Modernized NES Controller (FINISHED!)

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XCVG
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Modernized NES Controller (FINISHED!)

Post by XCVG »

EDIT: Finished, and failed, see below.

No, it's not a NESchuck ripoff. It's a modernized NES controller! It started when I got a NES joystick cheap. I have a broken 3rd party N64 controller. It's going to take a lot of modding but I think I can put the two together. So far I have the NES board chopped up and I'm working on the case and Dpad. Buttons are much easier. I'm really learning a lot as far as building this stuff goes- I recommend a controller mod as good practice for a portable. In any case I have to pick up some supplies.

More info and some pictures coming (very) soon!

EDIT:
Pictures:
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What I've got on the case so far. Very futuristic and cool looking. It looks horrible because of all the hot glue but if it wasn't clear you wouldn't be able to see most of it. I've got to pick up some bondo and epoxy putty. Then I can fill the c-button and "set" "clr" holes. The start and slow holes will be the start and select buttons. The shoulder buttons are non-functional- by that time I said "screw it" and glued them in because I didn't feel like cutting any more plastic. It's a real pain- cut, file/sand, glue, push around, dremel-sand. My cheap dremel is huge and has no power. It can barely sand, and the cutting discs cause it to stop mid-cut. Any sort of pressure, it stops. The sad part is that a few weeks after I bought it I saw a much better model on sale for about $50 with a lot of accessories. This piece of crap cost me $9 and came with bare essentials. But enough, back to the controller. I tried to cut out the rumble/memory pak area but ended out smashing and ripping it out. The chopped-up board will go in there. Anyway, this thing is comfy.

Image
The electronics. The top brown board is the hacked up controller. Has built-in pull-up resistors, woohoo. The board originally had 4 contacts for the (crude junk) joystick and an "autofire" circuit, but those are gone. The way it's wired it was really easy to hack. The board with 6 pads is for the A/B buttons- I can't remove the "c" section without making it impossible to mount. The 3-prong connector is for my expensive but awesome soldering iron. You'll never know how awesome it is to have a good iron until you get one. The d-pad board is a potential problem. I cut off too much so there's no good way to mount it. Should I use something rigid like putty to glue it down or use hotglue and rely on case pressure. Advice please!
Last edited by XCVG on Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:59 pm, edited 2 times in total.
HercTNT
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Re: Modernized NES Controller (WIP) (NEW PICS!)

Post by HercTNT »

Well, i'm not smart enough to give you advice on how to make this, but i think your doing a great job. i cant wait to see how it turns out. maybe some putty and some paint afterwords will take care of the hot glue showing through the case. keep plugging away!! :D
Life of Brian
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Re: Modernized NES Controller (WIP) (NEW PICS!)

Post by Life of Brian »

Projects like these are fun. You are probably in for a lot of sanding, though :D But, if you put in the time I think it will look nice. The overall shape of the controller looks neat.
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XCVG
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Re: Modernized NES Controller

Post by XCVG »

Gonna work on this some more today. I got a tube of Bondo "Spot and Glazing Putty" hope it's the right stuff. I'm going to try to get it wired up today.
XCVG
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Re: Modernized NES Controller (WIP) (NEW PICS!)

Post by XCVG »

Got it all wired up, but I have to fix a few connections. Too tired to post pics, even though it isn't even 5:00 yet.
Metallica Man X
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Re: Modernized NES Controller (WIP) (NEW PICS!)

Post by Metallica Man X »

oOOH... I smell spiffy :lol: I can't wait to see the finished product 8)
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XCVG
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UPDATE

Post by XCVG »

All wired up and working! Built a little tact switch board for start and select. Almost destroyed the traces on the d-pad, but a little superglue keeps the wire from ripping the traces off. I could give you a picture, but there's nothing to see. Don't know if I'll have time to work on the case today.
HercTNT
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Re: Modernized NES Controller (WIP) (ELECTRONICS DONE)

Post by HercTNT »

i cant wait to see it......... :)
XCVG
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Re: Modernized NES Controller (FINISHED!)

Post by XCVG »

I've finally (mostly) finished it today. Got everything glued-in and managed to fit it all in. Had to do a lot of dremelling. It works (still need finishing). But I'm considering it failed.

The problem is the original controller. The dpad is crap, even with a lot of pressure it sucks. Crap feel, and requires insane amount of pressure. The buttons are a little low, but not bad. The tact-switch start/select buttons were hard to build but work fine. But the dpad is essential for NES games. I'm probably not going to bother finishing it (painting and bondo).

Next time I'll probably use a Playstation pad and original NES dpad, with SNES compatibility as well. Maybe rumble too. Just gotta find a cheap PS pad and a cheap NES pad. That's hard where I live.

Pics after dinner, I'm hungry!
qerkdtx
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Re: Modernized NES Controller (FINISHED!)

Post by qerkdtx »

After dinner
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XCVG
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Re: Modernized NES Controller (FINISHED!)

Post by XCVG »

qerkdtx wrote:After dinner
Yeah, I was busy. Pics tomorrow hopefully, image host seems to be down :(
Biased
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Re: Modernized NES Controller (FINISHED!)

Post by Biased »

I say you try again... With an NES Advantage controller.
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