NES Controller Belt Buckle w/ Sound FX!

This instructable will show you how to merge a Mario Bros. sound FX keychain with an NES controller to make a belt buckle with sounds from the original Super Mario Bros. This is also my sister's Christmas present, so don't tell her!

Here's a video of the belt buckle in glorious action:

Step 1 Materials

Hardware:
NES Controller
Super Mario Bros. FX Keychain (available online, $5-10, I got mine at Hot Topic for $10)
On/off switch (I got 2 SPDT switches from Radio Shack for $2.50)
Belt buckle, belt buckle blank (available from craft stores), or wire hanger

Equipment:
Soldering Iron (& flux, solder, etc.)
Hot Glue gun
Dremel or some other tool for cutting the controller board
Wire strippers & scissors
Small phillips scredriver
Drill w/ 1/16" bit

Comments

[mmmdrytinder]

This is too cool for me to goof up by trying it. If I have the controller and keychain would I be able to talk you into doing this for me for a fee? If so, pretty sure you'd be my hero. Holla.

[LMO]

How about this: try it yourself first, then let me know if you still need some help.

[jcraw]

Have to change your name to "Captin N" I may have to make this someday, or more likely pay a friend to do it for me as I'm not good with such things.

[sillyzombie666]

i cant seem to find a belt buckle blank any wheres and i really need this for a friend , they want to give it as a gift so im trying to find one fast

[PatentPending]

See, I have a perfect belt and an NES controller ready for this, but I can't come across the keychain.. Do you know where I can find one or an alternative??

[PatentPending]

So... I found the keychain for $7.50, but I have to say, I was surprised at what site I found it on

http://www.stupid.com/fun/SPMA.html

And in case anyone wants to buy it or anything else from this site, here's a list of coupon codes that you can use (only one per order) I used SPOOKY10, 10% off.

http://www.tjoos.com/Coupon/31391/Stupid.com

[WhatULive4]

I made one of these (minus the belt attachments) as a toy for my son.  I've got to start him early!  Thanks for the inspiration...  Gotta say, the battery holder was a pain in the @$$.

[Iridium7]

 lol, another way for the ladies to look at your crotch.

[luigi112344]

okay this seems cool but what could the select and start button do you should add the sound of pause in the both

[vanceatot]

how much is this if i want you to make it for me

[LMO]

How much ya got? lol I think cost would depend on the NES controller, wherever you can find it. The keychain is $10, and the other stuff is nominal.

[mokojean]

can you clear up where to glue or solder the wires to the butters?I have all my connections soldered to the controller, but I'm having a hard time trying to see where to attach the other ends of the wires to the circuit board of the keychain. when i touch the wires they make a noise, but when i press the button on the controller it does nothing. please your thoughts on this.

[LMO]

Don't solder anything directly to the buttons. If the circuit is making a sound when you complete the circuit manually, maybe the buttons are dirty and need to be cleaned. I also had problems with connections coming undone and breaking the circuit when I put it all back together- make sure there isn't a lot of stress on the connections when you're done. Hope this helps; don't know what else to say.

[Bazzatron]

i see the microchip part of the board has made a miraculous comeback? im more confused now as to whether thats an integral part of the project of not??

[LMO]

Some of the pics have the microchip in them, some don't....they're not in chronological order (my bad). I took it out to free up some space - it's not necessary at all. The important part is to make sure that all the button circuits are complete...ie. there's one hot wire that snakes around to all the buttons and it must not be interrupted. Let me know if that doesn't make sense.

[daftpunkelectroma]

wait. soo you have to drill holes in the back of the nes controller right?

[LMO]

Without the holes, the sound is barely audible. Just be careful and drill the holes before you install the speaker....I lost one that way.......

[Bazzatron]

does it matter how haggard the board is at the end of the process?
guessing you just need the button contacts - intact and that everything else is pretty disposable ^_

[JohnnyHands]

Great Project! I was just wondering if you could give a little more detail about the wiring of the batteries and the speaker... I can sort of see where/how they are wired, but it I'm not 100% sure where the connections are. Thanks

[LMO]

When you buy the keychain, the yellow speaker wires and the battery leads are already soldered to the board. You'll see them when you take it apart. De nada.

[Valgarn]

Totaly awesome=O

[lukeis1]

Does it have to be a NES controller that works on the NES? Because I have some that don't work with the NES.

[darkmuskrat]

If it doesn't work on the console, just make sure the buttons work ( so check with a multimeter? voltmeter? idk what its called, sorry) if u have a current when the buttons pressed your good to go...

[mrjubjub]

good instructable and job ^_