If You Missed Out on the NES Classic, the RES Plus Might Be the Next Best Thing

The NES Classic's promise of delivering iconic Nintendo games in an easy-to-play package resulted in it selling out pretty much instantly.

Of course, that system was far from the only way you can play the games that made Nintendo famous in the first place. If your parents or older siblings happen to have old NES cartridges lying around, Retro-Bit's RES Plus is the best new way to play them.

We're sad to say it, but old NES systems are getting to be obsolete. They're bulky (10 inches wide and eight inches deep) and plug into TVs via AV cable, so newer TVs that only have HDMI ports can't even play them. And since many of the systems are now more than 30 years old, chances are that they've been collecting dust and will take some repairs to even run.

In comparison, the RES Plus is less than six inches wide and about five inches deep. It plugs into a TV or monitor via HDMI, so it's compatible with all your new devices, and it even charges via Micro USB.

Best of all, it's a brand new system, so you don't have to worry about it being old and broken. I was also concerned that I wouldn't be able to get my older-than-me copy of Mike Tyson's Punch-Out to play on the system, but blowing into the bottom of the cartridge worked like a charm and soon the classic game was up on the TV. I'm not saying that it worked because it was on the RES Plus, but it certainly didn't hurt.

While the controllers for the system look a bit boxy and not super ergonomic, they're simply retaining the rectangular shape of the original system's controllers. It may not be immediately apparent, but the staggered placement of the A and B buttons is a lot more comfortable than their horizontal placement on the classic controller.

They also have the same plugins as a real NES, so you can use these updated controllers on an old console if you happen to have one lying around. And did we mention that the controller cables are more than twice as long as the ones on the NES Classic? At six feet, they might actually enable you to sit on the couch while you play.

Best of all, the HDMI cable makes these games look good. They appear in 720p resolution, meaning classic 8-bit games will look better than they ever did before. Though the looks and sounds are still as retro as ever, seeing them this crisp makes them feel brand new.

The only downside of the system is it can be tough to pull out your cartridges. Unlike the original console, the RES Plus is a top-loader, so sometimes you have to push the cartridge hard to insert it or pull it hard to remove it. In my experience, this was more of an issue initially, and inserting or removing the cartridges became easier over time. Just be aware that in the beginning, manhandling antique cartridges can feel a little iffy.

The RES Plus retails for $39.99 and is available today. And if you don't have any old NES games for the console, check out used game stores, flea markets and the internet for great deals. You might be surprised how inexpensive it can be to build up a library.

 

Not sold on retro gaming? Click HERE to find our why we should appreciate the classics.