MAILBAG V.6

Mailbag has been long over due for an update, don't cha think? Unfortunately with a previous clearage of mail caused by a freak accident on my server, many interesting messages were forever wiped away. Nevertheless, this Mailbag is sure to please as well as bewilder and question the hopes of the human race's future survival.

Inspirational Mail

----- Original Message -----
From: "marco andrade"
Sent: Fri 05 Mar 2004 09:06 PM
Subject: wasup

hey wasup , I just got done reading your website, and boy what a great site u have. when u mentioned the video power show it just brought back good memories back in the day I was in kindergarten and my mom got me the nintendo. when I downloaded the song, I almost shed a tear cuz of the found memories of that show. im a infantry in the marine corp and stationed in kuwait and im using this pesonal computer. thank u for the found memories during the days nintendo ruled the world with a might fist.

thanksand god bless,
marco andrade

P.S. you right they should make a dvd for the wizard, I mean ninja cheerleaders from hell got a dvd so why cant the wizard get one.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Marmillot"
Sent: Wed 11 Feb 2004 11:11 PM
Subject: great site...

Just wanted to tell you that you have a new fan. Your site is really well done, ive been to a lot of NES sites, and most of them load slow, or the design is atrocious, but your site has it all. Kudos to you good man for keeping the flame going. =)

Dave Marmillot

Web Developer / Support

e-PulseTrak.com

----- Original Message -----
From: Matt Flowers
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 1:51 AM
Subject: Old School Hardcore

Greetings fellow NES fan! I just came across your site and I just wanted to let you know that it's great to see that there are still people that feel this passionate about old school gaming (especially about the NES). You did a great job with the site too. Keep it up! Also, if you're interested, I'm currently doing a remake of Zelda 1 and 2. If you want to check it out here is the url: http://www.geocities.com/mohyrule/main
It's not a very good site but it should give you a good idea of what the game will be like, so let me know what you think.
Again, awesome site, you rock!

Sincerely
Matt Flowers

Hey Matt,

That is such a sweet idea! Kudos to you, man. I will definitely have to plug your efforts in NES Player's news page. Please keep me updated on the project's status. (I can hardly wait to see how Error from Zelda II looks like..)

Thanks for the complements, too. The world needs more faithful old schoolers like you around!

----- Original Message -----
From: Micheal Lake
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 12:38 PM
Subject: claw miss grocks

why hello grocks. I am glad to see that NESplayer is back, but I am not glad that you had to drop out of college. I don't know where I'm going with this so i'll shut up and let this song tell you how i feel:

Welcome back,
Your dreams were your ticket out.

Welcome back,
To that same old place that you laughed about.

Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they're turned around.

Who'd have thought they'd lead ya (Who'd have thought they'd lead ya)
Here where we need ya (Here where we need ya)

Yeah we tease him a lot cause we've hot him on the spot, welcome back,
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.


I am a slaver of groxx.

My dear Claw,

I am quite glad to hear from you! Quite. Indeed my past departure from higher studies let mum down, but as she later found out, it was done for my own well being (there have been cases of people taking the same medication that my roommate popped which altered their minds and caused some dangerous side effects when the person is under depression or anxiety--including one situation that ended in a mother killing her child in a car accident).

Enough of that pocky cock! How are you, friend! Oh I can remember all the good times we had in Liverpool and London Square! It is my bloody misfortunate I haven't the time anymore to see how Masters Qix, FlowingMindSpin, Minkis, and the rest reside and what their current affairs be! Ever since I decided to start the presses once more tea time has been bloody cut.

Yes, well, I must toodle doo, as the boys say. Cheerio!

-Master Mike "Groxx"

P.S. I wuv woo.

2nd email: Well, I got off my anus and actaully emailed you. actaully I didnt get off my anus because i'm still sitting on it. I usually forget about this stupid hotmail account and I hate hotmail because it gives me tons of spam crap. and you are right about education my good groxx.

anyway, yes, i have seen the first three movies you mentioned. There's only a handful of shows I actaully watch anyway too. I want to see the other three movies but I'm too lazy to go rent them. SUCH IS LIFE. Anyway, I watch whatever japanaimation comes on the tele, and I enjoy pretty much all that comes on. I'm too cheap to go and actaully buy/rent something. I have to keep my money in case something AMAZING comes out. You never know when you'll need money. damn money grubbing hogs.

anyway, sanford and son is better then mary tyler moore. but it's not as sexy as Get Smart. sexxxxxy.

and I don't know why I even botherd to email you when I could just wait for you to come on aim, i guess i had nothing else to do. but i still *heart* u. bye. lolz.

Q&A Mail

----- Original Message -----
From: "Camaro rs97"
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 9:18 PM
Subject: Nintendo

Hey Mike!

Love the site bro it's amazing and brings back too many memories which puts a smile to my face. Always loved the nes compared to anything else.....the great games....and especially that nintendo music to each game. Now I remember your old site had many different pages with nintendo music (ex:the maniac mansion one where you see the guy in the library and you hear the maniac mansion music). I see now and you don't have that anymore?? Maybe you do but there is only one page where theres music and thats the flash videos.

The old site what made it amazing was the fact you had nintendo music in them. Why not anymore? Well if it's not there thats ok. but if you can pllleeeaasseee send me some of those tracks from the nintendo games I would love it because I enjoy listening to some of that old nintendo music from the games. If you have any in storage could you please send some this way?
I would greatly appreciate it Mike.....thank you!

-Derek

PS: Keep up the good work on your site!

Hey Derek,

Woah! Now I'm getting nostalgia over a nostalgic website. (It's an endless cycle!) Yeah, I know just what you mean. Some would say the old site design was more "original" than the one up now. I thought it was a clumsy way of doing things.

I remember I had Flashes of Maniac Mansion, Metal Gear, Balloon Fight, Donkey Kong, SMB2. Those were actually directories linking to the various sections and pages on NES Player. I added the music in the background to make them a bit more spiffy. They were all removed when the current layout took over.

Some like music on websites, others don't. From a poll I did a while back, the majority of visitors do not like playing .midis or other music while visiting the site. Most people tell me they listen to .mp3s or are easily annoyed by music they cannot control (i.e. those embedded in Flash). So now only a couple of game tributes and the Flash movies page contain playing music.

Your e-mail got me thinking, though. Maybe I should bring them back? Who knows! You did inspire me to add a certain "old" Flash animation in the Site Map (http://www.nesplayer.com/sitemap.htm). I have to repay you somehow for that, so this'll have to do for now:

http://www.nesplayer.com/old/
http://www.nesplayer.com/old/database/index.htm
http://www.nesplayer.com/old/media/index.htm
http://www.nesplayer.com/old/bonus_stage/index.htm
http://www.nesplayer.com/old/interaction/index.htm
http://www.nesplayer.com/old/about/index.htm

For .mp3s of NES video games to take on the go, I suggest trying this German
website: http://nescenter.com/soundtracks.htm

2nd email: Hey Mike!!!!
Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for giving me back those soundtracks.....I hope no one ever finds out how much I enjoy nintendo music but it's neat. Thanks dude you are GOD!!! I just always wondered how they came up with the music and if they used a synthizier(spelling?) to make the music. Anyways thanks once again Mike and keep up the good work!! Later

-Derek

----- Original Message -----
From: Matthew Worley
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 4:05 PM
Subject: nes toploader

Mike-

Whats up? My name is matt and i just had a quick question. i was just wondering if you can use the standard rectangle controllers for the NES toploader instead of the 'Dogbone' style ones. I'm thinking of buying one and i was just wondering. Thanks alot!

-Matthew

Hey Matt,

Yup, regular NES controllers work on the Toploader just fine. The newer dogbone controllers are a bit more comforting on the hands for longer periods of time, but us NES heads know nothing can ever beat the original design!

From: GJSTARK49
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 11:21 PM
Subject: I would like to know

I was recently at the mall in Bowling Green, KY and there were a couple of guys selling a Nintendo 76-in-1 game controller that you plug into your TV and play all the original Mario games and Nintendo games. Is this item authentic and is the cost of $60.00 a reasonable price and is there some other place to purchase this item? Your help in this matter would be so greatly appreciated. I have always loved the old Nintendo games and I would love to have them all in one game controller. Thanks a bunch,
G. Joyce Stark

Hey there,

I hear that malls across the country are now selling NES pirate systems. Crazy!

First off, what you must understand is that these game controllers (and other pirate goods) are brought into the States through companies in China and Hong Kong. They are not "authentic" as in officially licensed by Nintendo, nor the subsequent game companies from which they "stole" the NES games to include in their "stand alone systems." These are still considered illegal, even if they are widely sold through major retailers and malls.

Secondly, most of these so-called systems advertise outrageous claims. There was once a multi-game Nintendo cartridge I saw with the title "999,999 Games in One." Obviously they can't fit one less than a million NES games (nor is there even that many) into a tiny game pak. So in actuality, on the game select menu, there were only about 20 to 30 actual NES games--just repeated over and over again.

There may in fact be 76 different titles on this particular device, but more times than not, there is probably less. Your best bet is look at the controller's box to see if there is a list of games. If there is, and they're decent enough (not just the regular run-of-the-mill Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt and other simple, first-generation titles) you *may* want to pick it up.

Sixty bucks is very steep for these sort of things, though, so if you're comfortable with online shopping, I suggest you search eBay and Yahoo auctions. QVC online shopping network has one called Power Joy 52 for $21.75, although I do not know the list of included games:
IQVC.com

If you ever do decide to get one of these pirate systems, be sure to write back with some info. The main purpose of the Pirates section on NES Player is to inform people on what to buy and what to avoid. We're always looking to expand.

I hope this helps and be sure to check out the latest update (another pirate console is reviewed).

2nd email: Mike,

Thanks for such a detailed response. I only discovered these systems a few weeks ago when my girlfriend bought one at our local mall. I have an MBA and took pre-law in college but I am having trouble understanding why Nintendo doesn't sue.

<<And if you decide to ever pick one up, e-mail me back with some pictures and info!>>

The one she bought is called "Super Joystick" and I think is very similar to SuperJoy. There is 76 games (or 76 thousand if you ask the salesman) and they include Super Mario Arcade, Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt, etc.

----- Original Message -----
From: Jose Rodrigues
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 9:39 AM
Subject: Nes ressurestion

I'm glad that someone make such a wonderfull site about of a game console such the oldest Nintendo 8bits. Congratulations.

I'm writing you this email, because i have a nes, and some of the cartridges i have dont work at the moment, and i know that the console gba have a flash card that could receive playable roms image, to play on the original console.

Does nes have something like that?

Best Regards,

Joseph

Hey Joseph,

I'm a little lost by your words. GBA flash cards, which independent developers use to burn their games from computer to cart, are basically re-writable memory devices. A program called PocketNES (an NES emulator) allows us to play NES rom memory on those devices instead of GBA games.

To play NES games on a Gameboy Advance you need:

1- A flash card. (search around on google.com)
2- PocketNES files: emulator & Menu Maker (instructions here: http://www.pocketnes.org/)
3- NES ROMs

The NES uses ROM memory for its cartridges, sort of like GBA games, but burning ROMs from the computer onto Nintendo cartridges can be tricky and expensive. For that you'll need:

1- An EPROM burner
2- Access to blank EPROMs on which to burn
3- Skills in basic soldering

Trust me, if you can get a GBA flash card--buy one. Forget about the second option. Maybe sometime down the road we'll do a feature on how to burn ROMs onto NES cartridges, but it can turn into a lot of trial and error from what I understand.

----- Original Message -----
From: ANDREA YARDMAN
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 3:48 PM
Subject: Stopping the Blinking

Hi,
I recently picked up a NES for nothing. It works ok for a while, then it starts blinking. I've cleaned the cartridges and the unit as described in this site, and that works for a half hour or so of play, but the problem always comes back. Is there anything else you can suggest? I've cleaned the thing about a half dozen times already.

Thanks,
John

Hey John,

It sounds like you need a new 72-pin connector for your NES. I've heard reports that if you call up Nintendo's customer service line, they'll send you one replacement. I do not know if this is true or not. Otherwise they are commonly found on eBay auctions and a number of online retailers. The site I recommend the most is MCM Electronics. I ordered from them in the past and they have the best prices. NES 72-pin connectors are priced at $6.99 there. Here's the link (copy and paste into browser):
http://mcm.newark.com/NewarkWebCommerce/mcm/en_US/support/catalog/productDetail.jsp?id=83-3785

This page has helpful pictures on installation of the connector: http://w3ace.com/image/tid/11
One more with pictures: http://www.gamepart.com/Instruction.htm

I hope that helps.

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 2:22 AM
Subject: you still alive?

hey little buddy, you still alive?

My dear Paul Como,

BOOOO! I'M BACK FROM THE DEAD!!! HEY, LOOK AT ME! I WALK AMONG THE LIVING! HAH HAH!

Yours forever,
-Mike "Groxx"

P.S. Pinapples forever.

----- Original Message -----
From: Brent.Baeten
Sent: Mon 16 Feb 2004 08:05 PM
Subject: Great Website!

Hey Mike, great site - I have a few questions for you regarding PAL games (and specifically your section on Euro-only released games). Do you know any background on either Blue Shadow or Duck Maze? Were either of those released in the US under different names? I ask because I am a collector, and have Blue Shadow, and am also looking to purchase Duck Maze. I also bought Noah's Ark, Crackout, Die Schlumpfe (The Smurfs - German), Beauty and the Beast (German), and Parasol Stars...

Any information you have is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Brent

Hey Brent,

Duck Maze was released by HES (Australia) in 1990, never to be shipped to the US. It's basically a small, modest looking puzzler based on SEGA Master System game Penguin Land. I believe there's a ROM of it floating around on one of the emu scene sites; I can't remember which, though.

Blue Shadow, on the other hand, is nothing more than the NTSC title Shadow of the Ninja. Therefore it is not PAL-only; the game just underwent a name change because of the "sensitive connotation" of the word: ninja.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sam Lane"
Sent: Fri 27 Feb 2004 04:19 AM
Subject: i neeed a favor if possible

hey im into collecting NES and SNES games and acc. but the thing is i don't know what games are rare...i have a collection of 62 games in total and i was wondering if u could take a look at my list and tell me what i have....i a big fan of your site i discovered it a few months ago and come here almost everyday and id like to clam it (to me that is) as the best NES site on
the net...thanks agian

oo yea my name is Sam....e-mail me back if u have any responce

Super Mario bros/duckhunt (3 copies)
Super mario bros 2
Super Mario bros 3
The 3 stooges
8 eyes
Batman
Adventures of dino riki
Legendary wings
Shadowgate
Friday the 13th
Duck tales
Deadly towers
Back to the future (2 copies)
Dick tracey
The simpsons : bart vs the space mutants
Circus caper
Wheel of fortune
Win, lose or draw
Rampage
NES open : tournament golf
Metroid
Iron sword
Rambo
Terminator 2
Double dragon
Double dragon 2 : the revenge
76in 1
Barker bills trick shooting
To the earth
Clash at demonhead
Captain comic : the adventure (black cart)
Xexyz
Track and field 2
TMNT 1 (3 copies)
Stealth
Super pitfall
Dejavu
Super C
Renegade
Dr.Mario
Bad news baseball
Burgertime
Starship Hector
Starwars
Joe & mac
Caveman games
Guerrilla war
4 : Quattro sports
31 in 1
crystalis
Final Fantasy
Dragon warrior (2 copies)
Dragon warrior 4
Destiny of an emperor

NES ystems (3 complete)
NES max controller
NES controller (9)
NES Zapper (3)
Game Genie (1)
Game converter (1)

Sam,

You have a very well rounded collection right there. Congrats to you, man! In terms of rarity/worth, Dragon Warrior 4 is your stand out of the bunch. Unlicensed games tend to be dropping in price lately, which means the Quattro Sports and Captain Comic are worth only a bit more than the slightly above-average game. Additionally, ordinary multi game carts have also dropped off in value as well but I understand they still go for a good amount on auction sites. Still, those with original titles (Super Mario World, Kart Fighter) and popular games (Contra, Ninja Turtles Tournament) are the real ones seeing a rise. Basically, price factor all comes down to how good the individual games bundled inside are and their unique presence in multi cartridges (for example, first generation games and Duck Hunt are normal fare so those carts are less sought after).

NES Player hosts Antseezee's updated NES rarity guide which is the only free resource right now that includes individual prices for each cartridge. It's a good place for a beginner in the collecting hobby to start: http://www.nesplayer.com/collectors/updatedrare.txt

----- Original Message -----
From: rodney perez
Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2003 2:23 PM
Subject: cartridge on bottom

how do i program games on the controler or play them if i put them in the slot
on the bottom of the controler

I...honestly don't know (a.) If you are being serious, (b.) if you really think that is possible, (c.) what led you believe you could program games on the bottom of a controller, (d.) why--if this is a pirated console you are referring to--didn't you include a name so I could at least ask around, (e.) what the subject of the e-mail has anything to do with your question, (f.) what would make you think you could program games on a controller of any sort, and (g.) what kind of psychoactive delusional drug made you hallucinate an imaginary slot at the bottom of a controller.

I apologize if this reply was harsh. It's because I have to start cracking down on you suckas.

Strange/Dumb Mail

In the 'NES Player Does Not Manufacture Nintendo Pirate Systems' Saga . . .

----- Original Message -----
From: egllal
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2003 6:32 AM
Subject: Mega Joy II

Dear Sir :
i live at Egypt
and i am interested in buying 50 Mega joy II
i want to know how much it will cost
and what about shipping cost ?
do you have a dealer at Egypt ?
Thanks.
Have a Nice Day
Asfory Support
Egllal Rakem

----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin Leung"
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2002 4:24 AM
Subject: Power player "Super Joy 3" (Famiclone?)

I expect nothing with the recent purchase we made in December last year at one of the nearby malls, but felt compelled to share how pleased we were with your all in one game. We played for many hours and became familiar with a few games that we never heard of that were enjoyable. After about a month the unit stopped working and after many attempts gave up the search to find the manufacturer for warranty options. Today I googled "Super Joystick TV Game" and found you. I would appreciate your concern on the 30 day (approx) product.
Sincerely, Roger Lamaak
rllamaak@comcast.net

 

Nor are the items on the Merchandise page for sale . . .

----- Original Message -----
From: Robert L. Ratcliffe, Sr.
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 4:04 PM
Subject: zelda keychain

While on your site, I noticed your zelda keychain. Since it was under the merchandise section, I assumed I could buy it, but I couldn't see how much it cost or how to do so. Please tell me how I can get it, how much it is, and if you can, where you got it/where else I might find a Zelda keychain. Thanks!

One has little idea just how many similar messages I have received concerning the merchandise on NES Player. That page is simply a directory of odd Nintendo knick knacks to make sensational any fleeting nostalgia. I do not/I am not planning to sell any of those items. (I need to start posting a note at the top of that section, I guess.)

PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU, GO TO EBAY.COM IF YOU WANT TO BUY THE MARIO RAINSLICKER.

----- Original Message -----
From: Piasek Knoah
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2003 1:23 PM
Subject: tetris & Mustard

mike,

I love you so much.
can we play the tetris in the bathtub with the cast of Cheers? It has to be the original tetris with the red label for the Japanese gameboy or you won't get any nookie.

-kp
Now you know truly how much freaky deeky trouble a webmaster gets into. I have stalkers crawling down my back. The things I put up with for the NES, I tell ya...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Librarian5"
Sent: Tue 17 Feb 2004 12:28 PM
Subject: Library change of schedule (Mike Madrid at Nes Companies LP)

Effective this coming Monday the library research staff hours will go back to
our 9 am to 5 pm schedule. Please disregard this message if your staff is not
currently using the library at this time.

Notification to: Mike Madrid
Nes Companies LP
mike@nesplayer.com

Only respond if you are not the intended recipient above and we will correct
our records. Ignore if inactive or not currently being used. Thank you.

- Research Library Staff

SPAM Mail

----- Original Message -----
From: "kimfrhs"
Sent: Thu 19 Feb 2004 04:32 AM
Subject: drunk soccer moms nesplayer.com

 

That's enough for now. I'm suddenly real depressed.

TAKE A HINT.

 BACK