What to order
The OSCR mostly uses off-the-shelf modules and a few custom designed PCBs. Here you will find links to everything you need to buy in order to build an Open Source Cartridge Reader yourself. If you're not comfortable with buying from Aliexpress you will also find a list of local vendors that offer part kits.
- Bonzo's Retro Shop
- StarshadeRETRO (A PCB-only kit is also available)
- DavisStoreMx
Note: This list only contains links to part kits and not prebuilt cart readers. Its intention is to lower the barriers to entry for (first time) DIYers. The sellers are not vetted so always use caution and common sense when buying online, especially since this is a public wiki and everyone can add new links.
Expected parts price for one unit
Picture of Aliexpress order $94 incl. 19% Tax and Shipping
Picture of JLCPCB order $22 for PCBs, $17 for 3d printed frame = $40 incl. 19% Tax and Shipping
Total: $134
There is a new Mega 2560 Pro PCB design that does not work with 3.3V anymore. The Cart Reader only turns on at the 5V switch setting. Therefore it is advised to buy a Mega Pro with the old PCB design.
Specifically you are searching for an Mega 2560 Pro that looks like this:
Background: The Cart Reader under-volts the Atmega2560 to 3.3V when dumping GBA/N64 to achieve the proper voltage levels on all data and address pins.
- Download main_pcb_hw5_gerber.zip and either the six_slot_adapter_gerber.zip for the 7-slot build or any single adapter PCB for the 2-slot build like the n64_adapter_gerber.zip and upload them to a PCB maker
- You don't have to change any of the settings but you can select a color you like.
- If you want to dump SNES SA1 carts you will also need the PIC_adapter PCB
- Either print the more simple Main PCB stand or this Fully Enclosed Shell
(use FDM printer with PLA, SLA resin doesn't work that good with the heat-set inserts)
- Mega 2560 Pro Aliexpress Amazon Reichelt
- MKS MINI12864 V3 LCD https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002998072234.html
- SI5351 clock generator https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005973846876.html or https://www.adafruit.com/product/2045 (the Adafruit one seem to always work, the ones from Aliexpress have been reported to make problems sometimes, the clock generator is only needed for N64/SNES/NP/SV)
- two 1x3
- one 1x7
- one 1x8
- two 1x16
- two 1x21
- one 1x36
- one 1x38
Here you can buy some of them: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001198421663.html
For the rest you need to buy 1x40 2.54mm female headers and then cut them down to size: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000873858801.html (this listing also includes the male headers for the CIC adapter)
- two 1x40 2.54mm 19mm long(total length) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007079125109.html
- one 1x8 2.54mm 11mm long(= standard size, for CIC adapter PCB, included in the link for the 1x40 2.54mm female headers above)
- two 2x5 2.54mm IDC male box header https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001400147026.html
- two 2x5 2.54mm IDC female ribbon connectors https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32852909764.html
- 50 pin 2.5mm N64 slot https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004032161155.html (Attention: some sellers send 2.54mm instead)
- 62 pin 2.5mm SNES slot https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004030923724.html
- GB/GBC/GBA slot https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000290191316.html
- 72 pin 2.5mm NES slot https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32865905959.html (questionable quality with too much grip)
- 64 pin 2.54mm Mega Drive slot https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001884522039.html (2x32 straight)
- 60 pin 2.54mm Famicom slot https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006078614272.html (2x30 straight)
- 50 pin 2.54mm Master System slot https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006078614272.html (2x25 straight)
- 18mm or 19mm long M2 female-female spacers, 3mm in diameter https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001271908929.html
(Note: The gap between the two PCBs is ~18.5mm, with the 18mm spacers you will have to add one of the 1mm plastic washers to each spacer) - 10mm long M2 screws https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32971605141.html
- 6mm long M2 screws https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32971605141.html
- 1mm thick M2 plastic washers https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33021883302.html
- 3mm thick M2 brass inserts https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000585933306.html
- N64 controller connector https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32844070827.html
- two slide switches https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000218053209.html
- SD card (either FAT32 or exFAT formatted)
- one 3mm LED (through hole, max 20mA) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003432647675.html
- one 1K Ohm resistor (through hole, metal film, 1/4W) for N64 Controller https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002670881002.html
- one 220 Ohm resistor (through hole, metal film, 1/4W) for the LED https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002670881002.html
- one 470uF capacitor (through hole, 10V or 16V) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006814611985.html
- silicone rubber feet (8mm) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32514500567.html
- one male-to-female dupont wire (length doesn't matter, instead of the dupont wire you can also use any other wire, it does not have to be detachable) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000812552635.html
- PIC_adapter_gerber.zip PCB (just upload the zip to jlcpcb.com)
- MICROCHIP PIC12F629-I/P flashed with snescic-lock-resync.hex https://www.buyicnow.com/it.php?i=114 (DIP version, easier to solder, order EEprom programming service too and send them the hex file via eMail so they can flash it for you) https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804860792483.html
- 100nF ceramic capacitor (through hole, 5mm hole spacing, 50V) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003480051494.html
- PIC programmer (optional, if you don't order from buyicnow with the programming service, see here for details)
If you want the modified/created times on the SD card to be the real times you'll need to install the RTC. See the full write-up on Real‐Time Clock for more details.
Allow the firmware to change the voltage for you. See the full write-up on Automatic Voltage Selection for more details.
To use the Cart Reader on the go you can connect it to a power bank. But it is important that the power banks supports low current devices without shutting off.
For example it could say something like this "Even Wider Compatibility Unlike the market’s most power banks incapable of charging low-current accessories, INIU portable charger can work with not only all the phones, tablets but your smaller devices like AirPods, Bluetooth headphones, fitness trackers, smart watches, etc."
Source: https://www.amazon.com/INIU-High-Speed-Flashlight-Powerbank-Compatible/dp/B07CZDXDG8