Hey,

As you know, we don’t have a link cable, or a suitable connector available for the VB. There’s several ways to make a cable that works, but in the end, it’s mostly ugly hacks for development/prototyping. I’ve been trying to come up with a way to make a quality cable that would just plug in… but so far have been unsuccessful.

So… it got me thinking… how about just making a proper cable? I contacted a custom part manufacturer (who I’ve used parts from in the past), and they said they could do it, but of course wouldn’t be “cheap”. I sort of based my design thoughts on the SNES A/V connector, which includes a plastic shell with crimp pins. So, I found some crimp pins which should work, but I didn’t have any way to make a 3D model of the plastic shell.

Well, of course I asked Hedgetrimmer (our resident 3D modeling expert), and he created a GREAT model of a plastic shell to house the pins. With that, I was able to verify with the MFG that it could be made, as well as get an estimate for price.

So, now here’s the question. They were right… it’s not cheap. A complete link cable would cost about $40, since the quantity would be so low. At this price, how many would be interested (and how many)? Would anyone want just the connector/pins?

There’d probably only be about 50 cables made, and this would probably be the only run, since I’m assuming the demand would be low. I don’t mind investing the money (and probably losing quite a bit on this project), since I think it’s a very worthwhile project… but, if I’m the only one that has any interest in it, there’s no point in even considering it further.

But, IMO this seems like a good time to pursue this, since homebrew is continually advancing, and I think linked homebrew has been held down by lack of link cable. Also, I assume some will be buying the new Flashboy, even though they already have an old Flashboy… so with two flash carts, why not have a cable to link the systems?

Of course, if there’s an unanticipated large interest in this, the price would come down… but we’re a pretty small community, and the homebrew crowd is really the only market for this.

Thanks,
DogP

Great.

You won’t be able to play via the link cable using an original Mario’s Tennis cart though. 😉

Just got mine in the mail today. They are real!

Also received mine in the mail as well wonderfully done thank you! Can’t wait to play some matches of Mario Tennis with my son.

I won’t be doing DIY kits like I mentioned. Feel free to offer them

OK.

The link plug will come in 2 halves (the final plug is keyed to fit the port).

It’ll just be a case of soldering in the cable and snapping the 2 halves together.

I’m making them completely in-house. 3D-printing the cases and cutting the PCB’s on my engraver.

Final plug will be either black or red.

Big thanks to Hedgetrimmer for the case design and Runnerpack for the PCB board idea.

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Clever construction with identical halves.

@Minestorm: a cheaper cable than the one existing would interest me. Sadly I can’t afford the one made by Mellott124, so another solution would be awesome.

I got my second FlashBoy in the mail today and can confirm that two-player Mario’s Tennis works and is fantastic.

OK, all batch 5 cables built. Those cables have been shipped or an email sent requesting more info.

That’s 53 link cables so far. Batch 6 cable parts are in and I’ll start on those next. At the end of batch 6 there will be 70 link cables in the wild!

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Great news, I’ve never been so excited for a cable that I cant even use right now. Just nice to have with the collection.

@Minestorm: a cheaper cable than the one existing would interest me. Sadly I can’t afford the one made by Mellott124, so another solution would be awesome.

Well, if you are willing to do some testing for me (I don’t have 2 consoles) you can have one for free.

I’d be interested in one of the DIY Kits as well!

Update for people who have ordered cables. I’m in the batch 6 build now. About 14 more cables left. A bunch more cables will go out Monday after I build over the weekend. I’ll send follow up emails with tracking then. Thanks.

A few more cables ready to go out.

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All link cables orders have been built!

That’s 71 cables containing 568 hand stuffed pins, 426 connector parts, 426 wires soldered, 71 sections of heat shrink, 142 red zip ties, half bottle of Loctite 401, 7 containers of DP100 epoxy with mixing nozzles, and 18 syringes with dispensing needles. Whew!

All cables have been shipped with exception of 6 that are awaiting more info. 9 free cables went out to developers, with a few developers paying despite the free offer.

Thanks everyone. That was certainly more interest and initial units then I was expecting. Cables were shipped all over the world. It was way worth it to see the excitement and hear about the things to come.

Thanks again to everyone who ordered a cable.

You’re a boss dude.
I appreciate all that you do! :]

Wow, Kevin you’ve been busy! Thank you again for the cable and everything. You’re a flippin rockstar and so many people loved being able to used the cable at that gaming con.

You are awesome, Mellott. …So will there be no more link cables through you? I never got a PM in response to my wanting one.

Knightcrawler wrote:
You are awesome, Mellott. …So will there be no more link cables through you? I never got a PM in response to my wanting one.

Yes I’m continuing to make them. I don’t recall a PM from you but it’s possible I missed it. Please resend.

I currently have parts to build 1 or 2 more. I’ll reorder parts if more people are interested.

Ok… I’ll be the idiot and ask:

Do you need two copies of the game to play 2 player, or is it like the DS multiplayer games were only one person needed a cart?

Thanks, and beautiful work as always!

S7AYONTARGE7 wrote:
Ok… I’ll be the idiot and ask:

Do you need two copies of the game to play 2 player, or is it like the DS multiplayer games were only one person needed a cart?

Thanks, and beautiful work as always!

2 copies of game are needed. One for each VB.