NES and SMS Expansion port tips?

[Logan Jones]

I've noticed that the NES and SMS both have expansion ports on their undersides, and I wondered, what could they be used for? I found out the NES exp port could be used for an ENIO exp board, a device that allows for expansion audio from Famicom games like Akumajou Densetsu. I was wondering, what devices could the ENIO exp board work with to get expansion audio in specific games?

I also knew that the SMS exp port, (on specific models) could connect to Tim Worthington's FM sound expansion board. However, in order to get a compatible board, I need to know what model my SMS is. Mine is an NTSC model, but I don't know which one. Does anyone know how I could figure out what model type my SMS is to get the right FM exp board?

Thanks.

[FinalBaton]

The NES expansion port cover is great for storing your weed when you're still living with your old folks

[SavagePencil]

I've noticed that the NES and SMS both have expansion ports on their undersides, and I wondered, what could they be used for? I found out the NES exp port could be used for an ENIO exp board, a device that allows for expansion audio from Famicom games like Akumajou Densetsu. I was wondering, what devices could the ENIO exp board work with to get expansion audio in specific games?

I also knew that the SMS exp port, (on specific models) could connect to Tim Worthington's FM sound expansion board. However, in order to get a compatible board, I need to know what model my SMS is. Mine is an NTSC model, but I don't know which one. Does anyone know how I could figure out what model type my SMS is to get the right FM exp board?

Thanks.

Assuming you don’t need a place to store your weed—and it’s OK if you need to take a moment on that—it was my understanding that you’ll use the same FM board but just solder the connections differently based on the specific SMS 1 motherboard.

[Logan Jones]

I've noticed that the NES and SMS both have expansion ports on their undersides, and I wondered, what could they be used for? I found out the NES exp port could be used for an ENIO exp board, a device that allows for expansion audio from Famicom games like Akumajou Densetsu. I was wondering, what devices could the ENIO exp board work with to get expansion audio in specific games?

I also knew that the SMS exp port, (on specific models) could connect to Tim Worthington's FM sound expansion board. However, in order to get a compatible board, I need to know what model my SMS is. Mine is an NTSC model, but I don't know which one. Does anyone know how I could figure out what model type my SMS is to get the right FM exp board?

Thanks.

Assuming you don’t need a place to store your weed—and it’s OK if you need to take a moment on that—it was my understanding that you’ll use the same FM board but just solder the connections differently based on the specific SMS 1 motherboard.

Ah. Okay, thanks for that info. However, how can I find out what motherboard I have?

[SavagePencil]

You’ll have to open it up. IIRC, you’ll be able to quickly tell by comparing to the photos and descriptions here: http://etim.net.au/smsfm/smsfm.html

[Logan Jones]

You’ll have to open it up. IIRC, you’ll be able to quickly tell by comparing to the photos and descriptions here: http://etim.net.au/smsfm/smsfm.html

I looked up online and found out that my Master System is a MODEL 3010-A. Upon bootup, it says "SEGA 1988" and has Hang-On and Safari Hunt built in.

Here's a pic: https://segaretro.org/File:SMS_US_Box_Front.jpg

Those pics are too confusing for me to figure it out, but I suspect it's just an NTSC SMS. What do you think?

[Logan Jones]

The NES expansion port cover is great for storing your weed when you're still living with your old folks

Heh heh. Seriously, though. Are there any devices that allow one to play Famicom versions of games on NES hardware in tandem with the ENIO to get expanded audio?

[SavagePencil]

I looked up online and found out that my Master System is a MODEL 3010-A. Upon bootup, it says "SEGA 1988" and has Hang-On and Safari Hunt built in.

Here's a pic: https://segaretro.org/File:SMS_US_Box_Front.jpg

Those pics are too confusing for me to figure it out, but I suspect it's just an NTSC SMS. What do you think?

Open it up, take a picture of the motherboard, post it here. I have two SMSes that look identical from the outside, run the same BIOS, but they're two different variants of motherboard.

[Logan Jones]

I looked up online and found out that my Master System is a MODEL 3010-A. Upon bootup, it says "SEGA 1988" and has Hang-On and Safari Hunt built in.

Here's a pic: https://segaretro.org/File:SMS_US_Box_Front.jpg

Those pics are too confusing for me to figure it out, but I suspect it's just an NTSC SMS. What do you think?

Open it up, take a picture of the motherboard, post it here. I have two SMSes that look identical from the outside, run the same BIOS, but they're two different variants of motherboard.

Here are some pics of the motherboard:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/s8rjvhdrhxysc ... 7.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/er3mpjosrjbaw ... 8.JPG?dl=0

[SavagePencil]

You have the “NTSC SMS”.

[Logan Jones]

You have the “NTSC SMS”.

Alright! Thanks!

[thebigcheese]

The NES expansion port cover is great for storing your weed when you're still living with your old folks

Heh heh. Seriously, though. Are there any devices that allow one to play Famicom versions of games on NES hardware in tandem with the ENIO to get expanded audio?

I have been doing some research on this lately (you can read my Reddit thread with some relevant info here: https://www.reddit.com/r/retrogaming/co ... d_for_nes/). You can actually get the expansion audio without the ENIO, you just have to do a little extra wiring. How exactly you need to wire it depends on whether you have a frontloader or a toploader. You would also need to do some minor modifications to the Famicom to NES adapter (something like this: https://www.estarland.com/product-descr ... pter/55045). After that, you should be able to get expansion audio. The basic gist of the mod is that you are rerouting the expansion audio to an unused pin, using some resistors to get the level balanced, and then connecting that to the audio out in parallel with the regular audio out. Relatively low effort mod. If I end up doing it, I will probably make a video.