FC Pocket by Columbus Circle: The Good, The Bad, The Verdict

You gotta love technology. Twenty years ago, an 8-bit processor gaming console required players to plug into 220v power outlets to play games as simple as Super Mario. We’ve come a long way since then, but people just don’t forget their roots when it comes to video games. Enter the Family Computer Pocket (Or FC Pocket for short) by Columbus Circle.

A discussion on the FC Pocket was made by the Manila Bulletin and I’ll be real here. The FC Pocket isn’t a new piece of tech. I first heard of it in the year 2015, and I didn’t bother doing any research on it. Still, looking at the design, there’s just something about it that just hits my childhood gland like a charm. I mean look at it. I might not like clone consoles, but I just fall for the visual appeal. That said, welcome to my FC Pocket review.

FC Pocket Design & Specs

The FC Pocket is literally the FamiCom (Nintendo Entertainment System/NES) shrunk down to 7.9 x 5.5 x 2.1 inch dimensions. As mentioned, it runs on an 8-bit processor, and is powered by four AAA batteries (not included). It also comes with an A/V terminal cable that allows it to connect to any television set.

The official device comes with 88 classic titles, though more than 400 are available separately. The FC Pocket can play NES games via a built-in cartridge slot. It also has a headphone socket (headphones not included) and a USB cable socket (cable not included).

The FC Pocket is priced at ¥ 4,490.00, which is roughly ₱ 2,100.00.

The Good: FC Pocket Relives Retro Games

What did you expect? It plays classics like Contra, Sky Destroyer, Final Fantasy, and Super Mario Bros. Apparently, several developers have also created custom software for NES clones like the FC pocket, even going so far as to create titles like 8-bit Plants vs Zombies. There is no shortage of software titles you can play on this device.

It’s also marginally cheaper than other retro revival consoles, so that’s a plus.

The Bad: FC Pocket Quality is Terrible

I’ll be honest here. Beyond the nostalgia, the FC pocket doesn’t have much to stand on. Once you get past that glorious feeling of holding a portable NES controller in your hand, you start to realize how bad this is.

First of all, I don’t like the fact that the FC Pocket includes turbo buttons. NES titles needed two buttons to play: A and B. Adding a Turbo A and Turbo B option speeds things up to the pont it feels like cheating. Remember back in the day, processing was pretty damn simple, and a lot of moves in fighting games were limited by how fast you could press the buttons. Turbo controls abuse that kind of coding, making things too cheap and easy.

Second, I don’t understand the design of the cartridge slot. When you hold the device upright, it looks designed to hold the cartridge with the logo facing away from you (similar to the Game Boy). Yet strangely, when you actually push the cartridge in, you find that the groove that reads the circuitry on the cartridge is meant to read your game with the logo facing TOWARD you (much like an actual NES). This means that instead of fitting your cartridge like a glove, the FC Pocket ends up with a wide gap between the cartridge edges and the device itself.

And these problems don’t even count the material it’s made of. The build quality on the FC Pocket is terrible. I’m no expert in plastic manufacturing, but if you pick up an NES, you can tell that it feels like the same reliable material as most keyboards are made of, while the FC Pocket feels like the material used to make a Smarties plastic tube.

The Verdict: FC Pocket is not worth it

I wouldn’t buy it in its current state. I love the potential it has, but this device isn’t meeting it. But that isn’t the only problem that makes me shun the FC pocket. See, there are many, many other ways to play the classic titles. Actual NES titles are still circulating the market today. Many handheld devices such as the PSVita and 3DS have access to these older titles as well, and while the devices themselves are more expensive, the quality is assured. Even the GameBoy line of products are currently cheaper than the FC Pocket, and they have access to the same official software.

So the question is: Why buy this?

Honestly, there are better options than this. Too many, in fact. Yes, the FC Pocket will do what it was intended to do, but there are just so many better ways to do the same thing. If I want a retro gaming experience, I’d rather look forward to the ZX Spectrum. I am a sucker for nostalgia, but I’m not this desperate.

Editor’s Note: The beliefs and points of view of the author do not necessarily reflect the beliefs and points of view of PilipinasPopcorn.com or its entire editorial team. You may email your reaction and insights at feedback@pilipinaspopcorn.com. Follow us on Twitter: @pinaspopcorn.