Custom Parts?

GeekGear · Post by **GeekGear** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 2:35 am

I was just thinking today while repairing some of my older equipment. Is there a market for custom replacement parts for NES accessories (Aside from the 72Pin?) Like maybe a replacement bottom for the NES Advantage that's made out of plastic and not STEEL (heavy x_x), or maybe replacement joystick parts, etc?

SgtBowhack · Post by **SgtBowhack** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 2:48 am

I have seen replacement joystick parts various places, but honestly, sometimes it's just worth buying new ones when they're as cheap as they are nowadays. You can get things in decent condition off of eBay and then take all of the good stuff and use it for one and keep what's left as spare parts. That's what I've been doing

JackFrost22 · Post by **JackFrost22** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 6:57 am

You should buy new ones. It works better even if they do have replacement parts

GeekGear · Post by **GeekGear** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:13 am

I think people have misunderstood me. What I'm talking about is making a business out of making and selling replacement and custom parts for old NES accessories.

For example, custom painted NES Controller, Advantage, or Quickshot faceplates, etc. Replacement parts like a bottom for the NES Advantage that is made out of aluminum instead. The steel may have been necessary for smaller hands to keep such a bulky controller properly weighted, but the Advantage practically dwarfs in comparison to an X-box controller, so now that my hands are large enough to hold it the steel plate just makes the unit unweildy.

GeekGear · Post by **GeekGear** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 8:08 am

Also I have been considering doing custom AC adapters for the units. Not so much custom but a new design that allows it to have the converter placed a distance from the wall. I like to have a lot of my retro consoles plugged in at once, but with all those bulky Wall Warts it's a bit troublesome. Especially with the Sega Genesis, 32X and CD, all 3 components require a huge ac adapter.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 8:15 am

So you were thinking something like what the Atari had, a cable that goes to the PSU then to the system? As for the custom stuff to dress up the NES.... I think you about 15 years too late. Yes there are people still loyal to the little gray box but not fanatical enough to put decals on it. I can see something like what your talking about more with portables as we're making new cases anyways.

peppers · Post by **peppers** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:54 am

I would not mind some controller ports if they are quality if they are a lot better than the ones I make myself for full NES converson of noacs

I refuse to destroy real nes'es to get some each one that gets destroyed means one less nes out there in the world and that makes me sad

GeekGear · Post by **GeekGear** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:29 am

Rep 1:
Yeah, that's pretty much what I want to do. Would make things a lot easier to plug in more than one or two systems on any power strip, which can also make entertainment centers with retro systems look a lot sexier. Well.. and entertainment system with an NES is always sexy, but you know what I mean.

As for the custom parts, I'm not talking just about stickers. I suppose the market is relatively small, but I am in the habit of thinking that it IS there. Since it's custom parts, it's not like I have to invest in manufacturing bunches of them. Maybe four or five of each part.. build up a customer base, submit things to Slashdot and see where it goes from there.

Well, to make an Omlette you have to kill a few babies, right?

Duplicating controller ports should be relatively easy. <i>Should</i> be. Sometimes that means very little ^^ I would want to make a base of all the most easily damaged NES parts to start with as far as replacements, but the most common is the 72pin, which is readily available, although at a rediculous markup. 7-9 bucks on E-bay, plus 6 dollars shipping? There has to be a better place to get this equipment.. any suggestions?

HK-47 · Post by **HK-47** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 2:50 pm

GeekGear wrote:Also I have been considering doing custom AC adapters for the units. Not so much custom but a new design that allows it to have the converter placed a distance from the wall. I like to have a lot of my retro consoles plugged in at once, but with all those bulky Wall Warts it's a bit troublesome. Especially with the Sega Genesis, 32X and CD, all 3 components require a huge ac adapter.

Would this help? http://www.sousley.com/270/1174.htm Ive seen them cheaper at thinkgeek, but I cant find them...

JackFrost22 · Post by **JackFrost22** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 5:24 pm

$9 for a connecter and $6 shipping I got miune for $5 after shipping

HK-47 · Post by **HK-47** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 5:27 pm

Yeah i know you can get them cheaper somewhere...

JackFrost22 · Post by **JackFrost22** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 5:46 pm

Also no one really wants an old costom consle I wouldn't buy one. I want it all original if you know what I mean

CarlDMC · Post by **CarlDMC** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:42 pm

If you could get replacement controller ports as requested above, that would be awesome!

SgtBowhack · Post by **SgtBowhack** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 1:37 am

Ah, I see. Well, two things:
1) I think the customized parts idea is very cool. Though with repainted stuff, I think you could just buy used ones off of eBay and repaint them and no one would be the wiser...
2) As far as the AC adapters go, go to a dollar store (or, if you're in Japan like me, a 100 yen shop) and get an extension cable. You don't need to redesign the wheel here

I think paying a buck to solve that problem is much nicer than designing something that would likely be less quality than what Nintendo gives you. (Though I could be wrong.)

jdsony · Post by **jdsony** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:55 pm

The TG16 adapter makes a good replacement for a Genesis adapter since it is the style where the box is in the middle of the cable. It would be nice if cables were a little funkier. I like stylish cables...most try and be simple so they don't stand out but if they are visible they might as well look nice.