Nintendo 8bit Question...

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
I loved the nes and was thinking of getting one. I am also interested in a way to play backups on the nes without having loads of cartridges.  I have found an all in one cartridge, however it is pricey as heck. I mean for games that are 20 years old I think there has to be something cheaper.  Is there an alternative or could someone make something??

thx
Jim

Link to the one thats pricey http://www.retrousb.com/index.php?productID=133

[SavannahLion]

Is there an alternative or could someone make something??

thx
Jim

Link to the one thats pricey http://www.retrousb.com/index.php?productID=133

Someone did make something, you linked to it right there in your post.

I saw that and mentioned in the "How to make a tangible SNES cart from a ROM file?" thread. The thread northerngames links to in there I believe discusses why the PowerPak cart is so expensive.

In any case the alternatives are either less capable (or more involved, whatever view you take) or just as expensive. Jasonbar links to his cart which, IIRC, is a hacked SNES cart with an EEPROM. This is the same technique done for NES carts for most people. Basically, you load one ROM at a time with your PC onto the cart then pop the cart in to play.

The alternative is to construct a game "console" emulator using PC parts. There are a variety of options concerning cost, size and speed if you go this route. Depending on your current parts bin collection, you could conceivably build a console emulator from scratch with no additional costs.

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
Thats a helpful site however I just do not have the time to hack something... I would prefer just to buy it... I thought someone would have hacked a usb or sd card to work...... I know neoflash has one coming but will be a bit.

thx
Jim

[missioncontrol]

that price sounds fair for what it is... go out and buy every cart and see what it will cost...

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
Yes I guess.....your right.....

Jim

[daywane]

EBay has tons of NES style pads that are usb
just use any EMU and have fun.

the best NES hack I have seen was on this board.
someone tossed in a Dreamcast inside his Nintendo case
hacked the pads and all looked original
I will do a search
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=32940.0
Damn I still love that thing
I never got around to doing it myself. I just built a console PC station and called it done

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
Yea that is a cool one too.. I have thought about making a pc in nes as well....

Jim

[mmmPeanutButter]

EBay has tons of NES style pads that are usb
just use any EMU and have fun.

the best NES hack I have seen was on this board.
someone tossed in a Dreamcast inside his Nintendo case
hacked the pads and all looked original
I will do a search
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=32940.0
Damn I still love that thing
I never got around to doing it myself. I just built a console PC station and called it done

I built this too.  I had a problem with the reset button, but other than that it was pretty straight forward.  I put my VMU out the back I think (I know i didn't bring it out the front).  I have all the parts to make 3 more.  I should probably get on that.

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
what is the cost to make one of those?? Also I am not a big fan of the VMU out the front like some have made...

Also i am not up on DC emulators.. what can it run??

thx
Jim

[mmmPeanutButter]

Hey
what is the cost to make one of those?? Also I am not a big fan of the VMU out the front like some have made...

Also i am not up on DC emulators.. what can it run??

thx
Jim

It's not too expensive.  A bit tricky and time consuming, more than anything.

About $20 for the DC with controllers (craigslist). About $10 for the NES (Value Village).  About $10 for a pair of Genisis extension cables.  Misc wire, solder, copy of NesterDC...

You've got about $50 worth of materials in there.  If you were ever going to try to sell them, I would think you'd need to get $150 to make it worth your while and I doubt anybody would pay $150.



As for the emulators, just ran NesterDC.  Not really sure of any others.  Unless you make some sort of hinged top, there's not a really easy way to get the discs out.  I just put NesterDC in there and left it.

[daywane]

Woo Hoo !
I was helpfull for once 

don't bust my bubble