Tindie
Low Budget
Overall Rating:
All Reviews
Jason | June 9, 2022
Awesome!
For NESessity v1.4 Replacement PCB for NES Console
I came across this, and decided to try it. Custom painted a case for my new board. Initially, I couldn’t get any video or sound.. I reached out to the seller, and he took the time to offer some suggestions. I discovered I had a few cold solder joints. Very impressed that the seller took the time to help.
Robert | Dec. 2, 2020
Amazing design, Great help
For NESessity v1.4 Replacement PCB for NES Console
Quick to respond, Everything is listed and mentioned. Don't be like me, pay more attention its all there haha. This board is great, I have 2 going, one with an Hi-Def nes kit, and built the other for the RGB kit I got laying around. Might order a couple more just for fun.
Matthew | Nov. 9, 2020
Great device, amazing service
For PARSEC Supergun v2.2 Bare PCB Play JAMMA Arcade
Build the device from the BOM and board. The Supergun works as advertised, very happy with the results.
Mark | Oct. 22, 2020
High quality Supergun!
For PARSEC Supergun v2.2 - Play JAMMA Arcade Games
I purchased the PARSEC Supergun v2.2 - Play JAMMA Arcade Games with the optional Deluxe HAT with YPbPr component video and AUX audio. Everything works perfectly! The component out makes it easy to hook up to a modern display via HDMI using the RetroTink-2X. I have used this with a CPS2 and CPS3 arcade board, and the PARSEC Supergun works without issue! Excellent value and quality!
Jonny | Oct. 13, 2020
A great, fun, well designed project.
For NESessity v1.4 Replacement PCB for NES Console
This was a great project that took about 3-4 hours all in, and the cost of the components (apart from the case, CPU and PPU) is only about $40. Works great with the NESRGB and had enough clearance with that mod even if the CPU is socketed.
I found some components difficult to source, in particular the trimming pots and the switching regulator had a long lead time at Digikey. Also, the BOM includes pre-crimped cables which are very expensive for what they are. Instead I bought a premade JST cable for much less on eBay. I also sourced an new crystal at NTSC clock speed from eBay.
Needing to use the power connector from an original motherboard is the weakest point, I'd say. These can be a bit of a pain to desolder, plus I'd rather minimise the requirement to use original components. For an updated board I'd like to see the option of using another connector. Perhaps one row of holes for the original and another for a modern one.
If you fit a NESRGB, that board (by design) disables the original video out from the PPU. I'd like to see an easy way to route the composite video out from the NESRGB to the yellow RCA jack, perhaps by way of a jumper. Similarly the NESRGB has a three position switch - it would be nice if the NESessity also had a three position switch rather than two position so it could be used in its place.
Finally, the board doesn't have notches for the RCA jacks, so you need to file those down or remove with flush cutters to mount.
However, all these points are really minor. This is a great well designed board and a fantastic fun project.
Shipping to the UK via USPS was reasonable and took about 2 weeks, with detailed tracking information.
I found some components difficult to source, in particular the trimming pots and the switching regulator had a long lead time at Digikey. Also, the BOM includes pre-crimped cables which are very expensive for what they are. Instead I bought a premade JST cable for much less on eBay. I also sourced an new crystal at NTSC clock speed from eBay.
Needing to use the power connector from an original motherboard is the weakest point, I'd say. These can be a bit of a pain to desolder, plus I'd rather minimise the requirement to use original components. For an updated board I'd like to see the option of using another connector. Perhaps one row of holes for the original and another for a modern one.
If you fit a NESRGB, that board (by design) disables the original video out from the PPU. I'd like to see an easy way to route the composite video out from the NESRGB to the yellow RCA jack, perhaps by way of a jumper. Similarly the NESRGB has a three position switch - it would be nice if the NESessity also had a three position switch rather than two position so it could be used in its place.
Finally, the board doesn't have notches for the RCA jacks, so you need to file those down or remove with flush cutters to mount.
However, all these points are really minor. This is a great well designed board and a fantastic fun project.
Shipping to the UK via USPS was reasonable and took about 2 weeks, with detailed tracking information.
Ford | Aug. 27, 2020
Awesome product at great price!
For PARSEC Supergun v2.2 - Play JAMMA Arcade Games
This is an awesome supergun for the price! The ATX PSU support and built in -5V generation are super convenient, and the buffered RGB output puts this miles ahead of cheaper superguns. Highly recommended!
Forrest | April 8, 2020
Excellent Quality Supergun
For PARSEC Supergun v2.2 - Play JAMMA Arcade Games
I received my PARSEC 2.1 very quickly after purchase. It worked right out of the box and is obviously made with incredible care and attention to detail. It's very solidly built and must for anyone serious about supergun projects.
Cedric | July 31, 2019
Great Supergun!
For PARSEC Supergun v2.2 - Play JAMMA Arcade Games
Received it quickly after ordering when it was in stock. It’s working perfectly with my MVS and a good ATX PSU. Looks like it was assembled with care and using quality components. The documentation contains all the necessary information. Would definitely classify this as a good, modern and safe Supergun based on available information.
Dennis | March 1, 2019
Great device & great price
For PARSEC Supergun v2.2 - Play JAMMA Arcade Games
I plugged everything and it all worked as expected. I had an old ATX power supply laying around from an old computer and I used that to power it. I plugged in a Neo Geo MVS and a Pandora box and they both booted up without any fuss.
Joe | Oct. 3, 2018
The Best of it's Kind, 10/10
For RGB to S-Video / Composite Video Converter
To put it bluntly, this is by far the best encoder circuit I have ever used. It works well with PC-10 NES consoles, Neo Geo Conzolized MVS, and various other RGB encoding means. I have a spare board, that I plan on using with the Virtual Boy RGB board, and I already know it will work fantastically. It's small, and easy to use. Overall, phenomenal job low_budget!
William | July 22, 2015
A great way to get a "new" NES.
For Super 8 bit Video Game System Complete (v2.5 PCB)
What can I say, this device is great. It has both NES and Famicom cartridge slots, the Famicom Expansion Port, NESRGB, and is just plain solid. I went through and tested it with some normal cartridges, reproductions that I made, a few obscure Famicom games, and even the estranged bootleg port of Final Fantasy VII and everything worked as it should. It also works with my normal controllers and my expansion port based Famicom controllers.
As for the RGB, I'm using it with an XRGB-mini, and you just can't top this picture. Everything is incredibly clean and vibrant to the point where you would think it was emulated, but that's not the case here. The system uses a proper NES CPU and PPU so there is no emulation. The system does have the NES pseudo-stereo (where some sound channels are split between speakers) which some people may not like, but I don't mind. You can always use a Y-cable to mix the channels back to normal mono.
If you look at this and think "why spend so much when you can emulate and get everything for free?" Then this product is not for you. The same goes for comparing this against cheap clones, the Retron 5, or just picking up a "traditional" system from a flea market. If you want a nice console with RGB and a lot of extra cartridge/accessory functionality without the need for adapters and are willing to spend a bit to get that, then this is for you. Plain and simple.
As for the RGB, I'm using it with an XRGB-mini, and you just can't top this picture. Everything is incredibly clean and vibrant to the point where you would think it was emulated, but that's not the case here. The system uses a proper NES CPU and PPU so there is no emulation. The system does have the NES pseudo-stereo (where some sound channels are split between speakers) which some people may not like, but I don't mind. You can always use a Y-cable to mix the channels back to normal mono.
If you look at this and think "why spend so much when you can emulate and get everything for free?" Then this product is not for you. The same goes for comparing this against cheap clones, the Retron 5, or just picking up a "traditional" system from a flea market. If you want a nice console with RGB and a lot of extra cartridge/accessory functionality without the need for adapters and are willing to spend a bit to get that, then this is for you. Plain and simple.
Bart | April 1, 2015
Probably the best thing I've bought in years.
For Super 8 bit Video Game System (v3.2 PCB) Complete
I read a fair bit about low_budget's Super 8 system through various message boards and such before purchasing it. Furthermore, I watched low_budget's youtube videos and even a video of an earlier revision of low_budget's board on gametech's youtube page. Everything looked pretty decent in my eyes.
When I got the system after a week (international shipping and was fast), I was very, very impressed. The RGB video is great, and I love the sound. Actually, the sound is probably the best part about this system. It's killer. So yeah, it's my childhood all over again times about a million. I've told all my friends in Sweden about this little machine, and I hope some of them bite the bullet and purchase one.
By the way, I've tried a fair deal of games on it since I received it. Mainly North American releases, but I've also tried a few famicom disk games and regular famicom games. Everything I've tried has functioned just fine.
It's definitely gotten me more into the spirit of experimenting with doing some homebrews for the NES. I love it.
When I got the system after a week (international shipping and was fast), I was very, very impressed. The RGB video is great, and I love the sound. Actually, the sound is probably the best part about this system. It's killer. So yeah, it's my childhood all over again times about a million. I've told all my friends in Sweden about this little machine, and I hope some of them bite the bullet and purchase one.
By the way, I've tried a fair deal of games on it since I received it. Mainly North American releases, but I've also tried a few famicom disk games and regular famicom games. Everything I've tried has functioned just fine.
It's definitely gotten me more into the spirit of experimenting with doing some homebrews for the NES. I love it.