If it checks out, this would be an awesome nes classic gamepad.

[Howard_Casto]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Rechargable-GamePad-Controller-For-Nintendo-NES-Mini-Classic-Console-/292004335400?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

It's a Chinese listing, so you never know unless you order it, but this wireless pad looks much better than the others currently out.  It's actually designed like the nes gamepad, simple method of recharging, ect.  15 bucks isn't a bad price either. 

[opt2not]

I really wish the 8bitdo NES controllers looked like this. The SNES ones are perfect, I love them, but I didn't buy the NES ones because of the extra buttons.

Who's going to be the guinea pig?

[pbj]

These are a couple bucks cheaper on Aliexpress.

[Howard_Casto]

Eh I might bite.  I've got to order some stuff this weekend anyway. 

Yeah the 8bitdo nes pad is horrible.  It's like they've never played a game where you have to press A+B together or something.

[Grasshopper]

They do indeed look pretty neat.

Does anyone here know whether the NES classic gamepads are based around USB (albeit using a non-standard plug), or do they use some type of obfuscated protocol.

The reason I ask is because I'm wondering whether these gamepads could be modified to be used on a PC or Raspberry Pi.

[Howard_Casto]

Well the wireless dongle is I2C (I think that's the correct term?) serial.  it has to be as the nes classic/wii/wii u can read it.  It is well documented and all kinds of hackers use it for interfacing with nunchucks, ect.  As for the wireless communication used, they say it is wireless USB, which is "kind of" a protocol and in theory you might get lucky with a wireless usb dongle.  They are fairly expensive though so at that point it would make more sense to just buy a 5 dollar usb nes gamepad clone. 

[Grasshopper]

Well the wireless dongle is I2C (I think that's the correct term?) serial.  it has to be as the nes classic/wii/wii u can read it.  It is well documented and all kinds of hackers use it for interfacing with nunchucks, ect.  As for the wireless communication used, they say it is wireless USB, which is "kind of" a protocol and in theory you might get lucky with a wireless usb dongle.  They are fairly expensive though so at that point it would make more sense to just buy a 5 dollar usb nes gamepad clone.

I was thinking more in terms of whether it would be possible to buy or make a converter cable that would allow the dongle to be attached to a USB port.

[Howard_Casto]

Yes I know, and I think I answered both methods.  It's not usb, it's  i2c serial, so unless there is already an adaptor on the market, no, you can't convert it easily.