Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: hypernova on December 25, 2006, 01:03:13 pm

Title: ADAPTOIDS!!!!
Post by: hypernova on December 25, 2006, 01:03:13 pm
While doing my usual periodic check of adaptoid availability on ebay, I figured I'd check the web to see if wishtech or ztnet was offering them again.

Our prayers may have been answered.  ZTNet is offering preorders right now on adaptoids!  Now I'm not too certain on their respectability as a vendor, but if this is the real deal, you've got to get in on it NOW!  According to them, they have already filled out the required preorders, and they are already in the process of producing them!

Adaptoids! (http://www.ztnetstore.com/product_info.php/cPath/23/products_id/38)

There is also a thread revealing the progress of the manufacturing.

Progress thread (http://www.ztnetstore.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=59#59)

I'd submit as news, but I've never submitted news before, so I'm somewhat confused of the "regulations" on that submission page.
Title: Re: ADAPTOIDS!!!!
Post by: miles2912 on December 26, 2006, 04:23:05 pm
Good spot.  I will be real curious to see how this new ruin performs.

D-
Title: Re: ADAPTOIDS!!!!
Post by: jWin on December 26, 2006, 06:28:52 pm
I dont get it,  so its 36 dollars just to use a single N64 controller on your PC?  doesnt ebay have adapters similiar to this for a lot less? what am I missing here


example
http://cgi.ebay.com/N64-to-USB-adapter-Nintendo-64-to-PC_W0QQitemZ190064668663QQihZ009QQcategoryZ74943QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Title: Re: ADAPTOIDS!!!!
Post by: Loki on December 26, 2006, 07:27:54 pm
Too damn expensive -_-
Isn't it possible to make one your self?

I did the same with my xbox controller, I just cut the wire, solder an extra USB cable to it, heat-shrink tube around it and now it plays both on my pc and xbox.
Title: Re: ADAPTOIDS!!!!
Post by: crashwg on December 26, 2006, 07:53:03 pm
Too damn expensive -_-
Isn't it possible to make one your self?

I did the same with my xbox controller, I just cut the wire, solder an extra USB cable to it, heat-shrink tube around it and now it plays both on my pc and xbox.

XBOX controllers ARE USB...  They just have a proprietary plug.  N64 controllers on the other hand are not and therefor need conversion.
Title: Re: ADAPTOIDS!!!!
Post by: Loki on December 26, 2006, 08:22:24 pm
Too damn expensive -_-
Isn't it possible to make one your self?

I did the same with my xbox controller, I just cut the wire, solder an extra USB cable to it, heat-shrink tube around it and now it plays both on my pc and xbox.

XBOX controllers ARE USB...  They just have a proprietary plug.  N64 controllers on the other hand are not and therefor need conversion.

True... but what does this conversion mean with a N64 controller? does it has some kind of chip in it to make it possible?
If it's just different wirering I don't see why it wouldn't be possible to make it yourself.
If it doesn't work for USB maybe gameport works?

Edit:
Looks like it will be a bit more challenging  :hissy:
http://arcadecontrols.com/Mirrors/emulatronia/n64pad/index.htm
Oh well, might be a nice project in the future..
Title: Re: ADAPTOIDS!!!!
Post by: Kremmit on December 27, 2006, 12:22:29 am
It's not a simple cable conversion.  The N64 controller uses very different guts from Xbox and PS2 controllers.  Just as an example, the analog joy on the N64 uses optical encoder wheels, like a mouse.  Normal gamepads use potentiometers, like a PC or arcade analog joy.  N64 converters have to use a real circuit board that does real work, not just cross-wire to a new plug.

As for the ebay ones, they are generally considered flaky, especially on the analog stick, rumblepack, and game save features.  The Adaptoids have a reputation for working perfectly, just the way you'd expect them to.

I wish I could blow $144 on 4 of them.  Probably not gonna happen, though.. Santa Claus ate all my money.
Title: Re: ADAPTOIDS!!!!
Post by: ChadTower on December 27, 2006, 11:01:25 am

That is all true.

I seem to remember N64->USB converters that were in the $10-15 range.  I have a couple that I know I wouldn't have paid more than that for...