Retro Nintendo Console Gains Bluetooth and Enhanced Audio with Add-On — NES Hub Taps Into Unused Expansion Port

If you’re nostalgic about the NES, you probably know that its expansion port was never officially utilized. However, for those with the NES-001 model, there’s exciting news. RetroTime has rolled out a new gadget called the “NES Hub,” now available for pre-order on 8BitMods.

This nifty expansion adds Bluetooth controller support along with enhanced audio capabilities to the classic NES console. It’s not just a single add-on; it comes with its own ecosystem, including a separate “SNES Add-on.” This allows fans to use wired SNES and 15-pin Famicom controllers with their beloved NES.

Looking ahead, the NES Hub and its SNES counterpart are slated for delivery by December 2024. Priced at $57.28 for the Hub and an additional $26.03 for the SNES Add-on, you’re looking at an investment of $83.31 before taxes for the complete retro gaming setup. With the NES Hub, you can pair up to four Bluetooth controllers simultaneously. And if you have a modified NES that can handle Famicom titles, the Hub enhances your gaming experience by enabling Expansion Audio mode for those games that can tap into extra audio channels beyond what’s typically offered by Famicom or NES games.

For context, the Famicom, or “Family Computer,” is what the Nintendo Entertainment System goes by in Japan—aptly named for its range of functions, including non-gaming applications via the internet. The Japanese gaming community was delving into online features right from the start, unlike their American counterparts who had to wait until the Sega Dreamcast and Microsoft Xbox eras for similar opportunities.

Bluetooth, meanwhile, became a household feature only with the Seventh Generation of consoles, around 2005, ushered in by the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii. The NES belongs to the third generation, with its launch way back in October 1985, a good 14 years before Bluetooth entered the tech scene. Thus, integrating Bluetooth now into this vintage console bridges a significant gap between gaming on the nostalgic original hardware and the modern experiences offered through emulation or Nintendo’s Virtual Console.

Admittedly, this is a pretty niche product, with pricing that reflects its unique place in the market. However, if you’re seeking to enhance NES controller functionality, and you own a compatible NES-001 model, the NES Hub is poised to be your go-to solution.