For those who have a soft spot for classic gaming, it’s no surprise that the expansion port on the NES never saw any official extensions. If you’re holding onto the NES-001 model and have always wondered about the possibilities that port holds, there’s some exciting news: RetroTime has unveiled the “NES Hub,” a Bluetooth-enabled gadget now available for pre-order through 8BitMods.
The NES Hub expands your classic console’s capabilities by introducing Bluetooth controller compatibility and enhancing audio support. Plus, it has its own add-on system. A notable add-on is the “SNES Add-on,” which permits the use of both wired SNES and 15-pin Famicom controllers on the NES.
You won’t have to wait too long, either; both the NES Hub and its SNES Add-on are set to be shipped in December 2024. The NES Hub is priced at $57.28, while the SNES Add-on comes in at $26.03. So, if you’re eager to fully deck out your NES setup, you’re looking at a total investment of $83.31, not including any taxes. With the NES Hub, you can connect up to four Bluetooth controllers simultaneously. And if you’ve got a modded NES that can handle Famicom games, the Hub opens up the Expansion Audio mode for select titles that offer more audio channels than the standard releases.
For those who might not be familiar, the Famicom, known as the “Family Computer,” is the original Japanese version of what we know as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Interestingly, the Famicom had non-gaming internet capabilities, like checking stock prices—a feature that placed Japanese gamers way ahead in the online gaming experiment. In the U.S., similar online gaming experiences didn’t come around until systems like the Sega Dreamcast and Microsoft Xbox.
As for Bluetooth, it became widespread much later, during the Seventh Generation of consoles, beginning with the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii in 2005. The NES was a third-generation console, with its release in October 1985 predating Bluetooth by a solid 14 years. So, finally seeing Bluetooth integrated into the NES—a step towards aligning retro hardware gaming more closely with modern emulation experiences—adds a nice touch to the nostalgia.
Clearly, this product caters to a very niche audience, and the price reflects that exclusivity. However, if you’re hunting for upgraded controller support for your NES, the NES Hub looks like the go-to solution for owners of the NES-001 model.
