Someone Finally Puts the NES Expansion Port to Good Use

The NES Expansion Port, a 15-pin connector located on the bottom of the console, has remained largely unused since the system’s release in the ’80s. While it was presumably intended for add-ons like the Japan-exclusive Famicom Disk System, no official accessories ever utilized this port in the NES’s lifespan.

Introducing the NES Hub

Fast forward to 2024, and hacker/modder RetroTime is looking to change that with the NES Hub, a homebrew accessory designed to unlock the potential of the NES Expansion Port. This plug-and-play solution aims to enable a wide range of applications, including:

• 4-player Bluetooth support, making the Four Score accessory redundant
• SNES controller support
• Famicom accessory support
• Ability to run various third-party devices and add-ons

Perhaps most exciting is the potential to integrate the Muramasa Disk System Cartridge and Disk EXP Adapter, a previous example of a device that utilizes the Expansion Port to play Famicom Disk System games on the NES.

RetroTime announced the project on Twitter, stating:

I’m very excited to announce what I’ve been working on in the background for quite some time: NES HUB:a product to utilise the potential of the commercially unused NES Expansion Port.Based on a new connector designed to fit perfectly into the Expansion Port.(1/3) pic.twitter.com/A46kNQpOtu

— RetroTime (@Time2Retro) March 15, 2024

https://twitter.com/Time2Retro/status/1768714004359151870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1768714004359151870%7Ctwgr%5E1e28883e4fde57013039bbf00c3a48a7e96ab141%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeextension.com%2Fnews%2F2024%2F03%2Fsomeone-has-finally-found-a-use-for-the-nes-expansion-port

Beta Testing and Future Plans

Currently, RetroTime is seeking more beta testers to continue developing the NES Hub, which has only been tested on a PAL NES console so far. The price of the device is still unknown and “depends a lot on the production cost of the connector.”

As the NES Hub continues to take shape, it will be interesting to see how this ambitious project evolves and what new possibilities it opens up for Nintendo’s classic console. For now, retro gaming enthusiasts can look forward to a future where the NES Expansion Port finally serves a purpose.