Retro hardware modder prototyping a product called the NES Drawer. A product that fixes the front loaders 72 pin connector.

[entremet]

The front loading NES's 72 pin connector is very bad. Most people in the retro scene or those that remember using it will recall the constant blinking lights and failure to load the carts on first, second, third try without the infamous blowing of the carts.

This is caused by the frontloading NES's push down VCR mechanism, which, over time, bends the connector, preventing a firm contact with the PCB.

The top loader fixed this, but that model was only produced for a year and it not as numerous as the front loader in the aftermarket. Plus, it lacks composite outputs out of the box. And not to mention the nostalgia factor some may have for the front loader.


View: https://x.com/RockerGameMod/status/1755287631707910523?s=20

I've always wanted the predecessor to the prototype called the Blinking Light Win, but it's been out of stock for many years and rather expensive in the aftermarket because of this. Moreover, owners of have said it has a "death grip", gripping the carts too tight. The modders of this prototype seem to be aware of that based on this Twitter thread thankfully.

This is still a proof of concept but there should be demand. They're looking for beta testers.

 

[stopmrdomino]

You don't press down?

#NotMyNES

 

[daegan]

This seems brilliant and I also hate it. I totally understand the desire to not have your shit break itself all the time but also: pressing it down is fun

 

[Dr. Zoidberg]

I've always wanted the predecessor to the prototype called the Blinking Light Win, but it's been out of stock for many years and rather expensive in the aftermarket because of this. Moreover, owners of have said it has a "death grip", gripping the carts too tight. The modders of this prototype seem to be aware of that based on this Twitter thread thankfully.

Click to shrink...

I was going to mention the BLW if you didn't. I wasn't aware that it was out of stock or not being sold. I lost interest in it when I got the AVS and later the NT Mini Noir.

 

[Slayven]

You don't press down?

#NotMyNES

Click to shrink...

I was cool until that, there was just something about teh feel of locking down the cart

 

[Tobor]

That clear shell makes me uncomfortable. Some devices shouldn't be transparent. The original grey is iconic.

 

[retrobotjr]

Did pressing it down have a function beyond keeping the carts secure? I don't recall tbh but I remember not having to press down to use game genie

 

[entremet]

That clear shell makes me uncomfortable. Some devices shouldn't be transparent. The original grey is iconic.

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Well it's to demo the product lol

 

[asmith906]

I've seen enough


View: https://twitter.com/RockerGameMod/status/1755287789136986177

 

[Tobor]

Well it's to demo the product lol

Click to shrink...

Oh! The tweet makes it sound like they were doing the clear shell first.

 

[WolverinesFather]

I thought it was already fixed years ago? I remember seeing a part to replace what was in the original. Almost bought one but didnt want to take things apart.

 

[mrbogus]

Isn't this just the same thing as the "Blinking Light Win" mod/accessory for the NES?

I've got a front loader with a Blinking Light Win installed and I can't say I'm too happy with that. It squeezes way too tight on cartridges. Some day I'm gonna remove it and go back to pushing the carts down.

 

[Slayven]

That clear shell makes me uncomfortable. Some devices shouldn't be transparent. The original grey is iconic.

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NES/SNES and Genesis color combos. Other those are there any other console colors that are iconic?

 

[asmith906]

Isn't this just the same thing as the "Blinking Light Win" mod/accessory for the NES?

I've got a front loader with a Blinking Light Win installed and I can't say I'm too happy with that. It squeezes way too tight on cartridges. Some day I'm gonna remove it and go back to pushing the carts down.

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This has a connector that slides with the cart making it easier to remove. I would have bought a Blinking Light Win but I don't think it's even in production anymore.

 

[Tobor]

NES/SNES and Genesis color combos. Other those are there any other console colors that are iconic?

Click to shrink...

PS2 Black and Blue.

 

[Fuzzy]

I'm curious what the price will be. The BLW was $30 US after the KS so hopefully this isn't too much more considering all of the pricing pressures since that came out.

 

[onpoint]

Thanks looking into this!

I've always wanted the predecessor to the prototype called the Blinking Light Win, but it's been out of stock for many years and rather expensive in the aftermarket because of this. Moreover, owners of have said it has a "death grip", gripping the carts too tight.

Click to shrink...

It 100% does have a death grip. Like I had to use pliers to get my game out.

 

[entremet]

I'm curious what the price will be. The BLW was $30 US after the KS so hopefully this isn't too much more considering all of the pricing pressures since that came out.

Click to shrink...

I doubt it will be too pricey. It's not exactly exotic gear--plastic molds, pins, etc.

 

[Fuzzy]

I doubt it will be too pricey. It's not exactly exotic gear--plastic molds, pins, etc.

Click to shrink...

I don't think it'll be too pricey but I won't be surprised if this is $40 or more.

 

[Ayirek]

I like my blinking light win but if this thing doesn't deathgrip carts I'll swap it out.

 

[entremet]

I don't think it'll be too pricey but I won't be surprised if this is $40 or more.

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Yeah, post pandemic inflation.

 

[entremet]

Bump.

A prototype review from Macho Nacho


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lpCNMxGW3s

 

[Justin Bailey]

It's neat from an engineering perspective, but without the push down mechanism it loses the nostalgia factor. A big no-no for retro gaming :D

 

[Teh_Lurv]

It 100% does have a death grip. Like I had to use pliers to get my game out.

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Pretty much every after-market NES cart connecter suffers from varying degrees of death grip, even the ones that aim to be exact replacements for the original.

 

[SpotAnime]

There are two competing products - the Slotmaster from Laser Bear and the NintendoDrawer. Although I preordered the Slotmaster a month ago before I saw this, I ended up preordering the NintenDrawer as well as I saw on Discord that the Slotmaster has some design flaws.

The slotmaster's current issue is that each pin is routed point to point, and there are no grounds between the signals, so signal integrity is lost when going between boards
But they're working on it
The nintendrawer has a custom flex cable that ameliorates that situation

Click to shrink...

 

[onpoint]

It's neat from an engineering perspective, but without the push down mechanism it loses the nostalgia factor. A big no-no for retro gaming :D

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lol I hope people can get past that if the product works!

 

[Het_Nkik]

Honestly I just put a new 72 pin connector in my NES like 20 years ago and haven't had any problems with it since. Not that it gets as much play as it did the 20 years prior to the replacement.

Still a cool idea.

 

[turbobrick]

It 100% does have a death grip. Like I had to use pliers to get my game out.

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I got an early BLW from the kickstarter, and it does hold the carts tight. Though I've never had that much trouble where I needed pliers or anything.

This new one still looks better though