FC Twin
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| Manufacturer | Yobo Gameware Co. |
|---|---|
| Type | Video game console |
| Generation | Seventh generation era |
| Retail availability | November 20, 2006 |
| Units sold | 1.3 million[citation needed] |
| Media | NES/SNES cartridge |
| CPU | NOAC (NES mode), Ricoh 5822 or compatible 3.58 MHz (SNES mode) |
| Storage capacity | on-cartridge |
| Controller input | 2x SNES |
| Backward compatibility |
Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System |
The FC Twin (also known as FC X2) is a Famiclone that can play Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games. The system has been well received due to the increasing scarcity of original hardware. The system has been followed by a number of similar console "remakes": the Retro Duo Twin Video Game System for NES and SNES games,[1][2] the SG Twin Video Game System for Sega Genesis & NES games,[3] Gen-X Dual Station Video Game System for Genesis and NES games [4] and the Yobo FC 3 Plus[5] and RetroN 3[6] for Genesis, SNES and NES games.
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[edit] Compatibility
The FC Twin has separate circuitry and cartridge slots for the NES and SNES. With the Super Game Boy adaptor, Nintendo Game Boy cartridges can also be used. It features a single-pole, double-throw power switch with open position; the switch can be thrown to 8-Bit (NES) or 16-Bit (SNES), or set to off.
[edit] NES Compatibility
The FC Twin console uses SNES compatible controllers and devices such as the Super Scope and Konami Justifier light guns, but cannot use NES compatible controllers and devices such as the NES Zapper peripheral for Duck Hunt. Yobo has its own version of the NES Zapper which is compatible with games that require use of the NES Zapper. The Super Nintendo controller buttons otherwise map to the NES controller inputs (B maps to Y, A maps to B. A maps to turbo B, X maps to turbo A; L and R serve no function). When using any controllers besides the actual FC Twin ones, the A and X buttons do nothing during 1-player or 2-player NES play.
[edit] FC Twin Light gun
A light gun was recently released specifically for the FC Twin, modeled closely after the NES Zapper (but smaller, with a more ergonomic handle), with a black trigger, dark gray stock/handle and orange plastic mount on the top (and missing the familiar noise maker that the NES version featured) and a SNES style plug. This lightgun is billed as being compatible with all NES Zapper games on the FC Twin console.
[edit] Other Compatibility Notes
The FC Twin connects through an RCA connector, and can be hooked into a surround sound system. When using stereo and surround output from these systems, NES sounds and music may seem very different from their typical mono output. Using output modes that properly generate mono sound, either through a single center speaker or cloned to multiple speakers, the sound output sounds mostly identical to the original NES. The FC Twin does not produce some sounds faithfully, even with mono output; sound effects in the Super Mario Bros. series games will for example immediately seem different. Nevertheless, some later models of the console produce NES sound much more faithfully than units made closer to launch. Recent models produce sound with complete fidelity.
The FC Twin uses a card slot reader rather than a ZIF connector. The second-generation NES also used a card slot reader, and featured no 10NES lock-out chip; however, unlike the top-loading NES 2, the FC Twin is completely compatible with the Galoob Game Genie without the use of an adaptor. Both the official NES 2 and the FC Twin capitalize on the card slot reader's greater reliability; games rarely suffer from bad connections as they did with the original ZIF socket. In the FC Twin, the NES cartridge still has to be reseated occasionally. The pins can misalign and short across each other or otherwise fail to connect properly, requiring users to maneuver the game cartridge until it works.
[edit] NES Game Compatibility
As Tested by Consumers
At times different copies of the same game can behave differently in the FC Twin. This may be explained by a malfunction with the cartridge itself. Some copies of Dragon Warrior or Super Mario Bros. 2 for example will not work in the FC Twin; while other copies of the same games will operate in the same machine.[citation needed] In other cases, the system simply does not function with certain expansion chips, such as those in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.
[edit] SNES compatibility
The FC Twin uses Super Nintendo compatible controllers and devices, and can thus connect to specialized input devices such as the SNES Mouse for Mario Paint.
The FC twin reproduces SNES sound very well for a Famiclone. Some find that the audio has too much treble at times though most agree that the sound quality is true to the original. The SPC700 in the original SNES used a sample-driven mechanism similar to a type of instruction-driven MOD file. Reproducing the sound from these systems simply requires playing back clips of sounds with mathematically-defined effects and loop points.[citation needed] As long as the CPU can read the instruction language or run a program to emulate it, this task presents no difficulty.[citation needed] Consumers have reported that the controllers that come with the FC Twin are not of the same quality as the Super NES brand controllers. Some consumers report that the FC Twin controllers wear out quickly. 2 player mode works fine with either FC Twin controller, or official SNES brand controller.
While the FC Twin is Super Famicom compatible, two plastic tabs in the cartridge slot prevent them from fitting. These tabs must be removed- or otherwise worked around- to play Super Famicom titles. Similar tabs are used in the American Super NES. Pal games do not function on the system.
[edit] SNES Game Compatibility
As tested by consumers:
As tested by consumers, the following SNES games and peripherals are not compatible with the FC Twin:
- BatterUP
- Star Ocean – An S-DD1-dependent title.
- Kirby Super Star – Due to Nintendo SA-1 Coprocessor built (disputed) into the Cartridge (compatible with Retro Duo system)
- Kirby's Dream Land 3 – A title with the Nintendo SA-1 chip (disputed)
- Super Scope 6 – Gun will work, but the controller cannot be used, as two-player mode does not work on such titles as Terminator: Arcade and Metal Combat.
- Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts – Everything works up until the 3rd level boss which is incorrectly invisible.
- Super Mario RPG – A title with the Nintendo SA-1 chip.
- Doraemon – Nobita to Yosei no Kuni – The over-world map does not appear; only the sprites appear.
- Dragon Warrior
- Dragon Warrior II
- Dragon Warrior III
- Terranigma – The game has a special lockout chip, which prevents use on Famiclones.
- Front Mission: Gun Hazard
- Stunt Race FX – A game that has the Super FX chip.
- Winter Gold – A game that has the Super FX chip.
[edit] Reception
Ars Technica ran a series of tests comparing the quality of Super Mario Bros. as played on an HDTV using the FC Twin, the original Nintendo Entertainment System, the Generation NEX, and the Wii Virtual Console. The publication noted that while the FC Twin favored well when displaying sprites, it was the worst of the four when displaying text, and through all the tests the Wii Virtual Console was selected as being significantly better than the competing three systems. [7]
[edit] References
- ^ Retro Duo Twin Video Game System for NES & SNES (Black)
- ^ "Retro Duo Console," GameInformer 180 (April 2008): 34.
- ^ 2-in-1 Video Game System for Sega Genesis & NES
- ^ Gen-x Dual Station Video Game System for Nes 8 Bit & Genesis 16 Bit Games
- ^ "Yobo Fc3 Plus: NES, SNES and Genesis Games in One Console". Technabob. http://technabob.com/blog/2008/11/21/yobo-fc3-plus-nes-snes-and-genesis-games-in-one-console/.
- ^ Classic Console Combo
- ^ Kuchera, Ben (2007-02-14). "An NES, two clones, and the Virtual Console. Where does Mario look his best?". Ars Technica. http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2007/02/7044.ars. Retrieved 2011-09-11.
