Looking for input - NES Character Case Mods

[Rai]

Hey all,

I'm working on a series of NES case mods featuring various characters from some of my favorite games. I've slowly been panning for opinions on which cases I should do next, and I thought I'd ask here at DP as well

So far I've done a Super Mario, a Simon Belmont, and a Black Mage from Final Fantasy. I'm currently working on a Link from the original Zelda. Up next are Mega Man, Tetris, and a Bob-omb.

Here are some photos and links to some of the projects:

Final Fantasy Black Mage -
This one has a really really basic paint job, so don't pay too much attention to that aspect of the mod. It's really just about the Black Mage.

Youtube video -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6wkqTczA6A






Castlevania - Simon Belmont -
This was an earlier one with just a single color. Still fun though.

Youtube video -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZEltWwC9IE




So, what do you all think? What should I make next?

Thanks for looking, and any thoughts you have!
Rai

[Gameguy]

So, what do you all think? What should I make next?

Sonic the Hedgehog!!

Your cases really look nice. Maybe Kirby or Samus would look nice too.

[Rev. Link]

Very cool work. I'd love to see the Link one when you finish it!

I second the Samus suggestion, but I'd also like to see what you could do with Little Mac.

[Emperor Megas]

I mushroom Power Up or perhaps a Super Mario Bros. item box would be nice. I think a Gold system with a Triforce on top would be great also.

A blue console with Mega Man on it would make a nice one, too, I think.

[RetroGamer1994]

Something Super Mario related would have been awesome!

[Dangerboy]

Hey Rei,

I've always admired your work from a far, as it's awesome, especially the Black Mage here. However, if I could add one small critique that I'm not sure could be implemented or not as I don't know the inner workings nor your modding process too well.

That is, a better focus on the location of said character. It looks like the mage was centered fine, but the Belmont looks haphazardly tossed on location wise, same with your mushroom. LIke I said, it's merely a nit pick, otherwise your work rocks my world (seriously, I wish i had an iota of your modding talent).

As for case mods, your coloring brings up an immediate idea:

=-=-= Mega Man =-=--=
Mega Man, shooting to the right - he would be placed to his feet are just touching the cart door. Why? Because you would paint the NES vent to look just like the boss door:



You could even set-up custom orders for Mega Man's armor and a two tone for the deck based on which 'boss' he was about to fight.

=-=-= Tron =-=-=
The blue power light brought this to mind. Remove very, very thin sections of the cover and replace with a lighter blue plastic (or white plastic with blue led). The trick is that you would also create a cut line from the power button to go up and over the corner of the system's front to top. The top pattern could be the NES Cart's location outlined as if it were a data disc. (i.e. trace the outer square and inner label area outline).

=-=- Mega Man E Canister =-=-=

Nes would be light blue, the hole would be the E and the top and bottom bar, and you'd use black plastic underneath to give it depth.

=-=- BOB (fromt he black hole) =



You leave the top gray, but paint a red stripe across the entire center, and then two squares for the eyes, with white plastic (with black dots) for the eyes. The eyes would glow. : )

Just some thoughts. Keep up the great work!

[kafa111]

these look awesome! you should do a knuckles the echidna version

[skaar]

What are you cutting with?

[Oobgarm]

What are you cutting with?

My money's on butter knife.

[skaar]

Dustin, your powers amaze me. I could never cut a nes with a butter knife.

[jordandavid]

That is, a better focus on the location of said character. It looks like the mage was centered fine, but the Belmont looks haphazardly tossed on location wise, same with your mushroom. LIke I said, it's merely a nit pick, otherwise your work rocks my world (seriously, I wish i had an iota of your modding talent).

The black mage is gorgeous, seriously. I think the NES lends itself to simplicity of color and design perfectly, anything ridiculously detailed would cheapen it and might as well be a XBOX skin.

The location of the simon belmont seems all right to me, possibly a little high, but definitely not "haphazardly tossed".

I'm also interested in what you're cutting with. Those cuts look great IMO.

[Rai]

Thanks for all the compliments, and comments everyone! I'll try to cover the questions raised:

Dangerboy - Constructive critique is always welcome. And you bring up a good point.

The designs are not centered on the case due to the internal components of the system. Sadly there's a metal bar that's part of the cart slot that will show in the designs if I lower them to where they are more centered. It ruins the design, trust me.

This is why Simon Belmont is so far away from the cart door. It's not quite as obvious in the Black Mage design, but it's still there.

I am however experimenting with alternative techniques on some of my current cases...and hope to be able to lower the designs to where they are centered We'll see how it goes...

Great ideas too! I especially like the idea about the Mega Man boss door. I'll play around and see what's possible with my tools...

skaar, Oobgarm, and jordandavid - You know someone seriously said that butter knife comment on another website about my Skies of Arcadia Dreamcast I did awhile back. Hmmm...

My tools include: a dremel, files (as small as I can find them), sandpaper, insane amounts of patience, and steady hands.

[Dangerboy]

Rai: Awesome, I knew there was something in the way.

Keep up the work though - that addition of the colored plastic underneath just opened *doors* of possibilities.

^_^

[Ninjamohawk]

Oh my god that pun.

Fantastic work Rai. Such awesome designs. I don't have any suggestions but I was curious: Does the inclusion of the light require you to use a different power supply or is the A/C adapter sufficient?

[Rai]

Fantastic work Rai. Such awesome designs. I don't have any suggestions but I was curious: Does the inclusion of the light require you to use a different power supply or is the A/C adapter sufficient?

Thanks Ninja No extra power supply is required. All the power is supplied internally from the NES itself.

[Rev. Link]

Oh, that Mega Man boss door idea would be sooooo cool!

[Richie]

^^^ Second that. This thread has me dreaming of a Bubble Bobble themed case.

Also, if you're talking about the metal bar in the middle of the cartridge slot, it's really an unnecessary piece. Certain accessories required it to be removed.

[MachineGex]

You need to do "Yars Revenge" and use the top vents on the NES as the sheld-thingy.

[Rai]

Richie - I'll probably eventually do a Bubble Bobble It could be awhile though.

Yep, that's the part. I wasn't sure if it affected the stability of the tray or anything. Great to know, thanks!

Machine Gex - Ha! That would be pretty fun. More fitting on an atari though...

[Aussie2B]

It would look silly with the lights on, but I would love to see that Black Mage rotated so in the dark, it looks like he's shooting out that blue beam of light, haha.

Seriously, though, your work is awesome.