The Nintendo Entertainment System, commonly referred to as the “NES”, was released by Nintendo in 1985. It was the first home console Nintendo released in North America, and it’s what started Nintendo’s ascent into the video game power house it is today. In this article, we will go over the steps to use a Nintendo NES. We will also show you how to hook-up a Nintendo NES to a smart TV and HD TV, and what to do if you encounter the dreaded “Blinking Red Light” problem.
- What accessories do you need for a Nintendo NES?
- Initial Set-Up
- How do you hook-up a Nintendo NES to a TV with a RF Switch?
- How do you hook-up a Nintendo NES to a TV with an AV Cable?
- How do you hook-up a Nintendo NES to a HD TV?
- How to fix the blinking red light problem or distorted graphics on a Nintendo NES?
What accessories do you need for a Nintendo NES?
To use the Nintendo Entertainment System, you will need a controller, either an AV Cable or an RF Switch, and a Power Supply. If you have a modern TV with no HD inputs, you will need an AV to HDMI Converter as well.
Missing any of these accessories? We sell them online or you can visit one of our retail locations.
Initial Set-Up
1. First plug one end of the AC adapter into your console in the port marked #2. Plug the other end into a wall outlet. Press power, and make sure the red light goes on. (If the red light does not go on, and the outlet is working, you either have a bad AC adapter or the power is out on your console. We sell replacement power supplies online here or you can visit one of our retail locations.
2. Before inserting the game into the console, clean the metal contacts with rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip. We recommend using 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, but 70% will also work. Moisten the Q-Tip with rubbing alcohol, and rub the metal contacts of the game. Continue with new Q-Tips until no more dirt gets removed. Wait until the game is dry before inserting it into the console. We also sell cleaning kits at all of our retail locations.
3. Insert the game cartridge into the system. Press down until the game clicks into place.
How do you hook-up a Nintendo NES to a TV with a RF Switch?
1. The RF switch has 2 ends; a male connector that goes in the back of your console, and a coaxial connector that goes to the back of your TV. Plug the male connector into the input on the back of your console marked “4”.
2. Plug the coaxial connector into the back of your TV. Screw the connector until it is firmly attached to your TV.
3. Check the “CH 3/ CH 4” switch on the back of your Nintendo NES (shown as #3 in the picture above). Change the source on your TV to match the channel on the back of your Nintendo NES.
4. Press power on the front of the console and the game’s title screen should appear. If the red light is blinking, or the game has distorted graphics, click here.
How do you hook-up a Nintendo NES to a TV with an AV Cable?
1. Plug the yellow end of the AV cable into the console and the other side into the TV. Plug the red end of the AV cable into the console and the other side into the TV. The yellow input is for video and the red input is for audio.
2. Change the source on your TV to either “Component” or “AV”.
3. Press power on the front of the console and the game’s title screen should appear. If the red light is blinking, or the game has distorted graphics, click here.
How do you hook-up a Nintendo NES to a HD TV?
1. Plug the yellow end of the AV cable into the console and the other end into the AV to HDMI adapter. Plug the red end of the AV cable into the console and the other side into the AV to HDMI adapter.
2. Plug the HDMI cable into one end of the AV to HDMI adapter, and the other end into your TV.
3. Plug the power cable into the AV to HDMI adapter. Some TV’s have USB ports you can plug into for power. Otherwise you will need to plug the other end of the power cable into a wall outlet.
4. Change the source on your TV to “HDMI”.
5. Press power on the front of the console and the game’s title screen should appear. If the red light is blinking, or the game has distorted graphics, click here.
How to fix the blinking red light problem or distorted graphics on a Nintendo NES
Most of the time, Nintendo NES consoles will not work properly because of dirt on the metal contacts on the game or dirt on the 72 pin connector in the console. The 72 pin connector is what games connect to, and it transmits data to the motherboard. Over time, dirt and grime builds up and prevents a reliable connection, resulting in either a blinking red light or glitchy graphics. Keep in mind the console is also close to 40 years old! It may take a couple tries for a game to work properly. To fix a blinking red light or distorted graphics:
1. Try cleaning the game first. Clean the game’s metal contacts with rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip. We recommend using 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, but 70% will also work. Moisten the Q-Tip with rubbing alcohol, and rub the metal contacts of the game. Continue with new Q-Tips until no more dirt gets removed. Wait until the game is dry before inserting it into the console. We also sell cleaning kits at all of our retail locations.
2. If this does not work, and several games have the same problem, the console could use a new 72 pin connector. If you purchased a console from us, we have already replaced the 72 pin connector. If you bought a console at a garage sale, or found one in a closet, it’s possible the console still has the original 72 pin connector. That means the 72 pin connector has close to 40 years of dirt and grime built up! We do not have an article on how to fix a 72 pin connector, but iFixit does! We sell 72 pin connectors online and at our retail locations.
We hope we were able to help you set-up your Nintendo Entertainment System! The Nintendo Entertainment System has tons of great games, including Super Mario 3, the Legend of Zelda, and more! If you have any questions, or just want to say “Hi!” please contact as here.
We are always buying old video games, consoles, and accessories. If you are close to our retail locations, check out our trade-in page here. If you would like to do a mail-in trade, check out our page here.
