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pico-infonesPlus.

Introduction

A NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) emulator with SD card and menu support for the Raspberry Pi Pico, Raspberry Pi Pico 2 and other RP2040/RP2350 based microcontrollers. Uses HDMI for display.

Supports two controllers for two player games. See "about two player games" below for specifics and limitations

The emulator used is Infones by Jay Kumogata which was ported to the Raspberry Pi Pico by Shuichi Takano with changes done by me to accomodate the SD card menu.

Create a FAT32 formatted SD card and copy your NES roms on to it. It is possible to organize your roms into different folders. Then insert the SD Card into the card slot. Needless to say you must own all the roms you put on the card.

A menu is added to the emulator, which reads the roms from the SD card and shows them on screen for the user to select, flash and play.

See below for possible configurations, supported game controllers and how to setup. There is even a custom PCB (printed circuit board) available and a 3D-printable case design which fits the PCB.

See also the Adafruit guide, although it is outdated now.

There is also an emulator port for the Sega Master System/Sega Game Gear and DMG Game Boy. You can find them here:

Video

Click on image below to see a demo video.

Video

Possible configurations

You can use it with these RP2040/RP2350 boards and configurations:

See below to see how to setup your specific configuration.

Note

It seems that sellers on AliExpress have copied the PCB design and are selling pre-populated PCB's. I do not condone this in any way. For questions about those boards, please contact the seller on AliExpress.

Gamecontroller support

Depending on the hardware configuration, the emulator supports these gamecontrollers:

USB Controllers

  • Sony Dual Shock 4
  • Sony Dual Sense
  • BUFFALO BGC-FC801 connected to USB - not tested
  • Genesis Mini 1 and 2
  • PlayStation Classic
  • Keyboard
  • XInput type of controllers like Xbox 360 and Xbox One controllers and other XInput compatible controllers like 8bitDo.
  • Mantapad, cheap NES and SNES USB controllers from AliExpress.

See also troubleshooting USB controllers below

Note

There is some input lag when using USB controllers.

Legacy controllers

  • One or optional two original NES controllers for two player games. In some configurations, soldering is required.
  • WII-classic controller: Adafruit Feather RP2040 and WaveShare RP2040 Pi-Zero boards only

Parts list for legacy controllers

About two player games

The emulator supports two player games using two NES controllers or an USB gamecontroller and a NES controller.

Note

You cannot use two USB controllers for two player games. At the moment only one USB controller is recognized by the driver. In this case the USB controller is always player 1. Player 2 must be a NES controller.

Player 1 Player 2
USB controller connected USB NES port 1 or NES port 2
No usb controller connected NES port 1 NES port 2

Warning

Repeatedly flashing your Pico will eventually wear out the flash memory.

The emulator overclocks the Pico in order to get the emulator working fast enough. Overclocking can reduce the Pico's lifespan.

Use this software at your own risk! I will not be responsible in any way for any damage to your Pico and/or connected peripherals caused by using this software.

I also do not take responsability in any way when damage is caused to the Pico or display due to incorrect wiring or voltages.

Setup

Click on the link below for your specific board configuration:

Raspberry Pi Pico or Pico 2, setup for Pimoroni Pico DV Demo Base.

materials needed

flashing the Pico

  • When using a Pico, download piconesPlusPimoroniDV.uf2 from the releases page.
  • When using a Pico 2, download pico2_piconesPlusPimoroniDV.uf2 from the releases page.
  • Push and hold the BOOTSEL button on the Pico, then connect to your computer using a micro usb cable. Release BOOTSEL once the drive RPI-RP2 appears on your computer.
  • Drag and drop the UF2 file on to the RPI-RP2 drive. The Raspberry Pi Pico will reboot and will now run the emulator.

Pinout

NES controller port(s) (if you want to use legacy NES controllers).

Port 1 Port 2 (optional) Note
GND GND (- on board)
VCC (Power) Connect to 3V3
NES Clock GPIO14 GPIO1
NES LATCH GPIO16 GPIO20
NES Data GPIO15 GPIO21

Note

Soldering is required. There is only one 3v3 pin header on the board, the other 3V3 must be soldered directly onto pin 36 (3V3 OUT) of the Pico. For GND there are two pin headers available on the board. Clock Data and Latch for NES controller port 1 must be soldered directly onto the Pico. The Clock, Data and Latch for NES controller port 2 can be soldered on the available pin headers on the board, no need to solder them directly onto the Pico.

PinHeadersPimoroniDV

Image

setting up the hardware

  • Disconnect the Pico from your computer.
  • Attach the Pico to the DV Demo Base.
  • Connect the HDMI cable to the Demo base and your monitor.
  • Connect the usb OTG cable to the Pico's usb port.
  • Depending which controller you want to use:
    • Connect the controller to the other end of the usb OTG.
    • Connect legacy NES controller(s) to NES controller port(s).
  • Insert the SD card into the SD card slot.
  • Connect the usb power adapter to the usb port of the Demo base. (USB POWER)
  • Power on the monitor and the Pico

Image: Usb controller only

Image

Image: one or two player setup with usb controller and NES controller port 2

In this image the NES controller port is wired to port 2.

For single player games: use USB controller.

For two player games: Connect a USB controller for player 1 and a NES controller for player 2.

Image

Image: Two player setup using two NES controllers or a USB controller and a NES controller

Controller port 1 pins must be soldered directly onto the Pico.

Controller port 2 pins can be soldered to the available headers of the Pimoroni DV.

For two player games:

  • Connect two NES controllers or
  • Connect a USB controller for player 1 and a NES controller for player 2. You can use either NES controller ports.

NOIMAGE - TODO

Raspberry Pi Pico or Pico 2, setup with Adafruit hardware and breadboard

materials needed

flashing the Pico

  • When using a Pico, download piconesPlusAdaFruitDVISD.uf2 from the releases page.
  • When using a Pico 2, download pico2_piconesPlusAdaFruitDVISD.uf2 from the releases page.
  • Push and hold the BOOTSEL button on the Pico, then connect to your computer using a micro usb cable. Release BOOTSEL once the drive RPI-RP2 appears on your computer. Or when already powered-on. Press and hold BOOTSEL, then press RUN on the board.
  • Drag and drop the UF2 file on to the RPI-RP2 drive. The Raspberry Pi Pico will reboot and will now run the emulator.

Pinout

See https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/microcontrollers/images/pico-pinout.svg for the pinout schema of the Raspberry Pi Pico.

Use the breadboard to connect all together:

  • Wire Pico Pin 38 to the breadboard ground column (-)
  • Wire the breadboard left ground column (-) with the breadboard right ground column (-)

Adafruit Micro-SD breakout board+

Breakout GPIO Note
CS GPIO5
CLK (SCK) GPIO2
DI (MOSI) GPIO3
DO (MISO) GPIO4
3V Pin 36 (3v3 OUT)
GND Ground on breadboard (-)

Adafruit DVI Breakout For HDMI Source Devices

Breakout GPIO Note
D0+ GPIO12
D0- GPIO13
CK+ GPIO14
CK- GPIO15
D2+ GPIO16
D2- GPIO17
D1+ GPIO18
D1- GPIO19
5 (*) VBUS Pin 40 (5volt)
GND (3x) Ground on breadboard (-)

(*) This is the via on the side of the board marked 5. (next to via D and C).

Image

NES controller port(s). (if you want to use legacy NES controllers).

Port1 Port 2 (optional) Note
GND
VCC (Power) (3v3 OUT)
NES Clock GPIO6 GPIO9
NES LATCH GPIO8 GPIO11
NES Data GPIO7 GPIO10

Image

setting up the hardware

  • Disconnect the Pico from your computer.
  • Attach the Pico to the breadboard.
  • Insert the SD card into the SD card slot.
  • Connect the HDMI cable to the Adafruit HDMI Breakout board and to your monitor.
  • Connect the usb OTG Y-cable to the Pico's usb port.
  • Connect the Micro usb power adapter to the female Micro usb connecter of the OTG Y-Cable.
  • Controllers (Depending on what you have)
    • Connect the USB-controller to the full size female usb port of the OTG Y-Cable.
    • Connect your NES controller(s) to the NES controller port(s).
  • Power on the monitor and the Pico

See image below.

Note

The Shotky Diode (VSYS - Pin 39 to breadboard + column) and the wire on breadboard left (+) to right (+) are not necessary, but recommended when powering the Pico from a Raspberry Pi. See Chapter 4.6 - Powering the Board of the Raspberry Pi Pico Getting Started guide

Image: one or two player setup with usb controller and NES controller port

In this image the NES controller port is wired to port 1.

For single player games, connect either an USB controller or a NES controller. Not both!

For two player games: Connect a USB controller for player 1 and a NES controller for player 2.

Image

Image: Two player setup using two NES controllers or a USB controller and a NES controller

Choose either of the following:

  • Connect two NES controllers
  • Connect a USB controller for player 1 and a NES controller for player 2. You can use either NES controller ports.

Note

The device on the left is a Pico Debug probe used for debugging. This is optional

Image

Adafruit Feather RP2040 with DVI (HDMI) Output Port setup

materials needed

When using a USB gamecontroller this is needed:

When using legacy controllers, this is needed:

Pinout

See: https://learn.adafruit.com/assets/119662 for the Feather pin scheme.

Use the breadboard to connect all together:

  • Wire the 3.3V Pin to the breadboard + column.
  • Wire the GND Pin to the breadboard - column
  • Wire the breadboard left ground column (-) with the breadboard right ground column (-)
  • Optional: Attach a push button to the breadboard and connect a wire from this button to the Feather RST pin and breadboard ground column(-). This adds an extra easy to access Reset button.

Adafruit Micro-SD breakout board+

Breakout GPIO
CS GPIO10
CLK (SCK) GPIO14
DI (MOSI) GPIO15
DO (MISO) GPIO8
5V USB pin labelled USB on feather
3V See Note below
GND - column on breadboard connected to feather ground pin

Note

The Adafruit Micro-SD breakout board+ has also a 3V input pin which can be connected to + column on breadboard connected to feather 3.3V pin. However, this gave me frequently errors trying to mount the SD card. So use 5V in stead.

WII nunchuck breakout adapter.

Connect the nunchuck breakout adapter to the Feather DVI using the STEMMA QT cable.

NES controller port(s). (if you want to use legacy NES controllers).

Port 1 Port 2 (optional) Note
GND - column on breadboard connected to feather ground pin
VCC (Power) + column on breadboard connected to feather 3.3V pin
NES Clock GPIO5 GPIO26
NES LATCH GPIO9 GPIO27
NES Data GPIO6 GPIO28

Image

flashing the Feather RP2040

  • Download piconesPlusFeatherDVI.uf2 from the releases page.
  • Connect the feather to a USB port on your computer using the USB-C data cable.
  • On the feather, push and hold the BOOTSEL button, then press RESET. Release the buttons, the drive RPI-RP2 should appear on your computer.
  • Drag and drop the UF2 file on to the RPI-RP2 drive. The Raspberry Pi Pico will reboot and will now run the emulator.

Note

When the emulator won't start after flashing or powering on, and the screen shows 'No signal,' press the reset button once again. The emulator should now boot.

setting up the hardware

  • Disconnect the Pico from your computer.
  • Attach the Adafruit Feather RP2040 DVI to the breadboard.
  • Insert the SD card into the SD card slot.
  • Connect the HDMI cable to the HDMI port of the Adafruit Feather and to your monitor.
  • Connect controllers depending on your setup:
    • Legacy controllers.
      • NES Controller to the NES controller port.
      • WII-Classic controller to the Nunchuck Breakout Adapter.
      • Connect USB-C power supply to USB-C connector.
    • USB game Controllers
      • Connect the USB C connector of the "male USB C to female micro usb cable" to the USB C port of the feather.
      • Connect the female micro USB port of the "male USB C to female micro usb cable" to the male micro USB port of the USB OTG Y cable.
      • Connect the Dual Sense or Dual Shock controller with the appropriate cable to the full size female usb port of the OTG Y-Cable.
      • Connect the Micro usb power adapter to the female Micro usb connecter of the OTG Y-Cable.
  • Power on the monitor and the Pico

Image: one or two player setup with usb controller and NES/WII_classic controller port

In this image the NES controller port is wired to port 1.

For single player games, connect either an USB controller or a NES/WII-classic controller. Not both!

For two player games: Connect a USB controller for player 1 and a NES or WII-Classic controller for player 2.

Image

Image: Two player setup using two NES controllers or a USB controller and a NES/WII-classic controller

Choose either of the following:

  • Connect two NES controllers
  • Connect a WII-Classic Controller for player 1 and a NES-Controller on port 2 for player 2
  • Connect a USB controller for player 1 and a NES controller for player 2. You can use either NES controller ports. You can also use the WII-classic controller for player 2.

Image

Waveshare RP2040-PiZero Development Board

materials needed

Note

The PIO-USB cannot be used to connect the USB controller because DVI and PIO-USB cannot be used simultaneously. See productpage Therefore, connect the controller and the power adapter to the Y-cable, and then connect the Y-cable to the port on the board labeled "USB." While the PIO-USB can be used to power the board, I don't recommend this due to occasional strange behavior it has caused.

NES controller port.

When using a original NES controller you need:

For two player games with two NES controllers you need an extra NES controller port, controller and wire

Port 1 Port 2 (Optional) Note
GND Any ground pin
VCC (Power) 5Volt pin
NES Clock GPIO5 GPIO10
NES LATCH GPIO9 GPIO11
NES Data GPIO6 GPIO12

Image

Note

Contrary to other configurations where VCC is connected to 3Volt, VCC should be connected to a 5Volt pin. Otherwise the NES controller could possibly not work.

WII-Classic controller.

When using a WII-Classic controller you need:

Connections are as follows:

Nunchuck Breakout Adapter RP2040-PiZero
3.3V 3V3
GND GND
SDA GPIO2
SCL GPIO3

flashing the Waveshare RP2040-PiZero Development Board

  • Download piconesPlusWsRP2040PiZero.uf2 from the releases page.
  • Connect the USB-C port marked USB (not PIO-USB) to a USB port on your computer using the USB-C to USB-A data cable.
  • On the board, push and hold the BOOT button, then press RUN. Release the buttons, the drive RPI-RP2 should appear on your computer.
  • Drag and drop the UF2 file on to the RPI-RP2 drive. The board will reboot and will now run the emulator.

Note

When the emulator won't start after flashing or powering on, and the screen shows 'No signal,' press the run button once again. The emulator should now boot.

Image: one or two player setup with usb controller and NES controller port

In this image the NES controller port is wired to port 1.

For single player games, connect either an USB controller or a NES controller. Not both!

For two player games: Connect a USB controller for player 1 and a NES controller for player 2.

Image

Image

Image: Two player setup using two NES controllers or a USB controller and a NES controller

Choose either of the following:

  • Connect two NES controllers
  • Connect a USB controller for player 1 and a NES controller for player 2. You can use either NES controller ports.

Image

Image: Using a wii-classic controller

WS-Wiiclassic

WS-Wiiclassic2

3D printed case for RP2040-PiZero

Gavin Knight (DynaMight1124) designed a NES-like case you can 3d-print as an enclosure for this board. This enclosure is designed for 2 NES controller ports so you can play 1 or 2-player games. Click here for the design. Please contact the creator on his Thingiverse page if you have any questions about this case.

WS3D1

WS3D2

PCB with Raspberry Pi Pico or Pico 2

Create your own Pico-based NES console. It features two NES controller ports for 1 or 2-player games.

Designed by @johnedgarpark

IMG_6011

Several Companies can make these PCBs for you.

I personally recommend PCBWay. The boards i ordered from them are of excellent quality. They have also a very short lead time. Boards i ordered on Monday arrived from China to my home in the Netherlands on Friday of the same week.

Image

When ordering, simply upload the zip file containing the gerber design. This file (pico_nesPCB_v2.0.zip) is available in the releases page and can also be found in the PCB folder.

Note

Soldering skills are required. Make sure you solder all the connections from the Pico onto the PCB. Also the connections on the short right-side of the Pico. (For ground)

Note

If you are looking for the previous design (v0.2). You can find it here

Note

It seems that sellers on AliExpress have copied the PCB design and are selling pre-populated PCB's. I do not condone this in any way. For questions about those boards, please contact the seller on AliExpress.

Other materials needed:

When using a Pico, Flash piconesPlusAdaFruitDVISD.uf2 from the releases page. When using a Pico 2 flash pico2_piconesPlusAdaFruitDVISD.uf2 instead.

Image: Two player setup using two NES controllers or a USB controller and a NES controller

Choose either of the following:

  • Connect two NES controllers
  • Connect a USB controller for player 1 and a NES controller for player 2. You can use either NES controller ports. Use the OTG Y-Cable to connect an USB power supply and the USB controller.

image0

3D printed case for PCB

Gavin Knight (DynaMight1124) designed a NES-like case you can 3d-print as an enclosure for this pcb. You can find it here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6689537. Here you can find two designs: the latest design for PCB v2.0 and the previous design for PCB v0.2. In the latest v2.0 design, you can choose between two top covers, one with a button connecting to the bootsel button for easy firmware upgrades, the other without the button. In this case you have to remove the top cover to access the bootsel button. See images below. Make sure to print the correct files for the PCB version you own. You can find more information on Gavin's Thingiverse page.

Top Cover v2.0 without button (Top_v2.0.stl)

Top cover without button

Top Cover v2.0 with bootsel button (Top_v2.0_with_Bootsel_Button.stl)

Top Cover with button to access bootsel

Base v2.0 (Base_v2.0.stl)

3d2playerBottom

on/off button (Power_Switch.stl)

powerswitch

Menu Usage

Gamepad buttons:

  • UP/DOWN: Next/previous item in the menu.
  • LEFT/RIGHT: next/previous page.
  • A (Circle): Open folder/flash and start game.
  • B (X): Back to parent folder.
  • START: Starts game currently loaded in flash.

When using an USB-Keyboard:

  • Cursor keys: Up, Down, left, right
  • Z: Back to parent folder
  • X: Open Folder/flash and start a game
  • S: Starts game currently loaded in flash.

Emulator (in game)

Gamepad buttons:

  • SELECT + START: Resets back to the SD Card menu. Game saves are saved to the SD card.
  • SELECT + UP/SELECT + DOWN: switches screen modes.
  • SELECT + A/B: toggle rapid-fire.
  • START + A : Toggle framerate display

When using an USB-Keyboard

  • Cursor keys: up, down, left, right
  • A: Select
  • S: Start
  • Z: B
  • X: A

Note

The standard NES style layout is used for all controller types. So when using XInput controllers, B and A are swapped.

Save games

For games which support it, saves will be stored in the /SAVES folder of the SD card. Caution: the save ram will only be saved back to the SD card when quitting the game via (START + SELECT)

Raspberry Pico W support

The emulator works with the Pico W, but without the onboard blinking led. In order for the led to work on the Pico W, the cyw43 driver needs to be initialised. This causes the emulator to stop with an out of memory panic.

USB game Controllers latency

Using a USB gamecontroller introduces some latency. The legacy controllers ((S)NES, WII-classic) have less latency.

Troubleshooting usb controllers

AliExpress Controllers (Mantapad)

When starting a game, and the controller is unresponsive, you have to unplug and replug the controller to get it working. Not all controllers behave this way. I have a SNES controller that has no problems. The NES controller however must alwas be replugged to make it work. It is kind of a hit and miss.

XInput style controllers.

Might not work with all controllers.

Tested devices:

  • xbox Series X controller : Works
  • xbox One controller : Works
  • xbox elite controller : Works
  • 8bitdo SN30 Pro+ firmware V6.01: Works. With the controller switched off, hold X + Start to switch to XInput mode. (LED 1 and 2 will blink). Then connect to USB.
  • 8bitdo Pro 2 firmware V3.04: Works. With the controller switched off, hold X + Start to switch to XInput mode. (LED 1 and 2 will blink). Then connect to USB.
  • 8bitdo SN30 PRO Wired : Not working, recognized but no report
  • 8bitdo SF30 PRO firmware v2.05 : Works. With the controller switched off, hold X + Start to switch to XInput mode. (LED 1 and 2 will blink). Then connect to USB.
  • 8bitdo SN30 PRO firmware v2.05 : Not tested, should probably work

Troubleshooting:

After flashing some bigger games, the controller might become unresponsive:

  • XBOX Controller. Playing with batteries removed is recommended. When controller becomes unresponsive:

    • unplug and replug the controller.
    • If controller is still unresponsive, unplug the pico from power, wait a few seconds then plug it back in and press start to start the last flashed game.

  • 8bitdo controllers, when controller becomes unresponsive:

    • Disconnect the controller.
    • Hold start to switch the controller off (if it has built-in battery).
    • reconnect the controller.

Troubleshooting no image on TV or monitor

  • Make sure the board is directly connected to your display. Do not connect through a HDMI splitter.
  • Some displays need 5V in order to work:
    • When using the breadboard with HDMI and SD breakout, make sure VBUS (Pin 40) is connected to the 5 volt via on the board. (Marked 5 on the side)

Image

Known Issues and limitations

  • Pimoroni Pico DV:
    • Audio through the audio out jack is not supported, audio only works over hdmi.
    • Debug printf statements over UART (GPIO0 and GPIO1) are disabled because GPIO1 is used for second nes controller port.
  • Due to the Pico's memory limitations, not all games will work. Games not working will show a "Mapper n is unsupported." (n is a number). For example starting Castlevania III will show the "Mapper 5 is unsupported." message.
  • tar file support is removed.
  • Pico W: The onboard led does not blink every 60 frames.

Building from source

Best is to use the included build script buildAll.sh. You can then copy the correct .uf2 to your Pico via the bootsel option. The script builds all the .uf2 files and puts them in the releases folder.

git clone https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-infonesPlus.git
cd pico-infonesPlus
git submodule update --init
chmod +x build*.sh
./buildAll.sh

Alternatively, you can use the bld.sh shell script:

Build script for the pico-InfoNESPlus project

Usage: ./bld.sh [-d] [-2] [-c <hwconfig>]
Options:
  -d: build in DEBUG configuration
  -2: build for Pico 2 board
  -c <hwconfig>: specify the hardware configuration
     1: Pimoroni Pico DV Demo Base (Default)
     2: Breadboard with Adafruit AdaFruit DVI Breakout Board and AdaFruit MicroSD card breakout board
        Custom pcb
     3: Adafruit Feather RP2040 DVI
     4: Waveshare RP2040-PiZero
     hwconfig 3 and 4 are RP2040-based boards, so they cannot be built for Pico 2
  -h: display this help

When using Visual Studio code, choose the Release or the RelWithDebuginfo build variant.

Credits

InfoNes is programmed by Jay Kumogata and ported to the Raspberry Pi Pico by Shuichi Takano.

I contributed by programming functionality for SD card, menu and 2-player games.

PCB design by John Edgar Park.

3D-printable case for PCB and WaveShare RP2040 by Gavin Knight

NES gamepad support contributed by PaintYourDragon & Adafruit.

WII-Classic controller support by PaintYourDragon & Adafruit.

Adafruit Feather DVI - RP2040 support by PaintYourDragon & Adafruit.

XInput driver: https://github.com/Ryzee119/tusb_XInput by Ryzee119

Other versions

There is also a version available for the Pimoroni PicoSystem handheld.

Image