Classic Nintendo Console Enhanced with Bluetooth and Audio Upgrades Through Add-on — NES Hub Leverages Unused Expansion Port

Retro gaming fans are probably aware that the NES’s expansion port never actually got any official expansions. However, if you own the NES-001 model and have been itching to put that port to use, there’s some exciting news. RetroTime has unveiled a new product — the “NES Hub,” which features Bluetooth capabilities and is now available for pre-order through 8BitMods.

The NES Hub is an innovative expansion that brings Bluetooth controller compatibility and enhanced audio features to the NES. It comes with its own add-on system, including a separate “SNES Add-on” which lets you connect wired SNES and 15-pin Famicom controllers to your classic gaming console.

Mark your calendars, because the NES Hub along with its SNES Add-on are slated for a December 2024 release. The pricing is straightforward: $57.28 for the NES Hub and $26.03 for the SNES Add-on. So, if you’re looking to fully deck out your NES, the entire expansion set will run you $83.31 before taxes. Once you have the NES Hub, you can connect up to four Bluetooth controllers simultaneously. Plus, if your NES is modded to run Famicom games, the NES Hub can unlock Expansion Audio mode for specific Famicom titles that offer richer audio experiences than the typical Famicom or NES games.

For anyone not familiar with the term, the Famicom — short for “Family Computer” — was the original Japanese name for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Back in the day, it had interesting functionalities, including connecting to the internet for non-gaming activities like checking stock prices in Japan. This was at a time when online features were virtually unheard of for American gamers, who had to wait until the era of the Sega Dreamcast and the original Xbox for similar experiences.

Bluetooth support, which we now see as a standard feature, didn’t become commonplace until the seventh generation of consoles. That era kicked off around 2005 with the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii. Considering that the NES, which is a third-generation console, came out way back in October 1985, it’s fascinating to see Bluetooth finally making its way to this vintage system. It’s a refreshing development that brings the hardware experience closer to what gamers have enjoyed through emulation on platforms like the Nintendo Virtual Console or PCs.

Despite this being a very niche market, the prices reflect the specificity of what’s on offer. If you’re seeking better controller options for your NES and have a compatible NES-001 model, the NES Hub is a promising solution.