Where to mod a NES toploader

[Sonikku]

I... can't deal with the awful video of the RF unit any more. But I have zero skills with soldering and am in no mood to experiment with my nes that I've had for 30 years. Do any of your nerds know a good modder? I don't really know who to trust with my baby over the internet. Composite would be better than nothing but hdmi would be even better.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

Too bad NES Classic and SNES Classic got so expensive and it's such a minefield trying to find a legit one, as they're both incredible for playing NES/SNES over HDMI. I softmodded my SNES Classic to play NES games and with the NES Classic controller it feels like the real thing. Same for SNES with the SNES Classic controller with a very few exceptions (e.g. one of the Street Fighter Alpha games doesn't work). That system was the first time I could play Super Mario World again with my finger holding down the run button the entire time just like when I played on my real SNES 30+ years ago and it's funny how quickly the muscle memory came back playing emulation that felt like the real thing vs how awkward Super Mario World felt any other time I tried it in emulation.

 

[Sonikku]

Oh I already have a NES classic, plus the Super Famicom classic due to an incredible couple of guys on this board. But in greedy fashion, I hoped to get my vintage setup working its best too...

 

[Kaido]

I... can't deal with the awful video of the RF unit any more. But I have zero skills with soldering and am in no mood to experiment with my nes that I've had for 30 years. Do any of your nerds know a good modder? I don't really know who to trust with my baby over the internet. Composite would be better than nothing but hdmi would be even better.

You'll want to do a recap & RGB mod: ($260)

NES Mod Services

Classic Video Game Console Modifications, Restorations, & Repairs.

1uprestorations.com

NESRGB:

NESRGB - RGB/S-Video upgrade for Nintendo NES

etim.net.au

Outputs RGB, S-video (encoded from RGB), composite video (encoded from RGB), and composite video (original from PPU):

etim.net.au NESRGB kit (US Distributor)

etim.net.au

Depends on the route you want to go. You can get a nice DIY NESessity v1.6 Replacement PCB for NES Console:

NESessity v1.6 Replacement PCB for NES Console by Low Budget on Tindie

A new design PCB for the Nintendo Entertainment System with new features. Bare PCB set with Digikey parts list

www.tindie.com

Honestly tho, if you're not into emulation, just get something like a Hyperkin RetroN 3 for under $100 on Amazon that reads carts from any region. Reads 3 carts (NES/SNES/Sega), has an aspect ratio switch & HDMI port, etc. Plus you can get Everdrive clones (MicroSD carts for ROMs) for cheap off Aliexpress, that way you can preserve your OG hardware!

 

[SteveGrabowski]

Honestly tho, if you're not into emulation, just get something like a Hyperkin RetroN 3 for under $100 on Amazon that reads carts from any region. Reads 3 carts (NES/SNES/Sega), has an aspect ratio switch & HDMI port, etc. Plus you can get Everdrive clones (MicroSD carts for ROMs) for cheap off Aliexpress, that way you can preserve your OG hardware!

EDIT: n/m, never knew the Retron 3 systems were hardware clones. Always thought they were emulation and never saw the point of them but now it all makes sense. Guess because Retron 5 is emulation so figured the others would be too.

 

[Kaido]

EDIT: n/m, never knew the Retron 3 systems were hardware clones. Always thought they were emulation and never saw the point of them but now it all makes sense. Guess because Retron 5 is emulation so figured the others would be too.

I mean, anything that's not original hardware is going to be a compromise at some level. The newer ones like the 5 are emulated, but the 3 gets you a console "on a chip", so you can use OG carts, reproductions (ex. from Etsy), and Everdrives (with save-states!).

All depends on what your goal is! I have a 19" tube TV that I keep for my retro gaming with composite inputs. $260 will get you a fantastic upgrade, but modifies the original hardware, so it really depends on how much you care about the OG status as a personal historical item.

Stuff like RetroPi's are pretty good if you're okay with software emulation. For HDMI emulators, they sell "20,000 games on a stick" emulator systems with dual wireless gamepads for under $30 on Tiktok that are actually QUITE good! (they look like mini Playstation 5's)

https://www.reddit.com/r/retrogaming/comments/18aq4pe/comment/kbzth2l