Remember those classic Nintendo wired controllers? They’re great, but what if you want to play on your NES from across the room? Enter RetroTime and their innovative NES HUB, a Bluetooth receiver that brings wireless gameplay to your favorite retro console.
You might have noticed the hidden expansion port on the bottom of the NES, usually covered by a plastic gray cover. While the Japanese Famicom version of the NES utilized this port for accessories like modems, other versions never took advantage of it. That’s where the NES HUB comes in.
This ingenious device, available through retro accessory store 8BitMods, lets you connect up to four wireless controllers to your NES. This is a major upgrade for the NES, not just because it removes the wired limitations, but also because it expands the player count from two to four. While not all NES games supported four players, accessories like the NES Four Score allowed for exciting couch co-op experiences in games like Bomberman 2, Gauntlet 2, and Jeopardy.
You can preorder the NES HUB for $57 with shipments starting in December. Installation is simple: remove the expansion port cover, plug in the HUB, attach the antenna to the back of the console, and you’re good to go.
The NES HUB isn’t just about wireless controllers. It unlocks hidden features like expansion audio, giving certain games access to more audio channels for enhanced sound quality. It also adds three more ports for other accessories, allowing you to expand your retro gaming setup.
For SNES fans, RetroTime offers an SNES add-on for the NES HUB, letting you use SNES controllers through one of the extra ports. This add-on costs $26 on 8BitMods and is also set to ship in December.
Want to configure your controls? Connect the HUB to your PC via Bluetooth and use the BlueRetro Config software through Chrome for personalized settings.
