The NES is a timeless classic. But in 2025, it’s time to take it up a notch by merging nostalgia with modern tech. Thanks to the vibrant community of modders and gaming enthusiasts, there has never been a better time to breathe some new life into this icon.
By enhancing the NES with new features, you can preserve its retro charm while improving video, audio, and overall performance. Let’s dive into the ultimate upgrades and mods to create a supercharged NES setup!
Video Output Upgrades
The NES was never known for its crystal-clear visuals, but modern mods can fix that.
• NESRGB Kit by Tim Worthington: This $99.98 mod delivers RGB output for sharper, more vibrant visuals. It’s a must-have for enthusiasts using CRTs or upscalers.
Fun Fact: NESRGB doesn’t just improve graphics; it allows palette customization, letting you tweak the game’s colour scheme to your liking!
• Hi-Def NES HDMI Mod: Want HDMI output? This mod offers pixel-perfect 1080p scaling and optional scanlines for that retro look on modern TVs.
Audio Enhancements
Bring the NES soundtracks to life with enhanced audio options.
• Stereo Sound Mod: Splitting audio channels transforms the mono output into immersive stereo sound. NES chiptunes have never sounded better. It requires some skill to do this, so not a simple plug and play option.
Expansion Port Sound Module (EPSM): Developed by Muramasa Entertainment ($50), the EPSM plugs into the NES’s unused expansion port, adding 15 new sound channels, including FM synthesis and rhythm channels. It uses a genuine Yamaha YMF288 FM Synth Chip and provides a 3.5mm jack for stereo output.
Performance Enhancements
Boost the NES’s performance for smoother gameplay.
• Overclocking Mod: Increase the NES’s clock speed to reduce slowdown in demanding games. This mod requires careful implementation to maintain system stability.
Storage and Game Access
Modernize game access with these solutions.
• EverDrive N8 Pro ($159): This flashcart allows you to load your entire NES library, including homebrew games, onto an SD card, facilitating easy access to your collection and reducing wear and tear on the console.
• Extended Famicom Converter ($40): Available in various colours, this converter enables you to play Famicom games on your front-loading NES. It supports Famicom expansion audio passthrough, enhancing compatibility with a broader range of games.
• Region Free Modification : There are a couple of options on how to do this, but you can do it with limited skills and unlock a number of other region games to be used on your NES.
Power Supply Upgrade
Ensure your NES has a reliable power source, the power supplies are not 30+ years old, so it might be a good time to upgrade them with something more modern.
• Modern Power Adapter ($11.99): Replace the original power brick with a modern, energy-efficient power supply to enhance reliability and protect your console.
• USB C Power Upgrade: Bring your power adaptor to the modern standard, this is a work in progress project but it should be a nice, modern upgrade for your console.
Controller and Input Mods
Enhance control options with modern peripherals.
• Wireless Controllers: The RetroTime NES Hub allows the use of up to four Bluetooth controllers, adding wireless functionality to your NES. It connects via the unused expansion port, requiring no soldering.
• Bluetooth Controller Adaptor ($24.99): Connect any bluetooth controller to your trusty NES, opening up a world where you are not tethered to the NES.
• 2.4G Wireless Controller ($29.99) Upgrade the originals with a more modern solution and add a couple of news buttons with the 8Bitdo N30.
Cartridge Slot Maintenance
Maintain game compatibility with these upgrades.
• Slotmaster 72-Pin Replacement ($40): This open-source project replaces both the 72-pin connector and plastic tray, allowing games to slide directly into a brand-new connector without the need to push down the cartridge.
• Cartridge Cleaning Kit ($14.99): Regular cleaning of your game cartridges ensures optimal performance and longevity. Blowing your cartridges is so 1990.
Online Connectivity
Bring your NES into the digital age with games that update online via wifi.
• Super Tilt Bro (€55): Super Tilt Bro is a demake of the Super Smash Bros. series compatible with the good old Nintendo Entertainment System from the 1980s. Featuring online play, thanks to a Wi-Fi chip in the cartridge!
Cosmetic and Physical Upgrades
Personalize your NES with aesthetic enhancements.
• Custom Shells (~$110): Choose from transparent, LED-lit, or themed shells to give your NES a unique look that reflects your style.
• LED Mods: Add LED lighting around buttons or inside the console for a modern touch.
Game Enhancements & Protection
Modify gameplay for a fresh experience.
• ROM Hacks: The NES scene is very vibrant and there are a huge number of ROM hacks that have breathed new life into old games. Check out this thread on Reddit for a good list of some of the best ones.
• Game Protectors (~$18): Nintendo decided that cardboard boxes were enough to protect games and through the years, these have not held up well. There are many options for game protection, from the cheaper plastic protectors, to the more premium acrylic hard shells. Naturally we are biased, but we believe the RetroShell protectors are the best you will find to keep your games in the best condition.
Upscaling and Video Enhancement
Optimise video output for modern displays.
• RetroTINK 5X-Pro ($325): This upscaler allows you to connect your NES to modern TVs with improved video quality, preserving the retro aesthetic, its not cheap, but It will give you a whole new dimension of how NES games can look on modern TV’s.
• Open Source Scan Converter (OSSC): An alternative upscaler for enthusiasts seeking high-quality video conversion. There are two versions, the OSSC Pro and the OSSC Classic.
Development Tools
Create your own NES games with these resources.
• NES Maker: Software that enables you to design and develop your own NES games without extensive programming knowledge.
• FCEUX Emulator: Test your games and mods on this versatile NES emulator before playing on actual hardware.
New Accessories
Expand your NES experience with modern peripherals.
• Modern Light Gun: There are now modern devices that work with modern TV’s so you can play Duck Hunt on your LED.
• Multiplayer Adapter: Accessories like the Four Score enable four-player gaming, perfect for multiplayer classics and some extended couch coop.
Homebrew Scene Integration
Engage with the active NES homebrew community.
• Community Resources: Join forums and websites such as NESDEV dedicated to NES development and modding to stay updated on the latest projects and releases. Here is a mostly complete list of home-brew games and developments.
So there you have my attempt of putting some of the available options to upgrade your NES experience with the best of what the internet has to offer in 2025. Have I missed anything? Let me know in the comments.
If you are a NES collector, and want to keep your aging games in the finest condition, protect them with a RetroShell. If you want to be kept up to date with all of the retro news, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter on Substack.
