NES:PlayChoice-10 PPU Mod: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:RetroRGB Migration]]
[[File:NESRGBCompare10.jpg|right|thumb|A video quality comparison between the original composite PPU (left) and the RGB PPU found in the PlayChoice-10 (right).]]
**NES PlayChoice-10 RGB-Mod**


This page describes the original method of getting RGB-out from a NES.  There are currently [nesrgb.html much easier methods] of getting true RGB-output from a NES, but up until 2013, this was the _only_ way.  Unfortunately, I don't have how-to instructions, as I've never personally done one (I had mine [http://www.game-tech.us modded for me]).  I do provide all the information you need to get started though.  Please read on, as I'll give a description of how the mod started and what the PlayChoice-10 even is:
This page describes the original method of getting RGB output from a NES or Famicom.  Please note that this method has long since been superseded by modifications such as the [[NES:NESRGB]] and [[NES:Hi-Def NES|Hi-Def NES]] and involves salvaging the PPU from a PlayChoice-10 board, which is now in very short supply. Due to these reasons, this modification is ''not'' recommended and the information presented here is provided for historical purposes.


In the 80's, Nintendo decided to make arcade consoles out of their games.  As a result, they invented the PlayChoice-10, which is basically an arcade cabinet that plays modified Nintendo games.  Since arcade systems used RGB monitors, they had to add a custom chip to the PlayChoice-10 game board (arcades have full motherboards to drive each game, not cartridges) to output RGB video.  This chip is called the “PPU”, or Picture Processing Unit.  People have discovered that you can remove those PPU’s from a PlayChoice-10 board and integrate them into a NES.  You can find those boards (or just the PPU’s themselves) on eBay ranging from $100 to $300.
== Introduction ==
In 1986, Nintendo introduced the PlayChoice-10 arcade system, which could play up to ten modified NES games. Since arcade systems typically used RGB monitors and the standard NES hardware only supported composite video, Nintendo used a custom 2C03 PPU ('''P'''icture '''P'''rocessing '''U'''nit) on the PlayChoice-10 motherboard to output RGB video. At some point during the late 1990s or early 2000s, people discovered that this PPU could be integrated into an NES or Famicom console to provide RGB output. 


Since the NES was designed with a composite color chip and the PlayChoice-10 arcade systems are based off an RGB color palette, some games look different.  Most are similar to the home system, but not exact.  Some games look amazing with the RGB color palette, such as Contra and Duck Hunt.  Others like Zelda and Mario 3 look different, but better or worse is a matter of opinion.  I included a ton of pics in the [nespics.html NES RGB Pics section] so you can see the difference for yourself (as well as see the huge difference in clarity between composite and RGB NES output):
== Color Palette Issues ==
Due to the different palette used by the RGB PPU compared to the standard PPU in the NES, some games look different.  Most are similar to the home system, but not exact.  Some games have rather vibrant colors, such as Contra and Duck Hunt. Others like Zelda and Super Mario Bros. 3 look different, but whether they look better or worse is subjective. A handful of games such as Super Spy Hunter are not compatible with the RGB PPU due to its treatment of the PPU's color emphasis bits. More information on this particular issue can be found [https://www.nesdev.org/wiki/Colour_emphasis here on the NESDev wiki].


If you’d like to mod your NES and integrate the RGB PPU chip, you have two choices: install it yourself or send it out to be installed.  I don't have the proper tools to de-solder chips from motherboards, so I decided to send mine to [http://www.game-tech.us/contact/ Game-tech].  There are other modders around, but do some research first before using them, to make sure they have a proven track record!  If you wanted to install it yourself, here’s a basic (but far from complete) rundown of what it entails:
== Install Procedure ==
\- Desolder the NES PPU - The Hardest part.
[[File:NESPage02.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A typical RGB PPU install on a front-loading NES, performed by [https://www.game-tech.us/ Game-Tech.us]. Note the use of a salvaged Nintendo multiout connector.]]
\- Install PC-10 PPU in its place.
\- Build a circuit to drive the PPU.
\- Build an output port.
\- Hope you don’t mess up and burn out the chip you just spent a lot of money on.


Here’s a few pics of what Game-tech's install looks like.  They use a Nintendo multi-out as an output port, so the NES looks like it came from the factory with the multi-out (very impressive).  You can use any port you'd like though:
Below is a basic rundown of a typical PlayChoice-10 PPU install:
[[File:NESPage02.jpg]]
# Desolder the original NES PPU; this was arguably the most difficult part of the install and had the highest potential for damage.
# Install the PC-10 PPU in its place.  
This site has tons of information and pictures if you’re interested in trying it yourself (scroll down for the pics):
# Build a circuit to drive the PPU.  
# Build an output port.


[http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=1592.0 http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=1592.0]
Full information on the installation of a PC-10 PPU can be found [http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=1592.0 here], though keep in mind that the link in question contains outdated information dating back to 2005 and should not be taken as definitive.
 
== Picture Comparisons ==
 
This section shows picture examples of what the NES looks like after being modded with a PC-10 RGB PPU. Click "Expand" below to show this section.
 
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="float:left">
 
The pictures demonstrate two things:
 
* Difference in picture quality between composite video and RGB.
* Difference in color palette between the PlayChoice-10 RGB chips and the original NES color palette. Please see the [https://www.retrorgb.com/nespc10.html PC-10 page on RetroRGB] for an explanation of why there are differences.
 
The below images are photo captures of an RGB-capable monitor, which also has the effect of making the composite video output of the NES look much better than a regular TV. Click any picture to expand it to full size.
 
[[File:NESRGBCompare09 - large.jpg|630px]]


Here's a quick example of how much better the picture quality is, using RGB:
[[File:NESRGBCompare10.jpg]]
[[File:NESRGBCompare10.jpg]]


Feel free to go back to [nes.html the main NES page], or the [nesrgb.html the NES HDMI / RGB mods page] for more alternatives.  Also, please head to the [/ home page] or [/systems.html console info page] for more retro awesomeness!
[[File:NESRGBCompare06 - large.jpg|630px]]
 
[[File:NESRGBCompare07 - large.jpg|630px]]
 
[[File:NESRGBCompare08.jpg]]
 
[[File:NESRGBCompare01 - large.jpg|630px]]
 
[[File:NESRGBCompare02 - large.jpg|630px]]
 
[[File:NESRGBCompare03.jpg]]
 
[[File:NESRGBCompare04 - large.jpg|630px]]
 
[[File:NESRGBCompare05.jpg]]
 
[[File:NESRGBCompare11 - large.jpg|630px]]
 
[[File:NESRGBCompare12 - large.jpg|630px]]
 
[[File:NESRGBCompare13.jpg]]
 
[[File:NESRGBCompare14 - large.jpg|630px]]
 
</div>
 
[[Category:NES]]
[[Category:Video Mods]]

Latest revision as of 18:28, 4 June 2024

A video quality comparison between the original composite PPU (left) and the RGB PPU found in the PlayChoice-10 (right).

This page describes the original method of getting RGB output from a NES or Famicom.  Please note that this method has long since been superseded by modifications such as the NES:NESRGB and Hi-Def NES and involves salvaging the PPU from a PlayChoice-10 board, which is now in very short supply. Due to these reasons, this modification is not recommended and the information presented here is provided for historical purposes.

Introduction

In 1986, Nintendo introduced the PlayChoice-10 arcade system, which could play up to ten modified NES games. Since arcade systems typically used RGB monitors and the standard NES hardware only supported composite video, Nintendo used a custom 2C03 PPU (Picture Processing Unit) on the PlayChoice-10 motherboard to output RGB video. At some point during the late 1990s or early 2000s, people discovered that this PPU could be integrated into an NES or Famicom console to provide RGB output. 

Color Palette Issues

Due to the different palette used by the RGB PPU compared to the standard PPU in the NES, some games look different.  Most are similar to the home system, but not exact.  Some games have rather vibrant colors, such as Contra and Duck Hunt. Others like Zelda and Super Mario Bros. 3 look different, but whether they look better or worse is subjective. A handful of games such as Super Spy Hunter are not compatible with the RGB PPU due to its treatment of the PPU's color emphasis bits. More information on this particular issue can be found here on the NESDev wiki.

Install Procedure

A typical RGB PPU install on a front-loading NES, performed by Game-Tech.us. Note the use of a salvaged Nintendo multiout connector.

Below is a basic rundown of a typical PlayChoice-10 PPU install:

  1. Desolder the original NES PPU; this was arguably the most difficult part of the install and had the highest potential for damage.
  2. Install the PC-10 PPU in its place.
  3. Build a circuit to drive the PPU.
  4. Build an output port.

Full information on the installation of a PC-10 PPU can be found here, though keep in mind that the link in question contains outdated information dating back to 2005 and should not be taken as definitive.

Picture Comparisons

This section shows picture examples of what the NES looks like after being modded with a PC-10 RGB PPU. Click "Expand" below to show this section.

The pictures demonstrate two things:

  • Difference in picture quality between composite video and RGB.
  • Difference in color palette between the PlayChoice-10 RGB chips and the original NES color palette. Please see the PC-10 page on RetroRGB for an explanation of why there are differences.

The below images are photo captures of an RGB-capable monitor, which also has the effect of making the composite video output of the NES look much better than a regular TV. Click any picture to expand it to full size.

NESRGBCompare09 - large.jpg

NESRGBCompare10.jpg

NESRGBCompare06 - large.jpg

NESRGBCompare07 - large.jpg

NESRGBCompare08.jpg

NESRGBCompare01 - large.jpg

NESRGBCompare02 - large.jpg

NESRGBCompare03.jpg

NESRGBCompare04 - large.jpg

NESRGBCompare05.jpg

NESRGBCompare11 - large.jpg

NESRGBCompare12 - large.jpg

NESRGBCompare13.jpg

NESRGBCompare14 - large.jpg

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