Super 8 / Tri-Star Review: Play NES & Famicom Games on an SNES!

First, thanks to zuriko for lending me the NES and games for testing. Second, apologies for the low quality video capture. I don't have a TV capture card so this was the best I could do. Note that, while the picture on the Super 8 generally seems brighter than the actual NES, and indeed, occasionally washed out, this is likely due to the fact that I didn't calibrate the camera before setting up the Super 8 shots. In person, the images look more or less the same, aside from the vertical lines.

Next, as mentioned in the video, here's a link to the FAQ which explains how to mod your Super 8 / Tri-Star to remove the vertical lines:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/snes/916396-snes/faqs/9468

Since the owner of the document, Mark Knibb, seems to no longer maintain a relevant web site, I've also taken the liberty of pasting the relevant section of the FAQ below:

"How to fix the "stripey graphics"
---------------------------------
As mentioned above, faint vertical stripes are visible on the Tri-Star's
picture. These are quite noticeable, especially when playing a game that
scrolls horizontally, such as Super Mario Bros. Nintendo's own top-loading NES
consoles have this problem too.

This problem can be easily fixed. If you open up your Tri-Star and take the
top off, you will see there is space for a capacitor behind and to the left of
the Famicom slot; a circle with a + sign is printed on the board there.

Buy a 1000uF electrolytic capacitor (rated at 6.3V or above; I used a 50V
one). There is a fair amount of space inside the case, so it doesn't have to
be very small. You can get one from Tandy/Radio Shack or any electronics
supplier; it should not cost much.

Using desoldering braid and a soldering iron, remove the solder that is
blocking the two holes inside the circle. Insert the capacitor, making sure
the positive terminal is in the hole towards the rear of the board (where the
+ sign is printed), and the negative terminal is in the other hole, nearer the
front of the board. Push the capacitor down close to the circuit board so most
of its legs are through the other side.

Carefully solder the two legs of the capacitor on the underside of the board,
and cut off any excess wire. That's it! Put the Tri-Star back together and
test it out. Enjoy your stripe-free picture."

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• Play
• Video
• Games
• SNES
• Super
• Nintendo
• Entertainment
• System
• NES
• Famicom
• Famiclone
• Fami-clone
• Tri-Star
• Super8
• Tristar
• Tri
• Star
• Innovation
• Bit
• 8-Bit
• 16-bit
• 16
• bit
• controller
• dogbone

[MrHossCartwright]

Have you ever tried any PAL NES or SNES games on this? I'm curious if it would actually play those. ESPECIALLY the PAL SNES games.

[nusilver]

@MrHossCartwright The device is only a passthrough for SNES games (though some games that detect "copying" devices won't run - like Killer Instinct), so they're not going to work on an NTSC SNES. I also don't own any PAL SNES games or NES games, and probably won't be getting any. If you're looking to play PAL NES and SNES games with this device, you need to find the PAL version of it (it's just labelled "Tri-Star"), and play it with a PAL SNES (or PAL-modded SNES).

[Lorrer09]

Hello!

were did you buy it?, plz answer, im waiting so long to play nes games on a Snes!!!

[nusilver]

@Lorrer09 Hmm...it appears I can't post a link to eBay here? Strange. Search the phrase "SNES Super Nintendo Console NES 8 Bit Adaptor System" on eBay, and you'll find what you're looking for. The second listing ($39.99 + $15 shipping) is the one I purchased. They ship worldwide, so you should be good, wherever you are :)

[nusilver]

@gametothemacks I wish I could! I don't have a capture card or I would've done that instead of use a TV. And actually, I've never had one, so I don't have any experience with them either. Have you tried going directly out from your TV? If your TV or receiver has a video out option, you might try that as well.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful! What model is your capture card?

[SatoshiMatrix1]

You are quite well spoken. I knew everything you had to say about the Super 8, but nevertheless I really enjoyed your in-depth video. better than I could do! I'm subscribing to your channel dude. Feel free to check out mine and subscribe if you like what you see. I'll be looking forward to more of your retro gaming videos!

[nusilver]

@SatoshiMatrix1 Thanks! Been a bit too busy to post anything here or at my blog, but I appreciate your comments. I've got plenty of stuff going on with regards to retro gaming...I just need to sit down and pick something to talk about. :)

[aBoxfulOfVids]

Was encouraged to get one of those having seen your review, and I'm happy I've got it; should be ordering more games soon (someday I'll get a PAL game to test out if I can get one cheap). And oh yes, the cart slots are so damn tight.

[CharlieTheFacehugger]

Fallout wuh? I subscribed because ur so darn handsome.

--

If u <3 the SNES cuntroller and want to taste [the] purity [of the original, non-emulated H/W], look up the "Dogbone" controller for the NES. It's its older brother. I have 2 and use them with extreme prejudice.

[annahegedusdotcom]

Very interesting piece! I'm going to be on the lookout for this thing in the future. Keep posting awesome stuff! :)

[thecomedymaker]

Very Well done Review, You earned a Subscriber

[medicwheat69]

I bought one of these off e-bay over a year ago and have been happy with it ever since.....I can play all my NES/Famicon and super famicom games all on my Mini SNES on my LCD tv....it's gaming bliss ...