Modder who converts WIRED controllers to WIRELESS?

Dochartaigh · Post by **Dochartaigh** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 3:31 pm

I have wireless controller solutions worked out for my NES, SNES, PS2, and Xbox, but there are ZERO good wireless solutions for the original Playstation, and Sega Genesis (they do have some, but they're either IR, or fugly, or add a HUGE -and ugly- block sticking out the front of the console - I'm a stickler for keeping it as original as possible).

Is there any reputable modders who takes on projects like this? The only person I've found was "micro" on NFGgames forum, but those posts seems to be years and years old (and had some problems with the newer chips he used I think I read?).

Ideally it would be a chip with small battery pack which fits inside the original controller I provide, with a receiver in a nice (and small) box which plugs into the receiver socket on the console (I can also hard wire into the controller ports, and run a wire to the back for a larger receiver box like a Raspberry Pi or Arduino controller or whatnot so it's hidden behind the console – REALLY trying to keep the original look of my consoles as much as I can (and I don't mind the small dongle 8BitDo uses, or my Dunop-brand PS2 controllers use a similar super-small dongle).

I would even be fine with using a PS4 controller - in Grey color - on my PS1 for example; or a Sega Saturn on my Genesis as those are both pretty close if those are things people have done before and open up some more options for me.

If there's any quasi-DIY chip solution I could use I'm likewise game for that, or even using the parts from an existing wireless controller and transplanting it to my controller if that's a thing people do – but my electronics skills are pretty basic. I can re-solder a 21 pin SCART socket to switch it from male to female or input to output, can take apart a Xbox 360 USB controller adapter for my Raspberry Pi 3 and hard-wire it to the RP3's USB contact pads so it fits inside the case and is hidden...and other super simple stuff like that, but that's about it. Basically where there's directions online of "attach the red wire to pad A" and so on I can do but not much else.

If there's any ideas (or controller models which look close to the original) I've missed PLEASE let me know.

zak · Post by **zak** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 5:39 pm

Looking for the same thing! Would also like to add N64 to the list.

Dochartaigh · Post by **Dochartaigh** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 5:57 pm

zak wrote:Looking for the same thing! Would also like to add N64 to the list.

8BitDo (think with Retrobit?) makes a Nintendo 64 Bluetooth controller....just need to make a wireless receiver for it...(which hopefully 8BitDo will make at some point as they have it for their NES and SNES models).

Xer Xian · Post by **Xer Xian** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:19 pm

It can be done, but there are no DIY (or even quasi-DIY

) guides that I'm aware of. There's a guy that came up wih a wireless solution for the Dreamcast, but he (legitimately) chose not to document it and instead sells his service on eBay - it's a bit too pricey for me though.

For the PS1, have you tried Logitech's PS2 wireless controllers? I think I've read they are backwards compatible - never bothered to check it out myself. For the Genesis there's the official wireless controller. Yes, like the Konami hyperbeam controller for the SNES (that I tested) it uses IR and will not work when not pointed towards the receiver, but it's not necessarily going to suck in terms of lag. May be worth a try, unless you find dissenting opinions around (I've not checked yet).

copy · Post by **copy** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:54 pm

8bitdo and Raphnet open up some possibilities. For wireless on the Genesis, I plan to use the SNES-to-Genesis adapter with the SNES Retro Receiver.

There is also a Raphnet SNES-to-PS1 adapter, but of course it wouldn't work for analog controller games.

Marmotta · Post by **Marmotta** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:17 am

I'm working on a wireless Genesis/Mega Drive controller at the moment, based partly on Raphnet's code. Hope to have something working on proto board by beginning of next month, but it'll take a while to finalise as I'm currently in the middle of the Italian countryside and don't have any soldering equipment with me. My current design also has way too many chips and the code is a mess of different variants of C.

There are complete schematics and code for a wireless N64 controller by micro, so I'm sure you could find someone to build one or two for a price.

Syntax · Post by **Syntax** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 3:21 am

If I were putting effort into a wireless solution for old consoles I'd want it to be multi platform and widely controller compatible.

Using something like the add on board from the open source kade+ program, coupled with something like the undamned decoder would be very interesting and useful.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ka ... tro-gaming

Using one of toodles boards is another option as they can be plugged into around 4 consoles at once per board.

Maybe you could even have a toodles board wired to all your consoles and an undamned decoder connected to it with a wireless dongle connected to the undamned. May work out of the box but please research before trying, I could be talking shiz..

bigbadboaz · Post by **bigbadboaz** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:41 am

Seconding that the Logitech PS2 controllers should be fine on your PS1, if interested.

Can confirm that the OEM Genesis wireless pads are godly. Could not believe how well they worked back in the day when NO OTHER wireless controllers on the market even registered button presses consistently. These have every bit of the quality in Sega's other mainline 6-button controllers and don't seem to lag. Yes, you will need line-of-sight and I don't know how far they range. But don't dismiss them out of hand just due to range/IR. Plus, as official Sega six-buttons they have their own special cachet

About the 8bitdo N64 controller, they got some bad feedback at launch for not measuring up to the work they'd done with the SNES-style pads. Heck, some (me included) didn't think even the SNES pads deserved all that hype. FYI.

LDigital · Post by **LDigital** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:56 am

I have 2.4g wireless on all my systems. Some I went with 8bitdo where available some I had to build myself

Genesis - self built
Saturn - Self built
Pc engine - self built
Neo geo - panzer kit
Dreamcast - look up dreamcon on eBay. Amazing even used the rumble and vmu wirelessly
Snes 8bitdo
nes 8bitdo
N64 retrobit

I was thinking to make a video one time but I’m shy

Dochartaigh · Post by **Dochartaigh** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 2:45 pm

Xer Xian wrote:It can be done, but there are no DIY (or even quasi-DIY ) guides that I'm aware of. There's a guy that came up wih a wireless solution for the Dreamcast, but he (legitimately) chose not to document it and instead sells his service on eBay - it's a bit too pricey for me though.

For the PS1, have you tried Logitech's PS2 wireless controllers? I think I've read they are backwards compatible - never bothered to check it out myself. For the Genesis there's the official wireless controller. Yes, like the Konami hyperbeam controller for the SNES (that I tested) it uses IR and will not work when not pointed towards the receiver, but it's not necessarily going to suck in terms of lag. May be worth a try, unless you find dissenting opinions around (I've not checked yet).

Micro does sell a DIY kit for a couple systems. Hasn't logged onto the forum for over a month though...I sent him a PM so we'll see if I can at least get my PS1 up and running (that's one of the kits he sells - although ONLY for the non-dualshock controller which kinda stinks...but will totally work since it's still a real PS1 controller at least).

For Logitech, I'm kinda a stickler for the controller being true to the form and color of the original – or at least close-ish - the Logitech looks nothing like a PS1 controller unfortunately. The PS2 wireless controller I have does work on the PS1 (besides disabling the slot 1 memory card...slot 2 still works), but those PS2 controllers are black, and the PS1's were always gray so the search continues.

Marmotta wrote:I'm working on a wireless Genesis/Mega Drive controller at the moment, based partly on Raphnet's code. Hope to have something working on proto board by beginning of next month, but it'll take a while to finalise as I'm currently in the middle of the Italian countryside and don't have any soldering equipment with me. My current design also has way too many chips and the code is a mess of different variants of C.

There are complete schematics and code for a wireless N64 controller by micro, so I'm sure you could find someone to build one or two for a price.

Let me know how the Genesis works out. I hope you're building it for the MK-1653 6-button controller!

And do you know of anyone who does these type of custom projects with a good track record? (besides Micro who I already contacted).

bigbadboaz wrote:Can confirm that the OEM Genesis wireless pads are godly. Could not believe how well they worked back in the day when NO OTHER wireless controllers on the market even registered button presses consistently. These have every bit of the quality in Sega's other mainline 6-button controllers and don't seem to lag. Yes, you will need line-of-sight and I don't know how far they range. But don't dismiss them out of hand just due to range/IR. Plus, as official Sega six-buttons they have their own special cachet

I might actually look into running an extension cord out the back my my Genesis - then have the IR receiver masked by my monitors somewhere (all the consoles are off to the side in a sever rack). I'm going to have to have IR bar mounted on my monitor for my MAME lightgun anyway so that might work out. REALLY just trying to keep the original and clean look of these consoles as this entire setup is kinda a conversation piece (albeit a dorky one

for my living room.

LDigital wrote:I have 2.4g wireless on all my systems. Some I went with 8bitdo where available some I had to build myself

Genesis - self built
..............

I was thinking to make a video one time but I’m shy

I would love to see your work! Are you building them with a replacement PCB which you fit inside an original controller and use all the original buttons and everything? That seems to be what others are doing so I thought I'd ask (and that style seems to be about the max I could DIY myself with my soldering skills).

Marmotta · Post by **Marmotta** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 4:09 pm

Dochartaigh wrote:Let me know how the Genesis works out. I hope you're building it for the MK-1653 6-button controller!

And do you know of anyone who does these type of custom projects with a good track record? (besides Micro who I already contacted).

Yes, it'll be a 6-button pad with the option to switch to a 3-button by pressing a button combination on boot and will have a few different button mapping options (which is the part using Raphnet's code).

I've made a couple of micro's controllers in the past and have backed a couple of the Retro Fighter N64 pads on Kickstarter to mod, but as I mentioned, it'll be some time before I have the necessary equipment. It might be worth contacting people in the thread for micro's V1 controllers at NFGgames who have posted their completed pads; that wouldn't cover PS1 or the Genesis receiver though, as they're V2.

tiff_lee · Post by **tiff_lee** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 11:37 am

What's stopping you using your wireless PS2 solution on a PS1?

You've probably seen these already (with your comment "HUGE -and ugly- block sticking out the front of the console")

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wireless-2- ... D8mgk2Cc9Q

but i've used one of them fine with both PS1 and PS2. I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to incorporate the receiver into the console so it's concealed. The controllers do come in a solid black/white colour as well but again could probably rehouse into a genuine controller housing with a little work.

zak · Post by **zak** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 12:46 pm

Is anyone here willing to mod a couple of original N64 controllers for me?

Guspaz · Post by **Guspaz** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 2:06 pm

While not a solution, you can use the RaphNet adapter to use a wavebird on your N64:

http://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/gc_to_n64_adapter/

Dochartaigh · Post by **Dochartaigh** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 2:24 pm

tiff_lee wrote:What's stopping you using your wireless PS2 solution on a PS1?

You've probably seen these already (with your comment "HUGE -and ugly- block sticking out the front of the console")

I've tried 3x brands like those actually. Settled on the "Donop" brand which seem pretty decent. Problem is they only come in black -which is perfect for my phat PS2- but the original Playstation was gray (again, I'm a stickler for as original as possible) so they won't work there. They also disable the memory card from working in slot 1 on 3x 5XXX series Playstation 1's I've tried.

Guspaz wrote:While not a solution, you can use the RaphNet adapter to use a wavebird on your N64:

http://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/gc_to_n64_adapter/

Good solution for people who own a N64! (but I don't own one

mvsfan · Post by **mvsfan** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 5:59 pm

Ive been wondering if you can pair the 8bitdo controllers with more than one console or do you need seperate controllers?

It would be nice to use the Snes controller on the Nes and not have to re-pair it each time you turn it on.

if its not out yet someone should do that. being able to use 1 wireless controller for most of your classic consoles would be great.

then i could get rid of all the controllers i have hooked up now.

bigbadboaz · Post by **bigbadboaz** » Wed Nov 29, 2017 4:19 am

Have you used the 8bitdo controllers yet? They are unfortunately not as good as the masses of casuals want you to think, and the inaccurate D-pad will give you fits with any number of precision action games.

With any luck they've cleaned up their design for the two new versions releasing next month, but that remains to be seen.

tjstogy · Post by **tjstogy** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 10:42 pm

Not sure if anyone mentioned it- but using the 8bitdo controllers on real hardware creates input lag.

Also- Krikkz is working on a wireless Genesis controller mod that should be lag free....

bigbadboaz · Post by **bigbadboaz** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 5:28 am

Despite hearing that all over, that is the one thing I can vouch in the 8bitdos' favor - I didn't perceive any lag while running them through their Retro Receivers on the SNES. And I do have other setups that will produce lag on the same TV.

Didn't save them as actual playable controllers though

Dochartaigh · Post by **Dochartaigh** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 1:46 pm

The 8BitDo SNES and NES controllers have been fine for me as well. I mean, I kinda suck at most of those games (since I haven't played most of them at length in ~20 years, but that tends to be me and not the controllers...

shmups.system11.org