geekosystem

Emulation is a great way to get your jones when you’re really fixin’ for some old-timey goodness. But while it’s incredibly easy to download an emulator on your computer, it’s not quite the same; there’s no console and no controller. Redditor woolydawg5‘s Ultimate Nintendo Gaming Machine solves those problems. Built into an original NES, woolydawg’s device is actually a computer that can emulate the NES, SNES, Game Boy, and the N64. For extra fun, it also supports the original controllers, so you can get that authentic feel, even when it looks like you’re playing Super Mario 64 on an NES.

Obviously, it’s a custom unit, so if you want one of your own, you’re going to have to build it. On the other hand, you can just salivate over this one. Check out more pictures below, complete with comments from the architect himself.

1. No. 1 | 1

   

   "Emulator built to look like an un-modded classic NES video game console."

2. No. 2 | 2

   

   "Flipping the top reveals a plate I built with ports for N64 and SNES controllers. There's no better way to play a game than on an original controller."

3. No. 3 | 3

   

   "Another angle of the NES emulator machine."

4. No. 4 | 4

   

   "I needed access to the ports on the motherboard and usb slots so I cut a hole for the motherboard panel. All of those wires are USB to controller socket interfaces. I would rather not have those wires but since I don't have the equipment to reroute the USB ports there was no way to keep it all concealed inside. I also didn't want to risk ruining a perfectly good motherboard. The slots cut on the left are exhaust holes for the power supply."

5. No. 5 | 5

   

   "Yes, the wifi works. I have it set up so that I can remotely access the system from my laptop if I ever need to make changes to settings and such. This way I never have to connect a mouse or keyboard to the console itself."

6. No. 6 | 6

   

   "This is the bottom of the NES. Nothing too special about it, I cut a hole for an intake fan as well as needing to remove some plastic to fit the power supply. I wanted to do as little external modification as possible in order to maintain the classic look of the system."

7. No. 7 | 7

   

   "This shows the power on and controllers plugged in. The SNES controllers just barely fit in the small space, it's not perfect but it works. Also anyone who has had a NES knows that the LED should be red not green, unfortunately the original LED was broken and this one came with the motherboard. On another note, you may notice that the system is on but the power button is not pressed in. Unfortunately I had to remove the mechanism that "clicked" the power button because it constantly reset the motherboard when pressed in."

8. No. 8 | 8

   

   "This is the first screen that comes up on boot up, I'm using a Zotac motherboard (obviously) so this branding image is unavoidable. However, it is only shown for a couple of seconds."

9. No. 9 | 9

   

   "This is running a modified version of Windows 7 so I changed the boot screen to enhance immersion. The "N" spins until the system boots. Also, I know that this is a N64 logo not an all encompassing Nintendo logo but I really don't care."

10. No. 10 | 10

    

    "This is a clearer shot of the boot up. Sorry about the smudgy T.V."

11. No. 11 | 11

    

    "I thought this picture was cool so I used it as the welcome screen... Not much else to say about this one."

12. No. 12 | 12

    

    "The console boots right into the MaLa frontend I'm using for the games menu which is controlled by a NES controller. The picture is a bit blurry but the systems there are, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo 64, and Gameboy."

13. No. 13 | 13

    

    "Selecting the Nintendo 64 option will bring you to the games menu. Every game for every system shows a picture of the box art as well as a picture of the cartridge itself (just in case future generations play this and need to be reminded of what a cartridge looked like)."

14. No. 14 | 14

    

    "A close up of the Mario Party 2 Cartidge."

15. No. 15 | 15

    

    "Both the Box art and the Cartridge"

16. No. 16 | 16

    

    "Hitting the "A" button will launch the game into full-screen with all of the details and options and stuff already set up. Pressing select and start at the same time on the NES Player 1 controller will close the game and bring you back to the menu."

17. No. 17 | 17

    

    "This is a picture I took of me with the NES emulator machine just to have proof that this is my build. Exiting the MaLa Frontend will automatically launch a windows explorer window so that work may be done on the system if needed. If there is any demand I will gladly post an album showing the build process, all of the insides as well as technical specifications. Thanks for looking! Also, if anyone lives in Ann Arbor, I will be living in Stockwell - please feel free to drop in and play some games to test this out for yourself!"

(imgur via reddit)

Relevant to your interests

• NES briefcase
• NES lunchbox
• Album on an NES cartridge