If you prefer a video guide, please check out this one by MachoNacho! 

 

Make sure to pick up a Ninten-Drawer before attempting to install it

Instructions

Before we get into the install guide our guess is most folks are seeing a blinking red light upon install, if this happens please press the restart button quickly 6 to 10 times, you should see a red led pop on, then press restart another 6 to 10 times and the led should turn off.  In this state, the region free bypass is attempting to sync with your console to make sure it knows what region console it is.

STEP 1 - Open the Console

Flip the console over so the bottom of the console is facing the ceiling.  Then using a philips driver remove the 6 screws on the bottom of the console:

STEP 2 - Remove the RF shielding

With the console opened up the next step is to remove the RF shielding. To do this, using the same philips driver, remove the 7 screws

STEP 3 - Remove Push-Down Tray

With the RF shielding gone we can easily remove the legacy push down tray and store it forever :)  This very easily will slide out, just make sure to elevate the front lip to clear the lower shell.

STEP 4 - Remove Remaining Screws

With the push down tray removed we need to remove all remaining screws to free the 72 pin connector as well as the rest of the pcb from the lower console shell.

 

STEP 5 - Remove The 72 Pin Connector

With all the screws removed and the mainboard being able to be freed from the lower shell, we can remove the legacy 72 pin connector and store it.  To do this lift the 72 pin connector so your free from the lower RF shielding, then gently slide it off the cart edge connector from the main board.  Take your time and go slow.

 

STEP 6 - Install the Ninten-Drawer

The Ninten-Drawer will slot right in where the 72 pin connector was we just removed.  The easiest way to do this is to slide the drawer forward so you can see the 72 pins off the main board and on the Ninten-Drawer.  When doing this step, make sure the lower RF shielding is out of the way and then gently press the Ninten-Drawer into place.  You know it will be in place when the holes on the Ninten-Drawer lineup with the mainboard.

STEP 7 - Test the Console

BEFORE YOU DO THIS, make sure your game is clean!  Just because the pins look good doenst mean it is clean, do this step, dont make the drawer dirty, lol.

So generally its at this point I like to do a quick test to make sure everything is work correctly.  The one thing to keep is mind is we have not screwed everything back together yet… therefore when we put a game in we have to be cognizant of this and support the console and Nintendrawer.

If you're seeing a blinking red light upon install, please press the restart button quickly 6 to 10 times, you should see a red led pop on, then press restart another 6 to 10 times and the led should turn off.  In this state, the region free bypass is attempting to sync with your console to make sure it knows what region console it is.

Assuming all is well this means everything works and you can put the console back the same way you took it apart… you dont even need to remove the game until you have the screws put back in.  Please note, there will be 2 extra screws that will be left over, the 2 silver screws that held down the old 72 pin connector.  Also, take care not to over tighten screws especially on the Ninten-Drawer.

If it doesn't work, make sure you test with a known good CLEAN game.  All units are 100% tested prior to shipping.

FAQ

Where can I find the installation instructions?

On the included QR card or here

The light on my NES keeps blinking and resetting

Follow the region setting process found in the instructions

I'm having trouble removing a cartridge from the Ninten-Drawer

Some unlicensed games and accessories use circuit boards that are thicker than original Nintendo circuit boards, increasing pressure inside the cartridge slot.

Dirty and damaged games (including "sand-papered cleaned" games) may increase friction inside the cartridge slot.

Pulling from alternating corners (wiggle it) rather than the middle should allow for easy removal of these problematic cartridges.

Is the Ninten-Drawer compatible with the Game Genie?

No, the Game Genie PCB is extremely thick and could potentially damage the slot of the Ninten-Drawer. We are working on it.