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Well-known member
PCH1-01-CART the Playchoice to NES Cart Adapter
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Features:
1. Supports playing NES games on a Playchoice PCB (See Notes 3 and 4)
2. Supports PowerPak (See Note 5)
3. Supports Extra Audio Channel when used with the PowerPak. Some Famicom games supported extra audio channels that the NES counterparts did not support. Using something like the PowerPak, you can now play those extra sounds with this adapter. The Extra Audio Channel has it's own volume control on the adapter so that the user can tune to their liking.
4. Supports Playchoice games on the Playchoice PCB while using this adapter. (See Note 6)
Notes:
1. A modified BIOS is required to use this adapter.
2. The pitch on the Cart connector is slightly different compared to the NES. The NES used a 2.5mm pitch part, which I don't believe is made anymore, and this adapter uses a 2.54mm part. I haven't had any troubles to date. If there is enough interest, I have designed and can make an adapter, but the user would have to desolder a connector off of a NES Game Genie to use it.
3. Not all NES games have been tested. It is possible some don't work. A list of tested carts will be listed in another post.
4. Clean your carts before using this adapter. Dirty carts may not work and will transfer that dirt to this adapter.
5. The PowerPak is not perfect and not all PowerPaks, Playchoice Motherboards, or NES Units are the same. Finding the perfect mappers for your system is up to you. Just like on some NES Units, some chips may need to be replaced to increase compatibility with the PowerPak. A small capacitor is included in the kit for the PowerPak to increase compatibility with certain games. Some PowerPaks may not need this capacitor. The capacitor can also be installed on the back of this adapter if needed.
6. Not all Playchoice games have been tested while using this adapter. It is possible some will not work while using this adapter. The user may also need to set the PowerPak back to the PowerPak Title screen before playing other Playchoice games.
Installation:
1. Install the NES cartridge into the adapter securely
2. Install the NES cartridge and adapter onto the Playchoice PCB
Adjusting Volume:
1. Turning the Volume Pot clockwise increases the "extra sounds" volume. Turning the Volume Pot counterclockwise decreases volume.
Mounting:
1. The Adapter was designed so that the NES cartridge is slightly larger then the Cart Adapter on one side. This allows the user to install a screw or bracket onto the side of the Playchoice PCB holder to keep the Cart level which will lessen wear on the Playchoice NES Cart Adapter.
Other Notes:
1. During testing, one Playchoice Motherboard PCB required a component change for compatibility with some games when using a PowerPak.
2. The Playchoice PCB upgrade note from Nintendo will need to be done for Dual Monitor PCBs to use certain games.
As a last minute decision, I've decided to try and release a few of these in a DIY kit form before I go out of town. My goal is to get the adapter into a few more users hands and hopefully they will have some feedback when I return. Assembly instructions will be sent and it is a pretty easy kit to assemble. When I return I'll have a few more kits available. After the kits are gone and if there is interest in the adapter, I'll do a fully assembled run.
The kit is $60 shipped. I have 1 adapter that I assembled that I will sell at $65 shipped if you have some NES carts and a modified Playchoice BIOS already.
I'd like to sell the first few kits to people who are actually going to assemble the kits and try it out. If you feel like saving a few $$ compared to the fully assembled run, don't need a lot of hand holding, and/or can be a bit patient while I'm out of town for about a week then this may be a good solution for you. Also, I'm just one guy, not a business, and I don't offer 24 hr support. I don't always respond to PMs right away even if I read them, but feel free to PM again within a couple days as a reminder.
If there are any questions, typos, or things in this post that are unclear or potentially misleading please let me know.

