A couple of weeks ago we shared a guide to build your own mini-arcade table, using a Raspberry Pi and several 3D-printed parts as a base. However, the market already offers miniature replicas of classic cabinets, with a collectible profile that is hard to resist. The difference is that enthusiast Taylor Burley decided to take the insides of a miniature, and reinstalled them inside a Nintendo NES controller, with the D-pad and main buttons working perfectly.
The Appeal of Miniature Arcades
Miniature arcade machines average 25 euros on Amazon Spain. Everyone agrees they are not particularly comfortable for playing, but if you place them on a shelf... they look great. From a certain point of view, these miniatures are a way to satisfy our nostalgic side, without the commitment of keeping giant cabinets at home. But there is something else, and it is their modding potential. Anyone can create a retro console with a Raspberry Pi (we've even explained how to install RetroPie to get started). Now, turning other objects into functional mini arcade machines... that is much more interesting.
Taylor Burley's NES Controller Arcade
And so we come to the project of Taylor Burley, who took a damaged Nintendo NES controller and turned it into the "new home" of the mini arcade. Taylor was inspired by a video made by Ben Heck, who confirmed that by creating bridges (technically 0-ohm resistors) between different contacts, the game changes. That means that with the help of an additional selector, the player will be able to access four titles: Pac-man, Ms. Pac-man, Galaxian and Space Invaders.
After removing all unnecessary parts to reduce the space occupied by the mini arcade, the next step was to disassemble the NES controller (they are not especially rare, quite the opposite), and modify its interior to make the D-pad and buttons compatible with the game controls. A good dose of Dremel, plastic glue and several components relocated on the PCB allowed him to finally "close" the controller, including the buttons to change games, and a battery charger.
The Result
I have no doubt that someone could design a PCB from scratch to make the inside of the controller look a bit "cleaner", but what matters is that the mod works, you don't need strange tools to carry it out, and as an extra detail, it's easier to play that way.
Access the project: Click here
