Just finished putting the V1.6 together. Kits weren't available yet, so I ordered the parts from Digikey, the exception being the 4mm 1µF cap, which I ordered from Mouser due to the reported delayed shipping time from Digikey (mouser# 232-50MH71MEFC4X7). Digikey is also out of the 2" molex cables that are used to connect the A/V the the power board, so i just ordered the 4" ones instead. also, there was a picking error on Digikey's side, and instead of a vertical molex connector (used to connect power from the power board to the motherboard) they sent some 12v coax amplifier device. the bag was labeled as a connector, but they must have just put the wrong thing in the bag, lol. it wasnt a big deal, and i just hardwired that side into the power board. obviously none of that is related to the Nesessity project or the seller, and buying the kit would avoid all of it.
Also, here is a link to a Digikey list if you want to automatically add everything to your cart: https://www.digikey.com/en/mylists/list/BTOEYPSVIL

The whole assembly, including desoldering the cpu and ppu from a dead NES took about 6-6.5 hours.

I've never put together a kit like this before (i do have years of soldering experience though), and i found it very relaxing and fun, like a Lego kit. there are no real instructions or build guides, other than obscure steps that you wouldn't know to do otherwise (like an smd cap on the bottom of the board), but the silkscreen is so well labeled that you just really don't need anything more than that. there are 4 surface mount components, including 2 ICs, a ceramic cap, and an LED. other than that, everything is simple through-hole joints. if boards are still available, you should definitely get one, its a blast to work on.

Hoang | July 22, 2023

Product arrives, Small issues, Worked Amazing

For CoolDeck v3 Heatsink Mount for Valve Steam Deck

This thing arrived within like 2 days of order, and I opened it quite excitedly, I bought a clear deck case to mod the cut, and it was suprisingly painless and easy to install, I got the countersunk screw version, and my only issue was the holes that were drilled out for the screws looks HELLA janky, it works doe, just strangely mangled looking, other than that, critical dimensions are good, and it is flat enough, although I'd prefer if it could be slightly flatter, (1500 grit with some polish would make this a 10 start product).

Ken | May 13, 2023

Fun project for making a famicom and nes system

For Super 8 bit v3.5 NES Compatible Game Console PCB

I wanted to build a famicom or nes with a upright cartridge. The old nes had many issues with carts not reading. The famicom was great but lacked composite, (I have a famicom a/v). Having a a 2in1 sounds like a great idea. I bought a couple of famicoms to use for the project. They are cheap to get compared to nes. The skill level for this project is intermediate level. I suggest using a desoldering station to remove chips from famicom. They are soldered though the board and difficult to remove if you are using just the old wick technique. I will eventually will build some sort of plexiglass case and use the add on board for the controller ports. I am using composite and no rgb though. It is good enough for me and if I wanted hdmi then i would just use an emulator.
The board is nicely labeled making installing the components with the correct polarity easy.
I am using 12v. I tried 9v and I could not get it to work. Original nes or famicom have different polarity and nes might be AC power FYI.
Couple of mistakes I made. I tried using the old ram but was not able to get it work. Never spent much time to investigate it though. The ram listed on the bom is cheap and easily found.
I did have a couple of questions and the designer responded to my questions.
Definitely recommended
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4SaLpzcGFo
A quick review of my board.

Kelly | April 1, 2023

Amazing for DIY enthusiasts!

For CoolDeck v3 Heatsink Mount for Valve Steam Deck

What a difference this thing has made on my steam deck! I can safely max it out without fear of long/short term heat damage and it's the best feeling ever.
Installing was a little intimidating but do-able. When lining up the hole to cut out of the back, I came about 2mm off because of the dowel play in the holes (could've used another reference point with the original). There are also more heat pads that come with the kit than the amount intitialy installed, and without a diagram to show were the extra goes (I used my imagination haha). I also used a 24mm wide cooler because the one listed in their video is even though they say 22mm. So needed to file the copper back a little to fit it.
At the end of the day it is the best thing I could have ever done to upgrade my steam deck! Thank you for providing such a great product!

Tracy | Dec. 27, 2022

Great ;)

For NESessity v1.6 Replacement PCB for NES Console

Had a little hiccup with the USPS 99% sure it was them but everything thing else was excellent and the seller work with me on getting the pcb to me

Daniel | July 31, 2022

Great replacement for the original

For NESessity v1.6 Replacement PCB for NES Console

This product is a great help for troubleshooting games and for other fun projects.
Would recommend to any gamers with the ability to do this product.

Chris | April 18, 2022

A great project that works great!

For NESessity v1.6 Replacement PCB for NES Console

I previously bought the V1.3 of the NESessity, and more recently the 1.4. Both are great, tons of fun to put together, and work reliably. It's nice to know I'll have two NES's with modern parts that will last me for years to come. (assuming the CPU and PPU hold out). I have put the NESRGB mod in both versions, and they both look great. I'm looking forward to getting some more so I can put them together for friends.

Miguel | Dec. 8, 2021

Great product, worked first try

For NESessity v1.6 Replacement PCB for NES Console

I bought this a while ago (v1.3) but I've just put it together last week.
It was pretty easy to build and the instructions were clear.
I had to look for some alternatives in components since some where out of stock but nothing major.
v1.4 shows some nice improvements, like the optional AV board for the NESRGB without cutting the case, but v1.3 included a nice board with a drilling template to properly align the holes for installing the 2 din connectors included in Tim Worthington's NESRGB kit.
I put together the NES with the stock composite video and it looked really good (for composite at least). Later I added the NESRGB. In order for the composite video generated from the NESRGB to work properly, you need to remove the 220uf cap and connect a wire to a specific and well marked point. I was experiencing an issue where I was getting some speckles in the picture, something unexpected since my PPU revision is G, one of the latest revisions and I only noticed with the NESRGB installed (for composite and RGB video). What I did to solve that was to remove the transistor located in the composite video circuit where I removed the cap. After that it works just fine. I got this idea because the Hi Def Nes solution had a similar issue when that transistor were left in circuit.
The only complain I have is the shipping packaging, a plain letter envelop that won't protect the PCB well. I was lucky to get it in one piece.
Overall, I'm very satisfied and I'm planning getting other later just because is so cool.

Lars | Oct. 29, 2021

Incredibly happy with NESessity

For NESessity v1.6 Replacement PCB for NES Console

Just finished this project and I have to say that NESessity is something I definitely do not regret that I bought. I have built NES motherboards more than once and NESessity was amazing to work with.

NESessity has a couple of extra features I really appreciate, such as when it comes to simple connections, brand new power AV board with "stereo sound" and Famicom friendly things like microphone. Yes, it actually splits audio channels to the left and right speakers, which I think was a fun feature.

Do I recommend this to other enthusiasts out there? Definitely!

If there is one thing I want to point out is that the shipment was not good. I was surprised that it was not broken when I opened the box. The PCB boards were in a box without any protection and they were completely loose. No bags, no nothing, just the cardboard box.

Steven | Sept. 30, 2021

Very pleased with this product

For NESessity v1.6 Replacement PCB for NES Console

I had seen the video from Long Island Retro on You Tube and immediately I had to do this. Understand I am pretty much a beginner with projects like this. I have modded a few Gameboys but nothing this big.
I went to order and it was out of stock so I joined the waiting list. I was then notified as soon as it was available and I immediately ordered it. Good thing too as I checked an hour later and it was sold out again.

I then took the BOM and ordered everything I could from DigiKey. Unfortunately in this time of a pandemic parts can be hard to come by. I ended up getting everything I needed but 5 parts. 4 of them I was able to find on Ali Express but the last one (Which was a 50k potentiometer) alluded me until DigiKey listed a part I could use instead of the original.

Having eventually received all the parts (The stuff from China took almost a month to get) I spent a week of evenings in my workshop soldering everything together.

Overall it was pretty easy and I am loving the results. This is probably the 1st project I have done that I didn't have a broken solder joint or reversed a capacitor. Everything went in perfect and it worked the 1st time. The display resolution is amazing (I'm using composite although I may mod it for HDMI at some point) and the sound is perfect.

This is a great product and I appreciate you all for coming up with it and selling it at an affordable price.

Tindie

Low Budget

Overall Rating:

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

All Reviews

Great Kit!

Product arrives, Small issues, Worked Amazing

Fun project for making a famicom and nes system

Amazing for DIY enthusiasts!

Great ;)

Great replacement for the original

A great project that works great!

Great product, worked first try

Incredibly happy with NESessity

Very pleased with this product