HES Unidaptor
Encyclopedia
The HES Unidaptor is a video game adapter which allows any Nintendo Entertainment System
(NES) console game to be operated on any NES hardware despite the 10NES
region security chip. It was developed by Australian company Home Entertainment Suppliers
Pty. Ltd. (HES). Two models were released: the HES Unidaptor and the HES Unidaptor MKII. Neither version is compatible with the original Japan
ese Famicom
.
, in an attempt to prevent companies releasing an unlicensed Nintendo game (which is not illegal
to do), in later revisions of their hardware
locked out these titles. To circumvent this, HES developed a bypass technology
called the 'Piggy Back' or 'Dongle' game, where you could insert an officially licensed NES cartridge into the back of a HES game and it operated using the country code of the official title. This was so successful HES also used this technology to build a converter to bypass the 10NES security protocol entirely, released as the HES Unidaptor.
Other companies have released similar products but none that allows the conversion of all NES games onto all NES hardware.
Slot 1 is the master slot which is where the user inserts an official licensed NES game compatible with the NES hardware so that the 10NES chip can read the country code from the master's EPROM
.
The others, Slot 2 and Slot 3 (called the slaves), allowed the user to insert either a 72-pin NTSC
/PAL
cartridge to play or a 60-pin Famicom respectively.
When the NES was switched on it read the security code from the local licensed title, and then executed the code
on the slave’s cartridge.
Because its connector to the NES was only made with a 72-pin configuration, this unit was only compatible with American, European, Australian and New Zealand NES machines. However it was still able to play 60-pin Japanese Famicom games on those systems.
This unit only supported 72-pin NTSC/PAL cartridges.
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
(NES) console game to be operated on any NES hardware despite the 10NES
10NES
The 10NES system is a lock-out system designed for the American version of the Nintendo Entertainment System video game console. Various companies found ways to bypass the authorization chip.-Design:...
region security chip. It was developed by Australian company Home Entertainment Suppliers
Home Entertainment Suppliers
Home Entertainment Suppliers Pty. Ltd. is an Australian company that distributes computer games and gaming equipment. HES offices are based in Riverwood, Sydney....
Pty. Ltd. (HES). Two models were released: the HES Unidaptor and the HES Unidaptor MKII. Neither version is compatible with the original Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Famicom
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
.
Background
NintendoNintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
, in an attempt to prevent companies releasing an unlicensed Nintendo game (which is not illegal
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
to do), in later revisions of their hardware
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
locked out these titles. To circumvent this, HES developed a bypass technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
called the 'Piggy Back' or 'Dongle' game, where you could insert an officially licensed NES cartridge into the back of a HES game and it operated using the country code of the official title. This was so successful HES also used this technology to build a converter to bypass the 10NES security protocol entirely, released as the HES Unidaptor.
Other companies have released similar products but none that allows the conversion of all NES games onto all NES hardware.
HES Unidaptor
The original HES Unidaptor is quite a bulky device with a cartridge that slips into the NES unit, and straps over the top of the NES. The component that lies atop of the NES has three slots.Slot 1 is the master slot which is where the user inserts an official licensed NES game compatible with the NES hardware so that the 10NES chip can read the country code from the master's EPROM
EPROM
An EPROM , or erasable programmable read only memory, is a type of memory chip that retains its data when its power supply is switched off. In other words, it is non-volatile. It is an array of floating-gate transistors individually programmed by an electronic device that supplies higher voltages...
.
The others, Slot 2 and Slot 3 (called the slaves), allowed the user to insert either a 72-pin NTSC
NTSC
NTSC, named for the National Television System Committee, is the analog television system that is used in most of North America, most of South America , Burma, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and some Pacific island nations and territories .Most countries using the NTSC standard, as...
/PAL
PAL
PAL, short for Phase Alternating Line, is an analogue television colour encoding system used in broadcast television systems in many countries. Other common analogue television systems are NTSC and SECAM. This page primarily discusses the PAL colour encoding system...
cartridge to play or a 60-pin Famicom respectively.
When the NES was switched on it read the security code from the local licensed title, and then executed the code
Code
A code is a rule for converting a piece of information into another form or representation , not necessarily of the same type....
on the slave’s cartridge.
Because its connector to the NES was only made with a 72-pin configuration, this unit was only compatible with American, European, Australian and New Zealand NES machines. However it was still able to play 60-pin Japanese Famicom games on those systems.
HES Unidaptor MKII
A more refined and cheaper version was released that was more similar in appearance to HES games. It was simply a cartridge that slotted into the NES, which had two 'Piggy back' slots (the bottom being the master and the top being the slave).This unit only supported 72-pin NTSC/PAL cartridges.
Other NES/Famicom converters
- Family Converter
- Game Key
- Game Converter
- Magic Key
- Micro GeniusMicro GeniusMicro Genius is a brand name used for Famicom clone consoles marketed in several countries around the world, particularly areas where Nintendo did not have an official presence, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, South Africa and East Asian countries...
- Spica T89
- Wu Ho Cassette Adaptor
See also
- Nintendo Seal of Quality
- Home Entertainment SuppliersHome Entertainment SuppliersHome Entertainment Suppliers Pty. Ltd. is an Australian company that distributes computer games and gaming equipment. HES offices are based in Riverwood, Sydney....
- List of Nintendo Entertainment System accessories
External links
- HES Unidaptor - further details on the HES Unidaptor
- Detailed look at NES/Famicom adaptors