Nice vid!! With the “official” nes adapter from the five screw in order to avoid modifying the black part you can simply slide it off and flip it to the other side.No permanent modification necessary very early to flip back.
Wonderful explanation. Some of my long term plans are doing a better job with the Resistor mod for expansion audio i did on my NES, getting an FDS and a FDS to NES adapter
Thank you very much! FDS will get you much more mileage out of your NES for sure. Is the resistor mod worth it? I’ve read mixed reviews which is why I haven’t tried it yet.
@@retrogameattic it functions. There's better mods if my memory serves, I was less comfortable trying to do a more complicated soldering job and the other mods that I looked into at that time cost more money than I wanted to spend.
@@retrogameattic i feel more impressive though was figuring out how to do the same with my Famicom to NES adapter so that I could use my Famicom everdrive on my NES. Reminds me that I need to go back to Akumajou Densetsu and try to get my sub 30 min on Sypha's route.
Interesting. I didn't know about the different screws in the back. If I'm ever buying cartridges should I pay much attention to that? I really do like your channel. Your videos are entertaining and you break it down so even those of us that aren't as console savvy can get it.
I personally pay attention to the 5-screw games when game hunting since they're generally more sought after than the later 3-screw NES games. I usually snag 5-screw carts whenever I see them in the wild for a decent price as a general rule. I appreciate it brotha and I'm glad you enjoy the channel!
I was going to ask if it can work for Famiclone systems like the Retro Duo or other such models, but seeing as how you couldn't get a game loaded, I don't know if I want to take that chance. I am curious if I actually have one of those built-in cart adapters in one of my cartridges. You got yours from Pinball? UPDATE: So not only does my copy of Pinball have only three screws instead of the five screws that carries the adapter, but none of my screwdrivers are compatible with the cartridge screws. This is going to make my attempt to change the optical drive in my Wii very interesting.
I did eventually get F1 Race to load after a few attempts when the Disk System rotor wasn't making a ton of noise; it seems like more of an issue with my FDS more than hardware compatibility. I don't know for sure, but I would assume that it can work with the Famiclone systems if you have a properly-functioning FDS. Yes, I got my adapter from a 5-screw Pinball; I also have another adapter from a 5-screw Hogan's Alley. If you want to go third-party, the Hyperkin adapter works well. The 3-screw NES carts utilize security screws. Search for a "Nintendo gamebit screwdriver" on Amazon or wherever. I've seen double-ended screwdrivers with both the 3.8mm and 4.5mm bits so you'll be able to open NES carts and a variety of other consoles. Good luck and thanks for checking out the vid!
I was curious about the audio. The Famicom Disk System (Actually the RAM adapter but who cares) has an extra FM synthesis chip which used the audio in pin that didn't exist on the NES. So I was disappointed you muted all the games. I mean I could simulate it in Mesen but that's not as fun.
Interesting! I was unaware of the extra FM synthesis chip, I appreciate the heads up. I plan on doing a follow up video once I have my FDS running smoothly; I'll be sure to include some audio in there.
That's certainly possible, but the first side of the disk is read fine. It could also be the speed of the disk rotation motor. If the motor is too slow or too fast, the system will fail to read disks. The speed is controlled by a turnable thing. If you open the case of the disk system, you will find a round metal drum-shaped thing (in gold or silver, I can't remember exactly) with a small hole on its top (not at the center, but a bit to the side). The hole has a flap of soft, dark material that closes it from the inside. You can insert a small screwdriver, flathead I believe, that's used for the screws on glasses into the hole to turn a controller inside the metal thing to change the speed of the motor. The flap in the hole will yield and won't get punctured.
Thanks for the info! I ordered some replacement belts; I'll start there and move on to the rotation motor troubleshooting if the new belt doesn't help.
Thank you very much! The Famicom Disk System is a cool little piece of hardware for sure! They sold pretty well in Japan, with over 4 million units sold but I personally have never seen another one in the US aside from my own.
I've had that Top Loader for many years and want to keep it original. I wouldn't be opposed to modding another console if I ever stumble across one though.
I'm going to start simple with cleaning the heads & installing a new belt. If that doesn't rectify the issue, I'll check out the diagnostic ROMs and possibly adjust the disk rotation motor speed. Thanks for the suggestions and for checking out the video!
I reattempted loading the discs post filming and F1 Race Side B loaded after several attempts when the Famicom Disk System wasn't making a ton of noise. I think it's more of a hardware issue on my FDS rather than North American console incompatibility. I'm going to start with a replacement belt & cleaning the drive head on the FDS and go from there. Hopefully it's as simple as that but I'm not holding my breath 😆.
Kinda anticlimactic. Have any verification that its a issue with the disk system and not some undocumented incompatibility with North American systems?
I reattempted post filming and F1 Race Side B loaded after several attempts when the Famicom Disk System wasn't making a ton of noise. I think it's more of a hardware issue on my FDS rather than North American console incompatibility. I have a replacement belt on order and I'm going to troubleshoot my FDS in a later video. Hopefully I can get it running smoothly again and do a follow-up to this video.
Nice vid!! With the “official” nes adapter from the five screw in order to avoid modifying the black part you can simply slide it off and flip it to the other side.No permanent modification necessary very early to flip back.
Makes total sense! That was pretty dumb of me to not try that to begin with 😂. Thank you so much for the heads up and for checking out the video!
Dreaming about owning a Famicom Disk System… I have the same Hyperkin adapter and official adapter from a Pinball too.
Now try it with an original Nes front loading system.
Sounds a solid idea for an upcoming video!
Wonderful explanation. Some of my long term plans are doing a better job with the Resistor mod for expansion audio i did on my NES, getting an FDS and a FDS to NES adapter
Thank you very much! FDS will get you much more mileage out of your NES for sure. Is the resistor mod worth it? I’ve read mixed reviews which is why I haven’t tried it yet.
@@retrogameattic it functions. There's better mods if my memory serves, I was less comfortable trying to do a more complicated soldering job and the other mods that I looked into at that time cost more money than I wanted to spend.
@@retrogameattic i feel more impressive though was figuring out how to do the same with my Famicom to NES adapter so that I could use my Famicom everdrive on my NES. Reminds me that I need to go back to Akumajou Densetsu and try to get my sub 30 min on Sypha's route.
@@bedwablackburn Makes sense, thanks for the heads up!
Interesting. I didn't know about the different screws in the back. If I'm ever buying cartridges should I pay much attention to that? I really do like your channel. Your videos are entertaining and you break it down so even those of us that aren't as console savvy can get it.
I personally pay attention to the 5-screw games when game hunting since they're generally more sought after than the later 3-screw NES games. I usually snag 5-screw carts whenever I see them in the wild for a decent price as a general rule.
I appreciate it brotha and I'm glad you enjoy the channel!
Couldn't you just remove the NES part from the "adapter" in the Pinball game, turn it around and insert it on the other side? Or is it soldered?
Yes, flipping the adapter over worked! That was a pretty bad oversight on my part 😂. Good looks to you and another commenter who gave me the heads up!
@@retrogameattic Glad I could help!
I was going to ask if it can work for Famiclone systems like the Retro Duo or other such models, but seeing as how you couldn't get a game loaded, I don't know if I want to take that chance.
I am curious if I actually have one of those built-in cart adapters in one of my cartridges. You got yours from Pinball?
UPDATE: So not only does my copy of Pinball have only three screws instead of the five screws that carries the adapter, but none of my screwdrivers are compatible with the cartridge screws. This is going to make my attempt to change the optical drive in my Wii very interesting.
I did eventually get F1 Race to load after a few attempts when the Disk System rotor wasn't making a ton of noise; it seems like more of an issue with my FDS more than hardware compatibility. I don't know for sure, but I would assume that it can work with the Famiclone systems if you have a properly-functioning FDS.
Yes, I got my adapter from a 5-screw Pinball; I also have another adapter from a 5-screw Hogan's Alley. If you want to go third-party, the Hyperkin adapter works well.
The 3-screw NES carts utilize security screws. Search for a "Nintendo gamebit screwdriver" on Amazon or wherever. I've seen double-ended screwdrivers with both the 3.8mm and 4.5mm bits so you'll be able to open NES carts and a variety of other consoles.
Good luck and thanks for checking out the vid!
I was curious about the audio. The Famicom Disk System (Actually the RAM adapter but who cares) has an extra FM synthesis chip which used the audio in pin that didn't exist on the NES. So I was disappointed you muted all the games.
I mean I could simulate it in Mesen but that's not as fun.
Interesting! I was unaware of the extra FM synthesis chip, I appreciate the heads up.
I plan on doing a follow up video once I have my FDS running smoothly; I'll be sure to include some audio in there.
I bet you that it is the belt on that motor.
That's certainly possible, but the first side of the disk is read fine. It could also be the speed of the disk rotation motor. If the motor is too slow or too fast, the system will fail to read disks. The speed is controlled by a turnable thing. If you open the case of the disk system, you will find a round metal drum-shaped thing (in gold or silver, I can't remember exactly) with a small hole on its top (not at the center, but a bit to the side). The hole has a flap of soft, dark material that closes it from the inside. You can insert a small screwdriver, flathead I believe, that's used for the screws on glasses into the hole to turn a controller inside the metal thing to change the speed of the motor. The flap in the hole will yield and won't get punctured.
Thanks for the info! I ordered some replacement belts; I'll start there and move on to the rotation motor troubleshooting if the new belt doesn't help.
@@retrogameattic the belt is an easy replacement, and it is always in the back of my mind whenever anything with belts and motors are involved.
I'm not sure if the batteries you use are new or have enough power left. You can use a DC adapter if you have an extra one.
lets goooooooooooo dude I need a solution to this I wanna play old japanese famicom discs man they look so cool dude
If you follow the steps from the vid you should be good to go!
Nice expirimenting, I have not seen a disk system like that from Nintendo before. Are they rare? It looks cool 😎
Thank you very much! The Famicom Disk System is a cool little piece of hardware for sure! They sold pretty well in Japan, with over 4 million units sold but I personally have never seen another one in the US aside from my own.
I did that like 30 years ago on original Nes system. I can tell you that It works but not 100% compatible on every game.
also no special FDS audio
Appreciate the heads up!
You should RGB mod that NES.
I've had that Top Loader for many years and want to keep it original. I wouldn't be opposed to modding another console if I ever stumble across one though.
Clean the head on the drive & seek out diagnotic ROMs for testing. Hopefully your floppies aren't bad.
I'm going to start simple with cleaning the heads & installing a new belt.
If that doesn't rectify the issue, I'll check out the diagnostic ROMs and possibly adjust the disk rotation motor speed.
Thanks for the suggestions and for checking out the video!
Or just get a Famicom Twin, like any decent "retro" collector, no need to do create a new Frankenstein
It's alive! ⚡️⚡️⚡️
nintendo 32x
It does have some serious 32X vibes 😂
RF? Ewwwwww 😅
Definitely not ideal but I just can't mod my first Top Loader console 😂
@@retrogameattic i grew up with it and it was fine.. now I'm old and spoiled. Lol
Same here haha. Thanks for checking out the channel!
Why? 4 of my consoles only have RF.
The fault could be anything, bad drive, disks degraded, incompatibility with the North American hardware despite seemingly working at first.
I reattempted loading the discs post filming and F1 Race Side B loaded after several attempts when the Famicom Disk System wasn't making a ton of noise. I think it's more of a hardware issue on my FDS rather than North American console incompatibility.
I'm going to start with a replacement belt & cleaning the drive head on the FDS and go from there. Hopefully it's as simple as that but I'm not holding my breath 😆.
Kinda anticlimactic. Have any verification that its a issue with the disk system and not some undocumented incompatibility with North American systems?
I reattempted post filming and F1 Race Side B loaded after several attempts when the Famicom Disk System wasn't making a ton of noise. I think it's more of a hardware issue on my FDS rather than North American console incompatibility.
I have a replacement belt on order and I'm going to troubleshoot my FDS in a later video. Hopefully I can get it running smoothly again and do a follow-up to this video.
@@retrogameattic I look forward to the follow up if it happens then :)