ToToTEK.COM

[PDP-13]

As you all have stated in other threads, a NES / Famicom Flash cart is exactly what you all want.

The trouble is in a nutshell the NES has too many mappers.

(A Mapper is a bit of logic that allows the nes to access more memory or add additional features. There are at least 100 known)

The only way to impliment so many mappers is to use a FPGA.
(A FPGA is sort of a 'programmable chip' it can be programed to emulate nearly any discreet silicon logic...including CPUs, ROM/RAM, sub-processors, ect...)

A fellow called Kevtris has reverse engineered 99% of all NES/ Famicom mappers, including the most complex MMC5 as well as many other rare and unusual mappers.

The thread:
http://forums.cherryroms.com/viewtopic.php?t=3618

His project is actually a full NES console on a chip, and since its FPGA baised the system can be reprogrammed to be virtually any other Console.
(note: this is NOT emulation, but actual hardware that simulates a NES PERFECTLY.)


My point is, that the VHDL (the 'code' that runs the FPGA) could be altered slightly to remove the CPU and other components of the NES.
Thus leaving only the mappers which reduces the cost greatly.
(the current prototype's cost is in excess of $350 US.)

A universal NES Flash cart could then be made from a cut down FPGA-mapper core, and some Flash memory (CF/ SD / ect...).
And this card is reprogramable, if any other mappers are discovered not to work or work incorectly the cart can simply be reprogramed.
Virtually a perfect solution, the cost might be high ($~100?) but something is better than nothing right?

BUT this whole thing won't happen without some support (especially monetary!), So Tomy and friends take a look. Kevtris answers questions, but try not to flood the topic anymore than it already is.

[rbudrick]

Yes, I already mentioned this to the boards recently in another thread. Thanks for the update. This was discussed on the digitpress.com/forum, and I brought up the idea of Tomy getting involved. I think he would be an excellent potential partner in this.

-Rob

[PDP-13]

Well then, uhm keep spreading the word.

(I gotta convince KH to get a better website...with a forum...)


Also consider this:

Most solid-state electronics will last 20 years. (and some tough devices have been running even longer!)

NES's and Famicoms while incredibly popular will not be around forever, even with that new '93 batch. Things wear out, break down or suffer from fatal power spikes. Shure the clone NES units are around but they arn't exactly high quality...

The Kevtendo while expensive, could become much cheaper with mass production. That $350 price would drop pretty substansially if 1000 consoles can be made. Tomy has already manufactuered similar items, mind you the flash carts are not nearly as complex or as expensive as the Kevtendo. But with an investor I belive it could be done.

Think of it, the first console BY the gamers FOR the gamers.

[rbudrick]

Even at $350, the demand for these would certainly bring in a large # of sales. I'd buy one.
-Rob

[Jagasian]

Have Tomy and Kevin contacted eachother yet?

[rbudrick]

Not sure, but I believe that Tomy mentioned in the Cherryroms forum that he couldn't make these betterthan Kevin is doing, but he wouldn't mind the chance to sell them. Nothing firm, as far as I can see.

-Rob

[DjoeN]

if it's a nes flashkit , and the price would be $300, well i'll dig up that to for it (not that i'm rich but i have a little budget i gathered from selling console stuff (buy on second hand markets and sell on e-bay )

So, if a Nes kit would be released this year i'll buy it and move the psp on my wanted list to next year or later even

(unless a DS flashkit comes first )

[FloBo]

Ahhh! An NES-flashkit would really be a great idea. There would be no problem to play Grandtheftendo on the real thing then.

Tomy: produce this thing. And also sell the NES-devtendo-system! I will buy!^^

[kyuusaku]

It would still be a problem to play Gran Theftendo since Brian is making up his own MMC.

[Jagasian]

[kyuusaku]

You shouldn't have gotten yourself so pumped up in the first place! :D About using Brian's MMC, who really knows? He could end up making some rediculously complex device or it could just be a moreso flexible MMC3/5. If he decided to go the microcontroller route (I don't think he mentioned this, but that was Memblers' Squeedo route) that wouldn't be so feasible on Kevtris' console.

[Jagasian]