NES Toaster vs Top Loader

I noticed some of my viewers have been curious about the NES2 "Top Loader" and the video quality on RF. You might have heard others talk about "vertical lines" when describing the NES 2 Top Loader but aren't sure what it means or how bad they really are. Some of You even asked if I could do a comparison video... so here it is!

Here is a side by side comparison of the Composite video out of an original "Toaster" and an NES 2 "Top Loader" from RF. To try and get the best picture from RF I used a Type F to RCA adapter to avoid signal loss through an automatic RF switch. I can confirm that with the NES 2 Top Loader on a real TV you will notice vertical lines in the image. Depending on the game, the colors and your TV it might not always be as noticeable. But in the plain blue sky in Super Mario Bros it's clear as day!

Like I said you can have the NES 2 Top Loader modded for Composite AV output but it won't be cheap. The NES 2 Top Loader is already harder to find and more expensive than the original. Other options for Composite AV include clones or an AV Famicom from Japan.

*There have been some cases of factory NES 2 Top Loaders with AV output in North America but these are extremely rare models. They have the same multi-AV out jack found on the SNES, N64 and Game Cube. I've heard these were either promotional, for Nintendo internal use or for store display use only or that in some cases customers who complained about the terrible RF quality could have sent their NES 2 to NoA and received these as replacements. I can not confirm this but I do know they exist, but of course the chances of finding one of these is one in a million!

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• Nintendo
• NES
• Toaster
• Top
• Loader
• RF
• vertical
• line

[Standard420247]

Is the picture on the famicom version identical to the toaster? I ask because it is a much smaller machine perhaps the picture/shielding might be more like the nes 2. Also was there ever a equivalent of the nes 2 in japan like a famicom 2/jr?

[MN12BIRD]

@Standard420247 The funny thing is the original Famicom never had AV output only RF but then yes they got a Famicom 2/jr called the "AV Famicom" witch looks like our top loader BUT added AV output. So when they got that model it was to add AV and when we got it they took it away!

[wesley12106]

What about audio difference? 

[MN12BIRD]

@wesley12106 There could be but nothing I've noticed other than the lack of AV output if you run to a stereo that is. But on the TV I doubt there's any noticable difference in audio.

[Joemamma69000]

Why would i wanna buy an original toaster? my toaster works just fine. It toasts toast real good.

[vintagevideogamegeek]

I also agree with the commenter that wanted to see clone vs. NES2.

[honkifyalikebeer1979]

@Joemamma69000 You don't know how hard I laughed after reading your comment! xD Thumbs Up!

[bloodyrandi]

I like my NES Top Loader; sure the video quality isn't the best...but it works consistently. :D

[dukandricka]

Regarding the "vertical banding" you see on almost all "NES2" (NES top-loader) units: this has been discussed for years now on the nesdev bbs/forum over on Parodius (hosting provider). The problem is not with RF or "interference": the problem has to do with shitty video circuitry / video amplification board circuitry. There have been numerous proposed fixes, but they all conflict with one another and none fully solve the problem. Some also require parts from a front-loader.

[johnandrewthomas1981]

The major drawback to the AV Famicom + converter plan is that US controllers and peripherals wont work without modification.

[acquiesce67]

The picture from my PAL toaster looks like the toploader you were showing.

[cosmic1125]

and the box loader you have to mess with the cartridge to get it to work. most of the time you get a blue/ black flashing screen on it. On the top loader you get none of that at all.

[cosmic1125]

I just got a NES top loader console for christmas. I like it better because it plays games practically on the first try. I blow the cartridge a little bit to get dust and works perfect. It is also more rare than the box loader a.k.a toaster. But yes box loaders are easy to find but expensive at your local video game store like th exchange. they charge $50 for a bad condition box loader. Its all yellowed and looks bad. The top loaders have held there color throughout the years a play ablility.

[TheOrangex88]

stop biching the toploader is just fine

[billyv2000]

i got the first nes from lukie games it works great i love it and your right the old nes works good but the only bad part about the old nes you have to move the game around to get it to work because of the new 72 pin that they put in it just saying but lukie games is a great place to get an old nes or what ever

[TboneNYC10]

It's always good when buying a used system from years ago to go with the original first models made,not the next models that were watered down so to speak.They cut price cost by taking away stuff or just using cheaper parts.