GamesAfter 39 years, it looks like modders finally have a fix for the NES’s fatal flawWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesAfter 39 years, it looks like modders finally have a fix for the NES’s fatal flawWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: RockerGaming)
The original NES console has a fatal flaw in the form of an unreliable pin connector that can make getting cartridges to work a massive pain on aging systems. Various aftermarket solutions have existed for some time, but they’ve all come with compromises and caveats. Now, at last, it looks like a group of modders have finally gotten to what might just be the perfect solution.
The original, VCR-style front loading NES accepts games through a pin connector where you have to insert a cartridge and push down on a spring-loaded mechanism to lock that cart in place. Over time, the pins in that connector wear out, keeping cartridges from making a good connection and causing the system’s power light to blink red as it fails to recognize the game.
6 months ago @reventlow and I discussed kitting our NES consoles with a RGR clear shell; however, we both hated the idea of using the unreliable OG 72-pin connector. So we embarked on a journey to fix the sin @nintendo committed 35 years ago, say hello to the Ninten-drawer: a 🧵 pic.twitter.com/PFkUG2fBnkFebruary 7, 2024
6 months ago @reventlow and I discussed kitting our NES consoles with a RGR clear shell; however, we both hated the idea of using the unreliable OG 72-pin connector. So we embarked on a journey to fix the sin @nintendo committed 35 years ago, say hello to the Ninten-drawer: a 🧵 pic.twitter.com/PFkUG2fBnkFebruary 7, 2024
“The drawer can do what the [Blinking Light Win] can’t… which is extend,” RockerGaming explains onTwitter. “This gives the drawer a massive leg up when it comes to actually removing the cart. You see this design along with a few other clever tricks makes death grip, which plagued other 72 pin connectors, a thing of the past. Reliable connection to play games and you can remove the cartridge no problem, check and check.”
Time to dig back into thebest NES gamesof all time.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
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Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”