"Poor Man's TurboTap" Hardware Project for Genesis/SNES Controllers

[Flavor]

Let me start off by saying that this may not be in the right forum.  I have a few things going on here.  I could see it as homebrew, a console modification, a WTB request, etc.  If you're a mod and you think this would reach the target audience better in another forum category, please let me know or go ahead and move it.

First, I'll give a quick background.  In the last year, I made a trade to acquire a TurboDuo.  I don't have many games for it, but I'm not a huge gamer, anyway.  I'm more of a tinkerer/hacker/maker/coder type.  I've been doing hardware projects for some other consoles recently (Neo Geo Pocket, Atari Lynx, etc.) and if you want, you can see some of my stuff at http://www.youtube.com/cfc2ngpc or http://www.flashmasta.com/.

Lately, my daughters and I have been playing the Duo.  They mainly want to play Bonk's Adventure/Revenge at the moment, but I'd like to find some multiplayer games for us.  The drawback here is that I only have the 1 controller, and buying a TurboTap and extra controllers is not going to be cheap.  I started looking at building my own TurboTap, which I think I can do fairly easily.

The downside is that to prototype it properly, I may need to get a real TurboTap and maybe some controllers.  Prototyping it may end up costing more than just buying one, but that's less interesting.

So, why am I telling you all this?  I need some input.

First, if anyone has a broken/worn/ugly/etc. TurboTap that they'd want to let go for cheap, please let me know.  I am also very interested in obtaining some cheap controllers (again broken, worn out, dirty, faded, etc is fine).

Next, I want to address the "Genesis" part of the title.  I wasn't sure if I should put that in there, but I thought it might get some people to read this far.  

TG-16/PCE controllers seem a bit expensive.  There are other controllers out there, like Genesis ones, that are pretty affordable, not to mention the fact that many of us would already own a couple.  If I'm playing a multiplayer TG-16 game, maybe I don't care if the extra players have an authentic TG/PCE controller.  If they're using a Genesis controller to play Bomberman, that should be fine.

So, I'm thinking of making the "Poor Man's TurboTap" (working title) have one PCE connector and 4 Genesis connectors.  What do you think?  Would you want something like that?  I'm sure a lot of you already have a Tap and controllers, but what's your take on this?  Is it blasphemy to hook a Sega controller to beloved NEC?  Is it cool to add extra options?  Would you want to own something like this?

So, if you have opinions, please respond.  If you have hardware that you'd like to donate to the cause, please let me know!

[Duo_R]

Try NES controllers, easier to convert and have a more similar button layout. See the link in my signature for instructions. Hopefully u can get a tap on the cheap.

[Flavor]

Try NES controllers, easier to convert and have a more similar button layout. See the link in my signature for instructions. Hopefully u can get a tap on the cheap.

Thanks!  I think I saw that writeup already in my initial searches.

I do agree that NES is much more similar as far as layout goes.  However, Genesis is appealing for cost reasons.  The way I am thinking about doing it, I would not have to mod the actual Genesis controller at all.  The main downside is that the Genesis doesn't have a SELECT button, so maybe the A or C button would be SELECT.  Also, the Genesis controller socket is much easier to source.

[soop]

Try NES controllers, easier to convert and have a more similar button layout. See the link in my signature for instructions. Hopefully u can get a tap on the cheap.

Thanks!  I think I saw that writeup already in my initial searches.

I do agree that NES is much more similar as far as layout goes.  However, Genesis is appealing for cost reasons.  The way I am thinking about doing it, I would not have to mod the actual Genesis controller at all.  The main downside is that the Genesis doesn't have a SELECT button, so maybe the A or C button would be SELECT.  Also, the Genesis controller socket is much easier to source.

There exists a converter called the XHE-3, which can be used to convert Genesis pads to PC Engine, but B doesn't work, and obviously that leaves you missing start or select.  The reason for this is that it's intended for use with the X68000 and I think MSX, which are similar but different.

However... when you're talking in terms of cost, what's a ballpark figure?  I've noticed that TG-16 pheripherals seem to be very expensive (like the extension cables!), but I don't really think PCE stuff is as expensive.

So what I propose would be to get/make a TG/PCE converter and then get some cheap Japanese pads and multitap at a fraction of the cost.  It would certainly save some work.

In fact, you could start with one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-pin-cable-repair-pc-engine-game-controller-pad-/110868045566?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d0401efe and a DIN socket.

and then get a bunch of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC-Engine-JUNK-DUO-Controller-Pad-Import-JAPAN-Video-Game-1666-/221002878071?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3374cc4c77
(again, not sure if that's expensive to you)

And this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC-Engine-JOY-TAP-3-Grafx-Import-Japanese-JAPAN-103-/220710739152?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3363629cd0
Or maybe a 5 port if your partner feels like joining in (recommended!)

[GohanX]

If you can get a Genesis controller working on it, it would be cool. If you can get the 6 button arcade pad to work on PCE 6 button games, that would be friggin' sweet!

I think I'd prefer the regular PCE controller for 2 button stuff, but using the Sega pad on SF2 would be hot sex. I would imagine this would require some sort of black magic, as the programming for the 6 button controllers on both systems is pretty odd.

[soop]

Holy crap, they really are expensive O___O

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEC-PC-ENGINE-TURBO-GRAFX-TG16-TURBO-PAD-CONTROLLER-NEW-/140666166978?pt=UK_VideoGames_VideoGameAccessories_VideoGameAccessories_JN&hash=item20c05b5ec2

[DragonmasterDan]

Try NES controllers, easier to convert and have a more similar button layout. See the link in my signature for instructions. Hopefully u can get a tap on the cheap.

I do agree that NES is much more similar as far as layout goes.  However, Genesis is appealing for cost reasons.  The way I am thinking about doing it, I would not have to mod the actual Genesis controller at all.  The main downside is that the Genesis doesn't have a SELECT button, so maybe the A or C button would be SELECT.  Also, the Genesis controller socket is much easier to source.

I see old NES controllers for sale constantly often times at cheap prices, Genesis controllers not nearly as much. Do you mean cost issues with modifying a NES pad, or the actual cost of the controllers themselves?

[Necromancer]

Holy crap, they really are expensive O___O

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEC-PC-ENGINE-TURBO-GRAFX-TG16-TURBO-PAD-CONTROLLER-NEW-/140666166978?pt=UK_VideoGames_VideoGameAccessories_VideoGameAccessories_JN&hash=item20c05b5ec2

Holy Jeebus!  That's gotta be a typo!

[Flavor]

Try NES controllers, easier to convert and have a more similar button layout. See the link in my signature for instructions. Hopefully u can get a tap on the cheap.

I do agree that NES is much more similar as far as layout goes.  However, Genesis is appealing for cost reasons.  The way I am thinking about doing it, I would not have to mod the actual Genesis controller at all.  The main downside is that the Genesis doesn't have a SELECT button, so maybe the A or C button would be SELECT.  Also, the Genesis controller socket is much easier to source.

I see old NES controllers for sale constantly often times at cheap prices, Genesis controllers not nearly as much. Do you mean cost issues with modifying a NES pad, or the actual cost of the controllers themselves?

Yea, I mean that (as far as I can tell) the cost of building an interface to the NES would be higher than what I'd need to build to interface with Genesis.  I am still in the early design phase, though, so this sort of input is helpful.

I have seen Genesis controllers sell on eBay for like $2 each, so I think that's cheap.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120879810907

[DragonmasterDan]

Holy Jeebus!  That's gotta be a typo!

And it says 14 sold?

[Necromancer]

And it says 14 sold?

And the other 14 sold at 11.95 each.  Looks like he forgot the decimal point when he raised the price.

[Flavor]

Sorry.  When I replied earlier, I had to run out, and I missed some of the other comments.

There exists a converter called the XHE-3, which can be used to convert Genesis pads to PC Engine, but B doesn't work, and obviously that leaves you missing start or select.  The reason for this is that it's intended for use with the X68000 and I think MSX, which are similar but different.

However... when you're talking in terms of cost, what's a ballpark figure?  I've noticed that TG-16 pheripherals seem to be very expensive (like the extension cables!), but I don't really think PCE stuff is as expensive.

So what I propose would be to get/make a TG/PCE converter and then get some cheap Japanese pads and multitap at a fraction of the cost.  It would certainly save some work.

In fact, you could start with one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-pin-cable-repair-pc-engine-game-controller-pad-/110868045566?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d0401efe and a DIN socket.

and then get a bunch of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC-Engine-JUNK-DUO-Controller-Pad-Import-JAPAN-Video-Game-1666-/221002878071?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3374cc4c77
(again, not sure if that's expensive to you)

And this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC-Engine-JOY-TAP-3-Grafx-Import-Japanese-JAPAN-103-/220710739152?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3363629cd0
Or maybe a 5 port if your partner feels like joining in (recommended!)

I'm really open to ideas, so this is all good info.  The XHE-3 sounds a lot like what I was thinking of building, except mine would be integrated with the turbotap device.  I could make the converter standalone like the XHE-3 you described, but it wouldn't be as cheap to produce.  After scouring the specs, I get why the B button would be left out.  There's not a super-simple way to get all the logic for all the buttons.  I'll have to see if I can find more about this XHE-3, but I'm guessing they're using some similar techniques to what I originally considered.

A ballpark figure might be say $30 for this TurboTap with built-in converter.  So, if you had Genesis controllers already, you'd be set.  If you didn't, it seems like you could get 4 for maybe $10 shipped if you went super-cheapo.  That's $40 total.

Compare that to the links you showed me.  We're talking about $20 for the TurboTap, and about $15-20 for each controller.  That's $80 total on the low end, I think.

If you can get a Genesis controller working on it, it would be cool. If you can get the 6 button arcade pad to work on PCE 6 button games, that would be friggin' sweet!

I think I'd prefer the regular PCE controller for 2 button stuff, but using the Sega pad on SF2 would be hot sex. I would imagine this would require some sort of black magic, as the programming for the 6 button controllers on both systems is pretty odd.

6-button would be much more difficult, but I wouldn't rule it out.  I can work on that.  It would probably not be built into a TurboTap at that point, though.  There is some fairly good documentation for the Genesis 6-button controllers.  What about the PCE 6-button controllers.  Is that well documented somewhere?  Does anyone have a broken one that could be hacked up and operated on?

Keep in mind that I could also make just a TurboTap (probably not worthwhile since they're available) or just a stand-alone gamepad converter.  If you see merit in either of these, that would be interesting to discuss, too.

[Keith Courage]

I really think you would be best off just being patient and waiting to find some cheap controllers on ebay or possibly from any forums members here who may have extras. It is easy to find pc engine DUO taps going for around $10 on ebay. Also, if you are fine settling for standard white pc engine controllers that don't have rapid switches then you can usually find those for around 12-15 a piece.

[Flavor]

I really think you would be best off just being patient and waiting to find some cheap controllers on ebay or possibly from any forums members here who may have extras. It is easy to find pc engine DUO taps going for around $10 on ebay. Also, if you are fine settling for standard white pc engine controllers that don't have rapid switches then you can usually find those for around 12-15 a piece.

You may be very right.  That is also kinda why I posted.  If I could find all the stuff for cheap, then maybe I skip the project.  If, however, there were others that thought it was a great idea, I could be convinced to produce more than just for myself.  We'll see how it plays out, but I do appreciate all the input you guys are giving.

Oh, and for the record, I am completely fine with white PCE controllers or even broken ones that I could fix.  I view this as extra functionality that will just supplement my primary controller.  Most of the time I'd just stick with the single standard TurboDuo controller.

Another thing is that I did find some good info about PCE 6-button functionality and Genesis 6-button.  Maybe I should change the scope of this project.  Let's toss that in the mix for possible outcome.  If there was a way to take a Genesis 6-button controller and plug it into a converter to PCE, would that be of general interest?

[soop]

I really think you would be best off just being patient and waiting to find some cheap controllers on ebay or possibly from any forums members here who may have extras. It is easy to find pc engine DUO taps going for around $10 on ebay. Also, if you are fine settling for standard white pc engine controllers that don't have rapid switches then you can usually find those for around 12-15 a piece.

You may be very right.  That is also kinda why I posted.  If I could find all the stuff for cheap, then maybe I skip the project.  If, however, there were others that thought it was a great idea, I could be convinced to produce more than just for myself.  We'll see how it plays out, but I do appreciate all the input you guys are giving.

Oh, and for the record, I am completely fine with white PCE controllers or even broken ones that I could fix.  I view this as extra functionality that will just supplement my primary controller.  Most of the time I'd just stick with the single standard TurboDuo controller.

Another thing is that I did find some good info about PCE 6-button functionality and Genesis 6-button.  Maybe I should change the scope of this project.  Let's toss that in the mix for possible outcome.  If there was a way to take a Genesis 6-button controller and plug it into a converter to PCE, would that be of general interest?

Now THAT would be cool.  although those pads you linked to look pretty crappy, the button profile is huge, which gives an indication to the quality