NESmaker Hardware Tools

NESmaker is a software tool built by the New 8bit Heroes for creating brand new, hardware playable, cartridge based games for the Nintendo Entertainment System...without having to write a single line of code.

There are two parts to NESmaker, the required software and the optional hardware.

The software must be aquired from The New 8bit Heroes team. This software generates a digital .nes file which can be played on any compatible emulator.
If you would like to take the digital .nes file generated by NESmaker software and play it on a physical cartridge, you must separately purchase the INLretro USB programmer & cartridge further down this page.

$63 NESmaker Kit - Hardware only - purchase includes:

INLretro USB Programmer with NES connector only
1ft (30cm) USB cable
New grey ABS NES cartridge shell and screws
Mapper 30 NES circuit board (72pin) designed for NESmaker

Works in all original NES consoles and should work on most clone consoles
Does NOT work on 'software emulation machines' like the retron5
512KByte PRG-ROM (32 banks of 16KByte program ROM)
Supports mapper 30 flash saves so passwords are not needed to save game play progress
32KByte CHR-RAM (4 banks of 8KByte character/graphics RAM)
Support mapper 30 bankswitching animations
Multi-region CIC, default when shipped is NTSC. If you have different region NES the first time you must press reset several times until power light stops blinking. Last known working region will be saved by the CIC for next power up. CIC region can be changed again with same process at any time.
Includes our "software mirroring switch" so mirroring can be toggled between Horizontal & Vertical without opening the case. INLretro programmer sets mirroring while flashing the board.

$22 NESmaker "refill" cartridge purchase includes:

New grey ABS NES cartridge shell and screws
Mapper 30 NES circuit board (72pin) designed for NESmaker

Works in all original NES consoles and should work on most clone consoles
Does NOT work on 'software emulation machines' like the retron5
512KByte PRG-ROM (32 banks of 16KByte program ROM)
Supports mapper 30 flash saves so passwords are not needed to save game play progress
32KByte CHR-RAM (4 banks of 8KByte character/graphics RAM)
Support mapper 30 bankswitching animations
Multi-region CIC, default when shipped is NTSC. If you have different region NES the first time you must press reset several times until power light stops blinking. Last known working region will be saved by the CIC for next power up. CIC region can be changed again with same process at any time.
Includes our "software mirroring switch" so mirroring can be toggled between Horizontal & Vertical without opening the case. INLretro programmer sets mirroring while flashing the board. Old kazzo programmers require 'bodge' wire modifications to support. Set to Vertical Mirroring by default.
Alternatively we can provide boards with mechanical mirroring switches for native support with old kazzo programmers by request.

NESmaker mapper 30 cartridge circuit board:

DOES NOT include plastic cartridge shell like the "refills" above
Mapper 30 NES circuit board (72pin) designed for NESmaker

Circuit board is identical to refill carts above
Circuit board is fully assembled with all new components
Circuit board fits in most cartridge shells
Includes our "software mirroring switch" so mirroring can be toggled between Horizontal & Vertical without opening the case. INLretro programmer sets mirroring while flashing the board. Old kazzo programmers require 'bodge' wire modifications to support. Set to Vertical Mirroring by default.
Alternatively we can provide boards with mechanical mirroring switches for native support with old kazzo programmers by request.