This is another one of my recent junk bin finds - a semi-complete Karaoke Studio controller.This is one of the more interesting Famicom accessories that never made it outside of Japan. It is basically just a microphone that attaches to the cart slot on the Famicom and lets you sing the classics.
There is a pretty good review of this over at Famicom World. Unfortunately I can`t do a review of it myself due to this:
The songs for this thing are stored in seperate carts that slide into the back. Unfortunately mine didn`t come with any of the carts so its only function now is to exist as a pretty thing that I possess. For 100 yen though I can`t complain.While we are on the subject of pretty things, doesn`t this thing look pretty on the Famicom?
I love karaoke by the way. If you are reading this blog then you probably already know enough about Japan that I don`t have to mention how popular that activity is here. Karaoke places are everywhere. I don`t get out to them as much as I used to, but my wife and I make a point of going at least once a year at Christmas to sing some holiday tunes.Maybe some day I`ll find some software for this baby and we`ll be able to turn our apartment into a real life karaoke studio. Someday.....someday.
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That's great, Sean! Too bad you couldn't find any song carts. Hopefully some will pop up at some point. In the meantime, you're right -- it's very cool to look at :)
ReplyDeleteHmm the search for song carts begin. Isn't it quite interesting? The Famicom never ceases to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bryan and Famicom Freak! It is pretty neat, isn`t it? Its one of the many Famicom controllers that probably completely suck but are must-haves just because they are so interesting and unique!
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a karaoke fan, I've only tried it once in the Japanese neighbourhood in Sao Paulo and I felt stupid, although less so the more beers I had. Funny that, eh? :P Nice find though :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, you should try karaoke in Japan, Simon! I never did it in Canada because I hated going up in front of everyone to sing. In Japan though it is done in small private rooms with just your friends. Great way to spend time drinking:)
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about Karaoke. It was always the most fun with my girlfriend because we have similar tastes in music, so no matter what we picked, we knew the other person would know.
ReplyDeleteWhen I've gone with other people, they don't know the songs I (horribly attempt) to sing and I barely know what they pick. But with enough alcohol in me, I can always do "Bring The Noise" by Public Enemy, "LINDA LINDA" by The Blue Hearts and any Weezer song.
Once I got roped into all night karaoke after we missed the last train... that was significantly less fun after 2 AM.
Yeah, song selection is always key. When I`m with people whose musical tastes I don`t know I always stick with the well known standards (Beatles, etc).
ReplyDeleteAlso it can suck if everyone else likes a particular genre that you don`t know or like such as, say, obscure enka songs from the 70s. Not a fun evening that one.
nice! very cool stuff there sean! We Filipinos love karaoke its a pretty much a part of every party around. No wonder i found this article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karaoke#Filipino_patent .
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