Which Nintendo system?

This Friday I will be heading to a retro gaming shop to pick up a retro Nintendo system for Friday/Saturday night gaming sessions either alone or with some mates.

I am interested in picking up either a SNES, an N64, or a Wii that is compatible with GameCube controllers and games.

I am interested in a wide variety of games except for sports games. I am interested in both singleplayer and multiplayer (though multiplayer will be maybe once a week at most; while I will be using the console for multiplayer from time to time, it will not be the main focus).

I have heard that the SNES has next to no multiplayer games, but it has many more games than the N64 that play very well today. I'm not too sure about the N64, seeing as I can play most any game that I would purchase for it on a Wii through the Virtual Console. As for the Wii, it has phenomenal games like NSMB, SM Galaxy 1 and 2, and many others.

The only thing I am concerned about with the SNES is the cartridges eventually crapping out on me after a while, which is something I definitely would not need to worry about with any GameCube or Wii disc.

I'm leaning towards an extremely refurbished SNES for $49.99, but I am not too sure.

Which would you recommend, and why?

I would go with the Wii. It has the VC which has a fiar share of N64 and SNES games. I would make a list of SNES and N64 games you want, and see if the VC, has them. If they have most or all go with the wii, kill 4 birds with one stone.

A backward-compatible Wii - allowing you to play Virtual Console/Wii Ware games, and GameCube games. Virtual Console has many great arcade, Neo Geo, NES, SNES, Commodore 64, TG-16, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, and N64.

You would also want the 'pro' controller for a more familiar feel. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/wii-pro-controller

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Virtual_Console_games_for_Wii_(North_America) - this won't link right so just copy and paste.

I just checked out the Virtual Console; it has roughly 90% of the games I would purchase for a SNES. Looks like I will be picking up a refurbished Wii. Thanks all!CaptainAhab13

VC is barebones as hell, and the SNES is a far better system than any of those with a ton of good games. 

But, the Wii is a much more convenient pick, because the SNES cartriges are known to fetch a quite a penny. 

VC is barebones as hell, and the SNES is a far better system than any of those with a ton of good games. 

But, the Wii is a much more convenient pick, because the SNES cartriges are known to fetch a quite a penny. 

Wii with GameCube support... Then ignore all Wii games, and buy NGC titles, and VC stuff... GameCube is by far the best of all those systems, for me, it's the pinnacle of Nintendo.

;)

I know there will be SNES fanatics who won't agree, and the odd N64 nut... But I loved the NGC best of all those.

. Then ignore all Wii games

MonkeySpot

hmmm, tough choice to be honest, N64 has some great lengthy titles (Banjo, Ocarina of Time, Mario 64, Conker, Turok, etc) and the SNES has a fantastic library. If I didn't have a SNES I would go with that, too many great games to pass up. Just do some research on SNES titles and you're golden, here a great list to get started

http://www.retrojunk.com/article/show/650/top-25-snes-games

There are other hidden gems out there which are not that popular but I would recommend these for starts

- Undercover Cops

- ActRaiser 2 (highly recommended)

- Demon's Crest

- EarthBound (If you can still find a copy ;) )

- Super Double Dragon 

hmmm, tough choice to be honest, N64 has some great lengthy titles (Banjo, Ocarina of Time, Mario 64, Conker, Turok, etc) and the SNES has a fantastic library. If I didn't have a SNES I would go with that, too many great games to pass up. Just do some research on SNES titles and you're golden, here a great list to get started

 

http://www.retrojunk.com/article/show/650/top-25-snes-games

 

There are other hidden gems out there which are not that popular but I would recommend these for starts

- Undercover Cops

- ActRaiser 2 (highly recommended)

- Demon's Crest

- EarthBound (If you can still find a copy ;) )

- Super Double Dragon 

mark1982

The Super Nintendo is without a doubt Nintendo's best gaming system. 

In spite of my earlier post I am still strongly considering a SNES. My only two gripes are 1) Friends will see it and be much more perplexed than if they saw a Wii (no 4 player Mario Kart? What is this, no 3D graphics?! [which is not a big deal anyhow]), and 2) The cartridges will be more expensive to pick up than just getting a dozen Wii + GC games. I will decide when I get to the store this Friday, I suppose.CaptainAhab13

I know.. but if you're not gonna have friends to play with too often, the SNES is a great choice for single player. Here's what i would definitely recommend playing:

• Terranigma
• Breath of Fire II
• Earthbound
• Secret of Mana
• Chrono Trigger
• Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
• Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
• Final Fantasy VI
• Donkey Kong Country I - III
• Super Castlevania IV
• Dragon Quest VI
• Seiken Densetsu 3
• Super Mario World
• Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
• Super Mario All-Stars
• Super Metroid
• Ganbare Goemon 2 & 4 (platfomers)
• Pocky & Rocky 1 & 2 (run 'n gun, awesome games)
• Kirby Super Star

VC is barebones as hell, and the SNES is a far better system than any of those with a ton of good games. 

But, the Wii is a much more convenient pick, because the SNES cartriges are known to fetch a quite a penny. 

Lucianu

Exactly, VC is so weak...I'd take SNES all the way

But financially, Wii is the best option by far

Thanks for the suggestions! I just called the retro game store near me; they sell very refurbished SNES systems for $50, and very refurbished Wii systems with GC support for $60. They go *way* out of their way to make the system just like new again, which is why the price is somewhat high.

They recommended I pick up a Wii initially and a handful of the best games for it for me and my girlfriend (with whom I will probably be gaming with the most) if not for the affordability (I'm a sophomore in college) simply for the fact that it will be much easier to relate to for people of my generation, which might make it easier to organize gaming gatherings and such.

I will undoubtedly be getting both eventually. I have been researching the SNES and there are just too many good games to pass up on in my gaming career.

EDIT: I realized I would have to pick up a CRT TV for when I get a SNES, seeing as the HDTV in our dorm lounge is mediocre at best, even for an HDTV, and I've heard that older systems do *not* look good on anything but a CRT.

Honestly, get the Wii (but get a used Wii that can play gamecube games).

You can just you-know-what for SNES games and the like.

Honestly, get the Wii (but get a used Wii that can play gamecube games).

You can just you-know-what for SNES games and the like.

drekula2

SNES obviously. Nearly every one of Nintendo's IP acheived perfection on that system. 

A backward-compatible Wii - allowing you to play Virtual Console/Wii Ware games, and GameCube games. Virtual Console has many great arcade, Neo Geo, NES, SNES, Commodore 64, TG-16, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, and N64.

You would also want the 'pro' controller for a more familiar feel. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/wii-pro-controller

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Virtual_Console_games_for_Wii_(North_America) - this won't link right so just copy and paste.

Stinger78

SNES, I still consider it to be the best Nintendo system.

[QUOTE="Stinger78"]

A backward-compatible Wii - allowing you to play Virtual Console/Wii Ware games, and GameCube games. Virtual Console has many great arcade, Neo Geo, NES, SNES, Commodore 64, TG-16, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, and N64.

You would also want the 'pro' controller for a more familiar feel. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/wii-pro-controller

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Virtual_Console_games_for_Wii_(North_America) - this won't link right so just copy and paste.

AtelierFan

[QUOTE="AtelierFan"][QUOTE="Stinger78"]

A backward-compatible Wii - allowing you to play Virtual Console/Wii Ware games, and GameCube games. Virtual Console has many great arcade, Neo Geo, NES, SNES, Commodore 64, TG-16, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, and N64.

You would also want the 'pro' controller for a more familiar feel. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/wii-pro-controller

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Virtual_Console_games_for_Wii_(North_America) - this won't link right so just copy and paste.

Eikichi-Onizuka

[QUOTE="drekula2"]

Honestly, get the Wii (but get a used Wii that can play gamecube games).

You can just you-know-what for SNES games and the like.

CaptainAhab13