I finally went ahead and ordered some stuff from thinkgeek.com. I got Aperture Science and Black Mesa "coffee" mugs, an RFID proof wallet, "credit-card sized" "survival kit", and a Retro Bit Retro Duo gaming console that plays original NES and SNES games (and outputs via those red/white/yellow audio/video cables). Note that at least the mugs and gaming console [controllers?] were made in China. No real surprise there though.

The Retro Duo uses SNES compatible controllers (so no Duck Hunt, unfortunately). It comes with two. It's been a LONG time since I've played an original NES or SNES^[1], but I think these controllers have connectivity issues. That or I've been "spoiled" by PlayStation for 11 years.

When I push the "down" button on the controller in SMB, Mario ducks momentarily, but goes back up again. I was confused by this at first because I could swear he would stay ducked as long as you held the button. I tried switching controllers and the same thing happened. I played with it a little bit and realized that I could stay ducked if I only pressed the button half-way. Further than that and it loses the connection. It seems all of the buttons have imperfections like this. The system itself so far seems to work OK (though I've only played SMB so far, using the games collection I got with the NES from eBay). I would like to play with controllers that work.

Does anybody have any tips for how I might improve the connectivity of these controllers? I opened one of them up to find a circuit board (surprise!) with "rubber" pieces between the "buttons" and circuit. I was thinking maybe adding extra conductive material (i.e., solder) "somewhere" would ensure a connection whenever a button is pressed down, but I'm not really sure if that's correct or where it should go.

Maybe I'd be better off trying to find a decent SNES controller on eBay? The problem with that is that the SNES is approximately 20 years old so finding controllers in decent shape without stains or wear is pretty unlikely...

Did you try contacting Thinkgeek? I would RMA the broken controllers.

I would like to know how to get into the business of selling bambam broken merchandise.

I didn't know if it was licensed or not. I assumed it was because it's being sold in the USA (persumably, through legitimate channels). Besides, the NES/SNES are 20+ year old consoles that Nintendo doesn't sell any more. I think it's long past the point of hurting them any (besides, I originally owned both consoles).

** EDIT **

That logic is so broken

You know that if you have a modern video game system like a PS3 with Linux installed you could just used an emulator and not have to pay for it?

You can even place the cartridges on top of the console so it feels like it's actually necessary.

You appear to have missed linking your reference.

I thought there were USB Nes Controllers.

That one's the difference to the actual distributed console here, mentioned in the Spanish article. It didn't come with any games AFAIK.

Yeah, it can't be that hard to get an NES or SNES controller. Go to Value Village or something.

Screw it, I just ordered two SNES controllers from eBay. USD$13 + S&H (total was around USD$23), but they're allegedly brand new, never been opened.

For now I have no real plans to buy any games. I already have my favorite NES games from an earlier purchase. Those are SMB, SMB3, and TLoZ (though this one I've only ever played a little bit so I suck and it will take some perserverance to get anywhere). None of them are in mint condition so I would happily get those 3 again if I could find them in perfect condition (clean, flawless, etc.). I hate things that are faded or stained, etc. As for the rest of the games, those will likely remain in my garage until they are thrown out. I can't even keep up with PlayStation and PC games so there's no way I'm going to start playing new NES/SNES games (certainly not filthy ones). I would probably enjoy getting SMW for the SNES, since I owned that as a child as well. That's actually the only SNES game I remember ever playing. I think we might have owned some JRPG as well, but that was long before I understood the gameplay. I take two steps and the screen spins and I have to fight again! How do I get anywhere?!

I have my old NES, SNES, N64, and Original GameBoy. My sister has the Gamecube, and we both have wii's, and NDSs. (mine is a lite, she has a normal nds)

I have an FF6 cart. (FF3 US) No way to rip the rom though.