NES Radar is an open-source project that turns the Nintendo Entertainment System into a retro-style air traffic visualiser using a custom serial connection and live aircraft position data.
NES Radar is an open-source project that brings modern-day flight tracking to the Nintendo Entertainment System. Developed by k6lcm, the project uses a standard NES ROM cartridge and a specially designed cable to display aircraft activity around selected airports in a visual style resembling a period NES game.
Despite its name, NES Radar does not use actual radar hardware or radio signals to locate aircraft. Instead, the system relies on a nearby computer running a Python script that retrieves aircraft position data. The data is then transferred to the NES through an unusual interface: the console’s second controller port.
The project effectively repurposes the controller connection as a serial port, allowing flight information to reach the NES at 9600 baud. The NES software can accept an International Civil Aviation Organization airport code, such as KATL, and use the received information to visualise nearby aircraft traffic. However, the system is limited by the NES hardware, including its ability to display only eight sprites at a time.
The Python-based data system is based on the developer’s earlier c64u-radar project, which performs a similar task on the Commodore 64 Ultimate. While that system can use a LAN connection to receive aircraft information, the NES lacks a comparable network interface, leading to the creative use of the controller port and custom cable.
NES Radar demonstrates how open-source software and simple hardware modifications can extend the capabilities of decades-old computing platforms. By combining a standard NES cartridge, a custom serial connection and externally retrieved aircraft data, the project turns a classic game console into a functional retro air traffic display.
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