Shop with good blank NES cartridge shells

[Myask]

Back on the original topic (separated to make split easy)

I didn't know there were so many color options on StoneAgeGamer. I would guess that most of the color options are painted. Especially with that stripe option.

The description of the gold options makes me think it's not just paint.

Am slightly disappointed that the actual "order just a shell" item hasn't got as many options (nor does it have the split-halves option).

[rainwarrior]

Am slightly disappointed that the actual "order just a shell" item hasn't got as many options (nor does it have the split-halves option).

Curious that the cart in the picture there seems to have a "Nintendo" logo embedded in it, along with "Patent pending, made in Japan"? Wondering if that's the actual product, or did they take a picture of a real NES shell as an example? And if not, did they somehow get hold of an original Nintendo mould?

[dougeff]

I don't think it was mentioned, but Retroscribe also sells empty NES cartridges...some interesting color choices.

http://www.retroscribe.com

I have not used them, personally, so I don't know any details of quality or usability.

[rainwarrior]

I don't think it was mentioned, but Retroscribe also sells empty NES cartridges...some interesting color choices.

I found a video review of them here. I'm wondering if they're the same as the ones Memblers makes? All of the details I can see look identical to those (i.e. flat back and placement of injection point, two notches on the top which none of the other 3 types I've seen have).

[lidnariq]

Curious that the cart in the picture there seems to have a "Nintendo" logo embedded in it, along with "Patent pending, made in Japan"? Wondering if that's the actual product, or did they take a picture of a real NES shell as an example? And if not, did they somehow get hold of an original Nintendo mould?

It's pretty easy to use a lost master casting method if you don't care about fine detail, as you can see in this picture.

the pirated SNES has softer edges, probably since the pirates made their mold from a real SNES. It's like photocopying, the fake is never as clear as the original. There are no shadows because there are no sharp corners, just rounded ones.

These molds scale fine to mass production. They'll just be ever-so-slightly off.

[rainwarrior]

Curious that the cart in the picture there seems to have a "Nintendo" logo embedded in it, along with "Patent pending, made in Japan"? Wondering if that's the actual product, or did they take a picture of a real NES shell as an example? And if not, did they somehow get hold of an original Nintendo mould?

It's pretty easy to use a lost master casting method if you don't care about fine detail

Yeah, but unless you're deliberately trying to counterfeit or violate trademark, it seems like it would be prudent (and easy) to file/sand off the Nintendo trademark while you're making the cast? I think it's strange that they left it on (unless it's a second hand original).

[Memblers]

If I was able to "go it alone" I would have done a unique shell design, but that was always out of reach for me because of the cost of the mold, plus I have zero experience with 3D modeling and mechanical design. But even if the cost wasn't an issue (keep in mind too you have to order A LOT of them at once to get a decent price, and if you go too long without re-ordering, they would rather scrap your mold instead of storing it for years/indefinitely), I imagine the interest in it would be near-zero because it wouldn't look like an NES cart. You could probably even show it at a classic gaming convention and people still couldn't guess what it is.

But yeah with these current carts being made, it was only possible because we got several people together to buy and co-own the mold, and I'm extremely grateful to those guys, especially Retroscribe who has organized everything and dealt with the manufacturer (which is more of a pain that you would think, even with all of us combined we're a small customer). Making cart shells for me is kind of a loss-leader type of deal, I probably wouldn't have made my own boards (at least not in the quantity I did) without being able to buy my own cart shells independently. Though I did have a very fair offer from RetroUSB years ago, I was never able to take advantage of it due my to my (non-existent) income at the time. Quantity solves everything, unless you're broke to begin with, haha.

So yeah, Retroscribe should be considered among the list of cart shell suppliers too, especially if you want more color options. Those too are the same as my cart shells.

DRW, I can get a sample to you, I'll send a PM.

[icemanxp300]

I know destroying games is frowned upon but you can't get any closer to original than... original. Fact is you can get so many nes games for $5 and under and with a hair dryer spend 30 seconds removing the label and another 30 seconds cleaning the adhesive off with goo gone and then clean with a sponge.

I would love to buy newer shells especially for snes but when prices are so much higher to buy just a shell, from a business or monetary standpoint, it is cheaper to just use old games.

Especially if you can use the boards as well. It cost way to much to use new parts unless you make everything yourself and massive bulk order. Shells, boards, all the components such as cic, resistors, caps, and so on. I clicked that one link "SAG" which had a nes shell for $10.99. Maybe you guys think that's ok but not happening for me. Sorry Ice Hockey, but you are losing your shell.

[Myask]

That's the high outlier, though; most are ~$5. INL's are $5@1 down to $4.375 @48, Piko's $6 @1 down to $1.85 (@10,000) and Retroscribe is $5 @1 down to 4.25 (@42).

And my local retrogame store has common NES titles at $10 a pop, so…

[icemanxp300]

And my local retrogame store has common NES titles at $10 a pop, so…

That's insane you must live in CA or something. In NY every game store near me has bulk bins for $5. Most of the time I sell lots on ebay they get purchased by CA. Even on ebay and sites like JJgames and such they have tons of titles for $5.

[FrankWDoom]

I like the retroscribe shells. I posted some comparison photos when they were getting started. I bought a bunch and am happy with them.