DIY enthusiasts and people who hate to throw things away, the Youtuber Dubesinhower recently posted a video test/tutorial on his channel to present a new range of cables that will allow you to change the original cable of your NES / Famicom controllers.

We've all - or know someone who has - thrown away a wired controller when it was simply a problem with the cable. While some cables are easy to change, it can be difficult to find quality models dedicated to our old consoles.

Dubesinhower's video features "high quality cables ’ for NES and Famicom controllers from JT Studios and Retro Game Restore. These braided cables are ideal for repairing original controllers or creating new ones, while guaranteeing a premium look and robustness.

With all the safety precautions that need to be taken, we can only encourage this type of approach, which on the one hand helps to avoid throwing away equipment, and above all preserves a videogame hardware heritage that is increasingly difficult to find in good working order.

Prices and availability

• NES cables: available individually for $12.
  Buy an NES cable

• Famicom cables**: sold in pairs for $18
  Buy a set of Famicom cables

Precautions before installation

Original consoles and controllers are often more than 30 years old, which means you need to take a few precautions when installing them:

• Set your desoldering iron to a low temperature (around 175°C or 350°F).
• Use dedicated solder remover, and remember to add a little fresh solder to the original connections before desoldering them.
• Go gently to avoid damaging fragile components.

Value for money to consider

Dubesinhower points out that while these cables represent an investment, their quality clearly sets them apart from cheap alternatives. Indeed, it is possible to find replacement cables for a few dollars on Aliexpress, but without quality control, the result can vary: imperfect fits, poor durability, or badly designed connectors.

A clarification on prototypes

Finally, the Famicom cable shown in the video was a pre-production prototype. Final versions may therefore have minor variations in pinout or colour. Follow the instructions on the box for a successful installation.

Source: RetroRGB