Genesis 6 button pad to PC Engine Pad

[Supremo_Lagarto]

Forgive me if a topic of this nature has already been posted, as I did a search and could not find one.

On a thread in another website a user had a question about converting the Genesis 6 button Pad to be used on a PC Engine. I didn't think it was feasible, but several other members chimed in to tell me that I was wrong. But they did not leave instructions as to how this could be accomplished.

resistance is not the issue
the nec systems are the only ones (im aware of) that use 4 lines out and 2 in on the controllers.
meaning most others must be rewired considerably to convert.

copy the logic, rewire the pad and yes (just allot of work)

So, you are saying that the amount of power supplied to the control pad is not a factor? Interesting.

In a few minutes I'm going to put up a high quality image of the PCB of a Genesis 6 button Pad and a NEC Avenue 6 PAD.



Maybe someone can then show how how (via photoshop) how to re-solder the connections for the Genesis 6 button pad.

Looking at the photos I can see that there are nine wires to each control pad.
Both control pads have a mode function to switch the pad back to a less than six button configuration.

On the Genesis side we have (from left to right)

Pin 1 - g_white
Pin 2 - g_blue
Pin 3 - g_gray
Pin 4 - g_yellow
Pin 5 - g_orange
Pin 6 - g_green
Pin 7 - g_red
Pin 8 - g_brown
Pin 9 - g_black

*Note that the NEC pad has the pins upside down.
On the NEC 6 button pad we have (from right to left)
We are not going to use this because NEC changed the wire colors.
Pin 1 - green
Pin 2 - gray
Pin 3 - red
Pin 4 - orange
Pin 5 - blue
Pin 6 - brown
Pin 7 - yellow
Pin 8 - purple
Pin 9 - black

However, on the original PC Engine Pad (which we would be using for raw materials) NEC changed the colors of the wires to the pins. The cables are interchangeable from a 6 button Pad and a 2 button pad. They simply unplug. You can actually unplug the cable on a 2 button PC Engine pad and plug that into a 6 button pad PCB and plug it into a Duo and that cable will work exactly like the original.

So, using the cable we will actually be using instead of the one from the Avenue Pad 6 we have different colored wires:

*Note that the NEC pad has the pins upside down.
On the NEC 6 button pad we have (from right to left)
Pin 1 - p_red
Pin 2 - p_white
Pin 3 - p_black
Pin 4 - p_yellow
Pin 5 - p_green
Pin 6 - p_blue
Pin 7 - p_brown
Pin 8 - p_gray
Pin 9 - p_black

So the question would be which wires on the Genesis control pad would connect to which wires on the PC Engine cable connected to the Duo or PC Engine Console?

A solution would look like this (this is a mock up):

Genesis Pad--------->PC Engine cable
Pin 1 - g_white ------- p_red \____splice
Pin 2 - g_blue ---------p_red /
Pin 3 - g_gray---------p_red
Pin 4 - g_yellow-------p_red
Pin 5 - g_orange------p_red\____splice
Pin 6 - g_green-------p_red/
Pin 7 - g_red---------p_red
Pin 8 - g_brown-------p_red
Pin 9 - g_black--------p_red

However, the colors would naturally not be the same.

It seems Steve also indicated that there was a difference in the lines and that they would need to be rewired ("4 lines out and 2 in"). So, I'm guessing that means some of these connections would need to be spliced together?

Can anyone offer a solution?

If not, I'm going to go back to my initial statement that it is possible but not feasible (practical for most people).

[Duo_R]

U simply cannot just swap wiring, you need to change out the internals to get this to work. Meaning you need the ICs from PC Avenue 6 swapped in and wired up. I would suggest converting a 2 button NES controller first then attempting a 6 button.

See my website for instructions on how to convert a NES to PCE.

[Duo_R]

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxwY2Vtb2R6fGd4OjU4Yzc4OGRhNjVlMTFlM2Q

[Supremo_Lagarto]

U simply cannot just swap wiring, you need to change out the internals to get this to work. Meaning you need the ICs from PC Avenue 6 swapped in and wired up. I would suggest converting a 2 button NES controller first then attempting a 6 button.

See my website for instructions on how to convert a NES to PCE.

I thought it would be something complex like that. But people were swearing to me on this other website (unless I misunderstood them) that you could just change the wiring.

That is a fantastic guide, but its not exactly what I'm talking about and a project like that would not be feasible for most people.

Definitely interesting though.

If someone ever does accomplish this it would be wonderful if they would publish a step by step guide detailing exactly which wires go where and which model IC's were selected.

I really wish I actually had time to work on a project like that. It would be nice.

[Duo_R]

Its more work than its worth considering Ave 6 controllera are cheap and work fine.

[SignOfZeta]

I seem to remember something about how the Genesis and PCE 6 button pads functioned in almost the same way, but I don't remember the details.

As Duo R said though, unless you are trapped on in island somewhere with limited resources I just don't see the point in this. I mean, there is a Hori Commander for $43 BIN on eBay right now, and that's the best pad you can get.

[Supremo_Lagarto]

Update: here is a link to a somewhat related project:
http://www.raphnet.net/electronique/tgfx16_usb/index_en.php

Naturally, it is quite a bit different than what we are trying to do, but it has a bit more information.

I seem to remember something about how the Genesis and PCE 6 button pads functioned in almost the same way, but I don't remember the details.

As Duo R said though, unless you are trapped on in island somewhere with limited resources I just don't see the point in this. I mean, there is a Hori Commander for $43 BIN on eBay right now, and that's the best pad you can get.

Oh, I have a six button pad. I also modified my NEC Avenue Pad so that the directional pad is more accurate (it was simple). However, you can get 6 button Genesis Pads on eBay for like $2. Honestly, if someone could figure out a set of instructions and materials to do this it could be marginally profitable for some people who sell modified console peripherals on eBay.

[HercTNT]

While I love the Ave 6 pad, I gotta admit that the genny 6 button is rather sexy. I'm using one right now on my jvc x'eye playing pier solar.  I agree with duo-r, its not very cost effective though to do this mod unless your doing it out of curisoity.  I attempted to convert a nes controller for the duo. Its a pretty involved process and if your not up to par on your skills you can ruin one easily (and i did).  Now one less nes controller is no big deal to me, but screwing up a nec controller has got to be some kinda of sacrilege.  besides those $2 dollar 6 button pads on ebay are most likely repos and they suck hard! Not only are they poorly made, but there internals are not the same as the originals anyways.

[Duo_R]

What mod didu do to Ave6?

Update: here is a link to a somewhat related project:
http://www.raphnet.net/electronique/tgfx16_usb/index_en.php

Naturally, it is quite a bit different than what we are trying to do, but it has a bit more information.

I seem to remember something about how the Genesis and PCE 6 button pads functioned in almost the same way, but I don't remember the details.

As Duo R said though, unless you are trapped on in island somewhere with limited resources I just don't see the point in this. I mean, there is a Hori Commander for $43 BIN on eBay right now, and that's the best pad you can get.

Oh, I have a six button pad. I also modified my NEC Avenue Pad so that the directional pad is more accurate (it was simple). However, you can get 6 button Genesis Pads on eBay for like $2. Honestly, if someone could figure out a set of instructions and materials to do this it could be marginally profitable for some people who sell modified console peripherals on eBay.

[Arkhan]

Oh, I have a six button pad. I also modified my NEC Avenue Pad so that the directional pad is more accurate (it was simple). However, you can get 6 button Genesis Pads on eBay for like $2. Honestly, if someone could figure out a set of instructions and materials to do this it could be marginally profitable for some people who sell modified console peripherals on eBay.

Who cares about marginal profits on ebay? The 6 button genesis pad is crap compared to the Ave6 or Hori Commander.

[KnightWarrior]

Let's bring it back from the dead

The Genesis 6 button D-Pad is better then the Avenue Pad 6

I would buy a Modded Genny 6 Button Pad for the Turbo

[wilykat]

You'd need a few chips (4 total, 3 74LS157 and 74LS163 for swiching the 2 chips plus autofire support if desired.

Schematic at this link: link at gamesx.com
Source: http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3734.0
resistor networks: Since they're simply pull-ups, you can just use anything from 2k2 to 10k range.
For toggling between 2 buttons and 6 buttons mode, you'd need another switch:

Pin 1 of the '157 chip closest to the connector. 

Your switch should connect it as shown OR connect it to GROUND.

You'd need to remove the original chips and wire, check and if needed cut traces on the control pad to get each of the 4 directions, select, mode, and 6 action button. Then get the cable from old PCE/TG-16 controller. 

[Kaijuboy]

Heck, I'm just interested in the whole "I also modified my NEC Avenue Pad so that the directional pad is more accurate (it was simple)" comment.

What exactly was done? 

[HercTNT]

not sure, but i have an ave 6 pad and a nec 6 button pad and both work great without mods. the ave 6 pad is better overall while the nec pad is good for rpg's. the best pad seems to be the hori pad but be prepared to shell out around $50