The NES is one of Nintendo's most famous systems, but it came with a massive, massive design flaw. The "toaster" zero insertion force cartridge slot — designed so the system could avoid unwanted comparisons with traditional games consoles and thus avoid the stigma which had risen up since the Video Game Crash of 1983 — wears out over time, leading the infamous blinking light error — the precursor to the Xbox 360's Red Light of Death.
While it's possible to fix this issue and replace the contacts, it's not a complete solution, and eventually the new contacts will wear out as well. What is needed is a complete redesign — and that's what Blinking Light Win proposes.
Blinking Light Win is a simple mod which can be fitted inside the NES using nothing but a screwdriver. It essentially removes the "toaster" effect mechanism with a straightforward cartridge slot. A Kickstarter campaign has been started by creator Arcade Works to fund production, with a very modest $15,000 being the target goal. 36 days remains with just $146 raised at the time of writing.
Here's some info from the Kickstarter itself:
The Blinking Light Win is a complete re-engineering of the cartridge loading mechanism. It vastly simplifies how games are inserted and by virtue of it's simplicity, it reduces wear and tear on the cartridge slot connector that lets the game communicate with the system. It effectively makes the toaster NES a side-loading top-loader.
The Blinking Light Win consists of two parts, a dual connector PCB and a redesigned loading tray. The dual connector PCB takes the place of the original 72-pin connector. You'll notice it doesn't resemble a ZIF in any way and that's what makes it's special. By being closer to a traditional edge connector, you'll get to enjoy the reliability of every other cartridge based system. Less bending = longer lifespan.
If you're worried about having a system that loads completely sideways, don't be. The majority of Neo-Geo 1-slot boards are side-loaders and they have been in active service for over 20 years. None of them have mechanical issues with the games loading horizontally and those boards have been mounted in every orientation possible.
We personally think this is one of the most exciting developments in NES history, and could mean that millions of faulty consoles are restored to life. Will you be giving this your backing? Let us know with a comment.
[source kickstarter.com]
Comments 29
Cool! May drop some coin on this. I really miss my NES.
A good alternative but my side loading NES works just fine as it is even with the blue screen and blinking light issue that are still there. It's not completely defective compare to the RROD of the Xbox 360.
Amazing how people are still trying to tweak the NES.
Nice!
Don't have an NES so I have no need for this, but I really hope it's successful. It'll help preserve the NES for many years to come.
Look, I hate the blinking light as much as the next guy, but IMHO, this would not solve the problem. The light blinks because the pins separate. The pins separate (AFAIK) because of inserting and removing carts over and over again. Add to the mix that some cart boards are thicker than others and the user tendency to leave carts in for months on end, and you have a recipe for separation that will not be solved by the side-load solution. But cool to see others keeping the NES alive.
About 30 years too late
@bluedogrulez Technically incorrect. The ZIF cart loader inside the NES does not slide strait into the socket like every other cart based console, but when you press down the tab, the NES cartridge applies sideways force bending the connector, spreading them apart over time.
Over the past ten years, I've replaced the slot connector 3 times. The "death grip" connectors will loosen and spread apart over time as well. Game Genie usage only serves to accelerate wear.
Of all my cartridge based retro systems, Atari, Famicom, SNES, Genesis, Turbo, N64, Game Boy /Color /Advance, none of them are as tempermental when loading game carts as my NES. I disabled the lockout years ago, which only served to change "blinky screen" into "white screen of death". My top loading and slot loading systems nearly always work on the first try, yet with NES, I'm constantly reaching for the Q-tips + 91% Isopropanol.
Traditional slot loaders gently scrape the cart connectors when inserting a game, which serves to remove grime and allow a proper electrical connection. The NES ZIF connector just presses down on top of the grime and oxidation preventing a clean connection on anything but the most pristine carts, necessitating frequent maintenence and cleaning cycles. If Kickstarter guy aims to permanently rectify the cart-loading situation, then he has my money.
Yeah, everything wears out over time, but the NES's problem pressing down on the cartridge like StarDust4Ever said. Will your NES still wear out? Yeah, sure, eventually; everything does. This will eliminate the annoying blinking problem that you get every seven or eight years (at least if you play your NES all the time like I do).
I backed it.
@StarDust4Ever Very well said. Most people don't know how the NES works. I've replaced my connectors twice now (making it the third) and haven't had any problems except for a few finicky games that usually come up with cleaning. This however I find very neat. It also eliminates problems with the spring failure (less prominent but crippling as it is harder to replace).
I think Nintendo's reason for this was a little odd and probably unnecessary as sticking it straight in is far more appealing to me but regardless.
Thanks for the info!
@ElkinFencer10 Yeah, I was repairing systems for a few years and there would be problems in every department - this was just so prominent (I liked the reference to the Xbox 360 in the article) that it garnered far more attention. The only one I wasn't able to repair was one with an electrical problem in the AC Adapter receiver. Never could figure that one out...
https://www.tindie.com/products/low_budget/nes-super-8-v18 this looks like the right answer for anybody interested in using a NES. (Or the Analog Interactive one).
My NES has been in storage for a good 5 years now. It was working reasonably well the last time i played it. But i know it won't last forever. This kind of makes me want to dust it off again, however the only game carts i own that i don't own again on VC are Super Off Road and Snake Rattle and Roll.
Would have backed it if it wasn't $18 + $30 shipping to Canada. Get real. I'll never need to replace the connector often enough to justify paying that much more to get one of these, and I currently have a new connector anyway.
I'll back that.
@iphys
I'm just throwing this out because I see these comments from time to time.
It's not a bad deal (or even a good deal) because kickstarter isn't a store. It's a place to support something you think is a good idea by backing.
@Fletcher-Mobot If I'm just going to give away my money, I'd rather give it to a legitimate charity. Otherwise, it's an investment, and I expect to see a fair return on it.
Totally respect that. But a lot of people see Kickstarter as something other than an investment or it would never work. Theres far better places than Kickstarter for a return on investment. Most people that support projects just enjoy part of seeing something come to fruition and being a part of it.
There's a lot of passion in the Kickstarter community and I think it's great.
@iphys Your return is the item, assuming it gets delivered. It's part investment, part preorder.
@Captain_Gonru Yes, the Game Genie's thicker PCB improves the connection but stresses the pins moreso than a normal cart. It eventually it spreads the connectors out so far the NES can't read the game cart without a Genie in place. I had this problem with the original connector. It wasn't until I bought a replacement connector that the NES worked without a Genie shoved in it.
I just always used to insert the cartridge, than nudge it a bit to the side. Or, if the red light was blinking, I would push the reset button while the light was on. If I timed it right, the game would run.
A simple solution in this day and age is get them on Virtual Console
Looking good. Naught but a day in and it's beyond 25%
http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/113891498/blinking-light-win-resurrecting-your-nes/
I fixed the blinking light on my NES by clipping some connections from a chip on the board that bypasses the NES's lockout protocol. I forget which chip it is, but there have been tutorials on doing this fix on the web for years.
Before then I would have to push the cart in just enough to where it would dump down with the top of the cartridge touching the front of the console. It usually worked that way.
The pin connectors are actually pretty easy to fix. Just take it out and bend the pins inward and it'll work again. I'd go for something like this but I'd rather just get the model 2 NES modded for RGB.
@Mega719: Except some of the most popular NES games like Ducktales or Batman or TMNT will never come to the VC for various reasons.
Didn't know Seinfeld played Nintendo.....
meh, I like my 72 pin connector more. toasters are fun o3o
I wanted to let you know that the unit arrived today and after a quick 10 minute install, I can tell you that it works perfectly! I am so impressed. This unit is very professionally built and super easy to install. I have yet to test all my games but I can comment that there was no wiggling required. I simply slipped a cart in, powered it on and it plays perfectly on the 1st try!
Cheers' Tecknomykle.
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