Making a NES controller inferface usb

[nadcraker]

What would be the easest wasy of going about this? I want a real NES controller to play nes roms on my PC.  I have them going to my TV through video-out, but I want to use a real control as well.  What would be the best way to interface a NES control to USB for use in FEC Ultra and other emulators?

[armad1ll0]

I don't think that the NES came encoded actually. I'm not sure.

First, I'd start with a "dogbone" and figure out the voltage and if the signals were encoded. A total of 9 pins were needed. 8 + 1 for the ground. You may be able to find an extention cable, cut it and hook that into a USB encoder.

I wonder how hard would it be to make one...

I've seen some documentation before on Serial adaptors etc...

Little known is that Dogbone NES controllers sell for $15 new from the Nintendo online store...

[tom61]

NES controllers are indeed encoded, it's a simple serial protocol. You need to decode the signals, and then reencode the signals to USB.

If you're good with electronics, do a google search for 'Ninja NES pad adapters', it's an adapter that lets you hook up NES pads to a PC joystick port. Radio Shack sells a PC gamepad to USB adapter, so that'd take it the rest of the way.

Just FYI for anyone interested, the gamepad to USB adaptor only supports the older 'analog' pads/sticks (usually limited to 4 buttons) not  digital pads like the Sidewinder.

[Howard_Casto]

I ashamed that I had to crawl out of the bowels of the software section to answer this one.  You guys should know better.  

It's called directpad pro (or ntpad for you xp users)  and it uses a very simple parallel port interface. (like two resistors and that's it... even those are optional) There is actually a section devoted to this. On this very site.    

I know that the parallel port is virtually a dead avenue at this point, but for now it's still the best bet to connect classic console pads to the pc.  

Even if you are good at usb programming, the interface, the usb controller chip and the cables are gonna run about 30 bucks.  A usb chip programmer is gonna cost another 20-30 bucks.  Then you have to actually know how to program the dang thing.

Parallel port ends sell at radio shack for a whopping 3 bucks.  

So if you are willing to spend 60 bucks to conect a pad that has a current retail value of about $1.50 then go for usb, otherwise, use the parallel port connection method.