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...cting-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?