Open Source NES motherboard

[Redherring32]

Hey guys!
I just wanted to share something I've been working on.
It's a completely reverse engineered NES motherboard, schematics, manufacturing files, and a Bill of Materials (BOM).
Meaning you can assemble your own NES motherboards, or even use the schematic to make a custom board.
I've included some important info on some of the required parts in the readme, so please read though it.
I get a lot of questions regarding RGB etc, so to clear up any confusion, this will work with the Hi-Def NES, or the NESRGB just the same as an original board.

If you'd like to check out the project, you can do so through this link:

GitHub - Redherring32/OpenTendo: An Open-Source HardWare (OSHW) recreation of the original 1985 front-loading NES Motherboard

An Open-Source HardWare (OSHW) recreation of the original 1985 front-loading NES Motherboard - Redherring32/OpenTendo

github.com

If you have any comments or questions regarding the project, I'd love to here what you think!

 

[cta]

will require the use of an original (...) CIC Lockout chip to function.

What, do we really not have an open source reimplementation of that thing yet, after all those years, and having covered the SNES and N64 ones? What gives?

Edit: Well there's this, so is it just an issue of it not being a 1:1 drop-in replacement?

 

[Redherring32]

Haha yeah, we have an open source one for cartridges, but from what I understand that's only capable of key (slave) mode.
However you don't even need it technically, if you leave it out you just gotta wire up the reset button to directly pull the RST line low.

This does however have the downside of needing to reset after turning in the NES in order to initialize the cartridge, as the CIC normally does that automatically. (This is something I'm looking into fixing, so that we can ditch the CIC altogether with no downsides)

 

[Risk]

HOLY FISH

 

[Ice Man]

Very nice! I was thinking to do the same for me but never got around to do it yet.

 

[tdd233]

Nice project

 

[gizzi]

Awsome work, very nice

 

[Arcadia]

Is there any documentation about aftermarket CPU and compatibility?

 

[boardin27]

Thanks for making it and open sourcing it! This is definitely on my list of things to build. I’ve never sourced a BOM and printed a board so it should be a nice learning experience.

 

[discworld]

Nice work! how are you doing that? are you working in the electronic industry or are you made this as a hobby?

 

[Redherring32]

Before the pandemic hit my day job was construction, and I did woodworking on the side, I just did this as a hobby side project.
But for now until I can work again I work on stuff like this almost full time.

 

[GHFear]

I am going to be building custom mobos and nice looking cases like crazy now <3
Thank you man!
This is awesome!

 

[XBOX]

Krzysiobal... I knew that I heard it somewhere before hmm..