Project Unity - the multiple retro video gaming console system

[sharpfork]

I'm sure there will ba an opinion or 42 about this one.

fifteen console systems playing eighteen formats in total, one master controller, one SCART output, one power supply, one custom made switch unit. All with original console hardware, no emulation or clone systems. It is the most comprehensive multi retro gaming console made, that uses original gaming hardware.

I tried to keep an open mind but he lost me with the unified controller.  I'd much rather have a decently emulate console with the original controller than have the original console guts with a Frankenstein controller.  Props to this guy for an interesting project but .

[DaveMMR]

Cool, I suppose, but half the fun of retro gaming is the original console and controller designs. Displaying them is part of the hobby as well. The big, unwieldly box is nowhere near as attractive as, say, an old Heavy Sixer VCS or original front-loader NES.  And it looks very messy and fragile.

However, the single Power Supply does add an advantage to that project. Having to manage all those old bricks is a bit of a pain.

But that's just me. 

[shponglefan]

This seems like the opposite of what would be ideal... why go through the trouble of original hardware only to use a clunky-looking Jaguar-style controller?  I agree w/ sharpfork, a PC box w/ emulation and original controllers makes far more sense than original H/W with a custom universal controller.

As a proof-of-concept goes, cool, I suppose, but I don't get it...

edited to add:  Re-watching the video, I notice he does stress using original console h/w as opposed to emulators for authenticity.  Which is fair.  But I would think anyone going for true authenticity would want to use the original consoles in the original form w/ original controllers.  And hooked up to an old-school CRT TV.  Anything less and you're not getting the authentic experience.

[Howard_Casto]

Cool, I suppose, but half the fun of retro gaming is the original console and controller designs. Displaying them is part of the hobby as well. The big, unwieldly box is nowhere near as attractive as, say, an old Heavy Sixer VCS or original front-loader NES.  And it looks very messy and fragile.

However, the single Power Supply does add an advantage to that project. Having to manage all those old bricks is a bit of a pain.

But that's just me. 

I agree, they are doing it backwards.  Your two ideals would be a massive display case with all of the consoles wired in and working or a emulation box that accepts all the different controller types. 

I hate these types of projects because all it accomplishes is a bunch of retro consoles get trashed.  Yeah I know, he bought them, he can do whatever he likes with them, but anybody that would throw them all in one case and think it's a good idea are the same types of people who will get bored with the completed project in a month and the thing ends up in the garbage.  Basically if you think a weird, universal controller is a good idea, you obviously haven't PLAYED any of these systems. 

[ChadTower]

Holy hell.  I can't even see through the physical implementation toward the gaming issues.  That thing has so many individual connectors, solder points, custom harnesses, etc... it's going to be a nightmare to keep working and he'd better never ever ever move the thing.

[shponglefan]

I posted in one of his YouTube videos asking why make such a controller.  He replied that many original controllers suck and that a controller is "just an interface" and he wanted something comfortable to use.

It's true that some old controllers are mediocre, but i sill find it odd that someone would go through all the trouble for authenticity, but not worry about using original controllers... 

[DaveMMR]

He replied that many original controllers suck and that a controller is "just an interface" and he wanted something comfortable to use.

  

Okay, granted many old school controllers were a bit lacking in one way or another, but he better not be referring to the SNES controller. That thing can not be improved by what he presented...

But yeah, he loses a bit of credibility with his "original hardware" arguement. Might as well just emulate at that point anyhow....

[ChadTower]

...and the fact that basically he built himself the illegitimate child of a Jaguar and an Xbox controller.  That thing is horrific.

[Howard_Casto]

I mean yeah if he didn't bother with master system controllers because it's basically the same as a nes controller, ect I could see it, but basing the "generic" controller on a Jaguar... I just don't get it. 

I mean at that point why not just give up and use a ColecoVision controller?  It couldn't be that much worse.

[ChadTower]

SMS controllers are the same on the outside but very different on the inside.  SMS (and Genesis) controllers are straight wired and the NES is not.  He'd still have to do some redesign work but I'm right with you that the controller layout is almost exactly the same.

My kids play a ton of 2600 but they use small Genesis controllers.  Gotta admit it's more comfortable than a 2600 stick despite the blasphemy.  They don't even use the Wico 2600 sticks very much.

[Howard_Casto]

Yeah I know about the internal differences... you might want to check my very old thread roughing out the wiring/protocol of nearly every controller ever made.  I just meant that if he had picked a more sane generic design and said "well I'm not bother with the others because they are basically the same design" I could see it. 

I don't disagree with that.  People often flame me for this but I'm quite confident in saying that any controller the pre-dates the NES generation ranges from uncomfortable to utter garbage.  The original 2600 sticks are particularly bad.  I've found that the cheaper re-makes in the flashbacks are pretty good though... they don't use that stupid spring so you don't fight the controller.