NES Toploader upgrades in 2022! Installing and testing Tim Worthington's NESRGB mod!

[@theshepdawg6809]

Great vid. Exactly the tutorial I needed. I’ve got a top loader and a multi-out ready. I’m just waiting for version 4 of this kit to be available in August and then I’ll give it a whirl. Edit: Success! Got my board in and successfully installed it. Thanks again for the video. Very helpful!

[@jonaszprzybycien6545]

It always baffled me that Nintedo decided to improve one aspect of the NES (toploading vs frontloading) but make the only output a standard that was already dying before that variant was ever released. Great video.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yeah it’s definitely a strange set of decisions, but at least now it can be fixed!

[@AmyNumberSeven]

@@LIRetroGaming IIRC it had to do with tighter profit margins. The AV Famicom was cost-effective because they only needed enough for Japan. The NES top-loader had to be cost-effective for 50 Japans.

[@trundlesaurus9681]

Getting away from the bulky front loading NES form factor was a cost saving move in itself, and reliability of the cartridge connector probably had very little if anything to do with it. They just wanted to squeeze a few more bucks out of the market before moving everyone over to the SNES. As for the lack of composite out, due to the economic boom of the 80s and popularity of camcorders, you could reasonably expect a Japanese household to have a TV with composite in. In North America though, RF was king probably until the 2000s, and most people there probably had no idea they were missing out.

[@RetroSho]

Great video! I've been somwhat leery of installing this mod, but only because of the singular palette. Hopefully it's not too difficult to change that palette via a USB Blaster.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes it’s not difficult and the default palette is firebrandx’s Digital Prime which is fantastic

[@RetroSho]

@@LIRetroGaming Awesome! That’s very good to hear. FBX has been a master of palettes for well over 15 years. I respect it! 😎 Perhaps I’ll get an NESRGB for my OpenTendo Build then 🤔

[@mduke2k]

@@LIRetroGaming great work! I wish the world have put jumper headers for the region switch and FirebrandX.

[@ScruffyLookinRGB]

@@RetroSho that is some fantastic news may have to grab that nes rgb board then😉👍👍👍

[@MrMegaManFan]

I love the selection of chiptunes you used for the soldering segments. #thumbsup

[@LIRetroGaming]

Thanks! I am a huge fan of the NES, C64, and any FM synth music from the 80s and 90s. This is the stuff that I listen to while I’m working on console mods

[@ScruffyLookinRGB]

I love me some nes rgb! My favorite mod of all i was also apprehensive about the new rgb board and its single pallet but after hearing about its default pallet has put me at ease. Love you mod videos keep up the good work👍👍👍😉

[@LIRetroGaming]

Thanks so much, glad that you enjoy the videos! And I have seen some of your excellent work on KZbin and Twitter as well!

[@ScruffyLookinRGB]

@@LIRetroGaming thanks man much appreciated! You make it look easy looking forward to your next mod

[@Urvy1A]

Just got a top loader this past weekend, I am thinking of sending it to you guys to mod it, as I don't have the stomach to do it myself.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Sure thing! Definitely reach out at 1uprestorations.com and I can help

[@dirtpipedan]

good morning from VT ❤

[@OMundodosRetroGames]

Man I LOVE the Top Loader NES, it's just a shame that it is rare in my country :(

[@RenegadeMeta1]

Great job buddy,! Always enjoy your content

[@LIRetroGaming]

Thanks so much!

[@sethallison5682]

My top loader, which I got new in the 90’s, has always had VERY strong “jail bars” It’s sort of just what I always thought the nes was supposed to be like.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Toploaders are notorious for jailbars, but this mod gets rid of them

[@PrettyBlueThings]

Very clean install, love it! :)

[@michael1234252]

I don't own any Nintendo consoles that pre-date the N64 other than the Gameboy DMG-01 and the Gameboy Pocket. But whenever I'm over at my Aunts house I like to play on the NES Toploader she has in her house. One of the best things about the Toplader I like is the "Dogbone" controller that was bundled with the Toploader. It just feels so much better in my hands compared to the sharp rectangular one that came with the original NES. Otherwise it's a good console.

[@LIRetroGaming]

That’s awesome! It’s definitely a great console to use and there are lots of great games on the NES

[@ryans6016]

Very nice man. Great stuff!

[@LIRetroGaming]

Thanks, glad that you enjoyed it!

[@IAmElectrospecter]

I just stumbled on this channel (recommended by the almighty algorithm) and I learned so much just from a single video! So many of my old systems are still in decent shape but currently unused because I don't have a "tube" TV anymore, and without mods (like the one in this video) or other solutions they look and play like trash on new TVs. This looks like the type of project I could definitely take on at some point. I really would love to get my SNES up and running on the big screen, are there similar mods? I'm guessing it would be mostly to adjust for input lag. Sorry for the huge comment! Also greetings from across the Sound, haha

[@LIRetroGaming]

Thanks, I’m really glad that you enjoyed the video! Fortunately for some consoles like the SNES, all you need are good cables like HD Retrovision component cables. From there you can use a device like the OSSC or the retrotink to get an amazing lag free experience on a modern display

[@scottb_02]

Retrotink/upscalers may not add lag but the modern tv will 😔

[@KyleBTech]

What temp did you use with the hot air when you removed the chip after desoldering? I'm always too paranoid about using heat near chips.

[@LIRetroGaming]

I normally use 350 degrees Celsius and that is a safe and reliable temperature

[@davidegalliussi1979]

and professional video quality also came to this Nes ..I have the feeling that you are going to make a mod with the Kawari Vic II for a C=64 scart rgb ..and maybe you show it on crt ..you'd be the first on KZbin

[@LIRetroGaming]

I would love to get my hands on the Kawari, hopefully some day

[@luiscortazar6291]

A year ago I had my Top loader AV modded. But it's the one with the 3 RCA Jacks on the side where the call sticker used to be. I'd like to get this mid, but I wonder if it's better if I get a new Top loader and sell my old one, or if I can get my current mod upgraded, fill in the holes with a body filler and put a sticker where the holes used to be.

[@LIRetroGaming]

It’s definitely possible to fill in those holes with something like bondo and then replace the sticker

[@dwightdixon8508]

FT job, 1Up & KZbin channel! It’s difficult for me to find time to paint my bathroom with just a FT job. I have a HDMI modded NES-101 & it’s fantastic. Such a great design but what was Nintendo thinking with only RF out?! BTW 1Up recently performed Triple bypass & cap replacement on my Genesis model 2, excellent results & highly recommend. I know 1Up is temporarily on hold but do you offer this mod on NES Top loaders? Like including the boards like you offer for the triple bypass? I’ve got a couple NES-101’s that I’m looking to have modded. I’ll have to check out once 1Up back online. Excellent work & vid!

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes, I definitely offer this installation service on the toploader. Thanks and I’m glad that you enjoyed the video!

[@rubenmejia4881]

Do you need special rgb cables like the snes jr or does the standard av multi out work fine? 🤔 I got a toploader laying around that I wanted to hi def nes it but I don't think it's coming back so this as a second option looks good.

[@LIRetroGaming]

This would work with the hd retrovision SNES component cables, or RGB SCART SNES cables

[@nickwalters6649]

Over where you order the nes rgb kit, there is a component board you can also purchase as an add on to the kit. Is there any benefit of this add on board compared to the regular nes rgb install? For example, is there less tv compatibility issues and/or can you do dual video output (hd retrovision and this other component connection) at the same time?

[@LIRetroGaming]

I normally don’t recommend that component video add on board, mainly because it works directly with standard component cables and therefore you need to drill 5 holes in the shell for those component ports. The hd retrovision cables are a better choice because you can get component straight from the snes multiout port

[@johnfinegan5934]

in your video of this last year you wired sound to come straight off the CPU, and in this one you wired it off the resistors on the board, which way is better or are they about the same?

[@LIRetroGaming]

It’s actually the same. Now I do it from the resistors only because it’s easier to make that connection. But the end result is 100% identical

[@chuckelator]

I have the AV Famicom and a Famicom Everdrive since I didn't wanna go through the hassle of modding a top loader. Haha!

[@LIRetroGaming]

Hey that certainly works too!

[@ShiggitayMediaProductions]

Another awesome mod! Also what did you do with the PPU? Was it reattached to the RGB board?

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes, it gets reattached to the socket on the NESRGB board

[@ShiggitayMediaProductions]

@@LIRetroGaming I had a feeling that's what you did. Okay.

[@johneygd]

I hope that 3D printed bracket will not wear out with age, i say this because i do sometimes wonder of those inventors behind those 3D printers actually do have studied the longterm effect of 3D printed objects,if that’s not the case,then we are may in for bad surprises later on with plastic wearing out in little pieces,so if i want to have my toploader modded,i rather want to have a smooth molded bracket in it rather then having rough sharp textured 3D printed, But apart from these sceptisems, great mod👍

[@LIRetroGaming]

My understanding is that the plastic is pretty durable. The good thing is that if it ever did wear out, a new part can always be printed to replace it

[@mc-xh2ek]

By chance would anyone know what could possibly be wrong with mine? So if I turn on device I get no picture or sound but the screen goes white , if I turn it off it goes back to noise with black background

[@LIRetroGaming]

Is it modded or stock? Are the games and the 72 pin connector clean?

[@mc-xh2ek]

@Long Island Retro Gaming stock and no , needs some cleaning.. just recently got into buying vintage gaming items , so trying to learn

[@jd213_]

still hoping for a restock or new revision of the NES HDMI mod

[@LIRetroGaming]

This mod will definitely be restocked in june

[@warioexpert]

Hey whats the best place to get ahold of you for a Job? I want to install an N64 Digital Kit onto my console.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Best place to reach me is 1uprestorations.com. I’m on vacation at the moment but I will be back in early May!

[@warioexpert]

@@LIRetroGaming Noted. Have a good rest of your Vacation!

[@CAPITANxMARVEL]

I love flix Fridays lol

[@John-ls1gp]

The only complaint I have and it has nothing to do with these kind of videos, is the fact that if I want to do this mod, I can not find any of the mods mentioned as far as the Tim worthington or the like. It’s really frustrating because I want to do these mods.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Right now it’s difficult to find any mods for sale, mostly because of the global chip shortage. I know that this mod will be available again in June. What I have learned is to keep checking the sites and eventually you will get them

[@retrogameroom9019]

hey just tried to sign up for notifications and the link 404d me. is that due ti=o site down

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes, sorry for that! Just send a message to [e-mail] and we can take care of that

[@iiiiii3673]

Does this require a special scart cable?

[@LIRetroGaming]

You can use a scart cable with csync or you can use hd retrovision component cables

[@JC-th5gc]

Bruh, I'll take those dogbone controllers ♥

[@LIRetroGaming]

I hear you, some people love those controllers. I just can’t get used to them

[@realbigtrees]

my right speaker is loud my left speaker sounds like its on the other side of the room

[@yeolemillinial8295]

ha, this one has a messed up trace it looked like almostwhere the AV famicom i commented that i RGB modded had. mine was on the audio line i had to fix when i got it though

[@LIRetroGaming]

I’m not sure what you mean

[@yeolemillinial8295]

@@LIRetroGaming oh it looked like a resistor leg was soldered on the bottom of the pcb to fix a messed up trace. Not something you did. It was just there

[@rafaelc7757]

How are you feeling lately?

[@LIRetroGaming]

Pretty good! I’m in Germany right now for a business trip and it’s great to be back in Europe again

[@will_it_work]

Dogbone controllers were an upgrade, not a downgrade.

[@LIRetroGaming]

I totally get that, I’m just really attached to those original controllers

[@scottb_02]

A & B buttons too far apart on the dog-bone

[@jakesmith5278]

This is pretty cool but the cost for everything is probably over $500. A good clone machine will cost less than half.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes, it’s true that it can get costly when you had add of this stuff up. Nothing wrong with emulation or other options to play NES games

[@KlingonCaptain]

90% of blue screens were a result of the lockout chip.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yeah that lockout chip is always annoying. Good that it’s not on the toploader