Original NES and SNES controllers

[CZroe]

The old controllers should be easy to take apart. Clean the plastic with Dawn and warm water, and use some DeOxit for the switch contacts (with Radio Shack basically dead, I have no idea where you'd buy it retail, now). Then, on the PCB part of the switches, some thin dielectric grease should make it feel nice and improve its longevity. If you have none, Super Lube synthetic PTFE (the mineral oil type, not the silicone type), from Harbor Freight, Walmart, or Ace, should do the trick (just a small very thin coating should do, and that tube will likely be a lifetime supply).

That's fine for the few that just need to be cleaned, but many (probably more) need replacement rubber parts too, unfortunately. The carbon deteriorates under the rubber domes and the domes themselves tear with repeated use.

My Super Famicom has two controllers but I don't want to use the brand new one (keep it new). The directional pad on the used/worn SFC controller feels loose and frequently detects down when you press right. The directional pad on an NES I got at the flea market last week is insensitive on the left side. Even decades ago this was so common that they sold controller repair kits with replacement buttons and rubber at major department stores (I got my "Doc's Nintendo Controller Repair Kit" from K-Mart).

 

[007ELmO]

Another hi-def NES came in stock, but it's missing the front door and black trim besides it. I purchased it, it was $315 in the current condition.

Can I buy these parts separate, or can I buy a used NES 001 shell and easily replace these broken pieces?

It doesn't come with any accessories, looks like I'll need to buy the original AC cable, or maybe just use the one I get from another NES 001?

 

[CZroe]

Another hi-def NES came in stock, but it's missing the front door and black trim besides it. I purchased it, it was $315 in the current condition.

Can I buy these parts separate, or can I buy a used NES 001 shell and easily replace these broken pieces?

It doesn't come with any accessories, looks like I'll need to buy the original AC cable, or maybe just use the one I get from another NES 001?

Nice! Yes, it'll work with any NES AC adapter. If you have other 9v AC adapters around which fit, try those. One of the Sega Genesis models is compatible, the Atari Jaguar is compatible, etc. The NES doesn't care about polarity because the original AC adapter, strangely, outputs AC (internally rectified).

I spent a good part of yesterday refurbishing an NES I got from a flea market. The EMI shield was smashed down and preventing the cartridge carrier from raising all the way up but I went much further to clean all internal connections and get every scrap of dust out. Swapping the top shell should be easy. Swapping just the door is pretty easy too (couple screws). I've never swapped the black part but it looked possible IIRC.

It's so easy to swap the shell that I wonder why he didn't bother to do that to increase the resale value (I know Jason keeps a ton of old shells around).

 

[007ELmO]

This is awesome. I'm thinking of buying my brother in law/sister a hi-def NES for their Christas present. I'm watching a youtube video. I tmentions the "Analogue NT" uses the original NES internals, AND the hi-def NES mod is inside it.

1) Is this true?
2) It appears to be $500. That's OK, I guess.

EDIT: Oops, I see there is only a limited run and will only come out March 2016. The 1st release sold out.

Thanks,
ELmO

 

[007ELmO]

Nice! Yes, it'll work with any NES AC adapter. If you have other 9v AC adapters around which fit, try those. One of the Sega Genesis models is compatible, the Atari Jaguar is compatible, etc. The NES doesn't care about polarity because the original AC adapter, strangely, outputs AC (internally rectified).

I spent a good part of yesterday refurbishing an NES I got from a flea market. The EMI shield was smashed down and preventing the cartridge carrier from raising all the way up but I went much further to clean all internal connections and get every scrap of dust out. Swapping the top shell should be easy. Swapping just the door is pretty easy too (couple screws). I've never swapped the black part but it looked possible IIRC.

It's so easy to swap the shell that I wonder why he didn't bother to do that to increase the resale value (I know Jason keeps a ton of old shells around).

OK, thanks! I'll try to find an NES-001 to use for shell parts. What's the best place to find one cheap? Maybe a broken one on Ebay?

 

[CZroe]

OK, thanks! I'll try to find an NES-001 to use for shell parts. What's the best place to find one cheap? Maybe a broken one on Ebay?

I've found that it never hurts to have a working "beater" console and almost all "broken" units just need a little TLC. Even when one is genuinely broken, the spare parts almost always prove valuable and the freedom to experiment is totally worth it.

This applies to more than just the consoles themselves. For example, I was really dissatisfied with the replica NES dog bone controllers so I really wanted a couple originals to match my NES-101 top loader. Unfortunately, the prices were much too high. Instead, I bought two broken ones and found a good deal on a poor condition but working Japanese AV Famicom dog bone controller (cord is much shorter).

One of the broken ones just needed the cord reconnected inside and the other was used to replace the beat up shell and short cord on the working AV Famicom controller. With some time and troubleshooting I can probably fix that one too.

Yesterday I found another that didn't work and saved $10. Sure enough, just like one of the other "broken" controllers, the cord had simply become disconnected inside. Now I have spares, parts, and beaters! If I do troubleshoot and fix the last one then I can populate a NES Satellite / Four Score with original dog bone controllers and then I'll wish they all had Famicom-style short cords!

Patience/time help when it comes to finding deals on spares and beaters and parts. If you already have a NES-001 around, switch the shells and make it your beater. If not, just deal with the current one until you find a deal on another with a good shell whether it's sold as working, for parts, or as-is.

 

[Ichinisan]

This is awesome. I'm thinking of buying my brother in law/sister a hi-def NES for their Christas present. I'm watching a youtube video. I tmentions the "Analogue NT" uses the original NES internals, AND the hi-def NES mod is inside it.

1) Is this true?
2) It appears to be $500. That's OK, I guess.

EDIT: Oops, I see there is only a limited run and will only come out March 2016. The 1st release sold out.

Thanks,
ELmO

Yeah. AnalogNT scavenges an original CPU+PPU from a real NES. Not sure about other parts.

I don't like that it has the power button on the back and there's no Reset button.

I would prefer an HDMI-modified NES.

 

[zinfamous]

If it shows no evidence of being slammed against the wall (or against your little brother) dozens and dozens of times, then it isn't an authentic NES controller.

 

[Ichinisan]

If it shows no evidence of being slammed against the wall (or against your little brother) dozens and dozens of times, then it isn't an authentic NES controller.

This.

 

[007ELmO]

My older sister used to slam the remote down in anger. There is no controller slamming going on nowadays with most games. I'm smiling too much, even when dying. I need to be pulverized and beat Contra with only 3 lives.

 

[Ichinisan]

Another hi-def NES came in stock, but it's missing the front door and black trim besides it. I purchased it, it was $315 in the current condition.

Can I buy these parts separate, or can I buy a used NES 001 shell and easily replace these broken pieces?

It doesn't come with any accessories, looks like I'll need to buy the original AC cable, or maybe just use the one I get from another NES 001?

That is so awesome. I envy you right now.

If my finances were in order, I'd have mine. Been following developments for like 1 year and I wanted to be one of the first to own it.

Just came across a good deal on a bundle of NES stuff yesterday.
- NES console (front-loader) w/ 2 controllers
- SNES console (model 2) w/ 1 controller
- Kirby's Adventure (great game, I already had this)
- Battletoads (great game, I already had this)
- Ninja Gaiden II (probably a great game, I already had this)
- Isolated Warrior (didn't know of this one, but it seems to be valuable)
- Dragon's Lair (meh)
- Wheel of Fortune SNES (meh)

That makes 4 NES systems for me (3 front-loaders and 1 top-loader) -- 5 NES systems if you count the AN-505-BK.

My brother and I cleaned and tested all the stuff we bought yesterday. Maybe you want this NES for extra parts. It works. Like most NES systems, you often have to tweak the game a bit. It starts and plays fine without much effort.

 

[007ELmO]

Thank you and the other posters in this thread for the helpful tips. If I was rich, I would buy everyone in this thread an analogue NT or hi-def NES.

I just purchased an extremely clean looking NES-001 from Ebay. It's coming with a clean/polished Mario 1/2/3, and Zelda 1 (Gold). I will attempt to replace the trim and front loader plate from it, into the hi-def NES.

I'm also in contact with 8bitwood.com to create a pixelated Mario for the room I set the NES up in.

I will need tips on keeping games clean or cleaning them in general, once I begin this madness. I plan to get Final Fantasy 1, Dragon Warrior 1, Megaman 2, Contra, Castlevania 2, Batman, Battletoads, Double Dragon 2, Ninja Gaiden 1, and Zelda 2 soon into next year.

Now, I begin to figure out what display device I need to use for this setup. I did some research and found 14ms input lag 1080p projectors. I wish there was a lightweight/thin CRT display with no lag. I briefly heard about the Sony Professional Video Monitors (PVM, maybe from this thread), but they seem extremely expensive.

Thanks,
ELmO

 

[master_shake_]

what's the difference between an hd nintendo and using this?

http://www.amazon.ca/Mini-Composite-CVBS-Converter-1080P/dp/B00A35LEBG

 

[007ELmO]

From what I gather, and others can correct me if I'm wrong - the signal in the hi-def NES mod is digital the full way, and allows for integer scaling (2x, 3x, 4x, etc). Which creates a very smooth moving/de-juttered, noise free image, with deep colours, with the capability of adding scanlines (imitating CRT), and more.

This video was a good watch last night that made me want to purchase the hi-def NES mod, in addition to the rest of the posters in this thread:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI60A3DpI6w

 

[Ichinisan]

what's the difference between an hd nintendo and using this?

http://www.amazon.ca/Mini-Composite-CVBS-Converter-1080P/dp/B00A35LEBG

LOL! No.

That's taking an analog source. It simply can't do any better than your TV's own composite input can do.

The features of Kevtris' mod are just too numerous to list.

 

[master_shake_]

LOL! No.

That's taking an analog source. It simply can't do any better than your TV's own composite input can do.

The features of Kevtris' mod are just too numerous to list.

how bout this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hyperkin-Re...948313?hash=item3a9b8f1399:g:gWoAAOxy3yNThTaO

only 720p but it's hd and more than one system for less.

 

[Ichinisan]

I plan to get Final Fantasy 1, Dragon Warrior 1, Megaman 2, Contra, Castlevania 2, Batman, Battletoads, Double Dragon 2, Ninja Gaiden 1, and Zelda 2 soon into next year.

Yesterday, I had to test a copy of Ninja Gaiden I bought for my coworker. Ended up playing through the whole thing. Batman kicks ass too. I just love playing both of those games with my NES Advantage.

CZroe finally finished Zelda 2 a couple years ago:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2345365

 

[CZroe]

how bout this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hyperkin-Re...948313?hash=item3a9b8f1399:g:gWoAAOxy3yNThTaO

only 720p but it's hd and more than one system for less.

It's emulated and not authentic at all. For example, the Ninja Gaiden ending Ichinisan demonstrated on a real NES above is glitched on the emulated Wii Virtual Console version (castle pieces that fall away duplicate and remain in place). I wouldn't expect Hyperkin to do any better.

 

[Ichinisan]

I just purchased an extremely clean looking NES-001 from Ebay. It's coming with a clean/polished Mario 1/2/3, and Zelda 1 (Gold). I will attempt to replace the trim and front loader plate from it, into the hi-def NES.

There's no need to remove the door or trim. You can swap the entire top half; door, black trim, and all. The 6 exterior screws are all that you need to remove to swap the top half of the system.

I will need tips on keeping games clean or cleaning them in general, once I begin this madness.

I get by with just cotton swabs and alcohol. All my own games still work. I did buy a bad copy of Zelda recently that was corroded beyond repair.

 

[Ichinisan]

how bout this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hyperkin-Re...948313?hash=item3a9b8f1399:g:gWoAAOxy3yNThTaO

only 720p but it's hd and more than one system for less.

I'm sure the feature set doesn't come close. Hi-Def NES is way more than just HDMI output.

I haven't read up on Retron5, but I know it uses emulation.

Pretty much the only emulator that's even close to authentic:
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/...-3ghz-quest-to-build-a-perfect-snes-emulator/

 

[CZroe]

I get by with just cotton swabs and alcohol. All my own games still work.

That's not entirely accurate. Depending on need, we use swabs, 99.9% pure electronics cleaning grade Isopropyl alcohol, pencil erasers, and an official NES Cleaning Kit. The official NES Cleaning Kit manual suggests using only distilled water at first and diluting pure Isopropyl with 50% distilled water if that doesn't work. I usually go straight to Iso and swabs and break out the other stuff when there is still an issue...

I did buy a bad copy of Zelda recently that was corroded beyond repair.

...like that one. Heck, we even tried Magic Eraser on that. I could have swapped the ROM into another PCB to salvage it but that's a bit much. I briefly considered finding a Famicom donor cart to see if the US ROM would let you kill Pols Voice with the 2nd player microphone.

 

[007ELmO]

I found this thread that lists TVs/monitors and their input lag.

Everything under 10ms is 22" or so. Once we hit 17-20ms we can find 55-60" TVs, mainly from Sony and Toshiba. Samsung has a 4K one that's decent.

http://www.displaylag.com/display-database/#participants-list

 

[007ELmO]

There's no need to remove the door or trim. You can swap the entire top half; door, black trim, and all. The 6 exterior screws are all that you need to remove to swap the top half of the system.


I get by with just cotton swabs and alcohol. All my own games still work. I did buy a bad copy of Zelda recently that was corroded beyond repair.

Excellent. I can't wait, this is great. I just need a TV to use! Wondering if I should go projector, since there are some projectors with 17ms lag. The only thing I've found with my Epson 8350 and gaming (which is also very low lag) is there is some jittering on motion/scrolling. I don't know what could fix that.

I should have both the hi-def NES and the clean NES-001 this Friday. The OEM NES controllers are coming today.

 

[Ichinisan]

...

I plan on getting my NES-101 modded with it once they start allowing customers to send in your own systems. Combined with the Blinking Light Win mod (that I already have), my NES-101 will really be the perfect way to play. That said, I do have an Analoge NT which has the Hi-Def NES board installed in it. Don't get me wrong, I love the system, but I still want my old NES-101 as well.

I guess you mean "NES-001" (because you can't really use the Blinking Light Win with an NES-101).

 

[Fallen Kell]

That's not entirely accurate. Depending on need, we use swabs, 99.9% pure electronics cleaning grade Isopropyl alcohol, pencil erasers, and an official NES Cleaning Kit. The official NES Cleaning Kit manual suggests using only distilled water at first and diluting pure Isopropyl with 50% distilled water if that doesn't work. I usually go straight to Iso and swabs and break out the other stuff when there is still an issue...


...like that one. Heck, we even tried Magic Eraser on that. I could have swapped the ROM into another PCB to salvage it but that's a bit much. I briefly considered finding a Famicom donor cart to see if the US ROM would let you kill Pols Voice with the 2nd player microphone.

For cleaning, here is a pretty good guide:

http://www.shamoozal.com/nerdlog/ultimate-guide-to-restoring-the-nes/

In terms of replacing the 72 pin connector, I would simply get a "Blinking Light Win" at this point (that guide was written years ago before BLW was even in concept, you also do not need to disable the lockout chip with the BLW as it does it for you). I will say that the metal polish can be needed on some games, but most of the time the "eraser trick" works good enough (and is about 10 times quicker and less messy). The "eraser trick" is simply taking the game cart apart, removing the game board and then use an eraser across the pins. Keep going for about a minute or so and it will clean up almost everything. I like using one of the white block erasers since the rubber in them tends to turn into long thin strips as it rubs off and doesn't leave behind a residue like some of the pink erasers do. The pins should actually heat up with the friction that you create from rubbing them, and that is a good thing as that helps get all the dirt and corrosion off the pins.

I have only run into 2 carts that the eraser trick was not good enough and I needed to resort to polish, but that could simply be my luck (and my gut instinct on purchasing a particular cart over another one).