Blinking Light Win: Fixing your toaster NES for good (72-pin replacement)

[shadowkn55]

Hey guys. I just launched a kickstarter for another video game project. It's called the Blinking Light Win. The idea behind the project is to solve the problem with the 72-pin connector on the original NES and replace it with a design that makes it more reliable. It effectively makes it a side-loading top-loader. Check out and feel free to ask any questions.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/113891498/blinking-light-win-resurrecting-your-nes

[kai123]

Can you upload some pictures of the unit installed?

[shadowkn55]

Sure. I'll have them up sometime today.

[Greg2600]

I'm certainly interested in this, though my blinking was largely fixed by boiling the ZIF connector.

[Cornelius]

This is an interesting project. I'll be watching.

In the meantime, for the love of videogames, fix this sentence! :: "Installation of the Blinking Light Win isn't also something you shouldn't be afraid of."

[shadowkn55]

In the meantime, for the love of videogames, fix this sentence! :: "Installation of the Blinking Light Win isn't also something you shouldn't be afraid of."


NEVARRR!!!




PS. Done deal.

[Einzelherz]

I wish you luck but my first thought is the small amount of purchase you get on the cartridge when removing it could make balancing the tightness of the pins a bit difficult.

[shadowkn55]

I wish you luck but my first thought is the small amount of purchase you get on the cartridge when removing it could make balancing the tightness of the pins a bit difficult.

I did a lot of testing with off the shelf edge connectors to find what kind of gripping strength was good enough to make a proper electrical connection as well as keep it easy to remove. It wasn't easy but the end result was worth it.

[drunk3nj3sus]

$20 for a replacement connector with an improved design that's made in america? I'll definitely buy this.

[Rickstilwell1]

I'll be rooting for you. My main frontloader seemed flawless with its original pin connector but now I think it has gotten dirty so now only certain games are starting up every single time. And my other one with the replacement pins barely ever works now and takes a lot of work to get it going even with something as new as the Powerpak which is nearly perfectly clean from being always in a system. If this makes it to market I will put this in the NES that currently has crap replacement pins and the lockout disabled.

[Einzelherz]

I did a lot of testing with off the shelf edge connectors to find what kind of gripping strength was good enough to make a proper electrical connection as well as keep it easy to remove. It wasn't easy but the end result was worth it.

It's good to hear that you've already thought of and addressed this. I'm a fan of thorough design work.

[Gentlegamer]

This is fantastic! Have you posted your kickstarter at Nintendo Age?

[The Dord]

This actually looks great :)

[Einzelherz]

I may have missed it on the KS page, but this would also make using a Game Genie and tall Famicom carts much, much easier. I'll pick one up just to play Just Breed more easily.

[synbiosfan]

It's goal has been reached.

[8-Bit Archeology]

I shared the page on my 8-bit page. It got pretty far. Hope it helped. This idea is great.

[A Black Falcon]

Awesome idea, I definitely might get one!


I may have missed it on the KS page, but this would also make using a Game Genie and tall Famicom carts much, much easier. I'll pick one up just to play Just Breed more easily.
By tall Famicom carts do you just mean the longer ones, that are morre NES-sized? I'd guess that some games still won't be playable on a toaster NES. Looking at the video, I don't see how this would make Jajamaru Ninja Daisakusen or Jajamaru Gekimaden fit into the system, for example; those carts are too thick, can't get into the toaster when connected to a converter cart. Fortunately I also have a toploader, but I hate its awful-quality video output...

[Rickstilwell1]

It looks like it did. There is funding even beyond the goal. Let us know when the project is ready and when/where to buy.

[Einzelherz]

Awesome idea, I definitely might get one!


By tall Famicom carts do you just mean the longer ones, that are morre NES-sized? I'd guess that some games still won't be playable on a toaster NES. Looking at the video, I don't see how this would make Jajamaru Ninja Daisakusen or Jajamaru Gekimaden fit into the system, for example; those carts are too thick, can't get into the toaster when connected to a converter cart. Fortunately I also have a toploader, but I hate its awful-quality video output...

I only have one: Just Breed, but I've seen others. I assumed all the taller Famicom carts were the same dimensions (except for height) as a standard Famicom cart. But this device looks like if you have a tall cart that will slide far enough to hit the pins, you'd be able to play it without having to try to wedge something to hold it down.

[treismac]

This is beyond awesome. Is R & D finished with the finished product ready to produce, shadowkn55?

[Emperor Megas]

This is absolutely going on my wishlist.

[A Black Falcon]

I only have one: Just Breed, but I've seen others. I assumed all the taller Famicom carts were the same dimensions (except for height) as a standard Famicom cart. But this device looks like if you have a tall cart that will slide far enough to hit the pins, you'd be able to play it without having to try to wedge something to hold it down.

Unfortunately, Jaleco's taller carts are thicker than normal Famicom carts. They aren't the same depth as usual, and that's why there is a problem.

Maybe a Game Genie + converter + cart might work, though, that should push it out far enough to avoid that bar it hits... but I don't have a Game Genie, so I can't test that myself.

[Niku-Sama]

huh, reminds me of when I took an old ide connector, sawed 2 NES connectors in half and hand soldered each pin to each good non flexing half of the connector.

only I left the push down mech in place and fastened the connector to the assembly so it could move


was a pain in the ass

[Nz17]

Current stats: 860 backers have $36,684 pledged of $15,000 goal.

I wish I had the cash to put toward this. $20 for a "blink-free" existence wouldn't be a bad price. Hopefully they will sell these post-Kickstarter. It would be a good item to have in stock at retro game shops.

EDIT: Check out these stretch goals. The first has already been met: region switches integrated into the devices!


- $30,000: We're already almost there so lets power through it. This stretch goal adds functionality to the Blinking Light Win itself. We will be integrating a multi-region lockout chip to every Blinking Light Win so that systems will now be effectively region-free as well as make unlicensed titles playable on all systems. NTSC games will now work on PAL systems and vice-versa. And now PAL users are now free to play games from any region in Europe. This however, does not fix any 50/60hz speed issues when playing games from other territories. What this does is allow the games to boot by bypassing the region lockouts.

- $40,000: This stretch goal puts into production a newly designed famicom to NES adapter. This new adapter will compatible with BLW-enabled systems as well as top loading NES systems. Tall case Famicom games like those made by Koei will not be an issue any more. Production would start at the same time as the Blinking Light Win so they will be available when the first shipment goes out. The design of the adapter is still under development so feel free to make suggestions in the comments. We'll be making progress updates in the comments section so keep your eyes peeled for new developments.

[sloan]

I want two or three of these. Where do I go to place my order?

[Nz17]

I want two or three of these. Where do I go to place my order?

The link is in the top post of this thread. But for convenience, here's the link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/113891498/blinking-light-win-resurrecting-your-nes Remember, it will probably be a few months before this is delivered as they need to finalize the design and have it manufactured.

[Tanooki]

With that first and achieved stretch goal now that thing really is worth every penny of that price tag to allow a normal system to be region free. I know people who are brave enough to do it can just pin snip the thing but a lot of people just won't do it making this an amazing bypass. The adapter is a cool concept too if it gets around the blockage of tall famicom carts in a classic system which won't work.

[kainemaxwell]

I fixe dmy toaster years ago, but good luck with this!

[Rickstilwell1]

Can we purchase this after the kickstarter ends by sending paypal? I don't trust pre-orders until people have the products in their hands. Opcode Games screwed over many people by not shipping their SGM's for their Colecovisions.

[TheChristoph]

This built into an HDMI modded NES would be amazing.

[sloan]

Can we purchase this after the kickstarter ends by sending paypal? I don't trust pre-orders until people have the products in their hands. Opcode Games screwed over many people by not shipping their SGM's for their Colecovisions.

This.

I think there are guys over at another site who ordered the 7800 expansion module close to four years ago and never received the goods.

[Greg2600]

Can we purchase this after the kickstarter ends by sending paypal? I don't trust pre-orders until people have the products in their hands. Opcode Games screwed over many people by not shipping their SGM's for their Colecovisions.

It should be readily available afterward, although it may cost more money, no clue.

[Videogamerdaryll]

I want two or three of these. Where do I go to place my order?


I want one for my personal NES toaster-and or more if I can push it on some people I do repairs for:

Since I do NES Repairs ..I currently have a pile of them in all kinds of condition,some are dead..

I would like to offer this Part-installed as an option when I'm asked to do a repair..

[Eternal Champion]

Looks cool and from personal experience, shadowkn does good work.

[fahlim003]

Looks cool and from personal experience, shadowkn does good work.
Agreed on both points. I decided at the 11th hour to back this seeing I've got a spare non-functional NES-001 to try this out on.

[Greg2600]

I may buy one when they start selling them. Great part is no soldering needed. I had the RGB Mod done to an NES though, and I haven't opened that up since, so I'm not certain whether there will be room in there now.

[thegamezmaster]

Looks great for $20. Good luck!

[dinolazer]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/113891498/blinking-light-win-resurrecting-your-nes

Nice project.

$20. How much is shipping?

Most pin replacements cost $8 or so with free shipping. Though most put a vice grip on your carts, I did find one seller that has ones which are more gentle and work 9 / 10 times.

[Gatucaman]

So now that these things are now being made, any input?

[Rickstilwell1]

His website is taking payments for these as pre-orders which will be able to start shipping after the kickstarter units have been sent to the backers. He guesses this will be done in April so I'm not sure if anyone got these yet. He does make the Omega Neo Geo MVS and arcade stick though. I have seen some happy customers of those on Facebook gaming groups who posted their pictures of those units.

[gbpxl]

I wanted to necro this thread that was the original discussion for the BLW to say that this thing is legit. Don't waste your money with stupid aftermarket 72 pin connectors that have a death grip on your carts and will wear down your cartridge contacts. The BLW removes a step in the process. there's no pushing downward on the cart either which just makes the process a lot more streamlined.

these days I imagine most people are playing a flash cart and seldom remove it but for boomers like me who still play on legitimate cartridges, this thing is a life saver!!

[gbpxl]

Update: So what I have found is that if you rub the contacts with alcohol and q tips and insert, you'll get a nice insertion that goes in smooth. But if you go in bone dry, it doesn't seem to make very good contact. And if you leave a cartridge in for any length of time, it's going to be really hard to pull it out. So basically, go in wet, and pull out when you're done.

[YoshiM]

Update: So what I have found is that if you rub the contacts with alcohol and q tips and insert, you'll get a nice insertion that goes in smooth. But if you go in bone dry, it doesn't seem to make very good contact. And if you leave a cartridge in for any length of time, it's going to be really hard to pull it out. So basically, go in wet, and pull out when you're done.

Ahem...snicker.....snort...dang reading this I'm fourteen again.
So you gotta lube up the cart, is that what yer sayin' ?

I recently got a BLW too to have a NES over at the Air BnB (I'm trying to convince my wife she should go with a "retro" motif due to comments on how old styled things are). That BLW is a PITA trying to get cartridges out! I either have to rock the cart out side to side or use a pliers! Function wise, it works great.

[gbpxl]

yeah I had to use a pliers on a cartridge before. dumbass from the game store told me "that's how tight it was back when the system first came out" and he wasnt born for another 3 years after that. um ok

[Gameguy]

So it has a death grip on the carts like other crap connectors from 15 years ago? Just more garbage then. With a death grip it's wearing away the contacts from the game carts, it's going to ruin your games in the long run. Plus marking up the cases by using pliers isn't something I'll ever want to do.

I'm going to hate buying used NES games 5-10 years from now when everything will be beat up from crappy replacement connectors and poor quality "aftermarket" consoles. It's like finding used PS1 games now that look like they were used as drink coasters. So much for the hobby.

Also, if you're just wanting an NES for an Air BnB, just get something aftermarket with built in games like those fake famiclones or use some type of emulation setup. People into retro stuff today are mostly hipsters who don't really want to deal with old finicky things. They want a modern HD widescreen display, so you'll need something that can easily hook up to it. They'll probably want to stretch out the games to widescreen too. If you have a real NES I'm sure it'll be broken pretty quickly, and people would step on the games or something. Some type of cheap arcade cabinet would also work instead of an NES. You're attracting hipsters rather than real collectors.

[YoshiM]

So it has a death grip on the carts like other crap connectors from 15 years ago? Just more garbage then. With a death grip it's wearing away the contacts from the game carts, it's going to ruin your games in the long run. Plus marking up the cases by using pliers isn't something I'll ever want to do.

I'm going to hate buying used NES games 5-10 years from now when everything will be beat up from crappy replacement connectors and poor quality "aftermarket" consoles. It's like finding used PS1 games now that look like they were used as drink coasters. So much for the hobby.

Also, if you're just wanting an NES for an Air BnB, just get something aftermarket with built in games like those fake famiclones or use some type of emulation setup. People into retro stuff today are mostly hipsters who don't really want to deal with old finicky things. They want a modern HD widescreen display, so you'll need something that can easily hook up to it. They'll probably want to stretch out the games to widescreen too. If you have a real NES I'm sure it'll be broken pretty quickly, and people would step on the games or something. Some type of cheap arcade cabinet would also work instead of an NES. You're attracting hipsters rather than real collectors.

We got some reviews from folks that were tickled pink over the experience using a VCR. So I thought it'd be fun to bring another retro experience. We had people complain about lack of things like a smart TV and other like "modern conveniences" which honestly you see at places way more upscaled than ours. We charge $55 a night for a two bedroom apartment with a stove, fridge and wifi. I joked to my wife who would get disgruntled over the comments that we should yank the 50" plasma (she rented the apartment monthly but our last tenants jumped ship and left everything, including that TV) and put in a 27" CRT and a Beta VCR. After the above mention of a "retro" experience, the idea started to gain traction.

So an emulation box really doesn't hit that true retro experience. If the tenant damages it, they pay for it. I'm not worried

[gbpxl]

With the NES, you're choosing between a really loose connection that barely works or a death grip. there isn't a happy medium. the best thing to do is lube it up and remove the cart as soon as you're done.

[YoshiM]

With the NES, you're choosing between a really loose connection that barely works or a death grip. there isn't a happy medium. the best thing to do is lube it up and remove the cart as soon as you're done.

Sometimes you get lucky and get an original Nintendo made one online. I got one for my original NES, I think from this very board.

I wonder how hard it is to manufacture a connector that doesn't grip so hard. Nintendo did it...why can't others?

[Gameguy]

We got some reviews from folks that were tickled pink over the experience using a VCR. So I thought it'd be fun to bring another retro experience. We had people complain about lack of things like a smart TV and other like "modern conveniences" which honestly you see at places way more upscaled than ours. We charge $55 a night for a two bedroom apartment with a stove, fridge and wifi. I joked to my wife who would get disgruntled over the comments that we should yank the 50" plasma (she rented the apartment monthly but our last tenants jumped ship and left everything, including that TV) and put in a 27" CRT and a Beta VCR. After the above mention of a "retro" experience, the idea started to gain traction.

So an emulation box really doesn't hit that true retro experience. If the tenant damages it, they pay for it. I'm not worried
If people are really into it then go ahead, I'm apparently wrong. I was going to suggest a VHS VCR but figured you probably already did that too. Though if people are really happy with it when hooked up to an HD display then I'm pretty sure they'd be happy with a famiclone. Otherwise CRTs are still easy to find for free if you're looking, though working Beta VCRs are difficult as they all need servicing. It might be funny to get CEDs instead, though funnier if you just got the CED discs and paired them with a laserdisc player.


Sometimes you get lucky and get an original Nintendo made one online. I got one for my original NES, I think from this very board.
How can you tell if one is an original one when buying it as a replacement? And did Nintendo actually sell replacement new connectors? Or are you talking about used ones someone took out of an existing console?

[YoshiM]

Can't say how you can tell other than what the seller says. At one time I think Nintendo did sell the connectors. The person I bought it from purchased a few and was sellibg them off years later.

[Gameguy]

Can't say how you can tell other than what the seller says. At one time I think Nintendo did sell the connectors. The person I bought it from purchased a few and was sellibg them off years later.
I didn't know that Nintendo used to sell them. Maybe they were available to authorized service centers? I wish I could see pictures of these just to see how they were packaged when new.

[Rickstilwell1]

I guess just get a BLW if you're going to just have a system where you only use an Everdrive and leave the thing in there permanently. You can still eject the micro sd card while it's plugged in on these newer models - the Everdrive N8 Pro.

[Gameguy]

If you're going to leave the cart in permanently, why not get a cheaper aftermarket connector with a death grip? It's basically the same thing at that point.

I assume these all have a death grip because the edge connectors are manufactured like motherboard expansion slots which aren't designed to have cards often removed. With the NES you can barely grip the cartridge either with how it's designed to encase the cartridges, it's not like a top loading console. A proper replacement would need to be designed with the right tension, not just adapting computer components.

[gbpxl]

you should be designing them then since you know better

[Gameguy]

you should be designing them then since you know better
I never felt a need to replace them. LOL

If you really were going to replace a connector, ideally a replacement would also be a ZIF connector like the original as that's what the console is physically designed to use, but gold plated so it wouldn't oxidize or corrode. Maybe have some very slightly increased tension compared to the original so the pins won't get bent as easily, but still a ZIF connector so carts won't get stuck.

[megasdkirby]

I need to get a BLW after modding one of my spares with the USB CopyNES. The current, original adapter works, but it's very finicky. This could affect how the cart is read when dumped.

Maybe one day.

[gbpxl]

I need to get a BLW after modding one of my spares with the USB CopyNES. The current, original adapter works, but it's very finicky. This could affect how the cart is read when dumped.

Maybe one day.

If you decide to go with one, I highly recommend doing what I suggested earlier in this topic... rub the contacts of the cartridge with alcohol so it's nice and lubed, and remove the cart as soon as you're done playing. as long as the cartridge is in good condition, you should be able to get to the startup screen like 99 times out of 100 and you won't have to deal with the dreaded death grip

[megasdkirby]

Awesome, thanks! The console will only be used to dump carts, and I will always use the 1up card before dumping. But your suggestion is gold as I noticed that even on clone consoles like the Retron HD, it doesn't grip it as bad when cleaned with alcohol prior to insertion. Good call.

[Gameguy]

If you were close enough near me I would offer to clean your system, but sadly you're not.

I would be personally nervous about inserting any cartridge with wet contacts as that could potentially cause shorts when powered on. Clean contacts yes, but they need to dry first before being powered on.

[gbpxl]

If you were close enough near me I would offer to clean your system, but sadly you're not.

I would be personally nervous about inserting any cartridge with wet contacts as that could potentially cause shorts when powered on. Clean contacts yes, but they need to dry first before being powered on.
Well I hear you on that one. I always rub a dry q tip in the contacts after I rub the alcohol q tip on it