Fans of retro gaming probably already know that the NES’s expansion port was never officially used. But for those who own an NES-001 model and have been itching to make use of that port, good news! RetroTime has introduced the “NES Hub,” a nifty gadget now available for pre-order at 8BitMods, which brings Bluetooth capabilities to the classic console.
The NES Hub is an exciting expansion that introduces Bluetooth controller support along with enhanced audio features to the NES. This clever device even comes with an optional “SNES Add-on,” letting gamers hook up wired SNES and 15-pin Famicom controllers to their beloved old console.
Set for release in December 2024, the NES Hub is priced at $57.28, while the SNES Add-on goes for $26.03. So, for the full nostalgic upgrade, you’re looking at a total of $83.31 before taxes. With the NES Hub, gamers can connect up to four Bluetooth controllers at a time. Interestingly, if you own a modded NES capable of playing Famicom games, the NES Hub enables Expansion Audio mode, allowing for extra audio channels in certain games that support them—quite the upgrade from standard Famicom or NES sound.
For those not in the know, the Famicom, short for “Family Computer,” was the original Japanese version of the Nintendo Entertainment System. Besides gaming, it had unique features like internet connectivity for non-gaming uses, such as checking stock prices—a far cry from what American gamers experienced until the likes of the Sega Dreamcast and Microsoft Xbox came around.
Bluetooth didn’t become a standard feature in consoles until the Seventh Generation, starting in 2005 with systems like the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii. The NES, part of the third generation, launched way back in October 1985, a good 14 years before Bluetooth’s debut in 1999. So, adding Bluetooth to the original NES hardware, aligning it more closely with modern emulation options like Nintendo’s Virtual Console or PC, is a welcome twist for enthusiasts.
This is undoubtedly a niche interest, reflected in the pricing. However, for those looking to enhance their NES controller experience, the NES Hub seems like the perfect fit for anyone with a compatible NES-001 model.
