A whole new 72-pin fix

[KalessinDB]

Cutting to the chase: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/113891498/blinking-light-win-resurrecting-your-nes

Those of you who'd rather read here than there:  Complete 72-pin replacement for the NES that makes it similar to horizontally-loading arcade systems like the Neo Geo or PGM -- instead of the ZIF socket and pushing down, there's 2 different sockets, one for the motherboard one for the game, and a daughter board between them.  The plastic housing in the NES that had the springs for pushing the game down and up again is also replaced, so that the game just goes in straight and that's it.  This should be a permanent fix for the issue with 72-pin connectors wearing out.

Quan of Arcade Works is fairly well known for his Omega CMVS.  This has been up 5 days and has over $14k of $15k raised -- he is going to crush the goal.  Anyone who wants a permanent fix for their NES, I'd get in on this, $20 is cheap (yes, the shipping is kinda pricey, but when you remember he's sending you the new connector and the plastic housing as well, you realize it's gonna be a kinda big box).

Just spreading the love!

[shenske]

Very interesting, i'll have to do some research on this. My NES still works like a charm so i don't need it at the moment

[TDIRunner]

That is exactly what I had in mind as a permanent fix for the 72 pin issues.  I could never understand how no one had made something like this yet.  So you won't push the game down anymore?  Just insert it and power on?  I have no problem with that.

I'll think about it as well.  For me, ever since I modified my Game Genie to fit permanently in my NES, I've never had any issues with my NES games.  All of my games work on the first try.  I realize the Game Genie bends the pins even more than a normal game, but if i never plan to remove it, I figure it doesn't matter. 

[KalessinDB]

Correct, TDI, just insert and power on.  For the purists amongst us, if you close the flap you can't even tell there's a difference.

Y'all have until just after the new years to debate, there's 31 days left on the KS.  Though seeing as Quan's already got a storefront for the Omegas, I'm sure they'll continue to be available after the initial run -- just possibly more expensive.

I'm curious as to what, if anything, he comes up with for stretch goals since like I say he's going to crush it (under $800 to go)

[TDIRunner]

For $20, I don't see why I won't get one.  I might not install it right away, but it would be nice to have in case my fix with the Game Genie ever gives me problems.

Someone in the comment section asked if they were going to do some type of 60 pin converter option.  Now that's an idea.

[wiggy]

Backed.  Drop in the bucket for something so perfectly simple and genius.

[Moviefan2k4]

If they can get these made quickly (like in the next 3 months), I'll buy three for the NES systems I have in a box (never got around to replacing the connectors). It sounds like a very inventive solution, to the point I'm surprised Nintendo didn't come up with it 25 years ago.

[KalessinDB]

He's projecting March for delivery, and while many Kickstarters go long, with his background I expect him to be pretty accurate about it.

As to Big N's decisions... you gotta remember it was right after the big crash of '82.  They were trying as hard as they could to make the NES look like anything BUT a gaming system, the push-in/push-down thing was intentional.  They surely knew it would cause more stress on the connectors, but wanted to make it look different... The Famicom was just a standard cart connector after all!

[Moviefan2k4]

I know all about the history of the NES, but my point was regarding why Nintendo didn't offer a similar replacement part once people's systems started malfunctioning. The original connectors wouldn't have lasted more than 2 or 3 years, so they'd have heard about the complaints by 1989 for sure. The Model 2 NES didn't show up until '93 I think, or maybe even '95...and they wound up stripping AV input on that.

[wiggy]

If they can get these made quickly (like in the next 3 months), I'll buy three for the NES systems I have in a box (never got around to replacing the connectors). It sounds like a very inventive solution, to the point I'm surprised Nintendo didn't come up with it 25 years ago.

$$$

that's your answer.

[razielleonhart]

nice idea and here i just replaced the pins on my NES

[Ozzy_98]

I might get one and not use it, just have it as a spare.  I've never had a set of pins I couldn't fix, and I have a pretty good set of pins now.  I'm also one of the lucky ones who bought replacement sets of pins years ago when someone made them to spec, none of this crunching metel scraping noise with newer pins.

[wiggy]

I might get one and not use it, just have it as a spare.  I've never had a set of pins I couldn't fix, and I have a pretty good set of pins now.  I'm also one of the lucky ones who bought replacement sets of pins years ago when someone made them to spec, none of this crunching metel scraping noise with newer pins.

May as well. They're only 20 bucks, and who knows how long they'll be on the market. You know how little niche products like this are. One day you can get em with two mouse clicks, the next they're being trickled out on NA at 5 times the price becuase the supply dried up

I don't "need" one at this point, but I definitely think having a couple sitting around is worth 40-50 bucks

[e_brugal]

I get nostalgic on this, I like to have everything in original condition, having to push down the cartridge on the nes. I don't need one and I hope no to need one, but it makes me think if some day I need a new pin, what I will prefer, a crappie look a like original pin or this. 

I'll have to think this

[palmer6strings]

I think I may have to back this.