase some of the older consoles and the games to go with them would u suggest ebay ? or do you know of something better ?

I live in australia, any help you provide is greatly appreciated.

Thanks, talk soon


Answer
Gday Jason,

Quite a few questions for me to answer.

NES Vs NES 2

The NES 2 is a better system for a couple of reasons.  It has the traditional top loading cartridge port unlike the original had has a very bad design which after a while has problems reading cartridge ports.  (Again mainly due to the horrible design of securing the cartridge in place.)  The NES 2 also has no lockout chip in it, which actually helps when reading the cartridges, it also has the benefit of able to play almost all USA NES games without any modification or converter.  It is also newer hardware compared in it compared it the original model.  You only downside is it is a lot rarer and more expensive.

Mega Drive Vs Mega Drive 2
Technically the Mega Drive 1 is alittle better than the Mega Drive 2 (It's made with better parts), also has an Audio jack, as well as RF and AV output.  (The Megadrive 2 has no Headphone jack and only one output)  Shares a more common Power supply (NES, Master System etc) than the propriety Megadrive 2 power plug.  It's down side is it does overheat a bit quicker than the second model and it is not as pleasing to the eye.

Console list.
You have left a few off there.  (Since I originally an Australian, but living in the USA, I know what has been released.  I have left off any handheld.)

You might also want to add these fairly popular systems of the time.
Sega Master System 1 or 2
Atari 2600 or 5200 (the 5200 will play 2600 games)
Sega CD system (Add on to Mega Drive)
Sega Saturn

less popular...
Magnavox Odyssey
32x (Add on to Mega drive)
Vectrex
Amiga 32
Neo Geo
Atari Jagura

I remember these being really hard to find...
CDi
3DO
TurboGrafx-16/PC-Engine (That might have never been released in Australia)

To your question of having a Xbox 360 should I also own a X-box?  I see you have PSone and PS2 on your list (PSone games are compatible with PS2) also a Wii and Gamecube (Gamecube is playable on the Wii) so it would be really up to you.  Just a note that all Xbox games are not compatible with your Xbox 360 and you usually have to download a patch for each game you want to play.

Final Fantasy (I am only going to list Final Fantasy Series and non of the Spin Offs)

Final Fantasy - GBA, DS, NES, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, SNES, Wii, Wonderswan Color, Xbox 360
Final Fantasy II - Famicom, WonderSwan Color, PlayStation, GBA, PSP, Virtual Console)
Final Fantasy III - Famicom, DS, Virtual Console
Final Fantasy IV - SNES as (Final Fantasy II), PlayStation, WonderSwan Color, GBA, DS, Virtual Console
Final Fantasy V - Super Famicom, PlayStation, GBA
Final Fantasy VI - SNES as (Final Fantasy III), PlayStation, GBA
Final Fantasy VII - Playstation
Final Fantasy VIII - Playstation
Final Fantasy IX - Playstation
Final Fantasy X - PS2
Final Fantasy XI - PS2
Final Fantasy XII - Ps2
Final Fantasy XIII - PS3, Xbox 360 (Not released yet)

For the spin-offs have a look at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Final_Fantasy_spin-offs

Older consoles the best way to purchase.  Ebay is probably the best but don't count out locals like Oztion or our NZ auction house Trademe for online places.  Also have a look in the Trading Post and especially Fleamarkets/Car boot sales are great gold mines.  Occasionally you can find them at garage sales.

Hope this helps you in your quest.

Octane