The project has been funded in the first few days

Dec 11, 2014 07:56 GMT  ·  By

How many of you still own the original Nintendo console? Of those, how many can’t use it anymore due to the dreaded blinking red light problems that apparently can’t be fixed?

Well, it looks like someone thought that people who own these faulty consoles should be offered the chance to revive them after so many years of inactivity.

It’s not like there aren’t enough consoles or gaming platforms that we can use these days, but the original Nintendo always had a special place in our hearts. For many, the original NES was the first console that introduced them to the world of gaming.

That can’t be forgotten and this is why the good folks over at Arcade Works have decided to help anyone with a NES that’s been affected by the blinking red light problem to eventually fix it and maybe start gaming on it once again.

At the root of this issue is a design flaw, which is certainly excusable given the fact that this was Nintendo’s first gaming console. Basically, the NES was shipped with a ZIF (zero insertion force) connection to make loading in a cartridge sideways much easier.

Unfortunately, over not so long time, the connectors of the ZIF would eventually give in due to constant bending of inserting and removing a game in and out the console.

The worst thing is that even if you, by any chance, find another ZIF to replace the broken one, that will only borrow you some time because the connectors will eventually break.

The replacement part needed to fix the issue is cheap and will be available next year

So, the solution found by Arcade Work is simple and implies the manufacturing of a new re-designed cartridge loading mechanism called Blinking Light Win.

It makes it easier to load games in their consoles and it also reduces wear and tear on the cartridge slot connector that allows the game to communicate with the system. The device consists of two parts, a dual connector PCB and a completely re-engineered loading tray.

In order to be able to mass produce the Blinking Light Win, Arcade Works need some funds to get them started. In order to help people who still own a broken NES and make their project happen, they have recently launched a Kickstarter campaign.

The good news is the $15,000 (€12.000) goal has already been met, which means everyone with an original Nintendo affected by the blinking red light will be able to order a ZIF replacement from United States.

If you want to pledge, then we urge you to head over to the Kickstarter page. Keep in mind that the final product will be released in March 2015.

Blinking Light Win (6 Images)

A broken Nintendo
The Blinking Light WinThe new loading tray
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