I Made a GIANT Classic NES Console And Put A Wooden Mechanical Duck Hunt Game Inside

There have been a lot of woodworking projects over the years that I have enjoyed building and making, however building this Classic NES Console and putting a wooden version of the Classic NES Duck Hunt game inside has been my favorite and longest build ever! It all started with an idea and a love for the vintage classic NES console and games. Classic video games are making a comeback and even LEGO is jumping onboard. Check out their Classic NES LEGO Console. My game however is made of wood and much larger. It opens up into the classic Duck Hunt arcade shooting game.

The very first thing I had to figure out was what size I wanted my game to be. I decided to base the dimensions on another game I had made, Carnival Ring Toss in a box. The design of the box was rather simple however the wooden lever and mechanics of the game took me a very long time to figure out. I did a lot of sketches and testing of prototypes. I went back and forth between using motors and to just simple weight and levers. I ended up using weights and levers because I wanted to keep this game as simple as possible, however simple is very hard achieve. Now that I look back on the project, I wonder why it took me so long to figure it out! I think it has to do with the creative process and building.

I spent a lot of time building these plans and loved making this project. I spend about 2 months designing the game and about a month building in my spare time. The plans are in a PDF format and come with a 3D SketchUp model that you can download and modify as well as the artwork that I illustrated.

• Miter Saw | https://amzn.to/2XgnJCo
• Table Saw | https://amzn.to/2XfJliB
• Drill Kit | https://amzn.to/2FKP6tG
• Scroll saw | https://amzn.to/2DejkqU
• Router | https://amzn.to/2QEQdjR
• Router Table | https://amzn.to/32BX0jK
• Dremel | https://amzn.to/3bdfcUz
• Orbital Sander | https://amzn.to/2LFAMqn
• Fluted Drill Bits | https://amzn.to/2J6lSYi
• 24 in. Quick Grip Clamps (4 clamps) | https://amzn.to/2LrPlO2
• Nail Gun Kit | https://amzn.to/2LwpNzi
• Air Compressor | https://amzn.to/2LyID95
• Level | https://amzn.to/3btuFyU
• \Hammer | https://amzn.to/2UDYJ4c
• Tap Measure | https://amzn.to/2wGQGLU
• Putty Knife | https://amzn.to/39u9RWN
• Wire Stripper | https://amzn.to/2WRpggX
• Hack Saw | https://amzn.to/2UKhsuZ

• 1/2in Baltic Birch Plywood – http://bit.ly/30PDpJP
• 1/4in Acrylic PlexiGlass Sheet 12×12 – https://amzn.to/2Lr7Hy7
• 1/4in MDF – https://thd.co/358qjeh
• 1in or 5/4 Select Pine Board – http://bit.ly/2oYGhHj
• 1/4in Poplar Round Dowel – http://bit.ly/2MntJkC
• 1x4x8 Select Pine Board – http://bit.ly/2oabjvP
• 1/4in 2×4 Birch Plywood – https://low.es/2nnXh9i
• 6mm x 12in x12in Craft Plywood – http://bit.ly/31TTdMV

• Eye Bolt – https://amzn.to/339ohbL
• Nuts – https://amzn.to/33edLjN
• Clear Nylon Hobby Cord/Wire – https://amzn.to/31csvPy
• 3/4in Swivel Eye Pulley – https://amzn.to/2Q7PR7V
• Eye Screws Pack – https://amzn.to/2Ac0YBS
• Springs Pack – https://amzn.to/2NTd9eV
• Single Magnet Catch Pack – https://amzn.to/2LLeGkA
• 1in Hinge 2pack – https://amzn.to/306r2Zt
• 2in Hinge 4 pack – https://amzn.to/2I19gRn

• Micro Limit Switch – https://amzn.to/307HdG9
• AA Battery Holder with Switch – https://amzn.to/301AHpi
• Red LED Diodes and Resistors – https://amzn.to/2NVtmAj
• Nerf N-Strike SharpFire Blaster – https://amzn.to/2LrYVQo
• 150 Grit Sand Paper – https://amzn.to/34J2zgj
• 220 Grit Sand Paper – https://amzn.to/34I9wys
• 8 Hole Sanding Disk Paper Pack – https://amzn.to/2Lrn89z
• 60sec universal glue – https://amzn.to/32Lx2sH
• Mechanical Pencil – https://amzn.to/2I2j0e0
• Rust-Oleum Farm and Implement Ford Gray Spray Paint – http://bit.ly/2LRRgLu
• Rust-Oleum Dary Gray Spray Paint – https://amzn.to/2QhjVh8
• Rust-Oleum Apple Red Spray Paint – https://amzn.to/2Nc3Max
• Rust-Oleum Black Spray Paint – https://amzn.to/2NZgB7I
• Masking Tape – https://amzn.to/2NZT1aU
• Titebond Wood Glue – https://amzn.to/2NWuPq0
• 3M Double Sided Tape – https://amzn.to/300zsXu
• Wood Filler – https://amzn.to/2ZX7Zow
• Titeboand Quick Thick Wood Molding Glue 8oz | https://amzn.to/2UCipVY
• 1in coarse pan-head coarse screws | https://amzn.to/2wysqf3
• 32oz DAP Plastic Wood Putty | https://amzn.to/33NNPwQ
• 220 grit 3M sandpaper pack | https://amzn.to/33SfEnu
• 3/4in brad nails | https://amzn.to/2vXUPe6

Start by first watching my build video.

Next, you want to cut your sheets of plywood down to size using a table saw. If you don’t have a large table saw and out-feed table. You can use a track saw…there are many different track saw versions on the market from very expensive to reasonably priced. I recommend just going with a cheep version for this project, unless you have other needs for a track saw there is no need to make a big investment.

You want to first build the NES box that the duck hunt game is going to fit into. You will want to start by cutting your base and sides. Be sure to check your angles before you cut everything on your table saw. Once you have cut the bottom, top and 4 sides it is now time to glue and brad nail the sides. You will want to place the top to the side for step 4.

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Take the top board that you cut out for the top of box and mark out where you need to cut out the vents. Reference the build plans for exact measurements. I recommend using a stacked dado blade to cut out the channel and take out a little at a time…try not to cut it all out at once. This will ensure that your wood doesn’t chip or tear out. Next you will want to build and assemble the controller plugs.

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After you install your controller plugs you need to make and assemble the Nintendo Power Button. I made the button completely out of wood and used a sprint and latch system to hold the top of the box when closed.

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Take your time in cutting out the hole for the button and the latch. I used plexiglass for my latch hook. You can pick plexiglass up at your local hardware store. You will need a small saw to cut out the hole in the plexiglass…I used a coping saw.

Assembling the mechanics of the game was really satisfying. I had tested a few prototypes out to make sure it would work before I committed to assembling everything into the finished box. This gave me the confidence I needed not to mess anything up on the actual Giant Nintendo Duck Hunt Arcade Game. I first had to start by cutting out the gaming screen. I actually illustrated the classic Nintendo Duck Hunt game based on screen shots I captured. I then reached out to a buddy of mine who was able to print the illustrations directly on my plywood sheet, here is a link to his company. I then cut out the blades of grass, ducks and dog for the game. I assembled all the mechanics to the bottom top of the box and enclosed the mechanics behind the wooden Duck Hunt screen.

Painting the Nintendo Console box was a lot of fun. I wasn’t able to match the Nintendo gray exactly but I got close. I also used some masking tape to tape off the sections that needed to be painted black. Here are a few pictures of the process.

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This was my favorite woodworking project I have ever made. I think I spent about 3 months designing and building the project. It was stressful at times but I love the end result. It is also a really fun game to play. It brought me back to my childhood play that classic Nintendo Duck Hunt game and for the most part I feel I have re-created it just in a wooden mechanical version. I would love to know what you think about the project, be sure to leave comments and ask me any questions you have about this build.

Below are several ways to pin, share, and like this project. If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment below. If you want to stay up-to-date on my latest projects and are looking for projects yourself be sure to check out my Plans and other Projects on this site. I also am very active on Instagram and YouTube.