Get ready to remember the past in a whole new light with the best NES HDMI cables of all time!
Of course, if your past had nothing to do with old-school Nintendo gaming, then this could be a bit of a strange article. Still, you learn something new every day, right?
Here at Retro Dodo, we’re all about rekindling love for old games and getting the best out of our favourite retro systems.
The list below covers three HDMI adapters that don’t just work on the NES; they’ll improve the quality of your SNES, N64, PS1 and many more consoles besides!
Talk about value for money!
But today, we’re concentrating on what they can do to Nintendo’s mean machine, their first home console and the one that started it all off. If you’ve spent hours searching for the best NES HDMI cables with no success, then fear not.
We’ve got everything you need right here!
Table of Contents
1. The Pro Choice – XRGB-Mini Framemeister
The XRGB-Mini Framemeister takes the first spot in this list of the best NES HDMI cables of all time!
This upscaler is one of the most expensive bits of kit I’ve ever come across, but it certainly provides great results.
Back in 2011 when it dropped onto the scene, it blew pretty much everyone away with how it effectively and flawlessly sharpened classic games up on bigger TVs.
Now, one of these boxes could set you back upwards of $600!
Still, from the clean graphics shown above, it’s totally worth it if you can get your hands on one!
The XRGB-Mini Framemeister takes the NES’ 240p output and supercharges it to 720p and even 1080p! We’re talking major improvements on all of your classic games, bringing them into sharper focus and with way more definition.
Not to mention the ability to play them up on a big screen without feeling like your eyes are bleeding.
2. The Gamer’s Choice – Retro Tink 2X Mini
The XRGB-Mini Framemeister might well be the king of the upscalers, but the RetroTink 2X Mini has taken up the mantle in recent years.
This mighty mini box provides insane results and works on the NES, SNES, and N64. Inside each injection moulded case is a nifty upscaler that automatically recognises region format for each console without any messing around.
How cool is that!
At $79, the RetroTink 2X Mini is a much cheaper option for anyone looking to get the best out of the best NES games ever made.
Upgrading the firmware is simple, and it comes with a microUSB cable to help take the strain away from your tired-old NES. Power from your TV or any other USB power source.
There’s a reason why this little box is the gamer’s choice; it’s affordable, it provides great results, and it’s small enough to stick in a pocket and take around with you to a mates house or convention.
Grab a unit and let us know your thoughts!
3. The Budget Choice – ABLEWE RCA To HDMI Adapter
The ABLEWE RCA to HDMI Adapter is a no frills AV to HDMI adapter that transfers NES signals up onto the big screen. It’s simple, easy to use, and converts RCA signals into 720p/1080p outputs.
Like the other options in this list, it comes with a microUSB cable and supports formats from all regions. It’s a solid choice for all of the best retro consoles from the PS2 to the NES including older multimedia devices.
And the best bit; it comes with a 12 month warranty. Not bad for $14.99!
What Is The NES Display Resolution?
The NES has a display resolution of 240p at 256×240.
The Famicom (later to become the NES) came out in 1983. That means this console is 38 years old.
I know 240p probably seems archaic to younger readers, but it just shows how impressive console development has become since the early days.
Why Do I Need a NES HDMI Cable?
Not everyone has an old, small TV to play their NES Games on. Widescreen TVs aren’t going anywhere, and the sad news is that the NES just wasn’t built to be compatible with them.
The graphics are stretched and smudged, the pixels look almost angry, and the whole experience isn’t exactly a good one.
And that’s if your TV has the right ports for your NES to hook up to in the first place. If it’s like my laptop with two USB-C ports, then these cables may prove invaluable.
How Does A SNES HDMI Cable/Adapter Work?
The best NES HDMI cables in this list act as a conduit between a NES and a HDMI port on the back of a TV.
Slot the cables in, power the box up, and let the super-swish wizardry inside each box fo the rest.
The products in this list manipulate the output from the signal from the NES. They don’t turn the cartridges from the 80s into HD games.
That would be some ‘water into wine’ kind of stuff, and we’re pretty sure that while they might make make your games look better, these cables don’t perform miracles.
How Do I Buy The Best SNES HDMI Cables?
There are three different choices above with three different price points, the list going from most expensive and best quality to the cheapest.
We’ve given a brief summary of each item and what they do, as well as providing a location to grab one for your own set up.
And the good news is that each of the products in this list works in every gaming region. Result!
Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 31 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.
