One hour project: cheap usb controller + SNES pad

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:14 am

I'm not sure where I should post this, so mods feel free to move. It turned out pretty cool and works great, so I thought i'd post it up.

Basically I took a cheapo $5 usb gamepad, and stuck it inside a SNES controller (Super Famicom actually, as you can see from the pics). The SNES pad is one of my favorite controllers, and the number of buttons matched up.. so why not?

I trimmed the usb gamepad pcb and frankensteined it together with the SNES pad pcb. I had to move a few components on the usb controller pcb around to the front, but nothing major. The two pcbs are attached together by some thin super strong double sided tape.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/D9 ... fPLQ"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ceMger_adeM/SSleA ... 7.jpg"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4g ... tXlg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ceMger_adeM/SSleB ... 8.jpg"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MK ... 27_A"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ceMger_adeM/SSleC ... 9.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lw ... xeaQ"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ceMger_adeM/SSleD ... 0.jpg"></a>

themadhacker · Post by **themadhacker** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:43 am

I like it! I was actually planning on doing something like this using the second controller for the sj3. It would put the piece of junk to use.

themadhacker · Post by **themadhacker** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:43 am

themadhacker · Post by **themadhacker** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:43 am

once again, oops

themadhacker · Post by **themadhacker** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:43 am

sorry for all the posts, my computer messed up on me.

Kyo · Post by **Kyo** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:19 pm

I like it. I tried making an adaptor with this guide:
http://www.raphnet.net/electronique/sne ... dex_en.php
the other day, but it appeared that microcontrollers hate me. My problem was somewhere between the serial port not being found and the programmer/IC not being found. Not quite sure which, but this seems like an easier and more elegant solution. The disadvantage is that you can't use it for a SNES anymore, but nice. I like it.

Neildo_64 · Post by **Neildo_64** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:37 pm

Hmm.. Looks like a project I started a while back. I got almost done, then just quit. I had a cheapo usb controller and I stuffed it in an SNES controller. Looks basically the same. The insides are almost identical and the controller even looks the same. Nicely done.

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:33 am

Funny how on this site when someone is making something or has succeeded in making something good that at least one person says either "funny, I was planning on making one" or "looks like an idea I had" or similar...

Good work!

Neildo_64 · Post by **Neildo_64** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 3:33 am

Well this I actually got most of the way done with and found something (cant remember what) unresponsive and after a couple tries fixing, just set it with all my other assorted "goods". I think it's weird the controller is even the same (would be really weird if the USB pad was the same but it's not).

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:07 am

Pics show front and back of the controller wired, fine, except all the wires are red so it isn't remotely clear what connects to what. Perhaps diagrams please to make it all clear??

I am sure some people on this site, including myself, might want to make one of these in the future.

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:54 am

Thanks for the comments guys.
Neildo_64, it was a cheapo $5 controller. Maybe it's not the same controller as yours, but i'm sure it was damn similar. Generic Chinese stuff after all

Bacteria, the SNES controller I used was a REALLY old one, that had two NES style ICs doubled up. I don't think it would be very helpful to make a diagram up for this one, since 90% of the SNES controllers made since '91 use the single IC.

That said, its much much easier to make than it looks. I just removed the original plug and ICs on the SNES controller. On the USB gamepad, only a cap and the crystal had to be flipped around to the other side. Then, I just connected the ground between the boards, and connected each direction and button with a wire. Hence, all the same color wires. Instead of soldering next to the buttons, I just followed each buttons trace to where it would have gone to the IC. That way all the wires connect in one place on the SNES side. The rear housing had to be shaved a little so it would fit together, but nothing major.

Kyo · Post by **Kyo** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:31 am

bacteria wrote:Funny how on this site when someone is making something or has succeeded in making something good that at least one person says either "funny, I was planning on making one" or "looks like an idea I had" or similar...

Good work!

and the obligatory "I failed at making this"

Great minds thing alike

Neildo_64 · Post by **Neildo_64** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:41 pm

Yeah, these cheap usb game pads rock for usb controller mods. They are small and pretty easy to use. Here is what I used (NOT MY PICTURE - GOOGLE) I got it for $8.00 at Walmart.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/ ... _15161.jpg

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:15 pm

Ah, yes of course - now I see what he did!

jleemero · Post by **jleemero** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:59 pm

Kyo wrote:
bacteria wrote:Funny how on this site when someone is making something or has succeeded in making something good that at least one person says either "funny, I was planning on making one" or "looks like an idea I had" or similar...

Good work!
and the obligatory "I failed at making this"

Great minds thing alike

But steady hands actually finish projects.

...