Super Nintendo Hard Drive

by sirjason132

31K14112


Intro: Super Nintendo Hard Drive

I had an old SNES game that didn't work any more, but I didn't want to throw it away. I stumbled upon a cool use for it - an external hard drive enclosure!

I've seen people put hard disks and larger SSDs into SNES cartridges, but not a M.2 (2280) SSD which I also had laying around, so I thought I'd give it a try and share my process.

One thing I tried hard to achieve was to make the cartridge appear stock, unless you look at the bottom of it. I didn't want to have any cutouts or openings on the sides, which would make it look like less of a clean build.

If you have any interest in seeing some of my other projects - check out my channel: Franklinstein

STEP 1: Open Cartridge and Remove PCB

  1. Open the cartridge with these special adapter bits for SNES screws: https://amzn.to/3QjwgPl
  2. Remove the PCB

STEP 2: Cut Internals on Cartridge

There are a few areas of the internal cartridge structure that will need to be removed to allow the SSD and adapter to fit inside. See image below for reference.

STEP 3: 3D Print SSD Adapter and Other Parts

  1. Print the SSD adapter
  2. Print the adapter clamping straps (2x)
  3. Print the bulkhead adapter
  4. Tap the SSD adapter holes to #4-40
  5. Countersink the holes on the adapter clamping straps (not required, but looks cleaner)
  6. If you don't have a printer - you can print the files here

STEP 4: Assembly

Let's put everything together!

  1. Add foam tape to one side of straps
  2. Apply double sided tape to underside of SSD adapter
  3. Insert SSD adapter into rear cartridge - press firmly to allow tape to adhere
  4. Insert SSD into adapter
  5. Install USB-C cable into SSD
  6. Bolt clamping straps on to hold it in place
  7. Bolt bulkhead adapter to bulkhead fitting of USB-C cable
  8. Apply double sided tape to bulkhead adapter
  9. Install bulkhead fitting as shown
  10. Reassemble upper half and screw everything back together - you're done!

STEP 5: Design a Custom Game Sticker

One of my favorite parts of this project was designing a super custom label for my cartridge. You should do the same!

  1. Here is the template I started out with
  2. I used Canva to edit everything
  3. I printed my stickers with Avery labels

STEP 6: Project Complete!

Now you can show off your super unique hard drive, with a custom game sticker.

Enjoy!

10 Comments

WUVIE 8 months ago

This is definitely over my head, but your Instructable is well-written, and indeed, a great, and unusual use. Kudos and applause, this is pretty cool.

DavidA26 8 months ago

What about data Transfer speed?

Safirelibra 8 months ago

This is awesome and very easy to follow. I would love to teach this to my students. May I ask, what 3D printer you use?

BrockGrimes 8 months ago

Do a test with the adapter and drive before assembly. Some of these drives get hot

BrockGrimes 8 months ago

My only recommendation is test the drive and adapter before assembly. Run a read write stress test. Some m.2 drives get Hot and may require a heat spreader. Or the drive could potentially be replaced by an ssd instead.

siviafamily5 8 months ago

you may want to add some thermal pads to the SSD so it has a little bit better speeds. you can also add some copper adhesive tape to the top side of the game case and it will help transfer heat to the outside of the case.

cheez 8 months ago

I think the game as a whole would be better served being repaired...

bob2021 8 months ago

Great idea and all that. But I stopped watching at the point when you said throw the PCB in the garbage. šŸ˜•

I hope you meant ā€œthe box in the garage thatā€™s being taken to the recycling centreā€. Up-cycling shouldn't also be wasteful. ā™»ļø