I think I've gone insane ...

Micro Nintendo Entertainment System PCB (WIP) (Not NOAC)

So, for the past few days I've been reverse engineering the NES console, just because. I've been mapping out each and every trace/component/IC chip etc ...

I'm no expert with regards to schematics, or electrical much of anything, but I sit and hope this will all work out in the end (of which, you'll have to wait and see)

Anyways, here's a screenshot of my current progress. It may look like a mess, but so far I have 0 errors !





Yes, I know schematics are available online (but they suck, I wanted a project. Don't judge me!)

 

So you decide to make new NES PCB and that makes you insane? You have to be insane to think that makes you insane. NES reverse engineering isn't insanity.

 

any hint towards what you're going to be doing with it?

 

Relax, I meant insane as to the amount of tedious work involved ... Way to be an unsupportive party pooper ..

For now, it's just going to be a "to say I did it scenario" but I have some ideas for once it's complete.

 

I think he was being supportive by saying it's not insanity.

 

Definitely not insanity, very cool really. You could use these diagrams to make your own custom shapes of the NES board.

are you just mapping the original or are you also going to map the top loader?

 

I meant that to be positive. I'm always looking for ways to shrink retro consoles for smaller space since I have cramped living quarters and the fact I like handheld creations from home consoles.

The smaller the PCB, the better for those projects.

 

Oh, my apologies then, I must have read and interpreted that wrong. Thanks for the words of encouragement then ! ... I just pray that I haven't made a mistake, missed a trace, or mixed anything up. I'm not very good at trouble shooting things so I'd more or less have to retrace everything till I found the mistake.

Unfortunately I don't have a Top Loader NES, but I have about 9 Toaster models ... lol go figure. Once my board is complete it WILL be smaller then a Top Loader, and with the software I use, it's very easy to rearrange components and even omit certain components (stupid expansion slot), I also have plans to pre-incorporate a video amp circuit, and possibly a game genie, if I can find a way to disable it with a single toggle switch. All of these ideas are way down the road, once I've done the initial map, and confirmed that it works.

 

Small progress update:

Almost done the entire 72 pin connector (after uncovering a few errors). But recently downloaded the 3d models, and, anyway, here's a preview of what it is going to look like. (Still very much incomplete)

 

Looking nice man. Any idea on the board dimensions yet?

 

I couldn't tell you at this point because (A. I don't know how to find out yet) and (B. The board is likely to increase in size as there are a ton of caps/resistors that are still missing)

[EDIT]

Currently it is ~ 3.9" x 3.8"

 

Finished all 72 pins of the 72 Pin connector, as well, I've finished off 4 of the 10 IC chips. After the 6 remaining IC chips are done, then I have to do the +5V and GND circuits

Almost finished :very_drunk:!

My goal is to keep the board at 4"x4" or smaller ...

View attachment 7352

 

someone did actually this recently. Dont remember where I saw it, but he did what you did - whole new board, etc.

I will see if I can find the link.

Its a cool project though!

Edit:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/203257-nes-super-8-project/

Edit Edit:

Seems there is an update on the universal ppu too:

http://universalppu.com/?page_id=10

 

Man, I wish you didn't show me this, its rather discouraging ....

 

Even if it's done before, it's still great to do things on your own; experience is definitely rewarding
Also, even if someone else already did it, can't it be done differently? If so, your approach may be different (better or not), thus making your project kind of unique.

 

Sure others may have done it already but other designs can be more useful for different stuff. Like if your board is smaller, it might be better for portables than some of the other offerings. Benefits of everything being through hole design: you can rebuild it better a whole lot easier than SMD stuff.

 

Seems like a cloned NES using FPGAs might someday soon be available.

 

Don't be discouraged! Do it for yourself

 

I never had any intention on giving up. It just sucks that I'm not an original creator now. I feel like a copy-cat.

Oh well, I have different plans for my PCB ....

Thanks to all for the words of encouragement ! ...

I hope to have my schematic at least done by the end of the long weekend!

 

I have to agree, I would love to have the time to do this myself. There are improvements you could do. Integrate the universal PPU if/when its released.

If you upload the eagle files when you are done, I would love you forever (no homo). But I completely understand if you keep them to yourself

Dont be discouraged, id be all over something like this if I had the time.