NES + Pi: Controller / Power button planning

After some thought (and browsing) I've made decisions on how I want to wire up the original power / reset buttons, and get the control ports working for use. 

Keeping the controller ports

This is probably the most important part of the project as without authentic looking ports you don't have an authentic looking box. 

I can either use them, or keep for them show.  I don't like the idea of not having them active so to me it's worth the effort wiring them up so we can use original NES controllers

While looking for some form of wiring diagram for the ports (originally I thought I could just wire them up to the GPIO, and configure them in software) I saw references to RetroUSB, they specialise in circuits that will take wiring from a NES controller and convert that to a standard USB HID controller.

Their intended use is embedding the circuit inside the pad itself (it has a long trailing USB lead attached).  Essentially converting an original NES controller to a generic USB one for use on PCs.

I want to use the original ports, but providing I can map the pins to the right wires on the inside of the console there's no reason why it can't be used internally - and I've seen in one project that this has been done at least once before. 

I've ordered 2 circuits (one for each controller port) - you can find them here.  There is a YouTube video and some images showing the points to solder to.

The power / reset buttons

When I originally thought of doing this I was planning on using the menu system in EmulationStation to shut the system down, and the external power socket to turn the box off and on.  I quickly realised this wasn't a good idea.  Firstly, you can't tell if the box is on - so already I have to link up the LED to the GPIO somehow.  Secondly, my 7 yr old is never going to remember to shut it down before turning it off at the plug.  So, I need working buttons and LED indicator on the front of the box.

Luckily there is a company that specialise in shutdown circuits for Raspberry Pi's.  The Mausberry shutdown circuit should link up both buttons on the front of the NES box, as well as the indicator.  Its a really tidy solution, it sits between the Pi and the 5v micrusb cable that powers the Pi, and takes in wires from the power / reset switch, as well as controlling the LED indicator via a 3v out. 

There is a small amount of configuration needed on the Pi to set up a script to handle the shutdown event before cutting power.

Rear panel

At the back I need to have a USB port and a HDMI port. These will replace the old analogue out and AC adapter connectors.  I need to source some grey plastic sheeting from somewhere or something, to make it tidy looking at the back and make sure the ports are firmly in place. 

All the parts I need have been ordered, while I wait for them to be delivered I can dremel the unused supports out from the box, ready for putting the new stuff into it.

I can also think about how I'll be fixing the Raspberry Pi in place (and where).