Famicom -> NES converter (56K WARNING)

[jperryss]

Hi all,
First off, big thanks to lovablechevy for the idea and instructions.

I've wanted to make one of these for awhile, but was concerned it'd get stuck in my toploader NES. I had a Gyromite cart with the fabled converter inside, and I got the idea of using a Game Genie shell when I realized how close the fit was, and that the GG has a convenient pull-handle.

Here's a pic of the converter on top of an unmodified GG (the F-F slot on this converter was already flipped upside down, allowing for more clearance on top for the Fami cart to slide onto). This didn't look like it'd be hard at all.



After posting a request on DigitPress, a member over there came through with THREE empty GG shells for me to play with (which was a good thing, as I ended up ruining the first one).

So I went to work on the adapter itself. In these pics, the F-F slot has been ground down a bit, and the screw tabs have been cut (I left a little bit of them there for reference and to act as a 'stopper' while I worked on fitting it in the shell). Having the male adapter sunk completely into the F-F slot, the whole thing was just a bit too short to reach both the Fami cart and the cart slot on the NES, so I slid the two pieces apart just a tiny bit (2-3mm) and dumped on the hot glue.


Some test fitting. I wanted to make sure the cart would sit absolutely flush on top of the adapter, so leaving the cart plugged in (which is a tight fit) worked as an excellent guide for positioning everything.



Once I got the positioning correct, I was ready to seal up. Since I'd lost 2/4 of the stock screw holes (had to grind them down inside to make room for everything) I decided once again that the hot glue gun was going to be my savior. I would've never trusted this with just two screws holding it together, but now I could probably tow a car with it.

Final pics. I'll probably paint it eventually, but it's fine for now.





And a crappy pic of it installed. I couldn't get a decent pic of the NES in it's home, so I had to unplug it and pull it out. Yes, it works!


Thanks again to lovablechevy for the original idea. Now I can finally start collecting some Famicom titles!

(And yes, I know Tetris was available in the US also. I needed a cheap Famicom cart for fitting assistance.)

[lovablechevy]

yay! my guide finally came in handy for someone!

glad to see you branched out and did it your own way! great idea! that would make it usable in the original toaster!

[gumbyx84]

I gota say, this looks nice. Never knew about the Gyromite carts having a convert in them. Might just have to hunt one down at local retro shops and upcoming Anime Boston. Probably cheaper then buying an actual FC-to-NES converter. Your version is great for original NESs, but I like lovablechevy's design for top loaders (like the NES 2 or my Retro-Duo). Either way this is a great idea and something someone with little modding experience can do. Like me Here's hoping I can find a Gyromite cart and do this mod soon as I am currently on the hunt for Kyattou Ninden Teyandee (Samurai Pizza Cats) and Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffit.

Again, thanks for posting this (both of you). You have made my day just that much brighter.

[XCVG]

That's a great idea! Now if only I could get some cheap game genie shells...

[lovablechevy]

I gota say, this looks nice. Never knew about the Gyromite carts having a convert in them. Might just have to hunt one down at local retro shops and upcoming Anime Boston. Probably cheaper then buying an actual FC-to-NES converter. Your version is great for original NESs, but I like lovablechevy's design for top loaders (like the NES 2 or my Retro-Duo). Either way this is a great idea and something someone with little modding experience can do. Like me Here's hoping I can find a Gyromite cart and do this mod soon as I am currently on the hunt for Kyattou Ninden Teyandee (Samurai Pizza Cats) and Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffit.

Again, thanks for posting this (both of you). You have made my day just that much brighter.

just remember that not every gyromite cart has the converter. i gave links in my thread to sites that have helpful guides for finding one with the converter in it.

[gumbyx84]

I gota say, this looks nice. Never knew about the Gyromite carts having a convert in them. Might just have to hunt one down at local retro shops and upcoming Anime Boston. Probably cheaper then buying an actual FC-to-NES converter. Your version is great for original NESs, but I like lovablechevy's design for top loaders (like the NES 2 or my Retro-Duo). Either way this is a great idea and something someone with little modding experience can do. Like me Here's hoping I can find a Gyromite cart and do this mod soon as I am currently on the hunt for Kyattou Ninden Teyandee (Samurai Pizza Cats) and Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffit.

Again, thanks for posting this (both of you). You have made my day just that much brighter.

just remember that not every gyromite cart has the converter. i gave links in my thread to sites that have helpful guides for finding one with the converter in it.

I did check out the links, but the one to retroroots.com is dead.

Anyone know what other carts might work?

[lovablechevy]

I gota say, this looks nice. Never knew about the Gyromite carts having a convert in them. Might just have to hunt one down at local retro shops and upcoming Anime Boston. Probably cheaper then buying an actual FC-to-NES converter. Your version is great for original NESs, but I like lovablechevy's design for top loaders (like the NES 2 or my Retro-Duo). Either way this is a great idea and something someone with little modding experience can do. Like me Here's hoping I can find a Gyromite cart and do this mod soon as I am currently on the hunt for Kyattou Ninden Teyandee (Samurai Pizza Cats) and Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffit.

Again, thanks for posting this (both of you). You have made my day just that much brighter.

just remember that not every gyromite cart has the converter. i gave links in my thread to sites that have helpful guides for finding one with the converter in it.

I did check out the links, but the one to retroroots.com is dead.

Anyone know what other carts might work?

almost all of the original release games have converters. but they have to be from the first run. it is rumored that all copies of stack up have it inside. but it is more expensive.

here are some other helpful sites:

http://www.classicplastic.net/dvgi/edit ... nvert.html
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuse ... =430888746
http://www.famicomworld.com/Articles/NE ... erters.htm

[gumbyx84]

I gota say, this looks nice. Never knew about the Gyromite carts having a convert in them. Might just have to hunt one down at local retro shops and upcoming Anime Boston. Probably cheaper then buying an actual FC-to-NES converter. Your version is great for original NESs, but I like lovablechevy's design for top loaders (like the NES 2 or my Retro-Duo). Either way this is a great idea and something someone with little modding experience can do. Like me Here's hoping I can find a Gyromite cart and do this mod soon as I am currently on the hunt for Kyattou Ninden Teyandee (Samurai Pizza Cats) and Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffit.

Again, thanks for posting this (both of you). You have made my day just that much brighter.

just remember that not every gyromite cart has the converter. i gave links in my thread to sites that have helpful guides for finding one with the converter in it.

I did check out the links, but the one to retroroots.com is dead.

Anyone know what other carts might work?

almost all of the original release games have converters. but they have to be from the first run. it is rumored that all copies of stack up have it inside. but it is more expensive.

here are some other helpful sites:

http://www.classicplastic.net/dvgi/edit ... nvert.html
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuse ... =430888746
http://www.famicomworld.com/Articles/NE ... erters.htm

Thanks for the links. Will be starting my search this weekend at local retro game shop. Here's hoping I get lucky.