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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: eastbayarb on May 13, 2006, 03:45:27 am

Title: NES Arkanoid VAUS controller - hackable as a MAME spinner?
Post by: eastbayarb on May 13, 2006, 03:45:27 am

Anyone know or try to hack the Arkanoid VAUS controller (included in the NES version of Arkanoid) into a spinner for MAME?

Thanx!

Title: Re: NES Arkanoid VAUS controller - hackable as a MAME spinner?
Post by: Kremmit on May 13, 2006, 03:55:14 am

Unfortunately, it's not a spinner, it's a paddle.  A spinner freely rotates 360 degrees, and is (almost) always an optical device.  A paddle has a limited range-of-motion, and is (almost?) always a potentiometer device.

The NES version of Arkanoid is virtually un-playable past a certain level without that controller, though.  I've never researched it, but I'll bet it's worth buck$ to serious NES collectors in working condition. 

edit:  According to Ebay completed auctions, it's not really that valuable after all.  Bummer.

Title: Re: NES Arkanoid VAUS controller - hackable as a MAME spinner?
Post by: horseboy on May 13, 2006, 03:58:51 am

Woohoo, I've got one.

Title: Re: NES Arkanoid VAUS controller - hackable as a MAME spinner?
Post by: Kremmit on May 13, 2006, 04:06:47 am

I've got a broken one from back in my NES days.  One of these days, I'll have to try replacing the pot on it to see if that fixes it.

Title: Re: NES Arkanoid VAUS controller - hackable as a MAME spinner?
Post by: NoOne=NBA= on May 13, 2006, 09:47:35 am

Quote from: Kremmit on May 13, 2006, 04:06:47 am

I've got a broken one from back in my NES days.  One of these days, I'll have to try replacing the pot on it to see if that fixes it.

It does.
I already fixed mine.

I actually didn't like the size/shape of the thing as well, and dumped all the guts into a project box that fit my hand better.

Title: Re: NES Arkanoid VAUS controller - hackable as a MAME spinner?
Post by: DarkBubble on May 15, 2006, 12:05:26 pm

Is there anything special about the Vaus controller, or can you make your own by modifying a stock NES pad?  I haven't been able to find anything on the Vaus controller other than eBay sales.  If it's doable, I'd rather build my own.

Title: Re: NES Arkanoid VAUS controller - hackable as a MAME spinner?
Post by: NoOne=NBA= on May 15, 2006, 06:27:46 pm

I didn't really look, to tell you the truth.
I just ripped the guts out, replaced the pot, and wired buttons up to it.

My gut feel is that, since all the other connections on the NES are digital, it is probably a special use board for the paddle.

Title: Re: NES Arkanoid VAUS controller - hackable as a MAME spinner?
Post by: 2600 on May 15, 2006, 08:01:31 pm

Would anyone be willing to open there's up and take some pics?  I haven't looked for it directly, but remember looking up controller information and it was wrong at a lot of places. One could probably see what it is doing in an emulator, but I'd like to see the hardware.

Pinouts would be ideal.

Title: Re: NES Arkanoid VAUS controller - hackable as a MAME spinner?
Post by: Kremmit on May 15, 2006, 09:23:51 pm

I don't even know which box it's in.  But if/when I run across it, I will.