Game Axe

Game Axe Color

Almost anyone who has taken a devoted interest in the NES collecting scene as of late has heard of the Game Axe. For those who haven’t heard of it, or even those who have, there are many questions that spring up. The following is a first-hand report on the mysterious Game Axe.

The Game Axe is a pirate Famicom video game system that allows games to be played portably. One can guess what this leads up to, and yes, it’s true: the Game Axe is a portable NES. Whether NES gamers have dreamed of it or not, now there is a way to play NES games on the go.
Being a pirated system, are there risks? Is the quality of the system worth the price? Is it worth the expense and the trouble to get one?


“The N64 bag is perfect for the Game Axe and accessories. How ironic.”

The answer may not be satisfying. Whether or not one should purchase a Game Axe depends on what will be done with it. Reviewing the following will give a better idea of what the Game Axe entails.

The specs of the Game Axe are incredible. About the size of a Sega Nomad, the Game Axe, created by a company called Rendant, boasts a 3.75″ color, lighted display, battery port (for six AA batteries), on-board speaker, reset button, LCD screen power button, standard action buttons start/select buttons, and directional pad, and even turbo action buttons. Standard volume and combination brightness/contrast controls are also present, as well as power adapter (nine-volt) and headphone jack.


“Yes, that’s a rip-off of the Game Boy color logo. And in case you can’t see it,
that’s Tomba on the screen. Yeah, we’ll be playing that soon on this system.”

The other features, however, leave most official handhelds in the dust. Much like the Nomad, the Game Axe accepts two controllers for two-player support (these controllers are the typical nine-pin type seen on systems like the Atari 2600, Sega Master System, and Sega Genesis), and has an A/V out jack for playing games on TV. It’s worth mention that there are two slots on the back of the system, probably to support the system with a stand to hold it upright for playing with a controller. There is also an A/V in jack, of all things, but I am unable to determine what it is for. Tests with displaying video on the screen resulted in the screen flickering, so the idea of using the Game Axe as a portable television seems unlikely.

The Game Axe is made of a durable-feeling, black-translucent plastic. The unit fits comfortably in normal-to-large hands, but those with small hands may find the bulky unit uncomfortable. The buttons function well, but the turbo buttons, while very effective, block the normal action buttons, making single-button press actions more difficult to accomplish. The directional pad is also on the sharp side, which may cause discomfort in the hands. External controllers work well with the unit.


“You won’t learn anything if you can’t read it, but this chart gives an idea
of how much the Game Axe has on board.”

Probably one of the most important aspects is the display. The screen is larger than most handheld systems, and is full color and lighted. However, there are some issues with the display. Small objects and text tend to be blurry and hard to see, though this is likely because NES and Famicom games were designed to be played on a television, not a handheld. The games look surprisingly good on the screen, though, especially those with large sprites, such as Punch Out!. It can be argued that NES games look better on the small screen than Sega Game Gear games created with newer technology.

The screen has a few other problems though. Reflection of external light can hamper gameplay, but moving to a darker location or away from light sources can remedy this. The brightness/contrast controls work well, making it easy to view the screen clearly from different angles, but it always seem to be a little too bright. Also, the screen can’t handle large transitions, causing the screen to flicker; one play through Shadow of the Ninja’s first level and its lighting effects makes this very obvious. These are minor complaints, though. The overall display is solid.


“This is all you’ll need for an optimal Game Axe experience. This entire
set put the Collector back $140 with shipping.”

The ability to play on a television may seem like a step back, but it can be handy for playing NES games in at friends’ houses or hotel rooms, for example. Unfortunately, the A/V connection to the system is not very solid, and slight movement can cause interference. This shouldn’t be a problem if the system is placed on a stable surface, which is probably going to be the case. The display on the screen is RCA and the picture is clear, but the colors appear washed-out. Still, the television display capabilities are light years ahead of the NES 2′s feeble display.

On the issue of portability, the Game Axe’s ability lacks. Reportedly, the six AA batteries only last for two hours of continued play, making the Game Axe’s portability option an expensive one. A nine-volt adapter works well and fits solidly in the system (unlike the original Game Boy’s adapter). Most would argue that this defeats the purpose of portability, but others who don’t mind the lack of complete freedom won’t find this shortcoming troublesome.


“The Game Axe with a Famicom game. Looks pretty normal, and it fits snugly
into the system.”

The game support is amazing, simply for that fact that it works. Famicom games fit solidly into the Game Axe, and provide little obtrusion. The connectors on the Game Axe seem to be a little loose, however, causing some interference. It’s nothing too inconvenient.

The feature most gamers are looking for, however, is NES support. While the Game Axe supports NES games perfectly, a NES-to-Famicom adapter is required, and that’s where the problems lie. First, the adapter and the cartridge together stick out about half a foot from the system. This is more of a cosmetic than a functionality issue, however, since the balance of the system isn’t thrown off. Game crashes and inference can occur, however, if the cart is jiggled too much; a problem for playing while moving around. A solid adapter should remedy this, but even then, NES games won’t fit solidly into the system.


“This is your dream, NES nerds. After adding the converter and NES cart, you end
up with this monstrosity. Sweet.”

All factors considered, the Game Axe is only a good value depending on what it will be used for. Gamers on the go who want to play a quick game of Yoshi should not purchase a Game Axe. The short battery life, the questionable game connection, and the sheer bulkiness of all the required accessories (for NES games, the system, adapter, and cartridge are the minimum things that are needed to play, all of which aren’t exactly compact). Those spoiled by the Gameboy Advance need not apply.

For those who have an hour or two to kill at school or work and an available power outlet will get more out of the Game Axe. Those who go to hotels or friend’s house and wish for a mobile game of River City Ransom will also appreciate the system’s design. And while it’s not a replacement for an NES, the Game Axe works well for a Famicom solution, especially if the only other option is a worn NES with loose connectors.

Personally, I own a Game Axe. I paid $140 with all of the accessories and shipping, and I found it to be a solid buy. It doesn’t dissuade me from playing my box at home, but the Game Axe is a great way to kill some time. A few rounds of Punch Out! during work makes this system very useful, and the Famicom support is a plus for me.

The Game Axe is a quality product and a good investment for those who want to play NES games in remote locations. Nitpickers and gamers who insist on portability should reconsider a purchase. For those who can enjoy the pluses and bear the minuses, the Game Axe is like a new best friend.

Game Axe Color: Buying Guide

For those interested in the Game Axe, continued reading for a guide on buying and owning a Game Axe.

Buying a Game Axe: The best way to find a Game Axe is on e-Bay, where there is usually one up for auction once a week. Expect to pay anywhere from $60 to $140 for the system (though the latter should include power supply, two controllers, A/V cords, NES-to-Famicom adapter, and some games. Shipping costs, which run from $9 to $17 dollars, should also be factored in. Always insure the package.

Once you secure a Game Axe, it’s time to buy some parts. The parts mentioned above (sans games, since you probably have those already) are necessary to get the most out of the system, and should be purchased if they aren’t already included. A/V cables and controllers shouldn’t run more than seven dollars a piece, shipping included; surf e-Bay for the best deals. A standard nine-volt adapter should work fine; I was sent an Atari Jaguar adapter, which works fine (Do NOT use an adapter more powerful than nine-volts, or you’ll have a hundred dollar paper weight on your hands). NES-to-Famicom adapters are hard to come by and are usually more than ten dollars. See if you can get one with the system, if NES gaming is your goal.

There are a few more accessories you may consider purchasing. Apparently, Game Axe screens are easily scratched (though I’ve never had any problems), so a replacement screen or two may not be a bad idea. Most screens run a little over five dollars with shipping, though there are good deals to be found. Having a replacement screen on hand isn’t a bad idea.

Another accessory is an extension cable. If you got controllers with the system, chance are you’re getting Innovation Famicom controllers, which have a cable less than two-feet long. An extension cable will run around $5 without shipping.

Owning a Game Axe: You may have guessed that the Game Axe is an investment, and somewhat risky. You paid more for it than a Playstation, it has no warranty, and support for it is limited. Here are a few pointers for keeping your Game Axe in one piece:

Don’t break it!
This should seem obvious, but I can’t tell you how many games, systems, and accessories I’ve seen keep haphazardly or heard terrifying stories about. I’ve seen and heard of Gameboys being left in driveways (and run over, of course), NES systems used as ashtrays, and games left in damp cardboard boxes. I’ve cleaned out games so notoriously dirty that it would make a collector cringe at the thought of putting it in their system. While I doubt anyone would go through all of the trouble to buy a Game Axe and intentionally damage it or leave it in a hazardous situation, people are morons when it comes to these things. Treat your Game Axe well.

Case it.
Get a case to put your Game Axe and accessories in. Since there is no official case for the system, some improvising will be necessary, though this shouldn’t be too hard. A large camera case should work, or a small knapsack. Personally, I use a bag that was put out by Nintendo to promote the Nintendo 64; it fits the system, power adapter, controller, converter, portable ear bud head phones, and three games snugly, perfect for trips to school.

Protect your screen.
A new Game Axe should have a plastic film over the screen to protect it during shipping. Keep it for as long as you can. The film should continue to stick to the screen, effectively protecting it from dust and scratches when not in use. It’ll save on replacement screens in the long run.

Clean it.
When your Game Axe gets dirty, don’t be afraid to clean it. If the case gets dirt in the buttons or cracks, use a soft toothbrush to work the dirt out out. If the screen gets dirty, use a lint-free cloth or a CD cleaner and wipe the dirt off. If a more serious cleaning is needed, lightly spray some diluted rubbing alcohol (the kind in CD cleaning kits) on the screen and gently wipe it off. Let the screen dry.

For the pins and connectors, standard NES cleaning procedures are in full swing. Use some diluted rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip (or a foam applicator, included in cartridge cleaning kits) for game and converter pins. Wet the Q-tip with the alcohol and scrub the pins with the end, trying to get as much of the dirt off as you can (if you see black on the Q-tip, there’s dirt left). Either air dry the pins or use a dry Q-tip to get the moisture off of the pins.

For connectors, use the appropriate cleaning card and follow the directions (which likely involve wetting the cleaning end of the card with solution, or diluted alcohol, and inserting it into the connectors). Let the connectors air dry.

Owning a Game Axe can be a great experience, as long as you know how to buy and maintain one. Responsibility doesn’t mean the less fun, but it will pay off in the long run.

-Written by The Collector for Nintendoplayer.com