Very new to this and i need some help modding a nes controller to arcade

[LtDedition]

Hey Guys,

I am extremely new to this and thought i would start by modding a nes controller to work as an arcade stick and buttons i found a few pictures on the soldering on one already done but i am very new to all of this and can't figure how to ground it and what to solder where. It's all a bit over welming and i cannot seem to find any guides anywhere, the ones i do find don't really give enough detail and assume you know a lot about it already.

I'm really hoping someone can give me some advise and point me in the right direction,

Also is there any sticks and buttons you guys would recommend for this ? I've been looking around and i just want a 4 way stick as it is for nes and 4 buttons 2 for a and x and 2 for start and select

Thank you in advance

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, LtDedition.

The easiest way to do this is not to mod the controller.

The USB NES RetroPort is available here or on Amazon here.



It allows you to use original controllers, but does not work with peripherals (Zapper, FourScore, etc)

It shows up in windows as a USB HID game controller.


Scott

[LtDedition]

Hey,

I already have that piece but i want to turn it into a joystick and arcade buttons like this:


http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/268/p1010011b.jpg/

Thank you for the reply

[paigeoliver]

The Nes controller is 8-way not 4-way and they always seemed like one of the harder gamepads to hack.

If you just want this for PC use and not for an actual nes then just start with a keyboard or gamepad encoder and leave the nes gamepad out of the equation.

[PL1]

Ah, now I see.

You want to make an arcade-style controller with 4 buttons and a joystick that plugs in via USB.  Amiright?

There are several ways to approach this.

Hacking a NES controller and connecting it through the retroport is a lot more work than using something like Vigo's ZD Encoder (gamepad-style encoder) or the AVR Encoder by Degenatrons. (keyboard-style encoder)  The added bonus to using these other encoders is that you have room to expand/grow.  What if you decide you want to play SNES games, too?  With the NES hack, you have no room to grow like you have with the others.

With all that in mind, Slagcoin has all the info you are asking for here including this diagram of where to solder your signal and ground wires. (other controller board diagram links listed 2/3rds of the way down under "PCB Diagrams")



The signal traces -- blue circles above -- connect to the corresponding Normally Open (NO) switch contact. The joystick will appear backwards since pushing up closes the switch closest to you and pushing right closes the switch on your left.

The ground "daisy-chain" connects all the Common (Com) switch terminals to the trace with the red circle above.


Image credit: RandyT from Groovy Game Gear.   


Scott

[LtDedition]

Ah, now I see.

You want to make an arcade-style controller with 4 buttons and a joystick that plugs in via USB.  Amiright?

There are several ways to approach this.

Hacking a NES controller and connecting it through the retroport is a lot more work than using something like Vigo's ZD Encoder (gamepad-style encoder) or the AVR Encoder by Degenatrons. (keyboard-style encoder)  The added bonus to using these other encoders is that you have room to expand/grow.  What if you decide you want to play SNES games, too?  With the NES hack, you have no room to grow like you have with the others.

With all that in mind, Slagcoin has all the info you are asking for here including this diagram of where to solder your signal and ground wires. (other controller board diagram links listed 2/3rds of the way down under "PCB Diagrams")



The signal traces -- blue circles above -- connect to the corresponding Normally Open (NO) switch contact. The joystick will appear backwards since pushing up closes the switch closest to you and pushing right closes the switch on your left.

The ground "daisy-chain" connects all the Common (Com) switch terminals to the trace with the red circle above.


Image credit: RandyT from Groovy Game Gear.   


Scott

Thank you so much mate thats just what i needed ! It's not for a pc you see i'm making a custom arcade table using a Pi i'll post pictures when its finished

[PL1]

Thank you so much mate thats just what i needed ! It's not for a pc you see i'm making a custom arcade table using a Pi i'll post pictures when its finished

Glad to assist.

Don't hesitate to post your plans/work in progress in "Project Announcements".

Lots of encouragement/motivation there and maybe even some hints for dodging potential pitfalls so you can learn from our derpy mistakes instead of making them yourself.   


Scott