Any tips/warnings? Building First NESp

ThomasBags · Post by **ThomasBags** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:12 pm

Okay so I'm starting on my very first portable NES project, first portable gaming device project ever in fact.
I'll be using the NES-on-chip Super Joy III for size reasons.
I'll be checking all the forum posts before to pick up anything I can there but just was asking here if there are any tips, hints, words of warning, or any advice you could give me on this project.

My first thing I need to figure out is where to find an adapter and the pin layout to convert the Famicom Japanese cartridge slot on the Super Joy III into the US NES cartridge slot.

But anything you can give to help me would be much appreciated.

themadhacker · Post by **themadhacker** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:16 pm

Check Ben's famicom to NES pinout on his downloads page.

ThomasBags · Post by **ThomasBags** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:23 pm

themadhacker wrote:Check Ben's famicom to NES pinout on his downloads page.

Thank you so much.
I've also had another idea of somehow creating my own ROMs chip and just having the ability to load any game I want onto an SD card or something. I've seen the NES CompactFlash reader but that's $130 and way out of my range for price for just one part of this project.

palmertech · Post by **palmertech** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:39 pm

That is the only way to do it within reason. $130 is your only option.

Seriously, though, why build a console that can only use a flashcard? may as well get a PSP or GP2X to just emulate it.

Quetzalcoatlus · Post by **Quetzalcoatlus** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:43 pm

Here are some things I learned while making my NOACp:
-Make sure the parts will fit properly in the case. I ended up having to make the case around 1/2" thicker because the parts didn't fit in the configuration I had originally planned.
-Try to keep the wires inside at least somewhat organized. It makes it much easier to find problems (which will inevitably occur).
-Be careful with the plastic cable things that connect LCD's to their controller boards, some of them break very easily. I had to buy a second screen because I bent it too much to get the screen to fit a certain way, and it broke after a few hours. Actually, just be careful in general and make sure you wired something correctly before trying it, as you don't want to buy extra parts.
-Make sure to leave room for small parts such as switches, as they take up more room than you may expect.

Check the sticky for general information on wiring the Super Joy III, including making an adapter to use NES games. Good luck on your portable!

eurddrue · Post by **eurddrue** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:45 pm

palmertech wrote:That is the only way to do it within reason. $130 is your only option.

Seriously, though, why build a console that can only use a flashcard? may as well get a PSP or GP2X to just emulate it.

or get a pandora or a gp2x wiz

ThomasBags · Post by **ThomasBags** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:04 pm

eurddrue wrote:
palmertech wrote:That is the only way to do it within reason. $130 is your only option.

Seriously, though, why build a console that can only use a flashcard? may as well get a PSP or GP2X to just emulate it.
or get a pandora or a gp2x wiz

Well yea, I know you can emulate them on devices like PSP, which I already do. I even have an option to make it go in reverse like Price of Persia, which makes it very cool. However, the point of this project is to have fun, get experience in actually creating a legitimate circuit and having something that you made yourself. The feeling that the whole design is your own is a bit better than just playing it off of some software someone else wrote.

Anyways, the idea of a flash cart was for trying out those games you can't seem to find from your friends or on eBay, or try some homebrew and beta games as well on closer to real NES hardware.

ThomasBags · Post by **ThomasBags** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:05 pm

Quetzalcoatlus wrote:Here are some things I learned while making my NOACp:
-Make sure the parts will fit properly in the case. I ended up having to make the case around 1/2" thicker because the parts didn't fit in the configuration I had originally planned.
-Try to keep the wires inside at least somewhat organized. It makes it much easier to find problems (which will inevitably occur).
-Be careful with the plastic cable things that connect LCD's to their controller boards, some of them break very easily. I had to buy a second screen because I bent it to much to get the screen to fit a certain way, and it broke after a few hours. Actually, just be careful in general and make sure you wired something correctly before trying it, as you don't want to buy extra parts.
-Make sure to leave room for small parts such as switches, as they take up more room than you may expect.

Check the sticky for general information on wiring the Super Joy III, including making an adapter to use NES games. Good luck on your portable!

Ah yes, I already have most of those problems covered. I always try to keep my wires as neat as possible in my projects. And for what I'll use as casing, I'd be making sure all the measurements were correct because I'd probably be looking to get a custom casing job done.

Rekarp · Post by **Rekarp** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:45 pm

hold the soldering iron the correct way

Tibia · Post by **Tibia** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:42 pm

Rekarp wrote:hold the soldering iron the correct way

Well that definitely explains all these blisters on my hands and the fact that the solder won't melt on my boards.

Ben Cebhrem · Post by **Ben Cebhrem** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:26 am

If you haven't already, read the forums. It seems you have, so you're okay there.

Either bookmark key threads with useful info, or easier yet, mark things down on paper for later (and easier) reference.