Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Consoles => Topic started by: shponglefan on September 20, 2012, 08:37:01 am

Title: Console controllers on a PC: DIY hacks, Retrozone adapters, something else?
Post by: shponglefan on September 20, 2012, 08:37:01 am

I want to connect a few old console controllers (NES, SNES and Genesis) to my PC.  After Googling I found various guides on how to hack controllers to turn them into either USB gamepads or keyboards.

But then I stumbled across this site (http://www.retrousb.com/index.php?cPath=21) which sells ready-made adapters for original controllers.  Which is kind of nice because then the controller doesn't need to be modded.

Anyone done either of these?  Are there other solutions I should also consider that people have tried?

Title: Re: Console controllers on a PC: DIY hacks, Retrozone adapters, something else?
Post by: Louis Tully on September 20, 2012, 08:51:37 am

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Title: Re: Console controllers on a PC: DIY hacks, Retrozone adapters, something else?
Post by: Howard_Casto on September 20, 2012, 10:34:16 am

The RetroUSB kits are pretty good.  Just be aware that they only support gamepads..... multitaps, oddball racing controllers...ect  not supported. 

If you wander around this forum you'll stumble across my stalled "uni-con" adaptor I was going to produce.  I ran into a wall during the test phase.  The physical connectors for the various gamepads are hard to come by and when you do find them they can be quite expensive.  If someone could find me a ready-made supply of connectors for around a buck a pop I would get back on that project and churn out a device that would work for just about anything. 

Title: Re: Console controllers on a PC: DIY hacks, Retrozone adapters, something else?
Post by: shponglefan on September 20, 2012, 11:46:06 am

Good to know about the Retrousb adapters.  I'll probably just order them and save the hassle of trying to hack the controllers.

@Howard_Casto:  I actually did come across your thread while searching the forum.  It looked like an ambitious and awesome project.  Too bad about the cost being a barrier, though.

Title: Re: Console controllers on a PC: DIY hacks, Retrozone adapters, something else?
Post by: sharpfork on September 22, 2012, 10:22:10 pm

Bootsector makes a couple of nice options depending on if you want arcade controls in addition your console pads:

http://www.brunofreitas.com/node/41
Take the prices and pretty much cut them in half to get us $.  His SLGs are sweet too.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Console controllers on a PC: DIY hacks, Retrozone adapters, something else?
Post by: shponglefan on September 26, 2012, 07:34:51 pm

Ended up ordering the NES, SNES and Genesis adapters from Retrozone.  They just arrived today (shipping took less than a week), installed in 2 seconds and worked without a hitch.  Not much else to say, I'm impressed.  ;D