I’m still looking for a good source of OEM NES on a chips (NOAC) I’ve had several leads but nothing has completely panned out yet. What I’d really love is one or two evaluation units (that I’d pay for of course) so I could design a PCB before buying a large number of the things.

I have enough different datasheets now to narrow down which is the most common model… seems to be a SMT QFP – 0.65mm pitch – 100 pin 20x30mm. Called either a NT6578, SH6578 or UM6578, depending on manufacturer.

If I could find NOAC’s like these for $10 a piece (or less), I believe I could make portable NES clones the same as my NES Micro (with 2.5″ screen) for $200 a unit. I think these would sell fine, my goal would be to make 100 units. So if anyone can help, let me know!

Note: I don’t want links to IC wholesalers or anything like that – I could find those myself. I’m looking for people who may have access to them directly, and could possibly help with samples. Thanks…

You know it’s funny, the only “old school” game system I’ve ever made portable is the Atari 2600. Everything else I’ve done is a lot newer… Until now!

Yes that’s right, the classic Colecovision has now been made portable! While making it I remembered (or remembered how I forgot) how advanced it is compared to an Atari 2600, or even an Intellivision for that matter. Heck, its processor is quite a bit faster than a Nintendo’s even! Had the gaming crash not ended this console’s life who knows what might have happened?

Well anyway, if you’d like to take a look at the guts and read my typical “making of” shenanigans simply click here: Colecovision Portable Making Of. Enjoy!

Based off the response to my NES Micro, and the interest of old Nintendo consoles in general, I’d really like to make sort of cartridge-based NES portable to sell in the near future. Consider it a “sequel” endeavor to my Atari Phoenix earlier this year.

The basic idea is to make a “TV games” version, with built-in controls and battery but no screen. (Hooks to TV) This would keep the price down. Then I’d offer a “screen module add-on” that can be plugged into it to create a fully portable device. This module could also be used with future portables I build, thus keeping their cost down as well. Since the LCD display is always at least 50% of the cost when I build these things it’d be a big help if “one screen fits all”.

The big thing holding me up is finding the NES-on-a-chip (NOAC) to use. Many existing “TV games” units use these (which is why the “emulation” of their old games isn’t always accurate) but those are always non-reusable “glop top” versions.

However there’s a Novatek version called the NT6578, plus a Sino Wealth model called the SH6578. Both are the more typical, surface-mount style IC’s that would be easier to work with. They appear to be discontinued but there’s got to be some overstock floating around someplace. If I can find some I plan to design custom PCB’s around them for the portable.

If anyone has information on where to find a good supply (50-100 units) of these IC’s at a reasonable price, please let me know. A finder’s fee, likely consisting of a free prototype unit if the project comes to fruition, is definitely in the cards.